Crosswalk.com Devotional: Recent Episodes
LifeAudio
7 days a week, the Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.
Prayer is more than a simple request—it is an invitation to trust in the power, goodness, and faithfulness of God. In this devotional, Lynette Kittle explores what it means to pray with genuine faith and believe that God is able to answer, provide, and move in ways beyond what we can accomplish on our own.
Through the story of the father who cried out, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” in Mark 9:23-24, we are reminded that God does not ask us to rely on our own strength or add our own efforts to make prayer effective. Instead, He invites us to come to Him with confidence, trusting that all things are possible through Him. When we struggle to believe, prayer itself becomes a place where God strengthens our faith and teaches us to depend on Him.
Highlights:
- Discover why prayer is enough when we trust the One we are praying to.
- Explore the difference between asking God in faith and doubting His ability to work.
- Learn from the father in Mark 9 who brought both his faith and his doubts to Jesus.
- See how Scripture reveals God’s power to do what seems impossible.
- Be encouraged to stop limiting your prayers based on what you think God can do.
- Reflect on how surrendering your unbelief can deepen your relationship with God.
Join the Conversation
Where do you find yourself struggling to believe that God can answer your prayers? What would it look like to bring your doubts and requests to Him with greater faith?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Is Prayer Enough on Its Own?
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“‘If you can’?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.’” - Mark 9:23
How often do we pray, believing it will take more than prayer to receive our answer? By that meaning, do we, or someone else, need to do anything in addition to praying for God to answer us?
Do we tend to believe that we have to give money, or volunteer, along with prayer? That it’s not enough in itself for God to answer and move on our behalf?
Are we struggling to believe, thinking we can’t just ask and rely on Him to answer our prayers without adding to them in some way through our own efforts?
Fox News reports that a study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Department of Family and Community Medicine found that, “Adult patients experienced significant relief from pain and anxiety after just five minutes of in-person prayer,” more than from listening to five minutes of music.
Scripture describes how David, as a shepherd boy, played his harp to soothe King Saul, so history documents the popular saying “music soothes the savage beast.”
As 1 Samuel 16:23 describes, “Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.”
If God gave David’s music the power to bring relief, how much more has He given prayer the power to intervene in our lives?
When We Ask, Do We Believe Jesus Can?
Mark 9:22 reveals a man who wasn’t sure if Jesus could help his son who was being tormented, explaining and asking, “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
I love how Jesus answers, questioning the father and clarifying to him that it’s not a question of whether He can. It’s a given, because everything is possible with God, it just depends on our belief in Him.
It’s not up to Him, but up to us to believe, because how many times before praying do we preface our requests by “Lord, if you can”?
God doesn’t want us asking Him if He can; He wants us to believe that He is more than enough, as Jesus taught in John 15:7: “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
He is calling us to believe that all things are possible with Him, as He explained in Matthew 19:26: “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”
So if we struggle to believe, lacking in faith when we ask God, we can follow this father’s example as described in Mark 9:24: “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’”
Prayer Is More Than Enough
A powerful example of prayer being enough is found in the Old Testament book of Joshua. “On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel: ‘Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon’” (Joshua 10:12).
Many of us wouldn’t even attempt to pray such an unlikely and seemingly impossible prayer. Yet, Joshua did ask, and when he did, the following happened: “So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day” (Joshua 10:13).
Sadly, many of us disqualify our requests to God before even asking Him, deciding that we’re asking too much or more than God can do. We make the decision ahead of time, rather than asking Him and seeing what happens.
As James 4:2 explains, “You do not have because you do not ask God.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you find yourself praying, but believing it’s not enough? Ask God to help your unbelief and to teach you how to believe that He can, and that prayer is more than enough.
Further Reading:
Does Prayer Really Change Things?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The pursuit of more can leave us exhausted, restless, and searching for fulfillment that only God can provide. Through John 3:30, Megan J. Conner explores what it means to surrender our desire for recognition, success, and achievement so that Jesus can become greater in our lives.
Our culture often celebrates bigger, better, and more, but John the Baptist modeled a different path: humility, surrender, and a life centered completely on Christ. This devotional explores how true joy is not found in being noticed or praised by others, but in making room for Jesus to receive the glory. When we let go of the need to be seen, we discover the freedom and peace that come from knowing we are already fully known and loved by God.
Highlights:
- Discover why the pursuit of “more” often leaves us feeling empty and exhausted.
- Learn from John the Baptist’s example of humility and surrender.
- Understand why true joy comes from making Christ greater, not ourselves.
- Explore how pride and the desire for recognition can distract us from reflecting Jesus.
- Find practical ways to surrender selfish desires through prayer and dependence on God.
- Be encouraged to seek God’s validation above the approval of others.
Join the Conversation
Where do you find yourself chasing “more” in your life? What would it look like for Jesus to become greater while you become less?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
The Beauty of Less
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:“He must become greater; I must become less.” - John 3:30 (NIV)
How many of us have felt trapped by the demands of “more?” More accomplishments, more accolades, more money, more security, more doing, more going, more belonging, more pursuing, more achieving… More, more, more… with no end in sight. The mantra bigger is better reigns king in many of our lives and incessantly clamors for attention. So, we work our fingers to the bone while fraying our nerves and destroying our peace. More often than not, even if we are able to acquire the elusive pot of gold at the end of our desired rainbows, the emptiness we are attempting to fill remains void.
Why is it that we are so drawn to the pursuit of more? Simply explained, it is part of our human nature. Without the Lord, we are naturally selfish and long for praise and exaltation. We want to be seen as important. We want to be “known.” But the truth is, we are known and deeply loved by our Heavenly Father, and His validation is the only one that will truly satisfy. John the Baptist understood this when he declared, “He (Jesus) must become greater, I must become less,” (John 3:30, NIV).
John the Baptist was the beloved cousin of Christ and lived for the sole purpose of preparing the way for the Lord’s coming. John was the first messenger to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. He called people to repentance and cleansing through baptism. He reminded listeners that all are in need of a savior; that all have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). He was bold in his preaching and refuted the religious who refused to acknowledge their own sin. Because of the impact John had on the region, his actions earned him notoriety, even fame. So much so that his followers were upset when they felt like John was being upstaged by Jesus and His disciples.
“They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.’ To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” - John 3:26-30 (NIV).
John’s joy was not found in greatness; it was found in Jesus. His joy was complete in less. John understood that the more he diminished, the more others saw Christ. The same is true for us. When we pursue our own attention and accolades, we are beckoning to others - see me… recognize me, pay attention to me. For those of us who consider ourselves disciples and ambassadors for Christ, these efforts actually steal the spotlight from the true source of light and hope for a hurting world. It is through humility, not celebrity, that love shines the brightest.
If decrease rather than increase is the goal, how then can we practically walk that out? First, we must lean into prayer. As shared earlier, we are naturally selfish. So, any attempt to force meekness upon ourselves to accomplish our gospel mission will likely result in false humility. This is why we must ask for God’s help through prayer and genuine surrender. Only then can we, like John the Baptist, truly declare, “He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30 (NIV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you someone who feels weighed down by the demands of more? Are you seeking the affirmation and acceptance of others to fill a void in your heart? Do you struggle to remain still when opportunities are present for you to gain recognition?
If you answered yes to any of these, first, please know – you are not alone. We all wrestle with the allure of pride. After honestly confessing your inner battle, may I encourage you to take some time today to be still before the Lord? Ask Him to show you the motivation behind your desire for attention. Then, ask Him to help you surrender those desires as you look to become less so that He can become greater in your life.
Further Reading:
Matt. 20:1-19
Rom. 3:21-26
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When anxiety, stress, and constant distractions leave your heart restless, Psalm 62:1-2 points us to the only source of lasting peace. Discover how trusting God, quieting your mind, and resting in His presence can help you find peace when the world feels loud.
Life rarely slows down, and our minds often become just as noisy as the world around us. Sarah Frazer reflects on David's words in Psalm 62, showing that true rest isn't found by eliminating every distraction but by intentionally turning our hearts back to God. As we remember that He is our rock, refuge, and salvation, we can experience steady peace even when our circumstances remain uncertain.
Highlights:
- Discover how Psalm 62 teaches us to find rest in God's presence.
- Learn why biblical peace requires intentional trust rather than perfect circumstances.
- See how David quieted his anxious heart by focusing on God's character.
- Be encouraged to replace worry with prayer and God's truth.
- Find practical encouragement for overcoming stress, anxiety, and mental noise.
- Remember that Jesus invites every weary heart to find lasting rest in Him.
Join the Conversation
What has helped you quiet your soul and refocus on God during stressful seasons? Which promise from Scripture brings you the greatest peace when life feels overwhelming?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Quieting Your Soul When the World Feels Loud
By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. - Psalm 62:1-2 (ESV)
Have you ever wished to turn off the noise of life? I don’t mean physically, although sometimes we find ourselves in loud places. I have five children, and our house can get very loud, very quickly. But the noises that bother me, the ones that I wish I could get rid of, are the noises of this world. The news, the stress, and responsibilities all seem to keep my heart from experiencing peace. My inner thoughts will dominate my life so that it's not just external noise, but my mind that feels loud too.
In Psalm 62, King David says that his soul waits for God in silence. I’ll admit that when my soul is restless, waiting for God to rescue me or to show up or give me answers, I don’t wait in silence. I’m usually spending my time worrying and trying to fix things myself. David reminds us that rest is not automatic, but intentional. David had to learn stillness; it doesn’t just happen.
David does this because he has spent time thinking, mediating, and dwelling on the truth of who God is - a rock, fortress, and strength (Psalm 62:2). David reminds himself that he is not going to be “shaken.” This word means to “totter, get off course, or slip.” It reminds us that yes, we can feel disoriented for a moment, but God can get us back on track when we turn to Him.
In the next few verses, David acknowledges the pressure he is under. He mentions being attacked and feeling shaken. The reality is we will face stress, noise from the world, and anxieties within our hearts. We do not ignore these things, but we take them to God. David, amidst his fears, reminds himself of where true rest comes from in Psalm 62:5-6.
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God…” Notice that David speaks to himself. Taking the time to reflect on the truth about God is key to quieting the sounds of life around us. As we do this, we redirect our hearts back to God. In Psalm 62, David says the same thing in verses 1-2 and then again in 5-6. As David does this, he then turns his voice outward, telling us how we, too, can have a rest-filled soul.
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.” - Psalm 62:8 (ESV)
Stability comes from who God is, not what life feels like. In our lives, there are many things that can be loud, things that would distract us from God and His Word. David was intentional in Psalm 62, and we need to be as well.
Returning our thoughts back to God is the way to quiet the noise. Peace is possible, and rest can be found. Jesus invites all who would come to Him to find rest (Matthew 11:28-30). We must come, though. God is the steady peace, the rock and fortress we need daily.
Let us be like David and find our quiet in God. If your mind feels noisy tonight, I walk through Psalm 62 slowly on my podcast, Psalms to Help You Sleep, helping you rest in God’s presence.
As David reminds himself of the truth about God, his soul slowly grows quieter. The noise around him does not immediately disappear, but his heart becomes anchored in something steadier than his circumstances. The same is true for us. We may still live in busy homes, face stressful situations, or carry anxious thoughts into the night, but we do not have to be ruled by them.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
God invites us to return to Him again and again, finding refuge in His presence and rest for our weary souls. Peace is not found in controlling every circumstance, but in trusting the One who holds us steady. So tonight, when the world feels loud, pause and remind your soul who God is. He is still your rock, your refuge, and your rest.
How might you be intentional with God today?
What distraction can you get rid of that will help quiet your soul?
Further Reading:
Psalm 46:10
Isaiah 26:3
Matthew 11:28-30
John 14:27
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
1 Corinthians 1:18 reminds us that the message of the cross is the power of God to those who believe. Discover how living out your faith with love, humility, and authenticity can point unbelievers to the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Our culture often questions God's existence or dismisses Christianity altogether. Michelle Lazurek explores why believers shouldn't be surprised by skepticism and how our greatest witness isn't winning arguments—it's reflecting Christ through our words, actions, and unconditional love. As we faithfully share our testimony and live transformed lives, God can use our example to draw others to Himself.
Highlights:
- Discover why the message of the cross seems foolish to unbelievers.
- Learn how a transformed life is one of the strongest testimonies of God's power.
- Be encouraged to respond to skepticism with grace, love, and humility.
- Understand the importance of sharing your personal testimony.
- Explore how authentic Christian living points others to Jesus.
- Find encouragement to faithfully represent Christ, even in a culture that rejects biblical truth.
Join the Conversation
How has your personal testimony helped someone better understand the hope found in Christ? What opportunities has God given you to reflect His love to those who don't yet believe?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Bitterness can quietly take root in our hearts, affecting our relationships, our spiritual lives, and even our well-being. Hebrews 12:15 warns believers not to let a "root of bitterness" grow and cause trouble. Discover how forgiveness, God's grace, and surrendering your burdens to Jesus can free you from resentment and restore lasting peace.
Holding onto past hurts often feels justified, but it ultimately weighs us down more than the people who hurt us. Kelly Balarie explores the biblical call to release bitterness, embrace Christ's forgiveness, and trust God with the pain we were never meant to carry. When we remember how much Jesus has forgiven us, we find the strength to forgive others and experience true freedom.
Highlights:
- Learn what the Bible says about the dangerous root of bitterness.
- Discover how unforgiveness can impact your spiritual, emotional, and relational health.
- Understand why God's grace is the antidote to resentment.
- Explore practical ways to release anger, offense, and hurt to Jesus.
- Be encouraged by Christ's example of forgiveness and sacrificial love.
- Find hope in casting your burdens on God instead of carrying them alone.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced the freedom that comes from letting go of bitterness? What has helped you trust God with past hurts and choose forgiveness?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
How to Get the Root of Bitterness Gone By: Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:
“See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled…” – Hebrews 12:15 AMP
My husband and I have a friend. He’s one of the top national scholars for cancer medicine and research.
Curious, we asked him, “Have you identified a link between unforgiveness and bitterness with a cancer diagnosis?”
His answer?
“Yes, in fact, my mom couldn’t forgive. She had cancer two times.”
Interestingly enough, beyond his mom, he saw a correlation. So do various scientific studies. According to the website Doctors Beyond Medicine, studies show suppressed anger and emotions are linked to cancer. They note, “emotional toxicity is most likely the cause of their cancer, and that forgiveness, if used with appropriate treatments and lifestyle changes that address the physical, is a ‘first-line’ primary treatment.”
Wow. I was astonished.
But, I wondered, what does scripture have to say about this?
“See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled…” (Heb. 12:15 AMP)
Biblically speaking, defilement does not only happen in thought, but it can also happen in our body, soul, and mind.
We are the temple of God and not to defile God’s temple, our body (1 Cor. 16:19-20).
We are instructed to be cleansed of anything defiling in body or spirit (2 Cor. 7:1)
We learn that what defiles us is what comes out of our hearts (Mark 7:20-23).
Clearly, I don’t have all the answers on cancer, but what I do have a clear answer on is that we don’t want to be defiled in body, soul, or mind.
This certainly made me sure that I don’t want to be “defiled.”
What about us – are we defiled? Do we harbor bitterness? Do we keep resentments, nursing them like a baby? Do we hold records of wrongs against people, convicting them via our thoughts? Might we be angry?
The irony? What we hold against others does not hurt them; it hurts us.
What pain we keep inside of us – grows within us. We may think this doesn’t matter, that it doesn’t hurt anyone, that no one can see it, but it absolutely does hurt – us. Not only that, it oozes onto others.
Can’t we all see that person we know with a face of anger? They think no one knows, but certainly, when you look at them, you can easily identify their eyebrows furrowing in. They believe they hide it well, but it takes a second to recognize their facial tension from all they are holding in. You can feel the edginess in their responses. Their pent-up stuff doesn’t just exist in their mind; they hold it in their body, and it speaks between the lines of their words.
May this person never, ever, be us…
If we have been defiled by a root of bitterness, what we think we are hiding is most likely residing on our face, living in our body, and oozing out from our responses.
God, help.
Of course, we know that life has a way of sucker punching us. People will be people. Circumstances hurt. Offense is rampant.
How do we forbid defilement in our body, mind, and spirit?
We remember The One who was reviled, so that we don’t have to live defiled. Jesus.
Jesus carried the weight of our sin, so we don’t have to live under its weight. Even more, Jesus carried the weight of fellow believers’ sin, so we don’t have to live under its weight.
If Jesus forgave us so much, how can we not forgive others the same way? We can forgive much, because He forgave much. We can love much, because He loved us so much.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What does this look like practically?
To release from the mind, the body, and the spirit looks like something. Scripture invites us to cast our cares on the Lord (1 Pet. 5:7). “To cast”, biblically, does not look like a light and airy casting; it looks like a complete throwing off, like someone might throw a saddle on a horse.
It’s getting off of you and releasing onto Him what He already paid the price for. Why not cast your worries, cares, bitterness, anger, or resentments onto Jesus? Let Him take care of them. He will do a much better job than you will.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Being left out, overlooked, or rejected can leave lasting wounds, but those moments don't determine your identity. Ephesians 1:4-6 reveals a greater truth: through Jesus Christ, God has chosen, adopted, and accepted you into His family. Discover how your identity in Christ brings lasting security when the approval of others falls short.
Rejection has a way of making us question our worth, but God's love tells a different story. Emily Rose Massey reminds us that while people may disappoint or exclude us, our Heavenly Father has already declared us His beloved children. When we anchor our identity in Christ instead of others' acceptance, we find the confidence, belonging, and peace that only He can provide.
Highlights:
- Discover what it means to be accepted in the Beloved through Jesus Christ.
- Learn how Ephesians 1:4-6 speaks to feelings of rejection and loneliness.
- Find encouragement to root your identity in God's love rather than others' opinions.
- Understand how Jesus experienced rejection and empathizes with our pain.
- Be reminded that God's adoption into His family offers lasting security and hope.
- Learn how embracing your identity in Christ transforms the way you respond to rejection.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever struggled with feeling rejected or overlooked? How has remembering your identity as God's beloved child helped you find peace and confidence?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How do you recognize the lies that fuel fear, doubt, and insecurity? Based on 2 Timothy 1:7, this devotional explores how to reject thoughts that contradict God's truth and embrace the power, love, and sound mind He has given every believer. Discover how replacing fear with faith leads to lasting confidence in Christ.
Negative thoughts can quietly shape how we see ourselves and even how we view God. Cindi McMenamin reminds us that discouragement, shame, and hopelessness are not the voice of our Savior. Through Scripture, God calls us to reject fear, trust His promises, and live with confidence in His power and faithfulness. As we replace lies with biblical truth, our faith grows stronger and our lives become a testimony to God's goodness.
Highlights:
- Discover how to identify lies that create fear, doubt, and discouragement.
- Learn why 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds believers to live with power, love, and a sound mind.
- Understand the difference between the Holy Spirit's conviction and the enemy's condemnation.
- Find practical ways to replace negative thoughts with God's promises.
- Be encouraged to strengthen your faith by focusing on God's character instead of your fears.
- Learn how living by faith points others to God's goodness and faithfulness.
Join the Conversation
What lie have you found yourself believing lately? Which promise from God's Word helps you replace fear with faith and confidence in Christ?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What does it mean to be clothed in Christ? Rooted in Romans 13:14, we explore how seeking God's will instead of our own desires leads to lasting peace, wisdom, and spiritual growth. Learn how to resist the pull of self-focus and daily choose to follow Jesus.
Every day presents opportunities to follow our own desires or surrender to God's leading. Megan J. Conner reminds us that while our hearts can be easily swayed by the world's distractions and instant gratification, God invites us to seek His face first. As we intentionally "clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ," He transforms our hearts, strengthens our discernment, and produces the fruit of the Spirit, enabling us to walk in obedience and experience His best for our lives.
Highlights:
- Discover what it means to clothe yourself with Christ according to Romans 13:14.
- Learn why our hearts can be deceptive and why God's wisdom is essential.
- Find encouragement to seek God's direction before making important decisions.
- Understand how waiting on God develops spiritual maturity and discernment.
- Explore how walking with Christ produces the fruit of the Spirit.
- Be reminded that God's peace comes through surrender, not self-reliance.
Join the Conversation
When have you found yourself choosing between your own desires and God's direction? What practices help you seek Christ first before making important decisions?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Clothed in Christ
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“… Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Romans 13:14, NIV)
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8, NIV)
Every day, all day long, we face one decision after another. Sometimes these choices are practical: What do I need from the grocery store? Or how much money should I pay off on the credit card? But other times, the dilemma is a matter of the heart – a tug-of-war between what I should do and what I want to do. Even more seriously, a decision between what we know to be right and what our conscience tells us is wrong.
When choosing between what we think we want and what the Lord desires as his best for us, the struggle can be REAL. The allure of the world is powerful. Especially in this modern, technology-driven era, where even our devices are labeled with the pronoun “I,” the pull of selfishness and self-focus is strong, to say the least. The phones in our hands provide us with constant access to commercialism and propaganda that suggest it's all about me and that I should have or do anything I want simply because it is available or sounds appealing. And though we may logically identify the potential pitfalls in these scenarios, when our emotions or sinful desires kick in, the waters of clarity can be quickly muddied.
The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9, NIV). Do you agree? I certainly do. There have been many times in my life when I rationalized or justified decisions without even realizing what I was doing, only to come out on the other side, shocked that I had made such a choice. Why? Because my own heart deceived me. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, shares a similar sentiment when he states, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God (Rom. 3:10-12, NIV). Even when we are trying to walk with the Lord, it is so easy to choose what we want rather than to intentionally seek God’s will first and then wait upon him for direction.
We are terrible at waiting, aren’t we? We want our entertainment instantaneously, our food fast, and our products delivered to our doorstep the same day we order them. Though the world around us can move at breakneck speeds, the Lord often calls us to be still and know that he is God (Ps. 46:10). To trust in him for direction and discernment. He calls us to look to him rather than our own flawed perceptions. If we are willing to run to him before grasping for self-satisfaction, we “clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,” which will then produce his godly fruits such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-5:23).
Left to our own devices and relying on our own strength can often lead us down paths we would ultimately prefer not to take. But if we choose to seek him before everything else, he promises that he will respond and provide us with all that we need.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8, NIV)
If you, like me, struggle to choose God’s best over your own selfish desires, I pray today is a new day for both of us. A day where we cry out as the psalmist of old did so many years ago and declare:
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8, NIV)
Let’s believe together that he is faithful to fulfill all of his promises, and when we call upon him, he will answer. And no matter how loudly the clamor of this world tries to overshadow our minds and hearts, may we surrender our wills to the only One who can offer us true peace and satisfaction. May we clothe ourselves in Christ.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your own heart deceived you? If so, are you able to look back and identify where you struggled to let God influence your decision-making? How might you better approach these types of crossroads in the future?
I encourage you to take some time today to write out the steps you will take the next time you face similar circumstances. Perhaps your action items might include reciting scripture, calling a friend for prayer, or simply waiting a day or two before making a final decision. Whatever that looks like for you individually, I pray you find peace and guidance as you seek God’s best for you.
Further Reading:
Psalm 27
Galatians 5:13-26
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Trusting God when life doesn't make sense requires faith beyond our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us to trust the Lord with all our hearts instead of relying on what we can see or explain. Discover how embracing life's unknowns can deepen your faith, replace worry with peace, and reveal God's greater purpose.
Life is full of unanswered questions, unexpected detours, and closed doors that challenge our faith. Whitney Hopler shares how a frightening highway experience became a powerful reminder that God sees what we cannot. Even when His plans remain a mystery, His wisdom, protection, and love never fail. When we surrender our need to understand every circumstance, we discover that not knowing isn't a weakness—it can be one of God's greatest gifts, drawing us into deeper trust and lasting peace.
Highlights:
- Discover why Proverbs 3:5 calls us to trust God over our own understanding.
- Learn how God often protects us in ways we cannot see.
- Find peace when life takes unexpected turns or your plans change.
- Be encouraged to release the need to control every outcome.
- Discover how uncertainty can strengthen your faith in God's wisdom.
- Remember that God's plans are always greater than our own understanding.
Join the Conversation
Has there been a time when you didn't understand what God was doing, only to later see His purpose? We'd love to hear how God has grown your faith through seasons of uncertainty.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
The Gift of Not Knowing
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5, NIV
Before I began a road trip to Wilmington, North Carolina, I prayed for a safe trip. In my mind, I had a very simple understanding of how the trip would go. I would stay in the right lane, drive the speed limit, and stay completely safe because of my own careful driving. But things changed in a heartbeat on the highway. Without warning, a car merged into my lane, right in front of me. The driver wasn’t paying attention at all. Cars were speeding by in the next lane, so I couldn’t move over. I was trapped! I had to slam on my brakes to keep from hitting that car. Behind me, a massive tractor-trailer truck was coming fast. I remember feeling terrified when I looked in the rearview mirror and saw it speeding toward my car. The truck came within inches of my back bumper before it somehow slowed down enough to stop in just enough time before hitting me.
In those few seconds, my previous understanding of the trip was gone. I was helpless. But God wasn’t. God knew that experience was coming long before I even started driving that day. He had already planned to answer my prayers for protection.
Looking back, I realize something important: if God had shown me a video of that near-accident before I left my driveway, I would have been so scared that I may not have taken the trip at all. But God, in his kindness, kept that information from me. He gave me the gift of not knowing so that I could move forward in faith. I’m so glad I trusted God to handle the details I couldn’t see.
Proverbs 3:5 encourages us to trust God completely rather than relying on our own understanding. As humans with limited perspectives, there’s a lot we don’t know. But God, who knows everything and can do anything, uses that unlimited knowledge and power for good. We can trust in God’s goodness to us, even when we don’t understand what’s happening. There’s wisdom in being willing to say that we don’t know, but God does.
We all sometimes face closed doors. Maybe we applied for a job we thought we were perfect for, but didn’t get it. Maybe a relationship we valued suddenly fell apart. Or, maybe a plan we prayed over for months still didn’t work out.
Often, we try to figure out why. We replay the situation in our minds, because we think that if we can understand it, we can control it. We believe understanding will bring us peace. But the truth is that we can’t force God’s big plans into our small human boxes. God works in ways that go far beyond our understanding. God’s possibilities for our lives are bigger than the ones we’ve imagined for ourselves. When we choose to trust God in situations that don’t make sense to us, we welcome God’s very best into our lives by making space for all of God’s possibilities to happen.
We can still be at peace when we don’t understand what God is doing. Mysteries can challenge us to grow our faith in God by stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting him in new ways. When we don’t know something, we can be sure that God does.
In the gap between what we know and what God knows, we can find grace. Not knowing something is sometimes a gift from God.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider why it’s important to trust God when you don’t know something, reflect on these questions:
- What’s one situation happening in your life right now that doesn’t make sense to you? Even though you don’t understand it, how can you still trust God to do what’s best for you in that situation?
- When did you experience a past situation that didn’t make sense at the time, but God showed you later how he was protecting you through it? How can that memory help you trust God with your current unknowns?
- How can you strengthen your faith by embracing mysteries and letting them show you something new about how God works?
- How can believing that God’s plans for you are beyond what you can understand help you worry less about the future?
Further Reading:
Isaiah 55:8-9
1 Corinthians 13:12
Romans 11:33
Psalm 131:1
Ephesians 3:20
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Jesus Christ is our unbreakable lifeline, offering hope, strength, and security in every season of life. Hebrews 6:18-20 reminds us that through Christ we have a steadfast hope anchored in God's presence. Discover why prayer is more than a habit—it's our direct connection to the Savior who never leaves us or turns us away.
Life often tempts us to look for comfort in people, achievements, or temporary things when we feel overwhelmed. In today's devotional, Alexis A. Goring reflects on how everyday experiences reveal a deeper truth: while people and circumstances may fail us, Jesus remains our constant source of hope and strength. Through prayer, we can bring every fear, burden, and unanswered question directly to Him.
Highlights:
- Discover what Hebrews 6:18-20 teaches about the hope we have in Christ.
- Learn why prayer is our spiritual lifeline during difficult seasons.
- Be encouraged to depend on Jesus instead of people or temporary comforts.
- Find reassurance that Christ welcomes every fear, doubt, and burden we bring to Him.
- Understand how Jesus' constant presence gives lasting peace and security.
- Be reminded that our greatest hope is anchored in Christ alone.
Resources Mentioned
- Song: Lifeline — Mandisa
- Song: That's Who You Are — Megan Tibbits
- Song: Don't Stop Praying — Matthew West
- Song: Jesus Walks with Me — Be Still Studios
Join the Conversation
What has helped you stay anchored to Christ during difficult seasons? We'd love to hear how prayer has strengthened your faith and reminded you that Jesus is your true lifeline.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Our Lifeline
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.” - Hebrews 6:18-20 (MSG)
A few years ago, while waiting to be seen in a hospital, I stepped into the women’s restroom and saw something that inspired this devotional: a lifeline. It was a red label with white-inked words instructing me to pull the attached red string if I needed help. The sight of this made me think about how Jesus Christ is our lifeline.
Earlier this year, I saw a reel via Instagram of a young girl around age 11 or 12. She was captured on camera rushing onto the concert stage before security could catch her and embracing her favorite singer. Prior to this, I could see that the singer was performing at a calm, steady pace as she walked across the stage, holding the microphone near her face. When the young girl rushed onto the stage, the singer wasn’t fazed. She let the young girl wrap her arms around her waist and rest her head on her midsection as she leaned in for a tight hug that obviously meant the world to her. This girl received a 10-second embrace before security reached her and carried her away.
When I saw this reel, it spoke volumes to me because it helped me realize several things. I realized that I have been there before because I have had favorite singers over the years—both secular and Christian—and I know what it’s like to cope with their music to the point where it feels like your favorite singer and their songs are your lifeline. When feeling sad or depressed, I would listen to a song that served as catharsis for my feelings, working it out of my system until I felt better.
It was obvious to me that the singer in the Instagram reel was that young girl’s lifeline. Her music must have brought this girl through tough times and inspired her heart. Whether feeling happy or sad, this singer’s songs were obviously the soundtrack to her fans’ lives. It was obvious that she loved this musician with all her heart. It was also clear that this singer appreciated her fans because she let this girl hug her for more than a second without pushing her away.
Jesus Christ also never pushes us away. And unlike any human—famous singer or not—He is our true lifeline. Only Jesus can save our souls. And He gave us a beautiful way to reach Him as our lifeline. That gift is prayer.
I follow a page on Instagram that’s hosted by Ellie Mont. Last year, she said something very profound about prayer being our lifeline. These are a few quotes from her post on Instagram that support my devotional message today:
First, she acknowledges that life can be hard for most people. Mont said, “Life often feels like a series of challenges and roadblocks that drain our strength. We try to be strong, to figure it all out on our own, but sometimes it just feels like too much. In those moments, we must remember we do not walk alone.”
Second, she reminds us that Jesus walks with us. She also delivers a powerful line about the gift God gave us to reach Him and communicate with Him. Mont said, “Prayer is more than a religious habit or a last resort. It is a lifeline. It is a personal conversation with the God who created you, who sees everything you face, and who cares about every detail of your life. When you cannot handle the weight of your problems, you can bring them to the One who can. God does not ask you to be perfect. He asks you to come to Him just as you are.”
Third, Mont reminds us that God wants to hear our hearts no matter how we feel or how messy it seems. She said, “You can be honest with Him. You can tell Him your fears, your doubts, your confusion, and your pain. There is nothing too small or too big for God to handle. He is not bothered by your questions or your tears. He welcomes them. He is a Father who wants to help you and walk with you through every season.”
Finally, Mont gives us a word of encouragement for when we feel too discouraged to pray. She said, “Don’t let discouragement silence your voice. Do not let fear steal your hope. Keep praying. Keep trusting. God hears every word, even the ones you cannot say out loud. He sees your heart, and He is working even when you do not see it. You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You are not powerless. You are loved by a God who listens.”
In closing, I’d like to say: Be careful not to make a human or anything that is not God your god or your lifeline, because there is only one true God and one way to heaven. The way is Jesus Christ (John 14:6). He is our lifeline. We need to cling to Christ more than we cling to anybody or anything else.
Before you go, please listen to these four songs (below) and reflect on the lyrics.
Song of Reflection #1: “Lifeline” by Mandisa. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #2: “That’s Who You Are” (Original song by Megan Tibbits). Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #3: “Don’t Stop Praying” by Matthew West. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #4: “Jesus Walks with Me” by Be Still Studios. Listen to it HERE.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does it feel to know that Jesus Christ is our Lifeline? What have you been clinging to more than Christ?
Further Reading:Luke 18:1
John 3:16-17
John 11:25-26
John 15:5
Hebrews 4:16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Holy Spirit gives believers hope, peace, and strength to endure life's storms. Romans 15:13 reminds us that God's power is always available, even when we feel weak, overwhelmed, or powerless. Discover how relying on the Holy Spirit helps us navigate hardship, grow in faith, and find lasting hope in every season.
Life has a way of reminding us how little control we really have. In today's devotional, Melinda Eye Cooper shares how a devastating winter ice storm and days without electricity became a powerful illustration of our dependence on God. Just as our homes cannot function without power, our spiritual lives cannot thrive apart from the Holy Spirit.
Highlights:
- Discover what Romans 15:13 teaches about the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Learn why life's storms reveal our need for God's strength and presence.
- Be encouraged by how the Holy Spirit provides hope, peace, guidance, and comfort.
- Understand how difficult seasons can deepen your faith and dependence on Christ.
- Find reassurance that God never leaves you to face hardship alone.
- Be reminded that true spiritual strength comes from the Holy Spirit, not ourselves.
Join the Conversation
How has God strengthened you through a difficult season? We'd love to hear how the Holy Spirit has encouraged, guided, or sustained your faith during life's storms.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
No Power
By Melinda Eye Cooper
Bible Reading:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13 NIV
Living in middle Tennessee for the past thirty-plus years, I can attest that we rarely see much snow. Schools often close if the forecast calls for anything frozen, including flurries. But we’ve had a few serious winter storms, and they almost always involve ice.
In January of 2026, one of those storms came through our area.
We did our best to prepare in case the power went out. We’d stocked up on bread, bottles of water, and snacks. My husband brought a generator home from work to help keep our refrigerator running and a small space heater. Thankfully, we had a wood-burning fireplace, so we figured at least we’d keep warm.
Snow started turning into sleet on Saturday and eventually turned to freezing rain. Temperatures plummeted. Tree branches snapped under the weight of accumulating ice, falling on power lines. The sky flashed when a transformer blew with a loud pop.
Sunday, early in the morning, we lost power, and so did our neighbors. We tried to stay warm using the space heater and fireplace, but our house grew frigid. It was uncomfortable, to say the least. We barely slept the first night, even though we were using nearly every blanket we could find.
It didn’t take long for reality to sink in. The power could be out for days or a week.
Our neighbors texted the next afternoon that they were heading to Kentucky to stay in a hotel. The storm wasn’t nearly as bad there. We did the same, taking our dog with us.
Getting inside a warm hotel room with a nice soft bed was a sweet relief. The lights worked. The television worked. And a hot shower was minutes away. It didn’t take long to get nice and comfortable.
When we received notice that power had been restored to our area a couple of days later, we made our way back home. The drive revealed a lot of damage. Even though the thick ice covering trees and grass glistened in the sunlight and was beautiful in a terrible way, the storm mostly left a trail of destruction with downed trees, telephone poles, and broken tree branches in its wake. The storm and loss of power over the next several days (and a couple of weeks for some) caused a lot of problems, and sadly, some folks didn’t survive.
We came home to a mess. Electric cords were draped everywhere, from hooking things up to the generator, and blankets were piled up. It was freezing inside the house. The heat was on, but it took a long time for the house to warm back up.
Honestly, seeing the mess reminded me just how much we really need power in our homes. We rely on it heavily for day-to-day life. It runs the stove, HVAC unit, refrigerator, freezer, water heater, washer and dryer, lighting, appliances, and television. Almost everything.
Even with our great efforts to prepare for a lack of power during the storm, it was still terrible. Our home quickly became uncomfortable without electricity. It seemed we could do nothing.
We need power.
Standing amidst the mess, it hit me spiritually. We need the Holy Spirit at every moment of our lives. We can’t do anything good without Him; we’d be uncomfortable, cold, and powerless.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As a saved person, I’m deeply thankful for what Jesus did for me. I’m still in love with Him after many years as a Christian. But to be honest, I’m just beside myself that God also gave us the indwelling, powerful Holy Spirit to help us in life.
He does so many things for us, including:
- Reveals Jesus
- Convicts us of sin
- Teaches us
- Reminds us
- Encourages us
- Protects us
- Guides us
- Warns us
- Gives us hope and spiritual gifts
- Tells us the truth
- Helps us pray
- Never leaves or forsakes us
When a storm of life comes, whether it is a financial struggle, divorce, or the death of a loved one, we may be brought to our knees. The powerful Holy Spirit is with us in these hardships. He is our shelter when these storms blow through.
Those difficult times show us just how much we need Him and rely on His power. They draw us into a deeper, more trusting relationship with our beloved Father.
Father, thank You for giving us the powerful Holy Spirit to lead us through our lives. Helping us to grow closer to You and more like Jesus. In His name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What do you do when your prayers seem to go unanswered and God feels silent? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on Psalm 13:1 and David’s honest cry: “How long, O Lord?” Seasons of waiting can leave us questioning whether God is listening, but Scripture reminds us that faith is not the absence of questions—it is choosing to trust God's character even when we cannot see His hand at work.
Psalm 13 shows us that God welcomes our honest prayers. Like David, we can bring our fears, doubts, and disappointments to Him without hiding them. As we remember His past faithfulness and cling to His promises, we discover that His silence is never the end of the story.
Highlights:
- Discover how Psalm 13 teaches us to trust God during seasons of silence and unanswered prayer.
- Learn why honest questions can strengthen, rather than weaken, your faith.
- Understand how David models lament by bringing his pain directly to God instead of pulling away.
- Be encouraged to remember God's past faithfulness when waiting for His future answers.
- Explore why trust is a decision rooted in God's character—not simply a feeling.
- Find hope in knowing that God continues to speak through His Word, even when His answers seem delayed.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever experienced a season when God felt silent? What has helped you continue trusting Him while you wait for His answers? We'd love to hear your story in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Holding on When God Feels Silent
By: Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” - Psalm 13:1 (ESV)
I looked at my journal from the beginning of the year. Six months had passed, and I realized several of my prayer requests remained unanswered. Several family members had been going through trials and needed help, but as I glanced at the list, God had not yet answered them. The phrase from Psalm 13 entered my mind: "How long, O God?"
Instantly, I felt guilty for having questioned God. But then I remembered that Psalm 13 was in the Bible, and if the psalmist was allowed to say those words, so was I. As I have begun to pray more, I have found it to stretch my faith. Mostly because many of my “big” prayers have yet to be answered. God’s silence is often very hard.
Have you ever just wondered: Is God listening?
Faith doesn’t ignore silence—it learns how to speak honestly to God within it.
In Psalm 13, we see the language of lament. David, the author, asks multiple “how long” questions here. Suffering, hardship, and sorrow were regular parts of David’s life, especially as he ran from the murdering king Saul. Including those questions here, David reminds us that God gives us permission to feel this longing. To feel the tension of having faith but feeling distant from God. Faith includes honest questions.
“How long, O Lord?” - Psalm 13:1
David continues in Psalm 13, bringing his pain to God. He doesn’t withdraw, but turns toward God. The whole of Psalm 13 is a prayer to God. We might shy away from being honest or be too hesitant to express our frustration with the unanswered prayers, but David helps us remember that God is big enough to handle all of our requests and questions.
David asks for light, help, and intervention. Just because God hasn’t answered a prayer or feels silent doesn’t mean we stop praying. In faith, we continue to come to God and talk to Him. In the midst of his questions and doubts, David says, “But I trust…” (Psalm 13:5). The circumstances haven’t changed, but David’s focus has. Trust is a decision, not a feeling. David is honest about his feelings, but then holds on to the truth of God’s character.
The rest of the psalm, the last verse especially, ends with a declaration of praise. It is a future praise - one that has yet to happen, but David says he knows God will answer! How? Because David has focused on two things. David says in Psalm 13:3, “O Lord, my God…” David has a personal relationship with God. One that was tested over time. God had already proven Himself faithful to David in the past, because in Psalm 13:6 Davida says,“ he has dealt bountifully with me.”
A faith that holds on, in the midst of silence and doubts,focuses on these two things: a personal relationship with God and God’s past actions. Don’t think that this quiet season is a reflection of God’s love for you. God loved us first (1 John 4:19). You can question God and still trust him. In fact, Psalm 13 reminds us that God welcomes our questions. Silence is never the end of the story. Keep holding on!
If you’re in a season where God feels quiet, I walk slowly through Psalm 13 on my podcast, Psalms to Help You Sleep, helping you turn your questions into prayer. Listening to God’s word can be a soothing balm to our weary souls. If prayer feels like too much, start with just a simple: “God, I want to trust you, but it's hard.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
God’s silence seems harsh, doesn’t it? One thing I need to remember, and I hope to encourage you to remember as well, is that ultimately God is never silent. Yes, our hearts feel as if God isn't speaking to us or answering our prayers. The truth we need is that God is always speaking, through His word.
The Bible is always available to us, and it is the light, the help, and the guidance we need in times of great hardship. In the midst of any situation, God’s word, the Bible, can provide hope. God welcomes you, even your questions. The silence is not the end of the story. As you go to God, no matter how you feel, answer these questions honestly before him. Start here:
Where does God feel silent right now?
What honest prayer needs to be spoken?
Further Reading:
Lamentations 3:22-23
Psalm 55:22
Philippians 4:6-7
1 Peter 5:7
Exodus 16:18-21
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
1 John 3:1 and the powerful truth that believers are deeply loved and called children of God. Our identity was never meant to be defined by a job, relationship, opportunity, or the approval of others.
Rejection can leave us questioning our worth, but God’s love is not dependent on whether we fit someone else’s expectations. When we root our identity in Christ, we can make decisions from a place of confidence and obedience rather than fear, insecurity, or the desire to be accepted.
Highlights:
- Discover the life-changing truth that your identity is found in being a beloved child of God.
- Learn how rejection and unmet expectations can challenge our understanding of our worth.
- Understand why fitting into someone else’s mold can keep us from embracing God’s unique calling.
- Be encouraged that God’s love and acceptance remain constant, even when circumstances change.
- Explore how confidence in Christ helps us make decisions based on faith rather than fear or approval.
- Remember that your value comes from God’s opinion of you—not the opinions or acceptance of others.
Join the Conversation
What areas of your life make you question your identity or worth? How can remembering that you are a child of God change the way you approach decisions and challenges?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Live Confidently in Your Identity in ChristBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” - 1 John 3:1
You're not a fit.
Those words stung as the church leader told us we were no longer a fit for the pastoral opportunity. After many interviews and discussions with church leaders, we mutually decided that we were not the best candidates to assume a pastoral role in their church. Although it was mutual and we knew this was true, those words still stung as a fresh wave of rejection hit us like the ocean's waves.
As much as we knew deep down that we did not possess the skills or abilities they were looking for in their next pastor, we still wanted to be wanted. It was not easy to hear that someone else had been chosen over us. Whether it's the end of a romantic relationship, the termination of a toxic friendship, or the end of a lucrative job, the desire to be included and loved unconditionally is a basic need for every human being.
As we pondered whether we had truly made the right decision, we knew what we were both thinking: we wanted to say yes because we were afraid of what would happen if we said no. Fear and money are not reasons to do something. Talking yourself into something because you're afraid of what it's like to be alone or to lose something is not a reason to do it. Talking yourself into something is like telling yourself you're not in a bad relationship. All the signs of abuse are there, but you choose not to see them. In the same way, we were trying to fit ourselves into a mold that didn't fit our gifts or abilities.
God has wired each one of us with unique gifts that only we can use. No matter how much we try to be like someone else, we will never be exactly like another person. We can only be us, the person God has created us to be. The quicker we embrace that and solidify our identity in Christ rather than in our job or in our relationship, the happier we will be.
The above reminds us that God loves us, whether we fit a particular mold. Whether we choose to acquiesce to others' expectations or not, our identity in Christ remains solid. Christ's death on the cross afforded us the grace and ability to access God whenever we choose. It also solidified our rank as his children and his chosen people. Because we are God's children, we are afforded an inheritance that will never spoil or fade.
God wants us to live each day in the freedom of being God's children. He wants us to trust him and know that he is guiding every decision we make. Whether we ask God for direction on our next romantic relationship, next job, or how to navigate a difficult relationship, God's love and acceptance of us will never change.
Do you live every day knowing that God loves you unconditionally? Do you find yourself talking yourself into situations because you want to be loved and accepted by others? Do you choose the right job or the right relationship—or choose to be single—even though you know you've lost, and loneliness will result?
It takes someone solidified in their identity in Christ to not capitalize on a seemingly lucrative opportunity. However, the more we wire our brains to live in the freedom and liberty that has been afforded us through Christ Jesus, the better off we will be in every facet of our lives. It will no longer matter what people think of us if we don't have a relationship, we lose our job, or we lose a friendship. People's opinions no longer matter when we know whose opinion matters most. When we make decisions not out of fear or money, but out of obedience and true understanding of calling, that is a life well lived.
Father, let us be people who live in the understanding of our identity in Christ. Let us live every day free to make decisions not based on fear or money, but out of obedience and a calling to you. Let us trust in you, knowing that you have ordered all our steps and will provide for our every need. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What keeps you from living a life confident in your identity in Christ?
Further Reading:1 Peter 2:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Today's episode is a special bonus from the On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse hosted by Kristy Graham.
What does it look like to trust God when He calls you into some of the world's most difficult and dangerous places? In this powerful episode, Kristy experiences firsthand what Samaritan's Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team members endure as they prepare to serve during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Bev Kauffeldt, who has served on the last two Ebola responses, led Kristy through the training.
Kristy got into the many layers of personal protection equipment to experience the process our DART members go through in the field. This inspired Kristy as she experienced the discomfort our teams willingly step into as they fight this dangerous outbreak. It also helped her know how to pray for our teams more specifically.
At the training, Bev talked with Kristy about a passage of Scripture that has been on her heart:
“This verse—I shared it with the team today because it's so perfect. In Acts 20:24, Paul says my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others of the good news about the wonderful grace of God.”
— Bev Kauffeldt, paraphrasing Acts 20:24
As believers, we must have a posture of humility. Someone who speaks into this posture in this Ebola response is Dustin Martin, a water, sanitation and hygiene technical advisor who supports Samaritan's Purse field offices around the world. Dustin will likely go to the DRC soon. He shared how he is preparing both physically and spiritually to be deployed and why he desires to go serve in this dangerous situation.
“I want to be able to go to the ends of the earth for people that I haven't even met before because that's what Christ did for me. He took on humility. He took on human form when He had no need to. And if He did that for me, there's just no appropriate response but to do that for others.”
— Dustin Martin
Once Kristy was out of the personal protective equipment, she met Kate Allen, an emergency doctor, who the Lord has called and sent to many DART responses, including Ukraine and Iraq.
They spoke about putting on the armor of God, trusting that the Lord goes before us. We are not promised safety, but God does promise that He is with us always.
“God doesn't say you're going to be absolutely fine … but He does promise that He goes with us. And He promises that He goes ahead. And He promises He hems us in from behind. So, we go with His Spirit, and we go knowing that He has a plan, and that He has already paid the ultimate price.”
— Kate Allen
If you'd like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse, please visit SamaritansPurse.org
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We reflect on 1 Peter 4:8, which reminds us that “love covers over a multitude of sins.” While discernment is important, a critical spirit can quietly keep us guarded, distant, and unable to love others the way Christ has called us to.
Past hurts and disappointments can cause us to constantly evaluate, judge, and protect ourselves from being hurt again. But God does not call us to carry the burden of figuring everyone out. He calls us to love. Through prayer, humility, and trust in God’s protection, we can move from criticism toward compassion and reflect the heart of Jesus.
Highlights:
- Discover how 1 Peter 4:8 reveals the power of love to cover and restore relationships.
- Learn how past wounds can create a habit of judgment and constant criticism.
- Understand the difference between biblical discernment and a critical spirit.
- Explore five practical steps to replace judgment with love, including prayer, encouragement, and believing the best.
- Be reminded that God—not our ability to evaluate others—is our ultimate source of protection.
- Find freedom in loving others the way Jesus loves us, even when it feels difficult.
Join the Conversation
Where do you find yourself becoming more critical than loving toward others? What is one way you can choose compassion and grace in a relationship this week?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
5 Steps to Stop Being Overly Critical By: Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Have you ever been hurt by an authority figure?
I remember it, almost clear as day… I was in third grade. Somehow, the teacher always seemed proud of her classroom power. I liked to talk. She didn’t like talking. And there I went – I started up talking…
My punishment? She had me kneel before a statue on hard, cold linoleum for hours (or for what felt like hours). It hurt. It was embarrassing.
Here, and amongst other times like this, I learned something: You can’t trust everyone in a position of spiritual authority. Just because they have a position of power doesn’t mean they’ll use it for good.
As a kid, I took the lesson and stuffed it deep in my pocket. Be careful, Kelly. You may get hurt. Even holy people can’t always be trusted.
I started to keep my antennae up. I won’t get hurt or embarrassed like that again.
Safety, now, became hyper-awareness as I talked to people in authority. I’d ask:
- Are they speaking the truth?
- Do they have the right motives?
- Will they dupe me?
- Are they living what they say, or are they a fraud?
- Are they trying to profit for themselves, and do they even really care?
In an effort to protect myself from future hurt, I started to live as a constant judge. A critic. A person continually sizing up good or bad. Right or wrong. Theologically correct or not right at all.
People became either good or not so good.
One morning, something hit me: I can’t be loving when constantly judging.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Pet. 4:8)
God doesn’t require me to figure everyone out; He calls me to love. God doesn’t ask that I know every motive; He asks that my highest motive be love.
Love is powerful. Love actually covers. It does something. It is a cause that always has an effect.
Yet, a critical spirit? It can easily hide under the guise of good intent, while being all wrong. Jesus was not a fan of the Pharisees, who showed themselves pious, but underneath were void of true understanding.
What can I do instead? I can:
1. Pray that I can see what God loves in each person.
2. Authentically bless them in prayer.
3. Encourage them where they may need help or ministry.
4. Believe the best and hope the best about them.
5. Love them anyway.
The highest understanding is love. The highest pursuit is love.
WE don’t have to entirely know a person to love them. We don’t have to have it all figured out to show love.
Love is simple.
Judging is complex.
Plus, it is a lot to uphold. It’s a lot to manage. It keeps the heart guarded. It blocks God’s outpouring and sin-covering love.
At the end of the day, being critical doesn’t keep us safe. God is the only protector, and when we trust Him to protect us, we can begin to love others, even when it may feel scary.
Will everyone treat us right? Will everyone do right? Not at all.
But do we always act right and always do right? No, we don’t.
We love the way Jesus loved us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Where do you find yourself judging more than you are loving people? How might believing the worst about others be preventing you from seeing their best? Identify ways that your judgment has impacted relationships… What would it look like for you to do something new?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life feels overwhelming and you don’t know what decision to make, where do you turn for wisdom? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on James 1:5, where God promises to generously give wisdom to those who ask. Whether we are navigating major life choices, parenting challenges, or seasons of uncertainty, we are never without access to the guidance of our Heavenly Father.
The world offers endless opinions and advice, but God’s wisdom is different. His wisdom brings peace, produces good fruit, and draws us closer to Him. When we humbly admit our limitations and seek His direction, we discover that God is faithful to provide exactly what we need.
Highlights:
- Discover the promise of James 1:5 and how God generously gives wisdom to those who seek Him.
- Learn why humility is essential when asking God for guidance and direction.
- Understand the difference between worldly wisdom and the peace-filled wisdom that comes from God.
- Be encouraged that feeling uncertain or overwhelmed can become an opportunity to grow in trust.
- Explore how Scripture and godly counsel help us apply God’s wisdom to everyday decisions.
- Remember that our weakness creates space for God’s strength and grace to work.
Join the Conversation
What area of your life do you need God’s wisdom for today? How can you make more room to seek His guidance through prayer, Scripture, and godly counsel?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Heavenly Wisdom Is Available to You
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5, ESV).
Motherhood: a time in my life when it became really apparent to me that I had no idea what I was doing. Babies don’t come with a user manual, so sometimes it feels like you are learning how to be a parent by trial and error. As a new mom, it is so easy to become overwhelmed and anxious because you feel like you have more questions than answers, especially when your baby has sleeping issues or colic. And don’t forget when they get their first cold!
Instead of letting overwhelm overtake us, we must remember that we have access to the wisdom of God; All we must do is ask.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5, ESV).
We receive wisdom through the Word of God and the counsel of godly mentors and friends. God’s wisdom isn’t anything like what the world offers us; Ultimately, it is full of peace and brings about good fruit.
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17, ESV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When we approach God with humility, asking Him for guidance and direction, He is faithful to generously give us wisdom from above. We have been given the gift of leaders in the church who help us understand God’s Word so that we can apply its wisdom in our lives. They are also charged to care for our souls and can help us through difficult times, equip us, and encourage us. Do you fall into the ditch of pride, thinking you have it all figured out and are unteachable? More often than not, when we face challenges that make us realize we don’t know everything, the Lord uses that situation to sanctify us, humble us, and build our trust in Him. When we humble ourselves before the Lord, He gives us grace that strengthens us in the midst of our trials and difficult seasons. Grace is always available to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).
In a culture (yes, even within the visible church) where positive affirmations and self-empowering declarations are the norm, admitting your weaknesses, limitations, and failures is seen as negative and perhaps even harmful to your soul.
Yet, the Bible reveals that we are not enough in and of ourselves or in our own abilities or wisdom; We are but dust (Psalm 103:14-16). The Lord is the One who gives us the breath, ability, and wisdom to accomplish anything, walk through a difficult situation, or make major life decisions. Admitting our “not enough-ness” provides an opportunity to look to God because He is, in fact, more than enough, and His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12). Ultimately, the Lord is glorified in my weakness and in my feeling of emptiness and “not enough-ness.”
Are you weighed down with the cares of this life? You must run to God in humility, knowing that you do not have the answers for everything that you are facing; God does. His word tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom, we can come to Him and ask for it. He is such a faithful and generous Father. His abundant wisdom is what we need when we don’t know where to turn. He will guide you and strengthen you with His grace when you are overwhelmed or confused. We also have the gift of godly counsel. What godly leaders has the Lord placed in your life that can help you when you are faced with difficult decisions? God has equipped them to care for your soul and teach you more about God and His ways. Ultimately, when we have reached our limit and don’t know where to turn, let us run to the One who holds all wisdom and grace!
Further Reading:
Proverbs 2:6-8
Psalm 90:12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Are you constantly trying to meet expectations, avoid disappointment, or gain approval from others? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we explore Galatians 1:10 and the danger of allowing people’s opinions to become more important than God’s approval. While serving and loving others are important parts of following Christ, our identity and worth were never meant to be built on earning acceptance.
People-pleasing can leave us exhausted, anxious, and disconnected from who God created us to be. But freedom comes when we shift our focus from pleasing people to faithfully following God. When we understand that our worth is already secure in Christ, we can serve others from a place of love rather than a need for approval.
Highlights:
- Discover how Galatians 1:10 challenges us to seek God’s approval above the opinions of others.
- Learn why people-pleasing can prevent us from living authentically and faithfully.
- Understand how setting healthy boundaries can help us serve others without losing ourselves.
- Find practical ways to overcome overthinking and replace anxious thoughts with prayer.
- Be reminded that your worth comes from God’s love—not your performance or others’ acceptance.
- Explore how focusing on Christ first brings freedom, confidence, and purpose.
Join the Conversation
Where do you find yourself seeking approval from others more than God? What is one step you can take to find your identity and worth in Christ instead? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
To Please or Not to Please?
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading:
“For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, CSB)
A dear friend of mine has told me many times, he longs to be understood and known by those around him. For much of his life, he’s felt just the opposite, both with family and friends. What I’ve tried to instill in him, is that he might be working against himself. In his mind, doing for others at the expense of himself is supposed to lead to being understood.
He’s a people-pleaser and he knows it. If he can just do the right thing, and say the right thing, he will eventually reap the reward of being known. In reality, they do know him, or some version, but not as he wants to be known because that part is hidden. See the contradiction?
Those who engage in people-pleasing do so because, like my friend, they are hoping to achieve some abstract payoff. If only everyone would like them, life would be bliss. Not!
There will never come a time when everyone likes you. Some people will dislike you for the very fact that you desperately want to be liked!
Now, I don’t personally struggle with people-pleasing, but I can certainly understand the allure. After all, no one with a healthy mindset wants to be disliked by everyone! Rather, we want affirmation and appreciation and reassurance to varying degrees throughout our lives. People-pleasing seems to be what happens when we desire those things too much.
The solution is not easy, but it is simple - shift our focus from people and put it on God. Let’s break that down into practical terms.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If you’re one of those people-pleasing people, don’t ever think you’re stuck in this particular sin. What you need is a shift in mindset and that comes with taking practical steps over time. In essence, in order to break a habit you a to build a new, godlier one.
Practice Introspection
Maybe you’ve never considered this, or maybe it’s time to do it again, but self-reflection is important. Take time to consider why you people-please so much. Consider what you’re hoping to get and why that matters so much.
Set Boundaries
When is enough, enough? You need to know yourself in order to set boundaries. And with boundaries comes the ability to give simple no’s rather than overexplaining, and not overburdening yourself with people who would never in a million years do the same for you.
Naturally, as believers we are called to serve, even thanklessly. However, allowing someone to take advantage of you (because you’re pleasing them) without admonishing them, works to their detriment and yours.
Stop Overthinking
If so-and-so didn’t say the thing you imagine them thinking, why are you assuming that’s how they feel? When we assume, we almost always go for the worst-case scenario, yet that worse-case is rarely ever what happens. Here’s what we can do instead, turn those worrisome thoughts into prayers. This will help you focus more on God and less on the imagined problem.
If you want to test this theory, share with so-and-so what you assumed they felt and see how they respond. Were you accurate?
Derive Your Worth from God
You might not be a people-pleaser in the sense of wanting to please all the peoples. Maybe your sin is more subtle. Maybe you’re just trying to please your spouse by withholding the truth or please your boss by ignoring wrongdoing. Whatever the case, the issue seems to be deriving our worth from man instead of God.
Certainly there are roles we play within our families, friendships, at work. These roles give us a sense of fulfillment and purpose. However, if any of these responsibilities were to disappear, and they may, would that mean our worth also disappears?
According to Scripture, that answer is clear.
God’s love for us is not contingent upon doing or being anything. He loves us, regardless. If that’s the case, try focusing on pleasing Him first and foremost. We can do for others second.
With Him as the focus, and by knowing ourselves, and by having boundaries, and not overthinking, we can turn away from being people-pleasing people.
Further Reading:
Colossians 3:23
Proverbs 29:25
Romans 8:31
Romans 12:2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What if your deepest longing wasn't for a better life on earth, but for your true home with Christ? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on John 14:2, where Jesus promises to prepare a place for those who belong to Him. While this world offers temporary joys and inevitable hardships, our ultimate hope is found in the eternal home Christ has prepared for us.
The more we fix our hearts on heaven, the less we become consumed by the fleeting treasures of this world. An eternal perspective reshapes our priorities, strengthens our faith through suffering, and reminds us that our greatest joy is not found in earthly comforts but in the promise of being forever with Jesus.
Highlights:
- Discover how John 14:2 reminds believers that Jesus is preparing an eternal home for His followers.
- Learn why longing for heaven strengthens our hope during seasons of suffering and uncertainty.
- Be encouraged to treasure Christ above the temporary comforts and distractions of this world.
- Understand how an eternal perspective transforms your priorities and daily decisions.
- Reflect on Jesus' call to store up treasures in heaven rather than earthly possessions.
- Find renewed joy by remembering that your true home is with Christ forever.
Join the Conversation
How often do you think about heaven and the promise of being with Jesus? What is one way you can live today with a greater focus on eternity rather than temporary circumstances? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Longing for Heaven
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2 ESV).
In the fourteenth chapter of John, Jesus told His followers He was leaving them to prepare a place for them and that He would return and take them with Him so that they would always be with Him. He called this place that He was preparing a mansion with many rooms, and, in my understanding of Scripture, Jesus might’ve downplayed it a little about what truly awaits us in this place He’s preparing for us.
I wonder if we really think about His promise to return, and if what awaits us in heaven is really impacting our lives and our longings.
I once heard an author and speaker say that our frustration—at heartache, pain and suffering, struggling to attain perfect love, and even striving for a more fulfilling relationship with God—is to be expected because “this life on earth is not the way it was supposed to be. Our former address was Paradise.”
When my husband, Hugh, visited the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea several years ago, he observed something peculiar and wonderful about the Iteri people. These tribesmen, in a church established years earlier by American missionaries, were a people obsessed with heaven. When my husband—an American man who was schooled in the knowledge of the Scriptures—came to speak at the little Iteri church, the natives bombarded him with questions, but not about doctrines or dispensations, interpretations, or translations. They wanted to know more about heaven.
Lon, the American missionary to the Iteri people, attempted to explain to my husband the people’s particular obsession with eternity. Because the Iteri people dealt with so much suffering, saw so many of their loved ones die, and had such a high mortality rate there in the jungle, the life to come was all they really cared about.
When I heard that, I thought about how it must touch our Creator’s heart to know that, somewhere in this world, some of His loved ones truly long to be home.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When my husband recounted the Iteri’s questions to me, my heart grieved over my own contentment with this earth, to the detriment of my longing for heaven. Why isn’t heaven all I think about? Why do I not long more to be in the presence of my Savior, to be away from the pain and the temporary and the often meaninglessness of this world, and to be complete and whole, and by His side as I was created to be? In what ways have I grown too comfortable in this world and forgotten that my real home is in heaven? What cheap substitutes for heaven have I settled for?
In Colossians 3:1-2, we are instructed, as followers of Christ, to seek the things above—in heaven—where Christ is, and to set our minds on things above, not on things that are on earth. And in Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Those are commands and exhortations to be eternally minded, to be preoccupied with heaven, and to set our hearts and our desires there forthe health of our souls, for proper order of our values, and for our inexplicable joy.
Oh, to have a longing to be with the Maker of my soul… to long for Him as much as He longs for me. It’s clear to me today that my longing for Heaven is directly proportionate to my longing for Christ.
Lord, give me a longing for the day I will be in perfect communion with You – no distractions, no other loves to steal my heart away, just You and me. For eternity.
Further Reading:Revelation 21:1-4
For more on gaining a heart for heaven, see my book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a calling, uncertain about the future, or afraid you weren't enough? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on Deuteronomy 31:8, where God promises to go before His people, remain with them, and never leave or forsake them. His presence doesn't always remove our fears—but it gives us the courage to move forward in faith.
Just as Joshua was called to lead Israel into the Promised Land, we often face assignments that feel bigger than our abilities. Yet God never calls us to walk alone. He goes before us, prepares the way, provides what we need, and faithfully holds us through every challenge. Our confidence is not found in our own strength, but in the God who never lets go.
Highlights:
- Discover how Deuteronomy 31:8 reminds us that God goes before us and never abandons His children.
- Learn why God's presence gives us courage even when we feel inadequate or afraid.
- Be encouraged to trust that God equips those He calls to fulfill His purposes.
- Understand how Joshua's story points to the confidence we can have in God's faithfulness today.
- Reflect on how fear loses its power when we remember God is already preparing the way.
- Find peace knowing your future rests in God's hands—not your own abilities.
Join the Conversation
Where is God asking you to trust Him in a situation that feels bigger than you? How does His promise to never leave or forsake you give you confidence to take the next step? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
How God’s Presence Strengthens Our Faith
By Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” - Deut. 31:8, NIV
When first invited to podcast, I wrestled with God for some time. I wondered why anyone would want to listen to me when there are so many other great podcasts from which they can choose. What if I was boring or ran out of things to say? But my biggest concern was that I’d make a fool of myself. I’d spoken to live audiences numerous times. People I could look in the face and respond to their cues. But speaking into a computer screen? Learning about all the technological elements felt a bit overwhelming. The more I prayed on this, however, the more the Lord made it clear that this opportunity came from Him. And that changed everything, because I knew, deep in my soul, when God assigns, He always provides everything we need to do all that He asks. More importantly, I also knew He would remain with me each step of my journey.
Although that didn’t remove my insecurity, it gave me the courage to step into something that’s brought satisfaction and a lot of precious, prayerful moments with the Lord.
Now, I realize my situation was nothing like Joshua’s. God gave this warrior-commander a massive assignment—to lead ancient Israel, a challenging group to say the least, into the Promised Land, an area occupied by powerful people groups with organized armies, living in fortified cities.
And Moses, the man who had led them through many frightening situations in the forty years prior and who spoke with the Almighty face-to-face, wouldn’t accompany him.
But Joshua wouldn’t be alone. The Lord would remain with him.
He promised to go before Joshua—charting the way, removing what would hinder God’s purpose, and preparing him for everything he’d encounter.
He also went ahead of His people in the sense that He’d already provided the blessing Joshua and the people needed to possess. Again, God had already given them the land, but they still had to actively take hold of it. They had to cross the Jordan River and engage in battle, but would do so from a place of victory.
The Lord would never leave or forsake them. In the original Hebrew, one could phrase this as, “He will never turn His back on you, and He will never release His grip on your life.”
He’s made that same promise to you.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
God is always moving closer, especially when you feel overwhelmed, insecure, or afraid, and He always keeps you locked in His loving gaze.
That is why we don’t have to feel discouraged or afraid.
Discouragement often rises when we realize something is beyond our control, and we lack the strength, clarity, or ability to fix whatever stands before us. But according to today’s verse, that will never be the case. We always have the power, presence, and provision of the Almighty Creator God with us. He goes before us, works within us, stands behind us, and surrounds us with His all-encompassing love.
Fear often follows discouragement—it’s the what-if scenarios that flood our minds when we think about our sense of powerlessness.
Faith grows when we remember that we’re not alone, nor must we navigate our problems on our own. We are always held, helped, protected, and empowered by the One who remains with us, fights for us, and has already secured our victory—your victory!—through His death and resurrection.
This weekend, when stress or anxiety rise, pause and reflect on today’s verse. Let it remind you that your safety and future don’t rest on your ability to figure things out—God goes before you, remains with you, and faithfully leads you on the best path for your life. Remind yourself that your success and safety aren’t up to you. God’s got you. He’ll never turn His back or release His strong yet gentle grip on your life.
And, if you’d like additional encouragement, I invite you to download my free resource: When Fear Hits: a 7-Day Reset for Anxious Hearts. Find it on my website’s freebie page. And may you live with the confidence and courage of one who is chosen, called, and empowered by the Almighty.
Further Reading:Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Joshua 1:1-9
Exodus 23:20
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What do you treasure most? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we explore Matthew 19:21-22 and Jesus' invitation to the rich young ruler. While God graciously gives us family, security, careers, and countless blessings, none of those gifts are meant to replace the Giver. Jesus calls us to hold every earthly treasure with open hands so our hearts remain fully devoted to Him.
God's kingdom is worth more than anything this world can offer. When we recognize Christ as our greatest treasure, following Him becomes a joyful response rather than a reluctant sacrifice. As we invest our lives in what lasts forever, we discover the peace, joy, and eternal hope that only Jesus can provide.
Highlights:
- Discover why Matthew 19:21-22 challenges us to examine what we treasure most.
- Learn how even good gifts can become idols when they take God's rightful place.
- Be encouraged to pursue eternal treasures that cannot be taken away.
- Understand why following Jesus is always a greater gain than anything we leave behind.
- Reflect on how your time, attention, and priorities reveal what your heart values most.
- Find lasting joy by making Christ your greatest treasure above every earthly possession.
Join the Conversation
What is one thing you find yourself holding onto most tightly? How can you surrender it to God and trust that He is your greatest treasure? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
The Treasure Worth EverythingBy Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” - Matthew 19:21-22 (ESV)
One morning, while walking my dog, I slowed down to go around a curve. Walking slower allowed my thoughts to shift to the morning sun peaking over the mountains. It was a sweet moment of quiet, peace, and gratitude. I was so thankful to the Lord for all of the good things in my life, the things I still had that were of great value.
I started listing the relationships, the comfort, and the security God had provided for my family and me after a few years of upheaval and heartache. Those things, as I meditated on them, are wonderful, certainly they are gifts from God, but as I read the Gospel of Matthew, I realized those things can also quietly take center place in my life.
None of those gifts from God is bad, but they can have the tendency to feel more important than God Himself. I think we can be thankful for the gifts of family, protection, and financial stability. But after reading Jesus’ words in Matthew, there is also a warning. We need to remember that what we treasure most has a way of shaping our hearts.
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (ESV)
Jesus isn’t just talking about money or possessions, but anything that would take our hearts away from God. In those verses, we see the value of eternal things, instead of earthly things. The two things that will last forever are God's Word and people. The things we invest our time, energy, and attention into reveal what we believe will last.
Do we believe that eternity is coming? We can start now, focusing our minds, our hearts, and our actions on things that will last beyond our years here on earth. It is easy to focus on earthly things because we can see those things, and God’s rewards, God’s treasures, are often unseen.
If we could see the value of what God is offering to us, as believers, I think we would do as the man does in Matthew 13:44. Jesus tells his followers, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (ESV) God’s kingdom, the eternal things, are worth more than everything we could accumulate here in this lifetime.
Notice that the man sells everything, not out of obligation, but because of joy. God’s kingdom is not a loss; it is a gain beyond comparison. This man found something better, and we, too, can have these things. God’s kingdom offers us peace (Philippians 4:7), joy (John 15:10, and true life (John 10:10).
So what holds us back? Why do we hesitate? I think the answer can be found later in Matthew when a rich young ruler asks Jesus a question in Matthew 19:16, “Teacher, what must I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus tells him about the law, but then says that to be truly perfect, the rich man had to sell all of his things and give his money to the poor.
The man walked away because something else was better than Jesus. The lesson for us is not to sell all of our things to follow Jesus – the command from Jesus to this man revealed the man’s heart. He couldn't let go of his wealth, and Jesus knew that.
Sometimes the things we treasure most can become the very things that keep us from fully trusting God. Only you know your heart, but God also knows. We treasure things like control, comfort, money, routine, and even our image. Those things are not bad, but when they keep us from following, that’s where we are invited to change. God invites us to depend on Him, not these things.
God isn’t trying to take away the good things in our lives, but He is reminding us that He is something better – following Him will always lead to things that will last. Jesus is the true treasure. At the end of this conversation, Jesus says we will “inherit” eternal life. (Matthew 19:29) Jesus is our treasure! The more we see the beauty of Christ, the more everything else begins to take its proper place.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What am I holding onto most tightly right now? Does it reflect what I truly believe is most valuable? The treasure of knowing God is worth more than anything this world can offer. And when we begin to see that clearly, we don’t have to force ourselves to let go. We simply begin to open our hands—trusting that what He gives is far better than anything we leave behind.
Further Reading:Colossians 3:2
Philippians 3:8
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Hebrews 11:24-26
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What if the greatest blessing God offers isn't more success, more possessions, or more recognition—but a heart that is truly content? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on Ecclesiastes 5:19 and discover that contentment is one of God's greatest gifts. While the world encourages constant comparison and striving, God invites us to rest in the unshakable joy found in Christ.
True fulfillment isn't found in having what someone else has. It's found in recognizing God's goodness, embracing His provision, and enjoying the life He has entrusted to us. When we stop measuring our worth by the world's standards, we begin to experience the peace and joy that only God can provide.
Highlights:
- Discover why Ecclesiastes 5:19 describes contentment as a gift from God.
- Learn how comparison steals joy and keeps us chasing what can never satisfy.
- Be encouraged to find your identity and worth in Christ instead of worldly success.
- Understand how gratitude transforms ordinary moments into reminders of God's goodness.
- Reflect on the difference between striving for approval and resting in God's provision.
- Find lasting peace by embracing the life God has given rather than longing for someone else's.
Join the Conversation
Where do you find yourself comparing your life to others? How can you choose contentment and gratitude in Christ instead of striving for what the world says you need? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Finding the Ultimate Blessing By Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:
“Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.” – Eccl. 5:19 NIV
Walking around the soccer field, I observed the soccer moms. We looked the same. Puffer jackets. White shoes. Wild.
I bought these clothes hoping to look good. Maybe, they too, wanted to look good. Maybe, they too, saw images of what moms should look like flash up on social media… Apparently, I wasn’t alone. We all clicked the “buy now” button.
The moms walked past me on the concrete sidewalk – did they also unconsciously ask themselves the same thing as me? Namely, am I enough?
One woman’s shoes? They were newer than mine.
Another woman? She had the cutest fleece jacket.
Her car? Newer.
Sure, I knew these women looked good on the outside, but how did they feel on the inside?
I honed in on a woman’s face. Was she happy? Not really..
I knew better than anyone that superficiality breeds insecurity. Why? Because one can never match up; someone else always has something better, is prettier, is richer. What a waste of time…
This endless pursuit of wastefulness is not my inheritance in Christ Jesus.
God has better for me.
Contentment is God’s best portion for me: The resolute knowing that what He gave me is good. The understanding that I already have more than enough in Christ. The realization that competition and striving never end. The joy found in a day well done. The hope gleaned in a relationship worked out. The powerful steadiness of peace that can’t be shaken.
My abundant portion in Christ Jesus is unshakeable and unbreakable. You, my friend, as a believer in Christ, have this same portion too!
Solomon, the wisest man ever, summed up contentment in one sentence. He says, “Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.” (Eccl. 5:19 NIV)
Contentment is a gift. To accept our lo… To be happy… To be able to enjoy…
This is a gift from God that the world can never steal.
Our greatest gift is not having what our neighbor has, nor is it looking the same, or one-upping someone else. It is not getting more, looking better, being wiser, or having something we have always wanted.
God’s truest gift for us? It is the simple things. It is delighting in the face of a child eating a lemon. It is appreciating the car you own and the music it plays. It is relishing in the growth of your own garden. It is knowing He is with you. It is liking and appreciating little, but special things.
It is joy, cultivated. No one can compete against that!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Where might you be striving and working hard to prove your worth? Where do you try to present yourself as more than you are? How do you try to fit in, rather than allow yourself to stand out?
Striving is hard work; resting is contentment.
What would it look like for you to give up all this striving in exchange for true, joyful resting in Christ Jesus?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How are you using the gifts, time, and opportunities God has entrusted to you? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on Matthew 25:21 and Jesus' parable of the talents, reminding us that every resource, ability, and moment of our lives is an opportunity to glorify God. Faithful stewardship isn't measured by the size of what we've been given, but by our willingness to use it for His Kingdom.
As followers of Christ, we have been called to live with an eternal perspective. Our time, talents, finances, relationships, and daily work all become acts of worship when they are surrendered to God. One day, every believer longs to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Living faithfully today prepares us for the joy of standing before our Savior tomorrow.
Highlights:
- Discover what Matthew 25:21 teaches about faithful stewardship and eternal rewards.
- Learn why every gift, talent, and opportunity is entrusted to us for God's glory.
- Be encouraged to view your daily responsibilities as acts of worship and service.
- Understand how keeping an eternal perspective changes the way you spend your time and resources.
- Reflect on the difference between worshiping God and allowing worldly pursuits to become idols.
- Find practical encouragement to live each day with purpose, gratitude, and faithfulness.
Join the Conversation
What is one gift, talent, or opportunity God has entrusted to you that you want to steward more faithfully? How can you use it this week to glorify Him and serve others? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Stewarding All God Has Given Us
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master’” (Matthew 25:21, ESV).
It’s a sobering thought for all of us that one day we will stand before the throne of God and be judged for how we lived our lives here on earth. For believers who are in Christ, we know our sins have been paid for by the blood of Jesus on the cross, and we stand before the judgment seat totally forgiven. Tragically, for the unbeliever, they will be held accountable for every sin they have committed against the thrice-holy God and must suffer the consequences of their rebellion; Eternal torment under the wrath of God is their sentence, and the lake of fire will be their future home.
Although the believer’s sins are no longer counted against them, they are still held accountable for the deeds they committed (or didn’t commit) for the sake of God’s Kingdom. As children of God, we are to shine brightly and reflect Him to the world. We do that by living our lives with the sole purpose of glorifying the Father; Through our good deeds, men who don’t even believe will glorify Him (Matthew 5:16). This life here on earth is a grace gift from God, and it should be our joy to thank Him by stewarding well every resource and talent we have been given.
In Matthew 25, Christ shares a parable that reveals to us how we spend our life on earth matters; Every deed is recognized, and we will be rewarded by our Master and King:
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master’” (Matthew 25:21, ESV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
It’s often difficult to keep an eternal perspective in the midst of the mundane of life, but every moment is an opportunity to glorify Christ and continue in gratefulness and joy, no matter the task. Our life is worship unto our God. Worship is ascribing worth to something or someone; It is what you devote your time, your devotion, your affection, your finances, your heart to. If you allow yourself to really reflect on this, you will know in your heart where all those things in your life are going.
Are you paying attention to where you are giving most of your life to? If you worship anyone or anything besides God Almighty, the Bible calls those people or those things idols. And when it comes to God, He doesn’t want you to give yourself away fully to anything or anyone but Him. He’s not egotistical or prideful. He just loves us so much and wants us to see the world and people as He does. The more we behold our King, the more we become like Him and long to reflect Him to a lost and dying world, using our life: time, resources, talents, finances, and good works to point others to Him. The world needs the hope of Christ, and we are to be carriers of that message that sets the captives free and gives them life eternal in Christ alone. We want to be faithful, obedient servants to our King so that we can see His Gospel and His Kingdom advance in the earth. Do you long to hear “well done, good and faithful servant”?
May the Lord give you eyes to see many opportunities to serve Him with the life He has given you. Let us have a heart of gratitude for all the finances, time, talents, and passion that we can use to glorify His name and point others to Him. Ask the Lord to help you keep your mind fixed on eternal matters and say no to the entanglements of the world. Let us be wise with how we spend every day, making sure that everyone knows who we serve as followers of Christ. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to ignite a passion in our hearts to become a good steward of this precious life we have been given, all for God’s glory and name!
Further Reading:
Ephesians 5:15-16
1 John 2:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever felt anxious without knowing why? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we explore Psalm 139:23-24 and discover that God knows our hearts more deeply than we know ourselves. When hidden fears, unprocessed pain, or subconscious burdens fuel our anxiety, the Lord gently invites us to bring everything into His healing presence.
God never searches our hearts to condemn us but to restore us. Through His grace, He reveals the places where fear, lies, or unresolved wounds keep us from experiencing His peace. As we invite Him to search our hearts, He faithfully leads us toward greater freedom, deeper trust, and the abundant life He desires for His children.
Highlights:
- Discover how Psalm 139 reminds us that God knows every thought, fear, and hidden burden we carry.
- Learn why inviting God to search your heart is a powerful step toward healing and lasting peace.
- Be encouraged that God reveals our struggles to restore us—not to shame or condemn us.
- Understand how unresolved pain and hidden beliefs can contribute to anxiety beneath the surface.
- Find hope in God's promise to lead you away from fear and into His everlasting peace.
- Rest in the assurance that God's grace is greater than every anxious thought you face.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever experienced anxiety that seemed difficult to explain? How has inviting God to search your heart helped you find peace or healing? We'd love to hear your story in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
When You Don’t Know Why You’re Anxious
By Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV).
I’ve experienced chronic anxiety for as long as I can remember. Until about five years ago, I assumed this was mostly biological, with a few uncomfortable scenarios sprinkled in. And while there may have been some truth to that, I’ve since learned a lot more occurred beneath the surface than I realized.
That was a problem, because it’s hard to manage something with roots below conscious awareness. But one day, as I read Psalm 139, a thought hit. The lord knows me better than I know myself. He sees things in my soul that I don’t, and He lovingly shines His healing light into all those spaces where lies and unprocessed hurts reside.
From that day on, I began praying today’s passage, asking God to reveal everything within me that weakened my relationship with Him and hindered my peace.
David, ancient Israel’s second king who penned Psalm 139, began with a declaration of a truth I find comforting. “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me” (v.1). Not because God needed increased information. The Lord knew everything about him, since before he took his first breath.
He then expanded on this in verses 2-4, saying,
“You know when I sit and when I rise;you perceive my thoughts from afar.You discern my going out and my lying down;you are familiar with all my ways.Before a word is on my tongueyou, Lord, know it completely.”
David was saying, “You know every thought, concern and motive.”
The same is true for us. The Lord knows every task weighing heavily on our hearts, every frustration we’ll encounter, and each moment that might challenge our peace and self-control. He sees the pits ahead of us and the detours we’ll feel tempted to take.
Some find this depth of knowledge intimidating, maybe because they don’t understand God’s heart. The One who probes the deepest places within us is the same God who gave us His Son, that we might live.
David understood this grace. In 1 Samuel 25, he became enraged and nearly annihilated an entire household because of one man’s offense. But the Lord used a wise woman named Abigail to stop him. Later, when David should have been out commanding his army (2 Samuel 11:1), he instead remained home, casually ambling upon the palace rooftop, which was designed to allow kings a bird’s eye view of their land, including the people they ruled.
While there, he happened to see a married woman in the land below performing her post-menstrual ritual, per Jewish law. David lusted after and used his authority and royal officials to take her.
In modern days, this would’ve fallen well within the #me too movement, because I highly doubt, in this patriarchal society where men often treated women as property, that Bathsheba had the ability, not to mention courage, to refuse the “request” of royal officials or the advances of a king.
Then, as if that wasn’t atrocious enough, upon learning his victim was pregnant, he had her husband killed—to hide his sin.
Yet, although he did experience consequences, he also received grace (Ps. 51), considering the extent of his sin, extreme grace.
Because that’s the promise God made. When we confess our sins, every and any sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
He never searches our souls to condemn us. Rather, He probes and illuminates to cover our biggest faults with mercy and undeserved favor.
Everything He does and allows flows from these two motives: One is to bring us flourishing life characterized by love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5:22-23). His second is to reveal His glory, which is another way of saying who He is in all His attributes. His goal? To awaken our awareness of His greatness so that we would turn to and depend more fully on Him, which is the only way to experience the thriving life Jesus promised in John 10:10.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
The more we grasp Christ’s heart and ways, the more we want him to reveal those things that are keeping us stuck—in anxiety, fear, anger, bitterness, rage. Whatever distorts our perspective and causes us to behave in ways contrary to who we truly are.
Let me read today’s passage again, and perhaps make this your prayer:
Search me, God, and know my heart.
To the ancient Hebrews, the heart was the source of our motivations, thoughts, and will, including our subconscious.
“Test me, Lord.” Look beyond our external behavior to examine those thoughts, motives, and patterns, conscious or not, triggering our anxiety.
But here’s the beautiful part. God reveals what’s harmful within us in order to lead us one step further on His path to thriving, everlasting life.
The fact that the Lord preserved this prayer in Scripture indicates He intends for us to actively pursue this level of transformation. To invite Him to reveal whatever is keeping us from full, thriving life. That’s a powerful step toward living free.
Further Reading:
Jeremiah 17:9-10
Hebrews 4:12-13
Isaiah 26:3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When was the last time you slowed down long enough to enjoy God's creation? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on Psalm 104:14-15 and discover how simple moments in nature can deepen our relationship with God. From the food we enjoy to the beauty that surrounds us, every good gift points back to our loving Creator.
In a world filled with busyness and distractions, God invites us to pause, breathe, and recognize His presence through the ordinary. Whether it's sharing a meal outdoors, listening to birds sing, or simply sitting beneath the trees, slowing down allows us to experience God's generosity, peace, and care in fresh ways.
Highlights:
- Discover how Psalm 104 reminds us that God's creation is meant to be enjoyed, not just observed.
- Learn why slowing down in nature can help you reconnect with God's presence.
- Be encouraged to practice gratitude by savoring both God's provision and His creation.
- See how everyday moments—like sharing a simple meal outdoors—can become acts of worship.
- Find renewed perspective as creation reminds you of God's care for every detail of your life.
- Be inspired to intentionally create space for rest, reflection, and fellowship with God.
Join the Conversation
Where do you feel closest to God in nature? Is there a favorite outdoor place where you experience His peace or presence? We'd love to hear about it in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Enjoy a Picnic with GodBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate – bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.” – Psalm 104:14-15, NIV
Some of my favorite childhood memories are of simple picnics with my mom in our backyard or at local parks. Mom could turn an ordinary afternoon into an extraordinary experience just by packing sandwiches, grapes, chips, and lemonade for us to eat and drink outside. I remember how I always got a fresh perspective while picnicking in the fresh air. My world seemed to open up in nature, and my senses seemed stronger, too. I noticed the way the sunlight filtered through the trees and how every different type of bird sang a different kind of song. The sandwiches somehow tasted better outside than indoors, as well. Most importantly, on those picnics, I felt connected to something bigger than myself. Later, I learned that something was a Someone – God – who always joined us on our picnics.
In our fast-paced world, we often rush through eating and don’t spend enough time outside in nature. But God actually designed them to help us connect to him. Psalm 104:14-15 points out that God provides a creative variety of plants that people and animals alike enjoy. God could have made all food and drinks taste the same and provided them to us just to survive. But instead, God created a wonderful variety for us to truly enjoy. This passage says that God created “wine that gladdens,” “oil to make faces shine,” and “bread that sustains.” In other words, God cares about us actually enjoying our experiences.
God wants us to do more than just eat a granola bar in a hurry while driving to work, rush through lunch at our desks, and pick up dinner in a fast-food drive-thru line. God wants us to eat mindfully, so we can really enjoy the experience of eating and reflect on God’s generosity and love for us. God also designed us to enjoy spending time in nature. We can learn a lot about God in nature, because creation reflects the Creator’s qualities. A picnic can help us connect with God by doing both of those activities that God intends for us.
Experience that for yourself! Schedule a picnic into your schedule sometime soon. Sit on a blanket on the “grass for the cattle” mentioned in Psalm 104, or at a picnic table on top of the grass. Say a prayer of thanks to God for the food, the “bread that sustains,” and all the other food you brought with you, which God ultimately made possible for you to enjoy. Eat slowly, savoring every bite of your food so you can taste God’s goodness to you.
During a picnic, you can let the fresh air inspire you to find a fresh perspective on your life. Let yourself pay full attention to all the wonder around you, and let that remind you of how God cares for you in every detail of your life. Look up at the vast sky and down at tiny wildflowers to see how God designed every part of creation – everything, of all sizes – with loving care.
Enjoy a picnic with God whenever you can. Don’t wait for a special occasion. Pack a sandwich, find some grass nearby, and let the simple pleasures of God’s creation lead you back to him.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider enjoying a picnic can help you move closer to God, reflect on these questions:
- What’s one of your favorite memories of being outdoors as a child? Did you notice God’s presence with you then?
- How does spending time in nature now help you look beyond your stressful circumstances to God?
- What’s one simple pleasure in the food you enjoy on picnics (like a certain flavor or texture) that you’re grateful to God for?
- Psalm 104 mentions blessings that make our hearts glad. What’s one part of God’s creation that always lifts your mood?
- How can you change your schedule to include picnics with God during good weather on a regular basis?
Further Reading:
Psalm 34:8
Matthew 6:26
Acts 14:17
Genesis 1:31
Romans 1:20
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever struggled to open your Bible or felt disconnected from God? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on Galatians 6:9 and discover that spiritual weariness doesn't mean your faith has failed. Even the most faithful believers experience seasons of exhaustion, discouragement, and spiritual dryness—but God invites us to keep taking small, faithful steps instead of giving up.
Rather than striving for the perfect quiet time, God calls us to remain faithful in the little things. One verse, one prayer, or one quiet moment in His presence can become the beginning of renewed strength. Even when you can't see it, God is working beneath the surface, producing spiritual growth that will bear fruit in His perfect timing.
Highlights:
- Discover why spiritual weariness is a normal part of the Christian journey—not a sign of failed faith.
- Learn what Galatians 6:9 teaches about perseverance when you feel spiritually exhausted.
- Be encouraged that faithfulness matters more than feelings or motivation.
- Find practical ways to reconnect with God through small, consistent daily habits.
- Understand how seasons of dryness often become places where God develops deeper spiritual maturity.
- Rest in the promise that God is producing a harvest, even when you can't yet see the fruit.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever gone through a spiritually dry season? What simple habit or Scripture has helped you reconnect with God when your motivation was low? We'd love to hear your story in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
What to Do When You Feel Spiritually Unmotivated By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” - Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
I didn’t want to read my Bible. That is something that is hard to admit, especially since I’ve been a Christian for over twenty-five years. Of course, it hasn’t always been this way. Many mornings, I wake up ready to open up God’s Word and dive in. On other days, I’ve woken up late, or weary, or both. The Bible sits on the table next to my favorite chair unopened for the day. The guilt washes over me, and I wonder if tomorrow will be better.
Only tomorrow isn’t better, and my life spirals into a pattern of being spiritually unmotivated. How do we keep going, keep having faith, and keep trusting God when our spiritual life feels empty? After a while, I’ve missed more than just a day, but a routine. After neglecting my time with God, I’ve seen a shift in my heart. Something is just… off.
Many spiritual leaders, teachers, and authors talk about these seasons. They often call this time in our lives the “wilderness” season. This metaphor comes from the stories in the Bible when God would lead people into a physical wilderness, with little water, food, or shelter. It is a spot where maybe God’s blessings seem nonexistent.
Our wilderness season isn’t something we rush through, muster through, or a time to abandon our faith. The hardest thing for me in a season of deep hardship, whether that is physically, spiritually, or emotionally, is that my motivation for the spiritual disciplines comes and goes. Our faith doesn’t feel vibrant, but dry.
Let me offer some encouragement right here: a lack of enthusiasm doesn’t mean a lack of faith; it just means you are human. Paul writes in Galatians 6:9 to the believers: “Let us not grow weary in doing good…” Paul acknowledged the possibility and likelihood of being weary. In fact, Paul also included himself in that category. He said, “Let us…” It was even possible and probably that Paul would grow tired.
Even faithful believers get exhausted! The answer Paul offers is not, “try harder…” but “don’t give up.” I’ll admit that in the middle of feeling fatigued, I always imagined God telling me to try harder, do better, and just move forward. In the middle of my messes and mistakes, God instead invites me to explore maybe why I’m so tired.
Some simple self-reflection with the help of God's Spirit can help us pinpoint a reason for our wilderness season. Maybe it is because of physical exhaustion. Life is full, and many times we enter a period of time where we can get very little sleep, and our bodies are just tired. Emotional heaviness can also cause stress and discouragement. Carrying the weight of emotional hurt and heartache, whether that is our own or others’, leaves us fatigued.
The dry seasons of life, especially our spiritual life, can sometimes be because of the repetitive nature of our lives. Getting up, doing the same thing, and repeating our days week after week, month after month, can wear us out. When we find ourselves in this type of routine, we might also place unrealistic expectations on what a quiet time with God “should” look like.
What do we do when we wake up each morning unable to motivate ourselves spiritually? First, we keep it simple and small. Read one verse. Write a verse on a card and keep it by your bed or in your bathroom. Take one moment of your morning and turn towards God. As you do this, remove the pressure to have the “perfect” quiet time. Or, better yet, don’t try to copy or emulate what your time with God used to be like.
Our faith is a growing faith, which means it changes. Paul’s answer to weariness was not to work harder, but not to give up. Showing up imperfectly is better than not showing up at all. Faithfulness goes much deeper than simple motivation. Paul says we will feel weary, but the harvest is coming. He says we will “reap,” which means there will be growth and fruit!
If you feel unmotivated today, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to have it all together to keep going. God simply invites you not to give up. To take one small step. To trust that even in this season, He is growing something you cannot yet see.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When you feel spiritually unmotivated, what is one small, simple way you can turn your attention back to God today? Try simply to read a verse, or say one prayer on your way to work this morning. Put your Bible in a place where you drink your coffee or get ready. The audio version of the Bible is also a great way to connect with God on the go.
Further Reading:2 Thessalonians 3:13
Psalm 73:26
Philippians 1:6
Psalm 126:5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have life's disappointments made it harder to trust God? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we explore Matthew 13:20-21 and Jesus' parable of the rocky soil, revealing how hardship can quietly harden our hearts if we're not careful. Even when suffering, betrayal, or unanswered prayers shake our faith, God invites us to return to Him and rediscover the trust that trials may have stolen.
Difficult seasons can leave us questioning God's goodness, but Scripture reminds us that He is never the author of evil. He is the Redeemer who works through every circumstance for our good and His glory. No matter how rocky your heart may feel today, God's grace can soften it again, allowing hope, faith, and new spiritual growth to take root.
Highlights:
- Discover what Jesus teaches about rocky soil and a heart that struggles to trust during hardship.
- Learn how disappointment can quietly harden our hearts if we don't bring our pain to God.
- Be reminded that God is never the source of evil but the Redeemer who brings good from brokenness.
- Find encouragement that trust is restored by remembering God's unchanging character and faithfulness.
- Understand why bringing your doubts honestly before God is the first step toward renewed faith.
- Rest in the hope that your story isn't finished—God is still writing it.
Join the Conversation
Has a difficult season ever challenged your trust in God? What has helped you rediscover His goodness and faithfulness when life didn't go as planned? We'd love to hear your story in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
How to Restore Trust When You've Lost ItBy Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:
“As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy; Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away.” – Matt. 13:20-21 AMPC
Have you ever tried to dig a shovel into rocky soil? It’s torture.
Bam! Bam! It’s nearly impossible. To hit rock is to be blocked.
One can’t easily plant beautiful flowers when rocky soil blocks the ability to plant new life. The same goes for us when we are on rocky soil.
Jesus said, “As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy; Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away.” (Matt. 13:20-21 AMPC)
We become rocky soil when what is hard and tough in life turns us hard and tough in heart. To be hardened to God because of trials and troubles means the soil of our hearts is rocky. Beautiful things can’t be as easily planted within us.
This is a problem – for me, I considered, as I read this verse. You see, after reading these words of Jesus, I could now see that the trials and tribulations in my life were causing me to stumble. Because I was beginning to “distrust and desert Him Whom (I) ought to trust and obey.”
Wow.
God surely knows, I don’t want to fall away. But, after all that I had gone through… all I endured… all I had to endure in relationships… quietly, distrust was stealing my trust – and I knew it.
Maybe I’m not alone in this. Maybe you, too, have had shockers in life… shock and awe when you got a medical diagnosis you didn’t expect. Shock when a friend turned to a foe. Shock when a dream suddenly ended. Shock when a child turns away from you.
It is easy to lose trust after experiencing the shock of a carpet pulled out from under us. However, we are wise to remember: God is not the orchestrator of evil; He is the one who is for us. God is the one working all things together for good. Both Jesus and the Holy Spirit intercede for us.
I once heard a pastor say, “Devil, bad. God, good.”
He’s right. God is good. God is just. God works all things together for good as we love Him and are called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28). God is Redeemer. God is hope. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
God uses even what is hard and bad for good.
I can’t give up on God. And, neither can you. I can’t afford to spend even a day away from Him.
Trust returns when we remember that God is good. When we believe there is hope. When we repent of unbelief and decide to break up with it. When we remember, He can do the miraculous. When we ponder how God used Jesus and where Jesus sits now, after hardship.
God is not what happened to us; God is good.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What, in life, has happened to you that has made you lose trust? How have you subtly moved away from God? Can you let your pain go into His hands? Your need – to know? Your desire to have everything perfect today? God is the Author and the Perfector; your story is not done yet.
This devotional is an invitation for you – to come back to Him.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What if your greatest spiritual growth isn't found on the mountaintops, but in the valleys? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we explore Matthew 5:3 and discover why Jesus calls the poor in spirit blessed. Seasons of loss, uncertainty, and weakness often create the very space where God's presence, grace, and strength become most real.
While it's natural to long for life's mountaintop moments, our deepest dependence on God is often formed during difficult seasons. When our hearts are emptied of self-reliance and worldly security, they become open to being filled with Christ. The valleys may not be easy, but they often become the places where our faith grows stronger and our relationship with Jesus grows deeper.
Highlights:
- Discover why Jesus calls the poor in spirit blessed in Matthew 5:3.
- Learn how seasons of difficulty can deepen your faith more than seasons of comfort.
- See how Peter's failures revealed his need for God's grace rather than his own strength.
- Understand why childlike dependence on Christ is central to the Christian life.
- Be encouraged that God often uses life's valleys to draw us closer to Him.
- Find hope knowing that when we feel empty, God is ready to fill us with His presence and strength.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a season where God met you most powerfully in the middle of hardship? How has a difficult valley strengthened your faith and dependence on Him? We'd love to hear your story in the comments.
Join the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
The Blessing of Being Empty
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3 ESV).
Have you ever considered that perhaps the blessing isn’t in the mountaintops but found in the valley?
So many of us live our lives longing for the proverbial “mountaintops,” for the moments when everything is perfect. Or, at least, seems to be.
It’s not wrong to pray and hope for good things. For good jobs, loving families, great friends. Besides, we know God loves to give good gifts to His children.
But what if instead of living our lives longing for the mountaintops and enduring the valleys because we think we have to, what if we saw the valleys as a gift?
Now, don’t get me wrong.
The valley isn’t a gift because it feels good. If anything, it probably doesn’t feel very good at all. Instead, it’s a gift because the hard times are usually when we grow in our faith the most.
Think about it.
The disciples walked with Jesus for 3 years. Surely, their time walking physically with Jesus was the “mountaintops” of their faith. Everything was going swimmingly. They saw miracles, witnessed healings, and watched Jesus raise people from the dead. In their minds, Jesus had no doubt come to conquer the Roman Empire (Acts 1:6).
But then Jesus died.
Those 3 days before He rose again were the darkest days in history, and no doubt, the hardest times in the lives of His disciples at that point (Luke 23:44-45, John 20:19, Mark 16:10).
But you know what?
They grew more during those 3 days than they had in 3 years. Peter is just one example of this. Before Jesus’s crucifixion, he wrestled with pride and reliance upon his own strength, telling Jesus that “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away” (Matthew 26:33 ESV). But in fear, he denied Jesus 3 times (Matthew 26:75).
We’ve all made promises on the mountaintops that we realize in the valleys we aren’t strong enough on our own to keep. Peter’s story is a reminder to us that our faith is sustained by God’s strength and grace alone, not anything we could do on our own.
For the 3 years of Jesus’s ministry, they walked by sight. They had Jesus physically with them. But after His crucifixion in those 3 days where they didn’t understand what was happening and then later when He ascended to heaven, they had to believe what they couldn’t see.
Consider this.
When we’re walking with the Lord, and everything seems to be going great, perhaps we landed our dream job, or we were given a relationship that we’ve been praying for, in those moments, we are on the “mountaintops.”
While I’m grateful for the “mountaintops” in life, I’ve realized that it’s in the “valleys” where I truly grow. Often on the mountaintops, we find ourselves filled with good things that we struggle to find room in our hearts for God. But in the valleys, when everything might be taken away from us, or we’re struggling, and our hearts are being emptied of the things of the world, that’s when our hearts may be more receptive to the Lord’s presence filling the empty spaces in our lives.
It’s like the rich man and the poor man. In Luke 18, a rich man comes to Jesus and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life (v. 18). When Jesus tells him to keep His commandments, the rich man responds that “all these I have kept from my youth” (v. 21 ESV).
Jesus then tells him that there is one thing he lacks: “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).
The Bible tells us that when the rich man heard this, he became sad because he was extremely wealthy. On the outside, he appeared to have everything he could ever want. He was “full.” Full of worldly possessions, perhaps power, of following his own path.
Luke 18:24-25 continues: “Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, ‘How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.’”
What is Jesus saying here? That if you happen to be wealthy, you won’t go to heaven? No, of course not. When we’re standing on the mountaintops and our lives are filled with such good things, sometimes, we may find it difficult to open our hearts to Jesus when our hearts are filled with things of the world.
Earlier in Luke 18:16, 17, it says: “But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’”
Jesus commends childlike faith. In most cases, children are simple, carefree, and completely dependent on their parents to provide and care for them. When we have faith like a child, we recognize the true essence of our faith, which is full dependence on Jesus to accomplish what we cannot. Sometimes, we have an innate tendency to feel independent and empowered, but that way of thinking can be false when it leads us to place an emphasis on our strength above Jesus in us.
Yes, God loves to give us good things. To bless us with moments on the mountaintops.
But I’ve found that the greatest blessing is found in the valleys, when we realize God’s grace is the only thing sustaining us and we find ourselves empty enough to be filled by Him.
If you are in the valley today, instead of viewing it as something you must endure, why not view it as a blessing? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying the tragedy we may be walking through may be easy or a gift in and of itself, but the result (which can often be a deeper closeness with God) is the true gift. Why not view our empty places as a gift and an opportunity to be filled with the presence of God?
Pray with me:
Father, thank You for the valleys that make me like a child again. Thank You for the seasons that strip away my false independence and remind me that I am sustained by Your grace alone. Help me to stop longing for the next mountain and instead look for Your presence right here, even in the empty spaces. Fill me with Yourself today. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Where do you turn when life feels uncertain or overwhelming? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on Psalm 32:7 and discover the comforting truth that God is our hiding place. Through the powerful story of Corrie ten Boom, we're reminded that even in our darkest moments, God remains our refuge, protector, and source of lasting hope.
Life's hardships can leave us feeling vulnerable, alone, or forgotten. Yet Scripture reminds us that God's presence never leaves us. He surrounds His children with His love, strengthens us through every trial, and faithfully walks with us until deliverance comes. No matter what you're facing today, you can find peace by taking refuge in the One who never fails.
Highlights:
- Discover what Psalm 32:7 teaches about God as our hiding place and protector.
- Learn how Corrie ten Boom's faith demonstrates trusting God through unimaginable suffering.
- Be encouraged that God's presence remains constant, even when your circumstances feel uncertain.
- Understand why God's truth is more reliable than our changing emotions.
- Find hope in remembering God's faithfulness through past trials as you face today's challenges.
- Rest in the assurance that God surrounds His children with His protection, peace, and unfailing love.
Join the Conversation
When have you experienced God as your hiding place during a difficult season? How has remembering His past faithfulness strengthened your trust today? We'd love to hear your story in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
You Are My Hiding Place, GodBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).
Corrie Ten Boom was a strong follower of Jesus who lost everything to the Nazis. Her family protected Jews from being taken to Nazi concentration camps by hiding them. However, one day, they were discovered. Corrie, along with her family, was taken to various jails and concentration camps. Corrie’s father died in prison ten days after arriving, while she and her sister, Betsie, were taken to Ravensbrück concentration camp.
Betsie died while in Ravensbrück, which severely affected Corrie. The two sisters were extremely close and relied on one another. Corrie was later released from Ravensbrück by happenstance, which was later discovered to be a clerical error. However, we know this was God working in the situation; He was setting Corrie free from the concentration camp that had taken so much from her.
Upon returning home, Corrie noted that home didn’t feel like home anymore. She was waiting for Betsie or her father to show up, but they never did. For many of us who have lost loved ones, we know what this feels like. They have passed on, and we won’t see them again until Heaven.
Throughout Corrie’s time living under the Nazi regime, she never lost faith in Jesus. She knew Christ was with her. Even today, He is still right beside us as we face our own battles.
Corrie’s book detailing her time under Nazi rule is called “The Hiding Place.” This was connected to how they would hide Jews in a special room in their house, which doubled as their watch shop. While this room kept the Jews safe, it was also God who was protecting them. God is our figurative and literal hiding place. We might not see it at present; however, when the time comes, we will see His safety, protection, and comfort.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible speaks of God as our hiding place: “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7). David wrote this psalm, knowing that God would protect him from trouble and surround him with deliverance. Just as God did this for David, He will do the same for us.
Even when you might think God is far, He is near (Acts 17:27). During dark times, it can feel as though He is nowhere to be seen. These feelings are valid, but we must understand that God is greater than our feelings. We don’t need to base our knowledge of God on what we feel. Our feelings may be inaccurate or misleading.
Our feelings might tell us that God will not protect us from harm, trouble, or struggle, but we need to remember that He is our hiding place. He will protect us and surround us with His grace. Think about what you need today and present it to Him (1 Peter 5:7). Do not feel afraid to share your real feelings and the thoughts that are pulling you away from Him.
God knows life can get hard, and our faith can waver from time to time. However, He doesn’t want us straying away from Him. He is our hiding place where we can go and find safety, security, and hope. Even if you may feel weak and tired right now, go to Him.
God walked Corrie out of Ravensbrück, and He will walk you out of this struggle ahead. I have seen it in my own life, and you probably have already seen it in yours, too. Rely on God’s past faithfulness when it seems like a prayer has not been answered in a long time. He will answer your prayers in time and surround you with songs of deliverance (Zephaniah 3:17).
Is God currently your hiding place? Why or why not? How can you build your trust in God today?
Further Reading:
Psalm 28:1-9
Psalm 36:5-9
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How do you find strength when life feels overwhelming? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on James 4:6 and discover God's promise to give more grace to the humble. Whether you're facing illness, grief, uncertainty, or a season of suffering, God's sustaining grace is always greater than the burden you carry.
Suffering has a way of exposing our weakness, but it also reminds us where our true strength comes from. Instead of relying on ourselves or becoming consumed by our circumstances, God invites us to come to Him with humble hearts, trusting that His grace is sufficient for every challenge. As we lean on Christ, He strengthens us, deepens our faith, and draws us closer to Him—even in life's hardest seasons.
Highlights:
- Discover what James 4:6 teaches about God's abundant grace for the humble.
- Learn why humility positions us to receive God's strength during suffering.
- Be encouraged that God's grace is greater than any trial, hardship, or uncertainty.
- Understand how suffering can deepen your faith and draw you closer to Jesus.
- Find hope in knowing God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.
- Remember that you never have to carry life's burdens alone—God's sustaining grace is always available.
Join the Conversation
Where do you need God's grace the most right now? How have you experienced His strength carrying you through a difficult season? We'd love to hear your story in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Grace in Abundance Is Available
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6, ESV).
One of my closest friends has been walking through a very heavy time regarding her husband’s diagnosis of MS. There are times when she opens up to me about her struggles with how it has impacted her marriage, and all I want to do is encourage her and help her carry the burden. The other day, I listened as she sobbed, and I tried my best to acknowledge the difficulty and pain, even if I couldn’t fully relate to this particular situation. To encourage her, I told her that in her repentance of complaining and repentance of discontentment in the midst of her suffering, I see so much beautiful humility and a greater trust is being formed in her. Because of that humility, we can rejoice in knowing that God has promised to give grace to the humble.
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6, ESV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Some of us have been called to a greater measure of suffering than others, and instead of allowing the trial to embitter us or cause us to be anxious, we can be thankful that we will be recipients of God’s great sustaining grace in a greater measure than others. Yet, to receive that sustaining grace, we must remember to come to God humbly as we learn to lean upon Him for strength and trust that He is using suffering for a purpose.
Pain and suffering are not something any of us look forward to, but while we live here in this fallen and broken world, it is inevitable. It is so easy to get caught up in the storms of our lives and lose sight of the hope that is available to us through Jesus Christ, and allow them to overtake us. Our trials are what the Lord is using to bring us closer to Him and conform us into His image. The Apostle Paul calls this “the fellowship of His suffering” (Philippians 3:10). Not only do our trials bring us closer to Christ, but they remind us that heaven is our true home and one day, our suffering will cease.
The suffering may not disappear in this life, but the good news is that Jesus is right there with us to walk through it together, and He has promised to empower us with His grace. In the midst of the pain, the temptation is to give all of our focus to the battle we may be facing and figure out ways on either how to escape it or fix it, but the Lord is calling us to run to Him in our weakness as we realize we cannot walk through any of it on our own. Let us run to Him and fall at His feet in humility, knowing that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
God’s grace is sufficient, and He is our ever-present help in times of need, but sometimes our actions do not reflect these truths. It’s much easier for us to either complain about our stressful, painful, and difficult circumstances or try to take matters into our own hands to try to fix or change what seems to be causing us to feel so overwhelmed. What are you walking through right now that seems to be overwhelming or stressful? Grace in abundance is available to those who ask! We must learn how to ask for grace when we have reached our limit, or when we feel like we are being crushed under the weight of our suffering. God is so faithful to provide all things that we need because He is a gracious Father who cares deeply for His children. Come to Him as His child today, boldly and humbly asking for His sustaining and powerful grace to carry you through each challenging moment. Even if this season of suffering doesn’t have an expiration date on this side of eternity, we can run to our Father and ask for His sustaining grace that is more than enough.
Further Reading:
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
Hebrews 4:16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What Does Colossians 3:12 Teach About Christlike Character?
How do we become more like Jesus in our everyday lives? Today we explore Colossians 3:12 and discover what it means to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Rather than trying to change through willpower alone, God invites us to allow the Holy Spirit to shape our hearts so our character reflects Christ.
Growing in Christlike character is a daily choice. As we intentionally practice compassion, humility, patience, kindness, and gentleness, these virtues become more than actions—they become part of who we are. This devotional reminds us that spiritual maturity isn't about perfection, but about consistently choosing to respond as Jesus would and trusting God to transform us from the inside out.
Highlights:
- Discover what Colossians 3:12 teaches about living with Christlike character.
- Learn how compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience reflect the heart of Jesus.
- Understand why spiritual growth requires intentional daily choices empowered by the Holy Spirit.
- See how practicing Christlike virtues transforms both your heart and your relationships.
- Be encouraged to rely on God's strength instead of your own as you grow in faith.
- Find practical ways to demonstrate Christ's love through your everyday interactions.
Join the Conversation
Which Christlike virtue—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, or patience—is God inviting you to grow in today? How have you seen the Holy Spirit transform your character over time? We'd love to hear your story in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Clothe Yourself with Christlike TraitsBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” - Colossians 3:12
One Sunday, I got dressed to go to church. I pulled out top after top, trying everything on, but nothing fit. With a pile of clothes and empty hangers on my bed, I became frustrated. Finally, I pulled out a top that was one size too large, a size I had worn when I was several pounds heavier. I put it on—it was a perfect fit!
For months, I had breezed by that larger top as I shopped in my closet for the perfect outfit. I didn't want to admit that perhaps I needed a bigger size. However, once I was able to accept that maybe my body wasn't what it once was years ago, and put on the larger top, my frustration subsided.
After that day, I made peace with the fact that I needed a larger size in clothes. I got rid of all my clothes that were a size smaller and purchased larger tops. Once I accepted my reality, wearing the larger top wasn't a big deal. In fact, I felt comfortable in it.
With clothes, it's not always about the look that's the most important. It is most important about how I feel when I’m in those clothes. While I may have needed a larger top to fit my slightly heavier frame, I became so comfortable wearing a larger top that it wasn't even a problem after a few weeks.
The above verse tells us that we are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These are all the attributes of Christ and a manifestation of the Spirit in our lives. Just like regular clothes that we put on each day, it's not always about how they look, but rather how I feel when I'm in them.
Even in situations where it’s difficult to demonstrate compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, or patience, the more that I choose to exude those things in my life, the more comfortable I'll become with them. The more I act in accordance with those virtues, the more they will become like a part of me. Soon, I won't have to force myself to act within these virtues; it will become a natural part of me.
Jesus didn't have to force himself to act out these virtues. It was an embodiment of who he truly was. His character exuded traits of humility, compassion, and kindness, among other things. Jesus desires for us to exude the same virtues in our lives as he did with his.
But this takes intention and action. I must act with intention when it comes to putting on these virtues. If I want to clothe myself with these things, I must make them feel as if they are a natural part of me. I must exude them and allow them to become part of my nature. When I'm able to do this, they will become such a part of me that I won't even think twice about using these character traits in my life.
Out of the virtues listed above, which one do you find most difficult to demonstrate? If the most difficult virtue for us is humility, find ways in which to humble ourselves. It may be as simple as allowing someone else to go ahead of us, even when they have many more items to check out at the supermarket.
It may mean controlling ourselves when someone cuts us off in traffic. It may mean being kind to someone who doesn't deserve our kindness. Whatever action it may be, ask the Holy Spirit to show us what action and to whom we must demonstrate it.
The more we act out of our comfort zones, the more these virtues will become a natural part of our lives. Soon, they will become such a part of us that we won't think twice about exuding these character traits in life. Not only is this the true demonstration of Christ's likeness in our lives, but it may also draw others to Christ because of our actions and attitudes.
Father, let us clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and gentleness. Allow them to become a natural part of our daily lives. Let our first instinct to be one of these traits, rather than our own selfish desires. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Which of the above virtues do you have the most difficulty demonstrating in your life? Pray and ask God to show you someone whom you can demonstrate that difficult trait to today.
Further Reading:Philippians 2:6-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
ike a loving shepherd who keeps His sheep close, God gently redirects us when we begin drifting toward temptation, unhealthy desires, or paths that lead to disappointment. While His boundaries can sometimes feel frustrating, they are expressions of His love. He sees dangers we cannot see and lovingly guides us back to the path that leads to life and lasting joy.
When we experience delays, closed doors, or the gentle conviction of the Holy Spirit, we can trust that God is not withholding good from us. Instead, He is protecting us and inviting us to remain close to Him, where we discover security, purpose, and the fullness of His presence.
Highlights:
- God's guidance is an expression of His love and protection, not punishment.
- Psalm 16 reminds us that true joy and fulfillment are found in God's presence.
- God often redirects us when we begin wandering toward temptation or unhealthy desires.
- Delays, closed doors, and conviction can be evidence of God's loving care.
- Staying close to God allows us to experience His peace, wisdom, and lasting joy.
- We can trust that God's boundaries are always for our eternal good, even when we don't understand them.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever looked back and realized God was protecting you through a closed door, delay, or unexpected change in direction? How has staying close to Him brought greater peace and joy in your life?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
When You’re Prone to Wander
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11 ESV).
I recently learned something about myself—and my Savior—from watching my black cat, Mowgli.
Each morning, I take Mowgli out on the patio with me so we can enjoy the cool of the morning. Mowgli has to be on a leash every time he’s outside, even if I’m right next to him, because he is afraid of other people and sounds he can’t identify. When he becomes frightened or when he starts to wander and his leash wraps around something and he suddenly feels restrained, he will panic, struggle out of his harness, and try to run away.
For the most part, Mowgli and I enjoy peaceful mornings outside together as I work on my laptop and he sits contentedly on the patio, leash securely attached. When he tries to get a little further away from me to explore, I will say, “Not too far, Mowgli” and tug on his leash.
But now and then, when a hummingbird swoops in low to tease him, or when a critter is rustling in the leaves nearby, he will lunge forward, panic at his sense of restraint, and wiggle quickly out of his harness and make a run for his potential kill.
After I catch him, he’s very angry to be restrained. I bring him back inside and tell him firmly, “No going outside again if you can’t stay in your harness.”
Today I found myself saying to him, after he was back inside and whining that he couldn’t go out again, “Why can’t you stay in your harness? Don’t you know I want to keep you close so I can keep you safe?”
Oh, how God must want to tether my heart to Him to keep me safe as well.
In Psalm 16, David—who knew what it was like to be hunted like a wild animal, to run for his life from King Saul, who wanted him dead—said this about the security of being tethered closely to his God: “You make known to me the path of life” (in other words, “You know how to keep me safe and alive). And David sang, “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” David was saying,” I am not only safe and secure in Your presence, but I am full of joy when I’m close to You, and I’m able to experience eternal pleasures.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How often have I tried to wander too far from God’s instruction, too close to temptation, and too close to something I might start loving more than Him, and He gently pulls me back to His side? How often has my Lord seen me try to escape the harness of His love and pursue something that will never satisfy? Certainly, He wants to keep me close to His side so I will be content and can enjoy life with Him.
When have you sensed God restraining you as you started to wander from Him? What might God be protecting you from in the disappointments and delays you are experiencing?
Can you, too, see how God’s restraints on us—what He keeps us from, what He won’t allow us to have or go near—are not restraints to punish us or make our lives miserable? He knows what’s best for you and me, and He wants to keep us close so we are not only safe, but filled with joy at being near His presence. When you sense that gentle nudge backward, that might feel frustrating because you can’t get ahead to what you want, will you trust that God knows exactly what He’s allowing—and not allowing—for your eternal best and for your pleasures forevermore, not just temporarily.
Lord, Your Word says in Your presence is abundant joy. Why would I ever want to wander? Keep me close to Your side, ever bound to You so that I can experience Your very best for me and enjoy Your company like no other.
Further Study:
Psalm 71:15
For daily encouragement to stay close to your Savior, see my book,The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Drawing from David’s life as a shepherd and later as Israel’s king, this devotional paints a beautiful picture of God's care. Just as shepherds built protective hedges around their sheep at night and positioned themselves as the gate, God lovingly surrounds us with His protection. He doesn't simply guard us from afar—He walks beside us, shielding us from the enemy's lies while gently directing our steps through every season of life.
When anxiety tempts us to rely on our own understanding, we can rest knowing we are never navigating life alone. God's hand remains upon us, leading us with wisdom, protecting us from danger, and giving us the freedom to follow Him with confidence. We don't have to live in fear or constantly anticipate every possible threat because our Good Shepherd has already gone before us.
Highlights:
- God surrounds His children with His loving presence, protection, and guidance.
- Psalm 139 reminds us that God is always before us, behind us, and actively involved in our lives.
- David's experience as a shepherd illustrates God's protective care like a hedge surrounding His sheep.
- God's presence guards us against fear, anxiety, and the enemy's deception.
- We can trust God's gentle guidance instead of relying solely on our own understanding.
- Because God walks with us, we are free to follow Him without living in constant fear.
Join the Conversation
When have you experienced God's protection or guidance during a season of uncertainty? How does remembering that God surrounds you with His presence give you peace today?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Encased by the Father’s Love
By Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me. - Psalm 139:5 NIV
This has been an unsettling and confusing season where I’ve questioned my perspective and the path forward in a highly consequential area. I know God is leading, watching over, and blessing me, but my emotions don’t always align with what I know is true. Sometimes, at night, when I’m trying to sleep, the stress and unknowns of this situation pull me into an anxious spiral. In that space, there’s a part of me that fears getting pulled into the devil’s deception, in part because I recognize how easy it is to convince myself that following my preference is God’s leading.
That’s a dangerous place to be. It leaves me vulnerable to the enemy’s schemes. Yet, today’s verse reminds me that I’m well-protected by the One who knows me, remains with me, and shields me from what Scripture calls the devil's “flaming arrows.” Lies he aims at my soul to draw me away from Christ and His life-giving truth.
David, ancient Israel’s second king who wrote the passage from which today’s verse comes, understood how it feels to find yourself under attack—by the devil, and those he uses to carry out his will. For over a decade, he lived as a fugitive, hiding in caves and even in Philistine territory, for fear of death. During that season, numerous people betrayed him, and he often felt alone and as if no one cared about him.
Those were the statements his emotions made when life felt hard, exhausting, and his situation uncertain.
But even when his heart cried out for relief, he recalled the truth. He knew how to preach to his soul, a practice we see in many of the poetic prayers preserved in Scripture.
Scholars believe he wrote Psalm 139 after he’d assumed the throne and his life became more stable—with a few bumps along the way. Standing on the other side of intense suffering, he was able to look back and reflect upon how God had remained present and faithful each moment of his life—from before he took his first breath.
The Lord didn’t guide him from a distance. He came close and surrounded David with His strong, loving, and protective presence.
God “hemmed” David in. In the original Hebrew, one could state today’s verse as: Behind and before you have hedged me and laid upon me Your hand.” You may have heard the phrase, “a hedge of protection.” That analogy likely came from today’s verse. And I wonder if David’s statement came from his experience as a shepherd, where, at night, he would’ve created a literal hedge of thorns and branches that formed a makeshift pen for the sheep under his care. For added protection, the shepherd often slept on the ground, forming a gate with his body.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
This rich historic imagery, when applied to today’s text, reminds us that the Lord surrounds us like those thorny branches that surrounded sheep. He is our shield, strong tower, fortress, and defense who hides us in the shadow of His wings—another picturesque symbol of His protective stance over His children.
But notice, He also places His hand upon us. Whenever I read this, I’m reminded of how I guided and protected my daughter when she was learning to walk. She’d gone from strangle-gripping my finger to releasing my hand and toddling off in exploration. I wanted to give her as much freedom as developmentally appropriate while also keeping her from falling into sharp corners or getting too close to the stairs.
My solution? To place a gentle hand on her head, remaining alert to when I needed to direct her from danger and back to safe exploration.
Speaking of sheep, shepherds, gates, and exploration reminds me of Jesus’ analogy in John 10, when He said His sheep would go in—to the pen—and out to find pasture. His words speak of freedom and the rhythm of coming into the “sheepfold” for the spiritual nourishment and rest we need, then leaving to explore the wide-open spaces He’s provided.
But even when we exit the pen, we remain well-protected, whether the threat comes from the devil and his minions or some other frightening or dangerous encounter. God hems us in—by His power and love.
By His very self.
This gives me the peace to follow, knowing I don’t have to remain hyper vigilant, scanning the horizon for every possible threat. I simply need to remain in step with the One who matches His steps with mine.
Further Reading:Psalm 139:1-24
Psalm 125:2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s pruning process can feel difficult, but it is always guided by His love and purpose for our lives. In John 15:1-2, Jesus reveals that God is the gardener who carefully removes what prevents us from growing and producing lasting fruit. While pruning may involve letting go of things we value, God’s work is never meant to harm us—it is meant to help us become more fruitful.
Just as a gardener trims away unnecessary branches to help a plant thrive, God sometimes removes distractions, unhealthy patterns, or even good things that keep us from experiencing His best. He knows where our energy is being spent and what needs to change so we can grow deeper in our relationship with Him.
Although God’s pruning can be painful, we can trust the One doing the work. Our Heavenly Father sees the bigger picture and lovingly clears space for spiritual growth, renewed purpose, and the fruit of the Spirit to flourish in our lives. When we surrender what He asks us to release, we make room for greater dependence on Him.
Highlights:
- God prunes our lives because He desires for us to grow and produce lasting spiritual fruit.
- A crowded life can spread our energy too thin and distract us from what matters most.
- God may remove both unhealthy things and even good things that keep us from His best.
- Pruning requires trust because God sees the growth and purpose that we cannot yet see.
- Letting go of what God removes creates room for deeper faith and transformation.
- The fruit of the Spirit grows when we remain connected to God and allow Him to shape our lives.
Join the Conversation
What is one area of your life where God may be inviting you to let go, create space, or trust His pruning process? How can you surrender that area to Him today?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Let God Prune Your LifeBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” – John 15:1-2, NIV
Walking through a botanical garden, I noticed a pile of green stems, branches, and buds that had been cut off various plants and scattered on the ground. It seemed at first like someone had vandalized the garden. Just as I started to get angry about what I thought was a crime, I noticed a gardener at work farther down the garden path. He was cutting off parts of plants on purpose! That reminded me that pruning is actually healthy for plants, no matter how hard it may look for them to be cut. Gardeners prune plants to give them the energy and space they need to bloom fully. Pruning helps plants reach their full potential.
Jesus reveals in John 15:1-2 that God prunes people. God cuts off what isn’t healthy and productive in our lives and gives us the help we need to be as fruitful as possible in our lives.
In the plant world, a vine only has a certain amount of sap to give to its branches. If that sap is sent to 50 different tiny branches, none of them will produce big, juicy grapes. They will all be small and struggling. But if the gardener cuts those 50 branches down to five, all the energy from the sap will go into those five branches. The result will be fruit that’s healthy and sweet.
The same is true for your soul. You only have so much energy. If your schedule is cluttered with too many activities, your limited energy will be spread so thin that you’ll become exhausted. You’ll be busy but not fruitful in the way God intended. Even though you’ll be doing a lot, you won’t be accomplishing what matters most from God’s perspective. That can all make your spiritual life feel like a wilted plant. You’ll feel burned out and unable to connect with God in the ways that will help your soul bloom fully.
Sometimes, God asks you to step away from things that are clearly unhealthy. It’s easier to do that than to step away from good things God sometimes leads you away from, like a job that pays well but pulls you away from your primary calling, or a friendship that you’ve outgrown. When God prunes parts of your life, he does so because he wants to give you more blessings – but first, you need more space in your life to receive those blessings.
Pruning can hurt. It can feel like you’ve lost an important part of your life, or even an important part of who you are as a person. But remember who the Gardener is. It’s your loving Heavenly Father, who has good purposes and plans for you. God doesn’t just hack away randomly; he prunes precisely what’s best for you to grow to reach your full potential.
When God prunes your life, he’s clearing the way for a season of growth that you can’t even imagine yet. He wants your life to be like a beautiful garden that fulfills you and pleases him as he sees his good design for your life become a reality. You need to cooperate with God for that to happen, however. It’s vital to be willing to let go of whatever God wants to prune out of your life.
So, take an honest look at your life right now. What’s taking the energy away from your relationship with God? Let the Master Gardener do his work to prune it away so you can grow and thrive!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how pruning is important for you to grow to reach your full potential, reflect on these questions:
- If you looked at your schedule as a garden, which areas feel the most overgrown or crowded right now?
- What’s one unhealthy activity you can prune out of your schedule this week to make more room for something that will help you grow closer to God?
- What’s one activity in your life that’s good but still might be keeping you from experiencing God’s best? How can you let go of it to make room for something better?
- When you feel God pruning something away from your life, how can you resist the urge to grab onto it and instead trust God to take it away?
- What kind of fruit of the Spirit (like patience, kindness, or peace) do you want to see more of in your life this season?
Further Reading:
Hebrews 12:11
Proverbs 3:5-6
Galatians 5:22-23
Isaiah 58:11
Philippians 1:6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The invitation God gives us is often the opposite of what our instincts tell us. When problems arise, we want to fix, plan, and act. But God invites us to pause and remember that He is already present and working. Time spent with Him is never wasted; it is where our hearts are renewed and our souls are restored.
God is not asking us to accomplish more to earn His love. He is inviting us into relationship with Him. Whether it is thirty minutes or just a few quiet moments throughout the day, sitting in God’s presence, reading His Word, and praying allows us to step away from the rush and experience His peace.
Jesus Himself was never hurried or driven by the need to prove His worth through productivity. Through Him, we are reminded that we do not have to carry burdens God never intended for us to hold. When we return to Him, we find the rest and strength we need for each day.
Highlights:
- God does not measure our faithfulness by how busy we are, but by how closely we walk with Him.
- Isaiah reminds us that true strength comes through returning to God, resting, and trusting Him.
- Productivity can become a burden when we believe our worth depends on what we accomplish.
- Spending quiet time with God restores our hearts and helps us recognize His presence.
- Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him and receive rest.
- Slowing down creates space to hear God’s voice and trust His direction.
Join the Conversation
Where do you feel the most rushed in your life right now? What would it look like to intentionally slow down and invite God into that space?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
God Is Not Rushing YouBy Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” - Isaiah 30:15, 18
My daughter does not like to be rushed. In so many ways I am the same way. When planning things I always give myself extra time. American culture is one that is governed by time. Events start on time and we complain if we are made to wait. It is easy to fall into the mindset of rushing when being dictated by the clock.
Rarely do people have time to rest, be quiet, and wait. Me included. My days are often packed with endless activities and to-do lists. For so long if I didn’t do anything on a particular day - that day felt unproductive. My to-do list can be like a taskmaster, running my day-to-day life. Somewhere along the way, I started to believe that a full schedule meant a faithful life—and that slowing down meant I was falling behind.
In Isaiah 31 we read the words: “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” God’s people, the Israelites, had been running away from God, not toward him. They were about to be attacked by their enemies, but instead of going to God, they turned to other allies. They tried to fix things on their own.
Isaiah, the prophet, spoke from God to tell the people that rescue would come a different way. It would come through returning to God, resting. This is counter intuitive, isn’t it? We often think the opposite: the way out of trouble is to run, move, and act! God, though, wasn’t asking for more effort but for them to return to Him. While they were rushing to solve their problems, God was inviting them to be still.
You and I are the same. We rush to fix problems, stay productive, and make sure we don’t let anything “fall through the cracks.” How often do we believe that faithfulness is the same as being busy? For so long, I have believed that my purpose in life - why God loved me and what God wanted from me - was to be productive. Faithfulness isn’t about that at all.
Friend, God invites us to return to him. How do we do this? Begin by sitting with God. That’s right. Stop at some point in your day (each day) to just sit and be with God. Don’t scroll. Don’t move. Just be still. Time in God’s presence is not wasted time—it is where our souls are restored. While you are sitting there, learn the value of not talking, thinking, or worrying.
During that time, use a few minutes to be in His Word. Don’t rush through a reading of the Bible, but linger with it. Listen to God’s voice as you read the words (or listen to the audio). As you do, let your heart naturally speak to God in prayer. Start a conversation with God. Maybe it will be about what you read, but mostly it can be about what is on your heart. Embrace the quietness, if possible. God is not asking you to do more—He is inviting you to be with Him. Those moments, whether they are thirty minutes or 3 minutes, can make such a difference in our day.
Many of us are tired not because we’re doing too little, but because we’re carrying what God never asked us to carry. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
God is not hurrying us along. He is gently inviting us to return, to rest, and to trust Him right where we are. As we learn to slow our hearts today, may we learn how to step out of the rush and into His presence. God can teach us to trust Him in the quiet places. This stopping, even for a moment, means we don’t have to strive; God is already near.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Jesus was never hurried, rushed, or needed to prove His worth by His productivity. You don’t either. As you start your day, remember to slow down and spend a few moments in prayer. Ask God to help you have strength for your day. In the dark at night, lift your heart to God again, asking Him for peace as you sleep. Where in your life do you feel the most rushed right now—and what would it look like to intentionally slow down and invite God into that space?
Further ReadingPsalm 46
Luke 10:39-42
Mark 6:31
Matthew 11:28-30
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
As followers of Christ, we are not called to fix everyone or be close friends with everyone, but we are called to love as Jesus loved us. Because Christ showed us grace while we were still sinners, we can extend kindness, prayer, and compassion to others. When we remain rooted in God’s love, His love can flow through us.
Highlights:
- We cannot effectively give love to others unless we first receive and understand God’s love for us.
- God’s love is revealed through the way believers treat and care for others.
- Jesus modeled love by moving toward people who were hurting, rejected, and imperfect.
- Loving others does not mean approving everything they do, but it does mean responding with grace and compassion.
- Remaining connected to God’s love allows His character to shine through our actions.
Join the Conversation
How does understanding how deeply God loves you change the way you love others? What is one way you can allow God’s love to flow through you today?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
An undivided heart begins with wholehearted surrender to God. Based on Psalm 86:11, this devotional explores the tension every believer experiences between pursuing God and being drawn toward the distractions and desires of the world. While our hearts are naturally prone to wander, God's faithfulness continually calls us back, inviting us to rely on His Spirit rather than our own strength.
God doesn't abandon us when our affections become divided. Like the Good Shepherd who searches for the wandering sheep, He lovingly pursues us, reveals the areas where we've drifted, and offers grace to restore us. Through prayer, repentance, and daily dependence on Him, we can ask the Lord to transform our hearts so that our love for Him becomes our greatest desire. His invitation remains simple and powerful: seek Him, and He will meet you.
Highlights:
- Our hearts naturally struggle between surrendering to God and pursuing worldly desires.
- God lovingly reveals areas where we've drifted and calls us back through His grace.
- An undivided heart is cultivated through dependence on God's Spirit, not personal effort.
- Jesus faithfully pursues those who have wandered and welcomes them back with compassion.
- Prayer and surrender allow God to shape our hearts into wholehearted devotion.
Join the Conversation
Are there areas of your life where you feel your heart has become divided? What would it look like to fully surrender those areas to God today?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
An Undivided Heart
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Ps. 86:11 (NIV)
How many of us can relate to this scripture? I don’t know about you, but sadly, I have wrestled with divided affections more times than I can count. In the deepest places of my heart, I long for the Lord. Truly, I ache for Him in a way that defies comprehension. Like the Chief Musician in Psalm 42, my soul pants and thirsts for the living God as deer pants for the water brooks. And yet… these innate yearnings can be so easily superseded by the things of this world and the cravings of my flesh. With such a strong inward draw towards my Creator, how is it possible to wander and depart from the One whom I so desperately desire?
The Bible tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9, NKJV). We are all aware that the Bible contains hard truths, but this one cuts straight to the core. To many, this bold statement may sound harsh, even offensive. However, that does not negate its truth. Our hearts lie to us. Our emotions betray us. There is an age-old battle that rages within every single one of us. A conflict that has plagued humanity since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. This great war boils down to one single word – choice. A choice between God and self, our own desires and His, selfishness and selflessness, prideful independence and dependent surrender.
When these comparisons are listed side by side, it seems completely irrational that we would choose selfishness over selflessness, our will over God’s. And yet that is the struggle each one of us faces day in and day out. Our human nature is so flawed, so imperfect, that we actually need God’s help to even choose Him. Our hearts are so divided, and our bent toward sin so strong, that without the aid of His Spirit, all of us would remain on paths of self-destruction. But God in His goodness does not leave us there. He proactively pursues each one of us because of His great love for us.
The Lord Himself searches our hearts and tests our minds (Jer. 17:10) so that we may recognize our deviations. For it is His kindness that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4). Like the Shepherd that left the ninety-nine to find the single sheep who had wandered, so the Lord passionately pursues each and every one of us. Once we have been returned to the fold, our Heavenly Father instructs us how to remain tethered to Him. He withholds no good gift from His children. All we have to do is ask. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened,” (Matt. 7:7-8, NIV). It’s that simple.
If you are wrestling with divided affections today, may I encourage you to call upon the Lord? Just like the psalmist of old, let us declare together our heartfelt plea…
“Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me.” (Ps. 86:11-13, NIV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Where is your heart today? Do you feel rooted and grounded in Christ, or are you wandering, lost, or disconnected? Perhaps you are somewhere in the middle, where it literally feels like you have one foot on each side of the dividing line that separates surrender and self-reliance. Wherever you find yourself today, take some time to examine your heart. I know how hard it is for many of us to sit in silence and patiently wait for that still small voice of God’s Spirit within each of us. But I pray that you will push past the discomfort of being still and truly allow the Lord to reveal the state of your heart. He longs to heal any division found there so that you may truly rest in His love and presence.
Further Reading:
Psalm 86
Matthew 18:12-14
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Make the most of each moment by staying faithful in the season God has you in today. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 3:1, this devotional reminds us that every season has a purpose, and God calls us to faithfully steward the present instead of becoming consumed by the future. Whether you're waiting for answers, stepping into a new opportunity, or navigating a busy season, God invites you to trust His timing and remain fully present with Him.
Rather than striving to control every outcome, we can rest in knowing that the Lord establishes our steps. Like Mary, who chose to sit at Jesus' feet, we're reminded that our relationship with Christ matters more than simply checking off spiritual or daily tasks. As we pursue our goals and responsibilities, we can find joy in slowing down, embracing God's presence, and living faithfully in the moment He has given us.
Highlights:
- Every season of life has purpose and is part of God's perfect timing.
- Faithfulness means stewarding today's assignments instead of worrying about tomorrow.
- God establishes our steps as we trust Him with our plans.
- Time spent with Jesus is just as important as the work we do for Him.
- Don't become so focused on the future that you miss God's blessings in the present.
Join the Conversation
What season of life are you in right now? How is God inviting you to be more present with Him instead of becoming distracted by what's next?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Make the Most of Each Moment
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV)
Recently, on a beautiful spring afternoon, I rose from my desk and stepped outside.
After working for the past several hours, I needed a break. And some fresh air.
One of my favorite things to do is take a walk around my family’s lush land, past the woods on one side and our neighbor’s horses on the other.
And pray.
This particular afternoon, as I quieted my heart to be still like the grass underneath my feet, I admitted to God I had lots of questions.
Of course, He already knew that, both because He knows everything and because I’d been asking these questions for weeks and months on end with seemingly no answer.
If I were being honest, I realized I was trying to approach this specific situation with my own strength, believing it was up to me to see a breakthrough when I knew deep down it would take a move and a miracle from God.
As I reflected on the previous several weeks, I asked God what He wanted me to know, what He was telling me. Why did it feel like He was being so silent?
And then.
In my heart, God reminded me to make the most of each moment.
Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV says: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Some seasons are busier than others. Some bring change. Some bring new assignments.
In my heart, as I reflected on all this, I realized that I wanted to make the most of this season. Whenever God calls me into a new season, perhaps assignments will shift slightly. I want to make the most of the time I have now and be a faithful steward of what God has given me in each season.
As I write this, I’m prepping to travel out of town for a month to work on a film project, effectively entering a new season.
While I want to have a heart that sits at the feet of Jesus like Mary, I also realize that making the most of each moment means not delaying the assignments God has clearly placed before me. Sometimes, we procrastinate, thinking we can delay the assignment, but if God has called us to a task, the wisest thing we can do is walk in obedience. We must steward the moment by saying “yes” to the work of today, trusting that He will provide everything we need. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6 ESV).
I want to have an open heart for what the Lord wants to do in my life.
It’s okay to dream and work towards goals. It’s okay to make plans, but as the Scriptures in Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) say, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
God alone knows the plans He has for our lives.
On the flip side, sometimes, we get so caught up in the big picture that we forget to enjoy the present. To take a break from the busyness of life and just be. My love language is quality time, so one of my favorite things to do with those I love is simply spend time with them. To just take a moment to pull away from the busyness of life and just be.
Lately, God has been convicting me to spend deeper, intentional time with Him.
If I love quality time, how much more does God love when I spend time with Him?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
I think of the story of Mary and Martha, famously found in the Gospels. One specific account is Luke 10:38-42. The Bible says “Martha was distracted with much serving” (v. 40) while Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” (v. 39).
Don’t get me wrong. We are called to serve God, but like any good parent, His love for us is not dependent on what we do. He loves us and wants time with us. He doesn’t want us to get so distracted doing things for Him that we forget to simply be with Him.
Keep in mind that Jesus didn’t scold Martha for serving Him. Far from it! No, He gently and lovingly pointed out that she was “anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary” (v. 41). So many times, we allow our serving to distract us from spending time with Jesus.
As we walk through busy seasons, sometimes, there are a thousand “necessary” tasks calling for our attention. Sometimes, we look forward to the future with anticipation, dreaming of things that lie in “someday.” That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s important to have hope for the future.
But I don’t want to get so caught up in the “someday” that I miss the here and now. The beauty of the present sunset. Family laughing around the dinner table. The crush of grass underneath my feet as I breathe in the scent of spring. The view of the mountains outside our kitchen window.
It’s amazing to dream. Let’s keep hoping, but let’s not forget to make the most of each moment we’ve been given. To serve God exactly where He has us, to love the people He has placed in our path. Let’s be people who plan our ways with open hands, allowing the Lord to establish our steps, and choosing, above all else, to simply be with Him.
Dear Father, thank You for the beauty of today. Help us to dream big dreams for the future while remaining fully planted in the present. Teach us to sit at Your feet like Mary, even when our to-do lists look like Martha’s. As we step into new seasons and assignments, let us never miss the miracle of the “here and now.” In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Understanding the "fear of the Lord" begins with recognizing God's character. Proverbs 8:13 reminds us that reverence for God is not about living in constant terror but about honoring Him so deeply that we reject what He calls evil. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, obedience becomes less about fear of punishment and more about love, trust, and respect for the One who is perfectly holy and perfectly good.
This devotion encourages believers to move beyond a distorted view of God as someone waiting for them to fail. Instead, Scripture reveals a Father who calls His children to walk in wisdom, love, and holiness. Genuine reverence for God transforms our hearts, shaping the way we speak, make decisions, and respond to temptation because we desire to reflect His character.
Highlights:
- Reverence for God grows out of knowing His holy and loving character
- Respecting the Lord leads us to reject pride, evil, and sinful behavior
- Obedience is rooted in love for Christ, not merely fear of consequences
- God's desire is to draw His people closer, not push them away through intimidation
- A healthy view of God inspires joyful faithfulness and spiritual growth
Join the Conversation
When you hear the phrase "fear the Lord," what comes to mind? How has your understanding of God's character shaped the way you approach Him in worship, obedience, and everyday life?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
What it Means to Respect the LordBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech” (Proverbs 8:13).
Many of us grew up hearing about the fear of the Lord. As someone who did not grow up in the church, I didn't hear about this until much later. However, I can imagine the anxiety it raised in the hearts of children.
The idea of fearing the Lord suggests that we are supposed to be afraid of Him. When we look at the Bible, we don't see Jesus as a scary, fear-mongering God. Instead, we see Him being born into the world as an innocent baby on one silent night (Luke 2:11).
Fearing the Lord has bred many problems within preaching as well as theology in general. This is because far too many people take fear to literally mean being afraid—and this is a completely reasonable conclusion to draw. Some translations include footnotes to guide the reader; however, for most of us who are reading the New International Version or the King James Version, the word remains “fear.”
When I was in Bible college, a professor went over this exact issue. Anytime the Bible uses the phrase “the fear of the Lord,” it refers to respecting the Lord. My professor said a more accurate understanding of these passages would be “the respect of the Lord.” To respect Him is to love Him.
While many people will continue to preach the message of fear, we must remember that fear doesn't last… love does. If someone places faith in Jesus and follows Him out of fear, their faith will not stand. They will only be obeying Him because they fear Him. With time, their obedience will waver because they won't be afraid of Him anymore.
However, if a person loves God and respects Him out of this love, their conversion will be true. Their obedience to Him will also show up in their daily life because they are walking in true love and respect for the Lord. They won't fear the Lord because they know Jesus is not “out to get them” or waiting for them to fall.
Far too many believers think this is how God works, but it is not true. God is not a mean God who tries to get you to mess up. The person who does this is the devil. God is the one who is standing by your side, supporting you, encouraging you, and lifting you up (Romans 8:31).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible says, “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech” (Proverbs 8:13). Once again, rather than understanding this passage as “To fear the Lord,” we are to know it means “To respect the Lord.” Therefore, to respect the Lord is to hate evil.
The Lord hates evil, pride, arrogance, and perverse speech. Those who adhere to these practices will be brought to judgment. Those who continue down this wicked road, ignore God's wisdom, and fail to seek it will pay the due penalties. Folly and wickedness will lead to falling, separation from God, and an eternity of pain.
As Christ followers, we should have the highest respect for God. Respecting Him means we don't take part in evil or wicked schemes. Instead, we will obey Him. Jesus tells us, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15).
The Lord’s teachings are nourishment to our bones and will fill our hearts with extraordinary joy. If the fear of the Lord has brought you away from God, allow this new understanding to give you renewed hope. God doesn't want you to fear Him. Rather, He wants you to love Him and to respect Him. By doing this, you will follow Him all your days, continue to grow in Him, and help others to know about Him.
Did you hear about the fear of the Lord growing up? Did it affect you negatively? How might you start learning what it means to respect the Lord rather than to fear Him?
Further Reading:
Psalm 145:8
Proverbs 6:16-19
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Rest often gets treated like a reward for surviving a busy week, but Scripture paints a very different picture. In Mark 4:39, Jesus speaks peace over chaos and demonstrates that rest is not weakness or avoidance—it is part of a grounded, faithful life.
True rest isn’t only about sleep or downtime—it’s also about rhythms that create space for God to quiet the internal noise. When life becomes loud, rest becomes a way of returning to trust instead of strain.
Highlights:
- Rest is modeled by Jesus as part of a healthy, faithful rhythm
- Ongoing stress without restoration affects emotional and spiritual clarity
- Rest is proactive, not just recovery after exhaustion
- Boundaries around time, attention, and input protect well-being
- Spiritual rest includes time with God, not just physical pause
Join the Conversation
Where in your current rhythm do you feel most stretched or depleted? What would it look like to build a pattern of rest that actually restores you instead of just catching up after burnout?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Rest Like JesusBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” - Mark 4:39
As someone who has an anxiety disorder, I must be very careful about how much stress I put on my body. Extra stress can leave me emotionally, physically, or mentally exhausted. If I don't get the right amount of sleep, it can cause my anxiety to flare and wreak havoc on my mental health. Since the diagnosis, I'm careful to watch my body's physical signs to indicate that my emotional or mental state is more stressed than I even realize.
For example, if at the end of the week I put my hand out and it's shaking for no reason other than I've worked too hard, I know I'm putting my body under extra stress. This causes me to take a step back and take an extra day off to rest physically, but more importantly, mentally and emotionally.
I struggle with the idea of rest. As someone who likes to be productive, I often like to make the most of my days. Resting feels like I'm wasting time and not producing anything. Yet, rest is important for my physical, emotional, and mental state. If I don't watch how I take care of myself, this is an easy target for Satan to come in and plant doubts in my mind and flood my thoughts with lies. These lies, if I'm physically exhausted, I won't check against Scripture. If gone unchecked, this can lead to an unhealthy fear of the future.
It is important for me to operate from a posture of rest, not merely rest after pushing myself too hard physically, emotionally, or mentally. But that is easier said than done.
Jesus operated out of a posture of rest. The above verse comes from Jesus emerging from a storm after waking from a nap. The disciples, scared by the storm that quickly arose on the sea, woke Jesus up even though he was sleeping on the boat. They ask him to do something because it feels as though he's prioritizing rest over caring for them.
However, Jesus realizes that rest is one of the most important things he needs to complete his ministry. He knew he simply couldn’t operate without being physically, emotionally, and mentally rested. Not only was he performing signs and miracles, but he was also healing the sick, preaching, and averting arrows thrown by the Pharisees.
Jesus knew that his ministry could quickly become overwhelming if he did not take care of himself. When he needed the rest, he stopped at nothing to get it.
Take a minute and analyze your life. Are you someone who rests only after a hard week at work? Are you someone who operates from a posture of rest, someone who starts Monday morning feeling refreshed, knowing you rested properly throughout the weekend?
It is easy for you, as it is for me, to neglect the importance of rest. You may also see rest as something to be endured, not something necessary for the work God has for you. Over the next week, jot down the number of times you've rested.
This does not necessarily mean sleeping in on a weekend (although that could be part of your rest.) Do you take time to unplug from social media? Do you have good boundaries when it comes to scrolling your phone or trolling the Internet?
If we're honest, we all could use a lesson in rest. Although it may be impossible for us to rest during crises, we need to take Jesus' example and rest appropriately. We need to rest regularly to care for ourselves, not merely a result of an overextended, overpacked schedule.
Father, let us be people who rest. Let us understand that rest is a necessity in our lives, not merely something to do to prevent exhaustion. Help us create firm boundaries around our mental, emotional, and physical state. Let us not only rest physically but also take time to spend with you. When we spend time in your word and in your presence, it helps us rest because we then lay all our cares (including our bodies) before you. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you struggle with rest? What is one thing you can do to better incorporate rest into your daily life?
Further Reading:Matthew 11:28-30
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Across generations, public moments of prayer and thanksgiving have shaped how many people understand national identity and responsibility. Whether one looks at early proclamations or later seasons of national hardship, the consistent theme is simple: gratitude toward God is meant to be expressed, not assumed. It keeps perspective steady and prevents freedom from turning into entitlement.
At its core, this kind of reflection isn’t just about looking backward—it’s about asking what we do with what we’ve been given today. Gratitude becomes a posture that influences how we live, serve, and treat one another right now.
Highlights:
- Scripture invites believers to actively remember and proclaim God’s works
- Gratitude is a stabilizing force in how we view history and present blessings
- Public and personal thanksgiving have long shaped spiritual and cultural identity
- Freedom carries responsibility, not just privilege
- Remembering God’s faithfulness helps anchor perspective in the present
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
A Call to Be Thankful for America on Its 250th Anniversary
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done.” - Psalm 105:1
As America celebrates its 250th Anniversary, we, as citizens of the United States, have much to be thankful for!
History books record, and historical monuments stand, in honor of the Christians whom God led across the ocean, who were seeking a land where they could freely and openly serve Him, those willing to leave all they had behind and risk their lives to set sail for a New World.
As the forerunners, the Pilgrims’ trek led them to America, where they brought their deep spiritual convictions to lay the groundwork and foundational biblical beliefs; truths that led our Founding Fathers to base our Declaration of Independence on godly principles; and truths that have given us the right to worship God freely and without reserve since their coming.
Without our founders humbling themselves before God, there would be no USA today.
As American history records, prayer and fasting were called for and practiced in America’s founding and the establishment of our nation, playing a major role in establishing America by the first patriots who practiced James 4:10 on a national level: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
By our leaders calling our nation to humble itself before God in prayer and fasting, our founders followed 2 Chronicles 7:14, urging, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
By humbling ourselves as a nation, our leaders seemed to understand what Galatians 5:13 reminds us: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
America’s History Reveals Decades of National Thankfulness
Even before the official establishment of the United States, historical documents record that, throughout the American Revolution, the Continental Congress, in response to winning critical battles, called for national days of Thanksgiving, asking colonists to express gratitude to God for His divine protection over the troops.
After the Declaration of Independence, national thanksgiving continued, beginning in 1789, with President George Washington issuing the first official United States Thanksgiving proclamation, calling upon all Americans to demonstrate gratitude to God for the end of the war and the Constitution’s successful ratification.
President Washington said, “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”
Following Washington’s example, Presidents John Adams and James Madison also called for national days of Thanksgiving during their presidential terms.
As well, President Abraham Lincoln, on October 3, 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.
A Nation’s Living Testament to God’s Faithfulness
The United States is a living testament to God’s faithfulness and to what happens when a nation is willing to humble itself before God… recognizing His sovereignty over the earth and publicly thanking Him for His protection and provision for its leaders and people.
As citizens of the USA, we have much to be thankful to God for our nation, as we celebrate our 250th anniversary.
Thankfulness to God for what He has done in America through the faith of our Founding Fathers, who feared and worshipped Him and laid a godly foundation for our land based on biblical truth, and whose beliefs continue to this day across our nation.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, ask God to help you find reasons to be thankful for our country, our godly heritage, and the freedoms we still enjoy today. As well, ask the Lord to move in the hearts of people across our nation, encouraging them to praise and thank Him for all that He has done for us as a country.
Further Reading:
A Prayer to Praise God for Our Nation
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Even the most ordinary parts of life can become heavy when repetition wears down our joy. Yet Scripture reminds us that joy is not dependent on circumstances—it is supplied by the God of hope. Romans 15:13 points us to a deeper reality: when we believe and trust Him, the Holy Spirit fills us with joy and peace that can exist even in the most routine, repetitive seasons.
This kind of joy isn’t loud or flashy. It shows up in small, faithful moments—choosing gratitude over frustration, presence over complaint, and trust over fatigue. Over time, those small choices reshape how we experience everyday life, turning what feels mundane into something meaningful.
Highlights:
- Joy and peace are gifts rooted in trusting God, not in ideal circumstances
- Monotony often reveals where we need renewed perspective and dependence on God
- Gratitude is a practical way to resist discouragement and complaint
- The Holy Spirit actively produces joy as we yield our attitudes to Him
- Even ordinary responsibilities can become meaningful when offered to God
Join the Conversation
Where in your daily routine do you feel most drained or disconnected from joy? What would it look like to invite God into those small, repetitive moments this week?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Finding Joy in the Mundane
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NASB).
As a mother, I am reminded quickly how much I need God’s grace to make it through each day. Even though I thrive on tackling tasks ahead of me, so I can check them off my to-do list, I wrestle with the monotony of it and keeping a good attitude in front of my children. I have found myself starting my day in a pretty sour mood, dreading another day of the same routine.
Realizing that is not Christ-honoring at all, I told my husband the other day that one thing I want my children to remember about me is how much I laughed, how joyful I was, no matter what. That isn’t my natural bent- I am more introspective and melancholy most of the time. Even though I am incredibly thankful to be a mother, the fruit of the spirit that seems to be a struggle for me to hold on to in this season of my life is joy. Instead of allowing my circumstances and personality to become excuses for my lack of a joyful outlook and demeanor, I must look to Christ and trust that He will fill me with joy and hope, even amid the boring, monotonous routines of life. For me, that is finding joy in serving my family.
In his letter to the Romans, in chapter 15, the Apostle Paul speaks of self-denial on behalf of others, reminding them (and us) that Christ was a servant to His people and the Gentiles. This truth should cause us to glorify God and rejoice no matter what as we seek to serve others and share the gospel with hope and joy. Paul prays in Romans 15:13:
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NASB).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The scriptures encourage us and give us strength to persevere when we find ourselves discouraged, bored, or tempted to complain and grumble. As God’s children, we are not to grumble. We must remember that, ultimately, grumbling is complaining against the sovereign God of the universe and saying He isn’t good, which is sinful. When we complain or have a sour, ungrateful attitude, we should repent, reset our minds by thinking on things above, and rejoice and give thanks to God for His graciousness and goodness towards us. There are new mercies available to us every single morning. Perhaps it would be a beneficial habit to create a daily list of things that you are grateful for to help cultivate a heart of contentment and joy.
Despite hardships and inconveniences in our lives and relationships, we are called to rejoice and find our joy in Christ alone and all that He has done for us. It all comes down to the attitude and posture of our heart, which God is shaping to look more like Jesus every day. The God of hope has given us Himself through the Holy Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit are all available to us the more we yield to the Spirit instead of giving into our flesh that wars against the Spirit daily (Galatians 5:17). We can call upon the name of the Lord to cry out for help when we are tempted to complain and walk in ungratefulness, and He will empower us with His Spirit. He is our ever-present help in times of need and is faithful to strengthen us with His grace and fill us up with His peace, hope, and joy, even in the mundane.
Although it is easy to find excuses for our behavior and mood, we must trust that God’s word is very clear about the posture of our hearts and attitudes, especially in difficult, stressful, or even mundane circumstances. The Lord cares about the condition of our hearts and the attitude that we exude because, as Christ followers, we are to look and behave differently from the world. People are watching all the time how we react when we are struggling under the weight of the cares of life.
Do you need to ask the Lord to give you a hunger for more of His word? It is so important because this is where your mind is renewed; it helps us cultivate the fruit of the Spirit and walk in obedience with abundant joy and hope as you seek to serve Him and others. If you struggle with complaining about your mundane daily tasks, ask the Lord to help you guard your heart and avoid grumbling; He can help you find joy in all circumstances, even in your monotonous routine. May the joy of the Lord be your strength today!
Further Reading:
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
James 1:2-4
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Scripture reminds us that rest is not something we manufacture—it is something we receive from God’s presence. Just as Moses needed reassurance before stepping into the unknown, we often need the same reminder: we are not navigating life alone. God goes with us, goes before us, and stays with us. His presence doesn’t remove every difficult decision, but it does remove the burden of carrying them alone.
In that truth, rest becomes more than physical relief—it becomes spiritual confidence. Worry loses its grip when we remember that God already sees the outcome, already knows the path, and is actively guiding each step forward.
Highlights:
- God’s presence is the foundation of true rest in uncertain seasons
- Feeling overwhelmed often comes from trying to carry decisions alone
- Like Moses, we are reassured that God goes with us into every situation
- Rest in God means releasing anxiety, second-guessing, and fear of failure
- Trust grows when we believe God is already ahead of our circumstances
Join the Conversation
Where in your life do you feel the need to slow down and trust God’s leading more fully? What would it look like to exchange anxiety for rest in His presence today?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
When You Long for Rest
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’” (Exodus 33:14 ESV).
Do you ever get tired of trying to solve all-consuming problems by yourself? It’s inevitable at times to lie awake at night, running through the options in our minds, and deliberating about what the best decision might be, and then worrying if that really is the best decision or direction.
I was there recently, unsure about my next step. I had a number of options in front of me and didn’t want to overlook God’s best for what looked easier or more attainable. For a moment, I felt paralyzed.
“God, what should I do”? I prayed aloud. “I feel so alone and lost in this.”
As soon as I mouthed the words, I was convicted by the realization that I am never alone. God’s presence goes with me everywhere I go. He knows all about my situation, and He already sees the solution. And He is leading if I will just follow.
I wonder if Moses, at one time, could relate.
When Moses was charged to lead the Israelites into the land of Canaan, he was uncertain of his next step, too. Moses was hesitant because he believed the stubbornness of the Israelites would cause the Lord to decline going up to the land with them. I wonder if Moses, momentarily, thought he was on his own. Did he feel panicked or paralyzed?
Scripture tells us in Exodus 13:12-13 that Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.”
God’s reply to Moses in verse 14 was short and sweet: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
That was all Moses needed to hear and know. God’s presence would be with him, so he didn’t need to stress, worry, or fear. God had the next step, and the next one after that. And God would give him rest. Rest from feeling he had to do it on his own. Rest from having to make the correct decision. Rest from the burden, the pressure, the obligations, and the fear of failure.
How many times have I feared a situation because I’ve forgotten that not only will God go with me, but His presence has already gone before me? How was this situation of mine any different? God would go with me, and He would give me rest.
As Moses implied, God’s presence and His rest are evidence that I know Him, and He knows me and has taught me His ways.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Our knowledge of God and trust in Him are evident in how we respond to difficulties and certain crossroads in our lives. Will we worry, stress, or quietly rest in His leading? Can you trust, regardless of what your situation looks like, that God knows you, He is intimately familiar with your situation, and His presence is going with you in your circumstances to guide you and get you through? Can you rest, not lie awake at night trying to figure it all out, because God already knows how to get you to where He wants you to be?
Today, I will not be worried, stressed, or fearful because God’s presence goes with me and He will give me rest. His rest means no anxiety, no confusion, and no second-guessing what I should have done. He leads. He accompanies me. He provides peace and rest. And He can provide it for you too.
Thank you, Lord God, that Your presence goes with us everywhere we go. And thank You for the assurance that You are familiar with all of our circumstances and all of our fears. We praise You today that Your presence means peace and rest.
Further Study:
Matthew 11:28-29
For a closer walk with God and daily reminders to rest in Him, see my newest book,The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we reflect on freedom, Scripture reminds us that true freedom is ultimately found in Christ. While earthly freedoms are worth recognizing and being thankful for, the greatest freedom we receive is the freedom Jesus provides—the freedom to worship God, share the Gospel, and live according to His truth. As we remember the history and sacrifices that shaped our nation, we can also reflect on the responsibility that comes with freedom: using it to honor God and serve others in love.
Highlights:
- True freedom begins with the freedom Christ gives through salvation
- America’s founding was influenced by leaders who recognized God’s role in establishing liberty
- Freedom allows believers to worship, share the Gospel, and live openly for Christ
- Biblical freedom is not meant for selfish living but for serving others in love
- Remembering history invites us to thank God for those who courageously stood for freedom
Join the Conversation
As you reflect on 250 years of freedom as a nation, how do you see God’s hand at work throughout history? How can you use the freedoms you have today to honor God and serve those around you?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom as a Nation
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1
Our Founding Fathers were a group who believed in God, the freedom He gives each of us, and His providence in establishing the United States of America.
Although debates continue over how godly each one lived and how deeply they each believed in God, they still gave us a biblical basis for our nation, one that continues today.
As the first Vice President and second President of the United States, John Adams wrote on July 3, 1776, to his beloved wife, Abigail, concerning the high cost of freedom paid to create the Declaration of Independence:
“You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not—I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States—Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
Adams also credited the American Revolution’s success with the spiritual revival in the hearts and minds of the people that preceded it by a generation, laying the foundation for America.
The spread of “The Great Awakening” across the colonies greatly influenced and strengthened Patriot leaders, leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in which prayer and fasting played a vital role in helping America establish its freedom.
America is a testament of what God has done, leading America’s Founders to establish our nation and government on godly principles. These biblical truths have given us the freedom to live as followers of Jesus Christ without reserve.
As Galatians 5:13 directs us, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
The following are three freedoms that America has granted us as Christians:
- America gives us freedom to openly worship God. First and foremost is the freedom America gives us to worship God. It’s our highest calling as Christians, and it’s the freedom that tops all the others because it’s also fulfilling the first commandment, recorded in Matthew 22:37-38: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”
- America gives us freedom to openly preach the Gospel. In America, we have this freedom, like no other country in the world. As 2 Corinthians 3:17 explains, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
- America gives us the freedom to openly live as Christians. We, as Americans, have been granted the right, as citizens, to live as Christians in the freedom Jesus gave us. As Jesus assured us in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Although we, as Americans, fought for freedom from King George and British tyranny, proclaiming independence from their harsh reign, our independence was rooted in our dependence upon Almighty God and the freedom He gives us through Jesus Christ.
Adams supported the spiritual awakening in our country, calling attention to and recognizing the connection between faith in God and freedom in life, validating where true freedom originates.
Miracles in American History author, historian, and speaker, William J. Federer, writes, “In defending the Declaration, Adams told the Continental Congress, July 1, 1776: ‘Live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence forever!’”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As we celebrate our nation’s 250 years of freedom this July 4th, consider our founders’ faith in God and the fortitude they displayed in standing on His truth amid conflict and tyranny. Spend time thanking God for their bravery and boldness in believing that true freedom comes from Him.
Further Reading:
How the Church Paved the Way for America’s Freedom
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we step back and look closely at what love really is, it becomes clear that it’s far more than words, emotions, or routine phrases we say without thinking. True love is demonstrated through action, sacrifice, and consistency. Scripture points us to the ultimate example in Christ—who didn’t just speak love, but proved it through giving Himself for us while we were still undeserving. That kind of love reshapes how we understand God’s heart and how we extend love to others.
Highlights:
- Love is more than words; it is demonstrated through action and truth
- God defines love through sacrifice, seen fully in Jesus on the cross
- Real love often involves giving, serving, and putting others before ourselves
- Biblical love is consistent even when people are imperfect or difficult
- Understanding God’s love changes how we love others in everyday life
Join the Conversation
How has your understanding of love changed through your faith journey? Where do you find it most challenging to love others in a sacrificial way, and what helps you reflect Christ’s love in those moments?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
A Proper View of LoveBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Many of us grow up with an incorrect view of what love actually means. From an early age, we are taught that if someone says they love you, we are to say, “I love you” back, regardless of how we are feeling. Without giving these words much thought, we have lost the true meaning of love and its uniqueness in our lives.
The word “love” has a deeper meaning than just a greeting, a goodbye, or a simple “I love (fill in the blank).” The meaning of love has been distorted by overuse. As believers, we need to understand what love is and avoid using it haphazardly.
There is a time and place to say we love others, but we also need to show it in our actions. We are told in the Bible, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
My mom used to say she loved me each morning before I went to elementary school, but she didn’t use the word “love” in a way that was repetitive or meaningless. When she said she loved me, she meant it, and she backed it up with her actions.
Now, this is the key difference. The love my mom showed me was not just in her words. She also showed it through her actions and genuine concern for me. Whenever she would tell me she loved me and to have a good day at school, she truly meant it.
The True Definition of Love
The Apostle Paul tells us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God has shown in both His actions and words that He loves us. He didn’t only say He loves us, but rather, He left Heaven to die the death we deserved and pay our sin debt.
Jesus did this out of the love He has for us. No one would die for someone they didn’t love with every fiber of their body. “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8).
Jesus’ death on the cross demonstrates to us what real love looks like: sacrifice. Love is not all roses, beautiful dates, or perfect families. Real love is rooted in sacrificing our own needs for others.
This is what real love looks like as it models the same love Jesus has for us. We will have to love others in their darkest times. For example, one of our friends might need support when they are going through alcohol or addiction recovery. Showing judgment toward them and not being there for them will only cause them to feel awful about themselves. However, if we model Jesus’ sacrificial love in our lives, we will be loving, caring, and compassionate toward them, and sacrifice our own plans to spend time with them.
The Lord tells us, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Living under a proper view of love will change our lives and ensure we love others as the Lord loves us. Praying to Jesus to help us practice sacrificial love will help us if we find it a difficult concept to fully embrace. God can transform our hearts and change them to reflect His own (Ezekiel 36:26).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is your definition of love? Has anyone modeled the love of Jesus for you in their life? Did this leave a lasting impact on you? How can you lean into the Lord’s love today?
Further Reading:
Jeremiah 31:3
John 3:16-18
1 John 4:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life feels overwhelming and the goals ahead seem impossible, God reminds us that we don’t have to rely on our own strength alone. He is our strength when we feel weak and our shield when challenges, doubts, and setbacks come against us. Trusting God with our plans allows us to move forward with confidence, knowing He provides the help, protection, and guidance we need along the way.
Highlights:
- God provides strength and protection when we face challenges that feel too big to overcome
- Trusting God means inviting Him into our goals instead of trying to accomplish everything alone
- Prayer keeps us connected to God’s guidance, wisdom, and provision
- God can protect us from discouragement, setbacks, and fear as we pursue His purposes
- Remembering God’s past faithfulness helps us trust Him with future challenges
Join the Conversation
What is one area of your life where you need God to be your strength and shield right now? How can trusting Him change the way you approach your goals, challenges, or uncertainties?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
God Will Be Your Strength and ShieldBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” – Psalm 28:7, NIV
My grandmother, Lena Wyckoff, founded a popular railroad history museum. The process took years and required her and other volunteers with the organization she founded to overcome many different challenges. But Grandma persisted because she said God inspired her to set the goal of starting the museum, and she was sure that he would help her every step of the way. As Grandma’s volunteer group made more and more progress, people started calling Grandma “the little engine who could,” after the main character in the classic children’s story “The Little Engine that Could” about a train engine that overcame challenges to pull a train over a mountain. Grandma loved her new nickname. But she let people know that the reason she could be “the little engine who could” was because she relied on God’s strength to help her. God also served as a shield for Grandma, protecting her from discouragement whenever a new challenge popped up along the way. Since Grandma trusted God to be her strength and shield, she was able to persist and finally achieve the goal God led her to set. Ever since the museum opened, it has attracted many visitors and brought joy to adults and children alike.
What’s an important goal you’re trying to achieve in your own life? Whatever that goal is, it may feel like a mountain to you. You can see the peak, and you want to get there, but looking at the steep incline of challenges in front of you can discourage you from trying to make progress.
Psalm 28:7 assures you that God will help you by being both your strength and your shield. You can rely on God to give you the strength you need as you work to achieve your goal. God will empower you, and there’s no limit to God’s power, so anything is possible to achieve when you’re trusting God. You can also count on God to protect you from anything harmful that’s headed your way – like unexpected setbacks, your own doubts, or criticism from other people – by being your shield. God will fuel your progress and protect you along the way as you work to achieve your goals.
This verse shows trust at work when it says “... and he helps me.” It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But how often do you actually stop and ask God for help? God cares about all of your goals, and he wants to help you achieve them. God is a loving Heavenly Father who really cares about all the details of your life. If it matters to you, it matters to God!
If God has led you to set a goal that’s important to you, don’t just set it and then try to achieve it on your own. Instead, stay connected to God regularly through prayer and meditation, and ask God to help you while you work to make progress. God can open doors you can’t see, provide resources you didn’t know you needed, and give you a peace that makes the journey actually enjoyable.
Psalm 28:7 ends with the author, King David, saying that his heart “leaps for joy” and that he’s praising God by singing. David is celebrating wholeheartedly because God has given him tremendous power and protection and helped him with everything he needed.
Imagine how much stress you could let go of, and how much joy you could experience, if you trust God to help you achieve your goal. You won’t have to worry about any challenge that comes your way, because you’ll know that God is in control.
So, take that big goal that feels like a mountain and hand it over to God. Don’t just ask God to bless your plans; ask him to be your strength and shield. Trust that God will help you, and rely on his help. As you do, in God’s timing, you’ll see your goal become a reality!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how God will be your strength and shield as you pursue your goals, reflect on these questions:
- What’s one important goal you’re currently working toward that feels overwhelming to handle on your own?
- In what ways have you been relying on your own strength lately, and how can you start relying more on God to empower you?
- What do you need God to protect you from right now so you can make progress on your goal?
- When you remember how God helped you achieve something important in the past, how does that change your perspective on your current goal?
- How can you invite God into your work this week to help you make progress toward achieving your goal?
Further Reading:
Psalm 121:1-2
Philippians 4:13
Isaiah 41:10
Proverbs 3:5-6
2 Corinthians 12:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we remember that God is watching over us, we can live with confidence instead of fear. His protection is not limited by what we can see—He is always present, guarding, guiding, and holding His children securely in His hands.
Highlights:
- God’s protection reminds us that we are valuable and deeply cared for by Him
- Nothing happens outside of God’s awareness, even when circumstances feel uncertain
- Jesus promises that no one can take His children out of His hands
- Trusting God’s sovereignty brings peace when we face fear, injustice, or uncertainty
- We can find security knowing God watches over us and works for our good
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a moment when God reminded you that you were safe in His care? How does knowing that God is always watching over and protecting you change the way you respond to fear or difficult circumstances?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
We Are Safe with God
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” - John 10:10 NIV
Have you ever felt unsafe but not worried because you knew there were people and systems in place to protect you? Did knowing this help you feel safe?
When I worked in retail for a major department store, part of my orientation day was an introduction to the asset protection team, who operated inside a hidden room in that store. They had TV monitors mounted on a long wall, as well as other technology they used daily to watch all the customers to make sure nobody would steal anything that belonged to the store and get away with it.
According to a Google search aided by AI, “Asset Protection (AP) teams in department stores protect assets, employees, and customers by preventing theft, fraud, and inventory loss (shrink) through surveillance, investigations, and safety training. They work in uniforms or plain clothes (store detectives), monitoring CCTV, patrolling floors, and collaborating with law enforcement to maintain a safe environment.”
My exposure to how stores protect their products didn’t end there. A few years after working in retail, I noticed that another popular store started putting their facial cleanser products beyond glass cases that cannot be unlocked without assistance from a sales associate. When I asked why, they said people had started stealing these products, so they put them under lock and key to prevent theft.
As I thought about these two experiences recently, I realized that this is similar to how God protects us. We are His most valuable assets on Earth, and He has gone to great lengths to protect us. God sends His Angels from Heaven to protect us from the devil, whose sole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy us. But we have hope and security in God. The Bible says in John 10:28 (NIRV), “I give them eternal life, and they will never die. No one will steal them out of my hand.” We are safe in His hands. This reminds me of a popular Christian faith-based song with lyrics that remind us how the Creator of the Universe holds the whole world in His Hands. We serve a big and mighty God who is sovereign and always in control. He’s very protective of us as His treasured possessions, and nobody—devil, demon, forces of evil, and people who want to hurt us—can remove God’s hand of protection over us. Our Lord and Savior (Jesus Christ) cannot be defeated, and He promises to cover us all the days of our lives (Matthew 28:20).
Nothing that happens on Earth goes unnoticed by God. The Bible says in Proverbs 15:3 (NIRV), “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere. They watch those who are evil and those who are good.” Just like that department store had a hidden place within the store to keep watch silently without any customer being aware they are under surveillance, the Lord Himself and His Angels are keeping watch over all humankind. They stay hidden from us in most cases, but they are very present in our world. And sometimes, they reveal their presence when necessary (Hebrews 13:2).
So next time you feel like someone who hurt you is getting away with it or a crime is going unpunished, remember that God will work everything together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) and vengeance is His (Romans 12:17-19). Also, remember what the Bible says in Hebrews 4:13-15 (NIV), “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
When we remember Biblical truth and apply it to our lives, this can help us have a peace that passes all understanding because we know God is in control, we are safe with Him, and nobody can snatch us out of His hand that covers us every moment of our lives on Earth. So, when you are afraid, run to Jesus. And if you are tempted to sin, remember God is watching you too. Make Him proud and do the right thing.
In closing, I’d like for you to listen to the following songs:
Song of Reflection #1: “Mercy Said No” by Cece Winans. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #2: “Testimony” by Terrian. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #3: “Safe” by Alisa Turner. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #4: “Every Moment” by ForeverJones. Listen to it HERE.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does it feel to know that you are safe with God?
Further Reading:Deuteronomy 32:35
Psalm 46:1-11
Psalm 91:1-16
Psalm 121:1-8
2 Thessalonians 3:3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Following Jesus was never meant to be a performance we perfect—it is a relationship we cultivate. The pressure to be a “good Christian” can leave us exhausted when we measure our faith by our accomplishments, routines, or ability to do everything right. But Jesus does not invite the weary to try harder; He invites them to come to Him and find rest.
Spiritual growth is not about earning God’s approval through endless activity. God’s love is already given through Christ, and our obedience flows from that relationship rather than trying to achieve it. When faith becomes a checklist instead of a connection, we lose sight of the freedom and peace Jesus offers.
Highlights:
- Following Jesus is about relationship, not religious performance
- God’s love and approval are not earned through productivity or perfection
- Jesus offers rest to those who feel burdened by expectations and pressure
- Spiritual disciplines are meant to draw us closer to God, not become a way to prove ourselves
- True growth happens as we remain connected to Christ and trust His work in us
Join the Conversation
Have you ever felt the pressure to be a “good Christian” by doing more or achieving more? What would it look like to simply come to Jesus today and rest in His presence?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
The Pressure to Be a “Good Christian” and Why You Can Let It GoBy Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Never enough. It was something my heart repeated to itself on a regular basis. For so many years, I never felt good enough. I felt that if I did more, performed better, added to my to-do list, God would be pleased with me. During those years, I tried so hard to be a “good Christian.” I went to church, prayed, served, and said yes to every request.
What does it mean to be a “good Christian”? I never bothered to ask that question until one day my life began to spiral into depression, uncertainty, and my faith was tested. One day, I realized that suffering and heartache would come whether I was doing life right or not. Whether I was a good Christian or not, pain still happened.
What I needed during those months and, yes, years, of heartache, was not a routine but a relationship. Not until I was forced to reexamine my life did I see where I had misstepped. Somewhere along the way, following Jesus started to feel like something I need to manage instead of a relationship to cultivate. Without realizing it, I started measuring my faith by what I was doing instead of who I was becoming.
Because of life’s circumstances, I didn’t have time to spend hours with God in the morning, or really anytime during my day. I would look at the perfect pictures of women online and how they didn’t seem to struggle. My faith seemed so small, and it was hard to believe God was happy with me. Because so much of my life depended on my service to God, having to step away or say no made me think, “Is God disappointed in me?”
We may never say it out loud, but many of us carry a quiet belief: If I were a better Christian, I would be doing more. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus doesn’t add to our pressure—He relieves it: “Come to me… I will give you rest… My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
As we look towards Jesus, we don’t see someone who wants the perfect person; we don’t come to Jesus having it all put together. The burdens we feel to be a good Christian are not from Him. Jesus says those who come to Him, who are welcome, are those who are weary, tired, and feel like they are crushed. The voice of Jesus calling us to come to Him is not a voice of pressure, but one offering peace.
Our culture - even within the religious community - is one obsessed with productivity. Multitasking is a superpower. We love it if we can accomplish more than one thing at a time. This mindset has invaded the church. We have begun to misunderstand the spiritual disciplines as a way to perform, to gain God’s favor, and to win heaven.
What started as a desire to grow can slowly turn into a need to prove. This is where we find ourselves weary. This is when we come to Jesus. Coming to Jesus is relational, not transactional. We come to Him, not to perform, but to be present with Him. As we walk with Jesus, we take His yoke, but the thing is - we share the weight. Growth is about connection. We learn from Him, and eventually we rest in Him.
In John 15:5, Jesus said that we can only bear fruit if we abide in Him. Being a “good Christian” isn’t about being perfect in our actions or our feelings. We do not need to always feel close to God, nor do we need to spend hours studying His Word, praying, or serving him. Serving God comes from an overflow of His power, not in our own strength.
Jesus invites us to be “good Christians” as we return again and again to Him. We trust Jesus with our weaknesses and stay connected to Him, even if it can seem imperfect. He is waiting. He is willing. Every day His mercies are new, and we are invited into a relationship with him. A relationship is not a to-do list. It isn’t something we can measure either. A “good Christian” isn’t someone who gets everything right—it’s someone who keeps coming back to Jesus.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
It’s easy to carry the pressure of performance into our faith without even realizing it. In a world that values productivity and visible results, we can begin to measure our relationship with God the same way—by what we do instead of simply being with Him. But spiritual growth isn’t always loud or measurable. Often, it happens quietly—in small moments of returning, trusting, and staying connected, even when it feels imperfect. What would it look like today, instead of trying to do more for God, you simply came to Him? How can you take one step closer to God?
Further Reading:Psalm 103:13-14
Luke 18:13-14
John 15:5
Galatians 1:10
Romans 8:1
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Faith can sometimes feel difficult to hold onto, especially during seasons when God’s presence feels distant or circumstances seem overwhelming. Yet Scripture reminds us that God remains our refuge and strength, even when we struggle to recognize His work in our lives.
Doubt does not mean God has abandoned us. Many believers experience moments of uncertainty, questioning, or spiritual exhaustion. In those seasons, God invites us to return to Him through prayer, Scripture, and a deeper understanding of His character. He is not only present in the moments when we feel strong in faith—He is faithful when we feel weak.
Highlights:
- Seasons of doubt can become opportunities to rediscover God’s faithfulness
- God remains present even when His work is difficult to see
- Our faith is rooted in Jesus, not in the actions or failures of others
- Prayer and Scripture help rebuild trust in God’s character and promises
- God is our refuge and strength when life feels uncertain or overwhelming
Join the Conversation:
Have you ever experienced a season where your faith felt distant or difficult to hold onto? What helped you remember that God was still present and faithful?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Finding Faith AgainBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Psalm 46:1-3).
Most of us have had times when we doubt our faith. We doubt if we are truly saved or if anything we do truly matters. While I have never doubted God’s existence, I have doubted His goodness and provision. In retrospect, I can now see God has provided for me even in the darkest of times.
However, during trying times, it can be hard to see God. We automatically blame God and reason that He is why we are going through challenging times. Since God is ultimately in control, we question why He is not bringing us deliverance. As someone who has been in this place many times, I can attest to just how much God is present when we think He is not. God is always with us, even if we do not realize it.
A particularly tough time for me was when I was in England. I was serving on a mission trip, and there was only one other person and me. I struggled as this was my first time away from home, and I missed my family. I struggle with social anxiety, and it was challenging to be around people I didn't know very well.
The host families I stayed with were all supportive, but a few profoundly changed my life. They helped me to know that I matter and that God has plans for my life, even if I could not see them right away. Although my faith struggled at times during this mission trip, I left England with a stronger faith than I had before. I knew God would be with me through everything, even if I had doubted Him.
An Ever-Present Help in Trouble
The Bible tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Psalm 46:1-3).
While many people believe only David wrote the Psalms, others wrote them as well. Another writer was the Sons of Korah, who wrote Psalm 46. The Sons of Korah lived during a time of exile. They longed to return to Israel and yearned for the day when God would deliver His people. Despite what they saw each day, they knew God was their refuge, strength, and an ever-present help in trouble.
By studying Psalm 46:1-3 and applying it to our lives, we will slowly begin to trust God again. We will realize that He is also our refuge, strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Although the earth may give way and the mountains will fall into the sea, we will not fear because God is with us. He is our mighty protector, and He will keep us safe from all harm.
If you need to find your faith again, start talking with the Lord in prayer today. Read the Bible and study what it has to say for yourself. Rather than relying on other Christians or a church, seek out matters for yourself. Sadly, many of us struggle with our faith because of a negative experience with a Christian or a church. Try to remember at these times that our faith is in Jesus, not in other Christians or a church.
These individuals will fail us and might even cause us much harm, but the Lord never will. He will always fight for us and be on our side. Even as everything else in our lives falls apart, Jesus will stand by our side (Hebrews 13:5-6). We can have faith in Jesus because He is our mighty Savior and the One who has redeemed our souls. Praise God for such a wonderful blessing in the Lord.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you ever struggled with your faith in Jesus? What did this look like? Why do you think most Christians struggle with their faith at times? How might Jesus help you in the journey of finding your faith again?
Further Reading:
Psalm 23:1-6
Exodus 14:14
2 Timothy 4:18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
It can be easy to let past struggles shape how we view God’s character. Difficult circumstances may tempt us to believe we are forgotten or left to handle life alone. But God’s faithfulness is often revealed not by removing every hardship, but by carrying us through each one with His peace, provision, and strength.
Because of Christ, we are not abandoned or forgotten. We are deeply loved, chosen, guided, and redeemed by the Father. When we remember who God is and who we are in Him, fear loses its power and we can walk forward with confidence in His care.
Highlights:
- God’s love is something we are invited to experience, not just understand intellectually
- Past hardships can distort our view of God’s faithfulness if we lose sight of His truth
- God often meets us through difficulties by providing strength, peace, and guidance
- We are desirable, lovable, helpable, and redeemable because of God’s love
- Knowing we are loved by God changes how we face challenges and uncertainty
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Heart for You Is HugeBy Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:“…and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].” – Ephesians 3:19 AMPC
For a second, I imagined myself as a little girl, abandoned and left alone in the rain. Shivering, it was obvious that my clothes were far too scarce for the elements.
As I came back out of my daydreaming, I decided that a random imaginary picture summed up how I felt. It aligned with my underlying thoughts: Who will rescue me? Who will protect me? Will I be okay?
The logical side of me knew, cerebrally, the truth: “God is faithful.”
The authentic side of me, honestly said, “Can I really trust God?”
I wasn’t so sure after all I’d been through - problem after problem, health issue after health issue, car malfunction after car malfunction. It leaves one wondering: Will I always be left out to dry?
The enemy of my soul certainly wanted me to believe that this would be the case. That God won’t show up. That God will fail me. That I can’t trust God. For if the devil can discourage me with the past, he can steal from me faith in the present.
I wasn’t about to let that happen.
My mind circled back to the truth of my hard past situations. I remembered back to how Jesus didn’t deliver me from my surgery, but how His peace carried me through surgery and recovery. I acknowledged how some lump sum of money didn’t drop on me, but how God readily provided for me with my car problems. I remembered how a problem for a family member became a confidence boost post-event.
God loves me. He wasn’t running from me; God was with me. His love was right there.
A lie was unearthed: God wants to be near me and is not far from me. He desires to help me.
Owning this truth feels somewhat self-indulgent, but it still remains true that:
I am desirable to God. He so desires to be with me that Christ lives in me.
I am lovable to God. He so loves me, He sent His Son for me, even while I was still a sinner.
I am helpable. He so wants to equip and guide me; He has sent His Holy Spirit to lead me.
I am redeemable. If Jesus conquered sin and death, He is able to conquer my problems, His way.
These 4 -able statements make me remember I don’t serve a God who is unable.
Instead, I serve a God who loves me and wants to help me. This changes everything. I am not a lost child, but a loved one. A cared-for daughter.
God’s love never fails me.
“…and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].” (Eph. 3:19 AMPC)
I am not left an unlovable, left to dry orphan, but I am a loved daughter of the Most High God.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What -able statement means the most to you? Why do you think it is hard to own these truths? What do you feel able to do or to confront when you realize that God is able to love you this way?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Unplugging from digital distractions is not just about taking a break from technology—it is about making room for God’s presence. When our attention is constantly divided, we can miss the quiet ways God speaks to us through prayer, Scripture, and moments of stillness.
Creating intentional moments of rest allows us to refocus on what truly matters. Whether through a walk without a phone, a quiet morning with Scripture, or simply setting aside time away from screens, we can rediscover the peace and renewal that comes from being present with God.
Highlights:
- Jesus modeled the importance of stepping away from busyness to rest with God
- Digital distractions can make it harder to slow down and listen for God’s voice
- Unplugging creates space for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal
- Rest is not a luxury—it is part of how God designed us to reconnect with Him
- Intentional quiet moments help us recognize God’s presence in everyday life
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Unplug to Connect with GodBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” – Mark 6:31, NIV
An onstage speaker was presenting important information that all of us attending an editorial conference needed to know. But as I listened and took notes, I wondered why so many people around me in the audience were on their mobile devices rather than paying attention to the speaker’s message. We had all traveled to New York City at our own expense to attend the conference. I didn’t want to miss a word of what all the speakers had to share. After that session, someone asked me if she could take pictures of my notes. She admitted that she had been so distracted by what she was doing online that she had no idea what the in-person speaker had said.
Living in a society that pressures us to be constantly connected online, it’s challenging for us to take digital breaks. But it’s important to do so. God didn’t create us to be constantly dealing with information coming at us; he created us to need rest for our well-being. Our minds work best when we have time to focus well on one message at a time and to reflect regularly on all the information we’re learning.
In Mark 6:31, Jesus looked at his disciples, who were so busy helping people that they didn’t even have time to eat – and invited them to come with him to a quiet place and get some rest. Jesus knew that the crowd's noise could eventually distract them so much that they couldn’t hear the messages God was sending them. If Jesus needed to pull his friends away from the few distractions of the first century, how much more do we need him to pull us away from the many digital distractions we’re dealing with right now?
Unplugging regularly from our digital devices like cell phones, laptops, and tablets is really a spiritual necessity. Every notification and every time we scroll places demands on our attention. When our attention is fragmented into lots of different pieces by our devices, we lose the ability to sit still and listen to God. We find it hard to pray for more than two minutes without wondering if we missed a text, or to read and reflect on a Bible passage without our minds wandering back to a work email or a social media comment. As a result, we can miss out on hearing from God.
But when we choose to unplug – such as by taking a walk in nature without our phones or enjoying family dinner conversations without any devices in the room – we make room in our lives to hear from God. It’s in those quiet, unplugged times that we can pay attention to what’s most important: the messages God is sending us. The more we notice God’s presence with us, the more we can realize the value of spending time paying attention to what God has to say and renewing our minds as we rest with God.
It can be uncomfortable at first to build a habit of unplugging regularly. But if we push through that discomfort, we’ll find that God has been waiting for us in the quiet. God isn’t competing with our screens; he’s waiting for us to lay them down so he can refresh us. So, let’s take God up on his invitation to go with him to a quiet place and get some rest. Then we’ll be able to hear the important messages God is always sending us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how to unplug digitally to connect with God spiritually, reflect on these questions:
- When you first wake up, how long does it take before you check a digital device? How do your digital habits affect your ability to pay attention well during the day?
- Does the thought of turning your cell phone off for a few hours create a sense of anxiety or peace for you? Why do you think you feel that way?
- Where is a quiet place in your home or neighborhood that you can go to be alone with God without any digital distractions?
- What are the “crowds” in your digital life – the apps or social media platforms that most often prevent you from hearing God’s voice?
- If Jesus were sitting next to you right now, looking at your screen time, what do you think he would lovingly invite you to let go of so you could spend more time with him?
Further Reading:
Psalm 46:10
Matthew 11:28
Psalm 62:5
Luke 5:16
Isaiah 30:15
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Our identity is not determined by who chooses us in this world—the team that accepts us, the relationship that works out, the opportunity we receive, or the recognition we gain. As children of God, we belong to Him. We are His treasured possession, called out of darkness and into His light.
Remembering that we are chosen changes the way we see ourselves and our circumstances. Earthly disappointments may still hurt, but they no longer define our worth. God’s choice of us is rooted in His love, His purpose, and His eternal plan.
Highlights:
- Our deepest sense of belonging comes from being chosen by God
- Earthly rejection does not change our identity as God’s beloved children
- God calls us His special possession and invites us into His family
- Staying grounded in Scripture helps us remember who we are in Christ
- God’s plans and blessings are greater than the opportunities we may miss
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Chosen by God
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”—1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Have you ever struggled with a sense of belonging because you did not feel chosen?
Most people want to be chosen. Whether chosen to play with others when we were children, chosen to be asked to the prom by our high school crush, chosen to attend the college of our choice, chosen to marry the person of our dreams, chosen for a job we worked hard for or chosen for other things we want out of life, the desire to be chosen is a universal feeling and part of life on earth. But do we know that the Creator of the Universe chose us before we chose Him (Ephesians 1:4-5)?
God chose us to be part of His Family. Since He is King of the Universe, that means we as His children are a special kind of royalty. We are daughters and sons of the Eternal King. But how often do we forget this Biblical truth and act like we don’t know our true identity in Jesus Christ?
I know I tend to be forgetful of this, and I struggle to maintain a heavenly perspective because it is easy to be consumed by how our world programs us to think. This is why it is so important to stay grounded in God’s Word. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:9 that we are a people chosen by God. We are special to Him. God doesn’t just choose you; He transforms you as He calls you out of darkness into His wonderful light. When you choose to give your life to Jesus Christ, then you have passed from death to life (John 5:24). You now have the hope of eternal life after Jesus returns to Earth to take His children home to Heaven. But while we are still living on Earth, it is important to have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and not be bogged down by what we go through in this world.
Our experiences on Earth shape us. I know what it is like to not be chosen for the team, not chosen by the man whom I thought I wanted to marry, not chosen by the dream employer whom I would love to work for, or not chosen for so many other of my heart’s desires. But instead of worrying about these missed opportunities to be chosen, it helps me to remember that the King of the Universe chose me and you first. And He offers us a life better than our wildest dreams when we enter Heaven. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9 (GW), “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”
God has amazing things in store for His chosen people when we step into eternity with Him. But that doesn’t mean He doesn’t also have good plans for us while we are living on Earth. God can still answer our prayers and bless us beyond our wildest dreams, and help the right people to choose us. We just need to pray for His will to be done in our lives. He wants to bless you on earth, too, though those blessings pale in comparison to what He has in store for us when we start eternity in His Kingdom.
Next time you feel disappointed or sad about not being chosen by a person or company, or an opportunity here on Earth, look up to the sky and imagine God smiling down at you, saying, “I still choose you, my child.”
Let that Biblical truth marinate in your mind. Write it down in your prayer journal. Post it on your mirror so you can remind yourself every day that God chose you. Soak in His pure, unconditional love for you and remember who you are in Jesus Christ.
In closing, I would like you to listen to these two songs: “Remember Who You Are” sung by Crystal Lewis. And “I Still Want You” sung by Tramaine Hawkins.
Song of Reflection #1: “Remember Who You Are” by Crystal Lewis. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #2: “I Still Want You” by Tramaine Hawkins. Listen to it HERE.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does it feel to know you are chosen by God?
Further Reading:John 15:16
Isaiah 41:9
Colossians 3:12
Philippians 2:5-8
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life brings unexpected trials, it can feel like our strength, hope, and even our faith are beginning to fail. Psalm 73 reminds us that even when our flesh and hearts grow weak, God remains the strength that sustains us. He does not promise a life free from hardship, but He promises His presence through every valley we walk.
Highlights:
- God remains our strength when our hearts and circumstances feel overwhelming
- Trials are a reality of living in a broken world, but God promises to walk with us through them
- True comfort comes from drawing near to God and trusting His presence
- God provides wisdom, peace, and guidance when we feel unable to move forward
- Even difficult seasons can reveal God’s faithfulness and deepen our dependence on Him
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Even When the Heart Fails
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“…I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever… it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” Ps. 73:22-28 (NIV)
Have you ever been through an unexpected trial and felt as if your heart and your flesh are failing? Where do you turn when the circumstances are so overwhelming, so oppressive, that it feels as if any and all physical strength has been drained out? Normal stamina and rigor seem to be completely absent, leaving you utterly exhausted from the simplest daily tasks. And if that isn’t challenging enough, your heart follows suit and struggles to carry the weight of your unwelcome burdens.
Unfortunately, we all face hardships, disappointments, and at times even devastation. While the Bible is full of God’s promises, unending love, and hope for the future, it is also clear that sin and suffering are ever-present realities in this world. The consequences of these can wreak havoc on our hearts and minds. Our Heavenly Father understood this from the moment sin entered the world and forever changed the landscape of all of our lives. He made provision through His only Son to pay the penalty for sin, but that payment does not shield us from encountering heartbreak. While we cannot evade challenging and hurtful circumstances, God promises to walk side-by-side with us as we take every step through the valley.
I don’t know where you find yourself today. Perhaps you are in a sweet season of joy and abundance. If so, I celebrate with you. Treasure the good gifts God has bestowed upon you during this time. But if you are facing a season of struggle, then I empathize and offer my deepest condolences. Today, I find myself wandering through yet another desert, confused, conflicted, and in desperate need of holy consolation. Yet even in this, I know God is still granting me “good” gifts, even if nothing about it feels “good.”
There really are times when there is nothing here on earth that can satisfy or bring true comfort. Loved ones can be present, be a listening ear, and provide some measure of relief, but only the Lord can reach those dark caverns of our souls when the heart fails. He assures us that He is always with us, no matter how crushed and lost we feel. When we feel like we cannot possibly take one more step, He guides us with His counsel. He provides supernatural wisdom for the hard decisions we may have to make and a peace that surpasses all understanding. Though the wind and the waves may buffet our sails, the Lord declares, “Peace, be still.”
As the Lord fulfills every one of these promises, He is granting us good gifts. He is demonstrating His unfailing love as He draws us closer to Him. God reveals Himself to us as we seek refuge in Him and in Him alone. We can trust Him. On the other side of the cross is resurrection. On the other side of whatever hardships and hurts you are facing today, there is glory.
Will you join me today, as we remind ourselves of God’s goodness and promises shared in Psalm 73:22-28?
“…I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever… it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” (NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are there circumstances in your life right now that have threatened to overtake your faith and peace? Do you feel as if your heart has failed? If so, how does today’s scripture offer you hope? Even if the pain and disappointment feel unbearable, can you sense God’s presence in the midst of all you are going through? Regardless of where you find yourself today, I pray that God’s faithfulness is evident in your life, and you can declare with me, “It is good to be near God.”
Further Reading:
Hebrews 13:5
John 16:33
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Our experiences with earthly fathers can shape the way we view God, but they do not define who He is. Where human relationships may have included inconsistency, disappointment, or conditional love, God reveals Himself as a Father who is faithful, approachable, and unchanging. His love is not based on our performance, accomplishments, or ability to measure up—it is rooted in His grace and what Christ has already accomplished for us.
Highlights:
- God invites His children to approach Him with confidence and receive His mercy and grace
- Our experiences with earthly fathers can influence how we view God, but Scripture reveals His true character
- God’s love is not earned through accomplishments or perfection—it is a gift of grace
- Through Jesus, we can come before God without fear of condemnation or rejection
- Our Heavenly Father is faithful, approachable, and always present in our time of need
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Approaching Our Father
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV).
Do you ever need help but hesitate to ask someone, unsure of what their response might be? The writer to the Hebrews must have known we would experience that type of hesitation when approaching God, and apparently wanted us to know that we can approach our Father God with confidence and find Him full of mercy and grace when we need help.
This wasn’t an easy concept for me to grasp. Even though I grew up in church, learning about the love and forgiveness of my heavenly Father, I also believed I had to earn my earthly father’s love. I don’t often remember my dad saying “I love you,” but I do remember how pleased he was with my accomplishments, so I often heard him say, “I’m so proud of you.” Thus, it was ingrained in me that if I accomplished much and made him proud, that equated to his love for me.
I also grew up fearing my dad’s reaction if I made a dent in a wall, left a scratch on our car, or broke something of value. I was especially fearful of bringing home a traffic ticket. I learned how to tiptoe around him and to do everything I could to keep the peace at home. When my dad wasn’t under stress or triggered by past pain, he was approachable and very kind to me. Other times, he wasn’t. It was often a gamble.
Today, my dad is a different person. Through the transforming power of God’s Holy Spirit, he has softened tremendously through the years. I know today that he loves me for who I am, not for what I do. Yet, many times how we grew up around an earthly father (or without one) can tend to shape our view of God as our Heavenly Father.
I remember the freedom I experienced when I understood the truth of God’s unconditional love and acceptance for His children. Romans 5:8 tells us: “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That means if there was nothing we could do to earn God’s love, there’s nothing we can do to lose His love. It also means we never have to perform or try to measure up to our Heavenly Father’s standards because Jesus already did! We are enough for our Heavenly Father because God sees us through what Jesus accomplished on the cross on our behalf. God doesn’t love and accept us based on our behavior, accomplishments, or what we make of ourselves. His acceptance of us is based on our faith in His Perfect Son (Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 11:6).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
No matter what your relationship is like (or was like) with your earthly father, God’s love, presence, and help are far more accessible to us than any earthly dad’s – even the most loving ones. Hebrews 4:16 assures us that because we have a High Priest (Jesus) who can sympathize with us, we can approach God with boldness and receive His mercy and grace any time we need His help. When we are in a relationship with Jesus, we can confidently approach our Father God at any time of the day or night, and He’ll be there for us. No condemnation. No fear of retribution. Only grace and help in times of need. Every single time. God is consistently merciful, and our approach doesn’t have to depend on His mood or circumstances.
How has your relationship (or lack of one) with your earthly father affected how you see God as your Heavenly Father? God’s attributes are not only a picture of what every earthly father was meant to be, but I believe God longs to make up for what you never experienced with your dad by being your faithful, dependable, loving, and approachable Father. Can you look to Him today to be the Dad you have always wanted, but might never have had?
O Lord God, open our eyes to see You as the perfect Father and the One we can approach with everything on our hearts and minds. Thank You that You always hear the cries of Your children—and Your grace and mercy never run dry.
Further Reading:
Romans 8:38-39
For more on growing closer to God and being able to call Him Father, see Cindi’s book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we think about difficult relationships, especially with our parents, God invites us to view them through the lens of His grace and redemption. Honoring a father does not mean ignoring pain, excusing harmful actions, or pretending wounds do not exist. Instead, it means trusting God to bring healing, justice, and transformation in ways only He can.
Highlights:
- God cares about both the wounds we carry and the people who have caused them
- Forgiveness does not mean ignoring pain, excusing wrongdoing, or removing healthy boundaries
- God’s grace extends to every person, including those who have deeply failed others
- We can trust God to bring healing and transformation where we cannot
- Honoring others begins with allowing God to shape our hearts through compassion and forgiveness
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
No Father Left Behind
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.” - Proverbs 30:11
Nowadays, some adult children believe they are justified in dismissing their earthly fathers, seeing it as a personal matter between the two of them and believing God is okay with whatever they decide to do.
But nothing could be further from the truth, because God cares not only for us but for our fathers, too. Like the Marines’ unofficial slogan of leaving no man behind, God doesn’t leave fathers behind either, even in their failures and sins.
Sadly, many individuals have valid reasons for turning their backs on their fathers. Yet God calls us to follow His lead in responding to the pain in our lives, because too many fathers have fallen by the wayside and need His help, mercy, and redemption.
Tragically, some fathers have been drunkards, drug users, criminals, murderers, prisoners, abusers, and more.
Still, God holds children accountable for their attitudes toward their fathers because it’s a matter of the heart—the kind of issue that, if left unchecked, can lead to lifelong sorrow.
Regardless of a father’s sin, God doesn’t write fathers off or give children permission to do the same. Instead, He calls us to forgiveness and to trust Him to work in our fathers’ lives.
Trusting God with the Pain
We can trust God with our pain, too, because He isn’t going to ask us to embrace or entrust ourselves to fathers who aren’t trustworthy, or to pretend they didn’t hurt us.
He isn’t asking us to say or believe things about our fathers that aren’t true, or to overlook their sins. But He also doesn’t support us disowning, abandoning, or labeling them as toxic and unworthy of redemption.
Likewise, God doesn’t give us permission to punish, correct, dishonor, or treat them disrespectfully, even when we believe they deserve it. This is often a hard pill to swallow for those who’ve lived life with a derelict dad.
Sometimes God Asks More of Us
Along with leading us to forgive our fathers, sometimes God asks more of us when it comes to dealing with our dads.
Author and speaker Joyce Meyer’s dad sexually abused her while she was growing up, giving her every earthly reason to walk away from him and have nothing to do with him for the rest of her life.
Yet, unbelievably, God called her to provide for and care for her abusive father in his old age—something she resisted at first, shocked that a holy and just God would ever ask her to do.
After all, why would a loving God call her to care for a father who had so cruelly abused and mistreated her? He certainly didn’t deserve her kindness and generosity.
Still, God didn’t let her off the hook. He asked her to do what seemed impossible.
Choosing to live in obedience to Him rather than remain bound by her pain, Meyer took on the responsibility. Remarkably, through her kindness and generosity, her father came to know the Lord before passing away.
Does God Love Fallen Fathers?
So one has to ask: Does God love the godless fathers who have failed miserably and caused unimaginable and unspeakable wounds in the lives of their children and others?
Some of us, even as Christians, are ready to throw in the towel when it comes to caring about deeply flawed dads, believing they don’t deserve to receive God’s love. But we are mistaken if we see ourselves as more deserving of His love than they are.
The Apostle Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
If we see ourselves as more deserving of receiving God’s forgiveness and love than faithless fathers, then we don’t truly understand the sin nature we are all born with. We all enter life undeserving of God’s grace and in desperate need of a perfect, sinless Savior to redeem us.
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If you’re trying to come to terms with a father who failed you, ask God to help you forgive him and give you a heart of compassion toward him. Trust Him to bring healing to your heart and to work in your father’s life in ways only He can.
Further Reading:
How to Offer Your Dad Forgiveness this Father’s Day
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Spiritual growth often begins when we stop looking outward and allow God to examine what is happening within us. It can be easy to recognize the faults, habits, and struggles of others while overlooking the areas where God is inviting us to grow. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7 reminds us that true transformation starts with humility, self-reflection, and a willingness to let God reveal our own blind spots.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Consider these questions as you reflect on your own spiritual growth:
- What patterns continue to appear in your relationships, work, or daily life that God may want to transform within you?
- Do you extend the same grace and understanding to others that you hope to receive?
- Is there someone you need to forgive, or is there bitterness you need to surrender to God?
Spiritual maturity begins when we allow God to reveal the truth about our hearts—not to condemn us, but to lead us toward freedom, healing, and deeper dependence on Him.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
3 Questions That Cause Spiritual GrowthBy Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:
“Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” – Matthew 7:3-5 ESV
I clenched my hands. Clear as day, the issue was him. He was being stubborn. He wasn’t listening. He wasn’t being open to a different perspective.
But was I…?
Being open…?
Listening...?
Hearing what He was saying…?
Not really…
Jesus addressed this sort of situation when he said, “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Mt. 7:3-5 ESV)
My husband and I have a phrase for this sort of finger-pointing. It’s called “You spot it, you got it.”
Meaning, if I spot my husband being stubborn, I’ve likely got stubbornness too.
If I spot that He isn’t listening, I should wonder whether I’ve got earphones on my ears also.
If I spot an inability to understand another perspective, I am wise to ask myself if I’ve got that same inability to listen.
We spot it, we got it!
When we consider that what we judge in others may be what is lurking inside of us, true spiritual progress happens. Pride is healed. Humility comes. A deeper need for God surfaces. Blind spots are seen for what they are. God’s grace is absolutely required.
What blind spots may exist within you? Let’s dive deeper…
3 Exploratory Questions to Grow Closer to God
Ask yourself:
- What patterns follow me from relationship to relationship, job to job, or situation to situation? How might I blame on people, predicaments, or pressures, something God may want to heal within me?
Take a moment and reflect. Do not allow shame to convict you. Instead, allow the hard reality of truth to set you free to the life-giving power of God to help you. Pray. Ask. Seek the Lord. Repent, if needed.
- How do I demand sympathy or grace from others to justify where I am? Do I give others the same sympathy and grace that I expect?
Sometimes, we have stories to keep us safe. We have a long list of reasons why we do what we do. We expect others to coddle us, instead of realizing God has more for us. Seeing the truth helps us build better relationships in the future.
- Who do I keep needing to forgive? How do I gain personal sympathy by not forgiving them? If I have forgiven, have I asked God to forgive me, for my bitterness or resentment? And, most of all, have I forgiven myself?
Often, we forgive others but fail to ask God to forgive us for anger, bitterness, or thinking bad thoughts about others. Have we done this? Also, the hardest person to forgive is -- ourselves.
Additionally, when we have forgiven, but it doesn’t feel like we have, the issue is often not that we haven’t forgiven them; we are still angry. The issue is often that we are still angry at ourselves.
Take a second and forgive yourself, too.
The bottom line? To see the truth of what we haven’t seen often sets us free.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What did these questions stir up in you? How will you change as a result? What will it look like to walk a new path?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we invite God to “open our eyes,” we’re acknowledging something important: the Bible isn’t just understood through effort alone, but through relationship. The Holy Spirit brings insight where familiarity has dulled our attention and breathes life into verses we thought we already knew. Suddenly, Scripture becomes less like a checklist and more like conversation—one where God is still speaking, still revealing, still shaping how we see Him, ourselves, and the world around us.
Highlights:
- Scripture becomes more meaningful when approached with expectation rather than routine
- Spiritual insight comes through the Holy Spirit, not just personal effort
- Familiar passages can reveal new truth when we slow down and engage deeply
- Prayer before reading reshapes how we see and receive God’s Word
- Curiosity and openness create space for renewed passion in Scripture
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Get Excited about the Bible AgainBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” – Psalm 119:18, NIV
When a friend invited me to a Bible study, I agreed to go just to spend time with that friend. I’d been reading the Bible for years, and it all seemed so familiar that I didn’t expect to learn much. But during the first session, after we all prayed together, I found a fresh perspective on a Bible passage I’d read many times before. That happened again and again during that Bible study, as the leader encouraged us to ask God to open our eyes spiritually to his messages for us. It was like finding hidden treasure! I was excited to read the Bible again.
It’s so easy for us to read the Bible like a chore on our to-do lists, just like picking up the groceries or folding the laundry. We know it’s good for us, so we try to squeeze it in. But too often, we don’t really feel excited about the Bible’s messages. We might start a Bible reading plan with great intentions, but then we hit a section that feels confusing or dry, and we just give up. Or, we find one day that we don’t relate to the Bible verse of the day when we first read it, so we don’t reflect on it or try to apply it to our lives.
But even when reading the Bible feels like an obligation, it’s actually an opportunity. Every part of the Bible can help connect us to God in wonderful ways if we’re reading it prayerfully.
Psalm 119:18 features a simple yet significant prayer: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” This tells us that we aren’t meant to understand the Bible just by using our own brainpower or willpower. We need to ask God to show us the “wonderful things” hidden in those pages that we simply can’t see on our own. That takes the pressure off of us to be perfect students and puts the focus on God to be the perfect Teacher – which he is, through his Holy Spirit.
If you struggle with the Bible, it may be because you’ve tried to force yourself into a reading plan that doesn’t actually fit the way you learn or the season of life you’re in. You may think there’s only one right way to read and reflect on the Bible – like sitting at a desk and taking notes on every passage you read – and if you can’t do that, you don’t do anything at all. But God wants you to enjoy his messages! He wants you to come to the Bible with a sense of curiosity and adventure. If you find yourself stuck, you have the freedom to try something new. Maybe it would work better for you to listen to an audio Bible while you walk through the woods, or dive deep into just one single verse for a whole week and journal your thoughts about creative ways you can try applying that verse to your life.
You can discover a fresh perspective on the Bible when you stop seeing it as a set of rules to follow and start seeing it as a wonderful place where God reveals his character to you. The more you ask God to show you the “wonderful things” this psalm talks about, the more you can learn about who God is and what God does to work in your life in wonderful ways every day. Your passion for the Bible will grow not from becoming more disciplined, but from becoming more in love with your wonderful God.
So, give yourself permission to start fresh with the Bible today. Just pray for God to open your eyes to the wonderful things in his word, the Bible. God will meet you where you are and answer your prayer. Expect to be surprised by God’s wonder every time you read the Bible while praying for God’s Spirit to show you what’s really inside!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how to get excited about the Bible again, reflect on these questions:
- When you think about reading the Bible, do you honestly feel like it’s an obligation or an opportunity, and why do you feel that way?
- Do you ever find yourself rushing through your Bible reading just to check it off a list? If so, how can praying Psalm 119:18 before you start reading help you absorb the message into your soul?
- What kind of Bible-reading routine would you actually look forward to every day? What details would be involved – format, time of day, location, etc.?
- What’s one “wonderful thing” you’ve learned about God’s character recently that made God feel more real to you?
- What’s something that you’re wondering about who God is or what God does, that you’d like to learn more about from the Bible?
Further Reading:
Jeremiah 15:16
Psalm 119:105
Hebrews 4:12
Psalm 19:7
Joshua 1:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Romans 8:16 anchors the believer’s identity in a powerful truth: through the Holy Spirit, we are affirmed as children of God. In this devotional, Cindi McMenamin unpacks what it means to live from that identity rather than slipping back into fear, anxiety, and emotional chaos. When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to function as if we are spiritually alone, but Scripture reminds us that believers are fully adopted, fully known, and fully secured in God’s family.
Highlights
- Romans 8:16 confirms believers are children of God through the Spirit.
- Stress and anxiety often reflect a forgotten identity in Christ.
- In Christ, believers are adopted, forgiven, and fully secure.
- God’s love is unshakable and cannot be separated from His children.
- Identity in Christ replaces an “orphan mindset” with confidence.
- Believers are complete in Christ, not unfinished projects.
- Our daily behavior reflects what we believe about God’s care.
- Living as God’s child produces peace, trust, and spiritual stability.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
No Longer an OrphanBy Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16 NKJV).
Do you realize that when we worry and fret and start living a drama-filled life, we are forgetting who we really are? We are, in a sense, starting to live like orphans.
After all, when you are trusting Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sin and for eternal life, you have become His adopted child (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17). And in that relationship as His child, you have a new identity that does not include the corruption or chaos of your past, or the problems in your present, or the fears of your future. Your drama or problems don’t define you either. In your new role, God calls you:
His child – John 1:12 says: “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
His friend – Jesus said “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).
A saint – In Ephesians 1:1, believers in Christ are called saints. Yeah, but I’m not a saint, you may be thinking. Your actions may not always say it. But your position in Him says it. You are seen as perfect by Him because You are covered in the righteousness and goodness of Christ.
Forgiven – Colossians 1:14 says you have been redeemed (bought back) and forgiven of all your sins—past, present, and future. So your past sins—or your past wounds—can no longer define you. Your slate is wiped clean.
Complete – Do you feel like a “work in progress”? Many people describe themselves this way, referring to how they are not yet what God desires of them. But God’s Word is the final authority, and it says “you are complete in Him” (Colossians 2:10). The work has already been done. You just need to live in that truth and wear it.
Secure – both eternally and daily, in Him. You are free from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2), free from condemning charges (Romans 8:31-34), and free from the possibility of abandonment (Hebrews 13:5).
Unconditionally loved – Romans 8:35-39 says “nothing” will be able to separate you from the love of God – not death, life, circumstances, sin, poor choices, a season of rebellion, nothing!
His temple – that means He lives within you. Your heart is His home. And He dwells with you daily (1Corinthians 6:19).
Royalty – He says you are seated with Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).
His masterpiece –created in Him for good words which He prepared for you before you were ever born (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).
Fully capable by His power –You are able to accomplish “all things” through Christ, who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13).
His possession –You are not your own, you belong to Him because you were “bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). That means He protects you and provides for you as His own. That also means nothing can touch you that hasn’t first gone through His loving hands.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
So, why do we stress about our needs, our problems, our finances, our health, and our relationships? Is that our way of saying God has forgotten us and He won’t really be a good Father to His child? Through our stress and striving, are we saying to others around us, “I’m on my own because God won’t—or can’t—help me.”
How you and I live day to day is evidence of what we truly believe. An orphaned child says, “I am all alone. I have no one to help me.” A child of God lives confidently in the words: “My Father is with me. And He will help me.”
The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will reflect your true identity—a loved, well-cared-for child of the Most High God who never needs to stress or worry. Why would you want to live any other way?
Further Reading:
Romans 8:12-17
For more on living like a loved child of God, see Cindi’s book, Drama Free: Finding Peace When Emotions Overwhelm You.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Psalm 37:7 calls believers into a posture of stillness and trust when circumstances feel unjust or when others seem to undermine our plans. In this devotional, Jennifer Slattery reflects on the emotional turmoil that arises when people act against us—intentionally or otherwise—and how easily fear, anxiety, and anger can take over. Through the life of David, we see a powerful example of someone who endured prolonged opposition yet learned to rest in God’s sovereignty rather than react out of panic or revenge.
Highlights
- Psalm 37:7 encourages stillness and patient trust in God’s timing.
- Opposition from others can trigger fear, anxiety, or anger if left unchecked.
- Emotional reactions often intensify situations rather than resolve them.
- David’s life shows both suffering and unwavering trust in God’s promises.
- God’s plans are not derailed by human sabotage or resistance.
- Waiting on God develops patience, perseverance, and spiritual maturity.
- God often works behind the scenes before His promises are visible.
- Believers are called to rest in God’s sovereignty rather than react in fear.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Trusting God's Plans to Prevail When Others Come Against Us
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes. - Psalm 37:7
How do you typically respond when someone does something to sabotage your plans or goals, or in some way makes your life difficult? What if they do this intentionally? Do you feel vulnerable and like they hold power over some aspect of your life? Do you find your anxiety spiking? And if so, does your fear ever present as anger and hostility?
Sadly, I’ve reacted to such situations in each of those ways, especially when I felt the other person held power over something I considered important. This never yielded the results I’d hoped for. Most often, in fact, my reactions only made things worse. In some instances, my dysregulated emotions and the behaviors they triggered hurt me more than the “offense.”
Although I still have much room for growth, I’m learning to follow David’s example, not just in today’s verse, but throughout his life. (His near homicidal rage in 1 Samuel 24 and his treatment of Bathsheba, which many scholars call rape, notwithstanding.) If you’re familiar with Old Testament history, you may recognize his long, fearful, and discouraging journey to the throne. The most prominent prophet of his day anointed him as ancient Israel’s future king when David was a teenager. But he didn’t step into his calling for another decade and a half. He spent much of the time in between living as a fugitive, hiding in caves and enemy territory in fear for his life.
He knew God had glorious plans for him. Although he wrote psalms in which he seemed to express some degree of doubt, he trusted the Lord to do for him all that He’d promised. This trust, and the relational intimacy that supported it, allowed him to remain his godly, spiritually mature self, even when experiencing relentless attack.
This amazes me when I consider the emotional weight he carried. When we first meet him, he stepped into a heroic role that gained him access to Saul, the then-reigning king. Soon after, the young warrior moved into the palace, where he faithfully served. He also led the nation of Israel into numerous victories, including against one of their fiercest enemies, the Philistines. One might expect Saul to respond with gratitude. Instead, he became jealous. Feeling threatened, he spent the remainder of his life pursuing David in order to kill him.
As a result, David found himself forced from his home and his wife when Saul sent men to stake out his house, again, to kill him. During his flight, he sought help from a priest, who gave him bread and a highly symbolic sword for self-defense. He soon learned, however, that Saul found out and sent one of his men to kill all the priests serving at that particular temple—and their families. Women and children were massacred because one man offered David aid.
Understandably, he blamed himself for their deaths.
Can you imagine how that must’ve felt?
Around age 30, David became king and brought peace to His people. He likely wrote Psalm 37 sometime during this time. Reflecting on his life, his suffering, and how God remained faithful through it all, David confidently proclaimed, in essence, to whoever might listen, “Don’t stress about the actions of evil men. God’s got you. Relax and wait for Him to lead you to your best life.”
Intersecting Life & Faith:
When we feel under attack and tempted to immediately jump into “fix it” mode, may we instead intentionally still ourselves before the Lord, which implies being still in His presence. That’s where we’re most apt to receive His comfort and strength and hear His perfect wisdom regarding how to respond to our circumstances. Entrusting our situation to God can feel incredibly uncomfortable. It becomes easier, however, when we remember His heart toward us, His power consistently employed on our behalf, and His faithfulness. We can choose to quietly wait on Him to reveal our best path forward, knowing He’s never wrong or ill-informed.
He's also never late, although in my experience, his interventions rarely arrive early. It certainly didn’t for David! Although the Lord remained with him at every step and often worked behind the scenes on the warrior’s behalf, it took Him years to fulfill the promise He made to youthful David.
That long, painful delay required significant patience and perseverance through a rather exhausting delay.
David understood how difficult it can feel to wait, which is why, years later, he could advise his people, us, and countless others besides, to patiently wait on God—trusting Him to make our circumstances right.
Friend, wicked people might make your present situation more painful and difficult than it needs to be. But they cannot thwart God’s very good, hope-filled plans for you. Remember that the next time someone does something that leaves you feeling vulnerable and threatened. Remember that Christ Himself guards your path and invites you to follow His guidance as He leads you to the glorious destination He determined just for you.
Further Reading:2 Samuel 22:3
Psalm 18:1-6
Psalm 54:4
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Hebrews 13:5–6 offers a powerful reminder that God’s presence is unwavering, even in moments of rejection, fear, or emotional pain. In this devotional, Emily Rose Massey reflects on the deep wounds that come from feeling abandoned or dismissed, and how those experiences can linger long after the moment has passed. Through personal reflection and Scripture, she points readers back to the unchanging truth that God does not forsake His children.
Highlights
- Emotional wounds from rejection can linger and shape how we trust others.
- Human relationships are imperfect, but God’s presence is constant and unchanging.
- Hebrews 13:5–6 reassures believers that God will never forsake them.
- Jesus personally experienced rejection, betrayal, and abandonment.
- God’s faithfulness provides healing for deep emotional pain.
- Forgiveness is a pathway to freedom from bitterness and resentment.
- Our identity is secured in God’s love, not human approval.
- Drawing near to God brings comfort in seasons of emotional distress.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
God Doesn’t Reject His Children
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“…for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5b-6, NASB).
I woke up one morning recently crying after having a very vivid, heart-piercing dream. It was almost as if my current heart-struggle was being played out right before me; I could honestly see this dream happening in reality.
The words spoken (in the dream) to my husband and me cut to the core, and they hurt so badly that my first reaction was tears so strong they stained my cheeks when I awoke.
Being a storyteller allows for intense dream-tales in my mind while I’m supposed to be resting, sleeping. It’s something I have always dealt with since I was a child- I wake up trying to shake the mental visions, telling myself over and over again that it’s not real. Eventually, the emotions fade, and I can go on with the rest of my day.
In this recent instance, I had trouble getting past the pain and just began talking to God about it. It was obvious and simple- I was still dealing with rejection, and it still hurt, but I was reminded that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).
Although Proverbs 18:24 doesn’t necessarily say that friend is Jesus, I know that He will always be there for me even when everyone else fails me. Scripture tells us that God never leaves us or forsakes us in Deuteronomy 31:6. This truth from the Old Testament about our never-changing God is also stated again as a reminder in Hebrews 13, along with this powerful truth that people will fail us, and people may reject us, but we should not fear, for God is on our side. He is our helper.
“…for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5b-6, NASB).
Intersecting Life & Faith:
When we face rejection from others, we must remember that Jesus understands rejection better than anyone, as He has experienced it firsthand. Many people rejected Jesus (and continue to do so) while He was here on earth, even one of His very own disciples (Judas), rejected Him and betrayed Him. And just a couple of hours later, another one of His closest disciples (Peter) rejected knowing Him. Three times to be exact. Aren’t you so thankful for Jesus’ forgiveness when we turn our backs on Him! He gives us so many opportunities to repent and make things right in our relationship with Him! His mercies towards us are new every single morning… oh, what love!
Has the pain of rejection made it difficult for you to trust others? Lay that pain at the foot of the cross, friend. God can bring healing to the wounds of those who have hurt you and empower you to choose to forgive. Instead of allowing bitterness to take root in your heart, perhaps you should ask the Lord to bless those who have hurt you, even if they don’t want you in their life anymore. Jesus was rejected, yet He took the punishment of our sin out of love for those who would put their trust in Him. No matter how much man rejects us, we must remember that Jesus is the friend who sticks by us no matter what. He will never leave you nor turn His back on you. The Lord understands our pain regarding rejection, and His arms are open wide, so let us be quick to draw near to Him. Lo, He is always with you…even to the end of the age!
Further Reading:
Isaiah 43:2
Romans 8:38-39
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Isaiah 30:17 uses the imagery of a banner on a hill to describe visibility, identity, and the reality that what is lifted up becomes a symbol others recognize and respond to. In this devotional, Lynette Kittle reflects on the meaning of the American flag as a national symbol and explores how honoring it connects to gratitude for freedom, sacrifice, and heritage. She emphasizes the flag not just as fabric, but as a representation of unity, history, and the values a nation seeks to uphold.
Highlights
- Isaiah 30:17 uses “banner” imagery to represent identity and visibility.
- The American flag is presented as a symbol of freedom and national unity.
- Flags historically represent leadership, belonging, and shared values.
- The U.S. flag reflects the history and sacrifices tied to national freedom.
- Symbols can serve as reminders of heritage and collective responsibility.
- Gratitude for freedom can lead to reflection on God’s providence.
- National symbols often carry emotional and cultural significance.
- Honoring heritage can encourage unity and respect within a nation.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Why Honoring Our Flag Pleases God
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.” - Isaiah 30:17
Individuals and groups have stomped on it, carried it upside down, cut it up, and burned it, yet our nation’s flag keeps on flying and representing to many around the world, even if not to some in the United States, a sign of hope and true freedom.
On this 250th Anniversary of the birth of our nation, our American flag is a worldwide symbol of freedom on this earth. Hands down, it is considered the most recognizable flag in the world as a symbol of freedom.
When we honor our flag, remembering its history of how God led Christians to establish it, we honor God, because He is accredited with the birth of our nation.
“Of course, it’s just a symbol,” notes Dr. Jerry Newcombe, Executive Director of Providence Forum, “but it’s a powerful one. To me, it represents the American story - self-rule under God.”
Many who disrespect and spit on our flag do so because they hate the history ascribed to it and our nation’s long-held slogan of being “one nation under God.”
Newcombe believes we should honor our flag because it honors God and our country. “A lot of blood was shed defending that flag,” he explains, “and it represents the freedom we enjoy.”
Flag Day, celebrated each June 14th, commemorates the day our Continental Congress adopted the original American flag in 1777, made official in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson.
Growing up, many of us in the United States memorized and recited The Pledge of Allegiance, a pledge “written by a Baptist minister in the 1890s, with the ‘under God’ phrase added in the 1950s,” notes Newcombe.
The Purpose of Flags
Used primarily throughout history in warfare to announce battles and identify troops, national flags still play a role in distinguishing friend from foe.
Culturally, the flag symbolizes power and leadership, carried during military processions and announcing dignitaries. They represent the people and beliefs behind them, of the hands that hold and carry them, and the buildings where they are flown.
Flags also serve to draw together and rally people for unified causes, flown to signal, decorate, and display in parades and at events.
As well, flags declare ownership, borders, and jurisdiction in homelands and foreign lands.
Nations around the globe use them to communicate to the masses the loss of leaders and the mourning of national tragedies and disasters. The United States flag drapes the caskets of our fallen military heroes and veterans when they are being transported from the combat zones to home and at their funerals.
The Meaning Displayed in America’s Flag
America’s flag has 13 red and white stripes, each representing the original 13 colonies that began our nation, along with 50 white stars set on a blue background representing our current 50 states.
There is significant meaning within the American flag’s design, as the Founder of Providence Forum, Dr. Peter Lillback notes. Each color displayed on the American flag has a definite meaning, with red standing for hardiness and valor; white for purity and innocence, and blue for perseverance, justice, and vigilance.
Unlike some believe, even though Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag, the design is accredited to one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, Francis Hopkinson.
Our American Flag Stirs Hearts
Our American flag is a vital piece of America’s history, representing freedom for all, known to
stir the hearts of its patriotic citizens. It’s a symbol that has inspired our nation through many troubles and conflicts, standing for life, liberty, justice, and freedom for all.
In honoring it, we please God by recognizing the godly heritage it represents throughout the history of our nation and the world.
Intersecting Faith & Life:Did you grow up reciting The Pledge of Allegiance before school each morning? If so, has it impacted your life? In what ways? If not, what are your thoughts on the American Flag?
Further Reading:
A Prayer to Honor What Our Nation’s Flag Represents
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
John 16:33 reminds believers that hardship is not an exception to the Christian life but an expected part of living in a fallen world. In this devotional, Deidre Braley explores the tension many Christians feel between wanting to avoid suffering and God's invitation to trust Him through it. While our natural instinct is often to run from pain, Scripture teaches that trials can become powerful tools God uses to shape our faith, deepen our dependence on Him, and strengthen our character.
Highlights
- Jesus promised believers would face trouble in this world.
- Many people spend significant energy trying to avoid suffering and discomfort.
- God uses trials to develop perseverance, character, and hope.
- Christian growth often happens through difficulties rather than ease.
- Suffering does not mean God has abandoned His people.
- The Holy Spirit strengthens believers through seasons of hardship.
- Trusting God in adversity helps replace fear with faith.
- Christ's victory over the world gives believers lasting hope in every circumstance.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Learning to Glory in Our Sufferings (When We’d Rather Run from Them)By Deidre Braley
Bible Reading:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33 NIV
Poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote to his young protege, “People have… oriented all their solutions toward the easy and toward the easiest side of the easy; but it is clear that we must hold to what is difficult; everything that is alive holds to it” (Letters to a Young Poet, W.W. Norton & Company, 1934, pg. 41).
And earlier this week, over morning coffee and as simply as could be, my husband said, “Good things happen every day, and bad things happen every day. That’s just the way it goes.”
So I took a long walk, mulling those thoughts over, both Rilke’s and my husband’s.
I have spent most of my life crouching on its rim and hoping nothing bad will happen. That I will be able to get through each day and sigh and say, “Another day has passed. All is well. Thank God.”
But of course, all is not well. All is never well. My soul knows it. We all know it. But we pretend, and I cannot help but wonder why, because Jesus told us very plainly, “In this world you will have trouble.”
We still seem to want to believe that if we can produce the right prayers and structure our lives just so, we can be the ones to escape trouble. We hope that Jesus’ words are for everyone except us. We try to safeguard our lives from pain. We want to be exempt from suffering.
I, for one, take no pleasure in hardship. Just like everyone else, I still have an ember of Eden burning in my spirit. I long for a place that, though I’ve never been, I have somehow always known, a place where there is nothing to fear in the first place. But at the same time, I am starting to consider a strange and liberating thought: What if I can accept that trouble will happen, and frequently? If I let go of my great efforts to circumnavigate hard things, will that actually free me up for… more life?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Apostle Paul writes a challenging word to the Romans, but it is one that confirms my suspicion: There is a way to embrace all that comes along in life, whether it is the joy we hope for or the suffering that we have formerly feared. He says:
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:3-5 NIV).
When we are afraid to suffer, we expend all of our energies trying to avoid the inevitable. It makes us small, hardened, and anxious people. But, fascinatingly, it seems that difficulty can expand and strengthen us in ways that nothing else can. God, in his infinite goodness, takes the trouble of this world and, if we are willing and open to it, weaves the colors of perseverance, character, and hope into our spirits. We grow. We transform. We are filled with his Spirit, which has overcome the world. In this way, we come to accept all things and fear no things. In this way, we become truly free to live.
Of course, we cannot simply will our own fearlessness into being. But we can surrender our need for control and fear of hardship over to God, and we can ask him, in prayer, to make us more alive, no matter what comes our way today. Here is a prayer to carry with you whenever you begin to feel that old aversion to suffering rising in your chest.
Oh Lord, we were not made for suffering. And this world can be so very hard. But you have told us to take heart. You have told us that you have overcome the world, and it seems that this is the key to facing all sorts of trouble. God, when trouble comes my way, today or in the future, teach me how to move through it rather than run away from it. Use it to strengthen my character. Use it to make me more alive. Let me see your glory all throughout it, so that I will not be afraid. Amen.
Further Reading:James 1:2-16
Romans 5:1-5
Romans 8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
1 Corinthians 14:20 challenges believers to pursue spiritual maturity by thinking with wisdom, discernment, and godly understanding. In this devotional, Whitney Hopler explores the difference between childish thinking and mature faith, reminding Christians that age alone does not produce spiritual growth. God calls His people to remain innocent regarding evil while developing the wisdom and discernment needed to navigate a world filled with competing voices, misinformation, and spiritual confusion.
Highlights
- Spiritual maturity requires growing beyond childish patterns of thinking.
- God calls believers to be innocent toward evil but mature in wisdom.
- Prayer helps align our thoughts with God's perspective and guidance.
- The Holy Spirit teaches believers how to think with discernment.
- Wisdom involves applying God's truth to everyday decisions and challenges.
- Regular Bible study strengthens our ability to recognize truth and avoid deception.
- Mature faith responds thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively.
- Spiritual growth happens gradually as believers consistently seek God.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Think Like AdultsBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults.” – 1 Corinthians 14:20, NRS
When my late mother was living in a retirement home, she dated a man who also lived there. Women far outnumbered men in Mom’s community, and out of the few men who lived there, Mom’s boyfriend was the only one who could still walk unassisted. Not only that, but he could still drive! Some of the women there were happy for Mom, but many of her neighbors excluded her from events and gossiped about her and her boyfriend.
“That’s so immature!” I complained when Mom told me about it. “They’re acting like a bunch of jealous high school girls. I thought they would know better at their age.”
Mom just smiled and said something I’ll always remember: “Reaching a certain age doesn’t guarantee reaching maturity.”
In 1 Corinthians 14:20, the Bible reminds us that spiritual maturity in the way we think is important. It points out that we should stay far away from sin by being as innocent as infants toward evil. That way, we can stay pure and sensitive to God.
But at the same time, this verse urges us to think like adults. Adults are meant to be mature, thinking carefully and wisely. God wants us to use the amazing minds he has given us. He doesn’t want us to accept every idea without examining it, or follow every voice we hear without first considering if it’s credible. We shouldn’t be reacting to situations immaturely. Instead, we should grow spiritually mature by seeking God and developing discernment to recognize what comes from God and what doesn't.
When we think like adults, we can ask questions about any situation to help us adopt the perspective God wants us to have on it. Instead of asking what we want, we can ask what God wants, and instead of asking what’s easiest, we can ask what’s right.
This kind of thinking grows as we walk with God, and prayer is an important part of that growth. When we pray, we invite God into our thoughts and decisions. Prayer slows us down so we can connect with God’s presence with us. Then, we can listen to whatever God is trying to tell us and perceive those messages more clearly than we could if we weren’t giving God our full attention.
As we pray, we can ask God’s Holy Spirit to work within us. Then, we’ll develop the wisdom we need to say and do whatever is best in any situation we face. Wisdom is more than knowledge. Knowledge tells us facts, but wisdom helps us know how to live like God wants us to live. When we pursue wisdom by asking the Holy Spirit to guide our thinking, we can learn how to recognize what’s actually true versus the lies that spread in this fallen world. We can also learn how to make the best choices, even in the most challenging circumstances.
The Holy Spirit serves as our teacher throughout this journey. The more the Spirit shows us how to think like adults, the more we learn to stop reacting to situations like children and to start responding to them wisely, by carefully considering our choices.
Along the way, we’ll make mistakes, but God is patient with us as we grow. Just like a child slowly matures into adulthood, our mature thinking develops step by step. Each time we read the Bible, pray for guidance, or seek advice from a wise believer, we take another important step toward mature thinking.
Maturity matters! Far too many people are becoming confused and deceived by messages spreading in this world from unreliable sources. As we grow in mature thinking, we become stronger in our faith and better able to help other people. We can point the way to what’s really true and give people the real hope they need.
So today, let’s ask God to help us think like adults and grow to become spiritually mature in the process. Together, we can keep learning to think with God’s wisdom.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how important it is for you to think with spiritual maturity, reflect on these questions:
- In what ways do you sometimes approach your faith with childish thinking rather than mature understanding?
- How can prayer help you develop wisdom and clearer thinking?
- What voices or influences in your life might distract you from God’s truth?
- How can reading the Bible regularly strengthen your ability to discern what’s right?
- What’s one step you can take this week to grow in spiritual maturity?
Further Reading:
Hebrews 5:14
James 1:5
Proverbs 2:6
Romans 12:2
Philippians 1:9-10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Psalm 69:32 offers hope for believers navigating seasons of pain, discouragement, and spiritual confusion. In this devotional, Jennifer Slattery explores how emotional wounds, anxiety, and difficult circumstances can sometimes lead us to question God's presence and goodness. Drawing from the life of David, she reminds readers that faith is not the absence of struggle but the continual choice to bring our fears, doubts, and burdens into God's presence rather than relying solely on our own strength.
Highlights
- Emotional wounds and difficult circumstances can lead believers to question God's goodness.
- David's example shows the importance of turning to God honestly during seasons of pain.
- Self-reliance often increases discouragement rather than alleviating it.
- God's presence brings renewed joy, peace, and spiritual strength.
- Biblical joy is rooted in God's faithfulness, not changing circumstances.
- The joy of the Lord provides strength for weary and overwhelmed hearts.
- Prayer, worship, and time in God's presence help restore hope.
- Christ offers sustaining grace when we lack the strength to carry our burdens alone.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
When the Wounds We Suffer Cause Us to Doubt God
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
The poor will see and be glad—
you who seek God, may your hearts live! Psalm 69:32 NIV
Lately, I’ve felt bruised and discouraged. I’m trying to honor God, but sometimes find it confusing, particularly in some complicated and highly consequential situations. Unlike David, the ancient Israel king who wrote today’s verse and the surrounding chapter, I’m not facing anything life-threatening. No one is hunting me down to kill me. No one is trying to destroy my dreams or my career.
But I’ve been feeling under attack, just the same—by my thoughts, my pain, and numerous confusing complications that can make life feel so challenging. When I land in this place, I’m tempted to respond in various unhealthy ways. Often, my first reaction is self-reliance. This typically makes my circumstances worse while also increasing any sense of inadequacy or hopelessness I feel.
Eventually, however, I respond to the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit and seek God in my pain and overwhelm. It is then, in His presence, that my heart starts to revive as His light and life fill my soul. Perhaps this is what Scripture references in Psalm 16. In this passage, also written by David, we read:
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;my body also will rest secure,You make known to me the path of life;you will fill me with joy in your presence,with eternal pleasures at your right hand (vs 8-9, 11, NIV).
Joy and peace come through proximity to Christ and aligning ourselves with His truth. And that joy gives us strength (Neh. 8:10).
David seemed to understand this. Although a victorious warrior, many times over, who demonstrated great wisdom and restraint, Scripture rarely, if ever, paints him as self-reliant. And while he often openly expressed his pain and his fear, unfiltered, he never remained stuck in despair.
Not because he didn’t struggle or quickly overcame his struggles. Rather, he found the strength to rise above the chaos raging around and within him by deliberately and consistently turning to God.
And resting in the Lord’s loving embrace.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Does your life feel heavy? Is your mind presently bombarded with one anxious or painful thought after another? If so, I get it. I’ve been there and am certain I will land in that place yet again. Those seasons can wear us down emotionally and physically, stealing our sleep, clarity, and peace. But we don’t have to remain stuck in our pain or navigate it alone. God bids us to come to Him, as David did, and find in Him the strength to remain standing when our knees feel ready to give way.
As Nehemiah 8:10 so clearly proclaims, the joy of the Lord is our strength. That doesn’t mean we must deny our pain or suppress it behind a forced, “Praise the Lord! Hallelujah.” It doesn’t mean laughter will always overpower our tears. Biblical joy isn’t the surface-level, circumstantial emotion with which we often equate it. True joy, biblical joy, is the deep, abiding assurance that God is with us, working in us, and orchestrating everything we encounter for our good and His glory.
Phrased another way, biblical joy is an enduring awareness of Christ’s grace. Knowing that we are lovingly held, faithfully led, and eternally blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms displaces our despair with hope and revives our souls.
Candy and caffeine might give us a mid-afternoon pickup, but only Christ can sustain us when we’ve lost the strength to stand on our own. Perhaps this is, in part, what God means when He promises to replace our weakness with His supernatural strength.
What might that look like for you, in this present season? How might turning your heart toward the Lord in your fear and pain help alleviate the burden weighing on your soul, allowing you to walk just a little lighter? Allowing you to maintain confident hope that a better day will indeed come?
If you’re in a dark and challenging season, perhaps find a quiet place to connect with the Lord. Turn on some praise music, light a nice-smelling candle, and simply sit with your Father. Ask Him to help you sense His presence, and rest in His embrace for as long as necessary, trusting Him to infuse your innermost being with His joy, peace, and strength.
If this resonated with you, you might also find this Faith Over Fear podcast episode helpful: Taking Every Thought Captive: Breaking Free From the Lies That Hold Us.
Further Reading:
2 Corinthians 10:5
Romans 12:1-2
Psalm 94:19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ephesians 4:15 calls Christians to speak the truth in love, balancing grace and honesty in a way that reflects the heart of Christ. In this devotional, Michelle Lazurek explores the challenging but necessary role of biblical accountability within Christian relationships. While our culture often discourages correction and equates love with acceptance alone, Scripture teaches that genuine love sometimes requires difficult conversations that encourage repentance, growth, and spiritual maturity.
Highlights
- Ephesians 4:15 teaches believers to speak truth with love and grace.
- Biblical accountability helps Christians grow in spiritual maturity.
- Difficult conversations can reveal deeper heart issues that need healing.
- Jesus modeled both compassion and truth throughout His ministry.
- Loving correction is meant to restore, not condemn.
- The Holy Spirit often uses trusted believers to bring conviction and growth.
- Avoiding hard conversations can hinder spiritual development.
- Healthy Christian relationships require both honesty and humility.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Love Others, Speak TruthBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” - Ephesians 4:15
Who are you to judge me?
This question came from a loved one who felt convicted about an action she had taken. When this person posted social media pictures that depicted her in a less-than-flattering light, I boldly spoke truth into her life. I let her know that the way she portrayed herself on social media was the way people would categorize her, even if she didn't always behave that way. Additionally, as someone who claimed to be a Christian, she needed to be an example in every situation, including social situations where pictures could be taken.
In response to the above question, she became defensive and began arguing. However, as we began to argue, I noticed her thinking began to change. At one point, she started crying. When I asked her what was making her cry, she told me what was really going on in her life. Social media posts are merely a symptom of a much deeper problem. Once she humbled herself, we prayed together. We were also able to brainstorm solutions to her problems. I gave her some concrete advice, then told her I would check in with her later.
I didn't want to have to confront her about what I saw on social media. In fact, it would have been much easier for me to sweep it under the rug and pretend it didn't exist. But staying silent, rather than boldly challenging her to change her behavior, would have done her an injustice.
While many people think of Jesus as a gentle, kind man who hugged everyone and gave them what they wanted, nothing could be further from the truth. He spoke harsh words to many people, most of whom were Pharisees, a religious group. For many years, I questioned why Jesus would say such harsh things, such as calling them a brood of vipers. I realized that Jesus, who was closely associated with the Holy Spirit, had to make an exception.
Jesus did what was right for everyone and never put himself, or any desire for the approval of man, ahead of what he was called to do. Jesus used harsh words with the Pharisees, hoping that their hardened hearts would soften and they would turn back to God. Confession and repentance are key to changing our behavior.
However, we can't always see the flaws in our character. We need other people, who know us better than we know ourselves, to speak hard truths into our lives. These hard truths, when we reflect and analyze them, come from a place of love. Even if a person doesn't want to hear what's being said, it doesn't mean it doesn't need to be said. It merely means that the person is feeling conviction of the Holy Spirit.
In the verse above, Paul understood that speaking the truth in love to one another would help the body of Christ grow into mature believers. Sweeping things under the rug and avoiding hurt feelings led to immaturity and a failure to thrive spiritually.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to speak hard truths in love to each other. Even in this culture where people don't want to be judged, that judgment, when properly placed, can lead someone to the cross. When someone is led to the cross and their heart is genuine, the Holy Spirit can convict them, and they can turn their lives back to him.
Although it may seem better, and even easier, to be silent in the name of being kind, kindness isn’t always what people need. When people are blind to their own destructive behaviors, those who love them enough to speak hard truths into their lives will aid them in repentance and devotion to the Savior.
Father, let us be people who speak the truth and love one another. Help us to do so with boldness and conviction. Let us not bind ourselves to the world’s ways so that we do not judge. Rather, we need to lovingly speak the truth to others in the hope that they will turn their lives back to you. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Has there been a time when you had to speak hard truths in love to someone? How did they respond? Was their response appropriate?
Further Reading:Ephesians 4:29
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Philippians 2:14-15 challenges believers to live with gratitude instead of grumbling, reflecting the character of Christ in a world often marked by negativity, complaints, and division. In this devotional, Emily Rose Massey explores how complaining and arguing are more than bad habits—they reveal deeper heart issues that God desires to transform. Whether frustration arises from difficult circumstances, strained relationships, or everyday inconveniences, Scripture calls Christians to respond with thankfulness, humility, and trust in God's goodness.
Highlights
- Complaining often reveals deeper issues of discontentment and unbelief.
- Philippians 2:14-15 calls believers to live without grumbling or arguing.
- Gratitude helps cultivate contentment and trust in God's sovereignty.
- God cares not only about our actions but also about the attitude of our hearts.
- Disagreements can be handled with humility, grace, and a desire for unity.
- A thankful spirit helps Christians stand out as lights in a dark world.
- Daily time in Scripture renews the mind and combats negativity.
- The Holy Spirit empowers believers to respond with gratitude instead of complaints.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
A Heart Full of Gratitude Instead of Grumbling
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:14-15, ESV).
When it comes to sin in our lives, sometimes we attempt to overlook or give excuses for our behavior if we feel like our actions are justified because of our circumstances. For example, when I am sleep deprived, my flesh thinks it perfectly acceptable for me to deal out a hefty dose of sarcasm to my seven-year-old who has asked me the same question twelve times before my morning coffee or to murmur under my breath that I can’t believe my husband left his glass of milk from the night before on the floor again and, of course, the toddler just dumped it all over the living room right on cue.
But those actions do not glorify God, and they are rooted in sin. If I am a child of God, His Spirit will bring conviction to my heart with His word because it is my heart that needs attention and change. When I’m tempted to complain, which we are all naturally prone to every single day, this passage from Philippians 2 comes to mind to bring truth to my heart:
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:14-15, ESV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As God’s children, we are not to grumble. We must remember that, ultimately, grumbling is complaining against the sovereign God of the universe and saying He isn’t good, which is sinful. When we complain, we should repent, reset our minds by thinking on things above, and rejoice and give thanks to God for His graciousness towards us. There are new mercies available to us every single morning. Perhaps it would be a beneficial habit to create a daily list of things that you are grateful for to help cultivate a heart of contentment and gratitude. Despite hardships and inconveniences in our lives and relationships, we are called to rejoice and find our joy in Christ. It all comes down to the attitude and posture of our hearts.
How about your attitude when you disagree with someone, or they have offended you? When you are in a disagreement with someone, do you want to be right more than you want to pursue unity with that person? Do you allow a bad attitude to drag you into unnecessary arguments or even gossip to complain to someone else instead of going directly to the person you are annoyed or upset with? Disagreements are inevitable, but most of all, God cares about our attitude during disagreements and doesn’t want us to be swept up in foolish arguments constantly. We can disagree with others without being disagreeable or prideful.
If we are entangled in senseless disputing and complaining, the world has trouble seeing the light of Christ in our lives. We see in verse 15 of Philippians 2 that the Lord wants Christ followers to shine bright in a culture full of darkness. Our lives are to be a brilliant beacon of light in the darkness as we stand as God’s children against the wickedness of the world.
“…that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:15, ESV).
One way we can protect ourselves against complaining and empower our hearts to shine bright for Christ is to be diligent to cling daily to the Word of life so that we can thrust it into a dark world. The Word of God helps us to renew our minds so we can cultivate the fruit of the Spirit and stand out in the world, pointing others to the hope that we know in Jesus. In addition to our daily time in the Word, we must abide in the Vine by communing with Him daily. We can call upon the name of the Lord to cry out for help when we are tempted to complain and grumble. He is our ever-present help in times of need and is faithful to strengthen us.
Further Reading:
Psalm 107
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
1 Peter 4:8 reminds believers that Christ-centered love has the power to strengthen relationships and extend grace in the face of human weakness. In this devotional, Megan J. Conner explores how selfishness and sin often create conflict in marriages, families, friendships, and church communities. From the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis to the challenges Christians face today, Scripture reveals that broken relationships are a result of sin, but God's love provides the pathway to forgiveness, healing, and restoration.
Highlights
- Sin and selfishness often create conflict in relationships.
- Adam and Eve's story reveals how disobedience impacts both human and divine relationships.
- God's love provides redemption where sin creates division.
- Jesus' sacrifice is the ultimate example of love covering a multitude of sins.
- Forgiveness reflects the grace God has extended to us.
- Christians are called to pursue peace whenever possible.
- Humility and mercy can help restore strained relationships.
- Loving others deeply requires relying on God's strength and example.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Love One Another
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
Relationships of all kinds can be a challenge. The Bible says God created us for community, for family, for friendships, yet often the dynamics involved in these connections can be incredibly complicated. If relationships are the design of the Lord for our lives, why do they seem so incredibly difficult to navigate? The answer… one single word… sin. At the root of all sin is selfishness. It is the desire and longing for “what I want” above all else, and often, those decisions can be harmful to those around us. They can also be harmful to our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
All the way back in the Garden of Eden, we see the first choice of sin – of selfishness.
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it,” (Genesis 3:6, NIV).
Though God clearly said Adam and Eve were not to eat the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden, they felt otherwise. The couple desired to take what the Lord advised them to abstain from; they intentionally chose their own way. They chose themselves. But their choices didn’t just affect them individually; they affected their relationship with one another. As soon as their decision was revealed, the first marital argument ensued, including everyone’s favorite, “the blame game.” Their unity was negatively impacted as a result of their choices.
Additionally, their relationship with the Lord was also altered by their pursuit of self. Those consequences were much more significant than a marital tiff, as they were cast out of the garden, could no longer reside within the physical presence of God, would later experience mortal death, and the legacy of sin they initiated would pass on from generation to generation. Sin and selfishness caused some major long-term ripples in this scenario, but thankfully, that is not the end of their story or ours. Love covered a multitude of sins.
The Heavenly Father made provision for Adam and Eve in the form of a sacrifice to cover their sin and then gave the ultimate sacrifice of His One and Only Son to forever redeem us all from the penalty of transgression. It is because of this great love that was offered to us first, while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:8), that we are called to love one another through the failings, disagreements, and hurt feelings. It can feel so incredibly unfair when we are called to forgive the wrongdoings of others, but how different it looks when we are the offender in need of pardon.
While every situation is different and there are circumstances where forgiveness needs to be applied, but not necessarily reconciliation at that moment, God’s call to us is clear.
“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone,” (Rom. 12:18, NIV).
Though our emotions can get stirred up when “iron sharpens iron” in our relationships, and there are disagreements and deep hurts, the Lord has called us to love one another. It is amazing how quickly a heated situation is diffused when love and humility are applied. May we follow in Jesus’ footsteps and extend mercy and grace to those who have wronged us - for love covers a multitude of sin.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you struggling with disagreements or discord within your relationships? Is there a particular person or scenario that is particularly painful? Perhaps you are the offender in the situation and long for forgiveness from those you have harmed.
Regardless of where you find yourself, may I encourage you, maybe even challenge you, to take a moment and reflect on how God’s unending grace and mercy have been applied to your life. Ask yourself, how has He covered a multitude of your sins? If you are willing, jot down a list of the moments when it was evident the Lord extended forgiveness to you. In light of His great love, ask the Lord to soften your heart towards those who have harmed you. I pray you follow in His footsteps and learn how to lead with love.
Further Reading:
Romans 12:9-21
Romans 5:1-11
Romans 5:5-5:14
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Psalm 31:7 offers a powerful reminder that God sees our struggles, understands our pain, and cares deeply for our souls. In this devotional, Lauren Fletcher explores the comforting truth that God is not distant from our suffering. Through the stories of Leah and Hagar, Scripture reveals a compassionate God who notices those who feel overlooked, unloved, forgotten, or alone. Even when we cannot find the words to pray, God remains attentive to our circumstances and actively works on our behalf.
Highlights
- God sees our struggles, even when no one else notices.
- Leah's story demonstrates God's compassion toward the overlooked and unloved.
- Hagar's encounter with God reveals Him as El Roi, "the God who sees me."
- God's care is not dependent on us having the perfect words to pray.
- Scripture consistently shows God moving on behalf of those who are hurting.
- The Lord meets people in seasons of loneliness, rejection, and distress.
- God's awareness of our pain is evidence of His deep love for us.
- Believers can trust that they are never forgotten or abandoned by God.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
He Sees Us
By Lauren Fletcher
Bible Reading:
“I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.” - Psalm 31:7
This month, my church has been participating in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. As I was praying one morning, I came across a sweet passage of scripture. In the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, God meets Leah in a very personal way. Though she was the first wife of Jacob, Rachel was the one he wanted and worked for.
Genesis 29 says, “When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to have children, but Rachel could not conceive. So Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, ‘The LORD has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me’” (Genesis 29:31-32).
It touched my heart that the LORD saw Leah’s circumstances and moved. She did not pray and ask, she did not cry out for God’s help. He just saw what she was going through and acted. How amazing that God sees what’s going on with us and will act on our behalf, even when we do not ask. Have you ever had a circumstance like this in your life, where God has moved, even before you were able to ask?
The story continues, “She soon became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She named him Simeon, for she said, ‘The LORD heard that I was unloved and has given me another son’” (Genesis 29:33). I love how Leah recognizes God has seen and heard her situation. She acknowledges Him in this.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
There’s another important passage in the scriptures where we learn that God sees us. A beloved name of God is El Roi. This name is given to Him by Sarai's (Sarah’s) servant, Hagar, in Genesis 16, in the wilderness (Genesis 16:7).
The LORD had told Abram that he would have descendants, that he would have a son. Abram trusted the LORD in this (Genesis 15:4-6). “Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, ‘The LORD has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.’ And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal” (Genesis 16:1-2).
After Hagar became pregnant, she did not treat Sarai well (Genesis 16:4). The scripture says, “Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away. The angel of the LORD found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur” (Genesis 16:6b-7).
Hagar was met in her distress, in her place of difficulty. She was seen.
“Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the LORD, who had spoken to her. She said, ‘You are the God who sees me.’ She also said, ‘Have I truly seen the One who sees me?’” (Genesis 16:13). Hagar was not forgotten. She was sought out by the Lord.
Something we can take away from these scriptures, these stories of how God worked in these women’s lives, is that if He sees them, He sees us. He will work on our behalf when we ask, but also when we don’t. He sees, and He works on our behalf because He loves us.
It is this same love that caused the LORD, who saw the troubles of the Israelites in Egypt, to be moved to deliver them (Exodus 3-4). Exodus 4:31 says, “Then the people of Israel were convinced that the LORD had sent Moses and Aaron. When they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.” Doesn’t this just touch your heart? How wonderful and loving the Lord is.
He knows what’s going on with you. He sees, and He cares. He will help you, because He loves you. Even if you haven’t been able to ask, don’t worry. He sees us.
Further Reading:
Psalm 56:8
Genesis 29
Exodus 3-4
Genesis 16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 offers a countercultural approach to Christian living in a noisy, distracted world. In this devotional, Whitney Hopler explores how living a quiet life can strengthen faith, reduce stress, and create a powerful witness for Christ. While modern culture often rewards constant visibility, strong opinions, and endless activity, Scripture encourages believers to pursue peace, focus on their God-given responsibilities, and find contentment in faithfully serving God through everyday work.
Highlights
- God calls believers to make it their ambition to lead a quiet life.
- A quiet life helps create space for peace, focus, and spiritual growth.
- Social media and constant noise can distract us from what matters most.
- Minding our own business allows us to invest more deeply in real relationships.
- Everyday work can become an act of worship when done for God's glory.
- Faithful, peaceful living often earns the respect of others.
- Our worth comes from being God's beloved children, not from public attention.
- Living quietly creates opportunities to reflect Christ in a loud world.
Join the Conversation
What is one area of your life that feels especially noisy or distracting right now? How can you create more space for quiet, focus, and deeper connection with God this week?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
How to Live a Quiet Life in a Loud WorldBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“…make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
The benefits of being quiet often show up in well-being research I work with at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Leading a quiet life can be useful for stress relief, focus, creativity, and more. When we’re quiet, our minds can process and reflect on the constant stream of information coming at us every day. That can prevent us from becoming overwhelmed and help us discover what matters most.
The constant barrage of messages competing for our attention reminds us that we live in a very loud world. Our society celebrates the people who shout their opinions – even about people and situations they don’t know personally. If we’re not trying to push others to pay attention to us, it can feel like we’re falling behind. But these verses from 1 Thessalonians show us that living quietly is a much wiser choice.
It’s fascinating that the word “ambition” is connected with “a quiet life.” Usually, when we think of ambition, we think of getting noticed by other people. But God encourages us to be ambitious by minding our own business rather than trying to get other people’s attention. Minding our own business is challenging in this loud world. Our social media urges us to be monitoring other people’s lives and to keep updating them on our lives, whether or not they actually care. It also urges us to judge what’s happening in the world and to shout out our opinions on those situations, even if we haven’t studied them well enough to have informed opinions. But 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 describes another kind of ambition. We can be ambitious by making better choices, despite how society is pressuring us. We can stop wasting our time and energy by reclaiming our attention and choosing to invest it in what matters most – our relationships with God and the people we know personally, in real life.
These Bible verses encourage us to work with our hands. There’s something sacred about using the hands God gave us to do our work. Whether we’re typing on computer keyboards, serving meals, fixing cars, performing surgery, or any other one of countless types of jobs, we use our hands somehow. Focusing on the work we do with our hands grounds us and reminds us that God created us to be productive and to contribute to our world. We can find fulfillment from doing our best at work. When we focus on doing the task in front of us with excellence and integrity, we can find a sense of purpose that doesn’t need a “like” or a “share” to be valid. Working with our hands while doing our best for God turns our daily chores and professional duties into a form of quiet worship.
When we do so, we can win the respect of those around us. Other people are watching how we live. In this loud world that’s full of drama, people who are hardworking and peaceful stand out. Our quiet lives become powerful testimonies that show others our security comes from something much deeper than the latest trend. Living quietly also leads us to a healthy independence. When we work diligently and live simply, we’re able to bless others instead of burdening them unnecessarily.
Living a quiet life doesn’t prevent us from speaking up. We can, and should, speak up against evil and share the Gospel whenever God leads us to do so. But living quietly does mean that we stop trying to prove our worth by calling out for attention and simply resting with confidence in our identities as God’s beloved children. In this fallen world, where too many people are shouting at each other, we can ambitiously choose a better lifestyle of quiet work and love.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how to live a quiet life in a loud world, reflect on these questions:
- What’s one “loud” part of your life (social media, television, etc.) that you can quiet down this week to find more peace?
- How does the idea of minding your own business challenge you right now?
- In what ways can you see working with your hands on your daily tasks as a way to worship God?
- Why do you think society can make you feel guilty for seeking a simpler life?
- Who is one person you know just outside your inner circles of friends and family – someone like a neighbor or a coworker – who might be positively impacted by seeing you faithfully live a quiet life?
Further Reading:
Psalm 46:10
Isaiah 30:15
1 Timothy 2:1-2
Ecclesiastes 4:6
Matthew 6:6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Genesis 1:31 reveals a powerful truth about God's character: He is a God of order, purpose, and intentional design. In this devotional, Deidre Braley explores what it means to be created in the image of God and how His orderly nature is reflected throughout creation. From the boundaries He established in the natural world to the systems that allow life to flourish, God demonstrates that order is not restrictive—it is life-giving. As believers, we are called to reflect His character by bringing peace, clarity, and purpose into the spaces we influence.
Highlights
- God’s creation reveals His nature as a God of order and purpose.
- Being made in God’s image means reflecting His character in everyday life.
- Order creates space for people, relationships, and communities to thrive.
- Stewarding our homes and possessions can be an act of worship.
- Healthy systems and organization help good work flourish.
- Peacemaking reflects God’s heart and brings stability to relationships.
- Christians are called to bring clarity and hope into chaotic situations.
- Small acts of intentionality can create lasting impact in our daily lives.
Join the Conversation
Where do you sense God calling you to bring greater order, peace, or purpose into your life? Have you experienced how creating healthy rhythms and boundaries has helped you grow spiritually?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
What it Means to Be Made in the Image of an Orderly God
By Deidre Braley
Bible Reading:
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. - Genesis 1:31 NIV
Marie Kondo is known as one of the world’s most beloved tidying experts, and one day she convinced me that the path to inner peace would be to pull all of the clothes out of my closet and throw them on my bed to be analyzed, one by one. I had just watched the first episode of her show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix, in which she teaches her proteges to ask this question: When I touch this item, does it spark joy? If the answer is yes, then the item gets to stay. If the answer is no, the directive is to thank the item for its service and then bid it adieu.
Even if this sounds a little woo-woo, I have to say that after I had removed a great many joyless items from my wardrobe and reorganized the rest of my clothes back into the closet, I felt an internal sigh of relief. I did feel more joyful. I felt as though a burden had lifted, as though a weight I’d been unwittingly carrying around for years was suddenly gone.
In 1872, John Wesley preached, “Cleanliness is, indeed, next to godliness,” and though he was talking specifically about the way a person dressed and cared for their appearance, I think he was pressing on a deeper spiritual truth, too. Cleanliness is the visual representation of order, and our Creator is, as evidenced by creation, a God of order.
If you look carefully at the creation story, you will notice that God did not just bring all things into being—he also gave them each a designated spot, a boundary for existence, a specific space in which to thrive. He separated the light from the darkness, giving both their time to reign, as day and night. He gave each plant one specific fruit to bear. He told the sea how far it could go and then said, “No more.” Biblical scholar Rachel Smith describes God’s work in a way that Marie Kondo would approve of: “It (the world) was designed to run well and to be a well-ordered environment for its occupants. This is the sense of good in the creation account. Everything God created He declared good because it acted within its purpose and provided benefits” (Rest Assured: What the Creation Story Was Intended to Reveal About Trusting God, pg. 62-63).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What does it mean to bear God’s image? It means to care about the things he cares about, and to reflect his character out into the world. And one of the things that God cares about is order, which creates space for life to thrive. When we enter into chaos and bring disorder back into equilibrium, we are doing the work of God. Here are some practical areas where we might do that today.
In our physical spaces
- Declutter one area of your home. Choose a junk drawer, a closet, or a bedroom. Remove everything, and only put back what serves a purpose or, per the advice of Marie Kondo, brings joy. Give each item a designated space, and then, if you can, bring a little extra beauty to that area. Organize by color. Add flowers. Freshen with a scented sachet.
- Is there a time of day that feels particularly chaotic? Create a ritual to help it go more smoothly. If morning times are hectic, for example, pre-set your coffee pot the night before. Lay out your clothes. Wake up ten minutes earlier. Light a candle while you eat breakfast. See how these adjustments bring a sense of peace to what used to feel overwhelming.
In our workplaces
Administration may not be glamorous, but it is essential for bringing order. If you have the gift of administration—that is, organizing information, communication, and actions into systems that run smoothly—put it into practice in your workplace. Good structures help good work to thrive. Be a problem solver. If you see that something is not working and have an idea for how to fix it, say something. Be someone who steps into situations and brings clarity and excellence.
In our communities
- Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). In our communities, bringing order looks like bringing peace—to relationships, to organizations, to broken systems. When we step into disordered situations or strained relationships in our neighborhoods or even global communities, we are reflecting God’s image by bringing equilibrium. This could look as simple as serving on the PTA and being a voice of calm and reason when the meetings get heated, or it could look like serving in outreach ministries to provide for the real, everyday needs of neighbors.
Further Reading:
Genesis 1:1-31
Rest Assured: What the Creation Story Was Intended to Reveal About Trusting God by Rachel Booth Smith
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
James 3:1 offers a sobering reminder that church leaders, pastors, and Bible teachers are held to a higher standard because of their responsibility to teach God’s Word. In this devotional, Emily Rose Massey explores the growing concern over moral failures among Christian leaders and why believers should respond with prayer rather than cynicism. As false teaching, spiritual compromise, and public scandals continue to impact the church, Christians are called to support and pray for faithful pastors who shepherd God’s people with integrity and biblical conviction.
Highlights
- James 3:1 reveals the serious responsibility carried by Bible teachers and pastors.
- Church leaders are held to a higher standard because they influence others spiritually.
- Moral failures in ministry should lead believers to prayer, not cynicism.
- False teaching can create confusion and spiritual harm within the church.
- Faithful pastors need consistent prayer and support from their congregations.
- Sound biblical teaching protects believers from deception.
- Church leaders face unique spiritual attacks and temptations.
- Christians can strengthen their local church by praying for those who shepherd and teach.
Join the Conversation
How has a faithful pastor, elder, or Bible teacher impacted your spiritual growth? What are practical ways believers can encourage and pray for church leaders facing the challenges of ministry?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
The High Standard of Church Leaders
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1, ESV).
It seems that over the last couple of years, there has been much exposure and shaking in the church regarding leaders who have fallen or gotten caught in scandal and lies. When the news of another pastor’s moral failure makes its way into the public eye, is your first reaction one of sarcasm and jadedness, or does it cause you to weep and hit your knees in prayer? It seems easier to get angry or grow cynical when those in the pulpit fall into grave sin and disappoint those who have attributed much of their spiritual growth from their teaching. Instead of wagging our fingers or shaking our heads in disappointment, it should truly break our hearts when leaders in the church fall.
There is a stern warning found in the book of James that should cause us pause and reflect upon the great and weighty responsibility that pastors carry as teachers of God’s Word:
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1, ESV).
This verse begins a chapter in the book of James that focuses on the importance of the tongue and its ability to either bring encouragement and growth or hostility and destruction. We will all be held accountable for the words we speak, but for those who teach the Bible, there is a higher standard. With a higher standard comes a stronger judgment from God. This should motivate us to pray for teachers, especially those who pastor our own local church.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
In America (and perhaps even around the world, thanks to television and social media), the gospel of Jesus Christ has become extremely muddied by false teaching full of false gospels, New Age/occult/pagan practices, lying signs and wonders, and distractions from worldly desires that are all leading many to false Christs.
For almost half of our marriage, my husband and I were among those believers who were believing lies from the result of the twisting of scripture and emotional, mental, and spiritual manipulation from leaders in ministry whom we trusted. By God’s grace, we were rescued from this deception and now attend a sound and Biblical church that has been such a blessing to our family. Every week, the elders preach the Word of God with such conviction and clarity, and are unashamed about the gospel. Although we finally feel “safe,” we know that these men of God are susceptible to the same temptations as we are, and instead of growing comfortable or letting our guard down, we must fiercely pray for the men in our lives who teach God’s Holy Word because Satan has put a giant target on their backs. The enemy knows how much damage can be done to the Body of Christ if God’s Word is abused or distorted, but the same is true for the carriers of that message; A teacher’s life is held to a higher standard because the Lord uses teachers to help us understand who He is. The weighty responsibility and calling of bringing truth to the sheep of God is one no one should have to bear alone. Let us shoulder Kingdom responsibility with our elders by making it a priority to daily pray for the teachers and pastors who have much influence on our spiritual well-being.
In the age we live in, we can know personal details of public figures very quickly and easily. It seems there is always a new Christian leader who has given in to fleshly temptation and taken advantage of the trust of their sheep. When you discover this shocking news of another moral failing, are you tempted to harden your heart or grow cynical towards the church? It should cause us heartache and wake us up to the reality that the enemy wants to cause destruction among God’s people. These moral failings cause distrust among sheep, but they also hurt our witness to the world when they see the hypocrisy and corruption within the visible church.
We must ask the Lord to give us a burden to pray for church leaders, but more importantly, the leaders of our very own church who have given their lives to shepherd souls and teach others about God and His ways. We are called to make disciples and need to be equipped by God’s Word to do that. God has called teachers and pastors to a higher standard to equip the Body for the work of the ministry by teaching us what God’s Word says. May we be quick to lift them up every day, knowing the seriousness of their high calling as teachers of God’s Holy Word, and thank the Lord for their role in your life personally, as someone who keeps watch over your soul.
Further Reading:
1 Timothy 3:1-13
Titus 1:7-9
1 Peter 5:1-4
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
1 Corinthians 2:9 reminds believers that God’s plans are far greater than anything we can imagine, even during seasons of grief, loss, and uncertainty. In this heartfelt devotional, Vivian Bricker reflects on the pain of losing her mother and the struggle of complex grief while pointing readers back to the hope found in God’s promises. Through Scripture and personal testimony, this Christian encouragement reminds us that God is still working even when life feels heavy and painful.
Highlights
- God’s plans are greater than anything we can fully imagine.
- Grief and loss do not cancel God’s purpose for your life.
- 1 Corinthians 2:9 offers hope during painful seasons.
- God welcomes us to bring our sorrow and pain to Him.
- Complex grief can feel overwhelming, but God remains near.
- Romans 8:28 reminds believers that God works through suffering.
- Pain can become part of a testimony that encourages others.
- Trusting God allows hope to grow even in heartbreak.
Join the Conversation
How has God carried you through seasons of grief or disappointment? What helps you continue trusting His plans even when life feels uncertain?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
God Has Wonderful Plans in Store for YouBy: Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’— the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Over the past year, I have come across many social media posts noting that 2016 was 10 years ago. My friends have shared posts reflecting upon their lives a decade ago; how much they have changed, what they have accomplished, and how much happier they are now. While it is great to see my friends flourishing in life, my heart breaks every time I am reminded of 2016.
2016 was the year my mom passed away. Every time I see the “decade challenge” or “decade glow-up,” I am once again crushed with the reality that my mom has been gone for ten years. Some days, it feels like she has been gone for only a few weeks, and other days, it feels like she has been gone for a century. The pain of her absence has only increased over the years.
Upon restarting therapy, I discovered I have complex grief. Complex grief is different from regular grief because the latter does not endure for years; instead, there is an ending point, and you are able to make peace with the death of your loved one. However, with complex grief, it is impossible for you to move forward; you are paralyzed by their death, and you feel like your life has ended. Complex grief is remarkably common if you were dependent on the person who passed away.
Perhaps you are walking through a similar season; a loved one passed away, and you are overcome with dread, grief, and pain. Rest at the foot of the cross and find solace in the Lord (Matthew 11:28-30). He will never make you feel guilty for mourning the loss of your loved one. Whether it's been a few days or a few decades, God understands the pain you are experiencing today.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
During these times, it is important to reflect upon our future with Christ. Paul tells us, “However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’—the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Although we may be struggling now, this darkness will not endure forever. God has wonderful plans for our lives – plans that we may not even know about yet.
Rather than fearing the worst, trust God. No mind in all history has articulated the plans God has for those who love Him. As His followers, we can surrender our pain, grief, and agony to Him. God will bring light back into our lives, surround us with His love, and show us the plans He has for our lives. Lean into God’s amazing work today and trust Him with the process (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Your grief may continue for the rest of your life, but this does not mean you cannot enjoy the wonderful plans God has for you. He may even use this present pain to encourage you to help others, such as supporting those who have also lost loved ones, building up the family of God, or praying for those who are in end-of-life care. The plans He has for you are amazing; do not give up now, your life has just begun.
Are you ready to take hold of the wonderful plans God has for your life? What do you think God has in store for you?
Further Reading:
Jeremiah 29:11
Proverbs 16:9
Romans 8:28
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Isaiah 46:11 reminds believers that God always fulfills His promises and accomplishes His plans in perfect timing. In this devotional, Whitney Hopler encourages Christians to trust God even during seasons of waiting, uncertainty, and unanswered prayers. Whether facing career decisions, personal struggles, or closed doors, believers can find peace knowing that God is always working behind the scenes. His faithfulness never fails, and His promises remain true regardless of circumstances.
Highlights
- God always fulfills what He promises in His perfect timing.
- Isaiah 46:11 reveals the power and certainty of God’s plans.
- Waiting seasons can strengthen faith and dependence on God.
- Fear and striving often create unnecessary stress and anxiety.
- Romans 8:28 reminds believers that God works all things for good.
- Jesus is the ultimate proof of God’s faithfulness to His promises.
- Trusting God brings peace even before circumstances change.
Join the Conversation
What promise from God are you currently holding onto during this season of waiting? How has God shown His faithfulness to you in moments when you doubted the outcome?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
God Will Do What He SaysBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“... What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.” – Isaiah 46:11, NIV
Years ago, I faced a lot of competition for a particular job I wanted. It was so competitive that I wondered whether or not I should even try. But after I prayed about whether I should go for it, I got a strong sense of peace and confidence about doing so. It was a long process! I had to develop a complex creative presentation and go through several interviews with various groups of people. Along the way, I doubted whether or not I could really get the job. I put myself through a lot of unnecessary stress worrying about the outcome. Finally, though, I turned my worries into prayers. After praying regularly about the job, I sensed that God would make a way for me to get it. Sure enough, God did open the door to that job for me. If I had trusted that God would bring that about after I’d prayed the first time, I would have saved myself all that stress I didn’t actually have to go through while waiting.
In Isaiah 46:11, God assures us that he really will do what he says he’ll do in our lives.
If God has spoken a truth over your life – such as that he loves you, that he’ll never leave you, or that he’ll meet all of your needs – you can really count on God doing that. It’s something you can be sure God will do! If God planned it, he is currently doing the work behind the scenes to make it happen. Just because you can’t see the result yet, because it’s not yet God’s timing for it to happen, doesn’t mean God has abandoned his work on it for you.
This verse has real authority behind it. God tells us clearly that he will bring about what he says and that he will do what he has planned. The focus is entirely on God’s power, and God has unlimited power to do whatever he chooses to do. We never have to worry that God won’t be able to keep his promises to us. No matter what, God always keeps his promises.
We can also be sure that none of our mistakes will ruin God’s work in our lives. God tells us in Romans 8:28 that all things will work together for our good. God can take all of our broken pieces and incorporate them into the plans he established for us before we were even born. No matter what, God will continue to work to accomplish good purposes for our lives.
Jesus is the ultimate proof that what God says in Isaiah 46:11 is true. Thousands of years before Jesus was born, God said he would send a Savior. But as people waited for that to happen, generation after generation passed. People started to doubt that God would really do what he said he would do.
At just the right time, though, God brought about just what he had planned and said he would do. Jesus came to Earth at exactly the best time in history to save our world from sin. Since God was faithful to fulfill the massive promise of sending us a Savior, you can trust God to fulfill the promises he has made to you personally. You can stop exhausting yourself trying to force doors open or worrying that you’ve been forgotten. You can breathe.
God always tells the truth. If God said it, it’s coming. If he planned it, it’s happening. Your job isn’t to make it happen; your job is to trust the One who is already doing it.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how you can trust God to do what he says he will do, reflect on these questions:
- What’s one promise you’re currently waiting for God to fulfill?
- In what ways are you currently tempted to doubt God’s promises while you wait, and how can you remind yourself of God’s faithfulness regularly?
- Looking back, when has God brought about a plan in your life that you once thought was impossible?
- Are you exhausted from trying to force a result in your own strength rather than trusting God’s timing?
- When you think about how God always tells the truth and how he never fails, how does that change your level of peace?
Further Reading:
Numbers 23:19
Joshua 21:45
Philippians 1:6
Psalm 33:11
Hebrews 10:23
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Isaiah 55:8-12 offers powerful encouragement for Christians struggling with disappointment, uncertainty, or unanswered prayers. In this devotional, Cindi McMenamin reminds believers that true joy is found not in perfect circumstances, but in trusting God’s higher wisdom, faithful timing, and unchanging character. Even when life feels confusing or painful, Scripture assures us that God is always working with purpose, and His promises never return empty. Learning to trust God’s plan instead of relying on our own understanding leads to lasting peace, spiritual strength, and deeper faith.
Highlights
- Isaiah 55 teaches that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours.
- True joy is not dependent on circumstances, but on trusting God.
- God’s promises and plans never fail or return empty.
- Believers can experience peace even when they do not understand God’s timing.
- Joy grows when we surrender control and place our trust in the Lord.
- God remains loving, faithful, and sovereign through every season.
Join the Conversation
What situation in your life feels difficult to trust God with right now? How can surrendering control help you experience greater joy and peace in this season?
Continue the conversation and share your thoughts with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Our Promise of Joy
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“For you will go out with joy
And be led in peace;
The mountains and the hills will break into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12 NASB)
Could you use some joy in your life right now? Have circumstances discouraged you, causing you to wonder where God is or why He allows what He does?
It’s difficult, at times, to understand God, but according to Scripture, His thoughts are not like ours, and His ways are not like ours either. The Bible says we’re foolish to think we can ever fully understand the mind and ways of God.
We can tend to think we have Him figured out, and then He seems to act out of character by allowing something that we don’t understand.
But, my friend, God is always consistent with Who He is – loving, all-knowing, all-powerful, and faithful to the ends of the earth. So, if it seems like God is disappointing you, failing you, or abandoning you, you must not have the whole picture yet. And spoiler alert: you might not see the whole picture this side of heaven.
It occurred to me as I was reading through Isaiah 55:8-12 that God was not only telling His people, through the prophet Isaiah, to trust His ways and His timing, but He was giving them the formula for joy.
He wasn’t just saying, “Joy will someday be yours as you trust Me.” He was saying joy was a result of understanding Who He is and that His ways are sometimes unexplainable.
In Isaiah 55:8-11, God offers these encouraging, comforting, and (for me, they were life-changing) words:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” NASB).
Those four verses of Scripture assure us thateven though we don’t always understand God’s thoughts and His ways, He is still God and He can still bring something good out of what He is allowing. And therefore, as we trust His ways and His timing, we can “go out with joy.”
Even when we can’t see it all yet.
Joy isn’t automatic. And joy certainly isn’t connected to our circumstances. Rather, joy is the result of understanding that God’s ways are so far above our own. God was telling His people, in verses 8-11, that His thoughts were not just different than theirs, but higher than theirs, and His ways were better than theirs, fuller than theirs, accomplishing so much more than theirs. And therefore, joy was theirs as they accepted that God’s ways and timing are different, but so much better. And He can be trusted.
The wonderful thing about this promise of joy in Isaiah 55:12 is that it follows that comforting passage, assuring us that God’s ways are not like our own. He doesn’t mess up. He doesn’t miss a thing. And He is always working on our behalf, as we trust and honor Him.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Can you trust His ways, my friend, regardless of your circumstances? In addition to this comfort in Isaiah 55:8-12, we are assured in Psalm 18:30 that all God’s ways are perfect. And in addition to His perfect methods and timing, “He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”
Trust this God whose ways are higher, better, and more eternal than yours. And experience the joy that comes from being able to say, “I don’t understand. But my trust is in Him.”
Further Reading:Psalm 121
For more on trusting God with your whole heart, see my newest book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Jesus consistently modeled dependence on the Father through prayer, obedience, and service. He came not to be served, but to serve others, ultimately giving His life for humanity. In the same way, believers are called to deny themselves daily, not through their own strength, but through the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. Through trials, hardships, and acts of service, God uses surrender to refine faith and produce spiritual maturity.
This devotional reminds readers that sanctification is a lifelong process. Though dying to self is difficult, it leads to deeper fellowship with Christ, greater spiritual growth, and the abundant life Jesus promises to those who follow Him faithfully.
Highlights
- Philippians 3:10 reveals Paul’s desire to become more like Christ through surrender.
- Following Jesus requires daily humility, sacrifice, and obedience.
- Selflessness in everyday life reflects Christ’s servant-hearted example.
- Jesus modeled dependence on the Father through prayer and submission.
- The Holy Spirit empowers believers to deny the flesh and choose God’s way.
- Trials and hardships can become opportunities for spiritual growth and sanctification.
- True life is found when believers surrender their lives fully to Christ.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
We Must Die Daily
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10, ESV).
As a mom and wife, I am given countless opportunities to set aside my own wants and to sacrifice my love, time, and attention to my husband and children's needs. Pouring yourself out like that on a daily basis can sometimes be physically exhausting; I find myself praying for supernatural strength often! Yet, at the end of the day, even though I am tempted to wonder where my “me time” is, my heart is always full.
This is when I begin to see more clearly what the Apostle Paul meant when he said: “I die daily.”
The Biblical principle of dying to yourself has always been true, but I didn’t always live it or even understand it. Becoming a stay-at-home mom has challenged me in more ways than I can count in the area of putting others before myself, and I am always learning and finding that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive.
As Jesus’ disciples, we are called to follow Him. That was Paul’s mission in life – to imitate Christ. And it is what he and the rest of the apostles literally gave their lives to preach to the world through their words and actions. We may not ever get the honor to literally die for Jesus Christ because of our faith in Him, but by God’s grace, we can imitate His selflessness every day.
The apostle Paul emphasizes his great desire to join Christ in His suffering and become like Christ in his daily dying of self:
“…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10, ESV).
Intersecting Faith and Life:
To be able to imitate Christ and enjoy this kind of fellowship with Him, we must look to Jesus as our example. Even though Jesus was God in the flesh, He still leaned upon God the Father for everything He said and did while He walked this earth. Jesus would rise early to pray and seek God for His will for the day.
In addition to seeking God in prayer, Jesus obediently submitted Himself to the will of the Father, even unto death. Each day, we are faced with the temptation to satisfy our flesh and go outside the boundaries of God’s perfect will. We discover what that will is when we read the Bible and study it for ourselves to learn God’s ways. We are not perfect, but thankfully, Jesus was, and because of His sacrifice on the cross, we have been given the precious gift of the Holy Spirit as born-again believers.
The characteristics of Jesus’ death should be the characteristics of our lives: humility, sacrifice, and glory to God through disciple-making. Ultimately, Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve others (Mark 10:45). Jesus ministered to thousands upon thousands of people during His time here on earth. John 22 tells us that if all the things Jesus did were written down, the entire world could not contain the books that would be written! Dying daily definitely isn’t easy, but it is worth it because Jesus promises us that whoever loses his life will find it and find it abundantly (Matthew 10:39, John 10:10)!
But remember, we cannot die daily in our own strength, friends. The Holy Spirit is who empowers us to choose God’s way through the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). With each passing day, by God’s grace, we mature and cultivate a life worth dying for, a life found in Christ alone! Living like Christ’s dying is a continual process of humility and sacrifice. May God empower us to die daily and choose others above ourselves.
Our flesh wants nothing to do with denying it of anything. We don’t want to experience suffering. But it is in those moments of dying to self that you become more like Christ. What are the difficulties and trials you are currently facing? Ask the Lord to help you embrace those trials and sufferings so that you may grow closer to Him. Let us seek to look like Christ’s dying by learning how to be humble and sacrificial. Instead of resisting those difficult times, ask the Lord to help you to find great opportunities for sanctification to be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus and lean into His grace through the trial.
Further Reading:
2 Corinthians 4:10-11
Luke 9:23-27
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Drawing from Asaph’s transparent confession in Psalm 73:2-3, this reflection explores how unresolved hurt and constant focus on injustice can slowly lead us toward disillusionment. Like Asaph, many believers struggle when they see harmful people thriving while their own wounds deepen. Yet the turning point in the psalm comes when Asaph intentionally enters God’s sanctuary and regains an eternal perspective. In God’s presence, he remembers that earthly success is temporary, but God’s love, justice, and guidance are eternal.
This devotional encourages Christians to stop carrying pain alone and instead seek refuge in the Lord. God does not dismiss our hurt or ignore injustice. He sees every wound, strengthens weary hearts, and offers healing to those who draw near to Him. Even when circumstances remain difficult, His presence steadies us and renews our faith.
Highlights
- Psalm 73 honestly addresses discouragement over injustice and evil.
- Comparing our suffering to others’ success can lead to bitterness and despair.
- Rumination and isolation often pull us further away from God’s peace.
- Asaph found clarity only after intentionally entering God’s presence.
- God offers refuge, healing, and perspective in seasons of pain.
- Justice may seem delayed, but God remains faithful and sovereign.
- Drawing near to God strengthens faith and quiets fear.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
When We Feel Discouraged by the Evil in Our World
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. - Psalm 73:2-3 (NIV)
Some time ago, I met with a sweet woman trying to heal from some deep emotional wounds. Because of past harm, she struggled to trust others and feel safe in relationships. Relatively new in her faith and transformation journey, she was just beginning to make sense of her emotions and inner world. As her understanding grew, so did her anger. This multiplied when she learned the person who’d most harmed her had slandered her to others, causing some to misjudge her and others to withdraw completely. She felt like she would never break free from her pain and bitterness. Worse, her offender didn’t seem to suffer any consequences for her actions. The person actually seemed to be thriving.
Have you been there? Watching someone else treat others with ruthless cruelty, and not only get away with it, but benefit from your pain and the wreckage they caused?
We can all probably think of situations in which injustice left us deeply wounded, wondering why God allowed us to experience such pain. We’ve also probably watched others seem to get away with horrendous behavior, while our suffering only increases.
This was precisely how Asaph, the royal musician who penned Psalm 73, felt. We don’t know when he wrote this passage. But if this is the same Asaph who served during the time of King David, he may have been watching the betrayal David experienced at the hands of his son. Or perhaps the wickedness he refers to hits closer to home. His words might also stem from a more existential reflection on considering the world at large.
At times, it does seem like the wealthy, powerful, and unscrupulous thrive, with little worries or pain, while we fall into one crisis after another. And in those seasons when someone else’s success seems to mock our pain, it’s easy to question the heart, promises, and plans of God. Unfortunately, if we cease tending to our souls, our sorrow can turn to disillusionment and eventually bitterness.
Our inner angst can turn us from, rather than to, the One who knows us fully, loves us deeply, and is always working on our behalf.
When we sense ourselves tiptoeing toward disillusionment and despair, we can follow Asaph’s example, as revealed in verses 16-17. Initially, he attempted to make sense of his circumstances on his own (v. 16). This only increased his inner angst. But then, in the next verse, we read:
“… till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny” (NIV).
He intentionally turned to God. I don’t know how far he needed to travel to reach the Temple. But this required effort and determination. It also meant setting aside whatever other tasks he wanted to complete that day.
When we’re hurting, frightened, or struggling with doubt, it’s easy to get stuck in our heads as we rehearse all the evils we’ve experienced or seen. The more we ruminate on what feels hard and uncertain, the more powerless and discouraged, and potentially, even abandoned, we feel. And our mind rarely remains focused on the inciting incident. Often, one negative thought leads to another, then another, until we’re overwhelmed.
And like I said earlier, unmitigated introspection can pull us further from God, which only increases our fear or despair.
But the converse occurs, as well. When we turn to God, seek His presence, and authentically engage with Him, He meets us in the intensity of our emotions and speaks clarity to our confusion, truth to our doubts, and surrounds us with His love.
Did you catch how the Lord did this for Asaph? In God’s sanctuary, the place in which His presence dwelt, He gained faith-building understanding. Yes, the wicked seemed to thrive without any concerns or consequences. But justice would come, and Asaph would experience God’s goodness.
Notice how he ended his poetic prayer. In verses 23-26, we read:
Yet I am always with you;you hold me by my right hand.You guide me with your counsel,and afterward you will take me into glory.Whom have I in heaven but you?And earth has nothing I desire besides you.My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heartand my portion forever.
And then, in verse 28:
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
Intersecting Life & Faith:
I don’t know what you’re going through currently, what feels heavy and unfair and unjust. But I do know God sees you, loves you, and is for you. He won’t abandon you in your pain, nor will He allow the wicked to thrive forever. He brings justice, healing, hope, and refuge.
If you’re feeling disillusioned by someone else’s sinful behavior, bring your emotions, unfiltered, to God and trust Him to meet and to heal you there. To shield and uphold you in His love.
Before you sign off, if this episode hit a tender place in your soul and you’re struggling to make sense of some relational patterns that are leading to more anxiety than joy, visit the Faith Over Fear podcast to listen to my conversation with Jennifer Renee Watson on the threads of people pleasing and how to gain the confidence to tend to your soul—when others try to beat you down. That episode is titled "When People Take Advantage of Your Kindness: Biblical Help for People Pleasing."
Further Reading:
Psalm 37:1-7
Romans 12:19
Psalm 94:1-3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Your personal testimony is powerful evidence that Jesus is alive and still transforming lives today. In this encouraging devotional, Whitney Hopler reflects on 1 Corinthians 15:6 and the 500 witnesses who saw the resurrected Jesus—reminding believers that authentic faith stories still matter. Christians don’t need to be theologians or pastors to share the Gospel; they simply need to honestly share how Jesus has worked in their lives.
Through relatable storytelling and biblical encouragement, this devotional challenges believers to overcome fear, embrace authenticity, and confidently witness to others about God’s faithfulness. Whether through answered prayer, peace during hardship, or everyday moments of hope, your story can help others discover the living presence of Jesus Christ.
Highlights
- Why your personal testimony carries spiritual impact
- The significance of the 500 witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection
- How authenticity builds credibility when sharing faith
- Why Christians don’t need all the answers to witness effectively
- Overcoming fear and hesitation when talking about Jesus
- Simple ways to share the hope of Christ in everyday conversations
- How your story can encourage others to seek God personally
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Your Witness MattersBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.” – 1 Corinthians 15:6, NIV
When I was first learning about journalism – as an editor for my high school’s newspaper – I read a story that my fellow student Scott submitted and marveled at all the great quotes he had included. But none of those quotes featured names. They were all followed by the phrase “one student said.” So, I asked Scott to attribute the quotes. It was then that he revealed the “one student” was himself! I had to explain to him that he couldn’t just make up the quotes he wanted to feature in the story. Scott learned about the importance of authenticity and credibility that day, and I had to laugh that he had even considered we might run his story without proper attribution.
I love reading the Bible’s stories of Jesus’ appearances to many different people after his resurrection. One of my favorite reports is in 1 Corinthians 15:6, which mentions that the resurrected Jesus appeared to more than 500 people at once – and that many of those people were still living at the time this verse was written, so those who read it could seek them out and hear their own stories of witnessing Jesus personally. All of those witnesses together offer credible evidence that Jesus really was resurrected from the dead and visited many people afterward.
You are also a witness to the fact that Jesus is alive. While you didn’t see him appear physically during biblical times, you’ve seen Jesus at work in your life. You’ve experienced how Jesus answered your prayers in all sorts of ways, such as by sending you guidance, giving you peace, or encouraging you. By sharing your stories of witnessing Jesus’ work in your life, you can help other people discover that Jesus is still living and active.
Sometimes you may hesitate to share your stories because you’re afraid someone will ask a hard theological question you can‘t answer. But look back at that group of 500 people. They weren’t experts; they were witnesses. A witness’s job isn’t to be the judge, the jury, or the lawyer. A witness’s only job is to say: “This is what I saw, and this is what happened to me.”
When you dare to share honest stories about how Jesus meets you in your struggles, you give others permission to be honest, too. Your authenticity can inspire others to walk closer to Jesus themselves.
This verse mentions that most of those 500 witnesses were “still living.” This was an open invitation for skeptics to go and investigate by talking to them directly about their experiences with the resurrected Jesus. Today, you are the “still living” proof for the people in your own life. You’re the witness in your office, in your gym, in your family group chat, and wherever else you can share your stories of Jesus at work in your life.
Jesus wants you to share his Gospel message in fresh ways whenever you have opportunities to do so. Just sharing simple ways that Jesus has given you hope lately or answered a specific prayer to help you can make a significant positive difference in other people’s lives. You don’t have to give people a sermon. Just witness authentically how Jesus is working in your life.
No one else can tell your stories of what Jesus is doing in your life. If you stay silent, some credible reports of God’s goodness stay hidden. But if you witness to others about how you’ve seen Jesus, you can point many people toward hope.
So, go ahead and share what you’ve seen. You never know whose life might be changed by your witness!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how important it is for you to share your authentic stories of faith in God, reflect on these questions:
- When was a time you saw Jesus at work in your life that you haven’t yet shared with anyone?
- What’s the biggest fear that holds you back from talking about your faith with others? How can you overcome that fear, with God’s help?
- Who in your life right now needs to hear you witness about the hope that Jesus offers? How can you share a story with that person about how Jesus has given you hope?
- How does the idea of being a witness – who just says what you’ve seen – put less pressure on you than being a teacher or preacher?
- What credible evidence can people see that shows them Jesus is alive and active in your life right now?
Further Reading:
Acts 1:8
1 Peter 3:15
Psalm 107:2
Revelation 12:11
Mark 5:19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s timing is always better than our own, even when delays feel frustrating or confusing. In this devotional, Cindi McMenamin shares a powerful real-life story about wanting new flooring and home upgrades, only to discover later that God’s “wait” protected her family from unnecessary expense and prepared the way for something far better. Rooted in Bible teaching from Gospel of Matthew 7:11, this message reminds believers that God lovingly gives good gifts to His children—often in ways we never expect.
Through water damage, construction messes, and an unexpected remodel, God revealed His wisdom, provision, and perfect timing. This devotional encourages Christians to surrender their own timelines, trust God in the waiting, and believe He can bring beauty out of chaos when we choose obedience over impatience.
Highlights
- Why waiting on God can protect us from unnecessary hardship
- The importance of listening to godly counsel and spiritual leadership
- How delays can become unexpected blessings
- God’s ability to restore beauty from life’s messes and disruptions
- Trusting God’s timing instead of forcing our own plans
- A reminder that God’s “no” or “wait” often leads to something better
- Finding peace through obedience, patience, and prayer
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
God Always Knows BestBy Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)
How many times do you and I have something on our minds, or on our wish lists, that we fail to ask God for, and we just rush ahead and try to get it for ourselves?
I remember when my daughter and I got in our heads that we wanted to replace our carpet downstairs with wood laminate flooring. We believed it would be better for my husband, who suffered allergies now and then from our beloved cat, Mowgli. And we so wanted the upgrade to get rid of our old, smelly carpet.
We also wanted to update the overall look of our condo, so we went to a home improvement store and admired granite and marble countertops that could replace the old tile and grungy grout in our kitchen. The cost of the countertops was so high, though, that we figured we didn’t truly need them. So, my daughter and I decided to just push hard for the new flooring.
Yet, my husband insisted that we wait. “We don’t know if we might end up paying taxes this year,” he said, “so let’s wait until after April.”
“But we have the money in savings,” I countered. “And you’d love it, Dad,” my daughter chimed in.
Yet my husband was insistent. "I'm just not feeling at peace about it,” he said. “Please wait and trust me on this.”
I was so convinced we should have that flooring, I whined about it to God in prayer the next morning. It was very clear what God was saying to my heart during my prayer time: Listen to your husband. Follow his lead.
I didn’t bother arguing with God. He usually won’t budge on things. So, I waited it out and forgot about the flooring. Until a few months later, when we discovered wet carpet from a slab leak underneath our kitchen floor and entryway! The insurance company was called. Dryers were put in our living room to dry out the floors and help mitigate what they hoped wouldn’t turn into mold. Then, contractors came and rerouted our water lines from the ground into the walls of our condo. The place was an absolute mess. But part of the remodel included not only replacing the carpet in the living room and entry way and up the stairs, but the option to include flooring instead at less of a cost than the carpet, leaving excess funds to replace our countertops, which had to be redone after a tile broke when the contractors were repairing the lower cupboards underneath the countertops.
Over the next few months, we ended up with all-new wood flooring downstairs, beautiful new granite countertops, and a kitchen repaint at practically no expense to us.
Had I rushed ahead and not waited on my husband and God for that wood flooring, we would’ve paid a few thousand dollars for it, only to have it all ripped up a month later and reinstalled again after the leak. By waiting when my husband said, “Let’s wait,” and by listening to God when He said, “Listen to your husband,” we didn’t pay anything except a small deductible for what turned out to be a $15,000 remodel of the downstairs in our home.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How many times might God have something far better for us than what was on our own wish list and timeline? Trust Him for what He wants to do in your life in His way and in His time. Trust Him in the messes, like slab leaks, reconstruction, and water damage repair. He has a way of restoring and bringing beauty out of the chaos. And as Matthew 7:11 says, He loves to give gifts to His children who not only ask Him, but wait upon Him.
Thank You, Lord, that You can accomplish far more when I pray about a situation and wait upon You than I can when I argue or try to work things out for myself. Lord, You always know best, and I truly want Your best, not my idea of what’s best. Teach me to wait upon Your plan and Your timing. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Further Reading:
Psalm 84:11
For daily help and inspiration to wait upon God, see Cindi McMenamin’s book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Holy Spirit still speaks, guides, comforts, and anchors believers in truth today. In this devotional on listening to the Holy Spirit, Michelle Lazurek reflects on a frightening health scare that led her into fear, anxiety, and catastrophic thinking—until God’s gentle voice broke through the lies. Rooted in Psalms 37:23, this message reminds us that God establishes the steps of those who delight in Him and that the Holy Spirit helps believers discern truth in difficult seasons.
Through personal testimony and biblical encouragement, this devotional explores spiritual discernment, obedience, and learning to recognize God’s voice amid fear and uncertainty. It highlights how Scripture, prayer, and Christian community help believers test what they hear and grow more sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. As we mature spiritually, the Holy Spirit becomes not only our Comforter but also the One who silences lies and strengthens our identity in Christ.
Highlights
- The Holy Spirit often speaks peace into moments filled with fear and confusion.
- God’s voice will always align with Scripture and His character.
- Spiritual maturity grows through consistent prayer, obedience, and time in God’s Word.
- Fear and negative thinking lose power when replaced with biblical truth.
- Christian community helps believers discern and confirm God’s leading.
- God—not circumstances or diagnoses—holds authority over our lives and future.
- Listening to the Holy Spirit requires intentional stillness and spiritual attentiveness.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Listen to the Holy SpiritBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.” - Psalm 37:23
A couple of years ago, I started a new medication. This medication had side effects, one of which was nausea, and I had a lot of it. In addition, I felt it was affecting my throat, as I kept feeling a lump there. Because I have had hypothyroidism for many years, my doctor wanted to check to see if it was causing harm to my thyroid, and she wanted to see if it was cancer. She ordered an ultrasound to check it.
No cancer! But the test results revealed I probably had an autoimmune disease that had gone undiagnosed for some time. This was difficult news to hear, to say the least. After I visited with the doctor, I got into my car and drove to the grocery store. Just as I was getting into the car after getting some groceries, I hit my head on the rearview mirror. I bawled my eyes out for the next half hour in my car. A myriad of thoughts ran through my head:
I won’t live long enough to see my kids grow up or their grandkids.
God didn’t care about my health.
God didn’t care about me.
All I had done was for nothing.
After I had my emotional meltdown, I went back into the store. Walking down the aisle, I sensed the Holy Spirit speak to my heart: “I tell you when you’re done. Doctors don’t tell you when you are done, I tell you when you are done.” Immediately, all those lies that filled my head were gone.
Because I regularly practice listening for the Holy Spirit, I was in tune and aware enough of how God speaks to me that when He spoke, I knew it was Him. I not only knew from my previous encounters with the Spirit, but also being anchored in God’s word, that when I tested the words I heard, they aligned with Scripture.
Those words inspired me not to give up. I changed my diet and tweaked my exercise routine. I started taking supplements, upped my water intake—anything I could do to live as healthily as possible.
If you are unsure whether you are hearing from the Holy Spirit, ask yourself these questions: As you read Scripture, does a verse speak to your soul in a way it hasn’t before (especially if you’ve read the scripture before)? Do you sense the Holy Spirit speaking to you during your prayer time? If he does, write down what you believe he is saying.
If you have experienced either of these things, test what you are hearing with others you trust (they can be in your church or not). Community is key to sharpening your ability to hear from the Holy Spirit.
When we mature in our spiritual walks, we rely more on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's voice becomes clearer to us the more we listen to it and obey what it says. Not only is it important to listen to the Holy Spirit, but it also helps to dispel the lies that Satan plants in our minds. Just as I believed the lie that my life was over simply because of a doctor's diagnosis, the Holy Spirit had more to say to me on that subject. The minute I heard those words in the spirit, all those lies disappeared. I was able to replace the truth of the above verse with the lies that my life would be cut short.
Are you someone who hears from the Holy Spirit? Have you had encounters like this where the words you hear from him align with Scripture, changing not only your life but the lives of those who hear them? Vow to be more attuned to the spirit. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you in ways that only you will understand.
When you hear those words, be obedient to do as they say. When we align our minds and hearts with the Holy Spirit, we solidify our identity in Christ and can respond to the still, small voice in our lives.
Father, let us listen to you. Make your voice unmistakable in our lives. Let us be people who are known to obey you rather than the lies in our minds. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you heard from the Holy Spirit? What did he say? Were you obedient to what you heard?
Further Reading:
John 14:26
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Psalm 78:2 reminds believers of the importance of remembering and recounting God’s faithfulness through every generation. In this devotional, Jennifer Slattery explores how seasons of chaos, uncertainty, fear, and hardship can tempt Christians to lose sight of God’s power, provision, and promises. When life feels overwhelming, believers often try to regain control on their own, yet Scripture continually points back to the faithfulness of God as the true foundation for peace and stability.
This devotional highlights how the Israelites repeatedly witnessed God’s miraculous provision and deliverance, yet often forgot His faithfulness when new challenges arose. Through intentional reflection and remembrance, Christians can strengthen their faith, overcome fear, and build deeper trust in God’s character. Remembering God’s past faithfulness becomes a powerful way to steady the heart, encourage future generations, and remain anchored in hope during uncertain times.
Highlights
- Remembering God’s faithfulness strengthens faith during difficult seasons.
- Fear and anxiety often grow when believers forget God’s past provision.
- Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to reflect on His works and promises.
- The Israelites struggled because they continually forgot God’s deliverance.
- God remains faithful even when His people are fearful or weak in faith.
- Reflecting on God’s past provision helps believers trust Him in present trials.
- Intentional remembrance builds peace, hope, and spiritual endurance.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
How Remembering God’s Faithfulness Rebuilds Your Faith
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old. —Psalm 78:2
Lately, life has felt heavy and chaotic, hasn’t it? Sometimes it feels like everything is spinning backward, upside down, and inside out, and frankly, there’s not much I can do about it. I can’t fix our economy or prevent the next recession. I can’t undo the division and polarization plaguing our nation. I can’t solve my loved one’s problems or prevent their pain. And when everything hits simultaneously, or my hardship continues for any length of time, I temporarily lose sight of the power, promises, and love of Christ.
Such forgetfulness is dangerous in times of crisis, because it tempts me to rely on myself and seek control. But I’ve created enough messes to know the foolishness of any so-called solutions not provided by Christ.
Thankfully, He never leaves me to navigate life’s challenges alone. I watched Him resurrect my marriage when it seemed dead. He’s provided for us in miraculous ways and guided us through confusion and uncertainty. My life has become a living testimony of His grace. A grace that, when remembered and reflected upon, deepens my faith, strengthens my obedience, and purifies my love for the One who never leaves my side.
I see this strategic interaction all throughout Scripture. We humans excel at falling into messes; the Lord excels at pulling us out and setting us on a new, brighter, freer path. This is the message Asaph, the prophet and royal musician who penned Psalm 78, conveyed. He wanted the Israelites to consider God’s faithfulness to His often faithless and rebellious people. He asked them to listen, and then to repeat the lessons he taught, as a way to encourage their souls, yes. But also to build faith into the next generation. To help insulate them from falling into the same self-defeating traps as the older generation (vs 6-8).
Scripture records some of the most shocking examples in Exodus, a historical narrative recounting the people’s liberation from slavery and oppression and journey to the Promised Land. They should’ve completed this 200 to 400-mile trek within ten days, a few weeks max. But when it came time to enter their new, God-given land, they refused, out of fear.
This, after having witnessed the Lord’s miraculous intervention numerous times. Consider how their story began—an entire population, held captive, powerless, for centuries. They had no recourse, no voice, and likely assumed things would never get better. How could they, a weak and beaten-down people group, possibly break free from the most powerful ruler in the ancient world at that time?
That’s also why God’s rescue would’ve made such an impact. He infused hope into a seemingly hopeless situation, proving His power over the most oppressive and established systems and history’s most vicious tyrants. But then, soon after their liberation, they found themselves trapped again, this time with a large body of water on one side and a skilled, armed, and trained military advancing on the other.
Understandably, the people panicked. They deemed their circumstances hopeless. But again, God came through, parted the water so they could pass across on dry ground, then swept their cruel abusers into the sea.
Again and again, God’s people found themselves in dire situations. And again and again, God came through, proving His love. Demonstrating His attentive care.
In each instance, He presented them with an opportunity to deepen their faith, build greater trust in their Maker, and establish a more secure connection with Him.
Sadly, they never seemed to accept His beautiful invitation—because they refused to learn from their past. Instead, they remained reactive, fearful, anxious, and in repeated chaos with themselves, one another, and their Lord.
Asaph challenged the later generations to consider their ancestors’ self-defeating patterns so that they could learn to live differently, with more faith and less fear. And he did so by highlighting God’s faithfulness, often displayed when His people behaved most faithlessly.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Each day, God offers us the same lesson. He invites us to engage in intentional reflection, where we periodically pause to recall evidence of His love and examples of His care. This remembering strengthens our faith and our attachment to our Savior. As we consistently draw closer to Him, listen for His life parables, and fortify our souls with truth, He steadies us. He enables us to stand firm, immovable, regardless of how shaky the ground beneath us feels.
How might intentionally remembering God’s power, promises, presence, and provision increase your faith and peace and decrease your anxiety for whatever difficulties you might face? Perhaps journal on one instance each day. In a year’s time, you’ll have 365 accounts of His faithful care for you and those you love.
Further Reading:Joshua 4:6-7
Psalm 105:1-5
Psalm 145:4-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 reminds believers that true fulfillment is not found in possessions, status, or comparison, but in godliness with contentment. In this devotional, Emily Rose Massey explores how social media comparison can quietly stir envy, dissatisfaction, and restlessness in the heart. Constant exposure to curated lifestyles and picture-perfect moments can tempt Christians to believe they are lacking something God has withheld from them.
This devotional encourages believers to guard their hearts against comparison and refocus their attention on Christ rather than worldly standards. Scripture reminds Christians that God faithfully provides what they truly need, and lasting peace comes from trusting His provision and sovereignty. Through gratitude, repentance, and renewing the mind with God’s Word, believers can experience the joy and freedom of godly contentment instead of chasing temporary fulfillment through comparison and materialism.
Highlights
- Godliness with contentment brings lasting spiritual gain.
- Social media comparison can fuel envy, jealousy, and dissatisfaction.
- Comparison often reveals deeper struggles with trust and gratitude.
- True fulfillment is found in Christ, not worldly success or appearances.
- God faithfully provides what His children truly need.
- Renewing the mind with Scripture helps guard the heart from discontentment.
- Gratitude and faith lead to greater peace, joy, and contentment.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
The Great Gain of Godly Contentment
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8, ESV).
Has interaction on social media ever created a heaviness in your heart, perhaps leading you to compare yourself to others? In my life, I seem to get this cloud that forms over me when I scroll certain social media influencers' profiles. You know, the ones from somewhere in the Midwest with a thriving business, beautiful children, Magnolia-inspired farmhouse decor covering the pristine photos of their adorable home...and the lighting! Perfect lighting in these pictures… every single one of them! Absolutely stunning natural light in these posts! And I want to imitate it, but not because I am inspired, but because, quite frankly, I am jealous of these strangers on the internet! The cloud that looms over my head is this heaviness that I need to make my life look like this. I start to think I need what they have, and a feeling of "not enough" starts to creep up in my heart.
Recently, the Lord has been showing me through this restlessness how discontented I have become through social media, and that is something I am working through with the Holy Spirit on how I can guard my heart from these types of entanglements that bring distraction and discontentment. My eyes have drifted upon lesser things, and it has affected my heart in a great way. Comparison that leads to envy and jealousy has been a trap of the enemy since creation. The motive behind Adam and Eve’s disobedience was comparison, which led to covetousness, which led to pride, which led to selfishness, which led to ungratefulness for what God had already provided (all rooted in fear).
Are you in fear? Then you are not in faith, believing God at His Word and fully trusting Him that He has given you exactly what you need. Anything that is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). When we compare ourselves with another, we are saying we would do a better job planning out our lives than our Creator, the sovereign Most High, acting like Satan who fell and caused Adam and Eve to fall. Whoa, that is a dangerous place to be!
When we are wrestling with these heart issues and sin, we often need a perspective shift, and this won’t come from social media, but the Word of God is what will bring clarity when our minds and hearts become clouded with worldliness that causes us to become jealous of others.
The Apostle Paul reminds his spiritual son Timothy in his first letter to him to keep his mind on eternal and spiritual matters:
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8, ESV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Our Heavenly Father ensures that birds are fed, surely, He will take care of us! If we have food and clothing, we truly don’t need anything else; All else is comfort and gifts from our Father. Any material blessing beyond food and clothing that the Lord graces us with should cause us to worship and rejoice in thankfulness for His rich mercy and love towards us as His children.
We are all guilty of comparing our lives to someone else’s at some point and allowing it to spark jealousy. Where have your eyes wandered that may be creating jealousy? The only way out is to repent and renew your mind with the Word of God. Instead of fixating on others’ lives, we must keep our eyes on Jesus and His Word. If you cling to Him and abide in Him, you will remain full of His love, joy, and peace- the only things that will bring true fulfillment and contentment. You won’t want anything other than what He has given you; His perfect, eternal promises and tender, Fatherly care for you will be more than enough. Let’s lift our gaze and thank Him for what He has already so richly provided for us in Christ Jesus.
Further Reading:
Philippians 4:11-13
Matthew 6:25-34
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Romans 7:18-19 highlights the inner struggle every believer faces between sinful desires and the desire to honor God. In this devotional, Aaron D’Anthony Brown challenges Christians to honestly evaluate whether they may be sabotaging their own spiritual growth, relationships, or progress in life. Rather than always blaming circumstances or other people, believers are encouraged to practice self-awareness, humility, and accountability as they confront patterns of unhealthy thinking and behavior.
This devotional reminds readers that spiritual maturity begins with honest reflection and repentance. The Apostle Paul openly acknowledged his battle with sin, showing believers the importance of recognizing personal weaknesses instead of excusing them. Through humility, accountability, and dependence on God, Christians can stop getting in their own way and begin pursuing the righteous life God calls them to live.
Highlights
- Romans 7 reveals the ongoing battle between flesh and spirit.
- Self-awareness is the first step toward personal and spiritual growth.
- Pride can prevent believers from recognizing harmful behaviors.
- Accountability helps sharpen and strengthen Christian character.
- Excusing sinful habits leads to self-sabotage and spiritual stagnation.
- Humility allows believers to receive correction and grow in wisdom.
- God calls Christians to actively confront and reject sinful patterns.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Are You Getting in Your Own Way?
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading:
“For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.” (Romans 7:18-19, CSB)
There’s a certain question we should ask ourselves every now and again: Am I getting in my own way?
When we don’t get the outcomes we want in life, blaming our circumstances and other people comes naturally enough. What doesn’t happen as frequently as it should is looking at the man in the mirror.
Recently, I remember talking to a fellow young man about our desire for marriage. Well, we went out to lunch with women from our church. Something we both wanted. For one reason or another, this getting-to-know-you experience led him to talk about an extremely embarrassing incident. Now, who in their right mind would share that on a first date?
Or take, for instance, a buddy of mine who is encountering deep financial strain. The more anyone tries to encourage him, the more he pushes back with a 'woe-is-me' attitude. He seems to want more negativity to fuel what he already exhibits.
These guys are not alone. I’ve battled with my own negative thinking and dwelling. Perhaps you, too, are sabotaging your own success. So, ask yourself, “Am I getting in my own way?”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
After you ask yourself this important question, the answer should be yes. If not, the following steps are especially for you.
Build self-awareness.
The reason Paul was able to write those particular verses in Romans is that he developed some measure of self-awareness. He may not have completely understood why he behaved the way he did, aside from citing his sinful nature, but he understood something was wrong and wrote about it. He acknowledged the problem, and acknowledgment is the first step to finding a solution.
If you want to build self-awareness in your own life, spend some time pausing and reflecting. Yes, this does mean sitting with your thoughts and not your phone. Question yourself about why you do certain things and not others. The better you know yourself, the more you’ll be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Develop humility.
Humility is underrated and uncommon. So many of us think we have it, yet fail to recognize just how prideful we are. A good way to measure this virtue is to observe how you handle people who disagree with you. Not just the non-believers, but those people you perceive as less (or more) Christian than you. Have they ever proven you wrong about something? When did that last happen? Is it good that you haven’t been wrong since?
Have people around you to call you out.
Having agreement is nice, but if iron is to sharpen iron, then disagreement is essential. Encouraging one another is nice, but we can do so at the expense of others. Instead of seeking to appease those around us, let’s hold each other accountable and do our best to help others reflect Christ.
If you know you’re a sinner, act like it.
Some of us will openly call ourselves sinners in the abstract on any given Sunday, but on other days of the week, we justify our sinful behavior. People know that they practice poor communication, but don’t change it. Overeat but don’t change it. Say that they’re lazy, but don’t change it.
Does God take sin seriously? If you say yes, don’t say, "He made you that way." Recognize that He hates sin, and try your best to hate it as well. Hate the self-sabotage and do something righteous instead.
Further Reading (and Listening):
“Wanna Be Happy?” by Kirk Franklin
Galatians 5:17
James 1:14-15
Matthew 26:41
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
This week we are featuring an episode from "On The Ground with Samaritan's Purse". Guest Marina Nobiling, director of national programs at the Samaritan’s Purse Germany office, sheds light on the current cultural and spiritual climate of Germany and talked about the ongoing Samaritan’s Purse projects in the country. There is an immense need for the Gospel to be preached in Germany and for Bible-believing churches to step up and lead.
Resources:
• Listen to “Fighting Spiritual Battles: Human Trafficking in Berlin,” to hear more about Alabaster Jar and how God is transforming hearts amid spiritual darkness.
https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/podcast/fighting-spiritual-battles-human-trafficking-in-berlin
“We want to stand for the Gospel. We want to stand for Jesus … And we want to show in our programs and projects what it's like to be with Him; to be living with Jesus.” –Marina Nobiling
Before coming to Christ, Marina said she was not merely neutral towards God, she was an enemy. Marina was in bondage—she battled an eating disorder and anxiety for years to the point of planning to take her own life. But when Marina had an encounter with the Lord, everything changed.
“And I had a voice in my head: ‘I want you to live. And you can do it with my help’ … Itwas beyond any doubt clear. That's Jesus. My whole life I had the wrong thinking. That's not true. God exists.” – Marina Nobiling
Marina went from believing that the Gospel was an old superstition to knocking on the door of the nearest church, asking to be baptized. She was on fire for God. Marina now takes this compassion to the streets of Berlin, ministering to women who are trapped in prostitution. She remembers what it was like to be in bondage and desires for others like her to be free; to be transformed by the love of Christ.
Life can be hard, and Marina still struggles, but she has something to turn to that cannot be shaken: God’s Word. Marina created a “first aid kit” with Psalms and Scriptures that speak to her when she is fighting lies or feeling weighed down by fears. Her favorite verse, Isaiah 43:1, reminds her that she belongs to the Lord—nothing can take that away.
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’” – Isaiah 43:1, ESV
If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visitSamaritansPurse.org.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Nehemiah 8:9-10 reveals a powerful truth for believers struggling with regret, guilt, and shame: God’s grace is stronger than our failures. In this devotional, Jennifer Slattery explores how shame often traps Christians in cycles of self-condemnation, replaying past mistakes and fearing they will never truly change. Yet God does not call His children to remain crushed beneath shame. Instead, He invites them to receive His forgiveness, walk in restoration, and find strength through His joy.
Using the story of Israel’s return from exile, this devotional highlights how the people grieved over the consequences of their sin while also experiencing the overwhelming grace and provision of God. Though the rubble of brokenness remained, God wanted His people to rebuild from a place of hope rather than condemnation. In the same way, believers today can trust that God is patiently healing, transforming, and restoring them through His grace.
Highlights
- Shame often keeps believers trapped in cycles of fear and self-condemnation.
- Self-awareness is an important step toward healing and spiritual growth.
- God’s grace meets believers in the middle of their brokenness and failures.
- Nehemiah 8 reminds us that “the joy of the Lord” is our strength.
- Biblical joy comes from knowing God is present, forgiving, and restoring.
- God does not want His children rebuilding their lives from shame.
- Healing and transformation often happen gradually through God’s grace.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
How God’s Grace Breaks the Cycle of Shame
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:9-10
Do you ever lie in bed, replaying your every unkind word or hurtful deed from the day? Do memories of past sins and regrets seize your mind and steal your peace? Do you find yourself looking back with sorrow at the damage your unfiltered words, angry outbursts, or triggered responses caused, longing for a do-over, but also fearful that you’ll forever fall into these unhelpful patterns?
You’re not alone. People often state that the hardest person to forgive is ourselves. There’s truth to that, likely because we so long to live and love like Jesus. Yet, we often fall short, and not for lack of trying.
The other day, I sat with a friend broken by a relational conflict she feared would irrevocably fracture the connection she’d been working to build. Her voice quivered as she said, “I don’t know why I act this way. In the moment, my perspective feels valid, and all I can see is how the other person hurt me. And suddenly, I question their character and intent. Self-isolating thoughts start playing through my mind, like, “She doesn’t really care about you.” “She wants something from you.” “He thinks you’re too much.” “You’re annoying him.” “She’s judging you.” “Why work through this when she’s just going to bail on the relationship anyway?”
My friend’s hunched shoulders and the dark shadows beneath her eyes gave evidence to her sleepless night and the heavy weight of shame she carried.
A tear slid down her cheek. With a deep breath, she brushed it away. “But then, later,” she said, “I see that I overreacted and made things worse. I see the pattern, but I don’t know how to break it.”
Have you been there? The journey toward wholeness and holiness is rarely comfortable or quick. Yes, God holds the power to transform us with a whisper or glance. In my experience, however, He molds my soul gradually, alerting me to an issue, allowing me to see the fallout of my choices, to grieve my brokenness and sin, before He reveals the steps toward victory.
Speaking from experience, I shared a statement that encouraged me when I was just beginning my healing journey. “Self-awareness is the first step to change. You can’t heal what you don’t see or won’t acknowledge.”
Listening, my friend gave a slight nod and offered a half-laugh, half-huff. “Ignorance is bliss?” she asked.
To which I replied, “Temporarily, perhaps. But it’s often when we’re staring at the rubble we’ve helped create that we’re most able to see, and rest in, God’s all-encompassing grace. To gain strength from His grace.”
That’s the message today’s passage conveys. Seventy years after what scholars call the Babylonian exile, an event caused by ancient Israel’s long-standing spiritual rebellion, the Lord brought them back to their homeland to rebuild what their sin had destroyed. He sent them with His abundant provision—gold, silver, animals, priests to lead their faith, and numerous workers to repair Jerusalem’s walls and their sacred temple.
Scripture tells us that:
“The whole company numbered 42,360, besides their 7,337 menservants and maidservants; and they also had 245 men and women singers. There were 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys” (Ezra 2:66, NIV).
In short, the Lord showered them with blessings and tangible evidence of His favor. And they celebrated. They celebrated the work He enabled them to do, the provisions He provided, and the forgiveness He granted.
But this didn’t erase the grief they felt at all that had been lost. The Scripture their religious leaders read brought praise… and a deep awareness of their sin and all it had cost.
Seeing their weeping, Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Lord’s priests spoke today’s passage, encouraging them to receive and find joy in God’s grace.
Biblical joy goes much deeper than a temporary emotion based on our circumstances. It’s the deep awareness of God’s grace—knowing He’s with us, transforming us, rewriting our story, and working all things, our greatest failures included, for our good and His glory.
This might not fix the damage we’ve caused. The ancient Israelites still had to clear away the rubble that once formed their homeland, to rebuild the fractured walls and restore the destroyed temple.
But God wanted them to do so as His beloved, empowered, and absolved children, not from a place of shame.
Shame is exhausting, heavy, and defeating. Grace brings hope, joy, and strength. It lifts the burdens we carry and plants us more firmly in God’s firm yet gentle embrace.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
I sometimes wonder if shame functions as a defense mechanism or a subconscious fail-safe. Is there a part of us that believes our inner critic protects us from future harm by keeping our unwanted behaviors in check?
It’s also a powerful tool of the enemy strategically lobbed to hold us captive.
Regardless, through Christ, we always have a way out. Our sins don’t repel Him; instead, He draws close, with arms open wide—nailed to the cross. We honor the sacrifice He made by learning to receive, in our innermost wounded places, the forgiveness for which He paid such a high price.
That takes time, healing, prayer, and regularly connecting with Him; sitting in His presence. But the more we do so, take in His truth, and rest in His love, the weaker our shame, the greater our joy, and the more enduring our strength.
If you battle shame over a present struggle or past sins, express this to God, and ask Him to break your shame. Then, keep your soul oriented to Him, your spiritual ears attuned to His voice, and your figurative feet ready to follow, trusting Him to lead you step by step, in His perfect timing.
Further Reading:2 Corinthians 7:910
Isaiah 57:14-15
Habakkuk 3:19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Galatians 6:7-8 reminds believers that every word, action, and habit plants seeds that will eventually produce a harvest. In this devotional, Whitney Hopler uses a personal gardening story to illustrate the spiritual principle of sowing and reaping. Just as planting the wrong cucumber seeds led to an unexpected bitter harvest, the choices Christians make each day shape the direction and outcome of their lives and relationships.
This devotional encourages believers to carefully examine the seeds they are planting through their speech, attitudes, priorities, and daily decisions. Seeds of selfishness, bitterness, and careless behavior eventually produce painful consequences, while seeds planted through the guidance of the Holy Spirit lead to peace, kindness, spiritual growth, and life-giving relationships. God calls His people to intentionally plant seeds that reflect His character and trust Him for a fruitful harvest in His perfect timing.
Highlights
- Every word and action plants seeds that will eventually grow.
- Galatians 6 teaches the principle of sowing and reaping.
- Careless words can produce bitterness and damaged relationships.
- Habits and priorities shape the future harvest of our lives.
- Planting for selfish gain leads to regret and devastation.
- Planting through the Holy Spirit produces peace, kindness, and self-control.
- Spiritual growth often happens slowly before visible fruit appears.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
What Kind of Seeds Will You Plant?By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Make no mistake, God is not mocked. A person will harvest what they plant. Those who plant only for their own benefit will harvest devastation from their selfishness, but those who plant for the benefit of the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit.” – Galatians 6:7-8, CEB
When I first started gardening, the first seed packets I bought were for cucumbers. Our family enjoyed eating cucumbers, and I’d heard that cucumbers were easy to grow. Buying a bunch of cucumber seeds and planting them seemed to be a “no-brainer” decision in the spring. But in the summer, when our cucumbers appeared, I was shocked to see that they didn’t look – or taste – like anything I expected. Instead of the smooth and sweet cucumbers I’d hoped to slice up for our salads, I’d grown what seemed to be cucumber monsters. They were huge, covered in sharp spikes. Biting into their thick, spiky skin was challenging, and when we did, we got a bitter taste that was quite simply gross! It turned out that I’d planted a variety of cucumbers that were usually made into pickles before being eaten – not even close to the variety I usually bought from the grocery store to eat fresh. I wish I had paid more attention to exactly what kind of seeds I planted.
Seeds always grow into something. That’s exactly what the Bible points out in Galatians 6:7-8, which compares people’s words and actions to seeds. The choices we all make every day are planting something that will grow to become something that we – and God – either like or don’t like.
You plant seeds with your words. The way you speak to your spouse, your children, your coworkers, or even yourself matters. Harsh, careless words plant seeds of pain that can distance you from people. Gentle, encouraging words plant seeds of trust that can lead to closer relationships. You may think a careless comment is small and unimportant, but seeds don’t look impressive at first either. Over time, though, they grow into something much bigger.
You also plant seeds with your actions. The priorities you set and the habits you practice day by day will all grow into results you’ll eventually see. If you consistently choose whatever works best for you without considering the other people in your life, you’re planting seeds for your own benefit, just like this Bible passage describes. Those seeds may promise you easy results, but they often grow into situations that leave you feeling bitterness and regret.
On the other hand, if you seek God’s guidance for your decisions, you’re planting for the benefit of the Spirit. Those choices may not be easy. In fact, they can be challenging to make. But God promises that the choices you make along with him will lead to good results.
There’s often a gap between planting and harvesting. That gap can fool you. During that time, you might start to think that it doesn’t matter what you say or do, because you can’t yet see anything bad happening from your choices. But growth is happening under the surface. Roots are forming, and a direction is being set.
So, pay attention now to the words and actions you’re choosing. Just like with the cucumbers, it’s much easier to choose the right seeds at the beginning than to deal with a bitter harvest later. Before you speak, you can pause and think about what might grow from your words. Before you act, you can consider what might grow from what you decide to do.
When you “plant for the benefit of the Spirit,” you line yourself up with God’s life-giving work. You can then start to see fruit like peace, patience, kindness, and self-control growing in you and around you. As a result, your life will taste less bitter, and you can taste the goodness God wants you to enjoy.
Today – and every day – you have a choice. You’re holding seed packets in your hands that will grow into something, depending on the words and actions you choose. So, choose carefully. Ask God to help you plant what leads to life. Then trust that, in time, the harvest will come and you’ll see that your decisions were worth making.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider what you want to grow in your life, reflect on these questions:
- What kinds of seeds have you been planting recently with your words and actions?
- Are there any habits in your life that might lead to a bitter harvest if they continue?
- Where do you sense God inviting you to plant for the benefit of the Spirit instead of yourself?
- What’s a conversation or situation coming up where you can choose to plant better seeds now than you have in the past?
- How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit to plant the best seeds now for a good future harvest in a relationship with someone you love?
Further Reading:
Hosea 10:12
James 3:18
Galatians 5:22-23
Matthew 12:34
Proverbs 18:21
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Genesis 2:18 reveals an important truth about God’s design for humanity: we were created for community. In this devotional, Laura Bailey explores the beauty and difficulty of relationships, especially within Christian friendships and church communities. While human relationships can be messy, painful, and disappointing, God never intended believers to walk through life alone. From the very beginning, God established companionship and community as part of His good design for His people.
This devotional reminds Christians that although conflict, hurt, and misunderstanding are inevitable in relationships, isolation is not the answer. Throughout Scripture, from Adam and Eve to the early church in Acts, God consistently calls His people to worship, grow, encourage, and persevere together. Community strengthens faith, provides accountability, and reflects the love of Christ as believers extend grace and forgiveness to one another despite imperfections.
Highlights
- God created people to live in relationship and community.
- Genesis 2:18 shows that isolation was never part of God’s design.
- Christian friendships and church relationships can sometimes be painful and messy.
- Believers are called to extend grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
- Community provides encouragement, accountability, and spiritual growth.
- The early church thrived through worship and life together.
- Walking away from Christian community is not God’s solution to hurt.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Created for Community
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” - Genesis 2:18 NIV
I could tell by the slump in my daughter’s shoulders as she walked towards the car that something was wrong. The slamming of the vehicle door, accompanied by an aggressive sigh, confirmed my suspicions. While it is not unusual for my middle school daughter to offer little to our conversation on our ride home, today, it was radio silent.
As I turned into the driveway, I told her we weren't going inside until we talked about what was going on. “I am done with friends! I am better off alone!” she exclaimed. My momma’s heart immediately dropped. For many years, we avoided friendship drama, but I knew sooner or later it would weasel its way into our lives. As she regaled the events of the day, I nodded my head in solidarity, held her in my arms, and tried to offer ( to no avail, raising a middle school daughter is tough!) words of comfort.
Holding back tears, she asked, “Mom, why would they act this way? They are supposed to be my friends, my Christian friends.” Whew – while the surface-level answer is not complicated to diagnose, the root cause of conflict is a bit harder to digest.
I think we’ve all been there. I am 40 years old, and I still ask the same question. Relationships are complicated, no matter what stage of life you're in. The reality is that our relationships with other believers are, unfortunately, some of the most difficult. And, if I am honest, I’ve had the same sentiment as my daughter, “I don’t need these people, I am better off alone.” Especially when it comes to the church.
Likely, you don’t need to be convinced of the messiness of worshiping with saints who act more like sinners. Like most things, it is easier for us to focus on the negative aspects of our churches than on the positives. During the season I mentioned above, while there were people in the church walls who caused me affliction, there were also members who brought me great joy, comfort, and encouragement.
While I don’t excuse the harm caused by fellow Christians, I must also acknowledge that I’ve intentionally and unintentionally inflicted hurt on my church family, too. And just as I hoped they’d give me the opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation, I need to do the same. As we say in the south, “don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”
Simply put, mess and all, life is better together.We see in Genesis 1 that God declares His creation “good” (Genesis 1:25). However, when He created man, He proclaims humanity is “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Humans are the climax of the creation story, the most cherished possession of the Lord. Created in God’s image, we are the reflection of our Creator, and it’s not just good, but very good. However, God looks at Adam's singleness and declares, “it is not good for man to be alone ( Genesis 2:18). What was God’s solution: a companion, an Ezer in the original Hebrew, a helpmate for Adam.
With Adam and Eve’s union, we see the first example of human community; however, the idea of living in a group is prevalent throughout Scripture, as exemplified by the Jewish Nation, a people set apart by God. (Exodus 19:3-6) While they had an individual responsibility to keep these commands, God is addressing the collective body of the Israelites. Think of it as a built-in accountability. God wanted the Israelites to understand that they needed each other, not just to meet their physical needs, or make life easier, but to strengthen and encourage one another in the faith.
Then, in the New Testament, we see examples of early Christians gathered in community in Acts 2:1-4 and Acts 2:42-47. Christians gathered while the Spirit rested on them individually; corporately, they worshiped and praised the Lord. And the early church grew because of its strong ties to living in community and corporate worship.
As tempting as it might be to abandon corporate worship, walking away from community worship is not the answer. God created humans for community; we need each other. Let’s embrace the imperfect body of believers as we stand united in the perfectness of Christ.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you experienced the messiness of human relationships? How does knowing God created you for community help you to forgive offenses and embrace imperfect people with grace and love?
Further Reading:
Hebrews 10:24-25
What Does the Bible Say About Love in Action?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Romans 8:33-35 offers powerful reassurance that nothing can separate believers from the love of God through Jesus Christ. In this devotional, Vivian Bricker reflects on how struggles, suffering, illness, anxiety, and difficult seasons can sometimes make Christians question God’s love and presence. Yet Romans 8 reminds believers that God’s love is not dependent on circumstances. Even in hardship, Jesus is interceding for His people, and no trial, fear, or challenge can remove them from His care.
This devotional encourages Christians to remain grounded in Scripture and to continually return to God’s Word for truth and hope. While life in a fallen world includes pain and suffering, believers can trust that God has not abandoned them. His love remains constant through every battle, and His promises provide strength, comfort, and peace in seasons of uncertainty and struggle.
Highlights
- Romans 8 declares that nothing can separate believers from God’s love.
- Jesus Christ continually intercedes for His people.
- Difficult seasons do not mean God has abandoned us.
- Suffering and hardship are part of living in a fallen world.
- Daily time in Scripture strengthens faith and renews perspective.
- God’s love remains constant through illness, anxiety, and hardship.
- Believers can find hope and security in God’s unchanging promises.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Nothing Can Separate Us from GodBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:33-35).
Romans 8 is one of my favorite chapters of the Bible because it speaks to God’s love for us. Whenever I'm struggling to know my worth, I turn to Romans 8, and it helps me feel more optimistic. There is power in the Word of God, and it can change our entire lives. However, these changes will not occur unless we read the Bible every day.
This is why it is important for us to spend time in the Word daily. It is not enough to only listen to the Bible on Sunday mornings. Having a relationship with Jesus means we study the Bible each day, talk with Him in prayer, and apply His teachings in our lives. By doing these things, Christ will disciple us, and we will grow in our relationship with Him.
Over the past year, I have often wondered whether God truly loves me. I see everyone else living joyful lives while I am struggling every day. My brain reasons that if God did love and care about me, I would be in a better situation than I am right now. I wouldn't have numerous medical health issues, mental health struggles, financial issues, or constant worries about the future. Once I sat down and surrendered everything to the Lord, I was led once again back to Romans 8. This chapter brought me back to a true understanding of God and who He is, rather than what my brain had created Him to be. God is not picking on me, nor is He causing these terrible things to happen. Instead, all the issues I'm having are just part of living in a fallen world.
Rather than believing the lie that life will always be full of pain, grief, and sorrow, God has helped me to see that better things are coming. Even if these things don't happen overnight, they will come in the future.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Apostle Paul tells us, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:33-35).
Paul tells us plainly in this passage that God is the One who justifies, and nobody can condemn us because we belong to Him. Jesus died for us to live, and He is constantly interceding for us. Nothing in all creation or any trouble can separate us from the love of Christ. Paul mentions that hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, and sword will not separate us from the love of Christ.
This tells us that our present season of suffering does not separate us from the love of Christ. Our physical illnesses, mental illnesses, and life challenges are nothing compared to the love of God. God knows these struggles exist in this world, but He will never leave us to face them alone. We are always on God’s mind, and He is always surrounding us with His love, care, and protection. Try to start noticing the little ways His love is shining through in your life.
Have you ever felt your troubles have separated you from God? Why did you think this?
How does it feel to know that nothing can separate us from the love of God?
What are some ways you remind yourself of God’s love when times are hard?
Further Reading:
Romans 8:36-39
Psalm 23:1-6
Psalm 86:15
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Psalm 121:2-6 reminds believers that God never stops watching over His children. In this devotional, Alexis A. Goring uses the modern “Do Not Disturb” feature on smartphones as a powerful contrast to God’s constant availability. While people often silence notifications to protect their peace and focus, God never places limits on access to His presence. He never sleeps, grows tired, or becomes too busy to hear the prayers of His people.
This devotional offers encouragement for anyone feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or hesitant to approach God. Unlike human relationships that may feel distant or unavailable, God remains attentive, compassionate, and near at every moment. He lovingly invites believers to bring every burden, fear, mistake, and prayer before Him. Through His endless grace and faithful presence, Christians can find comfort knowing they are never disturbing God when they seek His help.
Highlights
- God never puts His children on “Do Not Disturb.”
- Psalm 121 reveals God as our constant protector and helper.
- God never sleeps or grows weary in caring for His people.
- Prayer gives believers direct access to God anytime and anywhere.
- God bends near to listen compassionately to His children.
- Believers do not need to fear bringing struggles or failures to God.
- God’s love is personal, attentive, and unending.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Do Not Disturb
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” - Psalm 121:2-6 (NIV)
Recently, I started implementing the “Do Not Disturb” feature on my phone.
This has proven to be a game-changer. Now, from my bedtime until early morning, no text alerts, notifications, or calls can interrupt my peace and quiet as I sleep. I love this luxury so much that I now often activate the “Do Not Disturb” feature during the daytime when I am awake but busy and don’t want anything or anyone to interrupt my workflow.
Thanks to this feature, I can have a level of peace and quiet whenever I want. When people try to text or call me during this time, they see a note on their phone that I am not to be disturbed. Granted, I am always willing to read and reply to texts and return phone calls as soon as my schedule allows. But knowing that I can concentrate on my work without too many interruptions brings me great relief. Lately, I was thinking about this, and my thoughts led to God as I realized He never puts a “Do Not Disturb” sign on His door. He has an open-door policy for all His children here on Earth.
God loves us with all His Heart. He readily makes Himself available to listen to us and help us literally any time of the day or night. The Bible says He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). He never sleeps (Psalm 121:3-4), and He always has time for us. This Almighty God has a whole universe to run, yet He cares so much about our life here on Earth that He “bends down to listen” (Psalm 116:2) to our every prayer.
Let me tell you the significance of that verse: When I worked as a schoolteacher, my more experienced mentor told me that when one of my students was in trouble, I should bend down to listen to her and address the issue. She told me this because even when this child was standing tall, she was barely taller than my waist because she was in her early school years. By bending down, I, as her teacher, was able to meet her on her level and make eye contact. This helped her feel at ease and safe to tell me about what she did because instead of looking up at me, she could see me on her eye level. It is much less intimidating than a grown adult authority figure towering over her because that can make her feel too scared to tell me what happened, especially if she was in the wrong.
God has more authority than a human teacher. Yet He is gentle with us but strong when needed. The Bible says God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). Depending on where we are in our faith walk with Jesus Christ, we might see God as an intimidating authority figure who towers over us with His majesty and strong frame. This might make us fearful. But the Bible says God doesn’t want us to be afraid. He loves us unconditionally, and He will always bend down to help us and restore us when we are in the wrong, repent of our sins, and ask Him to forgive us.
God doesn’t think we are disturbing Him when we bring our pain, problems, and mistakes to Him as we seek His help. He is never too busy when it comes to us. Isn’t it good to know that the Creator of the Universe loves us that much? And that is only the tip of the iceberg because His compassion for humankind runs deep. We will never understand the depth of God’s Love for us (Ephesians 3:18-19).
In closing, I’d like for you to listen to this song, “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury. It is about God’s endless love for us. And listen to this other song, “My Help” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
Song of Reflection #1: “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury. Listen to it here: https://youtu.be/Sc6SSHuZvQE
Song of Reflection #2: “My Help” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here: https://youtu.be/DWydssGbUBc?si=zlg1X2ZrFqqu-l6T
Intersecting Faith and Life:
What do you think about God’s never-ending love for you?
Further Reading:1 John 5:14-15
Jeremiah 33:3
Matthew 28:18
Psalm 34:17
Psalm 66:18-19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Whether it’s relationships, dreams, plans, or unanswered prayers, God invites His children not only to release control but to confidently trust His heart and His timing.
This devotional encourages Christians to stop living in fear over what God might do with their surrendered lives and instead rest in His faithfulness. God is not withholding good from His children. Even when doors close or circumstances disappoint, He is still working for His glory and our ultimate good. Trusting God means believing that His plans are better than our own and finding peace in His presence, even in uncertainty.
Highlights
- Surrender is a daily choice, but trust must follow surrender.
- Believers often struggle with taking back what they’ve already given to God.
- Fear of losing control can make trusting God difficult.
- God’s closed doors may actually be acts of protection and grace.
- Philippians 4:19 reminds us God faithfully provides what we truly need.
- Pain and uncertainty can deepen intimacy and dependence on God.
- Psalm 37 calls believers to trust God, remain faithful, and delight in Him.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Trusting God with What You Have Already Surrendered
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday” (Psalm 37:3-6 ESV)
Have you ever prayed, “Lord, help me to surrender?” We all have things we need to surrender daily to the Lord. Our hopes and dreams for the future, our plans, our calling, relationships, and the list goes on.
I’ve been in a season where my continual prayer has been one of surrender, which isn’t necessarily wrong. As I said, the prayer of surrender and the heart that gives everything to Jesus must be renewed day by day. Surrender is a daily choice to give it to Him.
A few months ago, I was walking around our yard after work, as I often do to clear my mind. I found the same words leaving my lips that I’ve prayed for months, maybe even the past year or two: “Lord, help me surrender.”
And then, I froze.
It was almost like God whispered to my spirit, “You have surrendered. Now do you trust Me with what You’ve surrendered?”
I stopped in my tracks. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.
To be honest, I’d never thought of it that way before.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not implying that surrender is a one-and-done deal. It’s a process. I’m also not saying that surrender and trust don’t go hand-in-hand. They absolutely do.
But like little children asked to yield a favorite toy to an adult for reasons they don’t yet understand, once they have taken that leap of faith and placed it in their parent’s hand, the “act” is finished. Now, they must trust the parents’ hearts with what matters most to them. They have already surrendered, but now they must trust.
We’re like little children more than we realize.
What if once we release into the Father’s hand, we are called to stop reaching back for what we’ve let go of? I find that’s one of the hardest parts for me. I’ve admitted to myself that sometimes, I struggle to trust God and want to take it back into my own hands.
Why?
He hasn’t proven Himself untrustworthy. I know He isn’t going to fail me.
But if I’m honest, I think it’s because deep down, I want something so badly that I fear losing it. I fear God will ask me to give it up, that things won’t go my way, or I won’t get what I want.
God will always provide what I need, even if it’s not what I think I want. Philippians 4:19 (ESV) reminds us that “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” I’ve seen it in my lifetime and again. Why would I doubt Him now?
If He closes a door, then perhaps it’s protection. You ever heard the phrase “rejection is God’s protection”? Yep. So have I. And as much as I hate to admit it, it is often true.
When God closes a door we thought we were meant to walk through, we can be tempted to become angry at God. We can wonder why He did that. We can feel like we deserve [fill-in-the-blank]. But the truth is, every good thing comes from above and is a gift of grace we could never earn (James 1:17).
Yes, but God loves to give good gifts to His children. Not just good gifts but the best for us (Matthew 7:11). It may not look like the gifts He chooses to bless someone else with, but that’s okay. It doesn’t have to. It will be the best for us.
And you know something else?
God desires fellowship with us. I have found many times in my own life that God will allow things that will draw me to Him. Those things force me to rely on Him, to trust His plan, or to choose to worship Him even in a valley. He didn’t force us to Himself, but in those moments, He gives a choice: we can either allow the pain to pull us towards God or push Him away.
Intersecting Faith & Life
Recently, I wrestled with anger towards God. I knew I didn’t want to be angry, and I was angry at myself for even feeling that way.
I knew God had a plan, and I wanted to trust Him.
In the dark of night, I finally whispered to Him: “God, please write my story in the way that brings You the most glory.”
I can’t explain it, but after that night, I’ve had peace regarding that specific situation in my life.
I realized that Psalm 37:3-6 isn’t just about committing my way to the Lord. It was also about trusting Him once I did. We are called to trust in the Lord, do good, dwell where He has placed us, and be faithful in even the small things. If we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts, which is ultimately a relationship and fellowship with Him. It’s so hard sometimes, but there is such beauty and freedom in committing our ways to the Lord, trusting in Him, and watching Him write our stories in ways only He can.
And I know that no matter what happens, no matter what pain or unpleasant situations come up in my life, God will be there. And if He uses the pain to draw me to Him and to use in glorifying Himself and calling others to Him, then by His strength alone, I can say, “Bring it on.” If the pain is the path to His presence, then I count it all joy. It’s worth it.
Pray with me:
Dear Father, thank You for being patient with me, for being a loving Father whose heart I can trust even when I don’t understand Your plan. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to take back what I’ve already surrendered to You, and for the moments I’ve let what I want cloud my view of what You have for me. Today, I’m not just surrendering my plans. I choose to trust You with what is already in Your hands. Help me to leave my story in Your hands, knowing that if You are writing it, it will be for my ultimate good and Your greatest glory. I am Yours. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Proverbs 18:10 reminds believers that true security is found not in human strength or earthly protection, but in the presence and power of God. In this devotional, Whitney Hopler reflects on a frightening experience in Washington, D.C., where heightened police activity and danger created anxiety rather than peace. Yet in the middle of uncertainty, prayer shifted her focus from fear to God’s protection and brought a deep sense of peace.
This devotional encourages Christians to run to God first whenever fear, uncertainty, or danger arise. Like the fortified towers in biblical times, God’s presence provides refuge, strength, and safety for His people. While difficult circumstances may not immediately disappear, believers can trust that God remains sovereign, powerful, and near in every situation. Through prayer, we gain access to the only security that never fails.
Highlights
- God is the ultimate source of safety and protection.
- Earthly security often cannot provide lasting peace.
- Prayer connects believers directly to God’s unlimited power.
- Proverbs 18:10 compares God’s name to a fortified tower.
- Running to God means trusting Him in fearful situations.
- God’s peace can calm anxiety even when circumstances remain difficult.
- Believers can confidently rely on God’s presence during uncertainty and danger.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Run to God for Security
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” – Proverbs 18:10, NIV
While my husband Russ and I drove home from watching the musical “1776” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., we were surprised to see that many of the streets we had planned to take were blocked by a massive police presence. We found ourselves caught in a maze of detours trying to get around the White House. The more we drove, the more alarmed we became. Police officers were everywhere, racing by in cruisers with sirens blaring and red and blue lights flashing. They were also standing outside, with their guns in full view, talking urgently on radios. I checked the news on my phone while Russ drove, and discovered that a man armed with guns and knives had breached security at the Washington Hilton and opened fire during the White House correspondents’ dinner. That was the same hotel where President Ronald Reagan had been wounded in an act of violence decades before. Earlier in history, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in the same theater where we had just seen the show. Despite all the armed officers surrounding us, I didn’t feel protected. Instead, the abundance of weapons and the high-speed maneuvers made me feel insecure and unsafe. So, I prayed for protection – for us in our car, for all the officers and people at the correspondents’ dinner, and for everyone else in the area. Then I felt a strong sense of peace settle on me. I finally felt secure because I knew I could trust God for my ultimate safety, and I experienced God’s peace.
Proverbs 18:10 points out that calling on God’s name through prayer is a powerful way to find safety. It compares God to a fortified tower we can run to. In biblical times, fortified towers were at the core of a city’s defense. Those towers were built with thick stones and placed on the highest ground. When an enemy invaded, the people would abandon their vulnerable houses and run to the tower for protection.
The verse says the “name of the Lord” is like a strong tower. When we run to God by calling on his name through prayer, we’re connecting with the source of all power! There is no limit to God’s power. So, God is much stronger than any dangerous situation we’ll ever face in this fallen world.
You can run to God’s protection anytime and anywhere you need it, just by calling on God’s name when you pray. When you’re facing scary circumstances in your life – like an alarming health diagnosis or conflict in a relationship that’s important to you – you may feel trapped in a dangerous place, as I did in Washington, D.C. that night. But when you pray, you can run through the doors of God’s protection. Notice that the verse says “the righteous run to it and are safe.” That doesn’t mean that the danger around you will stop. But God, who is much more powerful than the danger, will be present with you right in the middle of danger. All you have to do is call on the name of the Lord, and God will answer your prayer by helping you.
God gives you the ultimate security. It doesn’t depend on how many police officers are in your neighborhood or how many locks are on your door. God’s security is based on the reality that God has unlimited power, so nothing can break through his protective barriers. Whenever you feel unsafe, run to God in prayer just like you would run to a strong tower for protection. Then you’ll find the security that only God can give you!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider why it’s important to run to God for security, reflect on these questions:
- When you feel afraid or anxious, what’s the very first thing you usually do to try to feel safe?
- Why do you think human security (like money, locks, or even the police) sometimes fails to give us true peace of mind?
- What does it mean to you to run to God’s name in the middle of a challenging or dangerous situation?
- When has God answered your prayers for protection in the past? How did you experience God’s peace in those situations?
- What circumstances are you facing right now where you need God’s protection?
Further Reading:
Psalm 46:1
Psalm 61:3
Psalm 91:2
2 Samuel 22:3
Nahum 1:7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Proverbs 14:29 teaches that patience reflects wisdom and understanding, while quick-tempered reactions often lead to regret and foolishness. In this devotional, Vivian Bricker shares her personal struggle with impatience, anxiety, and the desire for control, revealing how God helped her gradually cultivate patience through growth, flexibility, prayer, and dependence on Him.
This devotional reminds believers that patience is not developed overnight but is part of spiritual maturity and the fruit of the Spirit. Through prayer, intentional thinking, and trusting God in frustrating moments, Christians can learn to respond with peace rather than anger. Whether facing delays, unmet expectations, or everyday inconveniences, God faithfully helps His children grow in patience as they rely on His strength and guidance.
Highlights
- Patience often develops through difficult and frustrating seasons.
- Anxiety and the desire for control can contribute to impatience.
- God strengthens believers when they turn to Him during stressful moments.
- Filling waiting seasons with productive or meaningful activities can help cultivate patience.
- Proverbs 14:29 connects patience with wisdom and understanding.
- Quick-tempered reactions often damage our witness and relationships.
- Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that grows over time through dependence on God.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Cultivating PatienceBy: Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly” (Proverbs 14:29).
Patience is something most of us have struggled with at various times in our lives. As a teen, I remember struggling immensely with patience as I was obsessed with routines. If something didn’t go as planned, I would get stressed. I now know this was due to an underlying anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). But back then, I had no idea.
My lack of patience and desire for order made life challenging for my entire family. My mom was worried about my behavior and spoke with me about my concerning behaviors. She told me that I needed to learn to be flexible because life is not set in stone. We cannot expect everything to happen exactly as it did yesterday. My mom wanted to ensure I understood that patience was required to be flexible, and it was something I was going to have to work on.
While I continued to struggle with patience and flexibility as a teen, I have now cultivated these skills as an adult. Although my mom never saw all her wise words and hard work come to fruition in my life, I am eternally grateful for her help. I am now able to be patient, flexible, and roll with the punches. While some things can still bother me, such as being stuck in traffic or waiting in a lengthy line, most things don’t anymore. I can fill my time with other things while I wait, and I can talk with the Lord in prayer when I’m struggling.
In truth, we can easily snuff out impatience by talking with the Lord. He will give us guidance and strengthen our minds when we are at our wits' end. Moreover, it also helps to fill our time with other things. For example, if we are waiting for a doctor’s appointment, we can bring a book or an assignment we need to work on.
Think about a book you want to read, a hobby you want to pick up, or a friend you’ve meant to call. Most things take time, but if we fill our time with fun and productive activities, patience will not feel as draining anymore.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible tells us, “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly” (Proverbs 14:29). This shows the importance of being patient. Cultivating patience will take time; however, God will help us. As we lean more into Him, apply His teachings in our lives, and rely on Him for strength, we will develop patience each day.
Sometimes we might struggle, but this is normal. None of us will master patience overnight, and we will fall short at times. As long as we are trying our best, we are doing right. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, which tells us it will take time to perfect (Galatians 5:22-23).
If we are quick-tempered, we are displaying folly. Think about when you saw someone lose their temper. Were they red in the face? What was the tone of their voice? Did they look Christ-like? Addressing these questions will help us avoid future mistakes in our own lives.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). As believers, we need to continue to walk the way of patience and refrain from anger (Psalm 37:8). Those who seek patience will cultivate life, and those who seek anger will find folly. Carefully pray over the matter, talk with Him, and allow Him to direct your path.
Why do you think so many of us struggle with patience? By understanding the difference between patience and folly, how will it impact your future actions and behaviors?
Further Reading:
Psalm 37:7-11
Romans 12:12
Proverbs 15:18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Acts 2:42 reminds believers that Christian community is essential for spiritual growth, encouragement, and living out our faith together. In this devotional, Laura Bailey explores the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation in modern culture and contrasts it with the deep fellowship found in the early church. Rooted in Acts 2:42-47, this message highlights how relationships, service, prayer, and shared faith were central to the lives of early believers.
This devotional encourages Christians to rediscover the beauty of biblical community through active involvement in the local church. Rather than approaching church casually or consumeristically, believers are called to devote themselves to fellowship, worship, and serving together with a shared mission centered on Christ. True joy and spiritual strength are often found when we move beyond isolation and begin doing life together with other believers.
Highlights
- Loneliness and isolation continue to rise as community declines.
- The early church modeled deep fellowship, prayer, and shared purpose.
- Christian community provides relationships, service opportunities, and belonging.
- Church attendance in Acts was marked by devotion, not convenience.
- Believers are called to focus on Christ rather than personal preferences.
- Spiritual growth happens when Christians live life together outside Sunday services.
- Genuine community strengthens both physical and spiritual well-being.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Life Is Better Together
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 NIV
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General’s report (Vivek Murthy) found that more than half of U.S. adults feel lonely. He then goes on to say that our nation has a loneliness and isolation epidemic. While loneliness results from a lack of social connection, social isolation is characterized by a lack of time spent with others. A study published in the Harvard Gazette found that loneliness and isolation are typically related. What were the reasons given for the increase in these two areas? The decrease in marriage and church attendance. Or as we know it, as the lack of community.
In an interview with Oprah, Vivek Murthy, responding to questions on how to address the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, believes that three factors contribute to these feelings: relationships, service, and community. “When we focus on connecting to something bigger than ourselves, that’s actually when we find joy,” he told Oprah. “It’s why service is one of the most powerful antidotes to loneliness,” Murthy shares.
While Murthy is speaking in general terms, consider these three factors in the context of Acts 2:42-47. Where are there built-in relationships, services, and a sense of community? The local church. It is actually more detrimental to our physical, mental, and spiritual health to live life alone than to be among other people.
Let’s look at the context of our key passage, Acts 2:42-47, to better understand the importance of being part of a Christian community. Examine the words used in the above verses; they were devoted, not just attending church when it was convenient or when they were on good terms with the congregation. Their church attendance was a non-negotiable. And lest you think the ancient church was without its problems, the majority of these people were having to learn to get along with people they’d hated for centuries. The majority of the New Testament addresses this group of people, urging them to reconcile, lay aside past hurts and current differences, and move forward in unity, because they are united in Christ.
Everyone was filled with awe; they were excited to hear God’s Word and be in the presence of the brothers and sisters in Christ. When was the last time you were genuinely excited about going to church? Did you fully grasp the privilege of openly hearing God’s Word? In the West, especially for those who’ve grown up in the pews, we have lost our spiritual fervor; we are most certainly lacking in zeal. We're coming before God on Sunday mornings (and all the times in between), not out of gratitude, but out of obligation. We’ve become so focused on what the church is not —the numerous ways our preferences go unmet, feelings hurt, pride wounded. We’ve become fixated on the people rather than the Person of Christ we are called to worship. We’ve lost perspective.
The believers in Acts were hyper-focused on their purpose as a church. I am confident that there were conflicts as they sought to know God and make God known, but they didn’t allow disagreements to distract, divide, and deter them from their work. They didn’t walk away from the mission of the church because someone inflicted emotional or spiritual pain. They were so outward-focused that they didn’t have time to linger on their inward feelings. They grasped that the church wasn’t about them individually, but rather what they could contribute corporately.
Another thing we see in this text is that the early believers weren’t just “church friends.” They didn’t regulate the meeting of the saints to a particular day, time, or location- yet, they were in constant community. In our modern day, we refer to this as 'doing life together'–they found their tribe! And what do we see? The gift of community further blesses Christians who move their relationships outside the walls of the church. They hung out in public, invited each other to their most intimate places — homes — and ate together, fulfilling both their physical needs and their spiritual souls. Their hearts are glad because they are united by a mutual love for the Lord and desire to do His work.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Are you involved in a local church community? If you are, great! Consider how you can continue to encourage and engage with the body of believers. If not, take some time this week to visit churches and get plugged in!
Further Reading:
Proverbs 27:17
10 Reasons You Need Community
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
This devotional challenges Christians to move beyond treating faith as just one part of life and instead recognize Christ as life itself. Rooted in Colossians 3 and Psalm 73, it encourages readers to anchor their identity, direction, and contentment in Jesus alone. When disappointment, loneliness, or confusion arise, believers are reminded that God is the one constant who never fails and whose presence brings lasting joy and strength.
Highlights
- Peter’s response to Jesus reveals complete dependence on Christ alone.
- Disappointment often exposes misplaced priorities and false sources of security.
- Faith is meant to shape every part of life, not remain compartmentalized.
- Colossians 3 calls believers to focus on eternal priorities and values.
- Jesus is not simply part of life—He is our life.
- God is the only one who will never ultimately disappoint us.
- Lasting peace, purpose, and joy are found in Christ’s presence.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
When You Have Nowhere Else to Go
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘You do not want to leave also, do you?’ Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life’” (John 6:67-68 NASB).
After Jesus had said some difficult words for His followers to understand, many of them got up and left. Some probably realized He wasn’t the conquering Messiah-king they had hoped for. Others perhaps got frustrated with not being able to understand Jesus’ words. After many of them left, Jesus asked His remaining twelve disciples if they, too, wanted to leave.
That’s when Peter spoke up and boldly proclaimed, “To whom shall we go?” In other words, “We have nowhere else to go.”
Have you ever felt like that?
I remember the day I felt I had nowhere else to go but to Him. My parents had just split up, and there was no security in my home, in my plans, or in my heart. Today, I look back on that day as the moment in which I took ownership of my faith. The moment in which my bond with Him was sealed, and I realized I had nowhere else to go but to Him.
When we grow up learning about Jesus from the time we’re young, or if we’ve walked with Him a while, we can get complacent and put our lives in cruise control and fail to acknowledge His presence, direction, wisdom, guidance, and love every moment of our day. Faith becomes a compartment that is added to the many elements of our life, instead of becoming our whole life. That’s when disappointment can rock us.
The apostle Paul opened his letter to the Colossians with instructions for followers if they are truly His:
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory (verses 1-4).
If you have been raised with Christ. It appears to be an if/then situation. If we are His and have been transformed by His death and resurrection, we are to keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is. That means we are to keep our minds on our eternal home, have eternal priorities and values, live as if we are here temporarily, and we will soon be in our real home with the Lover of our souls. The verse goes on to say we have died and our lives are hidden with Christ in God. (Our rights, our sense of entitlement, our preferences have died with Christ, and we are hidden, and He (and His character) is evident and on display for the world. Then the next line simply assumes that Christ is not just a part of our life, but is our whole life.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When we consider Christ—not a partner or spouse, child, or even a job—as our whole life, we safeguard ourselves from misplaced priorities and frequent disappointment.
God is the Only One who will never disappoint us. And I realize that you may believe that in your heart of hearts, but life still hurts. Being vulnerable enough to tell a loved one what you need from them and then coming up empty because they have no idea how to respond can leave us feeling sore to the core.
So where do you and I go with that? Our answer must be the same as Peter’s: “Lord, there is no one else that we can go to!” (CEV).
I have learned to echo Peter’s words by making Psalm 73:25-26 my life’s motto, as well as the cry of my heart. In the Contemporary English Version, that passage reads:
“In heaven I have only you, and on this earth you are all I want. My body and mind may fail, but you are my strength and my choice forever.”
In other words, Christ, who is my life.
Where do you go when others disappoint? Be already depending on Him, and the disappointments will come less often. What do you do when you begin to lack contentment? Remember who is your life and that in His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Where do you turn when you feel directionless or lacking in purpose? To the One who is your life, your compass, your purpose.
Lord, may You be the object of my heart, my focus, my direction, my life. You gave up Your life on this earth so I could belong to You forever. I give You my life and desires and realize I have nowhere else to go—but to You.
Further Reading:
Psalm 84
For help prioritizing your day with Jesus, see Cindi McMenamin’s book,The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Genesis 16:8 reveals how God uses powerful questions to expose the hidden fears, wounds, and thought patterns shaping our lives. In this devotional, Jennifer Slattery reflects on God’s interaction with Hagar and shows how the Lord still asks believers today: “Where have you come from, and where are you going?” These questions are not rooted in condemnation, but in God’s loving desire to guide His children toward healing, wisdom, and peace.
Highlights
- God’s questions often uncover hidden fears, wounds, and insecurities.
- Genesis 16 shows God intentionally pursuing Hagar in her place of overwhelm.
- Emotional reactions are often connected to unresolved pain from the past.
- God invites believers to examine where they’ve come from and where they’re headed.
- Obedience to God requires trusting His heart, even when the path feels difficult.
- God’s guidance is rooted in love, provision, and long-term healing.
- Reflecting honestly with God can lead to greater peace, wisdom, and emotional health.
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
When God Asks Powerful Probing Questions
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”
“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered. (Genesis 16:8, NIV)
God’s questions have a way of piercing to the deepest places in our souls—where lies and insecurities often reside undetected.
When anxious and overwhelmed, I have a difficult time demonstrating the love and grace of Christ. Add enough challenges and frustrations to my day, and I can become irritable with the people I most love. But I can rarely, if ever, will myself to respond better. Relying on self-control might help momentarily, but eventually, the undealt with gunk in my soul bubbles out and onto those I hold dear.
That was how I behaved the night my husband and I checked into our VRBO to escape Nebraska’s bitterly cold winter. We make this journey each January, beginning with a long road trip during which we see as many grandkids as possible.
This is always a lovely… and exhausting endeavor that involves hours in our vehicle, standstill traffic, and clamoring in and out of numerous hotels (Our mini-golden doodle was not a fan and alerted us to this by barking all night at other guests roaming the halls. We have since learned that under no circumstances will we allow the hotel clerk to give us a room near the elevators!).
By the time we reached our destination, where we planned to remain all month, I felt frazzled, anxious, and struggling to untangle my brain’s swirling mess of have-tos and a series of new problems that felt insurmountable.
In short, I didn’t handle the situation well. More accurately, I behaved more like a temper tantrummy toddler without a nap, than the Spirit-empowered reflection of Christ to which I’m called.
Initially, this evoked latent shame. Had this occurred a few years ago, I might’ve stayed in that place of self-condemnation. That only would’ve added to my stress. But God is teaching me to go deeper—in myself, and with Him. To move past surface-level attempts at holiness to consider the roots of my reactions, He used today’s verse to do so.
The morning after my ungracious response to my very gracious husband, I sensed God’s whisper, “Where have you come from? Where are you going?”
He wasn’t asking about my present location. He wanted me to prayerfully consider how past experiences were impacting my present. What wounds distorted my perception and challenged my trust? What lies lurked in my subconscious and wreaked havoc on my present?
And, where was I going? First, where did I want to go? Did I want to stay stuck in dysregulated responses, or did I want to become healthier and holier? Did I want to follow God’s lead moment by moment and day by day, in my times of overwhelm, included?
These questions evoked others, such as, do I trust the direction in which God is leading me enough to follow?
Finally, I sensed Him inviting me to consider where He’s taking me, and this is something He’s been reiterating to me for some time. Often, when obedience feels difficult, He reminds me of His heart and plans for me and those I love. This helps steady me by assuring me that He remains faithfully in control, regardless of how out of control I might feel in that moment.
The Lord spoke a similar message to an Egyptian slave named Hagar. If you’re familiar with Old Testament history, you might know her story. Scholars suggest she might’ve been part of the “gifts” given to Abram by the Pharaoh in Genesis 12. This alone must have felt traumatic—to be treated as property, torn from her homeland, and forced to live in servitude with a clan she knew little about.
Then, around a decade later, she experienced an abuse that must’ve cut deep into her soul. Sarai gave her to Abram, Sarai’s husband, to impregnate. You can imagine how traumatic this must’ve been, and the bitterness and fear that might’ve invaded her soul.
Once she conceived, the tension between her and Sarai became so intense that Hagar fled. Perhaps she intended to return to Egypt. Maybe she simply reacted out of fear and overwhelm, triggering a flight response. Regardless, she soon found herself pregnant, vulnerable, and defenseless in the wilderness.
There, beneath the intense Middle Eastern sun, she might’ve died, if not for “the Angel of the Lord”, who many scholars believe was pre-incarnate Jesus.
According to Genesis 16:7, He found her—I love that phrasing, as it implies that He intentionally went looking for her. He found her near a spring in the desert beside the road to Shur.
And He asked her the same two questions He asked me: Where have you come from and where are you going.”
I read this as an invitation for a holy pause. An opportunity for her to re-engage rational thinking and consider where her panicked reaction led her. And where are you going, as in, “Is this the direction you really want to head? Further into the wilderness, to raise your baby alone?”
I must acknowledge that this account feels uncomfortable. I don’t like to think that the Lord told her to return to the place in which she’d been abused. But I also see how this was an act of care, love, and provision. By His grace, He brought Hagar back under His covenantal blessing and allowed her to raise her son with direct access to his father, who came to love him deeply. Then, when that child became older, He released him and his mother, again, with His blessing.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Unprocessed wounds, fear, and catastrophic thinking can lead to self-sabotaging decisions. When experiencing pain and injustice, often, all we want is relief. But what happens when our desire for relief leads us to greater danger?
Thankfully, God meets in our place of overwhelm and invites us to consider where we’ve come from and where we’re going. The more we learn to do so, the greater our peace and the less our shame and regret. And eventually, standing on the other side of obedience, we recognize that God truly knows best. His love was leading the entire time.
Further Reading:
Genesis 3:9-10
1 Kings 19:3-15
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ephesians 3:12 reminds believers that through Jesus Christ, we have direct and confident access to God’s presence. This devotional by Whitney Hopler highlights the incredible truth that prayer is not reserved for the spiritually elite or those who “have it all together.” Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, every Christian has VIP access to God anytime, anywhere.
Highlights
- Ephesians 3:12 teaches that believers can approach God boldly through faith in Christ.
- God’s presence is always available because of Jesus’ sacrifice.
- Prayer is based on God’s grace, not personal performance or perfection.
- God invites believers to come honestly with fears, doubts, frustrations, and gratitude.
- Christians are not distant from God—they are His beloved children.
- Seeing God as a loving Father changes the way we pray and relate to Him.
- God listens attentively and desires authentic relationship with His people.
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
You Have VIP Access to GodBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” – Ephesians 3:12, NLT
When I was a newspaper reporter, my press credentials usually got me access to people at events that the general public couldn’t access. I often found myself in the “VIP section” of whatever event I was covering, so I could talk to the leaders freely. I felt confident that I didn’t have to worry about how I’d contact the people I needed to talk to for each story I wrote. Many times, people wanted to talk with me so much that they pursued me and made themselves available for conversations whenever it worked best for me during the events, despite all of their other responsibilities there. So, I certainly felt like a “very important person” in the VIP sections there.
It’s even more incredible that my Creator – God – gives me VIP access to talk with him anytime and anywhere. God does the same for you!
God is the ultimate leader. No one has more responsibilities than God, or is busier than God is. But God is willing to pursue us and make himself available for us to talk with whenever and wherever we are. Of course, God isn’t motivated by wanting publicity. God’s motivation is simply that he loves us so much that he wants to communicate with us often.
Ephesians 3:12 tells you that because of Christ and your faith in him, you have VIP access to God. Not limited or occasional access, but full access! You can come boldly and confidently into God’s presence right now. You don’t have to wait until you feel more faithful or until you try to clean up a mess in your life. You don’t need to impress God or beg him to let you come to him. Your invitation to access and enjoy God’s presence is Jesus himself. Because of what Jesus has done to pay for your sins and connect you with a holy God, the door is already open, and you’re always welcome to walk through it.
Still, you might hesitate to pray because you feel unworthy, distracted, or unsure if God will really hear your prayers and answer them. Maybe you think God is disappointed in you, or that God is too busy dealing with bigger problems to be bothered with your concerns. But Ephesians 3:12 makes it clear that confidence in God’s presence is not about you – it’s about Jesus, who has already opened the door for you to fully access God.
VIP access gives you the confidence of knowing you belong in God’s presence. When you trust what God promises you in this verse, you can come to him boldly. God invited you to enjoy VIP access because you’re truly a very important person. You’re one of God’s beloved children, connected to him by Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice as the world’s Savior.
You don’t have to hide from God, and you don’t have to perform for God, either. You can come to God just as you are, communicate with God honestly, and enjoy God’s unconditional love for you. God is there for you in the middle of everything you go through in this fallen world. You can ask God your questions, seek God’s strength as you deal with your weaknesses, and share all your thoughts and emotions – even the most difficult ones – with God. When you come to God honestly, he is pleased because he wants to see you respond to his grace and connect with you authentically.
VIP access to God changes how you pray. You don’t have to try to clean up your life first. You can talk to God about your fears, your frustrations, and your doubts, as well as your hopes and your gratitude. You have the freedom to pray in whatever ways work best for you. God isn’t grading your prayer; he’s welcoming you into a closer relationship every time you communicate with him.
It also changes how you see God. Instead of seeing God as a distant authority figure, you can see that God is your loving Heavenly Father. Instead of wondering if God’s listening to your prayers at all, you can trust that he’s listening carefully.
So today, remind yourself that through Jesus, you have VIP access to God. The door is open for you to walk through. Come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. God is ready to meet you anytime and anywhere, just as you are!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider the blessing of having VIP access to God, reflect on these questions:
- Do you currently approach God with the confidence of a VIP, or do you feel like you’re still waiting for permission to enter God’s presence?
- What’s one fear or mistake that makes you feel unworthy of God’s attention right now? How can you let that go and come to God anyway?
- How does knowing that God is never too distant or busy for you change how you plan to communicate with God from now on?
Further Reading:
Hebrews 4:16
Romans 5:1-2
1 John 5:14
James 4:8
Psalm 145:18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What does it really mean to crucify the flesh and follow Jesus daily? Romans 8:13 reminds believers that true spiritual life comes through surrendering sinful desires and living by the power of the Holy Spirit. In this devotional, Hannah Benson explores the biblical meaning of “taking up your cross,” showing how God leads us into deeper peace, freedom, and abundant life through daily surrender.
Highlights
- Romans 8:13 teaches that living by the Spirit requires putting sinful desires to death.
- Jesus modeled surrender in Gethsemane by choosing the Father’s will over His own.
- Carrying your cross means daily surrendering control, pride, and self-centered desires.
- Honest prayer and dependence on God are essential in seasons of struggle.
- Abundant life is found in God’s presence, not in comfortable circumstances.
- God often asks us to release things we tightly cling to so He can fill us with peace.
- The Holy Spirit gives believers strength to walk in obedience and freedom.
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
What Does Crucifying the Flesh Really Mean?
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13 ESV).
What a way to start a devotional. Aren’t devotionals supposed to be uplifting and encouraging?
Yes.
Aren’t they also supposed to be challenging?
Yes.
What does this verse mean?
Jesus tells us in the Gospels to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23), but what does that actually mean? Most of us don’t have a physical cross we’re called to bear.
Jesus’s cross was by no means easy for Him to carry, even though He is the Son of God.
He had to humble Himself, even to the point of death. Death by a cross was not only humiliating but the most excruciating death imaginable in those days. Matthew 26:39 (ESV) says: “And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’”
Yes, Jesus wanted to save humanity and was willing to endure death on a cross if it was the only way. But Gethsemane shows us that as a man, if there had been any other way to accomplish the mission without the agony of the cross, He would have taken it. He chose the nails because there was no other way to save us.
Matthew writes that His “soul was very sorrowful, even to death” (Matthew 26:38b). Luke 22:43, 44 (ESV) includes that as He prayed, “And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Have you ever known anyone who has been so stressed or in such great agony that they sweat blood?
We can’t even begin to imagine how much Jesus loves us to not only die for us, but to endure the most unimaginable death possible.
If He bore the cross for us, can we not bear ours if He asks us?
But that doesn’t mean we are called to carry a literal cross.
So, what does it mean to “carry our cross” each day and to “put to death the deeds of the body”?
It starts with honesty, with ourselves and with God. Like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, it’s okay to admit we wish there was another way. Like David in many of the Psalms (Psalm 13 is a great example of this), it’s okay to tell God we’re struggling with anger towards Him.
Second, we need to be willing to surrender. As Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39b). Job is another example. He had to surrender everything he didn’t understand, his desire for answers, and recognize that God was in complete control (Job 42:2-3). What about Paul? He begged God to remove the thorn from his flesh, but God responded: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Just as the angel came to strengthen Jesus, we must rely on God’s strength to help us. We cannot rely on our own strength to carry us through.
We may want to be angry, and maybe we even think we have a good reason for it. Our flesh will tell us we have a right to hold grudges, that we deserve what we want, and that we need to be the ones in control. Sound familiar?
News flash.
We were never meant to write the stories of our lives. We may think we want to hold the pen, but that is no way to live.
Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Abundant life comes through death and surrender. He tells us in Matthew 16:25 (ESV): “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Jesus wasn’t just talking about physical death here. As believers, we need to die daily to our wants, desires, and even the things that may be good. Anything we desire more than God needs to be put in its proper place in our lives.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Sometimes, dying to ourselves might mean sacrificing the very thing we hold dear, what we clench in our fists and refuse to yield. You know what I’m talking about?
There have been seasons in my life where the Lord allows something I’d considered good to be removed from my life. Sometimes it’s shocking, and it hurts. Okay, let me rephrase that. Usually, it always hurts.
We were never meant to hold the pen or be the director of our story. Only God can do that.
In Psalm 81:10 (ESV), God tells the Israelites: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”
If we want to experience the abundant life Jesus has for us, then we need to “open our mouths.” If we cling to the past and what we think we want, then we don’t have hearts open to what the Lord has planned.
Don’t mistake the word “abundant” for “easy” or a life filled with material goods. The abundance Jesus promises isn’t found in our circumstances. If it were, Paul wouldn’t be able to write about overflowing joy while sitting in prison. While sometimes God does bless us circumstantially, the abundant life He promises us is found in His presence as we draw near to Him.
When God gently pries our fingers open, it’s not to leave us empty-handed. It’s to make room for His peace, which is our portion, and His presence, which fills us to overflowing.
We need to die to ourselves each and every day.
Romans 8:13 tells us that if we put these things to death, we will live. Not merely survive, but truly live.
Today, if you’re clenching your fists around something that God is asking you to yield, be honest. Tell Him you don’t want to let go. Tell Him it hurts. And then, by His strength, let it go. Whatever He asks you to surrender will pale in comparison to the abundant life He desires to give you.
Pray with me: Dear Father, I’ll be honest. I’m tired of trying to hold the pen. I admit that I’ve been clenching my fists around my plans, my timing, and my “good” things, afraid to let go. Thank You for the unimaginable way You love me and for Your death on the cross so I may live. Please give me the strength I don’t have on my own to put my self-will to death today. I open my hands and my heart to You. Fill the empty spaces with Your peace and help me to trust Your presence is my greatest good. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Honoring mothers is deeply connected to honoring God’s design, care, and provision for our lives. In 1 Timothy 2:15, Scripture highlights the sacred role of motherhood and reminds us that God values faith, love, holiness, and perseverance within it. In a culture that often minimizes motherhood or focuses only on parental imperfections, this devotional calls believers back to a biblical perspective of gratitude, forgiveness, and honor.
Highlights
- God commands us to honor our fathers and mothers as an act of obedience.
- Motherhood is a sacred calling established by God.
- Many mothers carry hidden struggles while doing their best to raise their children.
- Honoring mothers reflects our reverence and obedience toward God.
- Forgiveness may be necessary in strained mother-child relationships.
- Scripture emphasizes faith, love, holiness, and perseverance in motherhood.
- Choosing honor over resentment brings healing and glorifies God.
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Honoring God by Honoring Our Mothers
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.” - 1Timothy 2:15
It seems like these days many women are resisting the call to motherhood and forgoing having children. At the same time, bitterness towards mothers is also on the rise, with too many adult children resenting their mothers’ noble yet imperfect attempts at mothering, looking at their flaws and weaknesses more than their strengths and sacrifices.
But even if the world turns its back on mothers and motherhood, believers in Jesus Christ are called to embrace motherhood and honor their mothers, respecting God’s design and plan for motherhood, and the place of honor He has given them on earth.
God cares about how we treat, speak to, and speak about our mothers and mothers-in-law. It matters to Him because, as His family, it reflects on Him how we treat and speak about them.
As the Apostle Paul explained in Ephesians 6:2-3, “‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
So grave was it under Old Testament law to dishonor one’s mother and father that it brought deathly punishment. “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death” (Exodus 21:17).
Even if our mothers have totally failed us, God calls us to forgive them and to recognize the God-ordained sacredness of them carrying us to life in their own bodies. Author and speaker Joyce Meyers shares how her mother failed to protect her growing up from her father’s sexual abuse.
In many ways, she found it harder to forgive her mother than her father. Still, in her parents’ later years, God called Joyce to care for them, something she initially resisted.
But even for mothers who have totally failed us in life, God calls us to honor Him by honoring them, even if they don’t deserve it.
Most women begin motherhood with little to no experience, learning and growing as they go, starting out as greenhorns and discovering along the way how to handle the endless hours of motherhood’s tremendous responsibilities.
Too many women enter motherhood with unaddressed and often unknown issues in their own lives, revealing underlying weaknesses and issues they may have no real understanding of or skill to handle.
Because it is a trial-and-error sort of relationship, sadly, some mothers feel like failures long before their children grow up and point fingers at their mothering deficiencies.
Still, even in their weaknesses and failures, and regardless of their struggles and faults, mothers are treasured and loved by God. We are commanded to honor the position God has given them on the earth. As ons and daughters, God calls us to honor Him by honoring our mothers.
Doing so is an act of obedience and glorifies God.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you honoring your mother this year? What about your mother-in-law? If you’re finding it difficult to do so for various reasons, ask God to help you honor Him by honoring them this Mother’s Day. As well, if you’ve disrespected them in the past, ask for their forgiveness so you can begin anew in your relationship with them.
Further Reading:
29 Beautiful Bible Verses About Mothers that Will Honor Mothers in Your Life
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Serving others in the middle of everyday exhaustion reflects the heart of Christ more than many weary moms realize. In The Gospel of Mark 9:35-37, Jesus redefines greatness by calling His followers to become servants of all and by welcoming children with love and honor. For overwhelmed mothers juggling homeschooling, deadlines, laundry, meals, and nonstop interruptions, this passage offers deep encouragement: caring for children is holy work that matters deeply to God.
Highlights
- The Gospel of Mark 9:35-37 reveals that true greatness in God’s Kingdom is found in serving others.
- Motherhood is not separate from serving Jesus—it is one of the ways believers worship Him daily.
- Welcoming and loving children reflects Christ’s heart and honors God.
- God’s grace sustains moms through exhaustion, overwhelm, and constant responsibilities.
- Everyday moments with children create opportunities to share the Gospel naturally.
- Jesus sees the hidden sacrifices and faithful service of weary mothers.
- Choosing gratitude over complaint helps realign focus during difficult seasons.
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Encouragement for the Weary Mom
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“And He [Jesus] sat down and called the Twelve [disciples], and He said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all.’ And He took a little child and put him in the center of their group; and taking him in [His] arms, He said to them, ‘Whoever in My name and for My sake accepts and receives and welcomes one such child also accepts and receives and welcomes Me; and whoever so receives Me receives not only Me but Him Who sent Me’” (Mark 9:35-37, AMP).
As a mom of four boys, my “quiet time” is not really quiet: it’s full of tiny distractions and interruptions from these little ones. Nap times are quite short, and to-do lists are quite long. My days seem to go by in the blink of an eye, and I’m often left exhausted, only getting the chance to pray “Help me, Lord” in between homeschooling, my writing deadlines, continuous snack requests, laundry loads, and diaper “loads.” Knowing very well that this season in life won’t last forever, I have learned to cast my cares upon the Lord and soak up the few moments I can in the word of God, because it is what I need to realign my focus when I’m tempted to complain. I know that His grace is sufficient, but it is easy for my heart to become overwhelmed.
The other day, a passage in Mark 9 met this momma right among the blissful chaos with encouragement:
“And He [Jesus] sat down and called the Twelve [disciples], and He said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all.’ And He took a little child and put him in the center of their group; and taking him in [His] arms, He said to them, ‘Whoever in My name and for My sake accepts and receives and welcomes one such child also accepts and receives and welcomes Me; and whoever so receives Me receives not only Me but Him Who sent Me’” (35-37, AMP).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
By putting my sons and my role as a mom and wife above my desires and my life’s goals, I have been serving Jesus this whole time! And if serving Jesus, worshiping Jesus!
And if that wasn’t uplifting enough, Jesus calls out our service to children specifically in verses 36-37. When we welcome our children into our lives and make them feel loved and accepted every day, we are also welcoming them in the name of the Lord Jesus every day. Jesus compares being the servant of all, a high position in the Kingdom of God, to those who welcome children into their lives. What an honor!
So to all my tired and overwhelmed mommas out there, take heart! Every time you embrace your child and serve your family, you are embracing Jesus and, even more so, your Heavenly Father, who is not going to leave you to raise your children alone!
Let us welcome Him into our blissful chaos as we raise up our children to trust in Him and receive His love into their lives so that they may point others to Him and His Kingdom. Instead of becoming overwhelmed and stressed out, let us look for opportunities to praise God and give thanks that He would give us the privilege of embracing little ones every day. May we have eyes to see opportunities to share the Gospel with our children in everyday moments. God’s grace is available to us to give us the strength when we are feeling overwhelmed and weary. Let us be fervent in laying our lives down for the Lord in all that we say and in everything we do… laundry loads and all.
Further Reading:
Matthew 18:1-4
Philippians 2:3-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Overcoming anxiety and finding peace starts with training your thoughts through faith, truth, and intentional habits. Psalm 16:7 reveals how God counsels and steadies our hearts—even in the quiet, vulnerable moments of the night when worry tends to rise.
This devotional connects faith with the practical reality of how our minds work. Left unchecked, our thoughts often drift toward fear and negativity, especially in overwhelming seasons. But peace isn’t out of reach—it’s cultivated. Through consistent practices like prayer, Scripture, and renewing our thinking, God begins reshaping our inner world. While transformation may feel slow, it’s deeply powerful. As we learn to focus on God’s voice over our fears, we begin building new patterns of peace that steady us in every season.
Highlights
- Our minds naturally drift toward worry without intentional focus
- Peace is built through consistent, faith-filled thought patterns
- God’s truth can reshape how we respond to anxiety
- Spiritual practices and practical tools work together for healing
- Lasting change takes time—but progress is happening beneath the surface
- God meets us in our overwhelm and leads us toward freedom
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Training Our Brains Toward Peace
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:7 NIV
According to mental health experts, our brains, left untended, drift toward negativity. That’s probably why what-if thinking hits hardest and feels most relentless as we’re trying to drift off to sleep. If you’ve listened to many Faith Over Fear podcast episodes or follow me on social media, you might have heard me talk about my “no-good-horrible-terrible-really-bad year” (that actually lasted for three). It was a season of complete overwhelm that felt never-ending.
Initially, I endured intense anxiety nearly from the moment I stepped out of bed until I finally fell asleep. There were some nights when this hyper-alert state, and all the stress chemicals flooding my body, kept me awake for over 48 hours at a time. This went on long enough that I began to fear I’d remain perpetually exhausted and never again experience God’s peace.
This felt particularly frustrating because I was actively investing in my spiritual health. I still read my Bible each day, often numerous times—including in the wee hours of the morning when I needed reminders of God’s presence, purposes, and promises. I prayed constantly. I simply practiced sitting with the Lord in silence, placed sticky notes with relevant Scripture throughout the house, and memorized and regularly recited verses declaring Christ’s power and grace.
None of those practices seemed to help, or at least, not enough to quiet my overwhelm.
I began finding relief once I started actively focusing on retraining my brain through grounding techniques, listening to biblical content throughout the night, and seeking support from a counselor. With the Holy Spirit’s help, intentionality, and consistency, my anxiety steadily decreased. Now, while my amygdala, our brain’s alarm system responsible for fight-or-flight responses, still gets triggered on occasion, those unpleasant bursts feel much fewer and shorter-lasting, with ever-lengthening periods of peace in between.
While I highly doubt David, ancient Israel’s second king who wrote today’s verse, understood neuroplasticity (our brain’s ability to grow and change throughout our lives), he seemed to recognize the importance of “taking [his] thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ,” as 2 Corinthians 10:4 encourages. When his circumstances felt hopeless, and his soul weighed down with sorrow and fear, he regularly turned to God, sought His help, and meditated upon His unchanging and immutable truths.
“I will praise the Lord who counsels me,” he wrote, indicating a close connection with his heavenly Father in which he actively listened. He also seemed to elevate God’s voice above his overwhelm, a skill that takes practice and determination, and that, apparently, led to the latter part of today’s verse where his heart, so filled with truth, “instructed” him at night—perhaps when he most struggled with fearful thoughts.
Intersecting Life &Faith:
I’ve experienced chronic anxiety for as long as I can remember. For years, I assumed this was simply my plight, caused by genetics and biochemicals. I didn’t realize how past experiences, including an unpleasant childhood, had trained my brain to remain hyper-alert to threat. (It’s hard, if not impossible, to feel at peace while constantly scanning one’s environment for danger.)
I also didn’t understand the ways and speed at which our neural pathways grow and change. I expected grounding techniques, like diaphragm-breathing, to provide instant calm. When that didn’t occur, I assumed those tools simply didn’t work for me. Again, I was simply an anxious person.
I now recognize that our thoughts take time to change. According to Dr. Curt Thompson, a Christ-following psychiatrist who studies the brain, our neural pathways, or thought channels, grow at the rate of two millimeters a day. That’s a slow transformation! While that fact might feel discouraging, to me it provided focus and hope. Focus because it helped me comprehend the power of every intentional or automatic thought. In other words, my brain was changing—for better or worse, toward increased peace or fear. This knowledge sparked a determination to do my part, as best as I was able. It also helped explain why this initially felt so hard (and at times, still does). I’d spent a lifetime building and deepening those unhelpful channels.
In the Faith Over Fear episode titled “Breaking Negative Patterns: How to Rewire Your Brain for More Peace and Less Anxiety,” Dr. Alan Weissenbacher compared our neural pathways to freeways. Rerouting our thoughts involves dismantling the unhelpful freeway upon which they’ve historically traveled while building new roadways. If today’s devotion resonates with you, perhaps check out that episode. I also invite you to subscribe to my free daily Faith Over Fear emails designed to help you build holy mental highways. Reach out to me through my website if you’d like me to add you.
If you struggle with ongoing anxiety, I pray you walk away from today’s discussion with this: You aren’t stuck in your overwhelm. Peace is possible! The Lord, your Prince, or source, of peace will lead you to increased inner tranquility and, dare I say, joy. Perhaps He’ll encourage you to try the steps I shared here. Or, He might guide you differently, in a way uniquely effective for you. But you can trust His heart to see you live in the freedom He purchased through His death on the cross. When anxiety hits, ask Him to show you the healthiest response in that moment, believing He’s helping you dismantle the neural pathways that threaten to enslave you while leading you to your best self and most fulfilling life.
Further Reading:
Philippians 4:4-8
Isaiah 26:3
John 14:27
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Corporate prayer and national repentance have shaped history, and Scripture like Jonah 3:10 reveals how God responds when people turn to Him together. Praying as a nation isn’t symbolic—it’s a powerful, biblical practice that invites God’s mercy, guidance, and restoration.
This devotional highlights how God has consistently responded to unified, humble prayer—from the city of Nineveh to moments in American history. When people come together, set aside differences, and seek God collectively, it reflects dependence on Him rather than self-sufficiency. National prayer isn’t about politics or performance—it’s about hearts aligning with God, turning from sin, and trusting Him to lead, heal, and sustain a nation. Just as individuals are called to pray, communities and countries are invited to do the same.
Highlights
- God responds to corporate prayer and genuine repentance
- Biblical examples show entire cities and nations turning to God together
- Unity in prayer reflects humility and dependence on God
- National prayer invites God’s mercy, healing, and direction
- Spiritual battles require spiritual responses—not just physical solutions
- Setting aside differences for prayer strengthens collective faith
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Why Praying As a Nation Matters to God
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He relented and did not bring on them the destruction He had threatened.” - Jonah 3:10
As America celebrates 250 years as a nation, some ask, does it matter if our nation prays together on the National Day of Prayer? Does God even pay attention to or hear us when we pray corporately as a nation?
The answer is “yes”: it matters to God, and we can be assured of this because the Bible provides plenty of evidence that He often calls us to corporate prayer for a city or a nation.
Most of us are familiar with the well-known biblical passage 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
As in the story of Jonah and the wicked city of Nineveh, God called for the entire city to pray and repent, and even the animals were included in the city’s prayer, fasting, and repentance.
As Jonah 3:4-8 describes, God led an entire city to repentance through corporate prayer:
“Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, ‘Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.’ The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: ‘By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from His fierce anger so that we will not perish.”
In Jonah 3:10, we read of God’s gracious response to their corporate prayer: He relented rather than sending destruction.
Likewise, looking back at America’s Founders, we see that they recognized the importance of corporate prayer and that establishing a nation’s future doesn’t just involve fighting a physical battle for victory, but also a spiritual one.
They demonstrated this when they officially met and came together for the first time on September 7, 1774, as the Continental Congress of the United States, opening with prayer and the reading of Psalm 35 by Rev. Jacob Duché, which begins with, “Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.”
This was no easy feat, either, as the outspoken members had to set aside their denominational differences to pray together, uniting members who were Congregationalists, Anglicans, Quakers, Dutch Reformed, Baptists, Lutherans, Puritans, and Presbyterians, coming together to overlook their differences, joining in one accord, praying for a common goal.
American Conservative radio talk-show host and writer, Dennis Prager, explains, “Ultimately, they wanted people to be free to practice their religion and relate to God in their own way. They all knew God is the source of liberty.”
Providence Forum Executive Director Dr. Jerry Newcombepoints out how historians find in George Washington’s writings and actions during the Revolutionary War that he relied heavily on prayer, believing that with the tremendous odds set against them, victory could only come with God’s help.
As well, “The Great Awakening absolutely helped the cause of independence,” writes Newcombe. “Even before the Great Awakening, the ministers, especially the ones from New England, helped shape the thinking of the Colonists as to their God-given rights.”
Christian historians believe the spread of “The Great Awakening” across the colonies greatly influenced and strengthened Patriot leaders leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, during which prayer and fasting played a critical role in helping America establish its freedom.
In Miracles in American History, author, historian, and speaker William J. Federer writes about the many national calls to prayer leading up to and throughout the formation of the United States of America.
Intersecting Faith & Life:Are you planning to join our nation in praying for God’s divine guidance and protection over our country? If not, consider praying with millions of believers across our land who will be praying together during this year’s 250th Anniversary, National Day of Prayer.
Further Reading:
A Prayer to Take Part in Our Nation’s National Day of Prayer
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A pure heart brings clarity, peace, and a deeper connection with God, as reflected in Psalm 51:10. Spiritual renewal isn’t about restriction—it’s about experiencing the freedom and joy that come from living in alignment with God’s design.
This devotional compares spiritual growth to cleaning a home: it may feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s necessary for health and peace. When we invite God to remove unhealthy attitudes and behaviors, He doesn’t just clean us up—He renews us from within. Purity isn’t a burden to carry; it’s a gift that allows us to see God more clearly and live with greater focus, stability, and joy in everyday life.
Highlights
- Spiritual “cleaning” is essential for a healthy, thriving faith
- God actively helps renew your heart—you’re not doing it alone
- Holiness is a blessing that protects, not a burden that restricts
- A pure heart leads to clarity, peace, and deeper connection with God
- Letting go of sin creates space for joy and spiritual growth
- Consistent renewal builds a steadfast, focused spirit
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
A Pure Heart Is a BlessingBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10, NIV
Every year when I spring clean my home physically, I ask God to help me do spiritual spring cleaning – to clean up my soul. When I clean my home regularly throughout the year, I also often pray for God’s help to get rid of messy attitudes or behaviors, and to blow the fresh air of renewal into my life. It definitely feels like a chore to do physical cleaning. Getting rid of trash, mopping floors, washing windows, and all the other boring and dirty tasks involved in cleaning a house aren’t pleasant. But they’re necessary for living a physically healthy life. It can also feel like a chore to do spiritual cleaning, because it’s stressful to confess unhealthy attitudes and behaviors and to try to make better choices. However, it’s necessary to be spiritually healthy. Unlike with physical cleaning, I have help from God for spiritual cleaning, and that makes all the difference. I’m grateful that I can always succeed with spiritual cleaning – and even enjoy the process of it – because God is always willing to create more purity in my heart and to renew my spirit.
Psalm 51:10 is a powerful prayer we can use to ask God to change our hearts for the better. When we’re willing to let God into the messy corners of our lives, he’ll remove the dirt that’s accumulated there and send us fresh help to grow in holiness.
When we think about holiness, we may worry that pursuing it will be a chore that will restrict us from having fun or keep us working hard to reach a standard we can never achieve. But God wants us to live holy lives because doing so is truly good for us, and God will help us every step of the way. God wants us to have pure hearts because purity is a blessing, not a burden. God’s commandments for healthy and holy living are actually loving boundaries that protect us from being harmed by sin.
Praying for a pure heart invites God to wipe away the dirt of sin from our souls so we can see God more clearly. As Jesus says in Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” The reward of purity is experiencing God!
A pure heart helps us focus on what really matters most, so we’re not stressed and exhausted from being pulled in many different directions. It helps us realize that God’s ways aren’t meant to restrict us, but to free us to live in ways that help us notice and appreciate the wonder of God’s work in our lives every day. By living each day with a pure heart, we can stay focused on God and enjoy the blessings that God is constantly pouring into our lives.
Developing a lifestyle of greater purity is like decluttering a messy room. At first, it might feel hard to let go of certain things. But as the room clears, we realize how stressful it really was to deal with so much clutter. We feel more peaceful in the room, because it’s a healthier space. When we let God help us clean up spiritually, we’ll also notice less stress and more peace in our lives. We’ll have the “steadfast spirit” that Psalm 51:10 mentions – a spirit that’s stronger and more focused, so we’re no longer tossed around by every temptation to sin that comes our way.
A pure heart is a blessing, not a chore. It’s the gift of a heart at peace, because it’s the way God designed it to be: clean and whole!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how it’s a blessing to have a pure heart, reflect on these questions:
- When you think of the word “holiness,” does it feel like a heavy burden or a beautiful invitation? Why do you think that is?
- Is there a specific kind of mess in your life right now (an unhealthy attitude or behavior) that’s making it hard for you to feel close to God?
- In Psalm 51:10, King David asks God to renew a “steadfast spirit” within him. In what areas of your faith do you feel most inconsistent right now? How can you ask God for help and rely on that help to be more steadfast in those areas?
- How do you want to change your life overall, with God’s help, to live with greater purity and holiness?
- What’s one small yet significant change you can start making right now to live with more purity in your heart every day?
Further Reading:
Matthew 5:8
Ezekiel 36:26
1 John 1:9
2 Corinthians 5:17
Philippians 4:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Biblical contentment isn’t found in perfect circumstances—it’s rooted in God’s constant presence, as seen in Hebrews 13:5. True peace comes from recognizing that God’s goodness surrounds you in every season, not just the easy ones.
Highlights
- Contentment is anchored in God’s presence, not your circumstances
- God’s promise to never leave you changes how you view hard seasons
- Discontentment often comes from focusing on what’s missing
- Gratitude helps reveal the goodness already surrounding you
- God’s blessings are constant—even when they feel unnoticed
- Shifting perspective leads to deeper, lasting joy
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
You Can Be Content Anywhere Because God’s Goodness Is Everywhere
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
I wish I were more content. As much on rainy days as the sun-shiny ones. Whether I’m loaded down with work or soaking in my favorite vacation spot. When my bank funds are depleted, as when freshly replenished. But it doesn’t happen that way most of the time. The sad truth is, when life feels a little less comfortable and the days look a little more grim and dim, I really struggle to feel fully satisfied and full of smiles.
I hope you’re able to find joy and contentment in each moment of each day. But I have a feeling that you can relate. You likely wish you were a bit happier more often, too. Especially on the hard, heavy, and dreary days. And maybe that’s today. Maybe right now you’re surrounded by a sense of disappointment with what hasn’t happened yet. Discouraged over the way something has gone. Or just feeling more down than usual for no good reason. I get it. I think we all do more than we’d like.
But God wants us to know something. He longs for us to know the truth—his truth. And to be content with the truth. That he is with us and will never leave us or forsake us. And that very realization should brighten our perspective of what’s around us. It’s him. With us, in our very midst, at all times. And this truth and promise have great meaning and significance concerning our very circumstances—even the ones that don’t feel so appealing or look so ideal. His presence with us at all times means all of his character and blessings are with us, waiting for us, at all times. Waiting for you and with you, at all times. His love, with you. His peace, with you. His provision, with you. His constant care, his goodness, and his beautiful creation are all with you. And God and his blessings aren’t going anywhere. We just need to notice them.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Look around you right now. See the good things, the simple and the small, that he has scattered along the path of your life. And look back. Consider all things past he has done and given as well. Acknowledge that every single blessing was placed perfectly as part of his perfect plan for you. Acknowledge that God's gifts are abundant and always. Acknowledge that he has never left you, that he is with you in this very moment, and that he will not ever leave you. Which means his blessings will never leave you, and you will continue to be blessed no matter the case or condition.
Yes, our loving Lord, the God of goodness, gives and gives to each of us without end. You and I, his beloved, are constantly blessed by him. And though there are moments and days when discontentment surrounds us, we can find contentment when we look to him. Because when our eyes are on God, his goodness is revealed, the gifts he’s given are seen, the beauty he’s bestowed is noticed, and we can receive the riches of his glory. Because the truth is, he is with us always, allowing his blessings and goodness to be with us always. And for this, we can be content and grateful, always. Let’s praise him today for his constant presence and swell with contentment and joy that he will never ever leave our side. Thank you, Jesus.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Living out the Gospel through service, generosity, and everyday obedience reflects the heart of Isaiah 52:7 and shows what it truly means to bring good news. Faith becomes tangible when we meet real needs, demonstrating Christ’s love in practical ways within our communities.
Highlights
- Bringing “good news” includes both sharing truth and meeting practical needs
- Small acts of obedience can create meaningful, lasting impact
- Serving others reflects the heart and mission of Jesus
- Faith is most powerful when it’s lived out, not just spoken
- Community impact often starts with simple awareness and willingness
- Generosity can open doors for deeper spiritual conversations
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Bring the Good NewsBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” - Isaiah 52:7
As part of our strategy to become more missional and impact our community, I was tasked with maintaining food donations for our local high school. Although we live in an affluent community, many children attend school without adequate food or resources. Our church took on the responsibility of collecting food donations throughout the year and giving them to its local high school food closet. This way, students can contact their teachers or administrative staff to arrange private food deliveries, so they have enough to take home and maintain food security.
During one of the monthly drop-offs, I struggled to bring the full organizational bin of food to the door. I had asked them to get a cart so I could wheel it into the high school. When the teachers opened the door, they were astonished. They were so grateful to have that much food donated to their students.
Because they often provided food privately to keep kids from being bullied or made fun of, they could not ask for food donations in the community. They had to rely on people with that type of information to meet the need tangibly.
It deeply touched my heart to be able to provide food to the students in that way. Not only was I able to live out my faith with my church, but we also impacted our community through small acts of obedience. By being the tangible hands and feet of Jesus, we were able to bring Jesus into the school system, which typically inhibits religious activity.
This reminds us that it is important not only to listen to a sermon and go to church every Sunday, but also to be the hands and feet of Christ. Even the smallest gestures can have the greatest impact on those around us.
In what way can you be the hands and feet of Christ? In what way can you bring good news and proclaim peace to those in your community? Can you help by providing a tangible need to someone who needs it? Can you describe the gospel to someone who needs clarification on a Scripture passage?
Can you create an environment where people in a small group setting can share deeply and intimately, not only meeting their emotional needs but also becoming equipped to spread the gospel to those who need it most? No matter what you do, seek to serve the Lord in great and mighty ways, both inside your church community and outside of it. Let the message of Jesus be so clear it's unmistakable.
People see the light of Jesus more clearly when we lovingly demonstrate gestures that show his love to others.
Take a moment to brainstorm ways your church can be the feet of those who bring good news to others in your local community. Maybe it is as simple as donating food to high school students in need. Maybe it's donating a portion of your paycheck each week or month to a nonprofit organization that champions a cause close to your heart. Whatever the case may be, be the people who make a tangible impact on the world.
We live in a country where we can freely proclaim the gospel both with our mouths and with our actions. Let us not take this fact for granted. Let us proclaim the gospel frequently before it becomes illegal. Let’s be people so connected to the gospel that we can't help but share the good news with everyone we meet. Let us take actions so great that they positively impact people, and allow them to proclaim, “Your God reigns!”
Father, let us be people who love people in practical, tangible ways. Let us be the literal feet of those who bring good news to everyone they meet. Allow the good news to be a message of love, compassion, and empathy for those who are struggling. Through grand and small gestures, let everything we do be done in love. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is one practical step you can take today to be the person who brings good news to everyone around you?
Further Reading:Isaiah 58:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
James 4:2–3 reminds us of a simple but often overlooked truth: sometimes we don’t experience what God offers because we don’t ask for it. In seasons of stress, responsibility, and духов pressure, it’s easy to rely on our own strength instead of turning to God for the grace we desperately need. Yet His grace isn’t limited—it’s available, sufficient, and meant to sustain us daily.
Highlights
- We often miss out because we don’t ask God for what we need
- God’s grace is available daily—but requires dependence
- Stress can tempt us to rely on control instead of surrender
- Right motives matter when bringing requests to God
- God meets us in weakness, not in self-sufficiency
- Prayer is the pathway to experiencing sustaining grace
- His strength becomes evident when we reach our limits
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Diligently Asking for God’s Sustaining Grace
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“…You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (James 4:2-3, ESV).
When we are taking steps in obedience to God, the resistance to moving forward grows stronger, and it feels like we are treading through mud just to take a step. My husband, Paul, and I have been experiencing this since we started leading a new ministry at our church, while juggling all the rest of our responsibilities, caring for our boys, and our own individual lives.
Even though it’s exhausting and sometimes discouraging when things feel so chaotic and stressful, I must remind my heart that our God is stronger and will use whatever seems to be standing against us (especially our own sinful flesh!) to grow and deepen our faith and sanctify us. But this doesn’t mean it isn’t painful or that I am quick to learn how to depend on Him!
Personally, I am working on resting in the new mercies of today and being quick to repent and ask for forgiveness. I feel like I have failed a lot in my behavior towards Paul and my boys these last few weeks. I don’t want to blame it on hormones and lack of sleep (although I know this adds fuel to the fire, so to speak). Because God’s grace is available to me. But am I asking for it diligently? Probably not as much as I should.
If His grace is truly sufficient (and it is), do I live like I’m dependent upon it daily and praying without ceasing throughout my day? The book of James is a wonderful guide for believers. In chapter 4, we discover that we must protect our hearts from worldly thinking. Often, when we are trying to take control of our lives and not rest in God’s grace and provision daily, we resort to either neglecting God’s ever-present help or asking God with wrong motives:
“…You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (James 4:2-3, ESV).
James 4 merely tells us that if we want something, we should ask God for it rather than resort to sinful means. It stands to reason that there are some things that we will not get unless we ask for them, but if we ask, we will receive them. So, if there is something that we want, we need to ask. Christians should be praying and asking God, especially for His supernatural grace.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Instead of trying to control what feels so uncontrollable in our lives and allowing our circumstances to dictate our mood or behavior, let us boldly come to the throne of grace and ask our Father for His unwavering and sustaining grace. He is faithful to provide.
We must remember that God’s grace is sufficient and that He is our ever-present help in times of need, but sometimes our actions do not reflect these truths. It’s much easier for us to either complain about our stressful, difficult circumstances or take matters into our own hands to fix or change what seems to be causing us to feel so overwhelmed. We must remember to come to the Lord and ask for His grace when we have reached our limits. The Lord is so faithful to provide all things that we need because He is a gracious Father who cares deeply for His children. Let us approach Him as His child today, boldly and humbly asking for His sustaining and powerful grace to carry us through each challenging moment. He is so faithful in every season, especially in the difficult ones. When you feel weak, remember that it is a good thing- that is precisely when you will experience His power and strength that will sustain you and carry you through it all!
Further Reading:
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Hebrews 4:15-16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
John 15:15 reveals a deeply personal truth: Jesus doesn’t just call us followers—He calls us friends. In a world where relationships can feel fragile or conditional, His friendship stands apart. It’s steady, honest, and rooted in love that never withdraws. When loneliness creeps in or connection feels out of reach, we’re reminded that we are never truly alone.
Highlights
- Jesus calls us friends, not just servants
- His friendship is personal, steady, and unconditional
- He sees and knows us fully—yet remains present
- Human relationships may fail, but Jesus never leaves
- True connection begins with understanding His heart for us
- He meets our deepest need for acceptance and belonging
- His presence brings comfort in seasons of loneliness
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Comforted in Our Loneliness by the Friend Who Never Leaves
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. - John 15:15 NIV
Do you ever struggle with building and maintaining friendships? Do you long for a relationship that feels so safe, you can express your deepest needs, doubts, sins, and fears? But also find yourself hiding those parts of you, for fear you’ll be rejected and shamed?
In our broken world, filled with people who are as broken as us, it can be really hard to find those people able to stay by us in our hardest times and, perhaps, even when we act the ugliest. We all, at times, behave in ways we wish we hadn’t and that, sadly hurt or frustrate others. We will never reach perfection this side of heaven, but that doesn’t mean we’re destined to be alone.
If you grew up in an environment where your needs for love, grace, and affection weren’t met, you may have come to believe that there’s something inherently wrong with you. Something that, if others knew or saw or experienced, would drive them away. And while I can’t speak for the people presently in your life—whether or not they have the emotional and spiritual maturity to work through conflict, confusion, and misunderstandings—who have the maturity to stay—I do know One who sees all of you, loves you fully, and has promised to never leave.
Jesus is the friend mentioned in Proverbs 18:24 who sticks closer than a brother.
When I consider His words in context, in John 15, I’m struck by the timing with which He spoke. This was on the night before His death, during a solemn and deeply painful Passover in which He told His disciples that they’d soon endure some of the most difficult experiences of their lives. Expulsion from their faith community, and all the support and comfort and connection that came with that. Slander and attack by those who viewed their commitment to Jesus as blasphemous, ungodly, and dangerous. And, potentially, death.
Hard stuff. Times when they would desperately need to know they weren’t alone and that someone saw them, understood their pain, and walked with them in it. And yes, they had each other, praise God. But that wasn’t, and wouldn’t be enough—no matter how strong their relationships were with one another.
They needed a perfect friend. They needed Jesus. And He gave Himself freely—to the point of death. But He didn’t stay dead. He rose from the grave as a powerful reminder that their hardship wouldn’t last forever. Glorious life, abundant and thriving life, was coming. And in the meantime, while they waited for their “faith to become sight” as. Scripture puts it—Jesus waited, fully present, with them.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Pause to reflect on today’s verse for a moment, and hear this as the Lord speaking directly to you:
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
In other words, Jesus says, to you, I don’t view you as a servant—as someone who’s only role is to listen and obey. Rather, I see you as someone with whom I long to grow closer, and I choose to reveal Myself to you. No secrets. No games. No power plays. Nothing but loyal, tender, steady, and present love.
He could’ve used numerous words—and at times He does. Child. One of His dependent and well-cared-for sheep. His beloved. But here, He calls you friend.
What might this reveal regarding His heart for you? Regarding His understanding of your deepest needs for connection and acceptance? What does it reveal regarding how He wants to meet you in your present season?
To grasp the depth of His message, perhaps consider the qualities you long for in a perfect friend. Someone who’s mentally present and emotionally available in your pain. Someone who sees the best in you, even when you blow it—and who always has your best in mind. No manipulation, strong arming, withdrawal, shaming, criticizing or condemning. Someone who celebrates your wins and comforts you in your losses.
Most importantly, someone who remains.
That, my friend, is who Jesus wants to be for you. Who Jesus is for you.
Further Reading:
1 John 4:16
Psalm 143:8
Isaiah 49:15-16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 reveals a powerful cycle: God comforts us in our pain so we can extend that same comfort to others. He isn’t distant from our struggles—He meets us in them as the “Father of compassion” and the “God of all comfort.” What we receive in those seasons isn’t just for survival—it’s preparation for impact.
Highlights
- God meets us in our struggles with real comfort and compassion
- His comfort is meant to flow through us, not stop with us
- Personal pain can become a source of empathy and connection
- You don’t need perfect answers—presence and care matter most
- God redeems कठिन experiences to help others heal
- Your struggles don’t disqualify you—they often prepare you
- Sharing your story can bring hope to someone else’s situation
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Pass God’s Comfort AlongBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV
Ever since my husband had a kidney transplant years ago, I’ve been grateful to God and to the wonderful man who donated the lifesaving kidney. But the tremendous blessing of a successful transplant comes with a downside: lots of medications to prevent organ rejection – and each of those medications can have serious side effects. Over the years, the stress of dealing with chronic illness has been hard on our marriage, because the stress of health concerns never ends. But I’ve discovered that the more I turn to God for comfort when dealing with this stressful situation, the more I receive comfort from God that I can then pass along to other people who are dealing with chronic illness in their marriages. God even seems to arrange for me to meet people like that sometimes, to create opportunities for us to talk and encourage each other. I don’t enjoy dealing with an unending sickness in my marriage, but I have to admit that doing so has made me a more compassionate person – someone who tries to comfort others whenever I can.
What kind of suffering are you going through right now? Whatever it is, you can rely on God to comfort you.
In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, the Bible describes God as the “Father of compassion” and the “God of all comfort.” Comfort is a central part of God’s character. When you’re discouraged, stressed, or exhausted, God cares, and he makes it a priority to comfort you.
But these verses don’t stop there. They reveal that God comforts you so you can comfort others. What you receive from God is meant to bless others after it blesses you, as part of the powerful process of God’s love flowing through your life into other people’s lives.
That can be challenging, especially when you’re still in pain. You may be tempted just to hold onto comfort once God gives it to you. That’s understandable. Healing takes time. But God gently invites you to see that your own experiences – especially the painful ones – can help others deal with the pain in their own lives.
Think about the last time you were comforted by someone else who had gone through a challenge that was similar to one you went through. That person knew what your pain felt like, so he or she probably blessed you powerfully with understanding and encouragement. Just as you’re grateful for the comfort that person shared with you, you can be the reason why someone else who’s hurting is grateful in the future.
God never wastes your pain. While God never causes your pain, he does redeem it. The comfort you receive during hard times teaches you empathy. When you allow God to work through those places, your story becomes a source of encouragement for someone else.
When you pass God’s comfort along yourself, you won’t have all the answers or be able to say something perfectly wise. But if you just show up without judgment, listen well, and encourage people by telling them how God has comforted you in similar circumstances, God will work through you to do the rest. In the process, the people you share God’s comfort with will find the fresh hope they need!
This is especially important to remember if you feel like your struggles disqualify you from helping others. They don’t. Often, they’re actually what qualify you. God’s comfort doesn’t just patch you up and send you on your way. It transforms you into a more compassionate person whom God can work through to shine light into the darkness of this fallen world.
So, when you receive comfort from God, don’t rush past it. Let it sink into your soul. Then, when the time is right, let it flow out to others who need to know that God is with them and will help them in their own suffering.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
- How did God comfort you during a hard challenge you went through recently?
- Do you know anyone right now who’s suffering while dealing with a similar challenge? If so, how can you plan to reach out to comfort that person with what you’ve learned from when God comforted you?
- What’s one simple way you can share God’s comfort this week with anyone you know is dealing with any kind of painful challenge?
- How does viewing your struggle as a qualification to help others change your attitude toward your pain?
Further Reading:
Galatians 6:2
Romans 12:15
Matthew 5:4
Psalm 34:18
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s nearness isn’t just a theological truth—it’s a personal experience that meets us exactly where we are. Deuteronomy 4:7 reminds us that we serve a God who draws close whenever we call on Him. In seasons of uncertainty, waiting, or emotional weight, His presence often becomes more meaningful than the answers we’re seeking.
Prayer isn’t only about outcomes—it’s about connection. While we may come to God hoping for clarity or resolution, what He often gives first is Himself. In that nearness, we find peace, strength, and reassurance that we are not alone. Even when circumstances don’t immediately change, His presence steadies us and reminds us that He is already at work.
Highlights
- God is near to us whenever we call on Him
- His presence often matters more than immediate answers
- Prayer is an invitation into relationship, not just requests
- God prepares and strengthens us before we face कठिन moments
- His nearness brings peace, comfort, and clarity
- Scripture reveals God’s compassionate and personal nature
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
His Nearness Is What I Needed
By Lauren Fletcher
Bible Reading:
“For what great nation has a god as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we call on him?” - Deuteronomy 4:7
I have recently been reading a book by Wendy Blight called Rest for Your Soul. In it, she talks about prayer. She describes a time when she was calling out to God amidst a struggle and didn’t hear from Him:
“I had a choice to make. I could believe what I was studying, reading, and learning, or I could allow anger, fear, and doubt to continue ruling my soul. What I came to realize during that time (though it was a decade-long journey) was that God was with me. And over those years, though my circumstances didn’t always change, my courage to stand firm in them rose because I knew I was not alone” (Rest for Your Soul).
A few pages later, Wendy writes, “Jesus invites us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He may not fix everything at that moment. In fact, He probably won’t. But it’s an invitation to come and sit with the only One who can give you rest in the middle of the mess” (Rest for Your Soul).
What I started to wonder about prayer is if maybe it isn’t about getting an answer from God for a particular need, but about recognizing His Presence and experiencing Him, that prayer is about communication with God.
I went through some mental health testing earlier this year. I had been awaiting the results, eager to get the treatment I needed. Yesterday morning, I woke up and read my Bible, as usual. What was different was how present God was with me. Every scripture I read, I felt like God was speaking directly to me, to my heart, like it was just for me. I could hear Him, feel His presence. I was touched and grateful.
Later that day, I got part of the news I had been awaiting for weeks. I received my diagnosis. As I processed this, I realized that a reason God had been close that morning is that He knew what I would hear that day—He knew I would hear the results of my testing. He wanted me to know He was there.
More than hearing a specific word, what I needed, what I cherished most, was God’s presence, to know He was with me. His nearness is what I needed.
One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 34. In it, David says, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18). God knows when we need Him, and He shows up.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible also shows that when we pray to the Lord, He draws near. In Deuteronomy, it says, “For what great nation has a god as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we call on him?” (Deuteronomy 4:7). The Psalmist also writes, “I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:1-2). He listens to our prayers and draws near to us as we pray. He is a personal God.
Just like I could feel His nearness as I read the scripture yesterday morning, I could also sense His heart—we can learn more about who He is in that place of nearness. Psalms 103 says, “The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love” (Psalm 103:8). This description of God is found throughout the Bible. David also describes how God is as a Father: “The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:13-14). Have you ever had a time when you felt God’s presence so close to you? Did you learn anything in that place of nearness about Him?
Something I think about is when I got the initial call to do testing. God was in this. It felt like the answer to a prayer I hadn’t prayed—I had such peace about it. I also think about how the plans fell so perfectly into place for me to go out of town and do the testing. God had been in the whole process, and He continued to be close.
Has there been a time in your life when you have walked through a difficult season but sensed the Lord’s Presence with you? What did that feel like? Was He steadying, comforting, or encouraging? In Psalms 34, David writes, “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time” (Psalm 34:19). We are righteous through Christ. He will come to help us every time
Further Reading:
Psalm 145:18
James 4:8
Jeremiah 29:13
Isaiah 7:14
Hebrews 13:5
Deuteronomy 31:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
“Follow your heart” sounds inspiring—but Proverbs 3:5–6 offers a better path: trust God over your own understanding. Scripture reminds us that the human heart can be unreliable (Jeremiah 17:9), often shaped by emotion, culture, or pride rather than truth. Real clarity comes not from looking inward, but from surrendering fully to the Lord and allowing Him to direct your steps.
God doesn’t just redirect our paths—He reshapes our desires. As we stay rooted in His Word, He aligns our hearts with His will, replacing confusion with conviction. Instead of chasing what feels right in the moment, we’re invited to follow the One who sees the full picture and leads with perfect wisdom.
Highlights
- “Follow your heart” is cultural advice, not biblical direction
- The heart can be deceptive and influenced by emotion or pride
- True guidance comes from trusting God, not personal understanding
- God transforms our desires as we seek and obey Him
- Scripture renews our minds and anchors our decisions in truth
- Following God leads to clarity, purpose, and alignment with His will
- Obedience often requires surrendering plans we once held tightly
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Forsaking Following Your Heart
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).
Shortly after college graduation, I became a born-again believer in Jesus Christ; I repented of my sin and surrendered my life to Christ, committing to take up my cross and follow Him no matter the cost. Yet I still wanted to pursue my original plan to become an actress in Los Angeles. As a Christian, I believed I was called to be a light in a dark place, so I was supposed to use my talents for Christ in Hollywood. I was receiving mixed messages from trusted believers because they kept telling me to trust God with the plans to pursue my dreams. This just led to more confusion.
Trust God with my plan and my heart’s desires?
Again and again, the phrase “follow your heart” was echoing through my mind. This phrase seems to be very popular in American culture, even among Christian circles. You can find these three words boldly displayed on T-shirts, on Instagram graphics, and even heralded by some influential professing Christian leaders.
“Follow your heart…” - just a harmless motto, right?
It sounds really encouraging, doesn’t it?
Yes, very encouraging, almost Disney-like, but definitely not Biblical!
The Lord spoke these words about the heart through the prophet Jeremiah:
“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV)
As Christians, sometimes we fall into the trap of giving man’s words more weight than the Word of God. I wanted to encourage us to look to the direction found in scripture for those who are God’s children. A very familiar, but powerful passage found in Proverbs gives the believer wisdom:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If we put our trust in anything or anyone but the Lord, we will constantly be disappointed and led astray from God’s perfect will for our lives. We must trust in the Lord with all of our heart, which should never be filled with more of this world than God’s Word. I’m so thankful that during that time in my life, while I was faced with a major decision, I kept my heart full of God’s Word, which helped me renew my mind so that I was filled with faith to trust God when He began changing my desires to follow and obey Him most of all. One month after I decided not to move to Los Angeles, realizing that pride was actually driving my desire to pursue an acting career, I was introduced to my now-husband, and the rest is His Story.
My advice to you, beloved one, is do not follow your heart- follow God instead. He knows what you need more than you do. Trust Him with your entire heart and let him mold it to look more like His. He will never lead you down the wrong path!
The culture around us often loudly proclaims how important it is for us to pursue our dreams and destiny by listening to our hearts and following them. But God’s word is very clear: our hearts can often bring confusion, and the only One we can trust to follow is the Lord. If you are born again, God has given you a new heart in Christ, yes, but your flesh is always at war with God’s desires and longs to lead you away from God’s will. We find God’s will in His Word, so we must ask the Lord to help us have a hunger to hide it in our hearts so that we will not sin against Him. God’s word is what renews our minds so that we are able to walk in obedience and look more like Christ to the world, so that they may know that His ways and thoughts are higher and better than man’s. The Lord can help us not to lean upon our own understanding and trust Him above all, not our hearts’ desires. Let us be diligent to ask the Lord to mold our hearts to more closely resemble Jesus.
Further Reading:
Psalm 143:8-10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Trusting God during conflict and injustice isn’t passive—it’s deeply intentional. In Genesis 26:19–22, Isaac faced repeated opposition as others claimed the wells he and his servants dug. Instead of fighting back, he chose to move forward in faith, trusting that God would provide space for him to flourish. His story reveals a powerful truth: God’s plans will prevail, even when others come against us.
Highlights
- Isaac faced repeated conflict but chose trust over striving
- Not every battle requires a fight—some require faith and surrender
- God’s provision cannot be blocked by others’ actions
- Trusting God often means releasing control and resisting retaliation
- Scripture shows both times to act and times to be still
- God is faithful to restore, provide, and make room in His timing
- Even in injustice, God is working for our good and His glory
Links & Resources:
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Trusting God's Plans to Prevail When Others Come Against Us
By Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herders of Gerar quarreled with those of Isaac and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah.He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, “Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land.” (Genesis 26:19-22, NIV).
Have you ever had someone use your kindness and integrity against you? Or betray you in some way, and you wanted to fight back, but sensed God telling you to trust Him to rectify the situation?
For years, I watched my husband endure the painful effects of slander and parental alienation. He was married before me to a woman who was verbally and psychologically abusive. When they divorced, his ex told his children that he’d abandoned them and didn’t love them. Then, once he married me and he and I gave birth to our daughter, his ex told his kids that we were his “replacement family.”
While he diligently showed up for them and financially provided for them, that negative narrative became their reality. To say this devastated him would be a huge understatement. And the cruel injustice of it all angered me. I vacillated between feeling frustrated with God for not intervening on my timeline, and trusting that one day He would make things right.
That was decades ago, and while my husband, sadly, remains estranged with some of his children, he’s been able to rebuild (and is rebuilding) his relationship with one of his daughters. He’s also been able to connect with three grandchildren, something we’d previously feared might never occur.
I reflected upon my husband’s experience and God’s faithfulness this morning as I read Genesis 26. This occurred after Abraham’s death and well into Isaac’s adult years. Like his father before him, he endured what Scripture terms “a severe famine” and moved to an area of Gerar, presumably in search of food and access to water. The Lord, likely alert to the anxiety this would’ve caused, told Isaac not to go to Egypt (with its constant access to the Nile). He also promised to provide for and bless him.
This reminds us that God knows precisely how to comfort and strengthen our fearful souls! In the middle of Isaac’s life-or-death crisis, He spoke powerful assurances to his soul. These divine commitments probably allowed him to remain calm and faith-filled later, when the people of the land continually sabotaged or laid claim to the wells his servants dug or reopened. This occurred three times, during which Isaac could’ve fought back. He might even have been successful. Genesis 26 tells us that He became quite rich and powerful (vs. 13, 16).
Instead, he simply moved on, and once he reached the place he later called Rehoboth, he dug another well, and “This time there was no dispute over it” (Gen. 26:22b). Recognizing God’s provision, he proclaimed, “At last the LORD has created enough space for us to proper in the land” (Gen. 26:22, NLT).
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying Christ-followers should never advocate for themselves. Throughout Scripture, we see numerous instances when God directs His people to stand firm against evil, advocate for and defend others, or take hold of a blessing He provided. Ancient Israel taking possession of the Promised Land is a perfect example. But there are also times when he invites us to “Be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10). This seems to be how he directed Joseph, introduced in Genesis 37. It also appears to be how He led Isaac in the chapter surrounding today’s passage.
Did you catch how God spoke truth and assurance to Isaac before the well events? This reads like He was saying, in essence, “You don’t have to fight and strive for your survival, because I, Almighty God, will bless you.”
He says the same to us. He is bigger than any injustice we’ll face or betrayal we’ll endure. He is faithful to protect, defend, and provide for His children. Sometimes, He invites us to play an active role in that protection or provision. Other times, He asks us to trust while He works the situation for our good and His glory, just as He promised in Romans 8:28. Regardless of how He leads, we can trust in His attentive care. He is the God of abundance, who owns all, sees all, and remains sovereign over all. But more than that, He is a God of tender, merciful love who sees our pain, heals our hurts, quiets our fears, and tends to all of our needs, physical, spiritual, and emotional.
If you are struggling with a present or past betrayal or injustice, perhaps reflect on and rehearse this passage:
Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart (Ps. 37:1-4).
Further Reading:
Psalm 37
Genesis 26:12-25
Genesis 41:37-43; 50:15-20
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Acts 8:18–23 gives a sobering look at Simon the Sorcerer—a man drawn to spiritual power but not transformed in heart. His story is a reminder that not everything that looks spiritual is rooted in God. Even today, appearances, influence, and charisma can sometimes mask motives that aren’t aligned with truth.
Discernment is essential in a world full of voices claiming authority. Scripture calls believers to test what they hear against God’s Word and to pay attention to fruit, not just presentation. True spiritual leadership reflects humility, repentance, and alignment with Christ—not control, profit, or self-exaltation.
Highlights
- Not everything that appears spiritual is genuinely from God
- Simon’s story reveals the danger of pursuing power over transformation
- Discernment requires evaluating teaching against Scripture
- Jesus teaches that spiritual truth is revealed through “fruit,” not appearance
- False teaching can be persuasive, charismatic, and still misleading
- God calls believers to wisdom, testing, and spiritual awareness
- True faith is marked by humility, repentance, and Christlike character
Links & Resources:
Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below:
Take Our Survey!
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Encountering Modern Day Simon the SorcerersBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ Peter answered: ‘May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.’” - Acts 8:18-23
There are many false teachers who distract us from the true Gospel. These individuals tend to be charismatic, confident, and deceptive in their dealings with others. How many megachurch pastors have we seen step down from positions of authority because of scandal? As followers of the Lord, we must be discerning. It takes time, focus, and a close walk with Jesus to recognize wolves dressed as sheep.
God will help us discern true followers of the Lord from those who are not. Unfortunately, there are many people who claim to be Christians, only to disown Him through their actions. While we cannot judge someone’s salvation, we can weigh what they say and do against Scripture.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Simon practiced sorcery (Acts 8:9). His acts amazed the people, and he often boasted of his greatness. The people of Samaria believed he was someone special, even calling him “the Great Power of God” (Acts 8:10). However, once Philip shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they rejected Simon the Sorcerer and followed Jesus instead (Acts 8:12-13).
In Acts 8:18-23, we see the true condition of Simon’s heart. He wanted the same ability to give the Holy Spirit to anyone on whom he laid his hands. Peter was angered by Simon’s desire and rebuked him, urging him to repent and turn to the Lord. Simon’s actions revealed that he was “full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
There are many leaders within cities, organizations, and companies who are similar to Simon the Sorcerer. Although we are told Simon believed Philip’s message of the Good News of Jesus Christ, he was still influenced by the sin within him (Acts 8:13). His main focus was power. Peter could see through Simon’s duplicity, and we need to ensure we are doing the same.
As followers of Christ, we must be aware of those who claim to be believers but peddle the Word of God for profit. We must also be cautious of anyone who professes faith but denies Jesus through their actions. Jesus tells us, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit” (Matthew 7:15-17).
Anyone who denies the Lord in their actions or tries to use the Gospel for monetary gain should be rebuked. If they are a true follower of the Lord, they will turn to the Lord in repentance and ask for forgiveness. However, if they continue in their wicked ways, it is right to assume they never knew the Lord.
Have you come across anyone who is like Simon the Sorcerer? What are some ways you can become more discerning of leaders and individuals? How can you gauge their heart?
Pray with me:
Dear Jesus, please give me discernment to know who Your true followers are and who are not. Uncover the Simons in my life. Guide my heart away from false teachers and toward You. Bless me with the confidence to rebuke these individuals, as Peter did, and give me the boldness to stand up for You. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.
Further Reading:
2 Peter 2:1-3
1 John 4:1
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s Word is described in Psalm 119:130 as light that brings understanding—and that imagery still holds up today. Just like a flashlight cutting through darkness, Scripture has a way of revealing clarity in places where confusion, uncertainty, or discouragement once lived. And the beautiful part is that this light isn’t reserved for experts or scholars—it’s available to anyone willing to open the page.
Spiritual understanding doesn’t usually happen all at once. It unfolds over time as we return to God’s Word consistently and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate what we need in each season. As we read, reflect, and stay teachable, Scripture moves from information to transformation—guiding not just what we know, but how we live.
Highlights
- God’s Word brings light into confusion and spiritual darkness
- Scripture is meant to be experienced gradually, not mastered instantly
- The Holy Spirit helps illuminate understanding as we read and reflect
- Bible reading is a daily spiritual discipline that builds spiritual growth
- God’s Word transforms us, not just informs us
- Lifelong learning keeps faith active, humble, and growing
- God can use both Scripture and other reading to deepen spiritual insight
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Words Will Enlighten YouBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” – Psalm 119:130, NIV
When I was a child, I loved reading so much that bedtime felt like an interruption. Once the lights were off and the door was closed, I’d pull out a flashlight and keep reading under the covers. I knew I was supposed to be sleeping, but the story always felt more important. I wanted to know what happened next. I wanted to learn. That little beam of light made the pages come alive, even in the dark.
Those memories come back to me when I read Psalm 119:130, which describes how God’s words shine a light that gives us understanding. When we read God’s words in the Bible, God’s light shines into the darkness of our lives in this fallen world, and that helps us see what we couldn’t see before. God’s words do this for us even if we’re not experts or scholars. The verse says it gives understanding “to the simple.” That’s good news for all of us.
Psalm 119 is all about loving God’s words to us, which Hebrews 4:12 points out are “alive and active”. Over and over, Psalm 119 describes longing for scripture, meditating on it, and finding life in it. This particular verse reminds us that God’s words in the Bible work gradually yet powerfully in our lives. God’s words unfold. They open up over time. God’s light comes into the darkness of our lives in this fallen world as we read them, reflect on them, and apply them.
That’s important, because many people feel discouraged when they open the Bible and don’t immediately understand everything. They may worry that they’re not smart enough to understand God’s messages, or that they’re approaching the Bible in the wrong ways. But the Bible was never meant to be mastered in just one reading. It was meant to be read gradually and returned to regularly. Bible reading is an important spiritual discipline that God intends for us to practice every day, just like prayer and meditation. As we allow God’s words in the Bible to sink into our souls day by day, they will unfold in our lives so that we become more enlightened.
When we come to the Bible with a desire for God to enlighten us, God’s Holy Spirit will help us understand what we need, when we need it. But learning doesn’t stop with the Bible alone. God also uses other good books and articles to help us grow spiritually. Reading widely can deepen our understanding of God and the world he has created. The key is reading prayerfully, asking the Holy Spirit to guide us. The Spirit will show us what’s true and what’s helpful for growing closer to God. God loves to teach us through what we read – both through the Bible’s words and through other words that can point us toward him.
Reading is an important part of lifelong learning, and being lifelong learners keeps our faith growing by reminding us that God is always bigger than our current understanding. If we stop learning, our faith can become weak. But when we stay curious – focused on God’s words in the Bible and open to growth as the Holy Spirit leads us – we stay teachable.
Psalm 119:130 also reminds us that light comes from God’s words, not just information. God wants us to do much more than just collect facts. God wants us to change for the better. So, the words God uses to enlighten us go beyond information to also bring inspiration into our lives. God’s words inspire us by motivating us to move closer to him as we keep learning more.
So, if you’re facing the darkness of confusion or discouragement, let God’s words shine a light into your life. Open the Bible and read something. Then ask the Holy Spirit to use that to enlighten you and bring you the wisdom and encouragement you need. When you experience the blessing of God meeting you there, you’ll get inspired to keep reading. Like a child with a flashlight under the covers, you’ll be excited to read and learn from God’s words as much as you can!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how God’s words will enlighten you, reflect on these questions:
- What role does reading – the Bible, and other books and articles – play in your daily life right now?
- When have you recently experienced a Bible verse or passage enlightening you with wisdom or encouragement?
- What keeps you from reading the Bible more regularly, and how can you try to start reading the Bible more?
- How can you approach other books or articles as learning opportunities, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide you?
- What would it look like for you to become a lifelong learner who’s focused on God’s truth while continuing to seek out fresh information and inspiration?
Further Reading:
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Joshua 1:8
Proverbs 2:6
Colossians 3:16
James 1:5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Wisdom in Scripture is more than intelligence or good decision-making—it’s a way of living rooted in reverence for God. Proverbs 9:10 makes it clear: wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. That “fear” isn’t fear of punishment, but a deep respect and recognition that God is the source of all truth, direction, and understanding.
In a fast-paced world where decisions often feel rushed and emotionally driven, wisdom calls us to pause and look upward first. Rather than relying solely on instinct or opinion, God invites us to seek Him directly for guidance. When we intentionally ask for wisdom and make space for the Holy Spirit to lead, we position ourselves to live with greater clarity, peace, and alignment with His will.
Highlights
- Wisdom in the Bible goes beyond knowledge—it’s rooted in reverence for God
- Proverbs 9:10 defines wisdom as beginning with the fear (reverence) of the Lord
- God is the ultimate source of discernment and understanding
- Modern life often pushes us toward rushed, emotion-driven decisions
- Seeking wisdom requires intentionally pausing and praying before acting
- Scripture encourages believers to ask God for wisdom confidently
- Daily dependence on God cultivates spiritual growth and clearer direction
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
What Is Wisdom?
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” - Prov. 9:10 (NIV)
The Bible is full of references to the concept of wisdom. We are exhorted throughout the Word to seek wisdom, to employ it when making decisions, to represent it through our interactions with others, and to prayerfully request an increase of it in our lives. There are entire books in the Bible dedicated to the value of wisdom (Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, to name a few). With all of these references to wisdom in the Word, it is clear the Lord is trying to teach us something, but what? What does wisdom really mean for us in our modern, everyday lives?
When we look up the definition of wisdom in the dictionary or a biblical concordance, we can see descriptions such as having good sense or judgment, the ability to discern inner qualities, teachings stemming from ancient knowledge, shrewdness, or prudence. Based on these definitions, true wisdom is more than intellect or knowledge. It is much deeper. It extends far beyond our human limitations, which is why we must look to the supernatural as our source of impartation and increase.
I don’t know about you, but I struggle with the idea of possessing and successfully employing wisdom in everyday life. Our lives move at such a fast pace, and whether real or projected, it feels like our choices must be instantaneous rather than carefully considered. Even if I am able to carve out space for thoughtful deliberation, it seems like I rely much more readily on my ever-present, very forward emotions rather than sage discernment when making decisions. Perhaps you struggle with this as well. How then can we attempt to gain and prioritize wisdom?
Our key scripture today states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov. 9:10, NIV). Any search we embark on to gain wisdom must begin with the fear of the Lord. Fear in this passage isn’t being afraid. Rather, it is a sincere reverence and respect for our Creator God. It is an acknowledgment that He is the Alpha and the Omega, beginning and the end (Rev. 22:13); that all things were created by Him and without Him nothing was made (John 1:3). HE is the answer. HE is the source. If we desire to gain greater insight and understanding, we must depend heavily on the Lord. We must look to Him first.
This all sounds great, but how can we practically apply this to our lives? By intentionally asking the Lord to grant and increase our wisdom. Proverbs 4:7 says, “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment,” (NLT). If the smartest thing we can do to gain wisdom is to simply ask for it, then that is the best place to start. The Word promises that if we ask, we shall receive and if we seek, we shall find (Matt. 7:7).
The next time you are uncertain of what decision to make or how to proceed forward in an unpredictable scenario, stop and pray. Ask the Lord to grant you His wisdom. Create space for those whispers of the Holy Spirit, and God will provide. He is faithful to do all He has promised.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How have you viewed the concept of wisdom in the Word of God? Have you seen it as treasured and valuable? Or do you struggle to believe you can possess such a quality?
As shared earlier, I have wrestled with possessing and employing wisdom. However, I fully believe in the truth of God’s Word. If He tells us to seek wisdom and ask for it, then that is exactly what we should do.
Understanding this, I started praying for wisdom every morning several years ago. My prayer is simple, nothing fancy. But when I recite this daily prayer, I sense a connection to the Word and God’s desire for me to grow in my faith. It is a small act of obedience that I believe has drawn me closer and more dependent upon the Lord.
If you feel led, please join me in this petition today:
“Heavenly Father, would you grant my family and me wisdom today? Help us to be present in the natural world, but live and work with Your supernatural wisdom that is beyond this world. Amen.”
Further Reading:
John 1:1-5
Matthew 7:7-11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Spiritual sensitivity often comes down to one simple question: are we truly paying attention to what God is doing around us? Acts 3:2–4 shows Peter and John pausing long enough to see a person in need—and that moment of attention became an opportunity for God’s power to move. When we tune into the Holy Spirit, ordinary moments can turn into divine appointments.
In daily life, distractions, routines, and personal agendas can easily drown out God’s promptings. But Scripture consistently shows that God often works through interruptions, not just planned moments. Learning to slow down, notice people, and respond with obedience can open the door for encouragement, healing, and spiritual growth—both for others and for us.
Highlights
- God often speaks through interruptions and unexpected moments
- Spiritual distraction can cause us to miss meaningful opportunities
- Peter and John noticed the man and responded with presence and compassion
- God uses ordinary obedience to create extraordinary impact
- Discernment requires slowing down and staying spiritually attentive
- Faith is not just routine—it’s responsive to the Spirit’s leading
- Small moments of obedience can have lasting spiritual influence
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Tune Into His SpiritBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John.” - Acts 3:2-4
As a writer, I have the privilege of working from home. But sometimes the TV screen or other distractions can keep me from getting my work done. Sometimes I go to a coffee shop to get it done. Once I get there, I settle into a booth, put in my AirPods, and focus on my work. Most of the time, I'm super productive and get my tasks done for the day.
A few years ago, however, I bumped into a friend. It was a woman who had been attending our church for a little while. Although she'd been raised in the faith, she was hesitant about God. I saw her from across the room, unsure what I should do. Should I stop what I was doing, take out my AirPods, and have a conversation centered on God, or should I stay focused, knowing I could get my work done?
Although headphones can be a great way to filter out the world's noise and focus on an immediate task, sometimes we crowd out not only God's voice but also the voices of those who need our help. In that situation, I kept my AirPods in, focused on my task, and ignored the opportunity God had placed before me. The woman soon left, and I felt bad. I should have initiated a conversation that could have helped her take a step forward in her spiritual growth. Instead, I focused on the menial tasks I had to get done for the day.
Discerning God's voice is never easy. It can be downright difficult to discern God's voice from the world's voices. Even when it is difficult for us to discern what God has for us, it was no different for the disciples. In the passage above, Peter and John were on their way to the temple. They were out to do a good thing—go to church and worship God.
But God had other plans for them that day. Because they took time out of their busy day, God chose to show up in a big way in both their lives and the beggar's. The beggar received a great gift that day—healing from God.
Although the text does not specify whether the person was a believer, it stands to reason that, given the miraculous power the Holy Spirit showed in that moment, the man was brought one step closer to knowing God more intimately. Because Peter and John took time to look him in the eye, give him dignity and worth, and meet his deepest needs, that man grew closer to God because of it.
Do we go through the motions of our faith? Do we put our heads down, tuck our Bibles under our arms, and walk into church each week, hearing great sermons and worshipping to great music, only to leave and focus on the menial tasks of the week? Do we make time to listen for how God might be speaking to us?
Take a moment and write down people whom you know God has placed in your path with whom you could have a spiritual conversation this week. It could be an email, a phone call, or a face-to-face conversation. Regardless of the way you choose to meet, choose to obey God and see what God wants to do with the people he has placed in your path. Lay aside your agenda and the menial tasks of the week and focus on the good opportunities he may lay before you.
Not only will God honor you for honoring him in that way, but you may find you not only witness but perform greater miracles than any of the disciples ever experienced during their ministry on earth.
Father, let us be in tune with your spirit. Let us see with your eyes who may be looking to know you better. Let us be the example you call us to be. Let us truly be disciples, sharing our faith so others may be equipped to do the same. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is one step you can take to share your faith with someone who doesn’t know God? Can you pray and ask God to reveal a person to you today?
Further Reading:John 10:27-28
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Worry often builds quietly over time—through life experiences, disappointments, and the growing awareness that not everything is in our control. But Ephesians 3:20 reminds us of a powerful truth: God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. When we truly understand both His power and His deep love for us, it begins to shift how we carry our worries.
The real turning point comes when we stop asking if God will show up for us and start trusting that He both can and wants to. Worry loses its grip when we root ourselves in the truth of God’s character—His goodness, His care, and His capability. As we continually return to His Word and surrender our fears, we begin to trade anxiety for peace and control for trust.
Highlights
- Worry often develops gradually through life experiences and uncertainty
- Even strong believers wrestle with worry—it’s a shared human struggle
- Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God is both willing and able to do more than we imagine
- Understanding God’s love is key to releasing fear and anxiety
- Worry is often rooted in fear and a desire for control
- God’s Word is a powerful tool to combat anxious thoughts
- Trusting God fully opens the door to greater peace and freedom
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Give Your Worries to the God Who Gives So Much MoreBy Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20)
I was once quite the worrier. I’m not sure exactly what the trigger was. But it likely began during my youth as life started to get more real. As I slowly lost the innocent beliefs that everyone is nice, parents always stay married, only old people die, and you don’t get in trouble unless you’re actually guilty. And one life disappointment at a time, I observed mean kids making fun, moms and dads splitting up, classmates getting in fatal car crashes, and people getting punished for things they didn’t do. Hurt happened, heartbreaks began to haunt me, until, without notice, I began living in such a way to protect myself from any pain. Worry was brewing, and I hardly noticed.
And sadly, as the years progressed through my teens and early adulthood, so did my life experience. And so did my reality that there was more wrong in the world than my younger years could fathom. And so did the worry.
Have you seen worry develop in your life? Have you ever considered yourself a worrier? Or maybe your worry is masked as a tendency to control too much sometimes? Or it might look like becoming consumed with a decision, an upcoming situation or event, or just the unknowns of the future? Or maybe you’ve been an avoider of something or someone, an over-thinker, over-analyzer, or just wondered “what if” too many times. All of this, believe it or not, has worry wrapped all around it.
The truth is, we all worry. Even the strongest Christians. But what’s also true: no one wants to worry. The effects of it are awful and are the exact opposite of what we long for most in this life, like peace, joy, and, did I say peace? So how do we stop worrying and find the peace of God we want to hold on to and not let go of? How do we release the unease we feel in our circumstances, the unsettled sense of the undone to-dos, the uncertainty of every decision concerning our families, finances, jobs, and all the unknowns of our futures? How do we release the worry that keeps returning?
Regardless of my growing faith, I still struggle with worry. And with the ebbs and flows of life, this is likely you, too. So, to stand strong against the lying enemy of fear—which is no doubt at the root of every worry—I’ve learned the necessity of arming ourselves with the sword of the spirit—the Word of God. And I’ve learned the value of pouring over and over God’s truths.
For the longest time, one of my favorite verses has been Ephesians 3:20. I’ve always cherished the truth that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. I’m sure we all do—it’s gloriously wonderful. And yes, God can do more than all we ask or imagine, and yes, we do want him to do just that on our behalf. However, how do we know he wants to? Maybe we can get on board with trusting he can, but how do we know he will? What if he doesn’t want to do something greater than I can imagine in my case? Have you ever wondered this, as I have?
Well, I made a beautiful observation that opened my eyes to the truth of this contemplation. I found it in the preceding verses of Ephesians 3:17-19, which say, And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge. WhatI was reading in these verses was how much God loves us. And then, I dove directly into the truth of how much he’s capable of. And these familiar verses swallowed me in the most comforting way. God wants to, and God can. God wants to give us so much because of his boundless love for us. And God can, because of his infinite power in and around us. And once we understand this, in terms of our worry, it should change everything.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What we need to do is trust and believe that God loves us and that God is able. Because it’s true. And we need to trust that with our whole hearts. Just imagine for a minute. If you believed with all that you are that God loves you, and that God, not you, in his sovereign power, is able to do so much more than all you could ask or imagine. If you truly believed this, what in the world would you have to worry about?
If you truly trusted this, what would you let go of? The fears, the anxiety, the control, the stress. Imagine the peace. And what would you do? Where might you feel free to go? Imagine the joy. Imagine a life with less worry. Imagine a life where you believed and rested deeply in the truth that you are a child of a good, good God. Who will always adore you, help you, care for you, and forever bless you. This is who God is; this is what God does. So you can give all your worries to him. Our good God who will give you so much more than you can possibly imagine.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Weakness isn’t something we naturally celebrate—but Scripture flips that idea on its head. In 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, we’re reminded that God’s power is made perfect in weakness, meaning the very areas we try to hide can become the places where His strength is most clearly seen. What feels like a limitation may actually be the beginning of a powerful testimony.
Instead of striving to appear strong or self-sufficient, God invites us to depend on Him. Weakness exposes our need—and that’s exactly where grace steps in. Whether it’s a personal struggle, a diagnosis, or an ongoing battle, God can work through it in ways that not only transform us but also encourage others. When we stop resisting our weakness and start surrendering it, we create space for God’s power to move.
Highlights
- Weakness is not a disqualifier—it’s an opportunity for God’s power
- God’s strength is most visible in areas where we feel insufficient
- Personal struggles can become meaningful testimonies
- Dependence on God replaces the pressure to “figure it all out”
- Paul’s “thorn” reminds us that not every struggle is removed—but it can be redeemed
- Sharing our journey through weakness can encourage and impact others
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Your Weakness May Be Your Testimony
By Lauren Fletcher
Bible Reading:
“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
I never thought positively about my weaknesses. They were always something I tried diligently to hide, especially as a teenager. As an adult, I’ve had times of embracing them, amongst grace-filled friends. I’ve also had times where I didn’t quite want to mention them (job interview, anyone?)
When I was diagnosed with ADHD and severe OCD, it hit me in a way I didn’t expect. I was emotional and self-conscious. Severe?, I thought. Though these diagnoses were what my counselors and I suspected, when I had the official word, it took me some time to process. I thought about my life and wondered, what does this mean for my future? It all felt very heavy.
I talked with my friends for some support. They said things like, this is just a snapshot of what my symptoms were like at the time of testing, and that in the future, the severity might change. Many of them also said, “That’s not who you are,” and that who I am is who I am in Christ. I am trying to hold onto their words and perspective as I move forward.
In light of the diagnoses, what helped me was realizing that God can work in and through my weaknesses, that my weaknesses can become my testimony. I imagined my future and how one day, I could share with others, Yes, I was diagnosed with ADHD and severe OCD, but look at what God has done through my life. I finally had hope for the future.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
In 2 Corinthians, Paul talks about his weakness: “…So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.” (2 Corinthians 12:7b-8)
Paul was dealing with something uncomfortable, something he didn’t want, so much so that he brought it before the Lord. Paul continues, “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
This morning, I was struggling and questioned why the Lord called me to do something that would require His help. It’s as if He helped me to understand—to overcome the difficulty of OCD in my life, I need God’s help. I need to let Him help me, and I need to accept the help He gives me through my counselor. I thought I was supposed to figure it out and try hard.
The thing about weaknesses is that we need God. It’s insufficiency in ourselves and finding what we need in Him. We all do and will continue to have weaknesses. What Paul is talking about in this scripture is actually delighting in his weaknesses. Why? Because it’s in our weaknesses that the Lord shows his power. That’s something to rejoice in.
Have you ever had a circumstance that was difficult, a weakness that was uncomfortable or you didn’t understand? Have you seen any evidence of God working through it? Invite Him into these spaces. Ask Him to show You how His “power works best in" your own weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
When we share about what God has done in our lives through our weaknesses or in the midst of difficult circumstances, we share our testimony with others. God can be glorified through it, through us.
Further Reading:
1 Peter 4:19
Romans 8:28
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Uncontrolled anger can quietly damage relationships, distort communication, and pull us away from God’s design for righteous living. James 1:19–20 offers clear, practical wisdom: be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Sinful anger isn’t just about emotion—it’s often rooted in pride and self-focus, leading us to say things we don’t mean and hurt the people we care about most.
Highlights
- Unrestrained anger often leads to hurtful words and broken connection
- Sinful anger is usually rooted in pride and self-centeredness
- James 1:19–20 calls us to listen first, speak carefully, and slow down anger
- Interrupting and reacting quickly fuels conflict instead of resolving it
- The Holy Spirit helps us respond with patience and humility
- Repentance and forgiveness restore relationships after conflict
- Growth in handling anger is part of ongoing spiritual maturity
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
The Harm of Sinful Anger
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20, ESV).
My husband and I have been married for sixteen years, and although we would never admit to “having it all together,” one thing that we have always fought to hold onto is our pursuit to work through our disagreements, however heated they may become, and never go to sleep angry with one another. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we try our best to be quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness.
But since we are still on this side of eternity, we are continually being sanctified every day, and sometimes our flesh and pride get in the way of that pursuit for peace, and that was the case in a recent argument that he and I experienced. The two of us became so angry with one another that we continued to go in circles and rehash the argument. I found myself not thinking clearly and saying things that were hurtful towards my husband, things that I did not believe to be true. I would constantly interrupt my husband with what I wanted to say and never let him voice his concerns. In my frustration, I became so exhausted and confused that I didn’t have any energy to continue the conversation. Thankfully, before we drifted off to sleep, we both took some time to calm down and began to apologize for our anger and hurtful words. Knowing anger that is not restrained can often lead to sin, and in this case, it did; we both repented to the Lord and to each other. We can find much instruction and wisdom in the Bible regarding the sin of unrestrained anger. James 1 has some beautiful instruction for us that is a wonderful reminder for our hearts, especially in a marriage relationship:
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20, ESV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you notice how our conversations with each other can be tied to the misuse of anger? This is especially true if we are not considering others before ourselves when we want to voice our opinion or concerns. The misuse of anger is called unrighteous anger because it is selfish and prideful in nature. Those who do not think of others when speaking are walking in pride, which can often lead to anger if met with resistance and tension. When anger is unrestrained and rooted in pride, we are not walking righteously before God. We are to be quick to listen before speaking and patient when engaging in a tense discussion. What wise advice for married couples! Anger is sure to occur when two people disagree, but we do not have to give into the temptation to allow that anger to fuel hurtful or hate-filled words towards the other person, sinning against them and, more importantly, sinning against God who calls us to walk in righteousness. We need to prefer others above ourselves in our conversations with one another. May the Lord help us and sanctify us in our marriages and relationships with others.
The Word has so much to say on the sin of anger, yet we give in to this temptation all the time when we are challenged in our selfishness. This is especially true in marriage. We must be careful not to allow our pride to lead us into unrestrained anger by lashing out and interrupting in disagreements. The Lord will help you be slow to speak and quick to listen so that anger does not cause you to walk in unrighteous behavior towards your spouse and brothers and sisters in Christ. The Holy Spirit will give you grace to empower you to walk more Christ-like.
Further Reading:
Ephesians 4:26-27
Proverbs 16:32
Proverbs 29:22
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Worry has a way of quietly filling the mind—about the future, finances, work, relationships, and everything in between. In Matthew 6:33–34, Jesus speaks directly into that pressure, not by dismissing our concerns, but by redirecting our focus. Instead of being consumed by tomorrow, He invites us to seek God first today and trust Him with what’s ahead.
Freedom from worry isn’t about never feeling anxious thoughts—it’s about learning where to place them. Jesus teaches that life is lived one day at a time, with God as our provider and guide. When we shift our focus from what we can’t control to the One who holds everything together, worry begins to lose its grip. Peace grows when trust becomes our daily response.
Highlights
- Worry is common—but it doesn’t have to control your life
- Jesus doesn’t shame worry; He redirects our focus
- Seeking God first reshapes how we handle anxiety about tomorrow
- Living one day at a time helps reduce mental overwhelm
- Prayer is a practical way to release anxious thoughts to God
- Filling your mind with truth helps quiet spiraling thoughts
- Peace grows when trust in God becomes your default response
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
The Desire to Be Free from WorryBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” - Matthew 6:33-34 (NLT)
Worry weighs heavily on most of us. Tight deadlines at work, endless tests in college, and difficult financial situations can cause us to worry. To worry is to be human. Although many of us may feel ashamed for worrying, we must remember that it is a part of life.
We can trust God and still feel worried about certain circumstances. Worry does not equate to a lack of faith in God. Rather, worry is simply what it is: being afraid or doubtful about what will happen. Worry can completely control our lives if we let it; however, we can also stand up to it.
My dad and I are avid walkers, and we often come across many cyclists. What I have noticed about most cyclists is that their biggest concern is speed. Many of them ride with a forward lean, as it helps them become more aerodynamic and enhances their speed.
However, there is one cyclist we occasionally see who is different from the others. Rather than being hunched over and focused on speed, he simply rides his bike, plays music from a loudspeaker, and appears to be free from worry: laid back, relaxed, and genuinely happy to be there.
As he passed us one day, I told my dad, “I wish I could be that relaxed.” I think most of us feel the same way… to be free from worry and to genuinely enjoy the little things in life. While I’m sure this cyclist has worries at times, he also seems to know when to let them go and focus on what brings him joy.
This is something we should aim to do in our own lives. While our worries may not disappear, we can learn to set them apart from other areas of our lives. The first step in easing these worries is to turn to God in prayer and reading the Bible.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Jesus tells us, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:33-34, NLT).
Rather than endlessly worrying about what is to come, we need to surrender these worries to God (1 Peter 5:7). As the Lord says, we are to focus on the Kingdom of God and live in obedience to Him. This means focusing on the present and faithfully living out God’s teachings found in Scripture.
If we choose the path of worry, it will be difficult to stay focused on God. Worry can cause us to spiral further. Yet it can be eased by talking with God. Tell Him why you are worried. Be honest with Him. He will never downplay your concerns or treat them as unimportant.
It is also helpful to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8-9). Fixing our minds on these things can help quiet our worries. Instead of dwelling on the concerns of today or tomorrow, reflect on the beauty around you—the trees, a joyful call from a friend, or a warm hug from a loved one.
Pray to God whenever worry rises in your heart. Let’s go to Him together:
Dear God, I want to be free from worry. You know how worry creeps into my mind every day. At times, it feels like it could drown me. Help me to rise above the worry and to reflect upon Your Son’s words. Guide my heart after Your Kingdom and to live for You. Remove my anxious, worried heart and replace it with a steadfast, unwavering heart. Thank You for listening to my prayers, God. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.
What are your most common worries? How can you apply Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33-34 to your life?
Further Reading:
Psalm 55:22
Proverbs 12:25
Matthew 11:28-30
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Struggling with anxiety as a Christian can feel confusing—especially when verses like John 14:1 tell us not to let our hearts be troubled. But Jesus’ response to anxiety isn’t harsh correction—it’s compassionate invitation. In moments of fear and overwhelm, He offers peace, not pressure. His words weren’t spoken to shame anxious hearts but to comfort them, reminding us that trust in Him is the pathway to lasting peace.
True peace isn’t something we manufacture through perfect prayers or flawless faith—it’s something we receive from Jesus. Biblical peace goes deeper than calm emotions; it’s a sense of wholeness and security rooted in His presence. As we consistently turn to Him—through prayer, Scripture, and honest surrender—He begins to reshape our thoughts and quiet our fears. It may not happen instantly, but over time, His peace grows stronger than our anxiety.
Highlights
- Jesus responds to anxiety with compassion, not condemnation
- “Do not be troubled” is an invitation to trust, not a harsh command
- Peace comes from Christ—not from striving or self-effort
- Anxiety often persists when we expect instant healing
- Spiritual practices help us receive the peace we already have in Christ
- Honest prayer invites God to reveal what may be hindering our peace
- Trusting Jesus more deeply leads to greater, lasting peace
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
How Jesus Responds to Our Anxiety
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” - John 14:1 NIV
As someone with a long history of anxiety, I used to feel guilt and condemnation when I read today’s verse and others like it. I knew Scripture told me, in numerous places, not to fear. I understood the importance of “taking my thoughts captive. I also recognized that I’d remain stuck in my overwhelm and whatever habitual battle I faced unless I allowed the Lord to transform me as I intentionally renewed my mind with God’s unchanging truth.
Yet, I consistently found myself enslaved to my spinning anxious thoughts that felt far too strong to counter or correct. My problem was two-fold. First, I expected instant healing and freedom. I thought if I said the right prayers, memorized enough Scripture, and chose to yield my circumstances to Christ, bam! He’d instantly erase all the lies and doubts fueling my fears and flood my brain and soul with His promises—which, of course, would stick, indefinitely. Second, I misread Jesus’ invitation to trust as a harsh command that brought Him frustration when not lived out.
But our Savior is gentle and humble in heart and longs to provide rest, not guilt and shame, to our souls (Matthew 11:28). When I read John 14 through that lens, I see Christ’s words as tender reassurance spoken from a place of compassionate awareness that fearful times lie ahead.
The context of today’s verse supports this. If you’re familiar with the events surrounding Christ’s crucifixion, you might recognize the circumstances surrounding His words. On the night before His death, He gathered His disciples in an upper room to celebrate the Passover. During this sacred meal, He predicted several unsettling things: He’d soon leave, and they couldn’t come. One of them would betray Him, they’d all abandon Him in His most painful moment, and Peter would deny three times that he even knew Him.
But notice how Jesus bookended this difficult information. He began the chapter with today’s verse, telling them not to let their hearts be troubled but instead to trust in Him. Then, in verse 27, He repeated this with additional details when He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Peace. Biblically speaking, this word, eiréné in the original Greek, goes deeper than emotional tranquility. It signifies wholeness, well-being, and things as they should be. And notice, this soul-state comes from Him, not our frantic efforts to change or heal ourselves. Yes, we must do our part by consistently turning to Him through prayer, Bible reading, silent meditation, and practicing other spiritual disciplines. Scripture also encourages us to learn how to rely on and yield to the Holy Spirit more consistently and to do our best to obey, however He leads. Sometimes, this requires prayerfully considering ways we might be actively blocking or hindering our ability to receive Christ’s peace.
Notice the phrasing in Colossians 3:15:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful (NIV, emphasis mine).
This seems to indicate that we already possess His peace but haven’t given it full reign for some reason. Perhaps we’re held captive to an addiction that leads to regretful behavior and damaged relationships, and the inner angst both scenarios create. Or, maybe we’re spending far more time reading fear-mongering clickbait articles than we are truth. Or we might feel reluctant to take medication that our brain needs to function optimally.
Most, if not all, of us also tend to experience some degree of self-deception. Because of this, I’ve found it helpful to pray Psalm 139:23-24, which reads:
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (NIV).
The New American Standard Bible phrases the last line in this passage this way:
… see if there is any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
Understand, I don’t pray this from a place of guilt or shame. Rather, I’m asking the One who knows me better than I know myself and sees the most hidden places in my soul to reveal those things within me that hinder my freedom. This is a request He loves to answer because it positions me for the deep transformation I need to experience the “beyond-expectations” thriving life He promised in John 10:10.
Because only the Prince of Peace holds the power to calm and strengthen my wounded and fearful soul. He longs to do the same for you.
The more you connect with, listen to, learn from, and follow Him, the easier it becomes to “believe in Him,” as today’s verse invites you to do. And the more we believe in Him—trusting His power, promises, and heart—the greater our peace.
Further Reading:Philippians 4:6-8
1 Peter 5:7
Psalm 4:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling prompted to reconnect with an old friend but held back by fear or awkwardness? 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God gives us power, love, and self-discipline—not fear—especially when it comes to relationships He may be stirring in our hearts. When someone from your past keeps coming to mind, it might not be random—it could be God gently nudging you toward restoration, encouragement, or even closure.
Reaching out doesn’t require a perfect plan or flawless words. God simply asks for your willingness to take the first step. Whether the outcome is a renewed friendship or just a moment of peace, God is present in the process. As you trust Him with both the courage to act and the results that follow, you’ll find freedom from fear and confidence in knowing He’s working through every connection in your life.
Highlights
- God prompts connection—people coming to mind may not be случайно
- Fear often holds us back, but it doesn’t come from God
- God equips you with power, love, and self-discipline to take action
- You don’t need the perfect words—just a simple, honest reach-out
- Reconnection may bring healing, restoration, or closure
- You’re responsible for obedience, not the outcome
- God works through relationships in meaningful ways
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
God Will Help You Reconnect with an Old FriendBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7, NIV
It had been years since I’d seen my friend Pam when I started to think of her again. She kept coming to mind, but I kept hesitating to reach out to her, because I thought it might be awkward to try to catch up after all the time that had passed since I got married, she stayed single, and we drifted apart. One day, I prayed about it, and the Holy Spirit seemed to be encouraging me to contact her. I called the number I had for Pam, only to find that it was no longer valid. But that Sunday when I went up to the altar for Communion at church, there in the Communion line with me was Pam! She had recently moved back to my area and joined my church, without even knowing that was where I currently worshipped. But God’s Spirit had made a way for us to meet and reconnect!
Have you ever had an old friend suddenly come to mind? You might not know why that person you’ve lost touch with has popped into your thoughts, but the memory lingers. You may have mixed feelings about it – excitement to try to reconnect, but fear that too much time has gone by to really be friends again. Fear can take over and stop you from reaching out to your old friend. You may have a whole bunch of fear-based excuses for not trying to reconnect, like it’s been too long, or it’ll be too awkward, or that your former friend probably doesn’t want to hear from you.
But 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds you that God didn’t give you a spirit of fear. So, the hesitation you feel doesn’t come from God. According to 2 Timothy 1:7, God gives you power, love, and self-discipline. When fear tells you to stay silent, God offers you courage to move forward despite feeling afraid.
If you’re thinking a lot about an old friend, it may not be random. Sometimes the Holy Spirit gently but persistently encourages you to reconnect. Relationships are important to God. He often works through connections between people. Reaching out might be an important part of God’s work in both of your lives!
You’ll still likely feel afraid because of the uncertainty of what will happen when you do reach out. But God will give you the courage you need to act even when you feel unsure. You don’t have to plan the perfect message or know how the conversation will go. You don’t have to fix the past or explain everything that went wrong. You can start by just sending a simple text or email that says something like: “Hi, you’ve been on my mind lately. I hope you’re doing well.” That’s it. God can work with that.
You may be worried about rejection or silence. That’s understandable. But remember, God never asks you to control how someone responds. He only invites you to trust him with the process. When you step out in faith, you’re placing the results in God’s hands. No matter how your old friend responds, God is still at work in both of your lives.
Reconnecting with an old friend can also stir up past pain. You may remember misunderstandings or conflicts that caused the friendship to end. If that’s the case, ask God to guide you before you reach out. God can help you approach the situation with honesty and humility, and God can also help you forgive and ask for forgiveness. Just like God gives you grace and mercy, you can give your old friend grace and mercy so you both can move forward well.
It’s also possible that reconnecting won’t lead to a restored friendship, and that’s okay. Sometimes the purpose is just peace and closure for both of you. Trust that God knows what this connection is meant to be, and just follow where God leads you.
As you think about reaching out, pray and ask God to fight anxiety for you. Ask God’s Spirit to prepare both you and your old friend, and to give you the right words to reach out. Then contact your old friend, and rely on the courage God will give you. God will handle all the rest.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider why it’s important to ask God for help, like courage to reconnect with old friends, reflect on these questions:
- Who is an old friend who has been on your mind lately?
- What’s currently keeping you from reaching out to him or her?
- Which gift from God – power, love, or self-discipline – do you need the most to reach out to your old friend?
- Are you willing to leave the results of reconnecting in God’s hands?
Further Reading:
1 John 4:18
Hebrews 10:24
Romans 12:18
Philippians 4:6-7
Proverbs 3:5-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If you have ever felt trapped by your body, your limits or a season you didn’t choose, this
conversation will meet you where you are. In this bonus episode from The Unbound Podcast, Dr. Tony Evans sits down with Dr. Dan Wallace, one of the world’s leading Greek scholars and a lifelong student of the New Testament.
Dan is best known for his work in textual criticism and for founding the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts, which has helped digitize thousands of ancient biblical manuscripts
around the world. But this conversation centers on a chapter of his life that few people know.
After contracting encephalitis, Dan lost much of his strength, mobility and even his grasp of
Greek, the language he had devoted his life to studying and teaching. He shares what it was
like to relearn Greek from scratch, using the very textbook he had written himself, while
navigating years of uncertainty, pain and physical limitations.
This is not a technical discussion and not a polished testimony. It is an honest conversation
about chronic illness, suffering without clear answers and what faith looks like when progress is
slow and control is gone. Together, they talk about what Scripture actually teaches about
suffering, how endurance is formed over time and why God’s presence often shows up through
people rather than quick solutions.
If you are carrying pain, fatigue or unanswered questions, this episode offers clarity without
clichés and hope without pretending everything is fine.
Learn more about Dr. Dan Wallace:
The Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts
Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics
The Unbound Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Tony Evans about what it means to live
free of what binds us, including fear, pressure, shame and the need to perform strength. New
episodes release weekly.
For more of The Unbound Podcast, follow Dr. Tony Evans on YouTube
The Unbound Podcast
Senior Producer & Creative Director: Heather Hair
Technical Director, Audio & Lead Editor: Lee Sherman
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Stepping into a new season of life can feel overwhelming, uncertain, and even intimidating—but Jeremiah 1:4-8 reminds us that God calls and equips us long before we feel ready. When you're entering a season of change, it’s easy to focus on your limitations, asking “Am I enough?” or “Do I have what it takes?” Yet God’s response is clear: don’t let your “I’m only…” define you—His calling is greater than your doubts.
Growth rarely comes with a clear roadmap. Instead of giving us all the answers upfront, God invites us to trust Him one step at a time. Whether you're graduating, starting something new, or simply navigating an unexpected transition, your role isn’t to have everything figured out—it’s to be available and obedient where you are. As you release control and surrender your plans, you’ll begin to see that God’s purpose unfolds in the process, not all at once.
Highlights
- Seasons of change often bring both excitement and fear
- Feeling unqualified is normal—but not a disqualifier
- God calls you before you feel ready or capable
- Your “I’m only…” mindset can limit what God wants to do through you
- You don’t need the full plan—just the next step of obedience
- God equips you with everything needed for your calling
- Trusting God’s timing leads to clarity and growth
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
When You’re Entering a Season of Change
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.’ But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord’” (Jeremiah 1:4-8 ESV).
I remember when I graduated from high school.
I was homeschooled my entire life, so when it was time for me to graduate, we joined a bunch of other homeschooling families and their high school seniors so we could walk across the stage and receive our diplomas from our parents.
I don’t know how to describe that moment.
I was leaving my childhood behind. Stepping into adulthood.
And yet, on the other hand, almost nothing would change.
Instead of going to college, I would get a job.
But I still planned to live at home.
Yet I still felt this sense of apprehensive excitement.
What did the future hold?
I had so many dreams for the future. I knew God had called me to write for Him, but what would that look like? What about the passion burning within me since I was a little girl—to somehow be involved in the film industry, making movies for Jesus?
Can you relate?
Whether you’re graduating this year or simply stepping into a new season, change can be both scary and exciting.
As a new graduate, I felt in some ways like the prophet Jeremiah when God called him.
Inadequate.
I’m pretty sure I used the “I’m only a youth” line—or something similar—as I prayed in the years leading up to my high-school graduation.
We can all feel small at times.
People thought that when I graduated, I had my life figured out. Or more figured out than most.
I knew God wanted me to write books and that I wasn’t going to college—at least at that point.
While I couldn’t deny the feeling that writing books was only a portion of what God wanted me to do, I didn’t know what else He wanted me to do.
The truth is, from the time I was young, I wanted to change the world for Jesus—but I didn’t know how. I felt so small.
How could I reach the world for Jesus from home?
Over time, God showed me that I didn’t need to figure out the “how” but to surrender it to Him. More important than me knowing the “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how” of it all, God wanted my heart to be available and for me to serve Him where He had me.
I’d always sensed travel of some kind might be in my future, but working regularly from home didn’t feel like it could leave a significant impact on the world.
I didn’t figure it out overnight.
I would still say I don’t have it “all figured out.” Do we ever?
From the time I graduated until now, God has given me a fuller idea of what He wants me to pursue in this season, but it took time. And I’m sure He will continue to show me what He wants me to do. I’ve found that when we stop fighting God to hold on to a life we imagine for ourselves, God opens our hands to receive the life He has planned for us.
In case you thought Jeremiah was the only one, look at the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 (ESV): “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
If God calls us to go somewhere, we go. But even if He calls us to stay, loving God, loving others, and sharing His Word starts exactly where we are.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
God doesn’t want us to be afraid. Like Jeremiah, we too are called by God. He knew us before we were formed in the womb (Ps. 139:13-16). He consecrated us and appointed us for His plan (2 Timothy 1:9, Ephesians 2:10). He has a purpose for our lives! We also may argue with God and say, “I am only [fill-in-the-blank].”
But God often doesn’t call whom the world expects (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV).
He gave Samson strength (Judges 16).
He gave Moses words (Exodus 4:10-12).
He gives us exactly what we need for the task He has placed before us.
When we say, “I am only [fill-in-the-blank],” we are looking at what’s in front of us. But we often forget that while we can’t always see the full picture, God can.
God’s “all sufficiency” (2 Corinthians 9:8) isn’t dependent on where we live, our age, or any of our circumstances. We are merely called to be obedient and allow the Lord to use us where we are.
What is the “only” you are worried about today? Give it to Jesus. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV).
Allow that to soak in.
His grace is sufficient to equip us for every good work that He has called us to.
You don’t need to have the next ten years figured out; you just need to trust that the God Who holds your future is with you in this one.
Pray with me:
Dear Lord, thank You for calling me and knowing me since before I was born. Forgive me for the times I let my "only" excuses stop me from trusting You. I trust that Your grace is sufficient for the season I am in right now. Wherever I am, help me to be obedient to Your call and trust Your timing. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling unseen, overlooked, or forgotten? Genesis 16:13 reveals a powerful truth—God is El Roi, “the God who sees me”—reminding us that our deepest need to be known and valued is fully met in Him. In a world that constantly pushes us to chase recognition, validation, and visibility, Scripture redirects our focus to a God who already sees every detail of our lives.
Hagar’s story shows us that even in moments of isolation, pain, and injustice, God is present and attentive. He sees what others miss. He cares when others overlook. Instead of striving to be noticed by people who cannot truly fulfill us, we’re invited to rest in the steady, personal, and unchanging attention of our Creator. When we anchor our identity in being seen by God, we find lasting security, purpose, and peace.
Highlights
- The desire to be seen and valued is part of being human
- God reveals Himself as El Roi—the God who sees you personally
- Hagar’s story shows God’s care in moments of isolation and pain
- You don’t have to chase validation—God already sees and values you
- God knows every detail of your life, down to the smallest things
- True identity is found in being known by God, not others
- Resting in God’s attention brings peace and security
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Seen by God
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” —Genesis 16:13 NLT
Recently, I read a news story headline that said 100 people gathered to be in a music video. They wanted to be seen. Especially here in the USA, there is a fascination with being an extra in a movie or becoming a professional actor and famous movie star. People often say they do this because they want to make an impact, be seen, be heard, be noticed, and be remembered. This made me think.
Why do we rush to be seen by people on television, in music videos, at big events, and on social media? Perhaps it is because, deep inside, every human has a need to be seen. We want to know that we matter. We want to be acknowledged, recognized, and celebrated. This is a totally normal part of our human experience, but is it healthy if we’re chasing after fame more than seeking God?
While there may not be anything wrong with wanting to be seen and remembered by the people in our world, I would like to encourage you with this timeless truth: You are seen by God. He is the Creator of the universe and all the galaxies. There is a popular inspirational quote that says: “How cool is it that the same God who created mountains, oceans, and galaxies looked at you and thought the world needed one of you, too.” God loves you. He knows you. He sees you.
In a world where we are challenged to prove that we matter, we need to remember our Creator loves us endlessly. We matter to Him. The Bible says God knew us before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5). It also says God knit us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). This means God sees us as no one else can. He created humankind with deep care and attention to detail. The Bible says all the hairs on our head are numbered (Luke 12:7). If you have a lot of hair on your head, then you may see the significance of this statement on a deeper level.
God sees everything you go through during your life here on Earth, and He will intervene where needed, as He did for Hagar. She was the servant of Abraham and Sarah. They feared God but were childless well into what we would call their golden years. When God promised them that they would have a son, they didn’t believe Him because of their old age and the fact that Sarah was past her childbearing years. Therefore, after waiting on God for a while, Sarah became impatient and decided with her husband to take the matter into their own hands by making Hagar pregnant by Abraham. After Hagar knew she was with child, Sarah became jealous and mistreated Hagar. Hagar took her baby and ran into the wilderness to escape all the abuse. It was there while she wept alone in deep despair that God showed up and comforted Hagar. At the end of this divine encounter, Hagar called God “El Roi,” which means “The God Who Sees.”
The God who saw Hagar in her distress and despair sees us, too. Nothing we go through is unnoticed by Him. When we feel like we have no one else to turn to, we can turn to our Savior (Jesus Christ). The Bible says He will be with us unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:20) because He loves us.
Why clamor to shake hands with our favorite actors, celebrities, politicians, royalty, wealthy people, and influencers who cannot save us…when we have the full attention of the One who believes we are worth dying for (John 3:16)?
The Bible says in Psalm 146:3-4 (NIV), “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.”
Only God can save us. And He will never die.
In closing, I would like to encourage you to seek God first if you have not already. Know that your value is priceless to Him. We don’t have to clamor to be close to Him, heard by Him, and seen by Him. He is already near us and sees us clearly. When God looks at us, He doesn’t see an overwhelming crowd of 8.3 billion people alive here on Earth. He sees each one of us as if we are the only person on this planet, and He gives us personalized attention with great care and compassion. He pays attention to detail. And as our Master Teacher, He differentiates instruction to meet each of our needs uniquely.
While there may not be anything wrong with wanting to be seen for the right reasons and make an impact on this world, I encourage you to always remember that you are already seen, cherished, and treasured by the Eternal King. And that truth is forever.
Listen to these two songs of reflection listed below to remind you how God sees you and loves you.
Song of Reflection #1: “The God Who Sees” by Nicole C. Mullen. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #2: “Every Single Tear” by Scott Krippayne. Listen to it HERE.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does it feel to know that the Creator of the Universe knows your name and sees your heart?
Further Reading:Isaiah 43:1
Psalm 34:15
Psalm 139:1-3
Proverbs 15:3
1 Samuel 16:7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Breaking free from people-pleasing and the fear of man starts with one truth—Proverbs 29:25 shows that trusting God leads to peace, while seeking approval from others leads to anxiety and exhaustion. When our identity is tied to what others think, we get stuck in cycles of overthinking, second-guessing, and striving for approval that never fully satisfies.
Real freedom comes when we shift our focus from people to God. Instead of replaying conversations or trying to manage others’ perceptions, we can rest in the truth that our worth is already secure in Him. Living for an “audience of One” brings clarity, confidence, and peace—because God’s love isn’t earned through performance, it’s already given. When we trust Him fully, we’re no longer trapped by others’ opinions but grounded in His unchanging truth.
Highlights
- Fear of man leads to anxiety, overthinking, and insecurity
- People-pleasing keeps you stuck in a cycle of striving
- Your identity is not defined by others’ opinions
- God already knows, loves, and accepts you fully
- Shifting focus from self to God brings freedom
- Living for an “audience of One” creates peace and clarity
- Trusting God breaks the trap of performance and perfectionism
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
The Power of Other People
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” - Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)
If there is one thing in life I constantly wrestle with, it is the fear of man. I am a natural people-pleaser through and through. I cannot even count how many endless nights of sleep I have lost, or the infinite number of hours I have wasted away in worry over what other people think of me. If I feel that I have upset someone or failed them in some way, I will recite and rehearse the conversation or interaction over and over in my head. I will think through every possible scenario in which I could have handled things differently. Then, I will go through all of the ways I can repair the damage or change their impression of me. I agonize over possible resolutions. Perhaps I should go apologize… Or maybe if I get another friend to go and champion my cause, that would help change their minds… Round and round I go with no reprieve. Does any of this sound familiar to you?
What is so ridiculous about this whole ordeal is that, more than likely, I am the only person obsessing over the situation. Is it possible that someone does think poorly of me, maybe even seriously dislikes me, because of a comment or decision I made? Yes, absolutely. But is it also possible that they had their moment of irritation and have moved on, while I am over here wallowing in worry? Yes – 100%.
Yet more often than not, I can’t seem to break free from this train of thought. Even further, once I have suffered through one of these unpleasant disappointments, I become fearful of future interactions. I become more reserved and careful. Over time, I retreat into my shell of self-protection and either avoid interactions with others as much as possible or I present a masked version of my real self when in public to safeguard my tender heart.
What a mess, right? How can we obtain hope and freedom when we find ourselves trapped in the bondage of people-pleasing? First, we need to look past ourselves. It is a shockingly simple solution, but one we often fail to recognize. If you skim through the previous paragraphs, you will notice one very clear theme. It is all about ME. There is no mention of the Lord in those circumstances; just my own thoughts, my own hurt and rejection, my own solutions to my projected problems. As elementary as it sounds, our emotions can easily override our faith and our dependence on the One who provides all that we need.
Our Heavenly Father sees us as perfect and worthy just as we are. He is the One who formed us perfectly in our mother’s wombs (Ps. 139:13). He knows the number of hairs on our heads (Matt. 10:30). That is how intimately He knows and loves us. We are His precious children. We are loved (1 John 3:1). God is not asking you or me to be perfect. He knows we are sinners. He knows we are going to make mistakes (lots of them). And He knows there will be plenty of times when our interactions with others will be a struggle.
There will be people who dislike us, maybe even go out of their way to speak badly about us. Whether their comments and opinions are justified or not, God does not want us to be ruled by what others think about us. If left unchecked, our attempts to please others can damage our faith and even hurt those closest to us as we prioritize working for the acceptance and praise of others while sacrificing those we love most.
At the end of the day, our goal should be to please our audience of One. His regard is the only one that should hold such a place of priority in our lives. If we spend our lives fearing man, we will remain caught in the snares of performance and perfectionism. There is no rest there. There is no peace. However, if we trust in the Lord, He will provide all we need (Phil. 4:19). We will be kept safe.
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” - Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you someone who struggles with people-pleasing? Do you worry about what others think of you? If so, how does today’s scripture offer you freedom or encouragement?
If you find yourself caught in one of these cycles, take some time today to write down or pray through your cares. Express all of your frustration, hurt, and worry. Release it to the Lord and then leave it with Him.
You are worthy and loved just as you are. You do not need to prove that to others - simply rest in Him.
Further Reading:
Phil. 4:6-8
1 Peter 5:7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How do you know if a prophetic word is truly from God? 2 Peter 1:21 reminds us that prophecy comes from the Holy Spirit—not human will—which means it must be tested, discerned, and handled with humility. While spiritual gifts like prophecy can be powerful and encouraging, they also require wisdom. Not every impression is perfectly interpreted, and not every word is immediately understood.
That’s why Scripture calls us to weigh prophetic words carefully. Sometimes God reveals only a small piece of a bigger picture, and our role is not just to receive or deliver a word, but to discern it in community and align it with God’s truth. When approached with humility, patience, and accountability, prophecy becomes a tool that builds up the church, strengthens faith, and deepens our relationship with God.
Highlights
- Prophecy originates from the Holy Spirit, not human effort
- Misinterpretation doesn’t always mean the message is false
- God often reveals only part of the full picture
- Prophetic words should be tested and discerned in community
- Not all words are fulfilled immediately—timing matters
- Humility is essential when giving or receiving prophecy
- Properly handled, prophecy strengthens and encourages the church
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Test Prophetic Words CarefullyBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as the Holy Spirit carried them along.” - 2 Peter 1:21
During a recent retreat for mothers and daughters to connect, learn about God's attributes, and hear his voice, we had a time of prayer in which we blessed the mothers and daughters and commissioned them to go out and spread the gospel. At one point during prayer, the mother and daughter sat before me. Placing my hand on her left shoulder, I immediately got a word for the daughter. It was a picture of a violin.
I had no other words or explanation as to its meaning. I told her that I didn't understand what the picture was, but that it had appeared. After everyone had prayed, I went to get a tissue for the mother and daughter. Upon my return, the daughter explained that she had played violin but then stopped. We laughed because we realized that that was what the Holy Spirit was saying. He was telling her to pick up her violin and make music for him.
In the church body, we are wired with spiritual gifts. Some of those gifts are considered miraculous gifts, including the gift of prophecy. Prophecy is a message delivered to someone by God. Although it is exciting to deliver a prophetic word to another person, we often misinterpret it. This is where errors and other issues become a problem. Although we are quick to call someone a false prophet simply because they made an error in delivering their message, that doesn't mean the message itself was wrong. It simply means the person delivering it misinterpreted it.
The difficult part of prophecy is that we only get small snippets of a bigger picture. When I got that picture of the violin, I had no idea the daughter had played the violin before. Whether he wants her to resume playing the violin remains to be seen. However, he clearly had a message for her regarding her music with that instrument.
If a person does not know how to interpret prophetic words for their lives, they can often be dismissed or ignored completely. Scripture tells us to test prophecy and to allow two or three people to weigh what is being said. Although those kinds of things can get tricky at times because many people are not trained in the prophetic, it is important that, even in community, we explore the miraculous gifts together.
The above verse tells us that prophecy comes from the Holy Spirit, not from human will. However, because we have difficulty distinguishing between our own human emotions, thought processes, and prophecy, it can be difficult to discern whether a word is truly from God. However, that does not mean you should not deliver a word. Rather, it is important to test that word with two or three people who have discernment or wisdom to be able to know whether that word is truly from God or not.
It is also important for an individual to test and weigh that word for themselves. Because prophecy is not often practiced in churches today, it is difficult for people to interpret prophetic words or to wait for them to come to fruition. In Scripture, people gave prophetic words that didn't come to pass until generations later. In our instant-gratification world, we want prophetic words to come to pass now. If they don't come to pass, we assume that means they are untrue. However, that's a misinterpretation of scripture.
Receiving and giving prophetic words can be an exciting spiritual experience for any person. It is part of a person's spiritual growth and can completely transform them, helping them go deeper in their relationship with the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you words to edify your brothers and sisters in Christ. You (and your church) will be better for it.
Father, let us be people who do not treat prophecy with contempt. Rather, let us weigh the words that we receive and deliver them accordingly. Let us, in humility, help discern and dissect prophetic words together. Let the body of Christ be edified through the gift of prophecy. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you ever had a gift of prophecy? In what way can you deliver a prophetic word to someone today?
Further Reading:1 Corinthians 12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The people you surround yourself with shape your faith more than you might realize—Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that godly friendships sharpen, strengthen, and grow us spiritually. We were created for connection, but not all relationships are equal. Some leave us feeling empty, while others challenge us, encourage us, and draw us closer to God. The difference often comes down to whether those friendships are rooted in Christ.
Healthy, faith-filled friendships don’t just happen by accident—they’re formed when we seek God first and intentionally pursue relationships that reflect His love and truth. When we walk alongside others who are also growing in their faith, something powerful happens: we begin to reflect Christ more clearly, carry each other’s burdens, and stay anchored when life gets difficult. These are the kinds of friendships that don’t just fill time—they transform lives.
Highlights
- The people around you influence your spiritual growth
- Not all friendships are life-giving or faith-building
- God designed us for meaningful, Christ-centered community
- Seeking God first leads to healthier relationships
- Faith-filled friendships provide encouragement and accountability
- True friends help carry burdens and point you back to Christ
- You’re called not just to find good friends—but to be one
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Friendships That Fan the Flame of Your Faith
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17 NLT)
There was a long shadow-of-a-season in my life that I stepped out of with very few friends. It was a dark and lonely stretch. A time that I truly and desperately needed people. But because of who I had chosen to surround myself with, I didn’t find the companionship, the support, and the sincere love of genuine friendship. And I can’t blame anyone but myself. I wasn’t seeking out the right people. I also didn’t find a friend in Jesus. Not that he wasn’t there—he absolutely always was—But I didn’t call on or cling to him. Instead, I was hanging out with andonto flimsy, empty relationships connected solely by shallow interests. People who didn’t bring much beyond meaningless moments and fleeting, artificial fun. I look back, sorry and sad for that girl.
Has that ever been you? Have you found yourself regularly surrounded by people you aren’t sure you should call friends? Maybe you can also recall longing for deeper connections than you had then? Or maybe you currently wonder if that’s part of your story now? Or perhaps, like me, you previously pursued faulty friendships, but now have a handful of people you’ve been abundantly blessed by and thank God for greatly.
I’ve certainly learned so much since that past season. Most importantly, I’ve learned to seek God first. I’ve learned Jesus has always—in every season and from the beginning—wanted to be my friend. And that he is the absolute best friend. Better and more than any person could ever be. Ever-present, always listening, constantly compassionate. Unfailingly faithful and unconditionally loving. Provider, protector, peace-maker, and perfect shepherd. Additionally, I’ve learned to seek out and serve God’s children, his church, and his kingdom. And I have learned that in time, he places people in our path. His people.
Regardless of the connections you have, or lack thereof, we all long for rich connections. Because that’s the way God designed us—for community. And that’s why Jesus, here on earth, demonstrated a focus on fellowship with others. It was part of his plan and purpose for his people. Proverbs 27:17 states, As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. The Amplified Bible version reads, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].” I love how this version uses the word “influences,” reminding us of the impact and significance of the connections we make. Of those around us. And of the friends we choose and surround ourselves with.
Seeking, gaining, and maintaining Christian friends—who alongside us are learning to love more like Jesus—can have an immense influence and impact on our lives. And though not one person is perfect, what we share in common with brothers and sisters in Christ is a desire to grow in Christ-likeness. To love sacrificially. To be sanctified in holiness, good character, and spiritual growth. To lay down our lives for others. To carry each other’s burdens. To lift up and encourage one another.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
I pray not only that you and I will seek, find, and be sharpened by authentic Christian friendships, but that we will be Christ-like friends in return. Even, and especially, to those who do not know Jesus. We can be an invaluable influence and sharpen them, too. In fact, you could be just the one to bring someone you encounter to Christ. And as you continue to connect, spend more time with, and invest in those who love the Lord—those on fire for the gospel and committed to growth—may these friendships fan the flame of your faith. May they help you learn and reflect the love of the Lord. May they grow your trust in God, thus increasing your joy and your peace… in him.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or mentally exhausted? Psalm 143:7–8 reminds us that we can be honest with God about our mental health, trusting Him to meet us in our struggles and guide us toward peace and healing. David’s prayer is raw and unfiltered—he doesn’t hide his pain, and neither should we. God isn’t asking for polished prayers; He invites us to come as we are, even when our thoughts feel heavy and our spirits feel weak.
Being honest with God is not a sign of weak faith—it’s actually evidence of trust. When we stop trying to hide or “fix” ourselves before approaching Him, we open the door for real connection and healing. God already knows what we’re carrying, and He cares deeply about every part of us—including our mental and emotional well-being. As we bring our struggles to Him, He often provides support through His Word, His presence, and even through people and resources He places in our lives.
Highlights
- God welcomes honesty about mental health struggles
- You don’t need to “clean up” your emotions before praying
- Vulnerability with God strengthens your relationship with Him
- Struggling mentally is not a sign of weak faith
- God’s love interrupts cycles of fear and negative thinking
- Healing may include guidance through people and practical support
- God is present with you, even in your lowest moments
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Be Honest with God about Your Mental HealthBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” - Psalm 143:7-8, NIV
At George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, I work on university-wide well-being initiatives – including programs designed to break down the stigma of struggling with mental health. We believe that talking openly about mental health struggles can help all people strengthen their well-being. In Psalm 143:7-8, King David is completely honest about how much he’s struggling with his mental health. He prays about it without holding back, and he tells God that he trusts him to help.
If you’re also struggling with your mental health, you might feel like you have to try to fix your mood before you can talk to God. You might think you need to present a polished prayer to God that makes it seem like you’re not really suffering much. But the Psalms can help you develop a deeper relationship with God by showing you how to communicate honestly with him. Many of the Psalms describe the reality of people suffering in this fallen world. In Psalm 143:7-8, David shows that it’s okay to not be okay.
David starts his prayer with a desperate plea: “Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails.” If you feel like your spirit is failing today, you’re in good company. Many people feel that way sometimes when going through challenging circumstances. Admitting that your mental health is struggling isn’t a sign of weak faith; it’s actually a sign of healthy faith, because it shows that you trust God enough to be honest with him and reach out for help. God already knows what you’re going through, and he’s strong enough to help you with whatever it is – burnout, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health concern.
When you’re honest with God about the “pit” you feel you’re falling into, you can stop wasting energy trying to hide. Whether you’re overwhelmed by your responsibilities, worried about a problem you don’t know how to solve, or feeling lonely because of a broken relationship, God wants to help you. You can come to God just as you are. God wants the real you, not the “Instagram-worthy” version of you. Remember that God is the one who designed your mind and your emotions. Your loving Creator can help you with whatever you’re going through.
As he struggles, David reaches for a lifeline by praying: “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love.” When you’re struggling mentally, your thoughts can run on a loop of worries and self-criticism. You need a different word – a word of God’s unfailing love.
When you seek God’s love, you’re placing your mental health in the hands of the Great Physician. Just pray honestly, from your heart, about your mental health struggles. Then listen for God’s guidance to make the best decisions about caring for your mental health. God may lead you to a counselor, a doctor, a support group, or supportive friends. Just as David prayed for God to “show me the way I should go”, God will show you the way you should go to get the help you need.
So, if you’re struggling with a mental health challenge, remember that you can trust God to love you no matter what and to help you with whatever you need. God is not hiding his face from you; he’s right there with you, waiting for you to reach out and take his hand.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider why it’s important to be honest with God about your mental health, reflect on these questions:
- When you feel your spirit failing, is your first instinct to hide from God or to pray to God, as David did?
- What are some of the words of unfailing love (God’s promises in the Bible) that you can hold onto when your mental health feels shaky?
- How can being honest with God about your mental health struggles strengthen your relationship with him?
- Who are the people in your life that God might be using to show you the way to the mental health care you need?
- What’s one way you can entrust your soul to God today and let him lead you toward better mental health?
Further Reading:
Psalm 34:18
Matthew 11:28
Philippians 4:6-7
1 Peter 5:7
2 Timothy 1:7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life has a way of pulling our attention in a hundred different directions. Between responsibilities, worries, and the constant noise of everyday life, it’s easy for our focus to drift. Often, it’s not outright rebellion that creates distance from God—it’s distraction. A slow fade. But Scripture gives us a clear and simple invitation: fix your eyes on Jesus.
When we intentionally shift our focus back to Christ, something powerful happens. The weight of the world doesn’t necessarily disappear, but it begins to lose its grip. The things that once felt overwhelming start to shrink in the light of His presence. Jesus, who endured the cross and secured our hope, becomes the anchor that steadies our hearts. Refocusing isn’t complicated—it simply requires a willingness to pause, look up, and reconnect with the One who holds it all together.
Highlights
- Distraction, not rebellion, often pulls us away from God
- Fixing our eyes on Jesus restores peace and clarity
- The pressures of life lose power in light of Christ’s presence
- Busyness can quietly replace devotion if left unchecked
- True satisfaction is found in Christ, not worldly pursuits
- Refocusing on Jesus is simple, but requires intentionality
- Jesus endured the cross to secure our hope and faith
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
How many of us know and love the famous hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus? There really is a sense of purity and weightiness to many of the hymns we sing. But this one strikes a particularly intimate chord, beckoning us to look up and out beyond our distractions, disappointments, and even our despair. Not only is it calling us to shift our perspective, but to fix our gaze on the face of our Lord. It is there that all of the cares of this world dim and fade in the light of His love and glory.
This hymn truly is one of my absolute favorites. I actually wasn’t exposed to it until a bit later in life, but it was so influential that decades later, I still have a vivid memory of the first time I heard it. I was riding in the back of a car when Michael W. Smith first shared a beautiful rendition of these beloved lyrics.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,Look full in His wonderful face,And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,In the light of His glory and grace.”
There is so much in our world that clamors for our attention. Our challenges, our worries, our incessant need to be busy, and our constant pursuit of “happiness.” All of which depletes our faith, steals our peace, and leaves us feeling lost, anxious, and hopeless. This is the slippery slope that can so easily lead us astray. Often, our distance from the Lord is not due to intentional rebellion but rather to a slow fading of affection. As famously quoted by Corrie ten Boom, “If the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” True satisfaction can only be found in Him. Nothing else will ever satisfy.
In preparation for sharing about this hymn in today’s devotional, I conducted a little research to learn more about its origin and authorship. The hymn was penned by Helen Lemmel in 1922. Her own words were inspired by the life and poetry of a female missionary named Lilias Trotter, who encouraged those around her to “turn your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him… for ‘He is worthy’ to have all there is to be had in the heart that He has died to win.”
Jesus was, is, and always will be the answer to our questions, the treasure to our pursuit of riches, and the fulfillment of our innermost desires. The God-shaped hole in each of our hearts will never be satisfied by the lesser things of this world. The struggle truly is real. The noise and allure of all that surrounds us will constantly bombard our hearts and minds. It will never go away while we remain in this fallen world. As such, it requires intentional effort on our part to break free of our earthly bonds.
But when we really think about it, the effort is so minimal. All we have to do is look up. Just set down our phones, walk away from our planners, close our computers, or turn off the TV, and simply shift our gaze from the temporal to the eternal. The Lord has already done all the hard work for us.
“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
The only thing He is asking of us is to turn our eyes upon Him. As soon as we do, all the things of this world will grow dim in the light of His glory and grace.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you feel overwhelmed, distracted, or lost? If so, how do you attempt to comfort yourself or ease your worries? I encourage you to take some time today to listen to the timeless truths of this hymn. I pray it ministers to your aching or anxious soul as you cast your gaze upon Him. And may we all relish in His light, and love, and grace.
Further Reading:
Psalm 105:4
Jeremiah 29:13
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
It’s easy to measure our days by productivity—what we checked off, accomplished, or completed. But Scripture gently redirects our focus. Instead of organizing life around endless tasks, we’re called to live with intentionality, recognizing that our time is limited and deeply valuable. When we “number our days,” we begin to see life through an eternal lens, not just a daily agenda.
Many of the things that consume our time won’t matter a year from now—let alone in eternity. What will matter is how we loved, served, and walked with God. Shifting from a task-driven mindset to a purpose-driven life doesn’t mean abandoning responsibility—it means putting first things first. As we slow down and invite God into our daily rhythms, we begin to align our priorities with His heart, finding peace in what truly counts.
Highlights
- To-do lists can quietly become idols that control our time and focus
- Numbering our days shifts perspective from urgency to purpose
- Eternal impact matters more than daily productivity
- God values how we love and serve others over accomplishments
- Slowing down allows space for meaningful, God-centered moments
- Busyness can distract us from what truly matters
- Living wisely means aligning daily life with eternal priorities
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Numbering Our Days
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NASB).
Does your to-do list seem overwhelming at times? Whether you keep yours on paper, like I still do, and relish the joy of crossing each task off, or your list exists in the notes section of your phone or the inside of your mind, we all feel that burdening sense of all that we must do.
I realize some of it is important. If you don’t grocery shop, what will you eat? If laundry isn’t done, what will you wear? If the project isn’t sectioned out in steps and worked on daily, when will it be completed? Yet what on that list, daily, will matter a year from now, 10 years from now, or in the scope of eternity?
Somehow, somewhere, the almighty To-Do List rose up before us and called itself God. And we continue to bow down to it.
Having been raised with a strong work ethic, I used to find it difficult to be “unproductive,” even when I was on vacation or feeling worn down, and my body was saying, “rest!” It used to be more difficult for me to slow down and not get things done than to muster up the motivation to do them. Yet the older I get, the more joy I am experiencing in putting aside the to-do list and prioritizing people over productivity.
In Psalm 90:12, Moses asked God to help him realize his days are numbered so he could live wisely. In The Message translation, that verse reads, “Oh, teach us to live wisely. Teach us to live wisely and well.” Moses—a man whom Scripture says communed with God face to face—realized his need not to get caught up in meaningless tasks during the day, but to live wisely for the sake of eternity. If Moses prayed for that priority check, how much more should we?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What if you and I were to number our days instead of our tasks? What if we were to make a list of what we wanted to do wisely and well each day (and before we leave this earth), rather than focus on all of the meaningless tasks that seem to be setting our schedules and ruling our days and minds?
When you and I get to heaven one day, there will not be a reward for the amount of money we made or how efficient we were on our jobs while we lived on this earth. There will not be accolades for the number of followers we had on social media, or the number of hits on our website, or the number of clicks on our Instagram videos. There won’t be any kudos for having the loveliest seasonal decorations, or being the most organized member of the team, or accomplishing the most at the company. All that we tend to honor or strive for or prioritize here on this earth doesn’t mean much to God in the scope of eternity.
In Micah 6:8, we are told what God honors:
“He has told you, mortal one, what is good;And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?”
To do justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with God amounts to tasks that benefit others. It involves serving. It involves assignments that might not be on the list at all, but rather compete with our tasks and add to our frustrations when they inconvenience or delay us. God works on a different timeline than we do, so that might be why He isn’t sympathetic toward our rush, rush, rush. And it might be why He continues to convict our hearts to slow way down.
God gave us enough hours in the day to do all that’s needed to fulfill our purpose in Him (to love Him and others and glorify Him in all we do). The things that may seem necessary to you on your list might not be that important to Him, or to anyone else, for that matter. Sometimes we put more pressure on ourselves than we need to.
Yet, as much as we’d like to walk away from it, we often let that blasted piece of paper, or that running list on our phones or in the back of our minds, dictate how much we will enjoy life, how much time we will spend in a phone call or visit with a friend or family member, and how much time we will spend on tasks that don’t look like accomplishment to the world, but represent wealth to the Lord.
Lord, help us to focus on the few things that really matter. Help us balance our list of tasks by ensuring people-related activities are included. Don’t let us waste our lives on paperwork, computer work, or busywork that won’t amount to anything in eternity. Help us number our days by filling them with purpose as we number our lists.
Further Reading:
Matthew 6:19-20
For help prioritizing your day with Jesus, see my book,The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Struggling with shame, sin, or fear of rejection? 1 John 1:9 reminds us that confession leads to forgiveness, healing, and freedom—inviting every believer to step out of hiding and back into God’s grace.
Hiding often feels safer than being fully known—but spiritually, it keeps us stuck. Whether it’s shame from past wounds, fear of rejection, or ongoing struggles with sin, choosing silence and secrecy can quietly distance us from God and others. Yet Scripture offers a better way: honest confession that leads to restoration. God doesn’t call us to hide—He calls us to healing.
Highlights
- Hiding sin often stems from fear of rejection or shame
- Confession restores intimacy and fellowship with God
- God’s love does not change, even when we fall short
- Isolation is a tool the enemy uses to keep us stuck
- True healing begins with honesty and surrender
- Sanctification is a process, not a one-time moment
- Jesus remains our righteousness, even in our struggle
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Dear Child of God, Come Out of Hiding
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NKJV)
A few months ago, my eyes were opened to the stark reality that I was struggling with an area of my past…
…the pain of rejection.
This continues to be a battle for me, yet I realize that healing from the pain of rejection is a partnership with the Lord and, most definitely, a process as we learn to surrender to God. Thankfully, I am not alone in this fight in healing from my past and old ways of thinking. One thing is for sure: the Lord fights for me, and the Holy Spirit guides me into all truth, illuminating and exposing the lies I was believing that are rooted in rejection.
Rejection had overwhelmed so much of my life that I wasn’t being fully honest with people in my life. The lie I believed was that I would be rejected if my sin or wrongdoing was discovered. Therefore, I chose to either keep silent or tell a lie to keep my secret hidden so that I wouldn’t be a disappointment. That lifestyle was keeping me from being fully transparent and honest with my husband and, most importantly, with God. I believe this is why 1 John 1 reminds us of the importance of confessing our sin:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NKJV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Hiding our sin causes us to hide from God, very similarly to Adam and Eve when the first sin entered the world- they felt ashamed, and shame made them feel rejected. Because of Jesus and the finished work of the cross, we are forever made righteous in our position as we stand before the Father and are forever forgiven, yet when we sin, it causes our fellowship with God to be hindered, and then we can very easily distance ourselves from Him and stray from His ways. God’s love toward me never changes when I sin, yet I may still experience consequences and correction for my disobedience. Repentance, as a believer, is for our benefit to keep fellowship with our Heavenly Father open and unhindered. Sin can often make our hearts grow callous, and we may become less sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
The enemy wants you either in pride, thinking you are better off doing life your own way, or in isolation, bound in a pit of depression, unable to receive love or give out love, feeling like no one loves you or cares about you, especially God. But God’s love is unconditional and perfect, and nothing can stop His pursuit of you. He wants us to be honest with Him so that we can see real transformation happen in our lives, as He conforms us into the image of His Son.
Like I said above, positionally, in Christ, you stand before God forgiven and righteous, but experientially, sanctification is a process because our flesh is weak. Although as born-again believers, we continue to sin against God because we are constantly at war with our flesh in this life, the good news is that we have a great advocate, Jesus Christ, who is forever our righteousness. To be sure, our position in Him as declared righteous before God will never change, yet we are still called to confess our sin, which purifies our conscience before the Lord.
Is there a particular sin that you have been struggling with? Pause and take some time to write it/them down and repent before the Lord, laying it all down at His feet. 1 John 1:9 says Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Dear child of God, let us remember to come out of hiding and rejoice in the truth that Jesus is forever our righteousness despite our shortcomings!
Further Reading:
Romans 8:31-39
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life has a way of pulling us into stress, fear, and overwhelm—but Scripture offers a better rhythm: resting in God as our refuge. While God is always present, learning to actively dwell in that presence takes intention. It’s in those moments—pausing, praying, and turning our attention back to Him—that we begin to experience His peace in a tangible way.
Psalm 91 paints a powerful image of God as our shelter and covering. When we stay close to Him, we’re not just protected—we’re sustained. The weight of expectations, fear, and pressure begins to lift as we remember who He is: all-powerful, unchanging, and deeply committed to our good. Rest isn’t found in escaping life’s challenges, but in staying rooted in God through them.
Highlights
- God’s presence is constant, but resting in it requires intentional practice
- Pausing in moments of stress allows God to bring peace and clarity
- Fear and overwhelm grow when we lose sight of God’s power
- True rest comes from trusting God, not controlling outcomes
- God invites everyone to dwell in His presence—no matter their past
- Staying close to God strengthens emotional and spiritual resilience
- Proximity to God leads to peace, protection, and renewed strength
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Making God Our Safe Place
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. - Psalm 91:1 (NIV).
How can we make God our refuge, shield, shelter, and safe place? Most of us probably recognize He’s with us always. As Psalm 139 proclaims, there’s no way we can flee His presence, no place we can go where He isn’t already there. And that’s good news, because it is in His presence that we receive strength, power, protection, and peace.
While He’s always with us, it can take practice to become aware of and learn to rest and find shelter in His presence. I’m learning to pause when I feel anxious or overwhelmed to close my eyes, prayerfully connect with God, and receive comfort from His embrace. The more I do this, the easier this becomes. My hope is that I’ll become so skilled at emotionally regulating myself with the Lord that I won’t do or say things I regret when under stress or in fearful circumstances.
We all tend to behave uncharacteristically when we feel threatened, sad, anxious, or depressed. But we have instant and constant access to the all-powerful God who surrounds us with His loving embrace.
That’s the image I receive when I consider today’s verse. I picture my heavenly Father’s strong arms around me, acting like a protective barrier. This Scripture begins with an all-inclusive invitation. “Whoever dwells,” the psalmist says, reminding us that God longs for all of us—those with respectable, church-attending backgrounds and those who’ve spent their lives running from God and into sin—to dwell, linger, and remain in His shelter.
The ancient Hebrews reading Psalm 91 would’ve immediately thought of how God led them through the wilderness with a cloud by day that hovered protectively above them, making His presence tangible and visible, guiding them every step of their journey, and shielding them from the sun’s intense rays.
The Lord doesn’t change. He watches over, guides, and protects us as faithfully as He did the often-rebellious Jews so long ago. I’m often comforted when I consider the unfaithful attitudes and behaviors of people to whom God remained faithful because it reminds me of His free and inexhaustible gift of grace. As Psalm 103:10 states, He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, and I’m so grateful for that. He doesn’t hold grudges, make us earn His favor or protection, or withhold His goodness. We can trust that, in all He does, doesn’t do, and allows, He always has our best interests in mind.
While He doesn’t condone or bless sin by any means, He does invite us all to come to Him, build an ever-deepening relationship with Him, and allow Him to comfort, heal, and strengthen us with His love.
He is our shelter. As Psalm 27:5 states, “… He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock” (NIV).
Today’s verse refers to God as the Most High, Elohim in the original Hebrew. This name for God emphasizes his power, strength, and authority. He is above everyone and everything—every earthly system, over every national leader, and greater than all the forces of hell combined. His power and wisdom are limitless, His strength unconquerable, and His plans immutable. What He says happens and what He ordains always comes to pass.
Those who make God their dwelling place by learning to recognize His voice, turning to Him in times of trouble and overwhelm, and regularly resting in His presence will find rest.
Consider what most exhausts you. It’s usually not the event or task itself that leads to our fatigue but rather all the expectations, obligations, and emotional weight we attach to it. Our fears of failure, and what might happen should we fail, tend to feel heaviest. The more we stress and fret, the bigger that challenge in front of us seems to grow, blinding us to God’s power and promises. But when we pause to rest in His presence, He reminds us of comforting truths, such as that He crafted His plans for us long before we took our first breath. Or that He’s recorded every day of our lives in His book before a single one came to pass. He might remind us of His promise to work all things, including our mistakes, for our good and His glory. Or perhaps He’ll simply hold us in His soul-strengthening embrace.
Lastly, today’s verse states that we find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This reminds me of a game my daughter and I used to play when she was young. On sunny days, we’d go outside and try to stomp on one another’s shadows. This required proximity, closeness. Similarly, resting in God’s shadow requires remaining close to Him—through prayer, Bible reading, attending church, connecting with other believers, and quietly sitting in His presence.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Jesus phrased it this way:
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:4-5, emphasis mine).
Here’s the good news. According to James 4:8, the moment we turn toward God, He is already moving, with open arms, toward us, drawing us deeper into His loving, protective, sheltering embrace.
Further Reading:Psalm 4:8
Proverbs 18:10
Isaiah 41:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Spiritual growth often begins the moment we step outside our comfort zone. Whether it’s a new opportunity, a challenging season, or an unknown path ahead, the tension between excitement and fear is real. Yet Scripture reminds us that we are never navigating these moments alone—God is already present in every place we’re called to go.
Psalm 139 paints a powerful picture of God’s constant presence. No matter how far we go or how unfamiliar the path feels, His hand is steady, guiding and sustaining us. When we choose to trust Him and take that next step, even with uncertainty, our faith stretches, deepens, and becomes more resilient. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort—it happens in movement, in trust, and in surrender.
Highlights
- Growth happens when you step beyond comfort and trust God in the unknown
- Fear and faith often coexist—but fear doesn’t have to lead
- God’s presence is constant, no matter where your journey takes you
- New experiences reveal gifts and strengths you didn’t know you had
- Adventures deepen dependence on God and strengthen your faith
- You don’t have to have everything figured out—just take the next step
- God doesn’t send you out alone—He walks with you every step of the way
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Go on an Adventure with GodBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” – Psalm 139:9-10, NIV
What’s a new adventure you hope to experience this year? Is there a place you’re excited about traveling to visit, a new skill you’d like to learn, or a project or role you want to start at work or at church?
No matter what kind of adventure it is, you probably feel a mix of both excitement and fear because of all the uncertainty involved. The fear may be causing you to hesitate, but don’t let fear take over. If you’ve prayed for God’s guidance to make the best decisions, and you sense God leading you to go on that adventure, you can move forward with confidence even while still feeling afraid.
Psalm 139:9-10 describes why you can be confident: God will go with you anytime and anywhere!
There’s no time of day or night when God won’t be with you. There’s no place you can go where God won’t be with you. As these verses point out, even if you leave as soon as the dawn of a new day or go somewhere far away like overseas, you’ll still be in God’s hands.
Adventures are vital for your spiritual growth. Any trip or class you want to take, and any professional or volunteer opportunity to serve in new ways, is worth praying about and planning for if God leads you to move forward. Staying in your comfort zone won’t help you grow closer to God, but adventures will! When you step into an adventure, you realize that you can’t do it alone, which motivates you to look for God’s presence and connect with him.
An adventure stretches your faith so it can become more resilient. If you travel somewhere new, you can see the vastness of the world God created and discover more about how unlimited God’s love and power are. If you take on a new project at work, you can discover talents God tucked away inside you that never would have surfaced if you hadn’t worked on that project. If you serve people in a new way at church, you can experience the blessings of experiencing God’s love flow through your life in fresh ways.
Whenever you start a new adventure – whenever you “rise on the wings of the dawn” – you can count on God to show up on time to meet you. Wherever “the far side of the sea” is for you, you don’t have to worry about what might happen there, because God will go there with you. An adventure may lead you to a new schedule or take you to a new place on a map, but God doesn’t just give you a schedule and a map and then leave you alone to figure it out. These verses promise that God’s hand will “hold you fast.” God isn’t watching you from a distance. God is walking beside you as your personal guide, no matter when and where you go.
So, go on an adventure with God sometime soon! If you take a risk and feel like an impostor, don’t worry, because God will hold you fast. If you start a new journey and feel afraid of what might happen along the way, God will hold you fast. You can afford to be brave because you have your loving and powerful Heavenly Father right beside you.
Don’t let the fear of the “far side of the sea” keep you stuck on the shore. The dawn is rising, and God is already there, waiting to guide you on a new adventure that will bless you!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider why it’s important to go on adventures and to trust God to go with you, reflect on these questions:
- What’s one adventure (like a trip or a project) you’ve been putting off because of fear of what might happen if you moved forward?
- Looking back at a past challenge, how can you see now that God was holding your hand when you were in the middle of that challenge?
- In what ways do you find it easier to trust yourself rather than trusting God when your circumstances are comfortable?
- How does the idea that God will be there for you anytime and anywhere change your perspective on taking risks?
- What’s one step you can take this week to move toward the next adventure God is calling you to go on?
Further Reading:
Psalm 32:8
Joshua 1:9
Isaiah 41:10
Matthew 28:20
Proverbs 3:5-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Resurrection hope, new life after loss, and God’s redemptive work are beautifully revealed in The Garden after the Grave. Rooted in John 20:11, this devotional shows how God brings life out of what feels buried, reminding us that the empty tomb is not the end—but the beginning.
Mary came to the garden expecting death, not a miracle. Grief clouded her vision, making it impossible to recognize that Jesus was standing right in front of her. Yet in a deeply personal moment, everything changed when Jesus called her by name. This powerful scene mirrors our own lives—how often we stand in places that feel empty, unaware that God is already at work. Just as the first garden in Eden represented what was lost, this garden after the resurrection reveals what is being restored. God is still bringing life where we only see loss, growing something new beneath the surface even when all seems silent.
Highlights
- God often brings new life in places that feel like endings
- Grief can cloud our vision, but Jesus meets us personally in it
- The resurrection reverses what was lost in the Garden of Eden
- What looks like death may actually be the beginning of renewal
- Jesus reveals Himself in intimate, personal ways—often when we least expect it
- Waiting seasons are not empty; God is working beneath the surface
- The resurrection reminds us that our story doesn’t end in the grave
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
The Garden after the GraveBy: Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.” - John 20:11
Can you see her? There is a woman broken by death, unable to keep the tears inside. It was a heartbreaking scene.
For those of us who know the story, it is tempting to step into the story and just reassure Mary that Jesus had already risen. But let’s remember she did not know this. She has come to this garden looking for death. It says that she looked inside the tomb, expecting a body, not a miracle.
Although Mary stood in a garden, she did not expect life. Resurrection morning begins in a Garden, and so do the first few chapters of the Bible.
“And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.” - Genesis 2:8 (ESV)
As the story of Easter begins, we find Mary at a tomb in a garden. Do we expect to find God here? Mary did not. She was searching, weeping, and only able to see the darkness of death. She sees an empty tomb and two angels. The weeping does not end at the sight of the heavenly beings. Instead, sorrow wraps itself around her and clouds her view. She doesn’t see the empty tomb as hopeful, but mournful.
Immediately, Mary turns. Her grief doesn’t allow her to see the truth about the garden, the empty tomb, and the Man standing in front of her. John 20:14 says, “She turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.”
The beautiful part of this story is that Mary mistook Jesus for the Gardner. Little did she know, He was and is the great Gardener. Mary stood in the garden, blinded by tears and unable to see that resurrection was coming.
In the winter, our gardens lie dead, devoid of color and life. As we winter through the cold months, the ground beneath is not dead at all, but waiting. Just like Mary, we might need to remember that sometimes we stand in the place of new life, even if we are surrounded by loss.
Reading about this garden Mary stood in reminds me of the first garden. God created life in a garden, but sin entered there, and humanity was sent out. The Garden of Eden is now a symbol of what was lost: God’s presence, a sense of wholeness, and unbroken fellowship.
All of these things lost in the first garden were soon to be recovered in this second garden. In a moment, Mary’s tears turn to wonderment.
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni! (which means Teacher).’” - John 20:16-17
Jesus meets Mary not in a spectacle of power and glory but in intimacy, reminding her of the relationship. When Jesus says Mary’s name, she suddenly recognizes him. It is in this moment that new life begins to bud in her heart. It is not a coincidence that the resurrection happens in a garden.
Gardens require a burial of the seed into the ground, waiting, and patience. Remember that a seed is not dead when it is buried. The amazing things about gardens are that during the winter they look like loss, emptiness, and sorrow. But in the spring, God brings life from what we see as death. Every spring, we are reminded that death was defeated and Jesus rose from the dead!
There is a great truth here because Jesus’ physical resurrection brings with it a great promise. The door Jesus opened for us after the idea that all things will be made new. Even now, we see this happening in our lives as God restores us, remembers us, and gives us rest. God met us first in the garden as Creator. Jesus met Mary in a garden as Teacher. One day, Jesus will return as King and meet us to take us home, making all things new.
“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” - Revelation 21:5
Just like Mary, we can rest in the truth that death does not win, loss is not permanent, and God grows new life where we least expect it. The same God who planted both gardens is still tending our story today.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Can you take the story of the gardens and believe that life happens after the grave? What in your life feels dead and buried? How can you trust God with this truth: the grave is not the final chapter of your story.
Further Reading:Genesis 2:8-9
Genesis 3:22-24
Isaiah 61:11
2 Corinthians 5:17
Revelation 22:1-2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The true meaning of Easter centers on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, offering hope, salvation, and victory over death. Rediscovering the Real Meaning of Easter invites us to move beyond cultural traditions and refocus on the life-changing truth of Matthew 28:6—He is risen.
For many, Easter can easily become about traditions like candy, egg hunts, and the Easter Bunny. While those things aren’t inherently wrong, they can quietly shift our attention away from what matters most. When we truly understand the resurrection, everything changes. Easter becomes more than a holiday—it becomes a celebration of grace, redemption, and new life found in Christ. This renewed perspective not only deepens our personal faith but also creates opportunities to share the Gospel with others in a meaningful, authentic way.
Highlights
- Easter is ultimately about Jesus’ death and resurrection—not just traditions
- Cultural celebrations can unintentionally distract from the Gospel
- Understanding the resurrection transforms how we celebrate Easter
- Sharing your personal faith story can help others understand the Gospel
- The resurrection gives us victory over sin and death
- Eternal life is made possible through Jesus’ finished work on the cross
- Easter is an opportunity to boldly and lovingly share the Good News
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Rediscovering the Real Meaning of EasterBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” - Matthew 28:6
Easter is a wonderful time to reflect on the beauty and goodness of Christ. When I was growing up, however, I didn’t understand Easter at all. I mainly associated it with the Easter Bunny and candy. I knew nothing about Jesus Christ or His death on the cross.
Although my mom was a Christian, I don’t remember fully absorbing any teachings about Easter when I was a child or a teenager. Perhaps those lessons simply went over my head, but I genuinely don’t recall learning about Jesus’ sacrifice.
Everything changed after I became a Christian during my first year of college. That was when I began to understand the true purpose of Easter and realized what a beautiful and meaningful celebration it is.
The first Easter I celebrated as a follower of the Lord was filled with worship. My sister and I even changed some of our family traditions to make them more focused on Jesus. My childhood fascination with the Easter Bunny faded, replaced by a deeper appreciation for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. One year, we even made a cross decorated with flowers and placed it on our front door as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and victory.
Easter has changed a lot for me, but in the best way possible. Once I truly understood the meaning of Easter, I couldn’t believe I had celebrated the holiday for so long without recognizing its real purpose.
Easter is about Jesus—not the Easter Bunny, egg hunts, or candy. While those traditions are not wrong in themselves, they can easily distract from the holiday's true meaning. When commercialism becomes the focus, it takes Jesus out of Easter and turns the celebration into something it was never meant to be.
As followers of Christ, Easter is also a meaningful opportunity to share the Gospel with others. Many people have heard the Gospel, yet its meaning hasn’t fully reached their hearts. This can be true for both children and adults. Because of this, we should look for opportunities to share the message of Jesus—even with people who may already be familiar with it. Sometimes hearing the truth again allows it to take root more deeply.
When sharing the Gospel, speak in a personal, sincere way. This helps others truly hear and understand what you are saying. Sharing your testimony can also be powerful before or after explaining the Gospel. Trust the Holy Spirit to work in each person’s heart, and don’t become discouraged if someone doesn’t accept Christ immediately. For many of us, faith was a journey that took time before we chose to fully place our trust in Jesus.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
At the tomb of the risen Lord, an angel declared, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:6).
This beautiful truth gives us hope and encouragement even in our darkest moments. Jesus truly rose from the dead, and through Him we have victory over death. While we will still physically die one day, death does not have the final word. Those who trust in Christ will live forever with Him.
The gift of eternal life is possible only because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. Because of Him, we have hope not only for the future but also for the present.
During this Easter season, we can celebrate the Lord, help others come to know Him, and rejoice in the salvation He offers. One of the greatest ways we can show our love and devotion to Him is by sharing the Good News with others. Just as the angel announced Christ’s resurrection, we are called to share that same message with the world.
Easter is not simply another holiday on the calendar. It is the celebration of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. Through Him, we have received forgiveness, redemption, and victory over the grave.
Celebrate this truth during the Easter season, and allow the joy of Christ’s resurrection to overflow into every part of your life. Jesus accomplished something extraordinary when He rose from the dead, and one day He will return again and bring a final end to evil (Revelation 1:7).
Has your interpretation and understanding of Easter changed over the years? How can you share the Gospel with a loved one this Easter?
Further Reading:
Luke 19:10
Luke 24:1-53
John 5:28-29
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Waiting on God, trusting His timing, and holding onto hope in suffering are at the heart of When the Miracle Hasn’t Come Yet. Rooted in Romans 8:24–25 and the story of Lazarus in John 11, this devotional explores how God’s love remains constant—even when answers feel delayed.
In seasons of pain, silence, or unanswered prayers, it’s easy to question where God is. Yet Scripture shows us that delay is not the absence of love. Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus deeply—and still waited. That tension is where faith grows. Biblical hope isn’t pretending everything is fine; it’s trusting that God is still working when we can’t yet see the outcome. Even in the waiting, Jesus is still our resurrection and our life. The miracle may not have come yet—but His presence is already with us.
Highlights
- God’s delay does not mean He is distant or uncaring
- Faith allows room for both belief and honest grief
- Biblical hope is anchored in what we cannot yet see
- Jesus is our hope now—not just when the miracle comes
- Waiting seasons are not wasted; they deepen our dependence on God
- God’s love and our suffering can coexist without contradiction
- You are not alone—God is present even in the silence
Full Transcript Below:
When the Miracle Hasn’t Come YetBy: Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” - Romans 8:24-25
If God loves me why am I suffering?
I asked this question many years ago while sitting awake in bed at 2 AM. I was battling an intense time of depression and anxiety. Sleep would not come, even after begging God for relief. I had gotten so tired that I couldn’t rest. Tears rolled down my cheek.
As I walked through the valley of depression, I began to search out why God would delay my healing. I wrestled with the question of how God could be loving but also allow suffering as well. Our passage for today speaks into this tension.
“Now a man named Lazarus was sick… Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So… he stayed where he was two more days.” - John 11:5-6
Notice that it says Jesus loved them! It is evident in other scriptures that Jesus had a close relationship with all three siblings. Yet, when they needed him the most, Jesus delayed. If He loved them, why didn’t He hurry to heal Lazarus? For two days, Jesus didn’t move. So many of us feel like we are living in that “two-day delay.” We are loved, but we are still waiting.
One night, while sitting in my bed, unable to fall asleep, I remember finally being honest with God. I told him that I was so depressed and asked Him why He didn’t take this pain away. Mary and Martha, in John 11, were also honest with Jesus.
“‘Lord,’ Martha said to Jesus, ‘if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’” - John 11:21
There is belief here. She believed Jesus could have helped, but she also expressed her grief. How many of us shy away from both things when we are waiting for relief from our own suffering? Faith in God does not mean we can’t be disappointed. Jesus did not chide her for her honesty. Believing God’s promises and His power does not silence our sorrow.
Although Jesus does resurrect Lazarus, Martha didn’t know this. You and I know that one day our new bodies will not suffer, and all tears will be wiped away. But that doesn’t mean we don’t live in unresolved circumstances now.
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” - Romans 8:24-25
Biblical hope is not wishful thinking or denial. Mary and Martha did not deny the pain, nor did they have a vague belief in Jesus. Martha stood in her grief before she saw glory. Many of us do that too. Paul, in the book of Romans, encourages us to wait for what we cannot see and hope will come.
Resurrection means that death does not win. Delay does not cancel love, and the grave does not get the final word. Often, we believe that God’s love means we will have immediate answers or instant healing. Instead, we find that God’s timeline and ours don’t always match. Jesus was the resurrection and the life before Lazarus walked out of the tomb. He is the resurrection for us, even if tears fall.
“I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25
Notice what Jesus did not say: “I will perform a resurrection.” He said, “I am.” This is one of the many “I AM” statements found throughout the Gospel of John. In this moment, Jesus is declaring Himself God. Very soon after this moment, Jesus would face His own death, and then God would resurrect Jesus as well. Notice that the miracle came later. Jesus is still our hope, our savior, and our king, even if we find ourselves still inside the tomb.
Depression is like a tomb for me. So many times I’ve suffered through seasons of extreme sorrow, feeling like I was dying. In those moments, I began to cling to Jesus. Nothing around me felt any different, but as I read scripture, especially this passage, I realize that Jesus sees my sorrow, loves me deeply, and was willing to die Himself so I could one day be free from pain and sorrow.
The same Savior who sometimes allows suffering is the One who ultimately conquered it on the cross. So if you find yourself praying at 2 a.m., longing for relief, just remember that you are not forgotten. You may not see the miracle yet. But you are not waiting alone.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Where does it feel like God is late in showing up for you? What prayer feels unanswered? What miracle are you waiting and hoping for? You are not abandoned in the delay. Love can coexist with waiting. Resurrection hope sustains sometimes before it resolves.
Further Reading:Isaiah 30:18
Lamentations 3:25-26
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Hebrews 11:13
Revelation 21:4-5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Spiritual surrender, trusting God’s timing, and releasing control take center stage in Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1–2. The Burial Before the Breakthrough reveals how God often does His deepest work in our hearts before He changes our circumstances.
Hannah’s journey through infertility, longing, and public shame paints a powerful picture of what it means to wrestle with unmet desires. Yet instead of turning away, she brought her pain directly to God—honestly, persistently, and with surrender. Her breakthrough didn’t begin with the birth of Samuel, but with a transformed heart that desired God’s will above her own. This story reminds us that sometimes God allows seasons of waiting not to withhold from us, but to reshape us, deepen our dependence on Him, and prepare us for something greater than we imagined.
Highlights
- God often transforms our hearts before He changes our circumstances
- Seasons of waiting can draw us closer to God rather than away from Him
- Even good desires can become idols if they take God’s place in our hearts
- True peace comes from surrendering our will to God’s greater plan
- Breakthrough often begins in the “burial” of our own expectations
- God sees our pain, hears our prayers, and works behind the scenes
- Lasting fulfillment is found in God, not in the things we’re asking for
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
The Burial before the Breakthrough
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.” - 1 Samuel 2:1-5 (ESV)
I’ve often wondered why I love Hannah’s story.
Perhaps it’s because we share the same name, or because the deep ache burning within her is something we can all relate to. Even if we cannot relate to the infertility of her womb, surely, we can relate to the infertility of her heart.
Hannah deeply desired a child, but for years, she wrestled with barrenness. In those days, it was a cultural norm: a woman’s worth was measured by her children.
Don’t get me wrong. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3 ESV). ALL children are precious gifts from God above and meant to be treasured, cherished, and loved!
For Hannah, not only did she desire to be a mother, but infertility was a societal weight. Because she couldn’t bear a child, her husband’s line would die with her.
Consequently, Elkanah was bound by duty to take a second wife, Peninnah, turning Hannah’s grief into public shame.
Imagine the immense sadness that increased with each day as Hannah was reminded of what she didn’t have. While once she may have been reminded anytime she visited an ever-growing family, now the patter of little feet haunted her in her home.
Her husband was a proud father, but not of her child.
Can we imagine?
To make matters worse, she received no sympathy from Peninnah. Her husband’s second wife “used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb” (1 Samuel 1:6 ESV).
Undoubtedly, Hannah would’ve asked God, “Why”?
She may’ve wondered if God had a plan.
Why wouldn’t He bless her with a child?
We know Elkanah loved Hannah very much. When he and his household went up to worship the LORD and to offer sacrifices, he gave portions to Peninnah and all her sons and daughters. But as is written in 1 Samuel 1:5 (ESV), “But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb.”
Although Peninnah had his children, Hannah had his heart.
As hard as it can be to understand sometimes, God wasn’t cruel in closing her womb. He sees what we can’t when we’re in the middle of the fight, and later we see it wasn’t for Hannah’s harm but for God to weave a beautiful story far beyond what she could even imagine.
What inspires me is that Hannah chose to go to the temple “year by year” to worship God anyway. Though it would’ve been easier to stay home and avoid Peninnah’s constant taunts, she let the hole in her heart drive her into the arms of God.
“And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8 ESV).
Hannah’s heart was broken. Yes, she loved her husband, but the ache in her heart was so great that not even he could fill it.
We often believe that receiving the thing we long for will satisfy us, but only God can satisfy the true hunger of our souls. If we look to anything but Him, we shall be sorely disappointed.
It doesn’t mean God doesn’t desire to give us good gifts. He does. But He wants to be the greatest desire of our hearts, whom we long for more than anything else.
I don’t know exactly what drove Hannah to her knees.
Perhaps she was simply tired of Peninnah’s taunting.
Perhaps she realized there was nothing she could do to change her circumstances, and so she needed the Lord to change her heart.
1 Samuel 1:10-11 (ESV) says: “She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
Eli, the priest, saw Hannah and thought she was drunk. When she explained that she was crying out before the Lord, he told her to “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him” (1 Samuel 1:17 ESV).
Hannah’s heart changed the moment she wanted God’s will more than her own.
How many of us cling to a desire so tightly that we refuse to yield it, eventually losing sight of why we even wanted it? Even “good” desires can become idols when we want our will more than God’s.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
In Hannah’s story, God chose to change her circumstances after he changed her heart. But one of the greatest miracles in her story wasn’t just the arrival of Samuel (although that was a huge blessing and answer to prayer!) but the peace in her heart that came before the answered prayer.
When God blessed Hannah with her first child (and yes, she went on to have 5 more children), she kept her word, brought him to the temple after he was weaned, and gave him to Eli to serve the Lord all his days. She surrendered the very thing she’d once wept for. How hard must that have been to give her only son back to God?
Yet God gave her strength, and her satisfaction was now truly found in God alone.
God doesn’t always change our circumstances, but He will change our hearts if we ask.
Hannah is an inspiration to me as I ask myself: Have I relinquished control? Have I surrendered? Have I allowed my own will to be “buried” so God’s will may be done?
Whether the Lord chooses to answer the prayers the way I want or not, will I trust that He is still working everything for my good?
I pray you will be inspired today. God sees you. He knows the prayers you pray and the desires on your heart.
Do you trust Him with what matters most to you?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Facing fear, surrender, and trust in God’s plan takes center stage in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus models honest prayer and unwavering obedience. The Night Before the Cross explores how Jesus’ surrender in Matthew 26:36–39 invites us to trust God—even when the path ahead feels overwhelming.
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus experienced deep sorrow and anguish, fully aware of the suffering He would endure. Yet in that moment, He didn’t hide His emotions—He brought them honestly before the Father. His prayer reveals a powerful tension: a desire for relief paired with complete trust in God’s will. This moment reminds us that faith isn’t the absence of struggle—it’s choosing trust in the middle of it. Because of Jesus’ surrender, we are invited to bring our hardest emotions to God while still believing in His greater plan.
Highlights
- Jesus models honest prayer—bringing raw emotions to God without holding back
- Surrendering to God’s will doesn’t remove fear, but it anchors us in trust
- Even Jesus sought the presence of friends, showing our need for community
- Gethsemane reminds us that obedience often comes through deep struggle
- God’s plan can be trusted, even when it leads through suffering
- Jesus understands our pain, making Him a compassionate Savior
- True faith is saying “Your will be done” even when it’s difficult
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
The Night Before the CrossBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” – Matthew 26:36-39, NIV
When I visited Israel and Palestine on a pilgrimage trip, I was moved to tears by the ancient olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane. Since olive trees regenerate, they can live for many generations. Some of those trees with the wide, twisted branches were descendants of the trees that were there when Jesus prayed in the garden the night before going to the cross. I imagined Jesus in agony there, knowing he would be crucified the next day and have to take the burden of all sin from his creation onto himself. No one had ever had such a heavy burden to carry in this fallen and broken world.
Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to “stay here and keep watch with me.” He simply wanted the comfort of having his friends nearby. Jesus shows us that needing other people is an important part of being human. Even though his friends eventually let him down and fell asleep, the human part of Jesus reached out for their support. The divine part of Jesus knew that people are meant to encourage one another.
Then, Jesus prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” He didn’t want to go through the excruciating physical pain of being crucified, but even more than that, he didn’t want the spiritual weight of carrying the world’s mistakes. He was completely honest with God when he asked if there was a way out. This is so encouraging for us today! It shows us we can tell God exactly how we feel, even when we’re dealing with difficult emotions. We don’t have to pretend to be happy when we’re actually sad, or to be peaceful when we’re actually terrified. God can handle our honest prayers about our most challenging feelings.
But then, the story changes. After asking God the Father to change the plan if possible, Jesus added those famous words: “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus prayed with total trust. He knew that God’s will was best. Jesus trusted God’s plan more than he trusted his own human fear. His love for God and for humanity inspired him to let go of his will so he could do God’s will for us.
We all have our own Garden of Gethsemane experiences – those times when we’re facing situations we don’t want to happen, and feel overwhelmed by them. But when we face those challenges, we can remember how Jesus prayed on the night before going to the cross. Jesus is a Savior who understands our sadness. He shows us that God isn’t afraid of our honesty. Most importantly, Jesus shows us how we can trust God’s plans for us, even while we’re challenged by those plans. The night before the cross was the darkest night in history, but it was also the night that proved just how much Jesus loves us!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how you can be honest with God about your hard feelings and still trust God’s plans for you, reflect on these questions:
- When you’re going through a hard time, why is it important to you to reach out to friends or family?
- Jesus was “overwhelmed with sorrow” on the night before the cross. How does knowing that Jesus experienced so much emotional pain change the way you feel comfortable talking to him in prayer?
- Is there something in your life right now that you’re asking God to take away? If God keeps that in your life anyway, what will help you trust God in that situation?
- What makes it challenging to say: “Not as I will, but as you will” in your current circumstances?
- How does Jesus’ surrender in the garden give you hope for the difficult situations you’re facing?
Further Reading:
Philippians 2:8
Luke 22:44
Isaiah 53:3
Psalm 34:18
Hebrews 4:15
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Experiencing the hope of Easter doesn’t have to be limited to one Sunday a year. Psalm 112:4 reminds us that light breaks through darkness for those who walk with God—and that truth can shape how we begin every single day. Just as the sunrise brings warmth, clarity, and renewed energy, a Christ-centered morning can ground our hearts in peace and purpose.
This devotional reframes the idea of a “sunrise service” as a daily rhythm rather than a yearly event. Even in busy, chaotic, or exhausting seasons of life, we are invited to intentionally create space for God each morning. When we choose to start our day focused on Him, we position our hearts to experience His presence, reflect His character, and carry His hope into everything we do.
Highlights
- Easter hope isn’t seasonal—it’s available to anchor us every day
- Light and warmth from the sunrise reflect the spiritual renewal found in Christ
- Our mornings set the tone for our mindset, peace, and spiritual focus
- Even a few intentional minutes with God can shift the entire direction of your day
- Choosing God over chaos requires discipline but leads to greater stability and peace
- Creating structured morning rhythms can reduce stress and open space for spiritual growth
- Gratitude and reflection in the morning help cultivate a Christ-centered perspective
- Living in daily resurrection hope allows us to reflect God’s light to others
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
How to Have a Sunrise Service Every Sunday Morning
By: Peyton Garland
Bible Reading:“Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.” - Psalm 112:4 (NLT)
My mood is greatly impacted by the weather, much to my chagrin. In Eastern Tennessee, with the Appalachians spanning my backyard, we see bouts of heavy rain in the winter. Of course, for all our farmers, this is quite the blessing, and it certainly benefits our neighbors’ cattle. But for me, it’s just week after week of mental gloominess (and feeling stuck inside with a toddler who would nap much better if he could run and play and soak up Vitamin D).
Easter arrives when the weather is often playing tug-of-war between winter and spring, unsure which will take precedence for the holiday. Thus, it’s hard to know if your Easter dress should actually be a dress, or if a pair of pants will make life much warmer and more comfortable.
Regardless of Easter’s final forecast, it’s only normal for us to crave the light and warmth of the sun. Nature makes this clear: the sun not only affects the neurotransmitters that regulate our mood but also our heart rate. Light and warmth stabilize us from the inside out, and is this not the perfect physiological representation of an Easter sunrise service?
It’s mankind’s eager anticipation for the first rays of light that whisper, “You’ll see a bit clearer in just a moment. Better things are coming. Hope is here.”
Easter, regardless of the day’s weather report, is our blessed hope, the spiritual truth that we can celebrate year-round to keep us tethered to our faith. It’s available for all the highs and lows, all the storms, and the uncontrollable chaos that undoubtedly rears an ugly head in this fallen world.
And if we are intentional, spiritually desperate enough, we can experience this sunrise service filled with hope and joy each day of our lives.
I’m certainly no expert in accessing this beautiful, glorious gift each morning, especially eight months pregnant with a toddler who doesn’t sleep through the night. I often wake up starving, grumbly, and in desperate need of a chiropractor. But even when the mornings start hectic or heavy, we have a choice:
We can use our desperation for God’s goodness to force five minutes of quiet for Him to settle our hearts and homes, or we can surrender to the never-ending demands of a loud, noisy world that cares little about how stable our souls are once we’ve clocked out for the day and gone home.
God gives good gifts to His children, most notably salvation through His Son’s death and resurrection, but the choice to access those gifts rests with us. If we want hope, no matter how gloomy, mundane, or hard life is, we must pursue it, choose it, share it with others, and praise God that His mercies are as faithful as the morning sunrise.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Consider your morning routine. Is it consistently chaos as everyone grabs a breakfast bar to go and forgets a gym bag, homework, or a shoe or two? If your days always start in a state of stress, create a schedule specifically for your morning routine.
Perhaps you need to wake up thirty minutes earlier, or the kids need to pack lunches and set out clothes the night before. Sit down with your entire family to discuss ways to make the mornings smoother so everyone can begin each day with a healthier head and heart space.
Carve out space so your morning has dedicated time to practice gratitude to God for a new day of mercy and grace. As a believer and as an adult in your house, it is your spiritual responsibility to set a positive, hope-filled, Christ-focused tone for the family.
As Scripture says, the hope and light we long for are byproducts of godliness, of our willingness to get uncomfortable and change our schedules, and even our perceptions, so we are in a position to practice generosity, compassion, and righteousness. (Let’s be honest, when we begin our days in chaos, without the peace and hope of Christ’s resurrection, our souls aren’t positioned to practice, let alone consider, these godly principles.)
Consider this as more than a mandate. Let this be an honor as you overhaul your morning routine to have an Easter sunrise service in your home, for your family, each day.
Further Reading:
25 Easter Scriptures to Celebrate the Resurrection: He IS Risen!
5 Habits to Help Start Your Day with Jesus
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Suffering is one of the hardest realities of the Christian life, yet James 1:12 reveals a powerful truth: there is blessing on the other side of perseverance. Trials are not meaningless interruptions—they are often the very tools God uses to shape our faith, deepen our dependence on Him, and draw us closer to His heart.
This devotional reframes suffering through a biblical lens, reminding us that while pain is real, it is never wasted. Even when life feels overwhelming or unfair, God remains sovereign and present. Instead of placing our hope in temporary outcomes, we are called to anchor ourselves in eternity—trusting that God is working through every trial for His glory and our ultimate good.
Highlights
- Suffering is a reality for all people, including faithful believers
- God remains sovereign over every trial—we are never outside His awareness or plan
- Trials are often used to shape us into the image of Christ
- Perseverance in suffering leads to spiritual growth and eternal reward
- Faith becomes our anchor in seasons of uncertainty and pain
- Fixing our eyes on eternity helps us endure present hardships
- God walks with us through both valleys and mountaintop seasons
- Our suffering can equip us to comfort and support others
Resources Mentioned
- James 1:12
- John 16:33
- Romans 8:18
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Biblical humility and servant leadership are beautifully displayed in Philippians 2:5-8, where Jesus models a radically different view of greatness—one rooted in love, sacrifice, and selflessness. Rather than clinging to His divine status, Jesus chose to humble Himself, taking on the role of a servant and ultimately giving His life on the cross. This passage challenges the way we view power, status, and what it truly means to love others.
Through a personal story and powerful reflection, this devotional reminds us that the lowest places—often the ones we avoid—can become the greatest opportunities to demonstrate Christlike love. When we shift our mindset from self-importance to selfless service, we begin to reflect the heart of Jesus in our everyday relationships. True love isn’t about convenience—it’s about willingness to serve, even when it costs us something.
Highlights
- Jesus redefined greatness by choosing humility and servanthood over status and power
- True love is often expressed through simple, lowly acts of service
- Pride can keep us from opportunities to love others well
- Humility means thinking of others more, not thinking less of ourselves
- Serving others becomes natural when we are motivated by genuine love
- Letting go of comfort and control draws us closer to God’s heart
- The “mindset of Christ” transforms how we approach relationships and daily interactions
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
When Love Took the Lowest PlaceBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” – Philippians 2:5-8, NIV
When I was in college, I took a job at a fast food restaurant to supplement the income from my journalism internship because I wanted extra money for a trip. I quit after only 3 weeks – as soon as I earned the amount I needed for the trip – because I felt like the job was beneath me. But reflecting on it now, I can see how that humbling experience was valuable. As you can imagine, cleaning a public restroom in a fast-food restaurant was never pleasant. But years later, when God led me to clean a restroom for a family member battling cancer, I was grateful I learned that sometimes the lowest tasks are connected to the highest ways of showing love.
Sometimes we think that if we have power or status, we should use it to make our lives easier. We may refuse to do lowly jobs at work or at home because we have a higher job position than others on our team, or a higher status in our family than others.
But Philippians 2:5-8 shows us a picture of Jesus that turns our ideas of greatness upside down. Jesus had the highest power and status possible – he was equal with God. Yet, Jesus didn’t use that power and status for himself. Instead, he “made himself nothing.” In some translations, it says he “emptied himself.” Jesus poured out his rights and his comfort so that he could fill our greatest need. When Jesus came from heaven to earth, he went from being in a perfect environment where he had everything he could ever want to dealing with human needs in a fallen world, where he would experience the full range of suffering we go through here.
Jesus made that choice because of his love for his creation – including us. Love motivated Jesus to come to earth to pay for humanity’s sins himself, so we could connect with a holy God and be saved.
When Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, he was the highest person in the room, yet he chose the lowest task.
Why did Jesus, the King of Kings, become a servant? It was because he saw us. Jesus saw that we were broken, lost, and separated from God by our sin. He knew that the only way to reach us was to come down to where we were.
True humility involves thinking of ourselves less and thinking of others more. Serving others is something we’ll naturally want to do if we’re motivated by love. When we love people, we don’t mind doing lowly jobs to help them. Parents don’t mind changing diapers because they love their babies. Friends don’t mind driving across town late at night to help a friend in need because they love their friends.
Philippians 2:5-8 starts out by saying: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” That’s a challenge for us every single day. But the more we ask Jesus to help us focus on what matters most from his perspective, the more we can apply that wisdom to our relationships with each other.
When we choose the lowest place, we end up in the highest place we can be, which is close to God’s heart. God’s core nature is love. Jesus shows us what God’s love looks like in action, and we can see from Jesus’ life on earth that God often expresses his love through humble service to others. By doing simple tasks with great love, Jesus shows us that taking the lowest place is an important way to move higher in our relationships with God.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how taking the lowest place in love can help you move higher with God, reflect on these questions:
- When you feel above a certain task or person, what does that reveal about your heart?
- Jesus let go of his heavenly rights and comforts to serve us on earth. What’s one right or comfort you find difficult to let go of?
- How does knowing that Jesus chose the cross out of love change the way you view your own struggles?
- Who is one person in your life who you can relate to this week by practicing having the “mindset of Christ”?
- Why is love a more powerful motivator for service than just feeling a moral obligation to do what’s right?
Further Reading:
Matthew 20:28
John 13:14-15
Galatians 5:13
1 Peter 5:5
Mark 9:35
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
This devotional highlights the importance of intentional, Christ-centered community—not perfect people, but faithful ones who pursue Jesus together. Even when relationships feel messy or uncomfortable, God uses them to strengthen our faith, bring healing, and encourage us in ways we can’t experience on our own. If you’re in a season without a church community, this is an invitation to reflect, rebuild, and take one step toward the relationships God has prepared for you.
Highlights
- Church community can be difficult to build, especially after past hurt, busy seasons, or constant life changes
- Genuine Christian relationships require vulnerability, trust, and letting go of self-protection
- Healing from church wounds is possible—and often leads to deeper, more meaningful community later
- You don’t need perfect people—you need people who genuinely pursue Jesus, even imperfectly
- Strong community isn’t found by accident; it’s built through intentional investment and consistency
- Even Jesus modeled the importance of close, faith-centered relationships during His ministry
- Community won’t replace God, but it strengthens and supports your faith in every season
- Identifying what’s holding you back is the first step toward building the relationships God has for you
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
When You Don't Have a Church Community This EasterBy: Peyton Garland
Bible Reading:“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)
In our first five years of marriage, my husband and I moved six times. Jobs and dreams pulled us all over the place, back and forth across the country. But while this wild newlywed season was beautiful, it left little time for us to invest in a church community.
Many believers are left without a church community this Easter, whether caused by time and location constraints, old church wounds, or a tried but failed attempt to find “their” people. Relationships can be complicated, awkward, and intimidating to navigate, especially for Christian adults who are encouraged to develop vulnerability and share their faults and fears with others.
Church community—the healthy kind—requires an unguarded trust in others, a release of self-preservation and appearances, but it’s in this uncomfortable place that our pride dies and our souls find the encouragement to continue in the faith when the days are dark and lonely.
Granted, I understand the skepticism of opening up to others in the church, especially as someone who once had a bitter taste in her mouth for any assembly that remotely resembled the unhealthy church I grew up in. However, on the other side of my church hurt, after lots of therapy and answered prayers as my husband and I settled into a church community to raise our sons, I can say, wholeheartedly, that you need a church community.
You don’t need “your” people. You need Jesus people who messily, openly, sacrificially love Him. In finding those believers—and in becoming one of them—you find a community you can lean on in all seasons, even when the spiritual high of holidays like Easter and Christmas fades.
My church has a saying, “You don’t stumble upon great Christian community; you create it.” So no matter how many fair-weather churchgoers come and go in this religious Easter season, no matter your past hurt or the present inconveniences that make community easy to avoid, I challenge you to invest your heart and faith in others.
Jesus’ earthly ministry was short, only three years, but even He recognized the need for godly friendships and fellowship with others, calling twelve men to quite literally travel and live with Him. If Jesus recognized the need for a Christian community, who are we to disregard His example in this resurrection season centered on life, love, and sacrifice for others?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When my husband and I met, we were both Christians, but both of us had been deeply, deeply wounded by the church. Legalism kept me tethered to weekly attendance, all out of fear, but my husband’s personal hurt had driven him completely away from church. When we met, and I mandated his church attendance if he wanted to continue dating me, he admitted it was the first time he had set foot in a church in roughly five years.
Today, we are life group leaders for seven young families in our church. It’s funny, and often ironic, how God not only heals us, but calls us to the places we thought we could never navigate again. God defies the impossible, even in our finite bodies, if we are willing and able to get uncomfortable and be molded for His purposes.
Meanwhile, though my husband and I have come a long way in establishing a church community for ourselves and our sons, we understand how hard it is to sustain these relationships. Jesus people are still people, and their flaws and your flaws combined won’t make for perfect friendships. Church community won’t save you. It won’t even sustain you, at least not on its own.
But when you dig your heels in deep and choose to love others because God dug His heels in deep to save and sustain you, despite all your wrongdoings, you find that His resurrection hope lasts far longer than the Easter season. You realize that His ability, through you, to be long-suffering towards sinners is what makes life worth living.
If you aren’t part of a church community, find some quiet time to take personal stock in why. Has your life season been overwhelmingly busy? Has the church hurt you? Did you try one or two different small groups or Bible studies that simply felt impersonal or off?
Recognize your why, but allow this newfound understanding to challenge you to step up, get uncomfortable, and relentlessly pursue the godly relationships God has in store for you.
I promise, you won’t regret it.
Further Reading:
How to Get Back into Church
Romans 12:4-5
Proverbs 27:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Struggling with anxiety, overthinking, or “what if” spirals? This special bonus episode from Faith Over Fear explores how to find peace through Scripture when your thoughts feel overwhelming and hard to control.
In this honest and deeply personal conversation, Jennifer Slattery and Carol McCracken unpack what’s really happening when anxiety takes over—and how God meets us in those moments. Through stories of health uncertainty, sleepless nights, and persistent fear, they reveal how biblical truth can interrupt anxious thought patterns and help us anchor our minds in God’s character.
Rather than trying to suppress anxiety, this episode offers a better path: renewing your mind through Scripture and learning to recognize the difference between fear-driven thoughts and God’s truth.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- Why anxious thoughts often feel true—even when they’re not
- How “what if” thinking fuels anxiety and fear
- What it means to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)
- Why suppressing anxiety can actually make it worse
- How to practice a simple “truth pause” when fear rises
- Practical ways to retrain your mind using Scripture
To find more content from Faith Over Fear: Follow on your favorite podcasting app:
Spotify:
Apple
For more Faith-centered podcasts: Lifeaudio.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Peyton Garland highlights how culture’s attraction to Easter reflects a deeper longing for hope, renewal, and life. While seasonal symbols like flowers and celebrations point to new beginnings, they ultimately fall short without the true source—Jesus. This devotion challenges believers to live out their faith authentically year-round, not just during holidays, so others can clearly see the hope of the gospel through their lives.
Highlights
- Faith Is Not Seasonal: Following Christ isn’t limited to holidays like Easter—it’s a daily calling.
- Culture Reflects a Deeper Longing: Easter traditions point to a universal desire for renewal and hope.
- Authenticity Matters: People can recognize genuine faith lived out in everyday life.
- Evangelism Is for Everyone: Sharing the gospel happens through how we live, not just what we say.
- Hope Has a Source: True and lasting hope is found in Christ, not in temporary cultural symbols.
Intersecting Faith & Life
The world is searching for something real, and Easter often amplifies that search. When believers consistently live with joy, peace, and authenticity, others notice. Instead of waiting for the “right season,” we are called to embody the hope of Christ daily—allowing our lives to reflect the truth we believe.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Why It's Important to Recognize Culture's Draw to EasterBy: Peyton Garland
Bible Reading:
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” - Luke 6:45 (ESV)
Believers were never called to be ostriches. We don’t get to stick our heads in the sand and wash our hands of the world’s problems. It’s hard to love nonbelievers if we are never around them. It’s hard to reach a world we’ve pushed away in the name of fear or a false sense of religious superiority.
We were also never called to be seasonal participants, waiting to share our faith when Easter or Christmas rolls around. Truth be told, friends, if no one knows anything of our faith outside the holiday obligations we push, what does that say of our hearts?
Scripture is clear that who we are, who we choose to be, will be evident by the life we live. We can preserve our comfort, keep our favorite sins close, and play the church game all day long, but the world is desperate for hope, and in this desperation, they will see straight through you.
This desperation for fulfillment is culture’s draw to Easter, even the secular aspects. The fresh flowers, baby chicks, and Easter eggs are marketable depictions of newness, life, and hope. They are images that beg people to wake up, look around, and rest in light.
But without the Light of the world, holiday simplicities can’t sustain us. Easter egg dye wears off, chocolate bunnies are consumed, and life moves on. Deep down, the world knows this. It groans because of it, creating a ravenous need for authenticity.
Don’t starve the world of the God who fills your soul with good things daily. You know the secret to eternal hope, to the Light that isn’t dimmed by circumstances or seasons, to the hope that makes death a gateway to eternal fresh air for our healed bones.
Evangelism isn’t reserved for religious seasons or church staff. It’s not limited to international missionaries or non-profit directors. It’s a mandate, an honor, bestowed on each of us as we love people in word and deed with the Love who saved our souls.
Interesting Faith & Life:
My husband and I celebrated our two-year wedding anniversary on a cruise, where we were paired with another young couple for dinner each evening. A few nights in, the husband looked at us and said, “I’m assuming you’re church people, right?”
He didn’t mean it disrespectfully, not in the slightest. He was genuinely curious and wanted to confirm his thoughts. My husband and I laughed and nodded our heads, knowing this was, in a simple form, a compliment to how we carried ourselves. We weren’t drilling them with theology or even trying any subtle evangelism. We were just living with the hearts God had curated in us.
This isn’t to brag on us. Trust me, apart from God’s grace, the two of us are a dynamic disaster, but we live what we believe as best we can. Our personalities simply can’t handle inauthenticity; most of that comes from all the deceit both of us experienced from our unhealthy church upbringings. But by believing in God as our source of goodness, freedom, and rest, we can live life with a sense of peace and joy. And apparently, nonbelievers see it. And they sense its importance.
After all, it’s created beings feeling that natural pull to their Creator, that soulful invitation from the Holy Spirit alone to come home to light and love.
Prayerfully consider the life you live, in and out of Christian holidays, and take personal inventory of whether others truly believe that you live what you claim, that Christ’s resurrection has given you joy to live life filled with boldness and peace, come what may.
Further Reading:
5 Thoughts on Being a Witness for Christ
2 Timothy 1:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Grief during Easter can feel overwhelming, especially when the season of celebration highlights the absence of someone you love. While Easter centers on the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of new life, it can also stir deep sorrow and longing. John 16:22 reminds us that although we experience grief now, a day is coming when our sorrow will turn to unshakable joy.
This devotional gently acknowledges the tension between grief and hope. It affirms that mourning is not a lack of faith but a reflection of love. Even as we carry the weight of loss, Easter invites us to hold onto the promise that Jesus has overcome death. Because of Him, grief is not the end of the story—restoration, reunion, and eternal joy are ahead.
Highlights
- Easter can intensify grief as it reminds us of loved ones who are no longer here
- Grief is a natural and meaningful expression of deep love
- Knowing a loved one is with God doesn’t remove the pain of their absence
- Jesus acknowledges our grief while promising future joy and restoration
- Easter offers hope because Christ has overcome sin and death
- We can grieve and worship at the same time—God welcomes both
- Healing begins when we bring our honest emotions before the Lord
- The promise of eternity gives us hope for reunion and lasting joy
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
For Those Grieving This EasterBy: Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” - John 16:22
Not everyone feels joy when Easter rolls around. Many of us experience immense grief, pain, and sorrow. Because of the annual tradition of leaving flowers on the graves of our loved ones on Good Friday, it can be difficult to return to a heart of celebration.
Every year since my mom passed away, my family and I have taken flowers to her grave. I cannot fully explain what this experience feels like, but over time, it can leave you feeling empty inside.
It doesn’t feel right knowing that your mother is buried beneath the ground. This is a pain I wish no one had to experience, yet most of us will face it at some point in our lives. My mom passed away when I was a teenager, but I believe the pain of losing a loved one is intense, no matter your age. Even if your parents pass away when you are much older, it is still painful to say goodbye.
This is because death is not natural.
It was never part of God’s original design for humanity to die. He created us to live forever. However, the fall of humankind changed everything (Genesis 3). Since that moment, we have had to live in a world marked by sin, pain, suffering, illness, and death.
While I know my mom is in Heaven with God, I still miss her deeply, and the pain can be overwhelming at times.
Just because we know our loved ones are in a better place does not mean our grief disappears. Here on earth, we still feel their absence. There will never be another Easter where my mom is physically with me. She didn’t see me graduate from college. She never saw me drive my first car, and she will not see the rest of my life unfold.
Perhaps you are experiencing your first Easter without someone you love, and grief feels especially heavy on your heart.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Jesus tells us, “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22).
Even though Easter can remind us of our pain, it also reminds us of the beautiful salvation we have through Jesus. Death entered the world, but Jesus has overcome it (1 Corinthians 15:55-58). Praise the Lord that we do not have to live without the hope of seeing our loved ones again. We will see them again, and no one will ever take away our joy.
As Jesus said, now may be our time of grief. In this present season, we must allow grief to exist within us. This is something I have had to learn. I no longer see grief as an enemy. Instead, it reminds me of how deeply I love my mom.
I will not see her again in this life, but I will see her again in Heaven. When we reflect on this truth, the weight of sorrow begins to lift because we have eternity to look forward to.
This Easter, remember Jesus’ amazing grace and how He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into His Kingdom (Colossians 1:13-14). On Easter, we can grieve, but we can also worship God.
Even through tears, we can worship our powerful and loving Savior. Jesus does not demand that we always appear happy or put together. Instead, He welcomes our honest hearts and invites us to bring our true feelings before Him.
The love of the Lord far surpasses any love we experience on this earth. That is why He gave His life for our sins. As we reflect on this truth, we can praise Him for what He has done.
God will restore all things in His perfect timing. On that day, no one will ever take away our joy.
Are you grieving this Easter? How might you bring those feelings honestly before the Lord? Grief can be a reflection of the love we have for those we’ve lost. Does thinking about grief this way change how you view it? Why or why not?
Further Reading:
Revelation 1:18
Romans 6:23
Psalm 56:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life and technology often make us feel like objects or devices rather than God’s created image-bearers. This devotional reminds us that we were made for connection, rest, worship, and creativity. By stepping away from screens and slowing down, we can rediscover our human purpose—to glorify God and enjoy His creation—living fully as His image-bearers.
Highlights
- Created in God’s Image: We are designed for relationship, worship, and reflection—not as devices.
- Technology vs. Humanity: Modern dependence on electronics can distract us from God and others.
- The Beauty of Waiting: God’s timing is perfect; waiting cultivates richness and depth in our lives.
- Disconnect to Reconnect: Time offline allows us to experience God’s creation, hear His voice, and enjoy meaningful relationships.
- Living for Worship: Our purpose is to glorify God and delight in Him, giving Him attention that exceeds our screen time.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
In God’s Image
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).
Have you noticed the trend? We often refer to ourselves—and our daily activities—in electronic terms as if we were devices.
In our culture, as well as across the world, many people use Google as a verb and often feel more comfortable with their electronic devices than with one another. I can’t help but think it makes us feel more alone than ever—like objects rather than people, and digital code rather than designed creation.
Think about it. How often have you been encouraged to plug into a church and to unplug from your busyness? After a conference or webinar, do you find yourself saying you need to defrag from information overload? And when you’re high on adrenaline, you might consider yourself wired; when you’re burnt out, you might say you’ve run down the battery. When you and I need to rest, we say we must recharge.
And our interpersonal relationships are often mostly internet relationships. FaceTime used to mean what it sounds like, and it didn’t involve a phone, tablet, or laptop screen. Social used to mean talking or being with one another, not scrolling on a device.
You and I were made in the image of God, not in the likeness of a smartphone. Our sustainer is God Almighty, not Apple, Microsoft, Google, or even Amazon!
So how do we reclaim (or just remind ourselves of) our human status as God’s creation? How do we remember we were made in His image and for His glory? We can start by reassessing where our dependence lies.
The next time you are drained of power and need to recharge your body (or your phone), let your device run dry and keep it off for an hour or two. If you fall behind on what happened on social media or you miss a call, someone can leave a message, like back in the days when instant communication didn’t dictate our lives. (With your phone off, or in the other room, you’ll be surprised how much more time and space there is in your day for creativity, meaningful conversations, and thoughtful execution of what you deem your top priority).
God never told us in His Word to hurry up, produce more, or run down the battery. His words resonate at a different pace: “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10 ESV); and “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Yet our next-day or even “same-day delivery with Prime” has made us even more incapable of waiting on God who is not bound by time or delivery schedules. The words of the psalmists were not “Hurry up, God, I need an answer within the hour” but rather, “I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning” (Psalm 130:6 NIV). Good things, rich things, priceless things come to those who wait on God and His perfect timing.
Intersecting Faith & Life
Do you need to revisit some of the things humans, rather than devices, do so you can become a vintage believer who experiences the beauty of waiting on God?
One of my favorite humanizing activities is my daily walk around a small lake near my home. I can’t help but recognize and adore God when I’m outside among the beauty of His creation—away from technology, mobile devices, and anything with a screen or signal. It is then that I can tune into His signals—a gentle breeze, the way He parts the clouds and sends the sun’s rays to shine through, the song of a bird, the rustle of leaves, and the reminder that “The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1 ESV). As you slow down and get outside and off your phone, you may rediscover the beauty of your Creator (not your Programmer) who calls you His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).
According to the Westminster Catechism, man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. That means we were created—or dare I say wired—for worship. Being out in the beauty of His creation and worshipping Him reminds me of the Luke 19 account when Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem on a young colt, and the Pharisees demanded He rebuke His followers for waving their palm branches and crying out praise to Him, their king. Jesus told the Pharisees that if the people remained silent, “the very stones would cry out.”
Our Lord must be praised. And we are the ones created in His image to do it.
Don’t leave your God-given calling and purpose to the rocks! Get off your device, notice God and the people all around you, and give Him, not your phone, the attention He deserves.
Lord, may zeal for Your Word, not the contents of my phone, consume me. Help my worship time to exceed my screen time, so I am reminded of the One for whom I was created.
Further Reading:
Psalm 139
For daily perspective on Whose you are and reasons to praise, see my book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God cares for those who feel rejected or excluded. Just as God gathered the exiled Israelites and restored their homes, He sees our wounds, our loneliness, and our social struggles. Even when we feel abandoned, God works to bring us belonging, comfort, and healing. In Christ, we are adopted into His eternal family, fully accepted and loved.
Highlights
- God Sees Our Pain: He notices every wound, rejection, and injustice we face.
- God Acts in His Timing: Healing, comfort, and restoration may come through people, circumstances, or His Spirit.
- He Restores and Rebuilds: Like the Israelites returning from Babylon, God can restore what feels lost or broken.
- Belonging in Christ: Through faith, we are adopted into God’s family, giving us eternal security and acceptance.
- Hope Amid Rejection: Even in a world of brokenness, God leads us to people and places where we can experience care, support, and community.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Heart for the Outcasts
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. - Psalm 147:2
I suspect most anyone who survived elementary and middle school resonate with today’s verse. We’ve probably all found ourselves on the outside of some social circle wishing for a way in. When I was in fifth grade, I somehow finagled a tentative connection with the in crowd but soon got pushed out. This was also the year my inability to care for my naturally curly hair earned me the nickname “fro” and I became the brunt of jokes made by some of my male classmates.
Feeling humiliated and alone, I began spending my recesses inside.
Have you been there? Such experiences prick at our needs for acceptance and belonging. This is why these types of wounds can cut so deeply.
It hurts even more to fear we’ve been rejected by God Himself. This was likely how the ancient Israelites living during the Babylonian captivity felt. After centuries of rebellion, the Lord’s persistent pleas that they return to Him, His warnings finally became reality. God honored His people’s desire for autonomy, lifted His protective hand, and allowed their enemies to invade their land.
Although He assured them that His love remained—unconditionally and eternally (Jer. 31:3; Isa. 43:1-4), they felt abandoned and forsaken. Rejected by the One their souls needed most and forced to live as foreigners in a pagan land.
But God hadn’t forgotten them. Through it all, He remained their faithful and attentive defender and provider. He even blessed them in their new land and encouraged them to enjoy their new lives in Babylon. Then, when it came time for their prophesied year of release, He fulfilled His promise recorded in Deuteronomy 30:3-4, which reads: “Then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back.”
During the period of Ezra and Nehemiah, He brought those who wanted to return home and enabled them to rebuild their city and restore their Temple, the center of their worship and their social life. The place in which they experienced a profound sense of belonging.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
While most of us will never find ourselves physically exiled, we’ve likely felt that way socially—and will again. In those instances, may we draw comfort from today’s verse and what it reveals regarding our Father’s heart. He sees every wound or injustice we suffer, and the insecurity rejection often exacerbates.
But He doesn’t just “witness” our pain; He does something about it—in His perfect timing. Perhaps He’ll use an unexpected greeting card, phone call or text from a friend or family member to remind you of your inherent value, or will nudge someone in your faith community to sit with you in your sorrow so that you feel less alone. Maybe He’ll encourage you through a devotion you read online, podcast episode you listen to, a song on the radio, or a truth-packed sermon from your pastor. Or maybe He’ll make His presence tangible as He encases you in His love.
Regardless of how He addresses Your heartache, you can be sure of this: He excels at bringing His outcasts into environments that feel like home. If He can move a pagan Persian ruler named Cyrus to send his Jewish subjects back to Jerusalem—with abundant provisions and enable them to repair the city’s walls, the destroyed Temple, and homes, He can alleviate your pain and bring you figuratively home as well.
He restored what likely felt irreparable—because nothing is impossible for Him. More than that, in Christ, we always belong. Through faith, our Father felt pleased to adopt us as His beloved children and place us, irrevocably, in His global family, forever bound by the blood of His Son.
I understand this present reality doesn’t eradicate the pain we experience when others treat us poorly. But it does assure us that we’re never truly alone, nor are we destined for isolation. We’ll spend our eternity with Him and the rest of His followers, fully and forever accepted. As we wait for that glorious existence, we can trust Him to lead us to people who’ll accepted us as we are and help us heal from the wounds we experience in our sin-ravished, broken world.
Further Reading:
Ephesians 1:4-5
John 15:9-16
1 Peter 2:9-10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Explore how faith is trusting God even when we can’t see the full picture. Faith is not something we muster ourselves—it is a gift from God, cultivated through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit. Often, God asks us to trust Him through waiting, “no” answers, and uncertainty. These seasons shape our character and deepen our reliance on Him, proving that faith is more about who we become than what we receive.
Highlights
- Faith is a Gift: True faith comes from God, not from our own efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:17).
- Faith Requires Trust in God’s Plan: Even when God says “no” or asks us to wait, His timing and wisdom are perfect.
- Faith During Waiting Produces Growth: Waiting and unanswered prayers often mature our character in ways a “yes” could not.
- Step-by-Step Faith: God often gives small measures of faith to steward, allowing us to take the next step even when the full path isn’t visible.
- Aligning Our Will with God’s Will: Faith invites God’s will to become our own, trusting His “no” can be a greater blessing than a “yes.”
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
When Faith Means Trusting What We Can’t See
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 ESV)
This well-known verse comes right before what is often called the “Hall of Faith” in the Bible. In Hebrews 11, the writer recalls the faith of many people from the Old Testament, including Noah, Abraham & Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, and the list goes on.
Faith is a common theme throughout Scripture, and we know, as believers, that we are called to have faith. We are called to put our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and for the cleansing of our sin (Romans 3:23-25, Acts 15:9). While that is the foundation of our faith, it also extends to other areas of our lives. Because Jesus knew we would be prone to worry, He told us to have faith that God will provide what we need for tomorrow (Matthew 6:25-34). We must have faith for healing (James 5:14-15) and for strength and endurance (2 Corinthians 12:9).
But what exactly does it mean to have faith?
God is not a genie, so it’s not as if we can somehow “procure” enough faith and make something happen. After all, like Romans 11:35 ESV says: “‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’ ‘Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?’ For from him and through him and to him are all things…”
And “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). In short, faith is a gift. Faith is not a feeling we can muster. Imagine if it were up to us how much faith we were given. We would become arrogant because we would start to think that if God answered our prayer the way we wanted, we were perhaps more righteous or had more faith than the other person who didn’t receive a “yes” from God.
If it were up to us to have enough faith, then that would make us somehow God. And we are clearly not.
Faith is a gift that comes from hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). By God’s grace, the Holy Spirit is the One Who opens our eyes as we read God’s Word (John 14:26).
In Mark 9:23, Jesus tells a father whose son is possessed by a demon that “all things are possible for one who believes,” to which the father replies in verse 24, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
We need Jesus’s help to have faith: faith that we have been saved by the work of His blood on the cross, for His provision, and for healing.
Sometimes, we need to have faith to pursue something others deem crazy. Maybe God calls us to accept a job with less pay or to move halfway across the country. Yes, we absolutely need to make wise decisions, but if God calls us to do something—no matter how crazy it sounds—do it. However, we must be in continual prayer as we discern what is truly from God, because a word from the Lord will never contradict His Word given to us in the Bible.
What do we do when God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we expect?
Even the people in Scripture were forced to wait or accept a “no” from God.
Abraham and Sarah waited for years to have a child.
David became king years after Samuel had anointed him.
Moses never got to enter the Promised Land.
Paul begged God to remove the thorn from his life, but God didn’t. Instead, He said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV).
Even though David prayed, wept, and fasted, his and Bathsheba’s first son died.
How do we make sense of that?
Sometimes, we might think that if we receive a “no” from God, then we didn’t have enough faith. But Scripture shows us that there could be lots of reasons for “no”. We aren’t God and can’t see the full picture, so maybe He’s protecting us from something. Maybe He has something better in mind.
I’ve also heard it said that God is far more interested in who we are becoming than the earthly destination we are heading towards. Faith during a waiting season sometimes produces a maturity that a “Yes” never could. I would even go so far as to say what matters isn’t about getting what we want from God but about getting more of God.
Nothing draws me into the presence of Jesus more like a “no” or a “wait”.
What if we aren’t simply called to have faith for something but to have faith when God says “no”? To have faith that His ways are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8) and that perhaps His “no” is a blessing in disguise and the preparation for a different “yes” we can’t see yet?
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15 ESV).
Note that it says “if we ask anything according to his will.”
This is not about forcing our will to become God’s will. No, instead, it is an invitation for God’s will to become our own.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
A couple of years ago, there was something I wanted but didn’t have the faith to pray for what I thought could be the end result. Rather, God gave me faith to pray for the next step, which may or may not eventually lead to the end result. Which I did. And you know what? God opened the door for the next step.
Two years later, my prayers are bolder as God has given me the faith to pray for things I never would’ve prayed for back then.
Sometimes, God doesn’t give us faith for everything all at once. He gives us tiny portions of faith, but like any gift, faith is a gift that must be stewarded. After all, as Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:14 (ESV), “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”
That includes the faith that has been given to us.
Faith might mean taking one step at a time, even when we can’t see the path ahead.
Faith might mean trusting God’s “no” is sometimes greater than His “yes.”
Pray with me:
Dear Father God, thank You for the gift of faith. I confess that I often try to muster it up in my own strength or treat You like a genie who exists to grant my wishes. Forgive me for the times I’ve valued the “yes” more than the Giver. I thank You for the Holy Spirit, who opens my eyes to Your Word. Help me to steward the measure of faith You have given me today. When I face a "no" or a "wait," draw me closer into Your presence. Align my heart with Yours, so that Your will becomes my own.
Give me the courage to take the next step You have set before me, even when I cannot see the rest of the path. I trust that Your ways are higher than mine and that You are making me into who You want me to be.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Reflect on the patience required during seasons of waiting, using the arrival of spring and the farmer’s work as a metaphor for spiritual growth. Just as seeds must be planted, watered, and tended before fruit appears, God works in our hearts even when we cannot see immediate results. Waiting is not inactivity—it is a season of preparation, trust, and faithful obedience.
Highlights
- Patience is Active: Waiting doesn’t mean doing nothing; it involves prayer, obedience, and tending what we can.
- Spiritual Growth Takes Time: Just as crops need time to bloom, God often does deep root work in us before visible fruit appears.
- Trust God’s Timing: We cannot force growth; the “precious fruit” belongs to God.
- Strengthen Your Heart: Establishing your heart means building inner strength while waiting (James 5:8).
- Hope in Waiting: The absence of visible fruit doesn’t mean nothing is happening—God is at work behind the scenes.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Before the Bloom AppearsBy Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it… You also must be patient. Establish your hearts…” - James 5:7-8 (ESV)
I can’t wait for spring. In our area of the country, it doesn’t usually come until March or April. We’ve even had the occasional snow in April, but this year I’m holding out hope for warm weather to come sooner than later. If my life is filled with busyness, I might miss the coming of Spring. Many years ago, when my children were young, and life felt like an endless winter because of depression, I would not notice spring until it had already come.
As I've grown older, I’ve begun to notice the quiet coming of spring, and having a garden and flowers helps remind me of it. Gardens, flowers, and even my favorite tree in the front yard do not grow overnight. Often we miss this, but what a lesson we can learn here: in order for spring to come, the soil needs to be turned, seeds need to be buried, and waiting is the theme of spring's arrival.
Maybe your life feels like an endless winter, or the time before the blooms. Although life has seasons of growth, we do not need to get discouraged during times of planting and waiting. James uses this exact picture to teach us how to wait.
“See how the farmer… - James 5:7 (ESV)
A farmer never rushes the harvest. After tilling the soil and preparing the land, the farmer then plants his seeds. He then buries them deep in the ground. The next day, he does not go out and look for a harvest. The farmer understands the timing and knows he cannot force growth.
Some things in our lives we cannot speed up. Growth, especially spiritual growth, requires waiting. It forces us to trust a process we might not understand. Circumstances in our lives are mostly out of our control. Yet God uses everything in our lives to grow us.
While the farmer waits, he remains patient, awaiting the supply of rain. Waiting is not a waste. The farmer is not idle. He tends to the fields, providing water when he can, and works on his machines that will be needed to harvest. Waiting doesn’t mean inactivity. Patience is not passivity. We keep praying, obeying, and trusting. The farmer is faithful to do what he can and wait with patience, and we too can be faithful. As we do this, we lean into God and realize that the “precious fruit” belongs to God and He will make it grow!
“You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” - James 5:8 (ESV)
The word for “establish” means to strengthen. As we wait, we shift inward. Waiting is less about circumstances and more about the condition of the heart. Yes, as we wait, we might feel weaker, and doubts will enter our minds. Waiting tempts us to grow discouraged. Strength comes when we remember God controls the harvest.
Springtime can be for us a picture of spiritual waiting. It reminds us that planting comes before the fruit. Just because nothing is visible doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Roots are the strongest part of the entire plant. God is often doing deep root work in us before our fruit is visible. Spring is for planting and tending—not harvesting. God calls us to be patient with hope in seasons when fruit has not yet appeared.
The absence of fruit does not mean growth isn’t happening. Just like the farmer trusts the seasons, we can too. Before the bloom, hope is working in your life. Choose hope. Choose to believe God is working in your life even today.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Where are you waiting for fruit? What feels planted but not yet blooming? How can you release the timeline, stay faithful, and trust the Lord in this season?
Further Reading:Galatians 6:9
Psalm 27:13-14
Isaiah 40:31
Hebrews 10:35-36
Psalm 126:5-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Scripture calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus—not people—because He alone is perfect and unchanging. This devotional reminds us that when our faith is rooted in Christ, it remains steady even when others fall short.
Highlights
- Focus Matters: Faith falters when placed in people instead of Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).
- Human Leaders Fall: Even trusted spiritual leaders are imperfect and can fail.
- Follow Christ Alone: We are called to follow Jesus, not build our faith around individuals (Matthew 4:19).
- Guard Your Heart: Hiding God’s Word in our hearts protects us from stumbling (Psalm 119:11).
- Discernment is Key: Jesus calls us to recognize truth by the fruit people produce (Matthew 7:16-20).
- Unshakable Foundation: A faith rooted in God remains steady despite circumstances (Hebrews 12:28).
Intersecting Faith & Life
When leaders fall, it can feel disorienting and discouraging. But these moments are an opportunity to realign our focus. Jesus is the only perfect example, the only Savior who endured the cross, and the only one worthy of our complete trust.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Keep Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2
Recent and ongoing scandals involving pastors, churches, and ministries—leaders who fail and fall short in their service and devotion to God—have been devastating for many believers in Jesus Christ.
This is especially true for those who closely followed these leaders, hanging on their every word, listening, trusting, and at times valuing what they said as more important than the Word of God itself.
The exposure of immorality, misconduct, dishonesty, and deception takes a terrible toll on those who once placed unwavering faith in these men and women who positioned themselves as spokespersons for God.
When these leaders’ sinful activities are uncovered, it rattles some followers to their spiritual cores. Faith begins to stumble when it has been placed more in people than in God. In many cases, it reveals that instead of focusing on the Lord, their eyes, ears, and attention were centered on the leaders they admired.
Yet none of those leaders suffered and endured the cross or experienced separation from God on our behalf. When tempted, they were not willing to lay down their human desires and sinful impulses, much less their lives, for us.
Called to Be Fishermen, Not Establish Our Own Kingdoms
God never intended for us to be followers of men. We are called to be fishers of people, but followers of Christ alone. As Matthew 4:19 records: “‘Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’”
He calls us to follow Him and to hide His Word in our hearts. When we do, it protects our hearts and minds from stumbling. It guards us against falling into unbelief because of another person’s sin.
Psalm 119:11 reminds us of this safeguard: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”
The Apostle Paul further explains in 2 Corinthians 3:3 how God writes His Word on our hearts when we yield to Him: “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”
When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we do not collapse like a line of dominoes when trusted spiritual leaders fail. Our hearts may grieve over their sin, but our faith remains steady.
Hebrews 12:28 reminds us that when our focus is on God, we stand on an unshakable foundation: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
Jesus warned us to remain watchful. In Matthew 7:15, He cautions: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
He also assures us that we can discern the difference between genuine followers and deceivers. As He explains in Matthew 7:16-20: “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you been devastated by a spiritual leader’s sin? Has your faith been shaken by their failings? If so, ask God to help redirect your focus on Him and fix your eyes on Jesus.
Further Reading:
Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A powerful reminder of renewal, hope, and God’s faithfulness. After seasons of darkness—whether physical like winter or emotional like discouragement—spring arrives with warmth, beauty, and new life. In the same way, God brings renewal to our hearts, reminding us that difficult seasons are not permanent. This devotional encourages us to look for signs of hope, trust in God’s timing, and embrace the fresh start He offers.
Highlights
- Season of Renewal: Spring symbolizes new beginnings, hope, and emotional restoration.
- Hope in Darkness: Even in difficult seasons, small signs of change remind us that better days are coming.
- God’s Faithfulness: Just as seasons change, God faithfully brings renewal in His perfect timing.
- Spiritual Awakening: Like nature coming back to life, our hearts can be refreshed and restored in Christ.
- Perspective Shift: Recognizing beauty in small details helps cultivate gratitude and joy.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
The Beauty of SpringBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring” (Proverbs 16:15).
Spring is a time of new beginnings. When I was younger, it reminded me that the endless days of darkness were behind me. As someone who struggles with depression, spring brings a renewed sense of hope. It helps me feel more positive about life and breaks the cycle of staying inside, hiding from the world, and feeling empty.
When spring arrives, we are greeted by blooming flowers and the warm sun on our faces. Many springs have filled my heart with joy and given me a fresh start emotionally. There is something about winter’s darkness that brings dread, yet spring ushers in hope and joy. You may have experienced this too; spring has a way of leading our hearts toward warmth, tranquility, and happiness.
A few years ago, I began searching for subtle signs of spring even during the winter months. On walks, I would look for the tiniest flower bud or a green vine stretching quietly in the shadows. Without fail, God would reveal a small sign of what was coming. Even the smallest glimpse gave me hope for happier, warmer, longer days ahead. The frigid season was passing, and spring was on its way.
Spring feels especially beautiful after winter because it restores our view of the world’s beauty. During winter, nature lies dormant; in spring, it awakens and flourishes once again.
Spring is not a season to overlook, even if it stirs up our allergies. Instead, we can rejoice in it and give God glory for the fresh start we have in Him. Just as the earth returns to life, we can experience renewal too, especially if winter has been a difficult season for us.
If winter was hard, we need to be honest with ourselves without condemning our struggles. Some seasons are heavier than others. Yet we can hold onto the promise that spring will come. Some years it may feel delayed, but it will arrive. And when it does, we can rejoice and praise the Lord with hopeful hearts.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible tells us, “When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring” (Proverbs 16:15). In biblical times, retaining a king’s favor was vital. His disfavor could result in death, but his approval meant protection and preservation.
Likewise, a rain cloud in spring is a blessing. It nourishes the plants and flowers, sustaining their growth. In the same way, a king’s joy brought life to his people. The proverb reminds us that favor and blessing produce renewal, just as spring rain revives the earth.
Take special notice of spring this year and allow it to warm your soul. Winter has passed, along with its bitter cold and long, dark days. The sorrow and mental heaviness that sometimes accompany those months can begin to lift as well. Spring carries the promise of new life, renewed joy, and restored hope. Praise the Lord for the beauty and life He brings through this season.
What is your favorite thing about the season of spring? What are a few ways you can give God praise for the beauty of spring?
Further Reading:
Hosea 6:3
Isaiah 61:11
2 Corinthians 5:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
No matter how messy or complicated our story may feel, God is the one who begins, sustains, and completes the work within us. Even in seasons of wandering, failure, or doubt, His grace remains active—reshaping our hearts and drawing us closer to Him. This devotional highlights the powerful truth that we are continually being transformed, and God is faithful to finish what He started.
Highlights
- God Initiates Growth: Our transformation begins with God, not our own efforts (Philippians 1:6).
- Jesus Rescues: We cannot save ourselves—Christ is the one who pulls us out of sin and restores us.
- Messy Testimonies Matter: Faith journeys aren’t always clean or simple, but God is still writing the story (Hebrews 12:2).
- God’s Faithfulness: Even when we fall short, He remains constant and committed (2 Timothy 2:13).
- Sanctification is Ongoing: Spiritual growth happens over time through Scripture, prayer, and obedience.
- Renewed Mindset: The Holy Spirit transforms our thinking, helping us focus on eternal priorities.
- Progress Over Perfection: God is continually shaping us into Christ’s image, step by step.
Intersecting Faith & Life
It’s easy to become discouraged when your spiritual growth doesn’t look the way you expected. But God never asked for instant perfection—He invites you into a process. Every step of obedience, every moment in Scripture, and every prayer contributes to the work He is doing in your life.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
You Are God’s Work in Progress
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6, NIV).
A new friend recently asked me, “Emily… how long have you known the Lord?”
I wanted to be as concise as possible but also transparent. I explained that I have been coming to grips recently that I was most likely a false convert when I was a teen into my early 20s and didn’t truly start following Christ until the summer after I graduated college. It’s the only way I can seem to make sense of the mess I lived in for six years after my profession of faith, after responding to an altar call at a youth conference.
As I walked the aisle at that church, I responded to the news that Jesus died for my sins to be forgiven then eventually ran right back into the same ditch like a dumb sheep thinking I could rely on my own works and not Christ’s finished work of the cross, and God allowed me to fail, fall, and create a home in my pit of self-righteousness and sin for six years. But thanks be to God, that wasn’t the end of my story- the Lord didn’t leave me in that pit because one day, I was rescued.
We must first remember that we cannot rescue ourselves out of a pit of sin- Jesus is the Great Shepherd who rescues His sheep. It is God who begins the work in our hearts, turning them from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh, and the longer we walk with Him, the more He will continue to mold our hearts.
I don’t believe all our testimonies of coming to faith in Christ can be packaged up into a nice little box with a bow. It’s because we aren’t the author of the story- our Sovereign Lord is the author and finisher, or perfecter, of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Scripture tells us that He is faithful to complete that work that He began in us:
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6, NIV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:You may also have a messy and complicated testimony and cannot fully explain all of what you think the Lord was doing in your heart and when, but I can tell you that even when you have been faithless, God has been incredibly faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). Even when I’m extremely dumb, hard-headed, and rebellious, He is wise, patient, and perfect on my behalf. He doesn’t give up on His children! And just as God is sovereign in salvation, He is also sovereign in our sanctification as we learn to partner with Him in our growth in Christ. He is the one who is in charge of seeing us mature on our walk with Him.
The same grace that saved us is the very same grace that keeps us and molds us into the image of Christ, each new day. We will never be perfect this side of heaven, which is why we rest in the finished work of the cross of Christ, but we should be walking in holiness little by little each passing day. One way this occurs in our lives is through studying the scriptures and other spiritual disciplines such as prayer, serving others, and consistent discipleship and evangelism. The Spirit of God guides us into all truth and convicts our hearts of sin.
The more we study the Bible and exercise spiritual discipline, the more the Holy Spirit renews our minds. This renewal of the mind helps us to think on eternal matters, and soon, worldly thinking and fleshly desires become less of a temptation for us the longer we walk with the Lord. Our behavior and attitude begin to change, and God gives us a desire to love, obey, and serve Him with fervor! From the moment of your conversion, you became God’s work-in-progress, and the greatest news of all is that He doesn’t grow weary, stressed, or exhausted with you. He will complete the work He began in you!
Further Reading:
Galatians 2:20
1 Thessalonians 5:23
2 Peter 1:2-
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When you get in the habit of asking God how he sees the situation, rather than how you perceive it, it will lead you to reflect on how your perspective changes and on the love and compassion you have for others. Reflect on Ephesians 6:12-13 today and put on the Armor of God "so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Highlights:
- Our real battle is spiritual, not against people, and the enemy seeks to divide, deceive, and distract us.
- Christians are called to put on the full armor of God daily: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, and helmet of salvation.
- Daily Scripture reading, prayer, and reflection equip us to resist the devil’s schemes and strengthen our walk with God.
- Seeking God’s perspective over our own helps us grow in compassion, grace, and Christlikeness.
- Equipping ourselves with God’s armor allows us to stand firm, resist temptation, and remain close to Him in every situation.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Put on the Armor of GodBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” - Ephesians 6:12-13
Churches can have their share of problems. In twenty-five years of ministry, we've seen many churches that constantly have conflict. The weekly drama can become too much for leadership to bear. The spiritual battle that Christians face can become the strongest in church settings. People who think they know better about how to run a church can drive leadership to the point of breakdown, leaving them feeling isolated and alone.
In these situations, it can be easy for a leader to see that the problem lies with the people. However, the people are not the problem. The problem is with the enemy. The enemy divides, deceives, and is against any vision for possible success or movement toward the Holy Spirit.
The above verse reminds us that this is to be expected. Christians, no matter how healthy their church is, have a battle they must fight—their battle is against the enemy. Daily, we are instructed to put on the full armor of God, which consists of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation. When we choose to arm ourselves with these elements, we are better prepared to thwart the enemy than when our minds are cluttered with thoughts that do not align with Scripture.
Take a moment to analyze your life. Do you equip yourself with the full armor of God every day? Do you start your day by reading the Word, praying, and asking God to help you in every situation throughout the day? Do you shorten your devotional time so you can get done what's on your to-do list, forsaking the very person who can help you get through that list in the first place?
If you find you are not fully equipping yourself with God, there's hope. Start your day with half an hour in the Word of God. Read a couple of chapters each day. Journal about your thoughts on the matter. Take notes on what you read and use commentaries to study what you read. Don't just read it to check it off your to-do list. Rather, apply it to your lives, and then no area of your life will become vulnerable to Satan’s schemes.
Pray without ceasing. Every time you come into a situation you don't know how to handle, pray to God. Ask him when he would have you do that in that situation. Help him illuminate the situation with his eyes, rather than yours. When you get in the habit of asking God how he sees the situation, rather than how you perceive it, it will lead you to reflect on how your perspective changes and on the love and compassion you have for others.
When you shift your perspective from one of selfishness to treating others as if they bear the image of God, you'll become more like Christ. It will also help you grow in grace and mercy with everyone in your life.
Not only is it important to equip yourself with the armor of God every day to fight the devil’s schemes, but it is also so you can withstand the devil's plan to get you to move away from God. Satan is relentless and wants you to worship him and not God. He'll do anything to get your attention and approval. Be someone who can see right through the devil and call him to flee. When you can do this, you can not only withstand Satan's schemes, but also stand on your own two feet, planted firmly on the word of God.
Father, let us be people who equip ourselves with the armor of God so that we can be protected from the devil. Let us enter this spiritual battle with ease. Let us be equipped with the helmet of salvation and the word of God. Let us fight the greatest battles on our knees so that we can be closer to you and further away from the enemy. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is one step you can take to equip yourself with the armor of God today? How can you make this a daily habit?
Further Reading:James 4:7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
While our souls naturally thirst and hunger for fulfillment, only God provides true and lasting satisfaction. By beginning each prayer and request with thanksgiving, we open ourselves to receive God’s good gifts and experience the fullness He offers. This devotional emphasizes that recognizing God’s provision transforms how we perceive and receive His blessings, turning gratitude into soul-deep contentment.
Highlights
- Human Need is Normal: Every person experiences longing, desire, and hunger for fulfillment.
- God Fills Us: Psalm 107:9 reminds us that God satisfies our deepest needs with good things.
- Power of Thanksgiving: Philippians 4:6 shows that gratitude before requests enhances God’s provision.
- Mindful Acknowledgment: Giving thanks first helps us notice and accept the blessings God already provides.
- Spiritual Satisfaction: Gratitude transforms our hearts, producing joy and lasting contentment.
Intersecting Faith & Life
We are designed for dependence on God, not on circumstances, people, or worldly comforts. By beginning each day in gratitude and offering thanks before presenting needs, we position ourselves to experience God’s deep satisfaction. Our hearts align with His generosity, and our souls find the fullness they crave.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Gratitude to God Gratifies and Satisfies the Soul
By: Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. - Psalm 107:8-9
Sometimes I become so aware of how needy I am that I feel a sense of shame and embarrassment. But I really shouldn’t. Because the truth is, every single soul is thirsty for something. Hungry for happiness. Starving for satisfaction and gratification. We have needs, longings, and deep desires. We seek and search for fulfillment. And I don’t know about you, but too often I look to the world for fill. I lean on and depend on my circumstances and the people around me. I look to comforts, pleasures, and indulgences to provide relief from the hard and the hurt. Freedom from the challenges, the struggles, the obstacles, the busyness, all the expectations. On and on.
Do you feel a deep need? Or lots of them? Maybe you desire relief from fear. Or have a longing for peace that’s swelling in your soul. Maybe you are looking for answers or guidance. You’re lonely and praying for encouragement, connection, and community. The truth is, we all have so much need. Nonstop. Even those who don’t always notice or who aren’t aware. And need isn’t necessarily bad. God made us for dependence. But not for dependence on anything or anyone else other than him.
Psalm 107:9 says, he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. That “he” is God. It is the Lord who satisfies and fills us. And it says, with good things. Not just any random or empty thing, but good things. The question is, will we let him? The preceding verse proclaims. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. And I wonder if this upfront proclamation is on purpose. Reminding us to give thanks to the Lord first for the blessings he provides—his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds. I believe it’s intentional. I also believe that if we focused more on giving thanks to God before presenting our needs and seeming lack to him, we would see more of his provision and blessings. This same reminder is referenced in a verse you likely know. In Philippians 4:6, it states, in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. It’s the thanksgiving we need to remember. To give thanks to God every time we bring a need before him, any moment we lift up a concern, whenever we present any request to the Lord. It is our thanksgiving that can have an immense impact on how we perceive and receive the gifts of God. Do we notice and accept the satisfaction and fullness he offers? The problem is, I know I forget to do this all too often. Do you?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Let us acknowledge our need right now. But let us begin by giving thanks to God, the giver of all good things, before we approach him with all that we are hungry and thirsty for. Let us acknowledge that he is already fulfilling our deepest desires; that he is supplying everything we really need. And let us remember to begin each day in this way. Giving thanks to him and praising him. Because he indeed does fill our lives with good things. He indeed does give gratification and swelling satisfaction for our longing souls when we offer, over and over, our gratitude and thanks to him.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Reflect on the enduring truth of God’s goodness, even amid life’s hardships. Using Psalm 27 as an anchor, this devotional reminds us that our outward circumstances do not determine the inward state of our hearts. By recalling God’s faithfulness, seeking intimacy with Him, and remembering His past provision, we can remain confident in His goodness today, shifting perspective from what seems lacking to what God has already provided.
Highlights
- Anchor Scripture: Psalm 27 provides comfort and reassurance amid trials.
- Confidence in God: Trusting God’s goodness despite external challenges renews hope.
- God’s Presence: He never leaves or forsakes His children (Deut. 31:6, Isa. 41:10).
- Active Remembrance: Reflecting on personal experiences of God’s care strengthens faith.
- Encouragement through Music: Songs like The Goodness of God by Bethel Music can reinforce God’s faithfulness.
Intersecting Faith & Life
Life inevitably brings struggle and hardship, but God’s presence never wavers. We can cultivate hope and courage by returning to anchor scriptures, recalling God’s past faithfulness, and focusing on His goodness rather than current difficulties. Intentionally meditating on His promises and using tools like Scripture or worship music can encourage a steadfast heart even during storms.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
The Goodness of God
By: Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” - Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
Do you have an anchor scripture or favorite passage of the Bible that you regularly return to for comfort or encouragement? I have a few, but one of my favorites is Psalm 27. I have read and reread this psalm more times than I can count. I even handwrote the full psalm in my journal because I am a writer and writers best retain information through the physical act of writing (or typing) and reading. Regardless of how I have interacted with the text, I just can’t seem to get away from this particular passage. It’s like I somehow knew these words would need to be forever etched into my heart.
Psalm 27 was written by David during one of his many flights from those who sought to take his life. Though it looked as if the deck was completely stacked against him, David determined to put his faith in the Lord for refuge and rescue. Many of the declarations he makes in this narrative are bold refutes against the temptation to despair. In verse three, he states, “though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” He continues on in verse eight to say, “My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, LORD, I will seek.”
Ultimately, what David desired most was intimacy and companionship with the Lord, for that really is the only place where we can obtain true and lasting comfort. David understood that his outward circumstances did not have to dictate the inward position of his heart. The goodness of God remained even if it looked like everything around him was falling apart.
No matter your age, occupation, or geographic location, like David, life has likely thrown you some hard knocks. Unfortunately, disappointments and hardships are guaranteed in this fallen world. No one is immune. In fact, the Bible actually promises that we will encounter struggle. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).
The good news is that we are not alone in our trials. The Bible affirms that God is present and helping us through our circumstances. Our Heavenly Father promises He will never leave or forsake us (Deut. 31:6), He is close to those who call upon Him (Psalm 145:18), He will draw near to us when we draw near to Him (James 4:8), and He will help us and uphold us with his righteous right hand (Isa. 41:10). You can be confident that God has not left you alone in the difficulties or challenges you are facing. Sometimes, our souls just need to be reminded of God's unmovable, unfailing love.
In Psalm 27, David refuted the lie of defeat by declaring who God is, all He had already done, and the Biblical promises He has made to those who love Him. Reciting these truths and recalling times when you have personally witnessed God’s care and provision in your life helps shift your perspective from what seems to be lacking to what has been provided. In light of this fresh perspective, hope can be renewed. And it is here, in this place of confident assurance in Him, that you can look out beyond the momentary affliction you are facing and say: No matter what is going on…
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” - Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you have an anchor scripture you turn to again and again in times of trouble? If so, when was the last time you recited it?
One of the best ways to stir up our souls is through song. Ultimately, the psalms penned by David were meant to be sung. Music has such an incredible ability to soothe and encourage our blistered or discouraged hearts. One song that ministers to me when I need to be reminded of the abundance in my life rather than the lack is The Goodness of God by Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson. Take some time to look up the lyrics or listen to this song today. May it remind you of God’s love, faithfulness, and goodness present in your life.
Further Reading:
Isaiah 41:1-20
Psalm 27
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Like the rising sun and seasonal rains, God always shows up when the moment is right. Waiting on Him is an active process—pressing on in prayer, trusting His character, and expecting renewal. When God appears, He brings deep healing, restores hope, and nourishes growth, turning barren seasons into fertile ones for spiritual flourishing.
Highlights
- God’s Faithfulness: He appears as surely as the sun rises, showing reliability in every season.
- Winter Rains: Symbolize deep healing, addressing spiritual dryness and preparing us for what’s next.
- Spring Rains: Represent gentle renewal, refreshing our hearts and fostering growth.
- Persistent Prayer: Pressing on in prayer strengthens trust and acknowledgment of God’s work.
- Hope in Waiting: Seasons of waiting are not empty; they are opportunities to reflect on God’s past faithfulness.
Intersecting Faith & Life
Waiting can feel dry and discouraging, but remembering God’s consistent presence brings perspective. Just as the sun rises daily and rain nourishes the earth, God’s timing is perfect. Trusting Him in the waiting season allows for spiritual growth, renewed hope, and readiness for His arrival. Actively acknowledging God during this time strengthens faith and deepens reliance on His promises.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
God Will Show Up for YouBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” – Hosea 6:3, NIV
After it rains, I try to go outside to take a quick walk whenever possible. I love smelling the fresh air that’s just been washed clean by the rain, and seeing how the ground around me comes to life as the rain soaks into it. Since I also love the peaceful sound of rain and how it feels when raindrops fall, I sometimes try to walk outside while it's still raining. While I’m walking, I often pray because the rain that refreshes everything around me physically inspires me to seek a fresh perspective spiritually by talking with God. I always feel renewed after walking. The answers to my prayers usually have to wait for God’s timing – and sometimes that takes much longer than I expected. But God is faithful! God always shows up with the answers when the timing is right. In the meantime, I keep seeking him.
If you’re waiting for God to answer your prayers for something you need, but it’s taken much longer than you expected to see God’s answers arrive, you may feel like God has forgotten you. You might start to wonder if prayer works and if God will actually show up for you.
This verse from the prophet Hosea encourages you that God will show up for you as reliably as the sun rises and the rain waters the earth.
You can count on God appearing whenever the time is right to meet your needs. Just like the sun always rises in the morning, and the rain always falls to water the earth, God will always show up for you.
Hosea 6:3 urges you to “press on to acknowledge” God. You can do so by continuing to seek God, to trust God’s character, and to move forward in faith, expecting God to show up when the right time comes. Praying persistently and waiting with hope will both help you press on to acknowledge God.
When God does appear, this verse says: “He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Winter rains wash away debris and soak into the ground, creating a deep reserve of water. When God shows up, he addresses the deep issues in your life, healing you from anything that’s making you spiritually dry and giving you the strength you need for what’s next. Spring rains are gentle rains that often occur during that season to nourish plants and help them grow well. When God appears, he brings you renewal and revival. Areas in your life that had been barren before will bloom because of the new life God gives you. God shows up to renew your strength and restore your hope.
So, if you’re currently in a season of waiting for God to answer your prayers about something, remember God’s past faithfulness. God has shown up for you before, and he will show up again – just like the sun will rise tomorrow morning, and rain will fall from the sky again soon.
You aren’t waiting for a God who might be too busy or too far away to help you. You’re waiting for a God who promises to appear at the right time. So, press on to pray for what you need, and to believe that God will answer your prayers. You can always trust that God will show up for you!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how you can trust that God will show up for you, reflect on these questions:
- What is the current dry season you’re experiencing that’s making you doubt God’s faithfulness?
- Hosea 6:3 says God will appear “as surely as the sun rises.” How can you plan to get up early enough to watch a sunset this week and meditate on this verse while you watch it?
- In what ways do you need God to come to you like the winter rains, with deep healing that helps you prepare for what’s next?
- In what ways do you need God to come to you like the spring rains, with renewal that helps you grow?
- What’s one step you can take today to “press on to acknowledge him” while you wait for God’s timing?
Further Reading:
Lamentations 3:22-23
Psalm 30:5
Isaiah 40:31
Philippians 1:6
Malachi 4:2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Friendship is not optional in the Christian life—it’s essential. Lauren Fletcher highlights how God designs relationships to encourage, support, and help us grow in Christ. By sharing our struggles, confessing sin, and offering genuine care, we reflect God’s love to one another. True friendships sharpen us, lift us up in times of need, and create a community where His love is experienced and expressed.
Highlights
- Encouragement: Friends help us persevere and remind us of God’s truth (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
- Spiritual Growth: “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (Proverbs 27:17).
- Support in Hardship: Care packages, prayer, and practical help show Christ’s love in action.
- Confession & Healing: Sharing struggles removes shame and brings healing (James 5:16; Galatians 6:1-2).
- Together We Thrive: Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is better lived with others; multiple relationships strengthen resilience (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
- Love in Action: By loving friends authentically, God’s love is manifested in us.
Intersecting Faith & Life
God did not intend for us to walk through life alone. Whether it’s encouragement in a hard season, spiritual accountability, or practical support, friends reflect His heart and make the Christian journey sustainable and joyful. Cultivating and investing in these relationships honors God and enriches our daily walk.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
We Need Each Other
By Lauren Fletcher
Bible Reading:
“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” - 1 John 4:11-12
I have been blessed with many close friends. It wasn’t always that way, though. There was a time when I didn’t share much about myself with others. I hid the “not pretty” part of my life in a figurative coat closet, with the bad memories boxed up on the top shelf.
There were things I had learned that you do not talk about. All of this changed when I started a new season of small groups at church. Within safe spaces, I learned I could share my life with others and be fully accepted. This surprised me.
I realized the closet had to be opened, and the memories, one by one, taken off the shelf, boxes opened, and shared with others. What I learned was that friendship is a blessing and absolutely essential to the Christian life.
In friendship, we encourage each other and help each other grow.
I have a friend with a gift for encouragement. I call her sometimes for a “pep talk.” She has a great way of encouraging me in the Lord and reminding me of the truth. I can come with my difficult circumstances and prayer requests and leave with a sense of hope. I am so grateful to her.
In 1 Thessalonians, it says, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). It is so important to encourage each other because life can get difficult. We need each other’s help to keep going.
As friends, we also help each other grow. In Proverbs, it says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (Proverbs 27:17). We make each other better in Christ.
We help each other in times of need.
As I joined a women’s group at my church, I saw this firsthand. Meeting around the fire, I’d hear women share their stories and what they were going through. Each person was met with support and love. Sometimes, we’d support each other through care packages, times of prayer, or even meal trains. This showed me how to love others in their hard seasons, how to be there for them.
1 John 4:11-12 says, “Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” As we put our love into action, we show each other the love of Christ.
We confess our sins to each other.
I remember in college, I was struggling with sin. At some point, I confessed this sin to a friend of mine, who listened, supported me, and compassionately shared helpful scripture with me. What happened was I no longer felt alone in things or hidden in shame.
In Galatians 6, Paul says, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).
What I found in sharing these hard things with friends is that we begin to fight this battle together—I am no longer by myself in it. It also removes the shame that I feel, which causes me to hide sin. Coming into the light, my friends have been waiting and ready to help.
In James, it says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16). When we stop hiding our sin from each other and from God, He can heal us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As I’ve continued to learn about friendship, I've found that friends help pick each other up. In Ecclesiastes, it says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
The writer continues, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
I pray that you find these things to be true in your friendships as well. God did not create us to be alone or to walk out this life by ourselves. I pray that God will bring you the right people at the right time and strengthen the relationships you already have.
Lord, thank You for friendship. Thank You that you intended for us to walk through life with others. Thank You for the good plans You have for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). I pray that You would bless my life with abundant relationships that reflect Your heart. Show me how to be a good friend. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Too often, we settle for “at least” in our lives—accepting less than what God intends because we feel guilty, undeserving, or afraid to hope for more. Cindi McMenamin reminds us that God’s love is not minimal; He desires to do “immeasurably more” than we can imagine. Gratitude and contentment should not become resignation. Instead, we are called to ask boldly, trust His goodness, and anticipate His blessings in every area of life, knowing that His power works within us to exceed our expectations.
Highlights
- Settling for “at least” limits the abundant life God wants for us.
- Gratitude should anticipate God’s blessings, not resign us to less.
- God gives good gifts not because we deserve them, but because He is compassionate.
- Faith unlocks God’s provision; He wants to exceed what we imagine.
- Avoid limiting God with disbelief or self-doubt—ask boldly in prayer.
- God can transform situations that seem hopeless into testimonies of His glory.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Are You Settling for Less?
By: Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” - Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Do you long for something more in your life and yet constantly feel that you shouldn’t?
Whether you're longing for marriage, or for more intimacy in your marriage, or for a child, or for a more fulfilling career, I'm sure you've experienced your share of these well-intentioned remarks:
"At least you have a family that loves you.”
"At least you have a husband."
"At least you already have achild."
"You may not enjoy it, but at least you have a job.”
"Well, at least you're healthy."
"At least you still have…”
"At least you don't suffer with…”
Oh, the sting of well-intentioned remarks. And, oh, the sting of those two guilt-ridden words: "At least..."
So many of us settle for “at least” in our lives. And yet, since God went to such great extremes to show His love for you and me by having His only Son die on the cross for our sins, then certainly He did not intend for us to be content with the bare minimum.
Yes, God's Word says we are to be thankful "in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We are also told from Scripture that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6). But God doesn't want our gratitude and contentment to be a form of resignation (like when we say, "I guess I should be happy with this, since it's all I will ever get anyway"). Rather, God wants His children to be full of anticipation for the "more" that He is so capable of giving—to the point that we thank Him ahead of time for all that He is about to do. This God who tells us to be thankful in all things actually raises the bar when we decide to settle for less, or at least what life brings us.
In the New King James Version, Ephesians 3:20 says God is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” You and I often hear, think, or say the word "at least" in our lives. And yet God's Word says:
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" (Matthew 21:22).
"Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full" (John 16:24).
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
Those words, my friend, come from a God who is not stingy, and who doesn't bow out after He's done the bare minimum in your life. He is, instead, the God who says, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:11).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
You and I have our reasons for not coming to God and pouring out our hearts. Sometimes it's because we feel guilty about asking God for something. Other times it's because we don't really believe that He would want to bless us, or we feel we don't deserve anything more from Him.
When you and I say, "I don't really deserve any more than I have right now," we are actually correct in our assumption, because God doesn't give us good gifts because we deserve them. He gives us good gifts because He is good and compassionate, wanting to bless His children. Especially when we seek to be obedient and please His heart.
So, what are you settling for? A dating relationship with someone you know is not right for you? A job you tolerate because you don't believe God has something better for you? A diagnosis that appears untreatable? A marriage that is just okay, but not truly glorifying God?
Don't fall into the mindset of saying, "I don't believe God can or will give me anything better," or "I don't deserve more than what I already have." Instead, remember that God can do anything, and He loves to bless His children. He excels in situations that you and I think are hopeless. Don't be reluctant to pour out your heart to Him. Rather than settle for the least in your life, surrender to His best and allow for the possibility that God may want to do "immeasurably more” than all you can ask or imagine—many times with what you already have.
Further Reading:
Psalm 37:4-6
For daily reminders of all God can do in your life and the lives of others, see Cindi’s book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Bible reminds us that tomorrow is never guaranteed. Reflecting on the importance of trusting God with the future and living each day in His guidance. Planning is wise, but it must always be done in alignment with God’s will. When it comes to salvation, the urgency is clear: follow Christ today, because the opportunity may not be there tomorrow.
Highlights
- Life is unpredictable; no day is guaranteed.
- Planning is important, but always with God’s guidance (“God-willing”).
- Secular optimism can lull us into delay, while biblical hope emphasizes eternal perspective.
- Salvation is urgent—accept Jesus today, because tomorrow is not promised.
- Living with awareness of Christ’s return encourages holiness and readiness.
- Scripture calls believers to live faithfully in the present, trusting God’s provision.
Intersecting Faith & Life
Ask yourself: How often do you say “tomorrow” without including God in your plans? Are there spiritual steps you’ve been postponing? Today is the day to surrender your life to Christ and live in the light of His promises, trusting that He equips you for each moment.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Tomorrow Is Not Promised
By: Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“Never boast about tomorrow. You don't know what will happen between now and then.” - Proverbs 27:1 (GNT)
There was a time in my life when I used to make plans for tomorrow and talk about them as if they were sure to come true. Until one day, a friend carefully told me that she’s learned to say “God-willing” when she makes plans because the Bible says tomorrow is not promised. Her words resonated with me and still ring true today. Nowadays, when I speak of my plans for the future—even if it’s only 24 hours away—I say “God-willing” at the end of my sentence.
As I reflected on this recently, two songs came to my mind. They share the same title but preach a different message—one secular, with worldly wisdom and a temporary promise, and one Biblical, with words of caution, graced with eternity in mind. The secular song “Tomorrow” from the original movie Annie (1982) and the Gospel song “Tomorrow” performed by The Winans both convey a message of hope, but only one speaks of everlasting hope. Let’s look at the core message of these songs and think about it.
The lyrics of the song “Tomorrow” from the 1982 movie “Annie”, performed by Aileen Quinn, say (in paraphrase): The singer banks on the sun rising tomorrow. She believes you can bet your last dollar that tomorrow will arrive. As she thinks about the beauty and promises of tomorrow, she feels her sorrows lift. When days are dark, and she feels depressed and lonely, she rises and declares with a wide grin that tomorrow is on the horizon, so she will be okay no matter what happens because tomorrow will be a better day, and it’s only 24 hours away.
The lyrics for the song “Tomorrow,” performed by The Winans, say (in paraphrase): Jesus Christ is knocking on the door of your heart, saying He is here, asking you to let Him in. He reminds you that He supplies everything you need. Then the person responds that they know this to be true. They tell Jesus that they will let Him in, not today, but tomorrow. They say tomorrow is a better time for them to give their life to Christ. They don’t feel an urgency in choosing to serve the Lord today. The singers of this song caution the listener that the Bible says tomorrow is not promised, so it might be too late because they may not live to see the next day.
This is the main point: We cannot bet our bottom dollar on life getting better tomorrow because the Bible says tomorrow is not promised.
Does this mean that we should not look forward to tomorrow and make plans for our future? Of course not. We are to stay fully focused on the present and look forward to the next day. But we are not supposed to plan without including God. And when it comes to our salvation in Jesus Christ, we should accept Him into our lives today because we don’t know if we will live another 24 hours.
According to The Bible, when God tells Jesus Christ it’s time for Him to return to Earth to take His faithful followers to Heaven, it will be too late for us to give our hearts to Jesus and follow Him. The Angel of the Lord says in Revelation 22:10-11 (MSG), “Time is just about up. Let evildoers do their worst, and the dirty-minded go all out in pollution, but let the righteous maintain a straight course, and the holy continue on in holiness.” When we see Jesus Christ return in the clouds of glory, we who lived for Him will rejoice because we know we’re going to Heaven, but those who kept delaying their decision to follow Jesus will be terrified because they see it’s too late and they won’t be able to go to Heaven.
Let us take this seriously because our salvation is at stake. I encourage you, if you have not already, to let Jesus into your heart now—especially if you feel an urgency to do so. But if you don’t feel an urgency or hear Christ knocking at the door of your heart, or you’re entrenched in sin, it’s not too late for you because you’re still alive. Please seek God while you’re living. It will be too late when you’re dead. If you’re alive and breathing today, reach out to Him. God loves you, and He wants to welcome you into His Kingdom with open arms.
Finally, we must always be ready for Christ’s return because the Bible says He will come when we least expect Him (Matthew 24:44).
In closing, I’d like for you to listen to this song, “Tomorrow” by The Winans. Listen to it HERE.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Will you let Jesus Christ into your heart today and follow Him all the way to Heaven?
Further Reading: Hebrews 9:28
Matthew 24:30
1 Thessalonians 4:16
Revelation 1:7
Revelation 19:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling forgotten by God can happen during seasons of unanswered prayer, depression, or overwhelming hardship. This Christian devotional rooted in Isaiah 49:15 reminds us that even when life feels heavy, God’s love never disappears. Vivian Bricker reflects on how painful seasons can create the illusion that God has forgotten us, when in truth He remains present and faithful.
Scripture assures us that God’s care is even stronger than a mother’s love for her child. While life in a broken world includes suffering, spiritual battles, and emotional struggles, God walks with us through every moment. His promises remain steady, and His love never leaves us—even when we struggle to feel it.
Highlights
- Difficult seasons can make it feel like God has forgotten us, but His Word promises otherwise.
- God’s love is stronger and more constant than any human relationship.
- Unanswered prayers do not mean God is absent or indifferent.
- Life in a fallen world includes hardship, but God’s presence remains with us through it all.
- Scripture reminds us we are deeply loved and never forgotten by our Heavenly Father.
- God’s mercies are renewed every morning, offering fresh hope each day.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Has God Forgotten about Me?By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15).
When dreadful things happen, it is hard not to wonder if God has forgotten about us. A few years ago, I was going through a particularly hard patch in life, and I was feeling as though God had forgotten about me. Unanswered prayers and depression were getting the best of me. I did not want to leave my house, stopped seeing friends, and isolated myself from the rest of the world.
I did not want to be a part of the world anymore because I was only seeing terrible things happening. Therefore, I thought the best solution was to hide away and drown out all the hurt by keeping busy at work. During this time, I felt so far away from God.
I reasoned that if God had remembered me, I wouldn’t be going through such challenging times. The hard truth is that God doesn’t promise us bright and sunny days. Instead, He promises us something even better—eternal life with Him. This life will become overwhelming, stressful, and painful at times, but we have all of eternity to look forward to with the Lord.
Just as God didn’t forget about me, neither has He forgotten about you. You might feel like He has forgotten about you, but I want you to challenge those thoughts. Why do you feel God has forgotten about you? Is it because a prayer wasn’t answered the way you wanted? Or is it because you are going through a challenging time?
Like you, I was under the impression that God would keep me safe from all things. Mental health struggles, physical health problems, and spiritual attacks—I thought I would never have to worry about these things again. However, facing mental health struggles, physical health problems, and spiritual attacks are all part of living in this fallen world. God does not cause these things, but He can give us support, encouragement, and hope as we walk through these challenging times. He will not take us out of these troubles, but He will be with us every step of the way (Psalm 23:1-6).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Isaiah 49:15 tells us, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Mothers love their children beyond words; however, God loves us even more. There may be times when our own mother forgets about us, but God never does. This is because we are forever written on the palm of His hand, and we are kept safe by His love.
There is not a day that goes by that God does not think about us. He will always remember us and love us. We are His beloved children (1 John 3:1). God’s love for us is always present, even if we cannot see it with our own two eyes (Romans 8:37-39). Allow these truths to bring your heart comfort, hope, and solace today.
Open your heart to God and accept His compassion. Although you may have gone through many troubling times, He is still with you. His mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23)!
Pray with me: Dear God, I often wonder if You have forgotten about me due to the tough situations in my life. However, now I know that You will never forget me. Thank You for always remembering me, loving me, and caring about me. Keep these promises close to my heart and surround me with your love. Help me walk in the confidence that You are always with me. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.
Have you ever felt God has forgotten about you? What helped you to remember that God loves you and that He will never forget about you?
Further Reading:
Psalm 27:10
Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 31:3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God often calls us to roles that feel overwhelming or beyond our capacity. Jennifer Slattery reflects on how recognizing our flaws doesn’t disqualify us—instead, God can use our weaknesses to grow our faith and strength. By serving Him wholeheartedly, seeking Him consistently, and relying on His guidance, we can step confidently into the assignments He’s placed before us. Even when tasks seem impossible, God equips us to follow His commands and complete the work He has called us to.
Highlights
- Feeling ill-equipped doesn’t mean you’re disqualified; imperfection can lead to growth when anchored in God.
- Like Solomon, success in divine assignments requires a close relationship with God and attentive obedience.
- Serve God with a unified heart, setting aside mixed motives and self-protection.
- Seek God through prayer, Bible reading, worship, journaling, and surrender to His guidance.
- Courage and strength come from trusting that God has placed you in the role and will make your efforts fruitful.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Hearts Prepared for Divine Assignments
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
“So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.
“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” - 1 Chronicles 28:8-10
Years ago, when I began to sense that God was opening doors for publication and establishing my calling, I became overwhelmingly aware of my sin, flaws, and weaknesses. I feared I wasn’t spiritually or emotionally mature enough to hold any type of platform for Him. Initially, I wanted to withdraw and choose a less visible role (also known as suppress and deny my gifting). As I prayed through this, however, the Lord helped me see that yes, I assessed my faults and potential vulnerabilities correctly, but my imperfection needn’t disqualify me. My recognition could, in fact, lead to growth and strength, so long as I remained focused on and connected to Him.
If I wanted to live more like Jesus in this new and much more public role, I needed to consistently apply King David’s advice to his son Solomon. David, ancient Israel’s second king, knew his life neared its end and wanted to ensure his son had everything he needed to lead the nation well and complete David’s long-held dream of building the first permanent temple for God.
This assignment must’ve felt overwhelming.
To succeed, Solomon needed much more than building, math, leadership, and problem-solving skills. He needed to maintain a close relationship with God in which he remained alert to the Lord’s voice and set his heart on dependent obedience.
Intersection Life & Faith:
We’ve probably all landed in situations for which we felt severely ill-equipped. Perhaps you’re parenting a rebellious and drug-addicted teenager, managing a highly toxic team, facing a diagnosis with confusing treatment options, or trying to heal from deep childhood wounds.
When the path ahead feels steep and shrouded in fog, we can stall in fear, march ahead in human foolishness, or apply today’s passage.
Again, this reads:
“Be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord your God … 9 “... serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you … the Lord has chosen you... Be strong and do the work” (1 Chron. 28:8b-10, NIV).
Let’s break this down.
Be careful to follow God’s commands. This implies living with intention and predetermining to obey; however, He leads. Of course, I must know the Lord’s will, as recorded in Scripture and whispered in my heart, to remain intimately aligned with my Savior.
Serve Him with my whole heart. Sadly, I often carry mixed motives. I want to honor Christ and to self-protect. I long to love my family well, but my pride often gets in the way. I choose contentment while simultaneously fighting against a desire for increased wealth, beauty, or better health. But with God’s help, I can worship Him with a unified heart.
Seek God through prayer, Bible reading, worship, journaling, and inviting Him to remove any lies that distort my perspective of Him. He will be found by me. I’m comforted knowing that God never withholds love or relationship. He always makes Himself available to us. The moment I take a step toward Him, He is already moving toward me (James 4:8).
The Lord has chosen you. When my insecurities tell me someone else would perform my responsibilities better, the Spirit reminds me that God placed me in this role. He alone holds the figurative pen for my life and the power to make my efforts fruitful.
Be strong and do the work. While I want to begin each day quietly connecting with Christ, eventually I must leave my figurative prayer closet to follow however He leads.
May these steps, and your Father who preserved them in writing, increase your courage and resolve the next time you feel overwhelmed or insufficient for whatever stands before you.
Further Reading:Colossians 3:23-24
2 Timothy 2:1-7
Hebrews 10:36-39
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Reading the Bible can feel intimidating, especially when we try to understand it on our own. Emily Rose Massey reflects on her own journey of faith, realizing that the Holy Spirit—our Helper and Teacher—guides believers into understanding God’s Word. With the Spirit’s illumination, scripture becomes more than words on a page; it becomes life-giving truth that shapes our hearts, transforms our minds, and draws us closer to God.
Highlights
- The Bible is a gift from God, meant to guide us in knowing Him and living faithfully.
- Spiritual understanding comes through the Holy Spirit, not human effort alone.
- The Holy Spirit brings scripture to remembrance and illuminates its meaning over time.
- Consistent Bible reading allows God’s truth to take root in our hearts.
- Even with distractions and intimidation, the Holy Spirit helps us comprehend God’s Word for deeper worship and life transformation.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
The Holy Spirit Is the Best Teacher
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26, ESV).
In high school, I was gifted a Bible when I became a member of my new church. I was so excited to start reading it and learn more about God, but as time went on, I became more and more intimidated by its pages. Where do I begin? Do I start in Genesis and just read through it beginning to end? Do I need to spend time memorizing what I’m reading? What does this word mean?
These thoughts circled my teenage mind, and I was so hesitant to even dive in for fear that I wouldn’t understand what I was reading. It didn’t take long for schoolwork and all of the extracurricular activities I was involved in to crowd out any downtime to make space to read my Bible. Soon enough, that Bible would find a permanent home on my bookshelf, left untouched. I hate to admit it, but the intimidation and distractions would follow me all through college as well. When I was stressed out, I would glance at my neglected Bible and randomly open it and try to soak up some hope for my weary soul.
Although I heard the gospel as a teen and was a professing Christian for six years, it wasn’t until after I graduated from college that God granted me genuine repentance from my sin and rebellion and gave me the faith to fully surrender my life to Christ and trust Him completely. One Sunday, I stepped foot in a church service for the first time in a few years, and I believe I was born again that day, as the reality of offending a Holy God and my desperate need to turn to Jesus, take up my cross, and follow Him overwhelmed me for the first time in my life. After that moment, my whole world changed, and I suddenly had a deep desire to read my Bible and obey God. I look back and see the difference between my high school and college days was that I was trying to understand what I was reading without the help of the Holy Spirit. Once I became born again at the age of twenty-two, I was given the gift of the Holy Spirit- Jesus describes Him as a Comforter as well as a Helper and Teacher in John 14:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26, ESV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As born-again believers, when we open the pages of scripture, we are not left on our own to understand what we are reading. We have a Helper and a great Teacher, the Holy Spirit, to guide us in our pursuit of growing in the knowledge of the Lord. He illuminates the truth to us over time and will bring what we have read to our remembrance. This is why it is so important to consistently be reading our Bibles, so that we can store what we are studying in our hearts. The Bible is a gift from God to help us in our daily lives- to be able to learn of God’s ways and learn who God truly is so that we can grow closer to Him and worship Him rightly.
I have to admit that I sometimes still struggle with intimidation and distraction when it comes to reading my Bible, but after walking with the Lord for over fifteen years now, I know that I am not left alone on this journey. I have a Helper who guides me into all truth and supernaturally helps me understand the words I am reading- words that are spirit and life (John 6:63). He is always with me, and I can always ask Him for help. Dear Christian, let us thank the Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The One who convicts us of sin when we daily fall short. The One who is our ever-present help in times of need and who guides us into all truth. If you are struggling to study the Bible or are intimidated by it, He will supernaturally illuminate what you are reading and give you the ability to comprehend, not just for head knowledge, but ultimately, to help you know God more deeply so that you can worship Him more fully. Oh, what a wonderful gift from above!
Further Reading:
Romans 8:26
John 16:12-15
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God calls us to step forward in faith, even when we don’t see the full path ahead. Hannah Benson reflects on Abraham’s journey, emphasizing that trusting God often requires waiting, patience, and obedience despite uncertainty. Abraham’s story illustrates that God’s promises are trustworthy, even when fulfillment seems slow or beyond human logic. By believing God’s Word and following His direction, we can experience His faithfulness and become a blessing to others.
Highlights
- God calls us to act in faith, even without knowing all the answers.
- Abraham’s journey teaches patience, trust, and obedience in the waiting season.
- God fulfills His promises in His timing, not ours, reminding us that no word from Him returns void (Isaiah 55:11).
- Taking matters into our own hands, as Abraham and Sarah did with Hagar, can complicate God’s plan.
- Trusting God’s Word requires both courage to move and patience to wait.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Believe the Word the Lord Has Spoken
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed’” (Genesis 12:1-3 ESV).
Recently, I re-read Abraham’s story through new eyes. Isn’t it amazing how we can read the same stories in Scripture again and again, yet every time we read them, the Lord will often reveal things we’ve never realized before?
God called Abraham (then called Abram) to leave his homeland and everything he knew and was familiar with to go to a land that He would show him.
How did Abraham feel about that? Was he afraid at all? Excited? Probably both.
But regardless of how he felt, note that he stepped forward in faith even though he didn’t have all the answers.
Read that again.
If God calls us to do something, we muststep forward in faith even if we don’t have all the answers. In fact, I have found that God doesn’t always give us the answers all at once.
He’ll tell us the first step we need to take.
So many of us look at the long road ahead of us and think we need all the answers before we move forward.
A friend pointed out to me recently that in Exodus 24, Moses went into the fog of the mountain. Clarity came through hearing God’s voice and not from what he could see.
I do want to include a disclaimer here. Sometimes, the Lord puts something on our hearts, but it doesn’t mean the time is now. Just because something may be a God-thing doesn’t mean it’s always God’s time for it.
But when God calls us to step forward in faith, even when we can’t see the path ahead?
Step forward.
Go for it.
Even if you aren’t sure how, take the next step.
God didn’t just call Abraham. He gave him a promise. He promised He would make him a great nation, bless him, and make his name great so that he would be a blessing (Genesis 12:1-3).
Imagine what it meant for Abraham to believe that promise.
He had to leave everything familiar behind.
He had to step forward in faith even though it was frightening.
No matter what ran through Abraham’s mind, he chose to believe the promise God spoke, not knowing how or when it would come to fruition. He probably thought he would see the promise soon.
If God were to make him a great nation, then that meant God would give him a child. At this point, Abraham was 75 years old and his wife, Sarah, was 65. Perhaps he thought God would fulfill the promise within the next couple of years. After all, that made logical sense. Already, they were advanced in years and past childbearing age.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 ESV).
In other words, God doesn’t always do what makes logical sense to us.
And that’s what happened.
The promise took time, and in that time, Abraham grew discouraged.
He asked God questions. He wondered when it would happen, if the heir to his house would be Eliezer (Genesis 15:2).
God reassured Abraham that “your very own son shall be your heir” (Genesis 15:4 ESV). The Lord made a covenant with Abraham. Covenants in those days were made when two parties sacrificed animals, and the persons making the covenant passed between the split animals (or in the case of a king and his servant, the servant would pass through by himself), symbolizing, “May I be torn apart like these animals if I don’t keep my promise.” Sounds intense, doesn’t it?
Usually, the servant would walk between the animals. But instead, God put Abraham into a deep sleep and passed through the animals Himself. In other words, He was saying that He would be the One to pay the price if the covenant was broken (Genesis 15).
Abraham didn’t always remain perfectly faithful because, like the rest of us, he’s a sinner and unable to be perfect before a holy God. And one day, God fulfilled His promise, allowing Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, to be broken in atonement for all the sins we’ve committed and the broken promises we’ve ever made.
Isn’t that such a beautiful picture?
In Genesis 16, however, Abraham and Sarah (at the time still called Abram and Sarai) took matters into their own hands. Sarah suggested to Abraham that he “go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her” (v. 2b).
Abraham listened to his wife and had a child through Hagar.
God doesn’t waste anything, and every child, no matter how they are conceived, is a gift and a blessing. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t pain and conflict as a result of our actions.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When we wait so long for something, we often begin to lose hope and think we must take matters into our own hands.
10 years after God made the promise that he would make of Abraham a great nation, the man and his wife still didn’t have a child.
Sometimes, the Lord asks us to knock, move forward in faith, and do something (Matthew 7:7).
Other times, the Lord asks us to quiet our hearts and be still before Him (Psalm 46:10).
In Abraham and Sarah’s story, God asked them to believe (Hebrews 11:11, Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:18).
God called them to go from their country and kindred to a land that He would show them, but after that, He didn’t have specific instructions. No doubt it made them wonder if they were supposed to do something, which is why Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham as a wife. Perhaps then she could bear a child through her servant.
But that was not what God had meant.
No, Sarah herself would bear a son.
The Lord had spoken the word.
No word from the Lord will return empty. It shall accomplish that which He has purposed and shall succeed in the thing for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11) and “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3 ESV).
Pray with me:
Dear Father, I thank You that Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). I confess I often doubt Your Word and want all the answers rather than trusting You to take the next step. When I am in a season of “fog” like Moses, help me to listen for Your voice. When I am in a season of “waiting” like Abraham, help me to trust Your timing over my logic. Protect me from taking matters into my own hands, and give me the grace to be still when You say “wait” and the courage to move when You say “go.” Thank you for keeping Your promises, even when I am weak. In Jesus’s Name, Amen
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In today’s culture, fear often keeps us from speaking truth—even when someone’s actions are harmful to themselves or others. Aaron D’Anthony Brown encourages believers to confront sin with courage, clarity, and love, following the example of Jesus. Speaking truth doesn’t require aggression; it requires wisdom, discernment, and a heart aligned with God. Honest, righteous communication strengthens relationships and fosters spiritual growth in ourselves and others.
Highlights
- Fear of confrontation can keep truth unspoken, enabling harm to continue.
- Jesus was not afraid to call out sin, yet He did so with purpose and discernment.
- Speaking truth effectively does not require anger; it requires wisdom and courage.
- Honest confrontation helps others grow spiritually, just as we rely on accountability to grow.
- Let your words be clear, consistent, and aligned with God’s righteousness.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
The Courage to Speak Truth
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading:
“But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.” - Matthew 5:37
If there’s one thing believers and nonbelievers have in common today, it is a fear that prevents us from saying exactly what’s on our mind. In our modern culture, telling someone anything remotely offensive has become taboo, even if they’re hurting us or hurting themselves.
The thought of having any sort of confrontation proves too much. We become paralyzed before finding some justification to simply let things be. Yet at the same time, we continue to complain about said things.
Recently, a friend of mine was sharing with me about someone in his friend group who was dabbling in transgenderism. My friend was afraid to share his thoughts on the issue with this person and instead remained silent, even though he was clearly concerned about his friend.
There are so many people who feel like this today. Rather than tell people the truth, we tell them lies, or nothing at all, which they then interpret as affirmation, even though we know it to be sin.
The solution is simple - put yourself in their shoes. What would we want people to do for us if we were sinning? Call us out? Leave us be? We ourselves know the right thing to do, but are not doing it.
Jesus says to let our “yes” and “no” be clear. Let’s talk about how to do that.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Recognize that Christ was offensive.
Some of us in the modern church have started believing that Jesus got along perfectly with everybody all the time, but that just wasn’t the case. Jesus called people out on their sin. He wasn’t afraid to go against the culture. Why do you think there were so many who rallied against Him and were bent on having Him killed?
Certainly, Christ did not offend for the sake of hurting others. There was truth that they needed to hear, and oftentimes they didn’t want to hear it. Nonetheless, what mattered most was the truth. The same applies to us today.
Understand that the truth doesn’t have to be offensive.
We often grow squeamish at the thought of treating sin with aggression. But here’s the reality: you don’t have to be aggressive. There is such a thing as righteous anger, but calling someone out for bad behavior doesn’t require you to be angry. As discussed, Jesus was not the pacifist we often make Him out to be, but He also didn’t go around yelling at everyone He caught misbehaving. Effective communication requires wisdom, something we can attain by first stepping out of our comfort zones and having these tough conversations.
We need one another to grow.
We’re no different from the people we complain about. Our struggles may differ. Some are certainly more severe than others. However, like the people we are afraid to confront, we have struggles we don’t realize ourselves. You’re hopefully not the same person you were a year ago, or five years ago. Why? You’ve learned more about yourself in that time. Some of which you learned on your own, but other things were brought to your attention.
We need God and fellow believers to give us the wisdom to become aware. Likewise, we need to use the wisdom we’ve been blessed with and admonish those around us - effectively, honestly, and righteously.
Further Reading:
Proverbs 12:22
Proverbs 13:20
John 2:15-17
Luke 6:31
Ephesians 4:24
Matthew 10:34-36
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Just as every marathon runner sets goals and works to meet them, we must meet our goals to achieve what God has for us. He does not want us to be stuck in the past. Instead, he wants us to forget what is behind, completely heal from it, and move forward so that we can move toward heaven.
When we move toward heaven, we help others do the same. As people admire us and watch us straining through the ups and downs of life with joy and contentment, others are drawn to Christ, too. When we run the race that has been marked out for us, we in turn help others run the race as well.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Strain Forward Towards the GoalBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 3:13-14
After waiting many months for the Lord's direction, I have begun the ordination process with my denomination. Although it is a long, complicated process, I know I am up for the challenge. But first, I wanted to pray and make sure that my decision was not simply my decision, but one that the Lord was calling me to make.
After many months of silence, God finally used somebody in my life to confirm what I needed to know. As I've gone through the process, God has recalled many emotional wounds I've needed to heal. Due to past church hurt and bad exchanges with brothers and sisters in Christ, I became nervous about whether I could do the job. I wasn't sure I wanted to go back into a situation that could be toxic or harmful to my mental or emotional state.
One day, I was reading the Word and came across the above verses. It was interesting for me to note the phrase, “forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what's ahead.” The word “strain” implies that it's not easy to move. For instance, people with physical injuries who want to run a marathon will find it quite tricky. The pain of that injury will impede them from running the race fully with a healthy body.
Although we may never completely forget the hurts and difficulties of our past, God wants us to forget what they are and continue toward the goal he has for us. God doesn't want us to ignore the pain. Instead, knowing it's there, we should take steps to care for ourselves and also to achieve the goal he has set for us. With proper rest, nutrition, and healthy water intake, a person who runs a marathon with an injury can do so, albeit slowly.
It is the same with us. God wants us to strive toward the goal that he has for us. In these verses, the price is heaven. Through many seasons of life, we may be straining toward heaven. We may be going through challenging health crises, financial woes, church, or relationship struggles. Yet through all of it, God wants us to keep moving forward. Even when we are stuck in those emotional wounds, God wants us to heal so we can move forward and reach the prize.
Just as every marathon runner sets goals and works to meet them, we must meet our goals to achieve what God has for us. He does not want us to be stuck in the past. Instead, he wants us to forget what is behind, completely heal from it, and move forward so that we can move toward heaven.
When we move toward heaven, we help others do the same. As people admire us and watch us straining through the ups and downs of life with joy and contentment, others are drawn to Christ, too. When we run the race that has been marked out for us, we in turn help others run the race as well.
Don't become stuck in the past. Instead, heal from what has ailed you. Seek the help of a professional, get medication, or do whatever you need to take to forget what's behind you completely. Then, when you are ready, move toward heaven, no matter what pace you are at. Strive toward the goal, move toward heaven, and inspire others to reach heaven's goals as well.
Father, let us be people who strain toward the goal. Let us always keep our eyes on the prize: heaven. Let us remember, then, that the ultimate prize is being solidified in our identity with you and in our intimate relationship with you. Help us get the resources and time we need to completely heal from the past so we may move forward toward the goal you have set for us. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
In what way are you stuck in the past? In what ways can you heal from the past so that you can move forward to your future goals?
Further Reading:Hebrews 12:1
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Spring break often brings anticipation — travel plans, family bonding, and time away from daily routines. But it can also bring tension, exhaustion, misunderstandings, and unexpected disruptions.
In this episode, we talk about preparing our hearts — not just packing our bags. Whether your plans involve a staycation or a getaway, the real goal isn’t a perfect trip. It’s loving one another well in the middle of it.
Through Scripture, we’re reminded that even the bumps, delays, and disagreements can produce growth, peace, and deeper connection when Christ remains at the center.
What We Discuss
- Why family trips can magnify both joy and tension
- How to respond when plans fall apart
- Choosing perspective over frustration
- Practicing humility and patience in close quarters
- Allowing challenges to strengthen — not strain — relationships
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Preparing Our Hearts for Spring Break
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” - Hebrews 12:11
It’s that time of year again when our minds start thinking about spring break and where our families will plan to spend it. Whether it’s a staycation close to home or at the beach, the mountains, an amusement park, or on an island paradise, it’s about loving and enjoying our families.
Gratefully, our family has experienced wonderful spring break getaways where everything went well, but we’ve also waded through difficult and challenging ones where everything seemed to fall apart, no one seemed to get along, the influenza hit us, we ran out of gas in the desert, traffic was chaotic, and travel didn’t go the way we planned.
During times like these, when it’s easy for emotions to run wild and feelings to easily get hurt, we want to remember what Colossians 3:12-13 urges, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Spring Break Bumps
Although issues often arise during family getaways, they don’t have to color our experience and memories negatively. We can ask God to help us put situations into perspective, letting go of the less-than-pleasant and holding onto the warm and loving moments.
We don’t have to allow life’s displeasures to take away from the joy of being with one another and spending time together, despite the circumstances, through thick and thin, the fun and not-so-fun moments.
Rather than letting various difficulties and challenges ruin our time together, we can view them as bumps in our relationships, with the opportunity to learn how to walk through disputes and disruptions with God’s grace and forgiveness. We can be determined not to let challenging moments define our time together.
As the Apostle Paul urges us in Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Hearts Open to Growth
During spring break, we can look to God to help us learn, grow, and even discover joy in the middle of mishaps, troubles, and difficulties. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:18: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
When we are willing to set our minds on it, we can trust God to work the hardships, difficulties, and disagreements together for our good by bringing us closer together with a common goal of making it through whatever is happening, drawing us closer to one another, and growing together rather than further apart.
1 Peter 1:6 reminds us that, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”
Delight Over Despair
Spending time together as a family is often where everyone’s weaknesses flare up, fueled by spending a non-stop week together, instead of us all going our own ways for school, work, and church. During concentrated time together, it doesn’t take long for our frailties and faults to rear their ugly heads.
Rather than feel despair when spring break misunderstandings and disappointments happen, Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Instead of being in despair over them, we can believe it gives God the opportunity to show Himself strongly in our lives, including our families’ lives.
With Christ as the center of our lives, Paul, who definitely knew what it was like to experience difficulties, weaknesses, and challenges in his life, reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 that when “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Before spending spring break as a family, gather together to pray for God to prepare your hearts to be loving and kind to each other during your extended family time. As well, discuss beforehand how God can help you to be patient and long-suffering with each other during your time together.
Further Reading:
15 Spring Break Trips that Are Budget and Family Friendly
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Why does it bother us when someone doesn’t seem to like us?
In this episode, we unpack the tension between people-pleasing and God-pleasing. While the desire to gain favor with others can stem from good intentions, it can easily shift into seeking approval instead of living from love.
Scripture reminds us that our ultimate aim is not to please people — but to love them well. When love and faithfulness guide our thoughts, words, and actions, we find ourselves resting in God’s approval rather than striving for human validation.
What We Discuss
- The difference between loving people and pleasing people
- Why human approval is unstable
- How our hearts can deceive us
- Filtering our actions through biblical love
- What it truly means to gain favor in God’s sight
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Gaining Favor in the Eyes of God and Others
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)
The sad truth is, it sincerely upsets me when someone doesn’t seem to like me. And though I’ve certainly struggled with people-pleasing, I’ve come to the conclusion that my concern over how another may perceive me isn’t just about pleasing the person. Not to mention, I know people are impossible to always please. But I’m beginning to believe the majority of my mission to receive favor in the eyes of others is rooted in the desire to do the right thing. Not necessarily by them, but by God. But to be honest, discerning the God-honoring way can be tricky at times. Because my heart and mind can deceive me. That’s true for all of us. We may tell ourselves our words and actions are justified and right. But too often our human flesh naturally prompts us toward selfish motives. So occasionally, when someone seems to have an issue with me, I start to wonder if they are sensing such behavior, and are justified in their ill thinking and feelings. On the flipside, if someone seems to be pleased with me, if I appear to have their favor, it sometimes serves as an indicator that I’m on the right path. But then again, this thought process is flawed as well.
Do you ever personally fall into people-pleasing? Or simply and strongly desire to gain favor in the eyes of others? If, like me, you do find yourself aspiring to find right standing with people, why does it matter to you? Though the more important questions we should consider are: What really matters? And who really matters?
We certainly can’t always please people, because we are all flawed and imperfect. But we aren’t called to please people anyway. We are called to love them. God is the only one we should ultimately aim to please. He alone is whom we ought to set our hearts on pleasing. He is who we ought to set out to please. Because of our love for God—because he first loved us. And what is pleasing to God is our loving him and loving others. Our goal should not be to please others, but to love others—for the sake of God and our love for him.
In our quest to transition from pleasing to loving, our goal should also be to love the way God called us to love. The way Jesus loved. And I’m sure you’re closely familiar with this passage, but he perfectly describes how he longs for us to love in 1 Corinthians 13. Verses 4-7 read, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
This type of love is a tall order, no doubt. But this is a replica of what love looks like in the eyes of our all-loving Lord. These are the attributes we should aim for in learning to love. And as we learn to love more and more like God commanded us to love, we will find favor in his eyes and of others.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Proverbs 3:3 encourages us to, Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. And verse 4 claims, Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. So, if you desire to find favor with the Lord and those around you, let love never leave you. Instead of seeking to please people, make it your life mission to love better. Practice filtering your thoughts, decisions, words, and every action through the First Corinthians love filter. Are your actions patient, humble, kind, selfless, drenched in truth and holiness? Are your words those of protection, trust, hope, and perseverance? This is love.
While it’s not necessarily wrong to desire to want to please others, the heart and goal behind this desire should truly be to love them. As God would love. For the sake of God. Determine to root your desire to gain favor with those around you in your desire to please God. Let that desire to please God fuel your fire to love like God. And in loving like him, you may gain favor with others, but your striving to please people will be replaced with refreshed and confident rest that you are pleasing in the eyes of our good God. And that is all that really matters.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Faithfulness is often tested in the moments no one else sees.
In this episode, we explore how integrity is built — not in grand gestures, but in quiet, ordinary decisions. Through a simple but powerful story about a toddler’s toy and a mother’s promise, we’re reminded that what feels small to us may mean everything to someone else.
Jesus teaches that how we handle the “little” things reveals the condition of our hearts. When we resist the temptation to cut corners, we demonstrate trustworthiness — both before God and before others.
What We Discuss
- Why small acts of obedience matter
- The temptation to minimize “insignificant” responsibilities
- How integrity is formed in private decisions
- The connection between stewardship and trust
- Why faithfulness today prepares us for greater responsibility tomorrow
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
To Be Faithful with the Little Things
By Deidre Braley
Bible Reading:Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. - Luke 16:10
Something you should know is that we have a dog and three young children. That means that nothing in our house is ever entirely clean, and also that there’s so much hullabaloo on any given morning in our home that when the dog starts to chew a kid’s toy, it is the least of my worries.
But it was not the least of our two-year-old’s worries the other morning. We were trying to get everyone on the school bus and out the door when our dog found one of the wooden “bolts” from his play toolbox and started to roll it around in his mouth. “Oh, stop that,” I said, prying it from his mouth. I tossed it back on the floor and wouldn’t have given it another thought, except that our horrified toddler cried, “Mommy, will you clean it?”
I assured him I would, of course, and then I gave him a hug and a kiss and sent him out the door with my husband so everyone could make it to their morning destination on time. As soon as the house was silent, I went about my morning rounds of tidying just enough clutter so I could work at home without being utterly distracted by the mess.
When I went back into his bedroom to gather up the dirty clothes and clear a path for walking on his floor, I saw the dog-slobbered toy. And I have to be honest here—I thought to myself, “He’ll never know,” and almost just tossed it back in his toolbox without washing it. But then a small voice whispered into my spirit, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” I was convicted. I took out a baby wipe and gently rubbed it down, then went on with my day.
When he got home that night, can you guess what he asked me right away? “Mommy, you clean my toy?” It is hard to describe the relief I felt knowing I could honestly say, “Yes, I did.” Just like I said I would.
To me, that little wooden bolt had felt inconsequential. My mind had been running through all the deadlines I needed to meet that day and all the more “important” things I needed to accomplish. But to my son, that was the important thing. If I hadn’t been faithful with that, how could he trust me to be faithful at all?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Since that day, I’ve been surprised by how many opportunities I’ve had to be faithful in the little things—and how often I’ve been tempted to cut corners, thinking that no one will notice or care anyway. But after telling the parable of the shrewd manager, Jesus asks, “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own” (Luke
16:11-12)? In other words, the way we steward what we have today matters, and God sees the way we handle what he’s given to us to care for. The people around us do too. Our obedience in tending to the “little” things indicates the integrity of our character and whether we can also be trusted with the “big” things.
As you go about your day today, I encourage you to keep Jesus’ words in your head: “Whoever can be trusted with very little…” Whenever you are tempted to cut a corner (like tossing that dog-slobbered toy back into the bin without washing it first), remember that this is an opportunity to be faithful—to show God and others that you are a person of integrity whom they can trust.
Further Reading:The Parable of the Faithful Steward: Luke 12:35-48
The Parable of the Talents: Matthew 25:14-28
1 Peter 4:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How do we trust God in the present when anxiety tells us things won’t get better?
In this episode, we reflect on God’s faithfulness — both in Scripture and in our personal stories. Through worship, memory, and reflection, we’re reminded that the same God who was faithful before will be faithful again.
When fear rises, remembrance becomes an anchor.
What We Discuss
- Trusting God because of His past faithfulness
- How remembrance strengthens present faith
- God’s faithfulness to Israel throughout Scripture
- Personal testimony as evidence of God’s care
- Worship as a weapon against anxiety
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
We Can Trust Him
By: Lauren Fletcher
Bible Reading:
“But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.” - Psalms 59:16-17
My church recently started a Bible Study called Encountering God by Kelly Minter. In it, she talks about God’s faithfulness, that we can trust God in our present because of what He has done in the past. She references His faithfulness in the Word, in His relationship with the Israelites. She also mentions that we can trust God because of His personal history with us.
Kelly says, “But what I’ve learned to cherish about remembering God’s past faithfulness is how remembrance informs my present and future” (Encountering God). She further encourages the reader to think about how God has been faithful to them. As I pondered this question, I didn’t have to wait long for God’s answer, His reminder.
Last night, I was struggling with anxiety and OCD. I had this feeling that things would not get better. And then, I heard a familiar song. I heard it in English but remembered it in Spanish: “Tengo futuro” (“Glorioso Día”). God was reminding me that I have a future and that things would get better. He recalled a memory from a few years ago:
I had been working at a job and dealing with anxiety. It was the worst I had experienced. I had a hard time completing the tasks expected of me and frequently had to take breaks away from my post to regroup. That night, my church was having a practice for our new Spanish service. They sang “Goodness of God.” During that song, I heard God whisper to me, You have so much to live for. He reminded me of a dream I have to do mission work, and tears started welling up.
Another song my Spanish friends sang back then was “Glorious Day.” In it, the bridge says, “I have a future,” which is “Tengo futuro,” in Spanish. I felt this was my personal reminder from God about what He spoke over me.
By remembering what God did in this past moment, how He gave me hope in the darkness, I was able to take hold of hope last night. I remembered His faithfulness. I knew that everything was going to be okay.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
In Psalms 59, the Psalmist recalls God’s faithfulness to him. He says, “But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.” He remembers how God has been towards him. The Psalmist continues, “O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.” His past experience with God encourages him to declare God as his refuge in the present.
When we remember God’s faithfulness to us in the past and in the past of His people, we are spurred on with fresh hope for the future.
In the Old Testament, God frequently reminds the Israelites of what He has done for them. Is there a passage in the Bible, a story of God’s faithfulness, that can encourage you? Maybe it’s Ruth and Naomi or Hannah, and how personal God was in answering each of their prayers and desires (Encountering God). Or perhaps, it’s how God rescued His people in the book of Esther or the Exodus.
People in the Bible also create altars as a reminder (Jacob, for instance). Is there a specific memory that you have of God’s personal faithfulness in your life that brings you encouragement whenever you remember it?
In Psalms 92:2-4, the Psalmist says, “It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument, a harp, and the melody of a lyre. You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.” Remembering what God has done also leads us to worship.
We can praise God for His faithfulness to us. Kelly Minter says, “Taking a moment to dwell on who God has always been and what He has done gives us strength in the present and hope for the future” (Encountering God). It gives us faith to move forward into what God is calling us to do.
Further Reading:
Psalm 92:2-4
1 Chronicles 16:7-36
Psalm 25:6
Psalm 34:19
2 Samuel 22:31
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever said something you instantly regretted? Reacted instead of responded? Ignored that quiet warning in your spirit?
In this episode, we talk about the universal struggle of falling short — and the overwhelming mercy of God that meets us there.
Drawing from Romans 3 and Romans 7, we’re reminded that even the apostle Paul wrestled with doing what he didn’t want to do. Sin is part of our fallen human condition — but shame and distance from God don’t have to be.
This conversation is about repentance, reconciliation, and the loving Father who runs toward us when we turn back to Him.
What We Discuss
- Why we instinctively choose wrong at times
- Paul’s transparent struggle with sin (Romans 7:14–16)
- The difference between conviction and condemnation
- Why guilt often pushes us away from God instead of toward Him
- The heart of the Father in repentance
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Falling Short
By: Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” - Romans 3:23 (NKJV)
Have you ever said something you wished you could take back? Or decided to go against that still small voice warning you not to make a specific choice or take a particular action? If you are anything like me, your answer to these questions is a resounding, disappointed yes. Likely, after you spoke when you should have remained silent, or conducted yourself in a manner that failed to represent Kingdom qualities, your instantaneous response was regret.
Why is it that we so often choose what we shouldn’t? Because “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sometimes, it isn’t even a conscious thought-out decision, but rather an instinctive reaction. We just automatically do or say without thinking. Even the apostle Paul, whom many of us esteem as a father in the faith, transparently shared his own struggle with sin when he said:
“The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate” (Romans 7:14-16, NLT).
It is so easy to beat ourselves up when we fall short, but as Paul shared, we are only human. This is not an excuse for us to sin, but rather an acknowledgement of our fallen state and God’s unfathomable mercy. The Lord knows we will fail again… and again… and again. He knew it from the very beginning when it was decided in the Garden that Christ would come and pay the penalty for our sins so that we might be reconciled to the Father. Our Heavenly Father is not asking us to be perfect or to achieve some unattainable standard of Christianity. Instead, He has made a way for us to remain connected to Him despite our sin through the blood of Jesus and the gift of repentance.
When our children make poor choices, what is it that we want most from them? We desire repentance and reconciliation. True, there might be consequences for their actions, but our ultimate goal is to retain the relationship and remind them of our unfailing love for them. It is the same with the Lord.
“He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV).
Even if we understand this to be true, somehow, when we know we have done wrong, we end up distancing ourselves from the Lord rather than drawing nearer to Him. Just like Adam and Eve in the Garden all of those years ago, we want to cover our shame. We want to hide from an all-seeing God. While logically we know this is impossible, we still somehow think, if we remain in the shadows, it will go unnoticed. However, the awareness of our own thoughts or deeds within our hearts can only be silenced for so long. Regret will eat away at our peace until we finally surrender it to the Lord.
What will we find when we reach this point of surrender? A harsh judge ready to issue punishment? No, we will find our loving Father running towards us with open arms, just as we read in the parable of the prodigal son, ready to embrace us (mud, muck, and all). He will wash away all of our sin, put a fresh robe of righteousness upon our backs, and welcome us into communion with him.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, ESV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you still feel the weight of guilt or remorse over a situation when you fell into sin? If so, ask yourself why you are still carrying this regret. Are you distancing yourself from the Lord because you feel unworthy? Or is there another reason you are still struggling with shame? I invite you to take a look at the scripture passages listed in the further reading section. In particular, I encourage you to read the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). May you find relief and reconciliation as you return to the Lord through repentance. He is there waiting for you with open arms.
Further Reading:
Luke 15:11-32
John 3:16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What if your job — even the one you don’t love — is actually sacred?
In this episode, we unpack what it truly means to “work for the Lord.” Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15:58, we explore how every task, every shift, and every responsibility can become an act of worship when done with the right heart posture.
What We Discuss
- Why every job can glorify God
- Working through difficult seasons with faithfulness
- Serving Jesus even when serving a challenging boss
- The difference between working for approval vs. working from purpose
- Why work is a blessing — not a burden
- How Jesus modeled servant leadership
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Work for the LordBy: Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Like most people, I have had many different jobs. Some of these jobs I really enjoyed, but others, not so much. However, in every job, I have tried to do my best. For example, a few years ago I worked at an inn. It was extremely difficult, since I struggle with contamination-type OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).
The responsibility of an assistant innkeeper means cleaning anything and everything—changing bed sheets, washing bed sheets, cleaning bathrooms, washing floors, dusting, and any other housework that needs to be done. As someone with OCD, this was incredibly stressful. However, by the grace of God, I lasted the entire summer. I tried my best every day, and I know that I served the Lord through my work.
Someone might say, “No, you were working for your boss.” While this is true, I was also working for Jesus. In everything we do, we need to work as though we are working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24). We are serving Jesus in any job we put our hands to. This is why we need to work at every task with our whole heart. Rather than becoming lazy, we need to glorify God in our work.
Maybe you are at a job right now that is similar to when I worked at the inn—you don’t like it, and you can’t wait to get off each day. If this is true, know that you won’t be at this job forever. For the time being, continue to do your best and strive to serve Jesus through your work. Even if your boss is not kind or the job is taxing, try your best to show Jesus’ love to everyone around you.
Jesus Himself took on the nature of a servant (Philippians 2:5–8). We need to follow His example by also taking on the nature of a servant. We should not view any job as inferior. Sometimes we have to take a job because we have no other choice. God does not call us to be idle or unproductive in our lives. Instead, He wants us to work and serve Him through our dedication to doing what is right.
Many people have a distorted view of work. They think work is a bad thing. This is not true—work is a blessing from God. Working and being able to provide for ourselves is a good thing. We never need to view work in a negative light, because it can help us grow, build a strong work ethic, and produce endurance. Through our work, we can become more dependent on God.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Apostle Paul tells us, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). As Paul says in this passage, we need to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord as our hard work is not in vain. Working for the Lord will bring Him glory and point others to Him.
Many people think the “work of the Lord” only consists of pastors, Sunday school teachers, or missionaries, but this is not true. The “work of the Lord” can be anything, as long as we are serving Jesus through our work. Therefore, even regular jobs, such as working at a hotel, a library, or a department store, can all bring glory to God if we are faithfully serving Him.
As Christ followers, we must ask ourselves whether or not we will serve God in our work. If we become lazy and unproductive in our work, we are not working to the glory of the Lord. If we find ourselves in this situation, we need to bring our hearts back to Jesus. Every job deserves our full attention and productivity. Loving God and serving Him will help us to truly work for Him and not give up when times are hard.
Continue to work for Him because your labor is not in vain. Jesus sees all the challenges you are going through. Even when days are tough, choose to live for Him, love Him, and serve Him faithfully in your work and in your life.
What are some ways you can glorify God in your work? List a few here.
Further Reading:
1 Corinthians 10:31
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12
Colossians 3:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
“Where are You, God?” If you’ve ever whispered that question through tears, sleepless nights, or silent disappointment, you’re not alone.
In this episode, we talk about the painful seasons when God feels distant — when prayers feel unanswered and discouragement makes it hard to even find the words to pray. Yet Scripture tells us something steady and unshakable: Jesus promised He would be with us always.
Not sometimes.
Not when we feel spiritual.
Always. Even in silence. Even in valleys. Even in doubt.
What We Discuss
- Why God can feel distant during hardship
- How discouragement can drain our ability to pray
- The truth that God hears even unspoken prayers
- The danger of believing the lie that God has abandoned us
- Drawing near to God when emotions say He’s far
- Finding encouragement through Scripture, worship, and Christian community
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Where Is God?
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:20 (NLT)
“Where are you, God?”
If there was a consistent question I asked God last year, that was it. Little did I know that by the start of this year, God would answer my question in profound ways that proved He hears my every prayer and He is always here with us.
It started with simple things that were concerning me, then it snowballed into many other issues and situations that were troubling my heart and keeping me awake at night. Sleepless nights were the norm for me that year. I tried praying my way through it, but at times I was too tired to pray. Have you ever been so discouraged that you can barely talk to God about it?
However, God taught me that He knows our hearts and He hears even the prayers we don’t have the energy or capacity to pray. He even considers the tears that roll down our faces when we cry as silent prayers, and He understands our pain before we have words to give voice to it. If you’re looking for someone who knows you better than you know yourself, your Maker (God) fits that bill perfectly.
Because we live in a world that is negatively affected by sin, we all may face situations in life that cause us to ask, “God, where are you?” It is then that we are tempted by the enemy to believe that God has forsaken us. But in those moments, we need to believe what the Bible says: God will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). When you feel far away from God, draw near to Him and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). If you’re having trouble seeking Him, ask God to help you feel His Presence and experience His peace. Remember: He’s always been pursuing a relationship with you before you realized you needed Him and started seeking Him.
Now, there’s the fact that God is invisible (1 Timothy 1:17). But the truth is that He is real (Psalm 14:1). Don’t let His invisibility become a barrier to your seeking Him. Over the years, I’ve heard people debate that since we cannot see God, that must mean He doesn’t exist. Well, to that I’d say, we cannot see the air we breathe, but we know that if we don’t have air, we’d be dead. Same with God. We cannot see Him, but we need Him to live.
When we are in pain so deep that we can barely get out of bed in the morning and start going about our day, it is important to remember that God is with us in our pain. Soon after the start of this year, God showed me that He had heard my prayers and questions last year. He did this by inspiring a Christian author to ask me if I wanted to read an early copy of her book that is releasing in January 2026. After seeing that the title of the book is “God, Where Are You?”, I knew this was encouragement from God for me. He recommended a whole book (in addition to the Bible) to answer my question. I agreed to read her book and was blessed by it.
The author’s name is Dominique Young. The full title of her book is “God, Where Are You?: Unmasking Your Pain, Uncovering His Presence”. It is advertised on Amazon as “a safe space for your deepest questions and your hidden pain.” It’s for people who have been silently suffering under the heavy weight of anxiety, grief, depression, shame, and spiritual doubt. Through this book, she helps the reader discover how near God is to them through their toughest trials in life. God doesn’t abandon you in the valley lows. He’s with you through it all. And He can heal our brokenness. The author invites the reader to stop pretending they are okay when they are not, face the pain you’ve been hiding, and learn how you are seen by the Almighty God as one He deeply loves. Dominique encourages the reader to remember that even when God is silent, He is near and will not leave you.
After reading the first few pages of Dominique’s book, I thanked God for answering my prayers on this topic because it was like He was speaking to me through her messages that were supported with Scripture. I am grateful He used this author’s debut book to encourage me in my faith walk. I believe this book will encourage you, too, if you read it.
In closing, I’d like for you to listen to three songs (listed below) that remind us God is here with us and He’s going to stay with us until the end of the world.
Song of Reflection #1: “God is with Us” by The Afters. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #2: “I Know You’re There” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #3: “When You Walk Through the Water” by Allison Durham. Listen to it HERE.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does it feel to know that God is right here with you and He’s not going anywhere?
Further Reading:Isaiah 41:10
Isaiah 43:2
Deuteronomy 31:6
Psalm 23:4
Zephaniah 3:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever have one of those days you’d gladly return for a refund? Maybe it starts with something small — and inconvenient. Then another thing piles on. And another. Before long, you’re wondering if staying in bed would’ve been the wiser spiritual decision.
In this episode, we talk about how to handle the days that hit hard — the ones filled with disappointment, frustration, or unexpected blows. Psalm 118 doesn’t give us an escape clause. It doesn’t say, “Rejoice when it’s going well.” It simply says: this is the day the Lord has made.
Even this one.
So what does it actually look like to rejoice when the day feels anything but joyful?
What We Discuss
- Why bad days feel so overwhelming
- The difference between denial and biblical rejoicing
- How perspective shifts emotional response
- The role of humor in spiritual resilience
- Choosing gratitude when circumstances don’t cooperate
- Letting God shape us through daily frustrations
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
When It's One of Those DaysBy Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24 ESV).
Do you know what it’s like to have one of those days you wish you could do over?
My friend Holly recalls that her day like that started at 4:30 a.m. when she opened the door of her house to pick up the newspaper, which was usually on her welcome mat waiting for her. But as she opened the door, and before she even had a chance to look down on her welcome mat…Thunk! The newspaper delivery person, unknowingly, chucked that newspaper through the early morning still-dark air, and it pelted her right in the chest. She never even saw it coming!
Stumbling over a bit, she regained her composure and just stood there.
Nice aim, she thought, sarcastically, and turned around and closed the door. The rest of the day didn’t get much better. One disappointing situation after another. Until pretty soon, she wished she hadn’t even gotten out of bed that morning. Fortunately for Holly, she kept her sense of humor and laughed about it with several women in her exercise class at the end of the day.
We all have days when we get pelted with something right in the chest. A stinging insult. An action by a co-worker or friend that leaves us shocked. Some news that causes us to stumble or double over. Sometimes it’s from someone, unknowingly, chucking something through the air that happens to hit us. And other times it’s a direct hit from someone with a pretty good aim!
Whether it’s one incident after another that seems to be giving you a bad day or circumstances in which you are the one who is clearly messing up, there is a way to get through it.
God's Word gives us simple instructions for handling the “bad days.”
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it," the psalmist said.
But how can we rejoice? That word creates a picture in my mind of a person jumping up in the air and shouting for joy. Are we to do that when we’re having one of those days?
Evidently so.
It’s interesting that God’s Word doesn’t say: “This is the day the Lord accidentally let slip through the heavens; let us tolerate it and be done with it.” Rather, God’s Word specifically states that this day—even the one in which you get plunked right in the chest—is a day that He has made and therefore it is one worth rejoicing in.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
I suppose God wants us to realize that even when uncomfortable or hurtful or downright disastrous things happen, it is still a day in which we live, breathe, and exist. It is still a day in which we can choose to see the brighter side of things and acknowledge that He’s in control. It’s still a day in which we can, like Holly, keep a sense of humor and laugh at the day’s events by sundown.
There is still something in this day worth rejoicing about because it is a day given to us by the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
Can you, my friend, find something in this day worth rejoicing about? If not, then simply rejoice. This is the day the Lord has made—for you to live it with Him and become the kind of person He desires you to be. Rejoice in it, my friend. And see if it doesn’t change your outlook—and your day.
Thank You, Lord, for this day—regardless of what it brings or has already brought my way. Today is a day that I live and breathe and exist. May I do so with a song in my heart simply because You have given me life. And may You be pleased by my attitude, my gratitude, and my praise. Thank You that You can grow me, mature me, sharpen me, and shape me through whatever comes my way. I surrender it all to You, Lord Jesus. In Your name, I pray this. Amen.
Further Reading:1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
For daily perspective and reasons to praise, see Cindi’s book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When was the last time you were overwhelmed with wonder?
In Mark 9, the crowd didn’t hesitate when they saw Jesus. They ran toward Him — filled with awe. No overthinking. No self-conscious restraint. Just pure wonder.
Somewhere between deadlines, responsibilities, and routines, it’s easy to lose that sense of awe. Life shrinks to the size of a to-do list. Faith becomes familiar. And wonder quietly fades into the background.
But Jesus hasn’t stopped working.
In this episode, we rediscover how slowing down, paying attention, and expecting Jesus to move can awaken a fresh sense of wonder in our everyday lives.
What We Discuss
- How busyness dulls spiritual awareness
- Why wonder is not a luxury — it’s fuel for faith
- The difference between dramatic miracles and everyday miracles
- How expectation shapes what we notice
- Practical habits that help us stay spiritually attentive
- Why wonder naturally draws us closer to Jesus
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Let Jesus Overwhelm You with WonderBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.” - Mark 9:15, NIV
When you really look at Jesus, you see the wonder of God’s work in this world. In Mark 9:15, people caught a glimpse of Jesus, and they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. They didn’t hesitate or worry about what others might say about their enthusiastic response. They simply let themselves be inspired with awe when they encountered Jesus.
It’s easy to lose a sense of wonder when you’re dealing with the stress of living in this fallen world. Responsibilities pile up and demand your attention. You get used to going through your routine, doing what needs to be done. You may be working so hard that you start to think about enjoying wonder as a luxury you can’t afford with your busy schedule. If so, your life will shrink down to the level of your to-do list. You’ll miss the greater perspective of the wonderful work Jesus is doing around you.
Don’t let that happen to you! Jesus hasn’t stopped working in amazing ways, just like he did during biblical times. Jesus is still inspiring people with awe on a regular basis. The question is: are you looking for him?
Wonder doesn’t always appear with dramatic miracles. Often, wonder happens through everyday miracles. You can find wonder in quiet yet powerful ways, like through a colorful sunset, someone’s act of kindness, or a sense of peace God gives you during a challenging situation.
Jesus is already doing wonderful work in your life. You just have to slow down long enough to notice.
When the crowd in Mark chapter 9 saw Jesus, they recognized him because they were paying attention. They had focused minds and open hearts that helped them expect the best from Jesus. The process of discovering wonder often starts with expecting Jesus to do something wonderful in your life.
Imagine walking into each day with your eyes wide open, asking Jesus to show you what he wants to show you. If you start doing that, you’ll start noticing all sorts of wonder in your life that you’d previously overlooked. Then, you’ll wake up to the wonder of who Jesus really is. You’ll realize that Jesus is so amazing that you can’t help but be inspired to worship him. The more you notice Jesus and let him overwhelm you with wonder, the more you’ll want to run to him, just like the people in Mark 9:15 did.
Wonder draws you close to Jesus!
So, give yourself the time and attention you need to really look for the wonder of Jesus’ work in your life every day. Make your relationship with Jesus a top priority in your daily schedule. Stay connected to Jesus throughout each day by checking in with him regularly through prayer. Ask Jesus to help you notice what he’s doing in every single part of your life – including areas where you haven’t expected him to show up much before. Pray for Jesus to give you a fresh perspective, so your senses aren’t dulled by routine or weighed down by busyness.
When you do see Jesus at work, let yourself enjoy it. Take the time to really reflect on it, and celebrate it! Let your encounters with Jesus’ wonder strengthen your faith.
Wonder doesn’t just make you feel good; it draws you deeper into a relationship with Jesus. It reminds you that Jesus is with you right here and now, working in your life in ways that accomplish good purposes for you.
This day – this ordinary day, with all of its stressful situations – is still full of opportunities to see Jesus. You just have to look. The more you look, the more you’ll realize that Jesus has been there all along.
Let Jesus overwhelm you with wonder again. When you do, you’ll find yourself wanting to run toward him!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how to let Jesus overwhelm you with wonder, reflect on these questions:
- When was the last time you felt truly overwhelmed with wonder at what Jesus was doing in your life?
- What daily habits can help you slow down, pay attention more, and notice Jesus more often?
- Are there any areas of your life where you’ve stopped expecting Jesus to show up? If so, how can you start expecting the best instead of the worst in those areas?
- How would your perspective change if you started each day by asking Jesus to help you be more aware of his presence with you throughout your day?
Further Reading:
Psalm 65:8
Psalm 77:14
Psalm 145:5
Job 37:14
Jeremiah 29:13
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Winter eventually gives way to spring. The sun always returns — even if it takes longer than we’d like. Life works the same way.
In this episode, we talk about walking through spiritual winters — the long seasons of hardship, disappointment, or discouragement where change feels painfully slow. What do we do when prayers seem unanswered? When circumstances don’t shift? When the valley stretches on?
Psalm 23 reminds us of something powerful: even in the darkest valley, we are not alone.
The sun may feel hidden — but God is not absent.
What We Discuss
- Why difficult seasons are part of the Christian life
- The danger of obsessing over our problems
- How self-focus can unintentionally magnify hardship
- Practical ways to stay encouraged during long valleys
- Learning contentment when God says “not yet”
- Paul’s example of trusting grace in weakness
- Preparing spiritually before the next hard season arrives
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Waiting for the Sun to Shine Again
By: Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading:
“Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4, CSB)
I was one of the many waiting for the sun to shine again after a long, cold winter. Eventually it does return, albeit more slowly than we might wish. Life can be like that sometimes, where tough situations are slow to change and improve.
When you find yourself feeling down and out, how do you respond? Do you turn to God and patiently wait for the bad times to pass? Do you develop a bad attitude to match the circumstances? Or do you just go with the flow?
As Christians, we pray to God with anticipation and hope for the good times of life. There are many of them. However, again, as Christians, we also know that God doesn’t solely promise us good times. The bad times are, in fact, a part of this miracle we call life. And they’re just as important.
In effect, life is an alternating sequence of seasons in which we experience highs and lows. Those upbeat moments are much easier to handle and appreciate. The difficulties, on the other hand, can leave us scratching our heads, wondering when God will step in to rescue us.
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Everyone at some point will be waiting for the sun to shine again.
Don’t focus on your problems.
One major mistake people often make when struggling in life is harping on their misfortunes. They pray about it, think about it, and talk about it a lot. Not only that, but our culture promotes ideas such as self-love and affirmation so often that people think good vibes will cast away their problems. Life’s not so simple. In fact, focusing on yourself often makes the problem seem bigger than it is.
So, what’s the solution? Think less about yourself and more about others. Rather than dwell on the bad things happening, spend some time thinking about the good. Go out and do good in the world. What you will discover is that sometimes the problems go away, and even if they don’t, when your mind is set on other things, the problems were never as bad as you originally thought.
Find ways to stay encouraged.
Choosing not to focus on your problems doesn’t magically make you feel better. Hard times can still leave us feeling sad, angry, and worse, suicidal. That’s why it’s important that we know how to find encouragement. Your specific ways may look different from mine, but what’s important is that we have a reliable game plan. The bad times will come. That’s a certainty. And when they do, wisdom calls for us to be prepared.
Take some time to consider where you currently find encouragement and where else you ought to go. Some helpful solutions include prayer, church, loved ones, a gratitude journal, exercise, producing art, and so much more.
Learn contentment.
Sometimes God says yes, sometimes no, and sometimes not yet. The latter can be difficult to understand, especially when you feel so justified in your pleas to the Lord. However, God is God. He’s not going to change a circumstance every time we ask. There could be a lesson for us to learn, or maybe we’re feeling the effects of sin, or both.
As Paul learned to be satisfied with God’s grace as he struggled with a thorn in the flesh, so too must we. Based on how he lived, the formula for contentment is probably something like faith plus patience plus gratitude.
Obviously, that’s contrary to our human nature and won’t come naturally. Yet, God is able to supply all of our needs and desires to see us grow. We have to do our part to seek that growth. The valleys of life will come and come again. That’s a fact. Yet, we can also be well-prepared to handle.
Waiting for the sun to shine again is not easy, but you know that it’s coming. Take hope today.
Further Reading (and Listening):
Psalm 13
Romans 8:18
John 16:33
“I Smile” by Kirk Franklin
“NO LONGER BOUND” by Forrest Frank & Hulvey
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What happens when obedience to God feels risky?
In this episode, we explore the tension between love and fear — especially when someone we care about senses a calling that could cost them comfort, security, or even safety. It’s one thing to say we trust God. It’s another to release someone we love into His hands.
Looking at Paul’s final encouragement to Timothy, written from a prison cell under Emperor Nero’s brutal reign, we see something remarkable: Paul doesn’t urge caution. He doesn’t prioritize survival. Instead, he tells Timothy to fan into flame the very gift that could invite persecution.
So what gave Paul that kind of courage? And how do we cultivate it today?
What We Discuss
- The internal conflict between protection and obedience
- Why fear often disguises itself as wisdom
- Paul’s deep relationship with Timothy — and his even deeper trust in Christ
- The historical reality of persecution under Nero
- What it means to “fan into flame” your spiritual gifts
- How eternal perspective fuels present-day courage
- Why intimacy with Christ produces boldness instead of timidity
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Fanning the Flame in Our Souls
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:5-7, NIV
Years ago, my extended family experienced a period of panic after my younger brother told us that he was praying about trying to get a job in North Korea so that he could share the gospel. I don’t remember if the country was open to this at the time, but he hoped to teach English and use his role to build relationships that could allow for spiritual conversations. My mind immediately flooded with thoughts of him in a North Korean prison, tortured for his faith–if not executed.
I wanted to tell him all the reasons this was a terrible idea. By God’s grace, however, I stayed silent, knowing the greater danger was in encouraging him to deny God’s voice and choose self-protection over obedience. To our relief, he ultimately sensed the Lord leading him in a different direction. But that season really challenged me to investigate the depths of my belief, trust in Christ, and commitment to His mission.
I wonder if Paul, the first-century church planter who wrote the book from which today’s passage came, ever wrestled with this inner conflict. He cared for Timothy, his mentee, deeply, and appeared to be closer to this young man than anyone else with whom he worshiped or served. He even referred to him as his “true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2, NASB). Therefore, there must have been a part of him, perhaps a large part, that wanted to keep Timothy safe.
Keep in mind, this was during the time of Nero, one of the cruelest emperors in Roman history, responsible for the horrific death of numerous Christians. Paul understood persecution. He’d been stoned, flogged, beaten with rods, and imprisoned on numerous occasions. He’d also lost relationships with many people he’d once held dear. Plus, he wrote from a dark, damp prison cell, also known as a dungeon, awaiting a likely execution.
Considering all that, reflect on Paul’s words in verse 6 again:
“For this reason–” pointing back to his sincere faith, his rock-solid foundation in Christ. “For this reason,” he wrote, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6, NIV).
Had I been Paul, I suspect my letter to Timothy would’ve looked quite different, likely filled with all the ways he could survive the evil invading the ancient world. Perhaps, had he come to me as my brother had, I would’ve remained silent (as I did regarding North Korea), but I’m not sure I would’ve had the courage and strength to tell him to actively feed the very thing that could, and more likely than not would, result in death. (According to tradition, he was in fact martyred in 80 AD, presumably fifteen years after Paul’s execution.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Reading Paul’s possible last words to his beloved friend and spiritual son, and reflecting on my typical reactions when those I love suffer, I’m left with an important question: What enabled Paul to respond to their intensely hostile circumstances with such faith? We discover the answer when we read his other letters. He maintained a close relationship with Christ and experienced such fulfillment from that relationship that he was able to say, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21, NIV).
His ongoing connection with the Lord and his practice of praying constantly also provided clarity and guidance for His most difficult circumstances and positioned him to receive God’s comfort. In his letter to the Philippians, he emphasized maintaining an eternal perspective, which extends beyond living missionally. This also means reading about and reflecting on all that awaits us in heaven.
According to Hebrews 12:2, that was also what sustained Christ through His horrific death and all the brutality He experienced preceding it. That verse tells us to fix, as in fasten unwaveringly, our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him.
This tells me, the more I reflect on all the blessings I have in Christ and through Christ, today and through eternity, the greater my faith and strength to endure today’s challenges and the easier it becomes to encourage those I love to prioritize obedience to Him above all, even if that means losing all.
Thankfully, I’m not alone in my pursuit. Jesus, the One who died that I might live throughout eternity with Him, will grow my faith, decrease my anxiety and fear, and help me to be a source of inspiration, not hindrance, to those I care about most.
He will do the same for you–if you’ll let Him.
Further Reading:Matthew 16:24-26
Hebrews 10:24
Mark 10:43-45
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Standing firm in your faith isn’t always applauded — sometimes it costs you deeply. In this episode, we talk about the pain of facing opposition from those closest to us and the tension between defending our beliefs and guarding our hearts.
When family members mock or reject our faith, the temptation is to respond with anger, silence, or distance. But the gospel calls us to something higher: compassion instead of offense, prayer instead of retaliation, and trust instead of control.
The truth? No one is too far gone for God’s reach — not your skeptical friend, not your resistant sibling, not even the person who hurt you most.
What We Discuss
- Why opposition from family hurts differently
- The danger of treating loved ones like arguments to win
- How bitterness quietly builds walls
- Why salvation isn’t powered by persuasion
- What Epistle to the Romans 5 teaches about God’s initiating love
- How to pray effectively for those who reject your faith
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
No One Is Too Far Gone for God’s Reach
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8, NASB
My convictions were just too strong to stay silent on that Facebook post. I knew it was a controversial topic, but I didn’t think my own family would turn on me and lash out because of my beliefs. As a Christian, there are times when I need to stand up for what is right, and just like countless times before, I was left to stand alone to be ridiculed for my faith in God and His Holy Word… I just didn’t think my own brother would be the one to hurt me the most with his callous words. Often, the wounds cut deeper when it is those closest to us who wield the sword at us. In that moment, instead of finding the comfort and understanding of my family, the harsh reality that my brother was a lost soul began to set in. I wanted to become angry and lash back, but my heart was much too heavy at the thought that he would spend eternity in hell.
When we meet opposition regarding sharing our faith, it is very easy to become offended at those who mock or push back; perhaps our first instinct is to turn our backs on them or set it in our heart to never discuss the Lord around them ever again. Instead of bitterness or offense towards those who might not agree with our beliefs, we should have compassion on them because, at one time, before Christ saved us, we too were enemies of God and lost. Even if our unsaved friends and family hurt us, these situations should truly drive us to our knees to pray for our lost loved ones. We have to ask the Lord to help us keep our hearts from resentment or offense that would drive a wedge between us or even tempt us to burn a bridge. The Lord is so faithful to fill us up with love for the unlovable. We, too, were the unlovable ones, but God lavished His love upon the cross.
Romans 5 is a powerful chapter in the book of Romans, and in verse 8, we are reminded of God’s great love for us:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NASB)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die for sinners. Not only should this truth cause us to rejoice in the gift of our own salvation, but it should fill our hearts with so much hope that God’s mercy is available to those whom we love. We have to rest in the Lord’s sovereignty and remember that His ways are higher; No amount of persuasive, articulate words of man’s wisdom can save them - the power of salvation is found in the gospel
We have to be careful not to look at our lost loved ones as an argument to win, but a soul that the Lord is more than able to save and rescue from sin and death. If we personally cannot reach them with our words of truth, we can pray that the Lord may bring someone else who could share the gospel with them. Do you long for your family and friends to know God as you do? Does it often feel impossible to get through to them regarding the things of God? Do not lose heart, and continue to pray for their eyes to be opened.
Ask the Lord to begin to prepare their heart to receive His grace to believe that Jesus is the only way to true forgiveness and eternal life. God loves them so much because He created them. Let us have hope that those who seem unreachable can be reached by God Almighty. His grace draws sinners to repentance, and if you are a believer, you are living proof of that. No one is too far gone for His arm to rescue!
Further Reading:
1 John 4:9-10
Ephesians 1:6-8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The most damaging words we hear are often the ones we say to ourselves. Negative self-talk—phrases like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m a failure”—can quietly shape how we see our worth. Over time, those words begin to feel like truth.
But Scripture reminds us in Proverbs 15:4 that our words hold power: “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” While this verse certainly applies to how we speak to others, it also applies to how we speak to ourselves. God never intended for our internal dialogue to crush our spirit.
Highlights
- Negative self-talk often stems from comparison and unmet expectations
- Internal words can wound as deeply as spoken ones
- Awareness is the first step in silencing harmful self-criticism
- God’s Word offers life-giving truth to replace destructive thoughts
- Speaking to ourselves with kindness reflects God’s grace toward us
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Ending the Toxic Cycle of Negative Self-TalkBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4).
As someone who struggles with negative self-talk, it is hard not to speak badly about myself. Growing up, I could never measure up to my sisters in skill or ability, and even in the present day, I still feel that I fall short. I’m not a gifted speaker, writer, or artist like my family members, and this makes me feel insecure.
My eldest sister was a pro at basketball, and my dad loved watching her play. She was also great at drawing various creatures, including Pokémon,as they were her favorite. My other older sister is a master at writing, crafting stories, creating artwork, and playing the piano. My mom used to praise her splendid piano concertos and art assignments.
I tried my best at art, music, and sports, but I was never good enough. I simply couldn’t measure up. There was no praise, encouragement, or someone cheering me on from the sidelines. This left me feeling completely worthless, which led to the start of negative self-talk.
A few days ago, I was sitting in my primary care doctor’s office when my doctor asked me why I was so glum. I didn’t want to go into detail with him about recent events that led me back to the same feelings of worthlessness. I chose to look at the white and blue checked floors as he went through a depression screening with me. As someone with clinical depression, I’m no stranger to these screenings; however, I had never scored so high as I did at that appointment.
I left the office with a new prescription and a referral to restart therapy, but I did not feel hopeful. On the drive home, I told myself, “I’m just not good enough,” and “I’m a failure.” Anytime we are condescending, hurtful, or mean to ourselves, we are practicing negative self-talk.
When I was in therapy years ago, my therapist asked me to name an adult figure in my life who had been supportive of me. My first thought was my grandma; I called her Mawmaw. My therapist asked me to think of a time when Mawmaw was proud of me. After thinking for a few minutes, my mind flashed back to when my Mawmaw told me I was good at making other people laugh and smile. Her warm smile filled my heart, and I finally felt like I was good at something.
To stop negative self-talk thoughts, we are going to have to dig deep. I didn’t remember the words of my Mawmaw right away, yet after searching for them, I finally knew I could heal. Negative self-talk can eat away at us, yet we must become aware of its voice. Once we start naming negative self-talk and addressing it, we will notice the voice grow quieter.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible tells us, “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4). Whenever we are tempted to start talking badly about ourselves, we need to reflect on this passage. While many people think Proverbs 15:4 is only referring to our communication with others, it also includes the way we communicate with ourselves.
By following Proverbs 15:4, we will begin to speak kindly to ourselves. It might sound cliché, but it is important to talk to ourselves as we would talk to a friend. We wouldn’t make mean or derogatory remarks to our friends; therefore, we don’t need to talk to ourselves in this manner. We need to use our words to build ourselves up rather than tearing ourselves down (Ephesians 4:29).
As you navigate life more positively, remember to end the cycle of negative self-talk. Avoid comparing yourself to others or thinking negatively about yourself because of how others have treated you. Focus on what God says about you in the Bible, memorize Bible passages, and reflect upon His love when you are struggling.
Stopping comparison and blotting out unhelpful comments can make a world of difference. How might you start taking Proverbs 15:4 to heart today? What would your self-talk look like if you started being kinder to yourself?
Further Reading:
Mark 12:30-31
Psalm 139:13-16
Ephesians 2:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We all make plans. Career goals. Ministry dreams. Personal ambitions. There’s nothing wrong with vision and drive—but Proverbs 16:9 gently reminds us who truly directs the path: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
God often plants desires within us long before we see how they will unfold. The key is not striving to force the outcome, but surrendering the process to the Holy Spirit. When we move forward prayerfully, seek wise counsel, and stay attentive to God’s nudges, He positions us exactly where we need to be—sometimes in ways that exceed what we imagined.
Highlights
- God often plants dreams in our hearts before revealing the path forward
- Prayer and discernment are essential before taking the next step
- Wise counsel helps confirm whether a desire aligns with God’s will
- Success is evidence of God’s guidance, not merely our effort
- The Holy Spirit leads faithfully when we move step by step in obedience
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Let the Spirit Guide Your StepsBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” - Proverbs 16:9
Many years ago, I began to sense in my heart that God wanted me to become a literary agent. This was in addition to my career as an author, and I wanted to help fellow authors get their work into the hands of audiences. However, I had no clue how to get started. One day, I was talking with my husband on a long drive. He asked me what I would do with my life if I weren't an author.
Immediately, I blurted out, “I want to be a literary agent.” After I realized the weight of what I had said, we talked it through. He asked me to speak with my agent regarding the steps in that regard. I had a conversation with my agent, and in a few short months, he had signed me to his agency.
Although I was excited about this new venture, I was still unsure whether I was qualified or even had the business sense to do the task. Although there were no books or manuals on how to become a literary agent, I knew that if I listened to the Holy Spirit, He would guide me step by step.
I have now been with the agency for eight years. Of the 130 books sold, almost 1/4 are my deals. It is shocking to think that I have made that many deals in the eight short years that I've worked for him. Yet when God has nudged me, and I have used my gift of discernment and wisdom to sign a client or shop around their deals, God has placed their work in the right hands at the right time.
The prideful side of me can boast that I did all that on my own. But the humble (or rational) side of me understands that unless the Holy Spirit was guiding my steps, I never could have done any of that on my own.
God was good and allowed me to use my gifts and my heart to help others receive the gospel message through different genres of books and get them into the hands of readers. People are being blessed because of my diligence in working with publishers and getting authors the right deals at the right time.
As humans, we have many plans and desires. While there's nothing wrong with having goals and visions for our lives, we need to make sure those desires and dreams align with God's will. Although it is not entirely possible to know whether our desires are our own or from the Lord, it is essential to follow God's guidance step by step.
Is there an area of your life that you feel you want to take the next step, but don't know how? Do you question whether this desire God has placed on your heart is from God or from yourself?
The best way to know whether this is from God is to pray about it. Additionally, we need to surround ourselves with godly people who have been through life and are willing not only to pray for us and our triumphs but also to challenge us when we're down. If we're making a bad decision, we need to surround ourselves with people we can test these words on and know whether they're from God or from us.
A person who goes about making decisions without carefully weighing them, with those they trust, or who would have a warning from a loved one, will only make matters worse. With God, the decision they make is not irreversible. Still, it could pose a significant danger to their future if they make haphazard decisions without first allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their steps.
Father, let us be people who listen to you. Let us allow you to orient our steps. Let us take each day as an opportunity to take a baby step in faith toward what you are calling us to. Let us be people who listen to others and keep our word, so we can make all the decisions for you. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What decision do you need to make today that you need the guidance of the Spirit? What will you do to enlist his help today?
Further Reading:Philippians 1:6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
There’s something powerful about anticipation. When you know something wonderful is ahead—a long-awaited trip, a celebration, a reunion—you carry that joy with you before it even arrives. It changes how you move through ordinary days.
Psalm 31:19 reminds us that we don’t have to manufacture excitement or engineer constant highlights to feel hope. God already has good stored up for His children. His goodness isn’t random, fragile, or dependent on our planning. It is abundant, intentional, and secure.
The beauty of faith is this: even when we cannot see the details of what’s ahead, we know the character of the One who holds tomorrow. And that is more than enough reason for joy.
Key Scripture
“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” — Psalm 31:19
Highlights
- Anticipation shapes our perspective—even before the blessing arrives
- God’s goodness isn’t limited to heaven; He blesses us here and now
- Our plans are fragile, but God’s promises are faithful
- We can hold joy in the unknown because we know God’s character
- The goodness God has stored up surpasses what we could imagine for ourselves
Intersecting Faith & Life
- Are you constantly trying to create something to look forward to?
- What would change if you truly believed that God already has good ahead for you?
- Today, shift your hope from circumstances you control to the character of the God who controls tomorrow.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
The Goodness of God That Awaits You
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. - Psalm 31:19
I don’t desire to be surprised much anymore. Not in specific ways like I once did, anyway. I used to have this dream of being suddenly and spontaneously whisked away on a tropical getaway. With bags pre-packed, child-care pre-planned, and every detail prepared. That is, until I went on enough planned vacations and experienced all the extra enjoyment that’s front-loaded in the anticipation of the known good to come. Think about it. It’s extremely hard to get excited about something awesome you have no idea is about to happen. But if you know the grand plan that’s ahead, you can hold great hope. You can even make it through the mundane and monotonous moments of life while your eyes feast on the beauty and sparkle that dangle in front of you.
And for this reason, I’ve been overly guilty of always attempting to have something fun planned in order to consistently have something to look forward to. But honestly, I’m not super proud of this heart posture. And here’s why. I know God is good. I know he has given me good on this very day. I know he is faithful and will continue to show up with good gifts in every single season of my life. And so I know I should be holding tighter to these truths.
How about you? Do you like surprises? Or would you prefer to know what’s coming so you can enjoy the anticipation? Maybe you’ll take either, you just like any reason to smile and celebrate. I get that too.
Well, what if we could approach every day like we know vacation is coming tomorrow? What if we knew that what was ahead was going to be fantastic and full of blessings? And what if I told you, it’s true. Because it is. The Bible promises that God has good in store for us, for those who love him.
There is indeed beauty and sparkle ahead. We can be confident in that. We can get excited about that. Because it most definitely and abundantly is true. I know you can’t always see and perceive it. But honestly, I can’t actually see the exact sweetness that will show up in my upcoming vacations either. I can dream up scenarios. But to be honest, sometimes it’s not as good as what I dreamed of. My human hopes are flimsy and fallible, and they fail me. And whatever you can create or plan or try to control to your liking is unreliable and lacks certain goodness, too. But our faith shouldn’t be in the good we can manifest and make happen; our faith should be in the unfailing goodness of our mighty and good God.
And what’s amazing about God is that what he has in store is even better than what we have dreamed up. Because His plans and ways are good and perfect and always more full of blessing than ours. So we can stay excited in the unknown because of what is known. For those of us who love God, he has good in store. An abundance of good. And not just in heaven—though that is our ultimate hope and joy—but he also has blessings to bestow in our sight here on earth. This is a promise worth getting excited about today and every day.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Instead of becoming consumed with constantly creating exciting circumstances, or demanding and dictating our own ideal situations, we can set our hope-filled hearts and hold a joy-filled faith in God’s goodness. We can hold hope and joy that an awesome tomorrow is coming. And then another and another. Because our good God is awesome. And he has abundant and good things stored up for you who love him, for you he loves.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
It doesn’t take long to notice the darkness in our world. Tragedy, injustice, division—it can feel constant and overwhelming. We’re often told that to care deeply means to sit in the darkness indefinitely. But Jesus gives a different calling in Matthew 5:14–16: we are the light of the world.
Key Scripture
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:14–16
Highlights
- Christians are called to acknowledge darkness without dwelling in it
- God’s kingdom—marked by peace, joy, and love—is a greater reality than despair
- “Prophetic imagination” helps us envision renewal where others see only ruin
- A small light can dispel great darkness when we carry Christ’s presence faithfully
- Being light is not about prominence or power—it’s about faithful presence
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Children of God, Children of Light
By Deidre Braley
Bible Reading:“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16
It is easy to see the darkness in our world—that is no earth-shattering statement. We live in a world where terrible things happen, and where it is expected that we dwell in the darkness in the name of empathy. We are told that it is hypocrisy and a privilege to look away, and so we stare into it until it engulfs us too. We think this is what it means to “mourn with those who mourn.” We think this is love.
But as children of God, we have a responsibility to acknowledge the darkness, and even to address it, without allowing it to swallow up the Light to which we belong. We are not powerless victims in the face of darkness. We are image-bearers of a King who reigns with peace, and joy, and love. It is hard to believe, but these are an even more powerful reality than the darkness. And it is our job to speak of—and live within!—this reality in a way that illuminates every place where the kingdom of God is already in our midst here on Earth. This is not toxic positivity—this is what biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann calls our prophetic imagination, which is our ability to engage with God’s power and potential for newness. It is to live within the expansive mind of God, rather than the closed reality of this world.
Henri Nouwen puts it this way:
People who have come to know the joy of God do not deny the darkness, but they choose not to live in it. They claim that the light that shines in the darkness can be trusted more than the darkness itself and that a little bit of light can dispel a lot of darkness. They point each other to flashes of light here and there, and remind each other that they reveal the hidden but real presence of God.
The Return of the Prodigal Son, p. 117
As Jesus said, we are the light of the world. This is not to say that, as children of God, we are superior, or that we deserve platforms and prominence and loudspeakers and political power. It is to say that we carry a flame inside our spirits that was given to us by the Spirit, and that it is our job to bring it into every place we set foot and to say, “Here. I know it is dark. But come now, I have a little light. And a little light goes a long way.” It is to use our prophetic imagination to spin a picture of renewal in places where, right now, it seems too dark to see.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
I once had an employer who said, “Don’t come to me with a problem just to complain. Come to me with a solution, and then we’ll have something to work with.”
I think of this often whenever I spend time on social media, where it seems that people are shouting about problems without offering even a whisper of a solution. As people of the Light, we were made to rush toward the darkness not so we can stay and ruminate in it—but rather, to illuminate it.
Admittedly, it’s easier said than done. In truth, the dark sometimes feels very dark. In times when we struggle to believe that the light is more powerful than the dark, or that the light even exists at all, here is a helpful prayer to try:
Lord,Right now, the dark feels very dark. Please help me to see what’s in front of me through thelens of your imagination. Show me where newness is possible. Let me see what you’re doinghere, and sharpen my perception of your kingdom in our midst. Help me to see the light.Help me to be the light.Amen.
Further Reading:John 8:12
2 Corinthians 4
The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Some seasons of life feel heavier than we expected. Transitions, loss, depression, disappointment—sometimes they arrive all at once. In those moments, it’s easy to believe we’re alone in the struggle. But God gives a powerful promise in Isaiah 43:2: when we walk through deep waters and fiery trials, He will be with us.
Key Scripture
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” — Isaiah 43:2
Highlights
- Difficult seasons do not mean God is absent; He promises to walk with us through them
- Jesus invites the weary to come to Him for rest and relief (Matthew 11:28–30)
- God is close to the brokenhearted and rescues the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18)
- The Lord often works through community, counselors, teachers, and friends to provide support
- Every tear, sorrow, and struggle is seen and remembered by God (Psalm 56:8)
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
You Are Not Alone
By Lauren Fletcher
Bible Reading:
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” - Isaiah 43:2
When I was in college, I went through an unexpected season of loss in my second year. It was a year of transition for me. Many of my upperclassman friends had graduated; I had a new roommate, and I had just finished my first job at a summer camp. I had met many close friends there, and it was hard to leave.
Depression hit, and I wasn’t ready for it. It scared me, and I didn’t know how to deal with it. I tried my best to manage my emotions while balancing school and living on my own. Things snowballed, and when I started struggling in my classes, I felt a sense of hopelessness, not enthusiasm, for the future.
I had a teacher whom I constantly let down, in my own eyes, by being late to her class. One of our assignments was a behavior change project, in which we had to identify areas we wanted to change. Of course, I chose tardiness. As I was very transparent in my project, she saw that I needed help. My lateness stemmed from this depression. She suggested counseling. This changed my trajectory.
It was hard to feel like I had to figure things out on my own while I was away at school. I put all of this responsibility upon myself because I felt like that was what I was supposed to do as an adult. If I were to talk to myself now, looking back, I would share this verse from Matthew: “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light’” (Matthew 11:28-30).
We all face difficult times, and when we do, we need help. We can’t do it on our own. I was ashamed of my depression and tried to hide it, but what I should have done was reach out to those around me.
I look back on this season many times and still feel the sting of how hard things were. I don’t always see where God was in that time, but I know He was always there. I was never alone, despite my feelings.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When I reflect upon that time, I know that God was with me in my sorrow. I think of how the word 'compassion' means 'to suffer with.' Jesus set the example of what that is. When His friend, Lazarus, died, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). He experienced sorrow alongside Mary and Martha, who were grieving. God promises us in His Word that He will be with us when we are suffering. In Psalms, David says, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18).
Another way I know God was with me was through the help of those around me. During that time of depression, I wanted to help a member of my church. Though I tried, I was in way over my head. Both a friend and the local church stepped in and provided the help I wanted to give this woman. It blessed me so much that they would carry that burden with me. In Galatians, it says, “Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith” (Galatians 6:10). Not only do I see how God worked through the support of my friends, I see Him, most evidently, through the teacher who suggested that I get help from our school’s counseling center.
Despite how I felt that year, I know that God’s hand was on my life. Through counseling, He provided help and a way out of the depression. I had hope again and could see light. In the darkness of seasons like this, it’s tough to see how you’ll get to the other side—but God knows. God also provided by surrounding me with friends that year. Though I never shared about my struggles with them, I was held in love by my Father. Psalms says, “But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love” (Psalm 33:18).
Is there a season in your life that has been difficult? Has it been hard to see God, where He is, and what He is doing? I want to share this verse with you: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalm 56:8). God sees everything that you’ve gone through, and He’s with you. He will take care of you.
Further Reading:
Psalm 37
Psalm 40:1-3
Jeremiah 29:11
Psalm 139
Psalm 121
Hebrews 13:5
Psalm 46:1
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, it’s fitting to reflect on the biblical perspective of leadership. Daniel 2:21 reminds us that God “changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Every president, past and present, serves under God’s sovereign hand. Recognizing their achievements, especially those guided by faith, is a way to honor God’s provision for our nation.
Intersecting Faith & Life
- How can we honor God by recognizing the positive impact of leaders He places in office?
- In what ways can you personally pray for national leaders and their decisions?
- Reflect on moments in American history where prayer and faith intersected with leadership—how can this inspire your own spiritual practice?
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Honoring Our Nation's Presidents
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” - Daniel 2:21
What does it take to be President of the United States of America? As our nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, we probably have a wide variety of thoughts and answers to this question.
Still, throughout history, many men of various backgrounds, political leanings, religious beliefs, and stature have served as the President of the United States.
Although we hold elections in the United States, we don’t want to ignore what Daniel explains: that God has a hand in who comes into leadership in our nation and that we really are not the ones in control.
As we commemorate yet another President’s Day, it’s biblical to set time aside to honor the many men who have held the office, regardless of our political leanings.
Being the President of the United States of America takes bravery and fortitude, as it comes with serious caution and risks to both the sitting president’s life and career. In Prayersand Presidents, author and historian William J. Federer presents statistics on the danger that being President holds:
“Not every United States President left the White House on his own accord, with some dying in office and others murdered while serving. Four Presidents left office due to assassination, with the most famous and well-known account being that of the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, and the 35th President, John F. Kennedy.
Along with them, lesser-recognized presidents were murdered while in office, including 20th President, James A. Garfield, and 25th President, William McKinley.
As well, 40th President Ronald Reagan and soon-to-be re-elected Donald J. Trump survived assassination attempts on their lives. Reagan, while in office, and Trum,p while on the presidential campaign trail before taking office in his second nonconsecutive term as our 47th President at 78 years old.”
Regardless of the risks, from the very beginning of our nation’s birth, prayer has been recognized and encouraged by many of our Presidents, including our very first President, George Washington, who carried a well-worn pocket-sized edition of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.
Providence Forum executive director Dr. Jerry Newcombe describes how General Washington, during the Revolutionary War, felt the odds of winning were too great against us, so on July 4th, 1775—a year before independence—he sent the following order to his troops: “He requires and expects of all officers and soldiers, not engaged in actual duty, a punctual attendance on Divine service, to implore the blessing of Heaven upon the means used for our safety and defense.’"
Some doubt God’s hand in America’s history and on America’s leaders. But Proverbs 21:1 reveals that, “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that He channels toward all who please Him.”
As well, Proverbs 8:15 reassures us that God has a hand in who reigns and rules on earth: “By Me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just.”
God receives glory for directing ways presidents have honored Him, such as the 33rd President, Harry S. Truman, who initiated the National Day of Prayer as an annual observance in 1952, stating: “In times of national crisis when we are striving to strengthen the foundations of peace… we stand in special need of Divine support.”
In April 1970, President Richard M. Nixon urged Americans to pray for the Apollo 13 astronauts who were in crisis. As well, after their safe return, he set aside Sunday, April 19, 1970, as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.
President Ronald Reagan established the National Day of Prayer on May 5, 1988, to be commemorated each year on the first Thursday in May, saying: “Americans in every generation have turned to their Maker in prayer… We have acknowledged… our dependence on Almighty God.”Following the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina, our 43rd President, George W. Bush, declared Days of Prayer.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
We are honoring God when we honor His accomplishments achieved through the leaders He places into office as our presidents. By recognizing their godly accomplishments, we are expressing gratitude and glorifying God for His just decrees.
Further Reading:
Seeing God’s Hand in America’s Freedom
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Around Valentine’s Day, the world celebrates romantic love—but it can’t satisfy our deepest hearts. 1 John 4:19 reminds us that true love begins with God: “We love because He first loved us.” When we make romantic relationships the ultimate priority, we risk putting God on the back burner. The Bible calls us to love God above all else, cultivating a heart that reflects His love first—because only then can we truly love others.
Intersecting Faith & Life
- What is your focus this Valentine’s Day—God’s love or romantic pursuit?
- How can you cultivate your love for God first, so that all other relationships are strengthened?
- Take time today to ask God to center your heart on Him, letting His love overflow into your interactions with others.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
God Is All We Need
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Earlier this year, I saw an illustration on Instagram of two women shopping in a store. One woman had overloaded her shopping cart with everything from cosmetics to jewelry. These were in the form of large, white boxes with the labels of worldly possessions on each box. She was looking at a woman walking beside her, carrying just one medium-sized box in her hands and walking with ease. The label on the box only had three letters that said, “God.”
The woman with all the boxes in her cart labeled with words that symbolized every material possession we can chase after in this life on Earth, asked the other woman, “Is that all you need?” The woman smiled sweetly and said simply, “Yes.”
This illustration reminded me of a real-life story that happened to me many years ago. A ministry leader at a church I attended gave everyone there a free, new Bible and told us to give it away to someone who needs it. I kept the Bible in my car and prayed for the perfect opportunity to share it with someone. One day, God answered my prayer as I sat in the driver’s seat of my car at a stoplight.
I noticed a woman dressed in plain clothes who was standing on the median in the road by the stoplight, begging for money. I didn’t have any cash to give her, but I remembered I had a Bible. What better gift? So, I rolled down my window and waved until she saw me and walked over to my car.
When I gave the Bible to her, she flipped through the pages with a wide smile, then looked at me and said with great enthusiasm, “If we have Jesus, we have everything! If we don’t have Jesus, we have nothing!” I said, “Amen!” Then drove away because the traffic light had turned green.
Years later, I reflected on that memory and the truth of her simple yet profound statement. This caused me to reflect on my personal values and outlook on life. What was I chasing after? Worldly wealth so I could afford all my material needs, stability in the workforce with a job that’s fulfilling and purposeful, relationships, friendships…the list goes on. This reminds me of a quote I saw online that said something like, “If we chase Jesus as much as we chase people, then maybe He would give us people we don’t need to chase.” I found the same to be true when it comes to seeking Jesus Christ instead of worldly desires.
The Bible says in Matthew 6:33 (NLT), “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” I’m learning to apply this verse to my daily living. It’s important to not just read the Bible and study it but to apply the advice written within it. When it comes to seeking God and His Kingdom first, I am doing that by starting my day with Him in Bible study and prayer, then continuing the conversation with God as I move through my day. You don’t have to pray to Him out loud. You can whisper a prayer or stay silent as you converse with God privately in your head. You don’t have to literally pray every second, 24/7, 365, but the point is for us to involve God in our day and make time for Him, just like we would for a best friend or family member whom we love.
The older I become, the more I see how true it is that when we have Jesus, we have everything we need, but without Him, we have nothing. Think about it: There are people who have great financial wealth but are dying on the inside. They need a Savior because no amount of money can save you. There are popular people who are influential and famous yet feel empty because they’ve found that fame can never satisfy this deep hunger in their souls. Whether they know it or not, only Jesus Christ can quench their thirst and satisfy their hunger.
While he was living on Earth, Blaise Pascal said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man, which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” As we go through this new year and the rest of our lives, let’s seek God first before everything and everyone else, then experience how He completes us.
Before you go, please listen to these four songs for reflection:
Song of Reflection #1: “You’re All I Need” by Hezekiah Walker. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #2: “God Is” by Rev. James Cleveland. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #3: “First Things First” by Consumed by Fire. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #4: “You’ll Never Thirst” by Anointed. Listen to it HERE.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does it feel to know God is all you need?
Further Reading:
Psalm 16:5
Psalm 20:6-7
2 Peter 1:3
2 Corinthians 9:8
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Some days, life feels like running on empty—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The to-do list never ends, responsibilities pile up, and hardships can feel overwhelming. But God’s love is not conditional on our strength. In Deuteronomy 1:31, Moses reminds the Israelites that God carried them through the wilderness “as a man carries his son.” This is a love that sustains, strengthens, and carries us through every season of life—from uncertainty to aging, from struggle to triumph.
Intersecting Faith & Life
- Where have you tried to carry burdens God never intended for you to bear alone?
- How might you surrender those weights to Christ and rest in His sustaining love?
- Take a moment today to thank God for His constant presence and ask Him to carry the areas where you feel weak or depleted.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
The Kind of Love That Carries YouBy Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
And you saw in the wilderness how the Lord your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place. - Deuteronomy 1:31 (CSB)
My car flashed the empty light. I was almost out of gas. My heart sighed. The to-do list for the day felt never-ending. Life was really hard for our family. During seasons of busyness, I find myself running like a car on an empty tank of gas. Hardships faced everyone.
Maybe you are facing sickness, loneliness, grief, fear, or even depression today. How do we continue to hold everything together when we run out of energy?
The beautiful truth of the Bible is that we do not keep running and running by ourselves. Spiritually, emotionally, and even physically, we are not asked to endure everything on our own. We are not alone. God’s love comes with a promise.
In the Book of Deuteronomy, we read some of Moses’ last words to the people. Before recounting the laws and telling them how to live, Moses reminded them of God’s love for them: “And you saw in the wilderness how the Lord your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place” (Deuteronomy 1:31 CSB).
Good fathers carry their sons because of their love for them. Sometimes human fathers fail. Maybe you didn’t have a good father. Friend, if you are a Christian, God is your Father. This imagery is woven throughout the entire Bible.
A good father will care for and love his son. I can remember my husband carrying each of our children up the stairs to bed every night when they were young. This type of carrying we see here is one of deep and lasting love. Notice that God carried the people in the wilderness, along a very uncertain road. No matter what they faced, famine, thirst, and enemies, God carried them each and every step.
You and I have the comfort that God, as our Father, will carry us through life. God isn’t just there for guidance; He lifts us up and bears the weight of this life with us. When life gets too heavy, God carries us like a Father.
Not only does God’s love carry us now, it also does so throughout our entire lives. The prophet Isaiah warns the people against running to their idols for safety. He says:
I [God] will be the same until your old age,and I will bear you up when you turn gray.I have made you, and I will carry you;I will bear and rescue you. - Isaiah 46:4 (CSB)
Notice the time span. From birth… to old age… to gray hairs. The older I get, the more I realize that my strength from twenty years ago just isn’t the same now that I’m in my forties. It doesn’t matter what our physical bodies are capable of; God’s love is a love that lasts throughout our whole life!
God tells the Israelites, “I have made you and carried you.” No matter what happens, God will bear us up and rescue us. God’s love is not seasonal or situational. It does not withdraw as we age. It never weakens or changes. The one who created us commits Himself to carry us all the way through our lives.
The idea of God carrying us is not just in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, we see this repeated as well. One of the most powerful examples of this is found in the book of Colossians. Paul says that Christ is not just our Savior, but our sustainer: “For in him [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17 CSB).
Notice the phrase, “in him all things hold together.” Jesus Christ is the reason the universe is still running! Christ is beside God on the throne in Heaven, keeping our world going. He carries all of creation, but that also means you and me!
All things include you, me, and the details of our lives. The power Christ has to sustain us is beyond our ability to understand. We can rest, you and I, today, that God’s love carries us personally, patiently, and powerfully!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Where might you have been trying to carry burdens God never intended you to bear alone? I want to encourage you today that God’s love does not demand strength from us; it supplies it. You are not held together by your own effort - but by Christ!
Further Reading:Psalm 68:19
Psalm 55:22
Matthew 11:28-30
Hebrews 13:5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you feel like you’re running on empty—physically, emotionally, or spiritually? Life’s challenges can leave us depleted, but God’s love is designed to carry us through every season. In Deuteronomy 1:31, Moses reminds the Israelites that God carried them through the wilderness “as a man carries his son.” This isn’t a fleeting support—it’s a lifelong, sustaining love that holds us steady when we can’t hold ourselves.
Intersecting Faith & Life
- Are there areas of your life where you’ve been trying to carry burdens alone?
- How might you invite God to carry what has been too heavy for you?
- Take a moment to rest in the assurance that Christ holds the details of your life, sustaining you with His love.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
The Kind of Love That Carries YouBy Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
And you saw in the wilderness how the Lord your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place. - Deuteronomy 1:31 (CSB)
My car flashed the empty light. I was almost out of gas. My heart sighed. The to-do list for the day felt never-ending. Life was really hard for our family. During seasons of busyness, I find myself running like a car on an empty tank of gas. Hardships faced everyone.
Maybe you are facing sickness, loneliness, grief, fear, or even depression today. How do we continue to hold everything together when we run out of energy?
The beautiful truth of the Bible is that we do not keep running and running by ourselves. Spiritually, emotionally, and even physically, we are not asked to endure everything on our own. We are not alone. God’s love comes with a promise.
In the Book of Deuteronomy, we read some of Moses’ last words to the people. Before recounting the laws and telling them how to live, Moses reminded them of God’s love for them: “And you saw in the wilderness how the Lord your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place” (Deuteronomy 1:31 CSB).
Good fathers carry their sons because of their love for them. Sometimes human fathers fail. Maybe you didn’t have a good father. Friend, if you are a Christian, God is your Father. This imagery is woven throughout the entire Bible.
A good father will care for and love his son. I can remember my husband carrying each of our children up the stairs to bed every night when they were young. This type of carrying we see here is one of deep and lasting love. Notice that God carried the people in the wilderness, along a very uncertain road. No matter what they faced, famine, thirst, and enemies, God carried them each and every step.
You and I have the comfort that God, as our Father, will carry us through life. God isn’t just there for guidance; He lifts us up and bears the weight of this life with us. When life gets too heavy, God carries us like a Father.
Not only does God’s love carry us now, it also does so throughout our entire lives. The prophet Isaiah warns the people against running to their idols for safety. He says:
I [God] will be the same until your old age,and I will bear you up when you turn gray.I have made you, and I will carry you;I will bear and rescue you. - Isaiah 46:4 (CSB)
Notice the time span. From birth… to old age… to gray hairs. The older I get, the more I realize that my strength from twenty years ago just isn’t the same now that I’m in my forties. It doesn’t matter what our physical bodies are capable of; God’s love is a love that lasts throughout our whole life!
God tells the Israelites, “I have made you and carried you.” No matter what happens, God will bear us up and rescue us. God’s love is not seasonal or situational. It does not withdraw as we age. It never weakens or changes. The one who created us commits Himself to carry us all the way through our lives.
The idea of God carrying us is not just in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, we see this repeated as well. One of the most powerful examples of this is found in the book of Colossians. Paul says that Christ is not just our Savior, but our sustainer: “For in him [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17 CSB).
Notice the phrase, “in him all things hold together.” Jesus Christ is the reason the universe is still running! Christ is beside God on the throne in Heaven, keeping our world going. He carries all of creation, but that also means you and me!
All things include you, me, and the details of our lives. The power Christ has to sustain us is beyond our ability to understand. We can rest, you and I, today, that God’s love carries us personally, patiently, and powerfully!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Where might you have been trying to carry burdens God never intended you to bear alone? I want to encourage you today that God’s love does not demand strength from us; it supplies it. You are not held together by your own effort - but by Christ!
Further Reading:Psalm 68:19
Psalm 55:22
Matthew 11:28-30
Hebrews 13:5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever felt too far gone for God to forgive or love you again? The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:20 reminds us that no matter how far we stray, God’s love never wavers. Before the son could even speak a word of repentance, his father ran to meet him, embraced him, and celebrated his return. This story isn’t primarily about the rebellious child—it’s about a loving Father whose compassion and patience are relentless.
Intersecting Faith & Life
- How might you respond differently if you fully trusted that God’s love never wavers?
- Are there areas of your heart where you’ve kept the door closed to Him?
- What steps can you take today to run toward God and receive His compassionate embrace?
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Unwavering Love
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“When he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20 NASB)
Do you ever feel that you have disappointed God too much for Him to give you another chance? Do you fear returning to Him because of the places you’ve been or the things you’ve done?
Jesus told a moving story in Luke 15 about God’s tender forgiveness toward His loved ones when they go astray. We call it the story of the Prodigal Son. The word prodigal literally means one who spends money in a reckless, extravagant way. In this story, a younger son asked his father for his inheritance early. (In Jewish custom, that would be the equivalent of telling his father he wished he were dead.) He then took his share of what was still legally his father’s, and went to a faraway land and squandered his entire inheritance on foolish, reckless, raunchy living. He was living high on the hog, rich with money and “friends,” until he found himself sleeping with the pigs, penniless and alone. Starving, and upon realizing he was envying the pigs for the slop they got to eat, he decided to return home and ask if he could be his father’s hired hand. Then at least he’d be fed better than pigs and have a place to sleep among his father’s servants.
It must have been a long, grueling journey home for this man, who by this time was smelly, scrawny, and had been homeless for quite some time. A long walk home without food, water, proper clothing, or even good shoes only increased his shame and humiliation. Perhaps he had a speech prepared, an admission of his wrongdoing, a pleading for his father to consider taking him in as a servant. Or, maybe he just intended to fall in shame, at his father’s feet, and beg to even be heard. But before he could utter a word, his father surprised, shocked, and overwhelmed him with the unexpected greeting he received.
His father’s pride was at stake with the return of a son whom he should consider dead to him. How he reacted would set an example to other Jewish families when their rebellious sons acted with such disrespect and contempt. Yet this father, upon seeing from a distance that the scraggly man making his way up the road was not some homeless derelict or demon-possessed wanderer, but his long-lost son, picked up the ends of his robe and ran to meet him. Before the shamed son could even utter a word to express the humiliation in his heart, his father embraced him, held onto him like there was no tomorrow, and then ordered his servants to give his son a robe (representing his position as “sonship”) and a ring (indicating his authority once again as an estate holder). The father then ordered that plans be made to celebrate the homecoming of his wayward son. They literally threw a party.
This son, who was once thought dead, was now alive. He had returned home. There was no punishment. No lecture, no shaming, no rebuke, and no harsh words. Just grace. Forgiveness. Abundant love.
I used to think this story was about the warning to not rebel, the consequences of disobedience, and the importance of repentance. But the story isn’t so much about the rebellious child, but about the patient, persevering, forgiving love of a father—the one who wouldn’t think for a second to relegate his child from heir to servant. His child’s position in the family didn’t change through disrespectful actions or heinous circumstances. Only the son’s heart had originally changed—and become calloused—toward his father. His father’s love for him, however, had never wavered.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you realize that no matter what you and I do, we can’t “undo” God’s love for us? We can’t position ourselves out of our inheritance in Christ. We can’t disappoint Him to the point that He cancels us, or unfriends us, or relegates us to “outside-the-house” status and lets us visit once or twice a year at Easter or Christmas. The door to His home is always open. In fact, it never closes to us, once we’ve been allowed in to dwell with Him. Our door is the one we shut—the door to our hearts that causes Him to stand and knock and ask to come in (Revelation 3:20).
Is the door of your heart constantly open to this Compassionate Father? If you’ve been gone a while, would you simply return to Him and dwell with Him continually? His invitation to you has never expired, His patience has never worn thin, His love has never run dry. Be the one who runs to Him and experiences His loving embrace.
Lord Jesus, You have never allowed me to be a stranger to You; may You never be a neglected guest in my heart and home. Thank You for being the Father to whom I can run, ever trust, always love.
Further Reading:
Luke 15:11-32
Jeremiah 31:3
For more on growing closer to your loving heavenly Father, see my book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
It’s easy to notice God’s love on monumental days, but what about the quiet, repetitive moments of life? From dishes to diaper changes, the daily grind can feel invisible—but God’s love never is. Psalm 136:1 reminds us that His love endures forever, not just on the big days, but in the ordinary ones too.
Intersecting Faith & Life
- How can you notice God’s love in the ordinary moments of your day?
- What daily routines might become opportunities to experience His presence more deeply?
- How can small reminders—nature, relationships, or Scripture—help you thank God for His enduring love?
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Love in the Ordinary PlacesBy Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” - Psalm 136:1
No one saw me most days. After my first child was born, I quit my teaching job and decided to stay home. Within four-and-a-half years, I had three little ones. Raising children at home is still a lot of work, but many days I wondered if anyone noticed all of the little, ordinary things I did.
Things like the dishes, planning meals, cleaning up toys, and the endless piles of laundry. As a young college girl, I had dreamed of doing great things for God, but I also wanted motherhood. Could motherhood be grand and glorious? During that season, I leaned into the idea that the ordinary, everyday moments could be glorious.
Within the regular rhythms of my life, I began to seek God in His word. I took online classes on how to study the Bible, even earning a degree. As I raised my children, loving them in the daily routine of life, I began to also see that God’s love for me was the same.
In order for God to love me more, I thought maybe I had to do more. Instead, God’s love meets us right where we are - in the quiet, ordinary, everyday life. In a way, God has shown His love in the most extraordinary way—through the cross. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven have sealed our eternity and given us new lives and purposes here on earth. It is truly a magnificent source of comfort when we think about this powerful example of God’s love.
But when life feels quiet, repetitive, or unremarkable, we may wonder, “Where is God’s love now?” In Psalm 23:6, David says that God’s loving mercy will follow him “all the days of my life.” Not just the grand days, but the daily grind as well. Not just the milestones, but the quiet mornings filled with routine. During our responsibilities and routines, God’s love quietly and completely follows us.
The word “follow” suggests activity, not passivity. God’s love is present, and it pursues us! Psalm 55 reminds us that no one seeks God, but God seeks us! His love also follows close by us. It is not a distant love or occasional love. It walks with us, holds our hand, and never leaves.
The idea of God’s love walking with us is found in other Bible verses as well. In Micah 6:8, we read, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” God is calling everyone to walk with Him, in His love! The Bible often describes faith not as a leap, but as a walk. As we walk with God and in His love, we are constantly moving, changing, and going.
God’s love consistency shows us for us - no matter the season or life circumstance. You can’t walk through anything in this life without God’s love. Step by step, day by day, God’s love can be experienced over and over again.
Psalm 136:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” God’s love is enduring. Forever!
As a new mom, I would always have to refill my children’s juice cups. Over time, I realized that my spiritual cup was constantly running dry as well. It was during those moments when I felt weak, tired, and empty that I needed God’s love to fill me up! His love has no end. Unlike human love, which can grow tired or fade under pressure, God’s love is full and everlasting.
God’s love is available on days we feel empty and have nothing to give. When sorrow fills our hearts, we can run to the God of love.
You and I can come to God on ordinary days, weary days, and dark days. All of God’s love is always available. Each day gives us a fresh reminder of His love for us. We are not asked to endure our sorrow with yesterday's strength or tomorrow’s hope; God’s love supplies what we need for today.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Our lives are filled with mundane moments. How can you remember God’s love each day? It is often a quiet, soft love. Look for moments like a beautiful sky or the bright sunshine. Maybe you have a pet or a friend who is constantly checking in on you. Let those reminders be there to help you thank God for His love for you. Scripture is a great place to be reminded of God’s love. Take the additional reading section and read a few verses each day this week to help yourself be reminded of God’s extraordinary love in the ordinary moments.
Further Reading:Deuteronomy 33:12
Psalm 90:14
Isaiah 46:4
John 1:16
Romans 8:38-39
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Judging others can feel instinctive—especially when we think we see someone’s motives clearly. Yet Scripture reminds us that our focus on others often reveals what’s in our own hearts. Matthew 7:3 challenges us to examine ourselves before pointing out the faults of others. This devotional explores how a critical spirit can be transformed into a heart of blessing, freeing us to walk in purity and God’s favor.
Intersecting Faith & Life
Reflect on these questions:
- When do you find yourself judging or critiquing others?
- How might God want you to adjust your heart and your perspective?
- What would it look like to bless someone who frustrates or challenges you?
- How can letting go of control over others’ actions deepen your relationship with God?
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
One Tip to Break a Critical SpiritBy Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" – Matthew 7:3 NIV
Who does she think she is? She is only on social media because she wants people to see her, not because she really cares about anyone or Jesus... She's really in it for herself, and she wants everyone online to know—where she's traveling, what she is doing, how she is looking.
My mind started to go down this critical thinking track again. That is—until I stopped—and then I hung my head down in shame.
The hard truth is—I have judged so many. I have sized up people's intent online. I have sized up and surmised people's wrong motives. I made judgments about people's hearts that only God can know. I have hardened my heart towards people who are even doing the will of God... by deciding they are doing it for attention, for public perception, or for their own recognition.
I hung my head down, saying, "God, what do I know?"
Only God knows.
And what I am judging is what I am walking in. Meaning, I think it is about them, but what I am seeing is actually about me. It is worth taking a second to consider.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matt. 7:3)
If I spot it, I likely got it.
When push comes to shove, or when truth comes to light—I am doing what I am judging. I am seeking attention. I sometimes do things so others can see me. I have wrong motives.
No wonder God has shut doors on me; in His grace and love, He wants me to see rightly, so I can then move powerfully with a pure heart. In His saying no, He has created a special room for me to examine my heart. I also see that as I rectify my heart, there is great hope for big, yes opportunities from God.
The truth is, other people's motives are not my issue. My motive is.
What they do is none of my business.
Now I can see that I have been wrong. Dead wrong. But now I turn back to Christ. As I repent of this critical spirit and my wrong motives, they are removed as far as the East is from the West (Ps. 103:12).
Here, I can do a new thing to defeat this critical spirit: I can bless rather than distress others...
What does this look like?
It looks like:
- Noticing when I am criticizing.
- Stopping that mental track.
- Ditching making them my business.
- Praying a blessing over them instead.
Essentially, I can stop, bless, and then progress onward. Their motives are not my business. Me, keeping a pure heart? That's the business I am to be about.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When do you find yourself judging or critiquing people? How might God want you to adjust course? What would it look like for you to bless those who curse you? What would it look like for you to let go of things or people you cannot control?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling trapped by life’s circumstances is a struggle many of us know all too well—whether in jobs, relationships, health, or transitions between seasons. Yet Scripture shows us that God’s boundaries are not limitations, but instruments of His perfect plan. Drawing from Psalm 16:6 and the story of Joseph in Genesis 50, this devotional reminds us that what may feel like confinement can actually be a pathway to blessing, favor, and growth.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Held Within His Boundaries
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” - Psalm 16:6 (NIV)
Do you feel confined by your circumstances? Perhaps you are stuck in a job you dislike, or you can’t wait to move out of your home, town, or region. Maybe you are longing for a change within a relationship or the transition from one season of life to another. Or perhaps you are struggling with physical limitations or health challenges. Whatever your unique circumstances may be, none of us likes to feel limited. We believe “the world is our oyster” and we should have full access to all it has to offer. However, the Bible suggests a much different narrative.
Throughout the Word, we see example after example of God’s people confined within boundaries. The Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years, then, generations later, were exiled to Babylon. David was forced into hiding to avoid the pursuit of Saul. Tamar and Leah were “trapped” in what appeared to be loveless marriages. Paul and many of the disciples were imprisoned for their faith. New Testament or Old, there have been multitudes of followers who have struggled to see how God was working for good within the boundaries He set for them.
The story of Joseph is one illustration that I have personally looked to when wrestling with my own constrictive circumstances. Joseph was the second youngest son of the patriarch Jacob. He was incredibly talented and favored by his father. During his youth, Joseph had two dreams that foretold he would be in a position of authority over his family in the future. It appeared to be a glorious prospect. However, the reality looked nothing like he imagined.
Shortly after Joseph shared his prophetic vision, his brothers sold him into slavery. Once carried off from his home country, Joseph spent over a decade enslaved and imprisoned. He endured persecution, mistreatment, and was reduced to the humblest of circumstances. There was no escape outside of God’s timely release and restoration. I would imagine there were moments when Joseph really grappled with his undesirable confinement and questioned how God was at work in any of it.
Yet, on the other side of the story, we can see God was indeed working behind the scenes. Joseph was eventually released from prison and became a significant leader in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. His elite role positioned him to save his family from starvation during a devastating famine. Had Joseph not been forced into those unwanted circumstances, he would not have been able to rescue his family and the generational line of the Israelite people. Even further, the man Joseph became as a result of his confinement was a miracle in itself. His once haughty heart was transformed into a spirit of endless mercy and grace. When Joseph is later reconciled to his brothers, he offers compassion rather than spite.
“His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘We are your slaves,’ they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” - Gen. 50:18-20 (NIV).
What looked like imprisonment was actually favor and redemption. There are times when God draws boundaries around each of our lives. But the truth is, those boundaries are for our good. Even if it feels uncomfortable or frustrating, know that the Lord is ordaining your steps. You are in His hands. There are riches and blessings in whatever season you find yourself in today.
“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” - Ps. 16:6 (NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you feel like you are stuck or confined by a specific circumstance or season of life? If so, does looking at examples from scripture help you understand how God uses seasons of perceived confinement to grant us good gifts? Why or why not? Take some time today to reflect on past moments when you felt as if your circumstances would never change, yet ultimately a transition arrived. Then consider how those periods shaped who you are today. How can you see the fingerprints of the Lord through these past experiences?
Further Reading:
Psalm 16
Genesis 39
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Staying spiritually alert matters more than ever in a world where temptation rarely looks dangerous at first glance. This Crosswalk Devotional, Keeping Your Mind on Guard by Aaron D’Anthony Brown, centers on 1 Peter 5:8 and offers a sobering reminder that spiritual battles are often subtle, internal, and persistent. Scripture calls believers to stay clear-minded and watchful because the enemy works quietly, appealing to our weaknesses rather than announcing his presence.
Highlights
- The Bible emphasizes spiritual alertness over fear-based imagery
- Sin often entices quietly, masking long-term consequences
- Staying in God’s Word sharpens discernment and clarity
- Community helps redirect us when we drift off course
- Healthy relationships influence spiritual resilience
- Mindfulness and self-examination reveal hidden struggles
- God’s grace meets us when we turn back in awareness and humility
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Keeping Your Mind on Guard
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading:
“Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, CSB)
People often imagine the Devil as a goat-like beast that strikes fear into the hearts of men. However, such renditions of Satan are the result of human creativity, how we think of him. On the contrary, Scripture doesn’t actually give us any physical description. We only know certain characteristics, such as his evil nature, pride, and deceitfulness.
If Satan looked anything like how he is often depicted in popular literature and movies, wouldn’t people run in the opposite direction? Christian or not, that’s just plain scary. Yet, I think we can agree that the Devil is active in our world today. Very active. That means if he is to be successful, he has to be subtle. Such is the nature of sin. Sin is enticing because the consequences don’t speak as loudly as the supposed benefits.
Thus, the Devil lures us in, and we fall for the trap. Now, perhaps we blame him for things that we ourselves commit willingly, due to our own flawed nature. However, I don’t think the Devil is off somewhere chilling and relaxing. He’s acting against us as we ourselves do the same.
Therefore, as Christians, we need to remember an important lesson as we go about our lives - keeping our minds on guard.
Whether we’re in a good season of life or a difficult one, there’s always the potential of being pulled away from God. We don’t always recognize the sin in our lives, but it’s there. So, how exactly do we guard our minds against the wiles of the Devil and the tempting nature of sin?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Here are a few steps you can take today to guard against the sin that creeps so easily into our lives.
Be in the Word.
Someone recently told me that he’s confident in his prayers because he always gets what he prays for. What I also know is this man is not reading the Bible at all. As a result, he’s left with who he imagines God to be instead of who God is. That could be true of any of us who call ourselves Christians, but don’t follow God’s tenets. How can we know what He expects of us if we don’t know Him? Moreover, how can we know how to stand against sin if we don’t first turn to God?
Yes, we can learn from the people around us, but they are sinners just like us. Their knowledge and wisdom are finite. Not God’s. And we know what is holy not because of them, but because He is holy.
Be in community.
There’s much to gain when we keep good company. Fellow believers have the ability to help us get back on track when we veer off course. They remind us of our worth to God and how to walk in wisdom. However, they can’t offer any of these gains if we don’t keep them around. That’s why the Bible encourages us to be mindful of who we keep around us. Everyone in our lives, especially those we engage with regularly, influences us. Let’s make sure they are influencing us for good, and that we, in turn, are doing the same. The better our company, the less we will fall into sin.
Be mindful.
Introspection is an underrated and underutilized practice. To identify sin, we must first recognize it. However, so many of us are constantly on the go, and we don’t take time to figure out how to improve ourselves. We don’t know when to rest, or when to invest more into a relationship, or when we have developed a bad habit. We can see it in others, but not ourselves. All because we’re not taking the time to think.
Consider journaling, sitting in silence without distractions, and even praying that God will help you become more mindful. As mentioned in the introduction, we don’t always recognize the sin in our lives, but it’s there. And when we find it, we should respond accordingly by turning to God and His saving grace.
Further Reading:
1 Peter 5:8
Ephesians 6:10-12
Genesis 1:5
2 Corinthians 11:14
Romans 12:2
Proverbs 13:20
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Fear doesn’t disappear because life gets easier—it loosens its grip when we learn to rest in a love that cannot be taken away. This Crosswalk Devotional, Held by a Love Stronger Than Fear by Sarah Frazer, centers on 1 John 4:17–18 and reveals how God’s perfect, unconditional love drives out fear at its root. For anyone shaped by fragile or conditional relationships, this devotion offers reassurance that God’s love is steady, secure, and permanent.
Highlights
- God’s love is not fragile, conditional, or temporary
- Perfect love drives out fear rooted in punishment and loss
- God’s love can be known and fully relied upon
- Fear grows when we doubt the security of God’s love
- Confidence replaces anxiety when we rest in who God is
- God’s love is part of His unchanging nature
- We are held by a love stronger than rejection, doubt, and fear
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Held by a Love Stronger Than FearBy Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. - 1 John 4:17-18
Many of us carry a fear we rarely name: the fear that love can leave. The only love we see is often a love that is distant and disappointing. For me, sometimes love feels fragile. That’s because the love we often experience is a conditional love. It is a love that depends on how we act, perform, or even our moods.
How many relationships have been broken and lost because love was withdrawn, withheld, or just abandoned? Human relationships are indeed fragile, weak, and easily broken. Even if we experience a love that lasts, we still distrust the true kind of love we see in the Bible. Friend, God’s love is not fragile.
The apostle John gives us a picture of God’s love here. He says, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world, we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:16-18
The book of 1 John was a letter written to Christians in the first century. The new church was experiencing intense persecution and suffering. When we face hardships, we question God’s love for us. John spends so much time in this letter explaining God’s love to them, so they would rest in a love that was strong, eternal, and not rooted in fear.
John uses the word know here. We do not guess or hope in God’s love. We can know it! We also rely on it. This word means to rest our entire weight on it. We can sit down, rest, and be confident in this type of love.
Human love can waver, disappear, or get lost. Fear grips our hearts when we think about the loves that have left. Whether by death or choice, human love will always be vulnerable. Only God loves us fully, completely, and without condition. God’s love is something we are invited here, in John’s letter, to depend upon!
John also says that “God is love.” That means that God is more than just loving, but His very nature is one of love. What makes God who He is has to include love. There is a permanence here. His love cannot leave because it is woven into the fabric of who He is. God would not be God unless He loved us. That means that this love is never revoked; nor is it ever threatened by our weakness, doubt, or fear.
Fear grows when we lose sight of God’s love for us. If we continually see our inadequacies as a measure of God’s love for us, we will always fear. We will always be afraid that we will lose God’s love. But when we begin to see how secure God’s love for us is - that’s when fear begins to shrink! Fear is tied to punishment and loss.
In 1 John 4:17-18, he makes it clear that love has “made us complete.” This type of love leads to confidence, not anxiety. Fear whispers: What if I lose love? God’s love answers: You are held. This is the power of God’s love over fear. We are held by a love that is stronger than fear.
I’ll admit, fear feels very strong in my life. It seems to start small, but then grow if I allow the worries and doubts to take over my mind. If I ever encounter a love that is uncertain, or when I face the sting of rejection by someone else, I have to guard against fear. Fear likes to settle into our hearts. If we allow that to happen, we lose sight of God’s love and begin to guard ourselves away.
John reminds us that as Christians, we are shaped by a love that is beyond all fear. As we learn to rest in the love God offers us, we can feel our fears give way to faith. We can find ourselves confident, grounded, in a love that is steady, secure, and strong enough to hold us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Our experiences with people often shape how we expect love to behave. If love has been inconsistent or even withheld, fear can quickly influence the way we relate to God as well. But God’s love is something we can rely on. How have your past or present relationships shaped the way you expect love to behave? In what area of your life might God be inviting you to replace fear-driven striving with deeper reliance on His love?
Further Reading:Psalm 27:1
Isaiah 54:10
John 14:27
Romans 8:15
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s strength is not reserved for elite athletes or extraordinary moments—it’s available for everyday life. This Crosswalk Devotional, God’s Strength Will Empower You by Whitney Hopler, draws from 1 Chronicles 16:11–12 to remind believers that lasting strength comes from continually seeking God’s presence, not relying on limited human ability. Whether facing pressure at work, health challenges, family tension, or personal uncertainty, God’s power meets us right where we are.
Highlights
- God’s strength empowers believers beyond human limits
- Seeking God’s presence should be continual, not crisis-driven
- Spiritual endurance grows through daily dependence on God
- Remembering God’s past faithfulness fuels present faith
- Temporary success never replaces eternal relationship with God
- Our worth is rooted in being God’s beloved children, not performance
- God walks with us through both victories and failures
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Strength Will Empower YouBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered.” - 1 Chronicles 16:11-12, ESV
The 2026 Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina 2026) shine a spotlight on some of the strongest athletes in the world. No matter what sport they compete in, Olympic athletes are constantly seeking strength. Many of them pray for God’s help to be the best they can be, both physically and mentally. That includes help from God for the discipline and endurance they need to practice and compete well.
But you don’t have to be a downhill skier or a figure skater to understand why it’s important to be strong. Whether you’re launching a new project at work, dealing with a challenging health situation, trying to resolve a family conflict, or facing any other stressful situation in this fallen world, you know how much God’s strength can empower you. God’s help is vital to succeeding with whatever you’re trying to do, whether or not you’ll get a gold medal when you win.
In 1 Chronicles 16:11-12, the Bible encourages you to look beyond your own limited power to seek God’s strength, which can empower you without limits. These verses call you to seek God’s presence continually. Instead of just saying a one-time prayer during a crisis, you should notice God’s presence with you throughout your day and check in with God regularly through prayer. When you make a habit of seeking God’s strength, you’ll find the power you need to help you with any kind of situation – even the most challenging situations that seem like they would be impossible to overcome.
These Bible verses also encourage you to remember the wondrous works God has done, like his miracles and judgments. Olympic commentators love to talk about an athlete’s “track record.” They look back at each athlete’s past competition results and other information from the past (like injuries and recoveries) to predict future success. You can do the same with your faith. When you feel overwhelmed by a challenge you’re facing right now, look back on how God has helped you in the past. Think of the times when you’ve already experienced the wonder of God’s work in your life – like when God provided exactly what you needed, or when God empowered you to do something you couldn’t do on your own. The more you remember God’s past faithfulness, the more that will fuel your faith to look for the wonder of God’s work in your life every day and let that evidence inspire you to trust God now.
In this year’s winter Olympics, thousands of athletes will chase gold, silver, and bronze medals. But those prizes are temporary. God’s presence with you is something you can enjoy both now and forever. As you work toward your own goals and pursue your own adventures this year, don’t get so caught up in trying to achieve temporary results that you miss your wonderful Creator and Heavenly Father walking right beside you.
Whether you reach the podium of success or make mistakes that hurt like falling on ice, God will be there with you, empowering you with his strength. You can afford to bravely take big risks to keep learning and growing, just like Olympic athletes do. Your worth doesn’t come from your performance; it comes from your relationship with God as one of his beloved children. So, whatever challenge you’re facing today, seek God and his strength. God is with you, and he’s ready to give you everything you need for the journey ahead.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider why it’s important to seek God and his strength, reflect on these questions:
- If you were training for your current life season like an Olympian, what’s the one area where you most need God’s strength right now?
- How can you seek God’s presence “continually” rather than just when you’re facing a challenge? What will help you remember to ask God for more strength on a regular basis?
- Think of one “wondrous work” or miracle God has done in your past. How does remembering that help you face a fear you have today?
- What’s one way you can celebrate this week to thank God for answering a prayer you prayed in the past? Can you plan to look at old photos that remind you of God’s answer, post about it on social media, or share the story with a friend?
Further Reading:
Isaiah 40:31
Philippians 4:13
Psalm 105:4
Hebrews 12:1
Psalm 77:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When words fail and grief feels overwhelming, God does not leave us alone. This Crosswalk Devotional is rooted in Romans 8:26–27, reminding us that the Holy Spirit actively meets us in our weakness—interceding, comforting, and strengthening us when we don’t know how to pray. For believers walking through loss, anger, exhaustion, or spiritual dryness, this passage offers deep reassurance: God’s Spirit is already at work within us.
Rather than being distant or passive, the Holy Spirit is fully God—our Helper, Comforter, and constant companion. From the moment we place our faith in Christ, He dwells within us, guiding our hearts back toward peace, hope, and renewed strength. Even in seasons of confusion or emotional pain, the Spirit faithfully prays on our behalf according to God’s perfect will.
Highlights
- The Holy Spirit meets believers in moments of weakness
- God understands our prayers even when we cannot find the words
- The Holy Spirit intercedes according to God’s will
- Grief, anger, and doubt do not disqualify us from faith
- The Spirit brings comfort, peace, and renewed strength
- God is always present—especially in seasons of loss
- Believers are never alone in their pain
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Finding Comfort in the Holy SpiritBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).
When I first became a Christian, I had trouble finding peace due to the grief I was experiencing. Living in the aftermath of the death of a loved one changed me, and I began to struggle with anger. Instead of conducting myself with kindness, love, and grace, I often lashed out or said something I would later regret. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take comfort in knowing you are not alone.
This does not mean we are not believers. Rather, it simply means we will face more challenges in growing in our faith. At these times, we need to find comfort in the Holy Spirit.
Sadly, many people, including believers, are unfamiliar with the Holy Spirit. They may even view the Holy Spirit as an inferior person within the Trinity. However, it’s essential to understand that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, which means He is God. The Holy Spirit is an especially important Person in our Christian walk as He is our Helper, Protector, and Comforter (John 14:26). Instead of distancing ourselves from Him, we need to draw closer to Him. This is especially true when we are feeling alone or disconnected from God.
The Holy Spirit is our friend, and He is already living inside of us from the moment we place faith in the Lord (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19). For all eternity, the Holy Spirit will be with us. He can give us comfort when our days feel overwhelming and bleak.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Apostle Paul tells us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). Allow these words to bring your heart comfort today.
Through this passage, we see that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. Whether we are struggling with our Christian walk, anger, or grief, we can rely on the Holy Spirit. Moreover, when we are too tired to pray or don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.
We might not know what to pray for, but the Holy Spirit does. During times of intense emotional turmoil or overwhelming pain, it can be hard to pray. The Holy Spirit will intercede for us at these times and bring comfort to our hearts. Instead of doubting Him, we can find great comfort and peace in His presence. The Holy Spirit will bring joy, hope, and renewed strength back into our hearts.
Dear Father, I praise You for always being with me. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit. Please give my heart and soul comfort today. Sometimes I don’t know what to pray for, or I’m too weak to pray. Please help the Holy Spirit to intercede for me and bring my concerns to You. Thank You, Father, Amen.
After reading this devotional, do you feel your attitude toward the Holy Spirit has changed? How can you find comfort in the Holy Spirit today?
Further Reading:
Galatians 5:22-23
Luke 11:13
2 Corinthians 3:1
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
You are loved before you perform, before you obey, and before you understand. This Crosswalk Devotional centers on 1 John 4:19, unpacking the freeing truth that God’s love is not earned—it is initiated by Him. In a world shaped by rejection, comparison, and performance-based approval, Scripture reminds us that God’s love picks first, not last, and it becomes the foundation for genuine transformation.
Rather than striving to earn affection through obedience or spiritual productivity, this devotional invites listeners to rest in the reality that God loved us while we were still sinners. His love is not the reward at the end of the Christian life—it is the starting point. From that secure place, growth, repentance, and obedience naturally flow.
Highlights
- God’s love is the source of our love, not the result of it
- We are loved before belief, obedience, or understanding
- The gospel reverses performance-based love
- Growth flows from being loved, not striving for love
- Nothing can separate believers from God’s love in Christ
- God’s love moves first—even at our worst
- Obedience becomes a response, not a requirement for acceptance
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Loved First, Not Last By: Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:“We love because he first loved us.” - 1 John 4:19 (ESV)
When you were younger, did you ever get picked last for a game? Or did you have your friends leave you out of a fun activity? A sleepover? A party? Even as adults, we get left out, too.
Rejection feels horrible. It really does. Even people who might have stepped out of your life can hurt you, and that sometimes feels like a rejection. Over the years, if we let rejection be the narrative by which we formulate our lives, we might not believe the truth we read in 1 John 4:19.
“We love because he first loved us.”
This kind of love picks first, not last. This love isn’t something we earn. There isn’t something inside our hearts that canearn it either. We are so used to being loved because of what we do. Even in our faith circles, we see language such as “grow, repentance, and sanctification.” All of these are good things, necessary things. But those things have nothing to do with us being loved.
What is this kind of love? It is not like a love we have ever experienced before; it is much deeper. In this verse, chapter, and book of the Bible, we get a glimpse of this amazing love. God’s love is not the result of our love for Him; it is the source of it.
Notice that the Apostle John uses the word “first.” This means a couple of things. It means we are loved before we believe, before we obey, before we understand, before we cry out to God. God loves first. Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (ESV) There was no fixing ourselves or proving ourselves before God would love us. God loved us first, while we were still sinners.
It also means God moved first. He did not wait for you and me to be spiritually or morally ready for his love. It existed before we had a chance to even change. God’s love came towards us when we were at our worst, not our best.
Performance-based love focuses on doing better, and then you will be loved. A gospel-centered love says you are loved; therefore, you can change. Growth, repentance, and sanctification come after we experience God’s love!
As a perfectionist, people-pleaser, I still find this amazing truth a source of great freedom. Although I had heard it all growing up at church, it never really sank in until later in my life. In my mid-thirties, I came to realize that my productivity, my goodness, and faithfulness never earned me one ounce of God’s love. In addition to that, my failings, faults, and sins could never lose me an ounce of His love either.
While I grew up trying to earn the love of those around me, God loved me first. This means I’ll never have to earn more love, nor do I need to fear losing God’s love. Listen to what Paul says in Romans 8 about Christ’s love for us:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:35-38 (ESV)
You might feel crushed, persecuted, unloved, unwanted, and distressed, but none of these things will ever keep you from God’s love. In fact, knowing God’s love comes first means God’s love is not at the end of our spiritual journey, but the beginning. It has always been with us, as soon as we became Christians. It will carry us through until the end.
You are not loved because you responded to God; you respond because He loved you first. So if you think back to a time when you were picked last, remember that today, you have been picked first. You have been chosen by God to be loved. Rest in this truth and believe you can walk in obedience because of this love!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
In what areas of your faith are you still trying to earn God’s affection rather than rest in the love He has already given?
How might your daily walk with God change if you believed obedience flows from being loved, rather than working for love?
Further Reading:Psalm 103:8-14
Ephesians 1:4-5
Isaiah 43:1-4
John 6:37
2 Thessalonians 2:16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God alone is enough—and He knows exactly what we need. This Crosswalk Devotional centers on Lamentations 3:24, reminding us that when we say “The Lord is my portion,” we’re declaring our trust in God as our ultimate source of security, provision, and contentment. Just as a portion is intentionally measured and given, God assigns what is perfectly suited for each of His children.
In a culture that constantly tempts us to compare, compete, or crave more, this devotional gently redirects our hearts back to gratitude and trust. Whether our portion feels abundant or modest, we can rest in the truth that God never withholds what is necessary for our good. He supplies peace, strength, rest, and provision—always on time and always with purpose.
Highlights
- God is our allotted portion—intentionally given and perfectly measured
- True contentment flows from trusting God as our Provider
- Comparison steals joy; gratitude restores it
- God fills every void that possessions never can
- Even seasons of lack are opportunities to grow deeper in trust
- God’s provision is personal, purposeful, and sufficient
- Declaring “The Lord is my portion” is an act of faith and surrender
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
The Lord Is My PortionBy Angela Anderson
Bible Reading:“‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’” - Lamentations 3:24 (NKJV)
One of the many things I enjoy doing with my family is going out to eat. Recently, we went to a local, favorite restaurant of ours where the servers knew our family by name. It was a small but vibrant eatery, where the food was always excellent. We were not only known for our frequent visits as a family, but also for our meal selections, especially the dessert. Once we finished our meal, it was a known fact that we would be ordering this warm, giant-sized, decadent chocolate fudge brownie surrounded by scoops of vanilla bean ice cream. The servers always positioned this delectable dessert in the middle of our table and then brought us four long spoons: one for me, one for my husband, one for my oldest son, and one for my youngest son. As soon as that dish of dessert hit the table, no one had to tell us to start digging in. It was a race to the finish!
My oldest son seemed to have the advantage each time, as I observed the large amount of dessert that he was able to balance on his long spoon. My youngest son was struggling with maneuvering his spoon to fit both a piece of brownie and some ice cream on it. Sometimes he would get just enough dessert on his spoon, and then the dessert would fall off the side of his spoon before even leaving the bowl. For every one spoon of dessert that successfully made it to his mouth, his older brother had already eaten about three spoons full of dessert.
I had to put an end to this. On our next visit, when it was time for dessert, I requested four small plates. And before anyone could put a spoon in the bowl of brownie and ice cream, I divided the dessert, placed it on a separate plate, and put it in front of each person. Every member of my family now had an appropriate portion of dessert that was allocated to each of us.
When the biblical writer says, “The Lord is my portion,” the word “portion” in Hebrew carries the notion that something is measured out, allotted, or assigned. It’s almost as if there is a gift with your name on it because it is specifically set apart and given to you. In the life of a believer, there is a dependence on God as the ultimate source of security and blessing. As our Creator and Heavenly Father, He knows and understands our every need, and He gives each of us exactly what we need when we need it. He alone determines our portion. Whether large or small, it is perfectly proportioned and just enough for the one who receives it. It is our duty to celebrate and delight in the portion God has given. In doing so, we are honoring the God who gave it.
Another connotation of the word “portion” in the context of God is divine provision. There are many people in this world who feel a void, and they try to fill that void with things that still leave them wanting more. When you believe that God is your portion, you believe that God is the source of your strength in every situation. There is contentment in knowing that He will supply all your needs. Even when there seems to be an area of lack, there is a calm assurance that God will step in to make up that difference. In response, there is no desire to seek any possession or comfort outside of God. There is an unwavering trust that God is in control of all your circumstances. There is a realization that nothing is as valuable as the promises of God. This signifies a close relationship with the Provider, and His goal is to use life’s circumstances to draw you closer. As you learn that God is your portion, you learn that your need for Him outweighs your desire for other things.
When you need peace, God is the One who gives you peace. When you need rest, God alone will extend rest. When you need provision, God offers provision. He provides for you what no one else can, and everything He gives to you is a blessing directly from the throne of heaven designed just for you.
“The Lord is my portion” is more than a declaration. It is an affirmation that God, our Creator, our Provider, and our Sustainer, is more than enough.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
It is often easy to look around at what others possess instead of appreciating what we have in front of us. Take a moment to thank God for His provision and recognize God as your portion.
Further Reading:Psalm 73:26
Philippians 4:19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Jesus can be present right in front of us—and still be missed. This Crosswalk Devotional reflects on John 1:11–13, inviting us to examine how easily familiarity, pain, or assumptions can blind us to the presence of Christ. When Jesus came to earth, many failed to recognize Him for who He truly was. Yet Scripture reminds us that those who did receive Him were given the right to become children of God.
This Christian devotional challenges us to consider how we see Jesus today. Do we recognize Him as Lord, Savior, and faithful Friend in the middle of ordinary life, hardship, or disappointment? Or do distractions, expectations, and appearances cloud our spiritual vision? God is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent—and He is still at work, even when we struggle to perceive Him.
Highlights
- Jesus was rejected because many did not recognize who He truly was
- God’s presence can be missed when we judge by appearances or expectations
- Pain, disappointment, and distraction can dull our spiritual awareness
- Christ is still present, powerful, and actively working in our lives
- Recognizing Jesus begins with faith, humility, and openness
- When we receive Christ, we are reborn as children of God
- God calls us to reflect Christ’s love in how we treat others
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
If We Only Knew
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” - John 1:11-13 NLT
While scrolling on social media a few weeks ago, I saw several skits with similar themes: a hotel concierge or a fancy purse store employee who treated someone poorly based on their appearance and denied service to them. However, after finding out who they were (famous, prominent, important, and influential), these people apologized profusely, but it was too late to take back their bad behavior and negative comments toward that person.
A real, modern-day example of how people may treat you when they don’t know you’re rich and famous or influential happened several years ago when a famous American broadcast journalist was traveling in Europe. She visited a local store to shop for a purse. When she saw a purse she liked, she asked the clerk to see it. But the clerk said no because it was too expensive. The clerk proceeded to try to show the journalist other purses that she assumed were in the customer’s budget. The journalist decided to leave the store. Later, when management received news of what had happened and realized who this famous person was, they apologized and said that they didn’t know it was her. They implied that if they only knew who this famous woman was, then they would have treated her better and let her see the purse she wanted because she could afford it. After all, this woman is a billionaire.
Reflecting on this real-world situation caused me to think of the Bible stories about how most people didn’t recognize the Messiah. I realized how often we can be just as shortsighted as the Pharisees and other Bible characters who didn’t recognize our Savior (Jesus Christ) when He was there with them. When Jesus was living on Earth, His own people rejected him and treated him poorly because they didn’t know who He was. It wasn’t until Christ’s death on the cross that a Roman soldier nearby said in Mark 15:39 (NIV), “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
This made me think: If Jesus Christ were standing right in front of us, would we know Him? Would we recognize Him as our Lord and Savior? Would we know Him as the most faithful friend we ever had? Would we treat Him well or would we treat Him poorly based on how He appeared?
It boggles my mind to know that when our Savior came to save humankind, most people didn’t recognize Him. Even the disciples of Jesus Christ had trouble realizing they were walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection (Luke 24:13-35). Did they not feel His comforting Presence? Did they not experience His peace? Did they not feel that familiarity with the man whom they followed for several years? How did they not know that this was their Savior who had risen from the dead and now lives forever, just like He said would happen when they were part of His ministry prior to His death?
Perhaps the disciples of Jesus were too traumatized and depressed by all the events that unfolded leading up to Christ’s crucifixion. Maybe they felt too hurt to see the hope who was walking right beside them. I can understand that because I also have felt too weighed down by the woes of the world at times, making it nearly impossible to sense God’s Presence in our broken planet.
But the good news is that Jesus is here. The Bible says God is omniscient, which means He knows all and nothing is hidden from Him (Psalm 139:1-4 and Jeremiah 23:24). God is also omnipresent, which means His Presence is everywhere (Psalm 139:7-10). God is omnipotent, and that means He is the most powerful force in this world and the entire universe (Psalm 147:5). What a mighty God we serve!
When you feel burdened by the problems in our world, turn to Jesus. Know Him for who He is: Our Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and most Faithful Friend. It is my hope and prayer that we will always recognize God in our lives. Let’s not be like the people of the Bible era who missed the Messiah even when He was with them. Let’s be like the ones who recognized the Son of God and welcomed Him with open arms. Let’s allow the bright light of Jesus Christ to shine through us and fill the world with His pure love for humankind. May we also treat each other with agape love, kindness, and respect, no matter how we look (Leviticus 19:18).
In closing, I’d like you to listen to these songs listed below.
Song of Reflection #1: “How Beautiful” by Twila Paris. Listen HERE.
Song of Reflection #2: “Love God Love People” by Danny Gokey. Listen HERE.
Song of Reflection #3: “Each One, Reach One” by Babbie Mason. Listen HERE.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Will you know Jesus Christ when you see Him?
Further Reading:
Micah 6:8
Matthew 5:16
2 Corinthians 5:20
Hebrews 7:24-25
Romans 10:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life doesn’t always give us time to plan—and that’s often where God’s provision becomes most visible. This Crosswalk Devotional centers on Exodus 12:31–39, reminding us that when preparation is impossible, God still provides exactly what we need. The Israelites left Egypt abruptly, carrying unfinished dough into an uncertain future, yet God faithfully supplied every step of their journey. Their hurried departure wasn’t an oversight—it was an invitation to trust.
This Christian devotional speaks to seasons of disruption, loss, and uncertainty, when routines fall apart and control slips through our fingers. Whether facing sudden change, grief, or exhaustion, Scripture shows us that God uses moments of unpreparedness to reveal His character. When we can’t rely on our plans, we learn to rely on His promises.
Highlights
- God often works powerfully in moments when we feel least prepared
- The Israelites’ rushed escape reveals God’s intentional provision
- Loss of control can become an invitation to deeper trust
- God’s provision is not limited by our circumstances or planning
- Seasons of uncertainty help us remember we are God’s children, not slaves
- Dependence on God strengthens faith and reveals His faithfulness
- When preparation fails, prayer becomes our lifeline
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
God Provides When We Cannot Prepare By Deidre Braley
Bible Reading:During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.”
The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For otherwise,” they said, “we will all die!” So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.
The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Sukkoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. Many other people went up with them, and also large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds. With the dough the Israelites had brought from Egypt, they baked loaves of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves. - Exodus 12:31-39
Our family recently traveled 300 miles north to spend the holidays at home, where my husband and I both grew up. Though we had planned for an extended stay, we did not sleep well on the first or second night, and on the following morning, my husband woke with a terrible bout of food poisoning. Exhausted, exasperated, and with a terribly achy back, I couldn’t imagine being away from home for even another moment.
Before the sun had even risen, I announced, “That’s it. We need to leave—today.”
In a rush, I threw apples and slippers and dog food into any spare bag I could find. I stuffed dirty clothes back into suitcases and rummaged in the fridge for anything that could qualify as breakfast for the kids. I promised myself we’d all brush our teeth later. And then, with our odds and ends shoved into every spare crevice of the car, we sped off, not even stopping to say goodbye to our family on the way out of town.
All day, I felt unsettled. Our luggage was disorganized, we were subsisting on a bag of chocolate-covered espresso beans, and, as I discovered later, two out of our three kids weren’t even wearing socks! Our careful routines—and my sense of any control—had gone out the window. And it was deeply uncomfortable.
It made me sympathize with the Israelites, who were pushed out of Egypt in such a hurry that they weren’t even finished making the dough for their bread; they swept it up onto their shoulders and lugged it off into the great unknown. They did not have time to prepare provisions for themselves.
But their journey was more than just one long day down the interstate. It was forty years of wandering. Forty years of being unsettled. Forty years of not being in control. Forty years of having to depend on Someone Else to provide for them.
I think their rapid departure from Egypt was an intentional move on God’s part. I believe he wanted to make sure they did not have time to prepare—not because he wanted them to feel uncomfortable, but because he wanted to show them that he would provide everything they needed. He wanted to show them what it meant to be the people of the One True Living God. He wanted to position them to understand that they were not slaves any longer: they were his children, and they could trust him to take care of them.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
There are times in our lives that we simply cannot prepare for. A loss of a job. The death of someone we love. Or maybe just a husband waking up with food poisoning. Though we might despise the situation and wish to cling to control with everything we’ve got (which are very natural and human responses!), in moments of disquiet, may we find the courage to look at God and ask him what he wishes to show us about his character in these times. When he puts us in positions of total abandon—where our illusions of control and carefully measured procedures have been stripped away—may we learn to pray:
God, Show me your goodness. I have nothing. You are in control. I need you. Please provide. Amen.
Further Reading:Throughout the Bible, people find themselves in situations where their only hope is to trust God to provide. Consider:
- Daniel telling Nebuchadnezzar the meaning of his dream (Daniel 2)
- Joshua’s army marching around the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6)
- Mary learning that she will give birth to Jesus (Luke 1)
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life constantly tempts us to measure contentment by what we lack—but Scripture tells a different story. This Christian devotional explores how God is more than enough, even in a culture driven by comparison, accumulation, and the constant pursuit of “more.” Rooted in Psalm 4:7, this devotion invites believers to rediscover joy, peace, and lasting satisfaction found not in possessions, but in a secure relationship with God.
Highlights
- Contentment grows when we focus on what God provides, not what we lack
- God’s joy surpasses material abundance and worldly success
- Gratitude reshapes our perspective in seasons of comparison
- True security comes from God, not possessions or financial stability
- Spiritual blessings in Christ are eternal and unshakeable
- God’s promises bring peace even in uncertain circumstances
- When we have God, we truly have more than enough
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
More Than Enough By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“You have put gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.” (Psalm 4:7 NASB)
I remember the day we were driving home from a store, and my teenage daughter was complaining to me about all that she didn’t have—a new car like the one being driven by her 16-year-old friend who just got her driver’s license, expansive homes her friends lived in with more rooms than their families needed, the latest electronic gadgets, brand-name clothing, the highest-priced handbags.
Weary of constantly being reminded of what we didn’t have that her friends’ families did, I finally blew!
“Do you realize what we do have?” I snapped. “You have a roof over your head, and these days, that should be enough!”
Apparently, my words struck a chord with her. Her face fell, and she sadly told me of another one of her friends who was losing her home due to her parents’ job loss.
Immediately, my tone softened as I realized my daughter had already been convicted by her own words. We prayed for the family that was losing their hom,e and then I silently prayed for wisdom to turn that topic into a teaching moment.
“You know, Sweetie,” I told her softly, as I continued to drive, “a lot of people around us are losing their homes. That’s why it’s important for us to not only think about what we have and be grateful for it, but to focus on what we have that we will never lose.”
She looked at me, puzzled, for a moment. And then she got it.
We immediately began to recount all that we have that can never be taken from us:
- The love we have for each other in our family
- The memories we’ve had in our three-bedroom condo (and the small two-bedroom home we owned prior to that)
- The unconditional love of God (Romans 5:8)
- The gift of our salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- A promised mansion in Eternity (John 14:2-3)
I realized that day that my daughter is not the only one who often wishes she had more. It’s easy for me, at times, to look at what others have and be envious. It’s natural for me to sometimes wish I had a little more money to indulge in my desires. But so often I forget all I do have…and that it is more than enough.
So often, we go through life looking at what others have and wondering when our ship will come in. Then we remember we have a God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), a God who has gone to prepare a place for us and who will come again and receive us to Himself so that where He is, we will be—forever (John 14:3).
In Psalm 4, David begins his song by asking God for relief from his distress. But then he must have remembered what he had, because he finished his song with a perspective of joy:
“You have put joy in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine are abundant.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, Lord, have me dwell in safety” (verses 7-8).
In The Message translation, verse 7 reads:
“I have God’s more-than-enough,
more joy in one ordinary day
than they get in all their shopping sprees.”
That sounds like a song I should be singing every day that I begin to forget my blessings and start longing for more.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
God is our true source of security in an insecure world…and He is the Only One who satisfies in a culture where we can never seem to get enough. When we have Him—along with His promises for provision, protection, and peace—we have “more than enough.”
Can you draw strength from knowing that you have God’s more-than-enough, even if at times it doesn’t look like quite enough? Thank Him today for all that you have, as well as for the blessings that you don’t yet see. The Bible says if we belong to Christ, God has blessed us in the heavenly realm with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). And if we “share in His sufferings” we are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). Joint heirs with God! Think about that. We are heirs of all that is His. Now that’s an inheritance. That’s a future. And that is more than enough.
Further Reading:Ephesians 1:3-14
For a daily awareness of all you have in your relationship with Christ, see Cindi’s book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life rarely unfolds without surprise, hardship, or moments that test our emotional and spiritual limits. This Christian devotional explores how God prepares believers to live with courageous faith, even in the face of fear, uncertainty, and overwhelming circumstances. Rooted in John 16:33, this devotion reminds us that while trouble is unavoidable, peace and victory are found in Christ—who has already overcome the world.
Highlights
- God prepares His people for hardship before it arrives
- Jesus offers peace even while acknowledging life’s troubles
- Courageous faith grows when we remain connected to Christ
- The Holy Spirit strengthens, guides, and sustains believers
- God’s grace meets us before and after moments of failure
- Abiding in Christ replaces fear with peace and clarity
- Victory comes through reliance on Jesus, not self-effort
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Divinely Prepared to Live with Courageous Faith
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33, NIV
Most of us don’t like to be caught off guard, hit with something we weren’t expecting. Those situations can feel disorienting if not overwhelming. Not long ago, a friend shared an experience with me that, in the moment, triggered all of her internal alarm systems, resulting in her landing in total freak-out mode. In short, she and her husband decided to attend a small group for those enduring chronic anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. She went to receive encouragement in her long and arduous healing journey from complex trauma, and her husband accompanied her to offer support.
She walked into the meeting room expecting something similar to a Bible study with sharing opportunities similar to what occurs with Alcoholics Anonymous. Mentally and emotionally unprepared for a deep discussion on trauma, she quickly found herself overwhelmed and embarrassed by her intense reaction. The following week, however, she responded much differently, largely because she now knew what to expect and had been able to talk through this with her therapist. This allowed her to bring tools, like her current knitting project, as a grounding tool when she sensed herself becoming overwhelmed.
The disciples Jesus spoke with in today’s verse would soon face numerous overwhelming and life-threatening circumstances that could’ve easily triggered panic, causing them to lash out physically or verbally, flee or withdraw from the danger, and therefore their calling, or become paralyzed by their fear. The Lord knew this. He grasped how difficult life would soon become for His first-century followers. That understanding, coupled with His incomprehensible love, motivated Him to prepare them for what lay ahead.
First, He told them that one of them would betray Him, Peter would deny Him, and all of them would abandon Him during His darkest hour. But recognize, He didn’t say this to shame them but instead to help them, post failure, to return to Him and receive His grace.
He also said that they’d experience persecution and even death for their faith. First, however, He spoke powerful promises to encourage and strengthen their trembling souls. Although He told them that He’d soon be leaving, and they couldn’t join, He also assured them that He wasn’t abandoning them. He was going to prepare a place for them and would eventually return for them, thereby declaring that their hardship wouldn’t get the final say. His love and grace would.
He also let them know that they wouldn’t have to face their upcoming difficulties, or any other aspect of life, alone. He’d send them God the Holy Spirit, to strengthen, guide, and teach them, and speak through them.
Then, in John 15:1-8, He spoke words that, when applied, have the capacity to bolster the most timid souls. In verses 4-5, He said,
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
That was their survival plan. Their freak-out escape route. When overpowered and overwhelmed, they weren’t to rely on themselves. They needed to turn and draw near to, remain vitally connected to, and spiritually alert to, His presence at work within them. He would give them everything they needed to live as the victorious conquerors He was calling them to be. They would overcome because He, their Savior, had already overcome.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
God still prepares His children for the hard things to come. Throughout Scripture, we read numerous warnings of the unavoidable difficulties ahead–sickness, wars and rumors of wars, natural disasters, relational storms with people who act antagonistically to our faith. But the Lord also describes, in detail, how to stand strong even when the ground beneath us feels ready to give way.
As we “abide” or “remain” in Him through prayer, Bible reading, connecting with other Christ-followers, listening for His voice, and resting in His presence, He steadily and progressively replaces our fear with courage and peace, our confusion with clarity, and our heartache with joy.
Equally important, He speaks of His grace before our moment of moral failure so that we know we can return to it and rely upon it. Phrased differently, He reminds us that His grace wasn’t His backup plan. It has been His life-saving, soul-nurturing strategy since the beginning of time.
No matter what we encounter, we can trust that His grace is sufficient, for His strength is perfected, or reaches its full expression, in our weakness–when our weakness draws us closer to Him, that is.
Further Reading:Matthew 26:41
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Proverbs 22:3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Pleasing God over people is a tension every believer faces. This Christian devotional explores the difference between people-pleasing and God-honoring obedience, drawing wisdom from Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 and the life of Jesus. True biblical love is not rooted in appeasement or fear of conflict, but in discerning when to speak truth, when to remain silent, and when obedience to God requires courage over comfort.
Highlights
- People-pleasing and peace-making are not always the same
- Biblical love values truth over appeasement
- There is a God-appointed time to speak and a time to remain silent
- Jesus modeled courage, truth, and discernment in every situation
- Fear of man can prevent growth and obedience
- God equips believers with the right words when we trust Him
- Pleasing God sometimes requires speaking up, not staying quiet
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
How to Please God Above ManBy Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” – Eccl. 3:1-2 NIV
I knew if I gave in, the argument would be over. Yet, I also knew if I said, "You're right," I'd be lying.
In reality, there is a difference between people-pleasing and peace-making. They are not always one and the same.
In the past, I'd be inclined to lie to keep the peace. I'd be inclined to brush things under the carpet of don't-lift-up-the-corner-of-this-rug for anything—to keep everyone happy. I'd be inclined to adapt to make sure everyone is okay.
This is not biblical love, but it verges more towards manipulative love. Appeasing man is not always the same as pleasing the Lord. We must be careful here.
There is a time for everything under the sun.
“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot…” (Eccl. 3:1-2)
There is a time to speak truth and a time to be quiet. There is a time to bring clarity and a time to listen. There is a time to defend and a time to back off. There is a time to pray, and there is a time to say things.
Jesus didn't always back away; sometimes He spoke truth. He called out the Pharisees and told them the truth when they fought Him (Matt. 23:27-28). He said, "Forgive them" aloud when He was being crucified (Luke 23:34). He addressed the Pharisees' lack of mercy with a straightforward address (Matt. 23:23). He powerfully used His words and actions to drive the merchants out of the temple (Matt. 21:12-13).
The list goes on and on... Jesus did not always stay silent.
To turn the other cheek does not always mean taking it...
There is a time to speak up. There is a time to not fear man. There is a time to tell the truth.
The key is to pray and discern what God would have you do (Eph. 5:17).
Sometimes things never change because we never change our approach. Sometimes ruts continue because we don't trust God to equip us with the right words. Sometimes habits continue because we fear man more than we believe God will help us.
Don't mistake fear of man for fear of the Lord. The Lord may have you speak up louder than the fear of man has ever permitted you to. This is not unbiblical; it may be monumental in your walk with the Lord.
The answer is not always silence. Sometimes the way that most pleases God is speaking up. Wisdom is knowing the difference.
Lying is sinning, even if it is pursuing peace-making. The question is—how do we be true, while being godly and loving? Sometimes, this requires pausing to seek God for what needs to be said. Other times, it may require praying to get a couple of levels deeper than what is on the surface.
The ultimate key is to respond to a person from God's will and not to react from our own.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How do you tend to react? Do you negate your feelings? Do you cover the truth to keep peace? How might God be leading you in a new direction?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Freedom in Christ is not just a spiritual idea—it’s a lived reality. This Christian devotional explores what it means to be alive in Christ, revealing how faith in Jesus breaks the power of sin and invites believers into a transformed life of obedience and hope. Rooted in Romans 6:11–12, this devotion reminds us that through Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin but children of God, empowered to live differently.
Highlights
- Faith in Jesus breaks the bondage of sin
- Believers are no longer slaves but children of God
- True transformation comes through surrender to Christ
- God offers redemption and second chances to anyone who believes
- Being alive in Christ means choosing obedience over fleshly desires
- Temptation loses power when we submit ourselves to God
- Lasting freedom is found only in Christ, not in the world
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Alive in ChristBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Romans 6:11-12).
From the moment we place faith in Jesus, our lives change. We are no longer held in bondage to sin in the same way as we used to be. While we will all continue to struggle with sin throughout our lives, we are no longer slaves to sin.
Instead, we are children of God. As His children, we are no longer compelled to obey the sinful flesh as we should want to follow, glorify, and obey God in every area of our lives.
Many people have radical changes after placing faith in Jesus and I had the privilege of getting to know someone who had one of these amazing changes in their life. There was an employee at my former Bible college who was known to be a previous criminal, and he served many years in prison due to his crimes. While he was in prison, he placed faith in the Lord and his entire life changed. I did not know this person prior to his conversion, but I do know he is one of the kindest individuals I have ever had the honor of meeting.
Whenever I think of this individual, I am reminded of the power of the Lord. He can completely transform a person’s life and give them a second chance. This man was always more than happy to tell anyone about Jesus and how much He had done in his life.
When we choose to follow Jesus and surrender our lives to Him, only good will come from it. By turning to Jesus, we are choosing life. If you have not placed faith in Jesus yet, know that it is never too late to believe in Him. If you believe that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again, you will be saved (Romans 10:9-11).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible tells us, “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Romans 6:11-12). The Apostle Paul spoke these words to the Roman Church, but they still apply to us today.
We are dead to sin, but alive in Christ Jesus. This means that we are no longer subject to obey the sinful flesh. Rather than submitting to worldly desires, we submit ourselves to God (James 4:7). God has powerful things in store for us; all we need to do is follow Him. Even if the sinful flesh tries to tempt us by saying sin is the “better way,” we know that true life is only found in Christ.
Turning away from sin looks like staying away from anything that tempts us or causes sin to rise in our hearts. For example, if jealousy is a common sin you struggle with, avoid spending too much time on social media. Choose to practice thankfulness for all the blessings of God in your life and avoid comparing yourself to others.
Talk with God in prayer, lean on Him, and study His Word. It may also help to lean on other believers and ask them for their advice in rising above the temptations of the flesh. Jesus Himself knows what it feels like to be tempted, and He will help us find a way to escape it (Hebrews 4:15).
Have you been made alive in Christ? If not, what is holding you back? What sin keeps you bogged down? How might you ask the Lord to help you fight back against this sin?
Further Reading:
Romans 6:23
2 Corinthians 5:17
Ephesians 3:20-21
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s favor is often revealed through obedience, not comfort. This Christian devotional explores what it truly means to be highly favored by God, using Mary’s willing response to God’s calling as a model of surrendered faith. Rooted in Luke 1:38, it challenges believers to say yes to God—even when obedience comes at a high personal cost.
Highlights
- God’s favor is often revealed through obedience and surrender
- Mary’s willingness shows faith that trusts God despite uncertainty
- God qualifies those He calls when they respond in humility
- Obedience may require sacrificing comfort, security, and reputation
- Saying yes to God can lead to lasting spiritual impact
- God honors hearts that are willing to serve at any cost
- Faith grows when we trust God beyond what we can understand
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Highly Favored by GodBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” - Luke 1:38
Several years ago, my husband felt a calling to plant a church. He came to me one day and talked to me about the change, as we were already pastoring a church at a great distance from where we had originally grown up. My husband shared that he had a vision of a different kind of church and felt God was calling him to plant one. Honestly, I didn't sense the same calling. But I trusted him, and in submission, followed him in his endeavors.
After five years, the church closed due to financial constraints and declining attendance. Reflecting on that time in our lives, it would be easy for me to blame my husband and say he didn't hear God correctly. I could even say that, because I didn't sense his calling, I should have stopped it.
There is a saying, “God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called.” The Lord honors our obedience to do whatever we feel God may be calling us to do. Although it's not always easy to hear what the Lord is saying and to discern whether a calling is our thoughts or God's, God honors our hearts when we choose to give up many things to fulfill His purpose.
Mary's response to the angel’s visitation is one we should all emulate. It's interesting to note that Mary was at first troubled by the angel's words because God highly favored her. However, once the Angel explained to her exactly what that might mean, her response above demonstrates that, even amidst difficulty, peril, and public humiliation, she was willing to fulfill God's call.
Unlike many people in the Bible, Mary never flinched at the obedience God was calling her to. She, like Jesus, considered herself a servant of God. She was willing to do whatever He wanted, whenever He wanted.
Think about your life. What is your response when God calls you to do something? Do you immediately ignore it, believing it is only your thoughts rather than God's thoughts? Analyze the difference in your response between something easy that God calls you to do, versus something more difficult that God calls you to do. Do you find you respond more readily to something that doesn't cost you significant comfort, time, money, or resources?
Mary said yes to God regardless of the high cost. Being a young girl, she knew she would be subjected to public ridicule, humiliation, rumors, and false accusations regarding the father of that baby. She also risked losing Joseph, her betrothed. In her human nature, part of her must have worried about Joseph's response when he learned of her news. Would he believe her? Would he think, like so many others, that she had had relations with a man other than him?
Although the Angel of the Lord protected her from the misery that would come from a divorce, she chose to forsake personal comfort for the sake of serving the Lord. She considered herself a lowly servant, ready to serve God at a moment's notice.
If God asked you to do something great for Him, what would you do? Would you sell your home, move to a new location, or give up all your luxuries and comforts just to serve God? Analyze your heart as you read these words. What emotions do the above words evoke for you? Do you feel excited to serve the Lord, or do you feel a sense of dread, anxiety, or anger?
Mary was ready to serve God on a moment’s notice. She chose to accept a calling that cost her dearly in this life, but in the end, would make her known as the mother of Jesus for generations to come. Mary, once a lowly servant girl, was elevated to the position of the mother of God's son all by saying yes to God.
She wouldn't have it any other way. Would you?
Father, let us be people who accept God's calling even if it comes at a high cost. Let us consider ourselves servants who, upon hearing God highly favors us, are willing to serve Him at any cost. Let us forsake our own comforts, luxuries, money, time, and resources to further the gospel. Let us accept God's calling even if we don't fully understand what costs will come to us as we do. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Has God ever called you to do something great for Him? What was your response?
Further Reading:Luke 2:39-45
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God created every believer with purpose, passion, and a calling that extends far beyond themselves. This Christian devotional explores how a heart ignited with purposed passion presses forward in pursuit of Christ and His Kingdom. Rooted in Philippians 3:12–14, it encourages believers to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, pressing on toward spiritual maturity and Christlikeness.
Highlights
- God gives every believer passion with a purpose
- Spiritual growth requires perseverance, not perfection
- True passion flows from devotion to Christ
- Scripture fuels zeal and keeps our focus on Jesus
- Letting go of the past frees us to press forward
- God’s grace sustains us when passion feels weak
- Christlikeness is the ultimate prize we pursue
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
A Heart Ignited with Purposed Passion
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14, ESV).
What excites you and drives your passion? Being made in the image of God means that we all possess a unique passion. The vital question we must ask ourselves is: Is my passion directed inward, or does it fuel me to pursue Christ and His purposes? Our drive and passion for the Lord and His Kingdom are closely tied to our devotion to Him, revealing our purpose of knowing Christ and serving Him. Most of all, reading and studying the scriptures should fuel our passion because it sets our eyes upon the Lord and helps us take our eyes off of ourselves.
What motivates your drive towards Christ? For the Apostle Paul, it was the prize of the upward call of God:
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14, ESV).
Intersecting Life & Faith:
We can remind our hearts that if we are born again, Christ purchased our lives for a purpose and has made us His own. He did this so that we would bear fruit for His glory. Christ reached down and rescued me, so I should always be reaching for Christ. We press on to know Christ relationally and serve Him faithfully, and we must press on even more when we feel weak. We can look to Christ and ask for strength to keep going, and He will be faithful to give us His abundant grace. We shouldn’t be entangled by our past sins, sorrows, or even successes, as these things will distract us and hold us back from pressing on in our pursuit of Christ and His purpose.
If you are lacking in passion regarding the things of God, perhaps you can write down some temptations and convictions regarding distractions that may be draining your zeal for the Lord. It is easy to become entangled by worldly pursuits, but God’s grace is available to us to turn away from anything that would keep us from running hard after Christ. May the Lord give us zeal and an increased pace and an increased engagement in Kingdom pursuits as we press towards the prize. Ultimately, Christlikeness is our prize. Let us seek the Lord and ask Him to increase our passion to become more like Him! He is faithful to give us more zeal, especially if our aim is that He would receive all the glory, not ourselves.
Are you reaching for the upward call, longing to become more Christ-like in your pursuits and in the fruit of your life? What worldly pursuits might be hindering you from being conformed to the image of Christ? Let us not resist the call to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Our flesh is weak, but we must trust that we can find strength and grace in Christ to keep pressing forward, straining for the prize. Ask the Lord to ignite a zeal in your soul for God and His Kingdom. In your striving and running, we must trust that God chooses the pace as we move forward, linking arms with other believers. He empowers us with His Spirit and is faithful to complete the work He has started. Run your race for God’s glory, fixing your eyes on heaven.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a universe vast beyond imagination, God’s attention remains deeply personal. This Christian devotional reflects on the comforting truth that we are constantly on God’s mind and lovingly cared for by our Creator. Rooted in Psalm 8:3–4, it invites believers to marvel at God’s power while resting in His intimate, unfailing love.
Highlights
- God is mindful of every detail of our lives
- His love for us is constant, personal, and unconditional
- We are valued not because of our achievements, but because of God’s character
- Living mindfully of God means staying aware of His presence each day
- Noticing God’s blessings builds gratitude and trust
- God’s love frees us from the need for others’ approval
- Awareness of God’s care transforms how we live and love
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
We’re on God’s MindBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” – Psalm 8:3-4, NIV
Do you enjoy looking up at the night sky? I love to look at the moon and stars as often as I can on my evening walks, and sometimes on clear nights, I’ll even go to a park away from city lights to get a closer look at the heavens. The beauty and vastness of space are awe-inspiring!
In Psalm 8:3-4, King David considers our awe-inspiring universe and wonders: Why us? Why are we, these tiny creations on a small planet, the focus of the Creator of all that? The truth, David discovered, was that we’re on God’s mind. God – the gigantically powerful Creator who has made everything and everyone and sustains it all – is mindful of us. God constantly pays close, loving attention to us. In a cosmos of unimaginable scale, every single detail of our little lives matters to God!
God’s care for us isn’t based on how good we are or how important our work seems. It’s a reflection of God’s character, which is pure love. Jesus describes God’s wonderful loving care for us when he teaches us that God even knows the number of hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7) and is mindful of his whole creation, including us and even small, common creatures like sparrow birds (Matthew 10:29).
This incredible reality – that we’re always on God’s mind – can inspire us to think of God, as well. After all, since our Creator is mindful of us, shouldn’t we be mindful of him?
Being mindful of God simply means to live with an awareness of God’s presence. It means letting the reality of God’s presence with us shape our thoughts, feelings, and decisions throughout each day.
Just as God is mindful of our needs, we can be mindful of how God is constantly meeting those needs by pouring blessings into our lives. The more we pay attention to those blessings, the more we can be inspired to thank God for them and trust God to answer our prayers for our future needs.
When we’re especially busy, it’s easy to push God to the margins of our lives. Being mindful of God involves placing our relationships with God at the center of our lives and choosing to live in the awareness of God’s love from day to day. The ultimate reason we’re on God’s mind is that he loves us so completely. We can’t earn God’s love, and we can’t lose it. We have it forever, and we can just enjoy it, because God is mindful of us. When we’re mindful of God, we remind ourselves to embrace the wonderful love that our Heavenly Father offers to us, and to love him back.
The distance between us and the stars is nothing compared to the closeness of a God who carefully centers his attention on us. So, let’s live today and every day with the awareness that we’re loved and cared for because we’re on God’s mind!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how you’re on God’s mind, reflect on these questions:
- When you look at the natural world (such as the sky, an ocean, or a forest), what’s one feature that inspires you with awe at God’s power, and how does that make God’s focus on you seem even more amazing?
- How can you change your daily routine to live with more of an intentional awareness of God’s presence with you?
- What was a time recently when you felt God’s mindful attention for you, such as an answered prayer, a timely piece of guidance, or encouragement?
- Since being on God’s mind means you’re completely loved and accepted, what’s one area of your life where you can let go of the need for other people’s approval and rely more on God’s unfailing love for you?
- How can you make more time in your schedule to become more mindful of God by communicating with him in prayer and meditation?
Further Reading:1 Peter 5:7
Isaiah 49:16
Matthew 6:26
Psalm 139:17-18
Jeremiah 29:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Sometimes life’s challenges feel overwhelming—but God is always at work in us. This Christian devotional explores how trials and difficulties refine our character, strengthen our faith, and deepen our hope in Christ. Rooted in Romans 5:3–5, it reminds believers that endurance through hardship produces lasting growth and a confident assurance of God’s love.
Highlights
- Trials develop endurance and refine character
- Hard circumstances strengthen confident hope in salvation
- God’s love and the Holy Spirit fill our hearts even in suffering
- Endurance through trials brings glory and honor to God
- Faith is refined like gold through testing and perseverance
- God works in us even when we cannot see the outcome
- Scripture passages provide hope, purpose, and reassurance
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
God Working in Us
By Lauren Fletcher
Bible Reading:
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” - Romans 5:3-5
Maybe what God is doing is working in you, I told my friend. I had run out of ideas. I didn’t know what to suggest. Her circumstances were not easy, and I could hear the frustration in her voice and tears on the other side of the phone. God must have a plan right now. In a season where she didn’t know what God was doing, I was sure He was doing something.
I had heard this idea at church recently, that during challenging circumstances, God works in us. He works things out in us and through us. Whenever I go through trials or hard times, Romans 5:3-5 have been my favorite verses. It says that when we go through trials, it develops within us endurance and strength of character. There is something good that can come out of our suffering.
One time, in particular, I can remember these verses speaking to me. During quarantine, sickness hit our home. At the same time, our air conditioner stopped working (it was late summer). I got a painful bite from what I guessed to be a horsefly. Then, our ceiling started leaking due to a storm. Surprisingly, at that point, I took it in stride, because so many things had been happening. I found my strength in the Word, in God. I turned to my Bible and read this passage from Romans aloud. If nothing else, I could trust that there is a purpose behind the hard things that happen. God is still doing something. He can work in us.
Not only does God develop endurance and strength of character in us, but this passage in Romans says that “… character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (Romans 5:4). This encourages my heart. Paul continues, “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” There is a purpose for our struggles, and we are reminded that our loving God is trustworthy.
In this time of trial, my friend has also said that God is refining her. In 1 Peter, there is a passage that says, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:7).
There have been many moments in my life that I haven’t understood, but the changes within myself have been worth it. His saving me and growing me brought me to the closeness I have with God and a better understanding of the Gospel.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Another passage to lean on during hard times is James 1:2-4: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
How can the passages in Romans and in James encourage you during challenging times? Are you going through a hard time right now? Let His Word give you hope.
Lord,
Thank You that we always have hope in You. Thank You that there’s always a purpose for our suffering and that You are working something out in us. Thank You for what You are developing in our hearts. Lord, draw near to and comfort those who are suffering right now.
In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Further Reading:
James 1:2-4
1 Peter 1:7
Ephesians 3:16
Colossians 1:11
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling vulnerable, exposed, or weighed down by the words of others is a universal experience. This Christian devotional explores how God provides a shield of protection around us, guarding our hearts and lifting our heads when we feel isolated or criticized. Rooted in Psalm 3:3, this devotion reminds believers that God is our ultimate protector, ever-present and actively surrounding us with favor and strength.
Highlights
- God is our shield, lifting our heads high when we feel down
- His protective favor surrounds us in ways we often cannot see
- The Psalms describe God as a shield repeatedly, showing His faithful care
- We don’t need to shrink, retaliate, or be consumed by shame
- Leaning on God enables us to prevail, persevere, and press forward
- Confidence and strength come from God, not our circumstances
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Your Shield of Protection
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
But You, Lord, are a shield around me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head. (Psalm 3:3 NASB)
Have you ever received a comment, observation, or insinuation that left you feeling vulnerable or exposed?
Don’t you wish at times you had a protective shield you could hide behind, or at least have in front of you to catch those piercing arrows or darts, even the unintentional ones, that leave you feeling sad or defeated?
My daughter is an only child who has always been quite independent and never needy of a man in her life, and never feels alone until someone (who means well, of course) asks her if she’s “in a relationship yet.” And after they express their confidence that she’ll one day “find a husband and be happy,” she can tend to feel singled out as inadequate or incomplete, even though she’s very content with where God has her, and is not striving for a relationship.
A friend of mine who is recently divorced and knows a closeness with God she hadn’t experienced while married, will suddenly feel awkward and unprotected when someone mentions her “struggle” and expresses their sympathy—or judgment—for her predicament.
And a young mom I know feels isolated and alone when she faces a decision concerning her toddler that other moms might criticize or at least not agree with. When there doesn’t seem to be any right or wrong answer or anyone to walk her through the right answer for her situation, she feels inadequate and lacks confidence in either choice.
Oh, how you and I need a protective shield. Something to guard our hearts from even unintentional comments that feel like arrows piercing our hearts. And oh, how our God has already provided.
David sang in Psalm 3:3 (NIV): “You, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.”
Our God is ashield of protection around us and the One who lifts our heads high when we would otherwise hang them low—feeling outnumbered, outclassed, outvoted, or just left out. Because He is a shield of protection around us, He enables us to hold our heads high in God-confidence.
David also sang in Psalm 5:12: “You bless the righteous person, Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.” That means God’s protective shield around us is also a shield of favor. Do you realize, as His child, you remain in a circle of God’s favor that protects you in ways you can’t imagine? In Psalm 139:5, David must’ve been describing God’s shielding circle around him when he sang, “You have encircled me behind and in front, and placed Your hand upon me.” God, as a protective enclosing shield, goes before us, moves alongside us, and guards our backs.
David continued his description of God as a shield in Psalm 7:10 when he sang: “My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.” God, Himself, is our shield.
And in Psalm 18, David described God as ashield of refuge when he said the God who is his rock, fortress, and deliverer, is also his “shield and the horn of [his] salvation, [his] stronghold” (verses 1-2). After describing God’s mighty rescue of him, David proclaims in verse 30: “As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is refined; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” And in verse 35, David declares his personal praise to God as his shield of support when he sings, “You protect me with your saving shield. You support me with your right hand. You have stooped to make me great.” (NCV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When someone says something to make us feel awkward, isolated, or alone, you and I don’t have to stoop down to their level for a cutting comeback or wilt inside with a sense of awkwardness, embarrassment, or shame. God has already stooped for us and toward us to be our shield and protector. In the New English Translation, the end of verse 35 reads: “You give me your protective shield; your right hand supports me. Your willingness to help enables me to prevail.”
The God of this Universe is willing to help you. And just by knowing that, you and I are enabled to prevail, press forward, and persevere on the path He has placed us on.
Go to the book of Psalms in your Bible and highlight every time God is described as a “shield.” I found more than a dozen descriptions of Him as a shield, and it encouraged my heart and made me feel strong and protected.
Remember your shield of protection wherever you go, whatever you do, whatever you may hear.
Further Reading:
Psalm 84:11
Psalm 91:4
For more on connecting more closely with God, your shield, see my books, The New Loneliness and The New Loneliness Devotional.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life is not accidental—it is sacred, intentional, and God-given. This Christian devotional explores the biblical truth of the sanctity of life and why choosing life matters more than ever in today’s culture. Rooted in Deuteronomy 30:19, this devotion calls believers to honor God’s design by valuing life at every age and stage.
Highlights
- Life is a sacred gift intentionally created by God
- Scripture calls believers to actively choose life over death
- Every person is made in the image of God and has inherent value
- Our words have the power to influence life or destruction
- Biblical truth affirms life from the womb to the grave
- God’s design for humanity does not change with culture
- Christians are called to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Why Life Is Sacred
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” - Deuteronomy 30:19
Why are so many people choosing death over life these days? If asked, many individuals might disagree, not realizing what they are doing.
Still, when we consider our culture’s views on the sacredness of life, we see the reality that individuals are choosing abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, suicide, and more.
Because death is a popular choice for so many people, it’s more important than ever for us to speak out and help lead others to choose life over death.
As Christians, we recognize that those who reject Jesus are choosing death, rather than receiving the life God gives us.
A Day Set to Choose Life
Every January since January 22, 1984, many Christians observe Sanctity of Life Day, a day set aside to commemorate God’s priceless and sacred gift of life.
The United States' 40th President, Ronald Reagan, first issued the national proclamation setting aside a day to honor life and remember the millions of lives ended through abortion.
It’s a day to remember those who can’t speak for themselves, committing to pray for and protect their life at every age and stage. Proverbs 31:8 urges us to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
Like Deuteronomy 30:19 urges, we, who are believers in Jesus Christ, are daily called to choose life over death, to believe that life is sacred.
So, how do we put this into action daily? By choosing life through the words we speak, write, and communicate about it to ourselves, friends, family, community, and the world at large.
Speaking Influential Words
As Proverbs 18:21 reminds us, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Whether we realize it or not, the words we choose to speak and write influence those who hear and read our words. Because they do, it’s vitally important, a matter of life and death, that we celebrate and support life for those around us.
Choosing God’s Truth
God describes the very beginning of humankind, of their sacredness of being made in His image, as Genesis 1:27 describes, “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”
Christians who replace biblical truth with other ideologies are choosing creator-less options, calling God a liar, along with removing the need for a Savior and devaluing life.
But as believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to embrace and cherish the sacredness of life, of the truth of being formed in the image of our amazing Creator, who breathed His breath of life into us.
There should be no doubt in our hearts and minds about who created us, the One who formed us with His own hands and has called us priceless in His sight. As Genesis 2:7 explains, God is very clear about where humans began and by whose hand. “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
Sanctity of Life Remains
Nothing changes God’s truth about life and the sacredness of it, despite the world’s efforts to promote abortion, assisted suicide, and selecting and euthanizing those who have physical and mental issues and disabilities, various illnesses, and the elderly.
God’s plan for each individual is life, as Psalm 139:16 describes: “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”
Men and women, from the womb to the grave, are God’s glorious, sacred creations. As Psalm 8:4-6 describes, “What is mankind that You are mindful of them, human beings that You care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of Your hands; You put everything under their feet.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How are we speaking about life? Are we sharing with others the sacredness of it?
Further Reading:
10 Things Christians Can Do to Celebrate Sanctity of Life Day
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Fear doesn’t wait for permission—and neither do life’s hardest moments. This Christian devotional offers biblical encouragement for finding strength in Christ when you’re facing overwhelming circumstances. Rooted in Philippians 4:12–13, it reminds us that big faith isn’t about our ability to endure—it’s about trusting the God who carries us through big things.
From unimaginable loss to prolonged suffering, many believers face trials that seem impossible to survive. Yet again and again, Scripture and real-life testimony point to the same truth: Jesus is the source of strength. Like the apostle Paul, we learn that contentment and perseverance don’t come from personal resilience, but from leaning fully on Christ’s power when ours runs out.
Highlights
- Big faith isn’t self-generated—it’s rooted in trusting Jesus
- God’s strength carries us when our own strength fails
- Contentment is learned through dependence on Christ
- Faith grows deeper when life grows harder
- God remains present in both abundance and need
- Jesus is faithful to do exactly what He promises
- Your faith is enough because God is more than enough
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
When You Need Big Faith to Face Big ThingsBy Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:12-13
I’ve watched people face things I can’t fathom. I’ve seen young friends lose spouses and parents and babies. I’ve watched couples on the brink of divorce after extreme betrayal, then bounce back. I’ve sat with women who have battled more health issues than I can imagine. I’ve witnessed others who have taken on more tragedy in a couple years than I hope to endure in an entire lifetime. And I’ve wondered time and again how in the world they kept it together. Because they certainly seemed too. I have a strong faith. But how would my faith stand up against some of the hardest things I can hardly even contemplate.
And I’m going to go ahead and tell you the common thread in these situations. Each of these individuals, who encountered the incomprehensible, pointed to Jesus. It was their faith in him they say held them up and together.
But how about you? How solid has your faith felt in really difficult times? Or if you don’t think you’ve gone through such treacherous waters as mentioned, how do you think your faith would hold up if you were to? Do you, like me, hear the story of Paul in the New Testament—who shares enduring the worst of the worst, yet still rejoices in Jesus—and wonder, how in the world did he do it?
But here’s what we have to remember: It’s Jesus. He was how. He is how. The longer I’ve lived I’m learning that it’s true. He really is who he says he is. He really does do what he said he’ll do. I have first-hand experienced his profound power and peace. Because though I am weak, he is strong. It’s not my power that gets me through it. It’s his. It’s him. And same for you. If you call him your Lord and Savior, he’ll be with you as well. If you look to and lean on him, if you place your faith in him, he will carry you just like he has carried all of his children through hard things. He really will. I’ve read about it, heard about it, and believe it more each day as I see it over and over in my own life.
It is God who gives the strength. In Philippians Chapter 4 Paul remarks, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. He says he knows what it is to be in need. And does he ever. Yet he learned to be content. He learned how to withstand extreme trials and suffering while keeping the faith. And he doesn’t say it is by his strength he did this, he says it is by God’s strength.
God reminds us time and again throughout his word that he will never leave us. He reminds us of his mighty power that resides with us and within us. This was true for Paul, it’s true for me, and it is true for you. It is your faith, it is God, that will strengthen you and hold you. And your faith is big enough to face big things, because God is big enough to get you through them.
I hope this gives you some encouragement today. I understand it’s hard to imagine being able to endure the most difficult traumas and tragedies of life. Those are the things that we all fear. But the truth is, God is who he says he is. He is our ultimate protector, provider, and peace-giver. And God will do what he says he’ll do. He will care for us and carry us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
So today, tomorrow, or someday down the road, if you face something that looks too big, that you doubt and wonder how and if you will get through, look to the Lord, lean on the Lord. And know that it is he and his strength that remains in you and will get you through. This is a promise that you can count on. Always.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Fear doesn’t disqualify us from being used by God—it often marks the starting point. This Christian devotional explores how Moses transformed from a hesitant, fear-filled man into one of the most courageous leaders in Scripture, revealing how God grows faith through daily dependence. Rooted in Deuteronomy 34:10–12, this devotion offers hope for anyone longing to move from insecurity to confidence in Christ.
Moses didn’t begin his calling with bold faith. In fact, he pleaded with God to choose someone else. Yet over time, as he repeatedly turned to the Lord instead of his fears, God shaped him into a leader marked by courage, intimacy with God, and unwavering trust. His story reminds us that spiritual growth isn’t instant—but it is possible.
Highlights
- God often calls people who feel unqualified and afraid
- Moses’ courage was developed, not instant
- Faith grows when we consistently turn to God in moments of fear
- Fear deepens when we dwell on problems; peace grows when we seek God’s presence
- True confidence comes from intimacy with Christ, not personal strength
- God’s power is revealed most clearly through surrendered hearts
- You don’t have to stay stuck in today’s insecurity
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
From Fearful to Courageous
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. - Deuteronomy 34:10-12, NIV.
Today’s passage, when understood in light of Moses’s full story, assures me that I can start afraid and end as a confident, influential, and powerful woman of God. While I’m nowhere near as faith-filled and courageous as I long to be, I’m encouraged knowing that I don’t have to remain stuck in today’s fear and insecurity. That’s not to say I expect my journey toward peace to feel easy or simple. Nor do I anticipate a smooth, linear trajectory where all fretting and overthinking steadily decrease day by day. Unfortunately, I’m much too inconsistent for that. The more I follow the examples set by the heroes of faith, however, the greater my intimacy with Christ, understanding and reliance on His truth, and trust in His care.
You see, whenever I read Moses’ legacy, so beautifully preserved in Deuteronomy 34, I can’t help but think back on the man revealed in Exodus 3 and 4. If you’re familiar with the Old Testament, you might remember his not-so-courageous response to his awe-inspiring and miraculous encounter with God Almighty. After forty years living as a Prince in Egypt, he killed a man and fled to the land of Midian, where he remained as a fugitive.
Perhaps assuming he’d forfeited whatever dreams he’d once held for his future, he soon settled into his new life, where he spent his time as a family man tending his father-in-law’s herds. Then one long, quiet, monotonous day, something captured his attention—a bush that kept burning without turning to ash. As he stepped closer to investigate, the voice of God Almighty called out from the foliage, engaging him in a life-changing conversation. The Lord told him that he’d heard the desperate cries of His enslaved people and was sending Moses to set them free. Understandably, this ignited anxiety within Moses. God responded through a series of miracles that displayed His power and authority, but this wasn’t enough to still Moses’s quaking heart. His fear of Pharaoh, the earthly ruler the Lord wanted him to stand against, was so great that he actually told God no, stating,
“Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else” (Ex. 4:13, NIV).
Eventually, however, he obeyed, and in the decades that followed, developed an unshakable faith able to withstand an approaching army, a militant raiding people group, constant complaints and revolts from those he led, near stoning, betrayal from his siblings, and all the hardships that came with wondering, for four decades, through an inhospitable wilderness enroute to an unknown land.
What strikes me most, however, is the stark contrast he portrays compared to his fellow Hebrews. Like Moses, they began doubtful and afraid. Unlike him, they remained stuck in their unbelief and fear. Moses, on the other hand, grew so faithful and courageous; today’s passage memorialized him as, at that time, the greatest prophet known to man.
Clearly, the difference wasn’t in their circumstances. He and they endured the same hardships and witnessed the same miracles. It also wasn’t in their makeup. He and they were both human and therefore experienced the same range of emotions as you and me. When we consider their stories closely and in full, we see the difference arose from how they responded in times of crisis. Whereas the people turned to one another with grumbling, complaining, and catastrophizing, thereby exacerbating their own and each other’s fears, Moses consistently turned to God.
He sought the Lord’s help, comfort, guidance, protection, and provision. But most importantly, he simply sought God, because in His presence comes power, protection, and peace.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Our world often feels chaotic and uncertain; tumultuous situations naturally evoke anxiety and fear. But you and I were created for peace and joy—not in the absence of trouble, but rather, in the presence of Jesus, our Prince of peace. The more we seek Him, read and reflect on His truth, and rest in His loving embrace, the greater our faith and the weaker our anxiety and fear.
Further Reading:
Psalm 27:1
Isaiah 41:10
1 John 4:18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Struggling with perfectionism, productivity pressure, or the constant need to do more? This devotional reflection on Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us that peace is found not in performance, but in God’s grace. When achievement becomes identity, rest feels uncomfortable—but Scripture gently redirects our hearts back to the truth that salvation, worth, and purpose are gifts from God, not something we earn.
Through honest reflection and biblical truth, this message invites us to release perfectionism, embrace weakness, and rest in the grace of a God who completes the work He began in us.
Highlights
- Perfectionism often disguises itself as faithfulness and diligence
- God’s grace, not our effort, defines our worth
- Productivity is not the same as purpose
- God’s power is made perfect in weakness, not strength
- Rest is an act of trust, not laziness
- Busyness can quietly pull our hearts away from God
- Peace grows when we surrender control and performance
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Trading Perfectionism for PeaceBy Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9 (NIV)
Do you wrestle with the incessant need to do more, be more? Do you find yourself struggling to sit still? Are you bothered by empty hours or blank spaces on the planner? Do you worry about how others perceive your efforts, or lack thereof? Do you feel frustrated by days that cannot be quantified as “productive”?
If any of these prompts ring true for you, know you are not alone. One of my greatest struggles in life has been my inner battle with performance and perfectionism. A typical, Type-A, first-born, I am naturally a mover, a shaker, and a doer. I can possess a fierce determination when something needs doing, and can conjure endless endurance to accomplish whatever goal lies ahead. If there is a job to do, you can likely find me in line, ready and waiting to help.
Our current culture esteems and celebrates such traits, but at what cost? I used to be proud of these characteristics. However, I have learned over time that all of the “achieving” can cause unwanted repercussions. Several years back, I recognized this reality the hard way, through hurt inflicted on those I love most. Full of grief and repentance, I spent years surrendering my pursuits of performance and perfectionism to the Lord and saw a real change in my behavior and my heart, so much so that I joked that I was a recovering perfectionist.
You would think, after putting so much effort towards such an outcome, I would steer clear of potential pitfalls in this area. However…
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9, NIV).
As I reflect on where I find myself today, I am disappointed and frustrated that I have once again journeyed down the slippery slope of achievement and works. I am deeply grieved by the recognition of this repeated pattern. How do I keep ending up here? What am I doing wrong? I feel like Paul when he said, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate,” (Rom. 7:15, NLT). Perhaps you can relate.
Despite my failings, hope remains because hope stems from a source far beyond me.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9 (NIV)
Even further, the Bible says His power is best demonstrated through my weakness, not my strength (2 Cor. 12:9), and the good work God began in me will be completed by HIM (Phil. 1:6). I am not responsible for anything other than surrender and worship to HIM.
The Lord does have work for each of us to do, but He is not requiring us to take on more than He asks. If you are anything like me, then there is a good chance you, too, are doing more than God has called you to do. He isn’t asking you to prove your worth to Him or anyone else around you. You are precious and valuable simply because you are. He is pleased with who He created you to be, and any effort to gain approval or satisfaction from busyness and productivity will only draw you farther away from Him rather than towards Him.
Will you join me today in laying down the clamor and call of perfectionism? If so, pray this prayer with me:
“Lord, I recognize that my longing for productivity is an attempt to validate my purpose in this world outside of you. Would you forgive me for trying to gain Your approval and the approval of others through my own efforts rather than depending on you? Would you help me to see how I can rest in You? Today, I yield my heart to you. Help me to understand how I can live differently, how I can live in the present moment, filled with peace. Thank you for your unending mercy and grace. Amen.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Where do you find yourself today? Have you overfilled your plate with endless commitments and now feel overwhelmed and exhausted? If so, spend some time with the Lord today and ask Him to reveal to you if there are any changes He is calling you to make, either now or in the future. If helpful, set a timer for ten minutes and simply sit in the quiet. Don’t pick up your phone or check your email. Don’t read a book. Just sit in the quietness and converse with your Lord.
Further Reading:
Ps. 46:10
2 Cor. 12:7-9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling overwhelmed when you don’t know what to do? This devotional reflection centers on 2 Chronicles 20:12, where King Jehoshaphat faces an impossible battle and responds with humility, prayer, and complete dependence on God. When fear rises and answers feel out of reach, Scripture reminds us that fixing our eyes on God invites His power, peace, and deliverance into our circumstances.
Through Judah’s story, we see how seeking the Lord first, admitting weakness, and trusting God’s sovereignty transforms fear into faith—and reminds us that the battle ultimately belongs to Him.
Highlights
- Fear is often the moment God invites us to deeper dependence
- Jehoshaphat chose prayer and fasting instead of panic
- Admitting “we don’t know what to do” is an act of faith, not failure
- God responds when His people seek Him with honesty and humility
- Worship came before victory, not after
- Faith fixes our eyes on God, even when fear is present
- The battle is God’s, but obedience is ours
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
When We Don’t Know What to Do
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:12 ESV
One afternoon, as I flipped open my Bible, my eyes landed on 2 Chronicles 20:12. As I reread the entire chapter, I was struck by what I uncovered in that passage.
Picture this.
The tribe of Judah receives word that three different armies, the Ammonites, Moabites, and those from Mount Seir, are plotting to attack them. When God’s people first entered the land, He had not allowed them to conquer Ammon, Moab, or Mount Seir (see Deut. 2). And now?
The enemy was coming for God’s people.
Not one.
Or two.
But three powerful armies.
King Jehoshaphat, the king reigning over Judah at the time, was afraid. He was the leader. Perhaps he was even expected to have all the answers to protect Judah from this threat. But you know what struck me the most?
As we read the passage, we notice the Scripture says, “Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord” (v. 3). In addition, he proclaimed a fast throughout all of Judah.
In the midst of fear, he turned to God and encouraged others to do the same.
As I read that, I was instantly convicted. If a nation’s king could lead with such humility and grace, should not each of us respond the same? Yes, when Jehoshaphat saw that these armies were coming, he was afraid.
How many of us can say the same? How many of us see something, are afraid, but then set our face to seek the Lord? How many times have I done that? Not as much as I wish.
Think about it.
Usually, so many of us are afraid and run to numb that fear. We often numb fear - whether through distractions or endless scrolling - instead of seeking God.
It doesn’t really matter how we numb our fear. The fact is, we all have all been tempted to turn to something other than God when we are afraid.
If we try to numb our fear with anything other than God, we will come away dissatisfied. Only God can truly satisfy us and give us peace.
Turn to God.
Not only did Jehoshaphat set his face to seek the Lord in his fear, but he chose honesty instead of what made him look good. He was upfront and honest with all of Judah, sharing in his prayer to God, “For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (v. 12).
He could’ve tried to appear strong, like he had all the answers. But he openly and freely admitted he didn’t. This was a fix only God could get them out of. In essence, he was saying, “God needs to do this. God needs to work because I can’t.” And then, he sought the Lord in prayer and encouraged all of Judah to seek the Lord with him.
His dependence on God is what defined his leadership and set an example for the people.
In addition, I noticed that Jehoshaphat recognized God’s sovereignty. In the beginning of his prayer in verse 6, he says, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you."
He recognized that God was sovereign and the only one who could save them.
Second, he clung to God’s promises, recalling how the Lord had given them the land (v. 7-9) and trusting He could deliver them again.
But even though God already knows everything, the Lord loves it when we share our hearts with Him.
Finally, Jehoshaphat begged God to execute judgment on their enemies. “For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (v. 12).
Guess what happened next?
The Spirit of the Lord came upon a man named Jehaziel, and he said (v. 15). “Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s'”. He goes on to give 3 specific instructions.
- Stand firm.
- Hold your position.
- See the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.
Sometimes, the Lord allows us to go through difficult trials and drives us to our knees so that we can recognize and realize that we are powerless against whatever we are facing.
Immediately after the Lord spoke to Jehaziel, Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground and worshipped the Lord. It is so inspiring to me that this is the first thing he did. His act of surrender and glory to God led Judah and Jerusalem to fall down on their faces, worshipping the Lord.
But they didn’t stop there.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Scriptures tell us that they rose early in the morning and went out. Not only that, but they sang to the Lord and praised Him as they went out to battle.
"And when they had begun to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed" (v. 22).
I’m sure they still struggled with fear. But imagine if the men of Judah had allowed their fear to stop them from following God.
Thank God they didn’t.
This passage reminds me that fear may come, but faith fixes our eyes on God — and He fights for us.
Pray with me:
Dear Father God, please help me to walk in faith even when I’m afraid. To always seek Your face first instead of caving into my fears. I trust You to work everything out for my good and your glory and to make me even more like Jesus (Romans 8:28-31).
In Jesus’s Name,
Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Coming back to God after pain, doubt, or distance can feel overwhelming, but Luke 15:21–24 reveals the heart of a Father who welcomes His children home with compassion, grace, and celebration. Even when suffering, illness, or disappointment shake our faith, God remains loving, present, and ready to restore what feels lost.
Highlights
- Seasons of pain and unanswered prayers can cause believers to drift from God.
- Feelings of doubt don’t define truth—God’s Word does.
- Chronic suffering can deepen faith rather than destroy it.
- God is not the author of pain but the author of redemption and hope.
- The parable of the prodigal son reveals God’s eagerness to restore, not reject.
- Confession leads to restoration, not punishment, in God’s kingdom.
- No matter how far we wander, we are always welcomed home by our Heavenly Father.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Coming Home to the FatherBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate” (Luke 15:21-24).
Most of us have had times when we have strayed from God. Due to something bad happening in our lives, we just wanted to leave everything, including our faith. Since we know God is all-powerful, we become disheartened when He doesn’t bring us out of a troublesome time.
I strayed from God when I was in the middle of being diagnosed with a now-known autoimmune disease. When I was still in the process of finding a diagnosis, I was scared of the worst-case scenario: an incurable disease. I constantly prayed to God and asked that I would not have to walk through the rest of my life with a chronic illness.
During that time, I saw my faith begin to crumble. The excruciating pain I was experiencing made me question God, His goodness, and His presence in my life.
I saw other people around me, who were thriving and healthy, yet here I was, sitting in a hospital, waiting to undergo another imaging test. For months, I did not talk to God, and I blamed Him for my pain. I hit rock bottom in my mental health as I fell into the belief that God didn’t love me or care about me…. But I must remember that feelings are only feelings—they are not facts. By reading the Bible and relying on what I know rather than how I feel, I have been able to make headway in renewing my mind to know that God does indeed love and care about me—and He loves and cares about you, too.
While my disease hasn’t changed much from the time I was first diagnosed, my faith has changed tremendously from the days when I was doubting God. Going through that process has brought about much growth in my spiritual walk with the Lord. I no longer see God as the author behind my pain, but rather, as the author of beautiful endings.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Within the Parable of the Lost Son, we are met with this wonderful encounter: “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate” (Luke 15:21-24).
The prodigal son had squandered his father’s wealth in wild living and left his family behind. However, when he had passed the point of no return, he fell before his father, confessed his sins, and told him he was not worthy to be his father’s son. The father chose to have his servants bring the best robe to his son, put a ring on his finger, sandals on his feet, and celebrate with a fattened calf. This would have been a surprise to the son, as he would have expected his father to send him away, yet his father richly adorns him and throws him a celebration.
The father and the son in this parable are allegorical to our relationship with God the Father. We were lost, and now we are found. Even though we might not have left God and squandered our lives in wild living, we have all drifted away from Him at some point in our Christian walk. The beautiful reminder we have here is that if we ever drift away, we are always welcomed home in the arms of our Heavenly Father. Praise God for His kindness, mercy, and love!
Further Reading:
Jeremiah 31:3
Joel 2:12-15
1 Corinthians 1:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Condemnation can quietly weigh down even the most faithful believers, especially when perfectionism and performance replace grace. Romans 8:1 offers freeing truth: for those in Christ Jesus, condemnation no longer exists because Jesus already carried the full weight of sin and shame on the cross.
Highlights
- Perfectionism often disguises itself as faith but leads to exhaustion and emptiness.
- Guilt and shame push us away from God, while grace draws us closer.
- Self-condemnation is a burden Jesus never intended believers to carry.
- Romans 8:1 declares complete freedom from condemnation for those in Christ.
- Jesus paid the full debt for sin—nothing more is required from us.
- Our identity is found in Christ’s finished work, not our performance.
- Grace is a gift to rest in, not something to strive to maintain.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Carrying the Unnecessary Weight of Condemnation
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, ESV).
For many years, I was driven by perfectionism and the feeling that I had to work successfully or perform well in life to be loved by other people… and to be loved by God. On the outside, I looked like I had it all together- high honors throughout school, hyper-involvement in extracurricular activities, serving in any ministry I was asked to be involved in, star of the high school plays and musicals, head cheerleader, first chair clarinet player in the band, and the list goes on and on. But on the inside, I was so empty and constantly searching for true fulfillment. I knew God was there for me, but somehow, I thought I could be perfect in my own strength on my walk with Him.
Because we are human, we fail time and time again. We make a mess of things more often than not. Guilt and shame can often push us further away from God, instead of closer. For so long as a Christian, I was allowing self-condemnation to take root in my heart, and it weighed me down as I walked around carrying all of the baggage of my past sins and failures, thinking that I had to continue to strive to keep God’s forgiveness. Thankfully, today, I no longer live burdened by a work-based mentality. I find my identity in the finished work of Christ, and I want to encourage you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, you should too. Grace is a gift that cannot be earned, and you do not have to strive to keep it either.
In Romans 8:1, the Bible tells us that we do not have to carry condemnation in our lives when we’re truly in Christ. If you are a born-again believer, condemnation does not exist because the punishment for our failures and sins does not exist.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, ESV).
This means that when we embrace and believe what Jesus did for us on the cross, as He took the punishment for our sin that we deserved, our lives are now hidden in Christ. When we come to God with a heart full of repentance, resting in this glorious, finished work of the cross, we can stand before the throne of God without any shame because Jesus bore all of it for us. The debt we owed has been paid in full- we are free from all bondage.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Jesus took all of your sin and your shame upon Himself and cast it as far as the east is from the west, friend. Do you struggle with thoughts of shame from your past? Fix your eyes on the finished work of the cross. Christ bore the weight of your sin; you no longer have to live with the weight of your failures. You can come boldly to the throne of grace, beloved, because it is grace that did the work for you. You can rest assured that God sees you as blameless and perfect because you are in Christ. There is no reason to carry that heavy burden of condemnation upon your shoulders… surrender it to Christ today. Let’s pray that you learn to no longer walk around carrying the weight of your past and stop striving for perfection. Remember, Jesus is blameless and perfect for you… lean upon Him.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
True revival doesn’t begin with better habits or stronger resolutions—it begins with humble repentance and a renewed pursuit of God. Drawing from 2 Chronicles 7:14, this devotional reminds us that healing, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal start when God’s people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their sin.
Highlights
- Revival is deeper than emotion; it begins with repentance.
- God’s call to humility starts with us, not others.
- Pointing out sin in the world without self-examination blocks spiritual growth.
- Repentance is an intentional turning away from darkness and toward God.
- Revival flows from obedience, not performance or perfection.
- When God’s people respond with humility, He promises forgiveness and healing.
- Personal surrender can ignite widespread spiritual renewal.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
We Don’t Need a Resolution… We Need Revival.
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
As we are in the midst of New Year’s resolutions, I want to challenge you with an alternative option: instead of simply making New Year’s resolutions, what if we prayed for revival?
Now don’t get me wrong.
There is nothing wrong with making New Year’s resolutions. There’s nothing wrong with saying “I want to do more of this” or “I want to do less of that”.
But more than making New Year’s resolutions, what if we prayed for revival?
We all need revival. We pray for it. We’ve seen it sweep across college campuses. We’ve studied the Great Awakenings in our history books, and now, we’re praying for it to happen again.
We have always needed God, and we’ll never stop needing Him.
But if we look around the shattered state of our country and our world, I think we can all agree we need Him now more than ever.
Revival isn’t based on feelings. We recognize our nation needs revival, yes. Our world needs it, yes. But revival doesn’t happen because we have an amazing pastor or top-notch worship leader. I think a lot of people hear stories of revival and want the feel-good emotions they think will come with it.
But honestly, revival is messy.
Revival starts with us, and it starts with repentance.
So many people desire the revival, but they would prefer to ignore the call to repentance that precedes the revival.
Without repentance, there is no revival.
Sometimes, we may look at the people around us and think, “This person needs God. They need revival, and they need to change.”
Which is true. They absolutely need God, and maybe they do need to change.
We all do.
But look at what Jesus says in Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV): “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
This is a call of conviction. We are so quick to look at other people, at the rest of the world (and I’m not saying this world is not messy. It absolutely is).
But we all need Jesus.
Your kids’ nemesis at school who just won’t seem to leave them alone.
The politician who makes you so angry when he steps up to the podium.
The list could go on.
Me.
And you.
But revival starts with each one of us individually. If we want revival? We must repent.
What is the first thing God commands His children to do in 2 Chronicles 7:14?
- Humble themselves.
Not their neighbor. Not the bully at school. Not the politician in the opposing party.
Themselves.
- Next, they need to pray and seek the Lord’s face and turn from their wicked ways.
This is part of the repentance and is the decision to surrender the sin we cling to—the conscious turning away from the darkness that has crept into our hearts.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If we do these things, then God promises: “I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV).
Don’t get me wrong.
Revival is not dependent on our good works. But we do need to be obedient to God’s call. If we keep pointing fingers and saying “They need to repent” while ignoring the log in our own eye, then we are no better than the hypocrites Jesus called out in the Bible.
That humble individual act of turning away from sin and seeking the Lord—that is what is going to fan the flame and spread genuine revival throughout the entire world.
Do we believe it? More importantly, do we live like it?
Pray with me:
Dear Father, we confess that we often desire the blessings of revival without repentance. We confess we are too quick to see the sins of others while ignoring the “log in our own eye.” Lord, make us humble. We lay down our self-righteousness today. Please help us to sincerely pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways. We ask You to forgive our sin and, starting with us, heal our land. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Humility creates space for God to work powerfully in and through our lives. In Luke 1:46–52, Mary’s response to God’s calling shows how choosing worship over worry allows fear to shrink and faith to grow, making room for God’s strength to shine through human weakness.
Highlights
- God notices and honors a humble heart.
- Mary’s worship shifted her focus from fear to God’s greatness.
- Humility helps us trust God with outcomes we can’t control.
- Fear keeps us focused on limitations; humility lifts our eyes to God’s power.
- God often calls people forward through blessings that feel both exciting and scary.
- Choosing worship over worry positions us to receive God’s plans with faith.
- God looks for humility when He wants to accomplish great things through someone.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
God Looks for HumilityBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” – Luke 1:46-52, NIV
Mary had just received news that would completely turn her life upside down: an angel announced she would give birth to the Son of God. The news was wonderful, but also terrifying. Mary was a young, unmarried woman in a society where a pregnancy outside of marriage led to shame and even danger. The angel’s message was the best news possible for the world, but for Mary herself, it must have brought up feelings of fear about what her future would be like.
Still, Mary responds with faith, despite her fear. She focuses on God’s greatness and she celebrates that God has blessed her because God has been mindful of her humility. Mary overcomes her very real fears by changing her perspective. She moves her focus off her humble state and onto God, the Mighty One who is greater than her problems, and who can work through her in powerful ways. Mary’s song of praise is about God, rather than herself. She realizes that if God is powerful enough to save the world through the Messiah, he is certainly powerful enough to take care of her reputation and her safety. God sees humble people like Mary and acts through their lives with great power.
When have you heard some good news from God that’s a blessing, but also scary? Maybe God is calling you to start working toward making a dream a reality, but you’re afraid that you won’t be able to accomplish that goal, so you’re considering letting that dream go to stay in your comfort zone. Or, maybe God is encouraging you to forgive someone and restore a relationship, but you fear getting hurt again, so you’re neglecting God’s guidance because you want to protect yourself.
Fear can cause you to miss out on making the decisions God wants you to make, because it directs your attention to only your own circumstances and limitations. When fear is in control, you only perceive the threat and miss the miracle. God’s good news is right there, but you can’t fully receive it because you’re so busy listening to worries in your mind.
In order to fully hear and embrace the good news God sends you, you must make the same choice Mary did: Choose worship over worry. You can do that when you’re humble, because humility helps you see beyond yourself to God, which inspires you with reverence and awe for God. When you can see how big God really is, your fear shrinks, and you can step into the great plans God has for you because you can trust that God will empower you. God looks for humility when he looks for people to serve in great ways.
Don't let the fear of what might happen in the future stop you from embracing the blessings God wants to send you. Like Mary, be in a humble state that’s ready to serve God. Then look forward to what God will do through your life!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider why it’s important to be humble for God to work in great ways through your life, reflect on these questions:
- What “good news” has God given you recently that’s both exciting and scary for you?
- What worries you about moving forward with how God is leading you, and what specific truth about God’s character (like his power or his love) can you remind yourself of to move past your fear?
- Like Mary, how can you focus on God’s unlimited strength rather than on your own limitations?
- In what areas of your life do you struggle to be humble, and how can you choose humility more so you can better hear and obey God’s messages?
- How does Mary’s celebration of God’s strength inspire you to choose worship over worry?
Further Reading:Isaiah 41:10
2 Timothy 1:7
1 John 4:18
Psalm 56:3
Philippians 4:6-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling distracted, annoyed, or judgmental at church can quietly reveal places where freedom hasn’t fully taken root. John 8:36 reminds us that true worship flows from the freedom Christ gives—not from conformity, comparison, or comfort.
Highlights
- Judgment can quietly imprison our hearts, even in worship.
- What looks distracting on the outside may be evidence of deep healing and redemption.
- God often invites us to love the very people we instinctively avoid.
- Freedom in Christ doesn’t always look neat, quiet, or familiar.
- Worship involves the whole person—heart, mind, and body.
- Letting go of fear of others’ opinions creates space to encounter God more fully.
- Jesus frees us not only from sin, but from rigid expectations and spiritual pride.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
When You Feel Annoyed at ChurchBy Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." – John 8:36 NIV
I tried to close my eyes. That was my best attempt to ignore the woman standing in front of me. If I close my eyes, I won't have to be bothered with her. That was my line of thinking, anyway. If I close my eyes, I can think about the words in the song, and the love for God in my heart—not her.
Yet, before long, I squinted my eyes open to catch a glance. She was still doing it. She was moving her body during worship. She wasn't standing still. She wasn't being like everyone else. She was swaying her body, unlike the rest of the church.
She's distracting. She is one hundred percent distracting. She shouldn't be allowed to do this.
I was bothered in my heart, perturbed in my mind, and critical with my words. In the car, I told my husband about it.
Later, though, at home, after praying about gathering a group of women at my house to experience God's love and the truth of His Word, she came to mind.
God, do you want me to invite… her?
Indeed, I had a strong impression on my heart that she is exactly who He wanted me to invite.
Anyone but her.
Despite my hesitancy, I obeyed. Once she was at my house, some of the ladies began to open up about their stories.
When it was the dancing girl’s turn, she shared, "I used to be a stripper. Then, I found Jesus. He saved me and rescued me out of that. Now, when I move during church worship, it is like He is redeeming all the dances I did before. He is redeeming me, as He looks upon me in worship, I just know it..."
My mouth wanted to drop.
How could I have judged her? God was doing something with her. How could I have declared her a stumbling block? Her story was now healing me of judgment. How could I have been such a Pharisee? It was people like this that Jesus came to save and love.
I was the one in the wrong.
While I was in a prison of judgment, she was experiencing the freedom of Christ Jesus.
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NIV)
Maybe she knew something I didn't. Maybe moving during worship is part of experiencing freedom. Maybe moving breaks free of a room that may be conforming. Was she on to something?
During worship, I started to sway a little. I started to raise my hands. I started to break out of normal to pursue God, not only with all my heart, but with all my body. And, wow! God met me in that place. I felt His heart near me. I felt His grace around me.
Who knew?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How might God be calling you to break a norm? How might He be encouraging you to worship Him with all your heart? What would it look like to stop fearing what you look like before man and to give Him more of yourself in worship? How do you fear what others think of you?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When emotions feel tangled or words won’t come out right, God invites you to pour out your heart to Him as a safe refuge. Psalm 62:8 reminds us that whether we speak freely or sit silently, God listens closely and welcomes every concern we bring before Him.
Highlights
- God invites you to pour out your heart—without fear or filtering.
- Whether you process internally or externally, God can handle your words or your silence.
- God is a refuge, not threatened by emotion or overwhelmed by honesty.
- When words fail, the Holy Spirit helps express what’s on your heart (Romans 8:26).
- God bends down to listen, drawing closer rather than pulling away.
- David modeled honest expression through prayer, music, and worship.
- God can communicate what you cannot find words to say—even to others.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Pouring Out Your Heart
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your hearts before Him;
God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8 NASB)
Do you ever long for a safe place to pour out your heart?
Some people are internal processors. They run thoughts through their minds and at times find it difficult to verbally express what’s on their hearts.
At times, I wish I were that way. To the contrary, I struggle with keeping it all inside. As a verbal or external processor, I repeat instructions aloud to make sure I understand them. And I express my thoughts verbally as a way of sorting through them. To my husband, who is an internal processor, that’s exhausting at times. For me, it’s essential. To hold it in is to put a stopper on my heart, and I feel I will suffocate. Until pent-up feelings eventually blow, like an eruption of emotion that can be overwhelming to those I love the most. In the aftermath of a gush of words, there can sometimes be regret.
But God is not threatened by my words—or yours. And He’s not irritated by our silence, either. He tells us, in His Word, to pour out our hearts before Him, and then He tells us He is a refuge, a safe place—we don’t need to fear what we said or the words we withheld. He knows, and can handle them all—or none at all.
And if you’re one who struggles with how to verbally express how you feel, or when you do, you choose the wrong words, Romans 8:26 tells us His Spirit will communicate with yours and express your very heart to your Heavenly Father. I love how the Contemporary English Version renders Psalm 62:8: “Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each of your concerns. God is our place of safety.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Could you use a safe place when it comes to bearing your soul? Do you need a refuge, a place to hide, when you’re not ready to express how you feel? God is there for us whenever we need to process our thoughts and feelings. He is the Ultimate Listener and the Perfect Communicator. He is the Quiet Encourager and our Comforting Presence.
Psalm 116:2 in the New Living Translation says: “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” I love how that verse indicates He will come near us, rather than walk away, when we have something we need to say. He will draw closer—in order to listen carefully—when He knows we struggle with how to express what’s on our hearts, or how to filter our words. As a father with an ear bent toward his loving child, our God will listen. So, pour it out. Or keep it in, and just close your eyes and reflect on being in His presence. He knows exactly what you need to say. He can hear your unspoken words, too.
I tend to think David, the psalmist, needed to write music and lyrics in order to express his heart. And I believe he counted on God to help him find words for what he felt, so he could express those words to God and sing them back to Him. In doing so, he experienced God’s strength in the midst of his weakness.
What do you need to express to someone today, while you struggle to find the right words? Can you tell it to God instead, or ask Him to search your mind and thoughts and help you convey what you need to say to someone else? Many times, when I’m at a loss for how to say something to someone at just the right time and in just the right way, I’ve asked my heavenly Father to convey to that person what’s on my heart without me having to say anything. He has an amazing way of touching someone’s heart and making them “hear” what I really wanted to say to them, but never found the words to do so.
Oh, the overwhelming, astounding love of God. All His ways are perfect, says Psalm 18:30. And through His help, we are strengthened.
The next time you need to speak up or hold it in, praise Him for being a God who listens. And then pour out your heart before Him. Your words are safe with Him.
Further Reading:
Psalm 139:1-18.
For more on connecting more closely with God, and with others, see my books, The New Loneliness and The New Loneliness Devotional.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Trusting God in times of trouble anchors your heart when life feels heavy, exhausting, or uncertain. Nahum 1:7 reminds us that God’s goodness doesn’t change with seasons or circumstances—He is a steady refuge who deeply cares for those who choose to trust Him.
Highlights
- Trouble is part of life, but God promises His presence through it.
- God is a refuge—safe, reliable, and unshaken by your circumstances.
- His goodness is constant, not dependent on your emotions or environment.
- God cares personally about your sadness, stress, and unanswered prayers.
- Trusting God means releasing control and surrendering outcomes to Him.
- Rest comes when we stop striving and lean into God’s care.
- God’s presence provides the warmth and light we need in dark seasons.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Trust God to Care for YouBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,” – Nahum 1:7, NIV
During the winter – when the days are shortest, the weather is coldest, and the festive energy of the holidays has worn off – many people struggle with feeling sad and tired. The winter can feel like an unending time of trouble since it’s a dark, cold season that seems to drag on forever. But in this fallen world, there are so many challenges that you can experience trouble anytime.
Thankfully, this Bible verse reminds you that God is a refuge you can turn to in times of trouble.
A refuge is a safe place with reliable help. God is the ultimate refuge for you, whenever you’re facing any kind of trouble. God is always purely good. He doesn’t change with the seasons or with your feelings. God’s goodness is a constant truth you can build your life on.
The Bible doesn’t promise that you won’t experience trouble. In fact, it often acknowledges that trouble is a part of life in this broken world. Jesus says straight out in John 16:33 that: “in this world you will have trouble”. But he adds in that same verse: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Nahum 1:7 assures you that you don't have to face trouble alone. You can take refuge in God, who is completely trustworthy in every situation.
The second part of this verse gives you the confidence that God “cares for those who trust in him.” The same God who created the vast universe and knows every star by name cares about the specific challenges you’re facing right now. He cares about the sadness and stress you’re feeling, and he hears your prayers and plans to answer them.
When other people don’t really care about how sad or exhausted you feel, you can relax and be honest with God. God will listen to how you really feel, and he really cares. But God also asks you to trust him. Trust is the key that unlocks God’s care in your life.
How can you trust God to care for you? You need to let go of the need to control the outcomes of the troubling situations you’re facing. Just like you can’t control the temperature or the amount of daylight in winter, and you can’t force yourself to feel better. But you can choose to surrender your struggle to God, and you can trust that God will help you with whatever you need when you ask for his help.
So, talk with God honestly. Share all of your difficult feelings with God, and tell him you’re choosing to trust him to help you with what you need. Then, rest in the reality that God will keep his promises. God promises to be a refuge for you in times of trouble. He promises to care for you when you trust him. So, choose to believe that God will really do that!
In the cold, dark days of winter, trusting God allows you to stop worrying about finding the warmth and light you need. Instead, you get to rest in the warmth and light of God’s presence with you. You can take a deep breath and remember that God’s goodness is your greatest resource. God is watching over you, guiding you, and providing for you – even in times of trouble.
Take the pressure off yourself to be cheerful when you’re feeling sad, or to be productive when you’re tired. Just focus on connecting with God’s presence with you, and trusting God to help you. God is good, he is your refuge, and he cares for you. Let God’s care be the strength that gets you through times of trouble.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider why it’s important to trust God to care for you in times of trouble, reflect on these questions:
- What kind of trouble are you currently facing?
- How does knowing that God is a refuge for you change how you view the trouble you’re going through right now? Does it feel less overwhelming?
- What’s a situation in your life where you’re trying to control the outcome? How can you trust God to help you with that situation so you can relax and experience God’s best for you?
- When was a time in the past when you were going through a time of trouble and God cared for you then?
- How can you remind yourself this week to trust God more when you’re feeling sad or tired?
Further Reading:
John 16:33
Psalm 46:1
Psalm 91:2
Isaiah 41:10
1 Peter 5:7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Waiting on God’s answers can stretch our faith, especially when prayers feel unheard or delayed. Drawing from Matthew 7:7–8, this devotional reframes waiting as part of God’s process—assuring us that He hears every prayer and faithfully responds, even when His answers are still unfolding.
Highlights
- God hears every prayer, even when the answer doesn’t come immediately.
- Delayed answers don’t mean ignored prayers—sometimes they’re simply “in the queue.”
- Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 remind us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking.
- Waiting requires trust in God’s timing, not doubt in His goodness.
- Scripture repeatedly affirms God’s faithfulness and unchanging character.
- God’s track record throughout the Bible proves He keeps His promises.
- A loving Father gives good gifts, even when the wait feels long.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
My Prayer Is Still in the Queue
By Lauren Fletcher
Bible Reading:
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” - Matthew 7:7-8
Something I’ve been learning is the importance of patience in prayer. Often, I expect and hope God to answer right away. I’ll be praying so desperately, hoping to hear His response. When I don’t hear anything, I wonder, God, are You answering my prayer? This happened recently when I was praying for something. What God revealed to me is that He was answering my prayer, but it was still in the queue.
Do you remember the days of downloading music? If you downloaded multiple things at once, the computer would download about three, and all the others were in the queue, waiting to be downloaded. I remember how impatient I would feel, eager to listen to these songs. It was a wait. Eventually, though, I would be able to play them.
In this illustration, God helped me to understand that sometimes, my prayers are in the queue. God has heard them, He has answered them, but I have to wait for a little while for those answers. They are in the works.
Matthew 7:7-8 encourages me that God not only listens to my prayers but answers them. He says that “everyone who asks, receives” (emphasis added). So, when I pray, He responds.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What do we do when we are desperate to hear from God? According to this passage in Matthew, we keep praying. We continually seek His help and look for Him. He tells us that He will answer.
So, what do we do when our prayers are in the queue? We must learn to patiently wait. We must trust in God as we wait. Scriptures like Psalm 34 and 40 comfort me when I am desperate to hear from the Lord. In Psalm 34, it says, “In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles” (Psalm 34:6). David says in Psalm 40:1, “I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.” It goes on to tell of how the Lord helped David and was faithful to him. When we are in need of God’s help and cry out to Him, He will not fail us. We can trust in Him.
When we are waiting on God, in that challenging space, how do we know God is trustworthy? We know we can trust God because of His track record and also because of His Word. In the Bible, there are many stories of God’s faithfulness to His people. His Word also tells us of His character: “…And you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word” (Nehemiah 9:8b). In Psalms, it says, “For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth” (Psalm 33:4-5). God is so good.
Following the passage about asking, seeking, and knocking, Jesus says, “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:9-11).
We can trust God in the waiting. We can trust Him when our prayers are in the queue. We are assured that He hears every word —that He knows what we need before we even ask Him—and that He answers our prayers (Psalm 34, Matthew 6:8).
Lord, Thank You that we can trust You in the waiting, that You are a faithful God. We thank you that You are faithful to answer every prayer. We love you. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Further Reading:
Matthew 6:8
Nehemiah 9, 9:8b
Matthew 7:7-11
Luke 11:1-13
James 1:16-17
2 Samuel 22:31
Psalm 33:4-5
Psalm 34
Psalm 40:1-3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling brokenhearted, crushed in spirit, or painfully alone can make God feel distant—but Psalm 34:18 assures us the Lord is near in our deepest pain. This devotional points to God’s nearness in suffering, reminding us that He sees, understands, and saves those who feel shattered by life’s hardships.
Highlights
- Feeling alone often hurts more deeply than difficult circumstances themselves.
- David wrote Psalm 34 during a season of fear, humiliation, and desperation.
- Scripture describes “brokenhearted” and “crushed” as being shattered beyond repair—yet God draws near.
- David chose to seek God rather than bitterness or despair.
- God hears our cries and remains attentive to every moment of distress.
- Turning to God in pain brings comfort, clarity, and renewed hope.
- Praise and prayer can coexist with fear, sorrow, and uncertainty.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Held By the One Who Sees and Understands Our Pain
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18, NIV
When I look back on some of my most painful experiences, particularly during my homeless period in my late teens, it wasn’t my circumstances that caused the most grief. What hurt most was the fact that I felt alone. I now realize that wasn’t my reality; that the Lord saw me, loved me, and, as today’s verse assures, remained with me every dark moment of every distressing day.
David, ancient Israel’s second king, wrote Psalm 34 during a time of crisis. In fear for his life, he hid in Philistine territory, the land of ancient Israel’s fiercest enemies, and in the very city from which Goliath, the warrior David beheaded, came. Learning of his presence, the king's servants said, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” (1 Samuel 21:11, NIV).
In other words, isn’t this the guy who killed many of our warriors?
1 Samuel 21:13 states that, “David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish, king of Gath” (NIV, emphasis mine). This gains emphasis when one considers that, as a teen, he took on and defeated a large, heavily armed tyrant that had paralyzed the entire Israeli army. And yet, he felt afraid.
In desperation, David prayed to God, asking for mercy and declaring, twice, that he would place his trust in the Lord (Psalm 56). He then pretended to be insane, “making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard” (1 Samuel 21:14, NIV).
How humiliating this must have been—a powerful and successful warrior and the man anointed to reign as ancient Israel’s next king, survived by feigning severe mental illness. As humiliating as this must have been, it saved his life.
Then we get to Psalm 34, a beautiful passage in which he declared His trust in and love for God, stating, “I will extol the Lord… his praise will always be on my lips … my soul will boast in the Lord” (V. 1-2, NIV, emphasis mine). He wrote that God heard his cries, saved him from his troubles, and kept His eyes upon him, adding today’s verse in which he confidently proclaimed the Lord’s nearness in times of distress.
Again, today’s verse states, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
David wasn’t just sad, concerned, or discouraged. In the original Hebrew, the word that our Bibles translate as broken has the connotation of something that’s been shattered into pieces. The ending phrase conveys a similar meaning. The word translated as crushed, in the original Hebrew, refers to something pulverized to dust and beyond repair. Scripture uses the same word in Psalm 90:3, which reads:
“You turn people back to dust, saying, ‘Return to dust, you mortals’ (NIV, emphasis mine).
Have you ever experienced emotional pain so intense that your chest physically hurt and you struggled to breathe? That was how David felt, and understandably so.
He feared for his life, likely the lives of his family, was run out of his homeland and everything he knew, and was forced to live as a fugitive for at least a decade. Oh, how lonely and disoriented he must’ve felt. He could’ve turned bitter or become swallowed up in his grief. Instead, he turned to God and sought comfort in Him.
That was David’s regular practice. As the New International Chronological Bible states, “Virtually every important encounter he faces becomes memorialized in his petitions to God.”
Yet, his psalms don’t just record his requests. They’re also always filled with praise.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
What a powerful example for us to follow. Sadly, when I feel sad and afraid, initially, I often get stuck in my head. That only makes things worse as one concern tends to lead to another, then another, until I’m nearly buried in gloom. Thankfully, God always meets me there, draws me into His tender embrace, and speaks encouraging truths to my soul. As today’s verse states, He moves close to the brokenhearted. This won’t change. I’m learning, however, that my sorrow feels much more manageable and less dark when I turn to the One who always turns toward me. He’s turning toward you, in your pain, as well.
Further Reading:Psalm 145:9
Psalm 86:15
Psalm 103:13
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
False accusations, broken trust, and relational pain can shake our confidence—but Psalm 27:13–14 reminds us that God’s goodness is still at work in the land of the living. This devotional encourages us to place our trust fully in God, not people, and to wait on Him with strength and courage when relationships fail.
Highlights
- Betrayal and false accusations reveal how fragile human relationships can be.
- Trusting people to meet soul-level needs often leads to disappointment.
- David’s experience with Saul shows that jealousy and envy can drive cruelty.
- God uses difficult relationships to reveal truth and refine our perspective.
- Waiting on the Lord builds spiritual strength, not weakness.
- God’s goodness is not delayed—it is present, even in painful seasons.
- True security comes from placing faith in God alone, not in others’ approval.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Put Your Trust in GodBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” - Psalm 27:13-14
In high school, I always struggled to fit in. I had friends in various circles within my class, but I never seemed to fit in anywhere. I tried desperately to fit in with a group that lived near me, and we shared the same bus. But just when I got a boyfriend who was a mutual friend of theirs, things got ugly. People who I thought were my friends were spreading vicious lies about me. They couldn't understand what their mutual friend saw in me. This is especially true since one of the friends in that circle had dated him before.
The night of our Sophomore dance, I took that mutual friend as my date. We all shared the same ride and went to the dance together. But after returning from the bathroom, I saw my friend in my group flirting with my new boyfriend. I was devastated. How could she do this to me? After that, we didn't speak to each other for quite some time. Eventually, that mutual friend and I broke up. Once that happened, the friend from my circle started talking to me again.
Although this is before I knew the Lord, it taught me a valuable lesson: life can be cruel. The friends you think you've made may turn on you in an instant once they find you have something that they want. I struggled until graduation, wondering if these were truly my friends or not. I quickly concluded they weren't and started making friends with someone else. I never felt so lonely. It wasn't until I met the Lord a year later that I realized what true happiness and companionship could be. The Lord filled the hole in my soul, and I no longer needed fallible, fragile human beings to fill that void for connection and intimacy.
The above verse reminds me of God's sovereignty, presence, and omniscience. Although this verse is positive, verse 12 above it puts it into context: “Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise against me, spouting malicious accusations.” I learned the harshness of this reality during that encounter with my friend. We stopped being friends after that, and after graduation, we stopped talking altogether.
The psalmist David wrote this in this context to promise the readers that we will see goodness and mercy come on this earth. David had personally experienced hardship and persecution from Saul. Saul was envious of his position, and he would stop at nothing to get it—even murder him. This must have been devastating for David since he had done nothing to Saul.
Jealousy and envy can be difficult emotions to process. But David's encouragement in the above verse is straightforward: if we hold on to God, we will see goodness and mercy flow from others. But it is important to change our perspective to do so.
Instead of seeing my friend’s accusations as a loss, I should have seen them as a strength. I'm glad the Lord showed me that side of her because I could understand fully that she was never my friend. I was placing my trust in someone nice to my face, but behind my back was anything but pleasant. The Lord will use things in our lives to show us people's true colors. Sometimes, difficult circumstances will bring out the worst in people. This is when you can truly see who people are on the inside.
If you are going through a difficult circumstance, take heart. Hold on to the encouragement of this verse. Wait on the Lord, he will be good and provide you with everything you need. He may also turn your situation around for his good and glory. God will sometimes use situations like this to show you people's true colors. In the end, it is better to know who people truly are and not put your faith and trust in them, but instead in God. Put your faith and trust in God always, and you'll never be disappointed.
Father, let us hold fast to you. Let us take heart and place our hope in you. Allow us to trust you, knowing that you can change any situation for your good. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Did you ever have a situation where someone hurled false accusations at you? Go to God with those feelings.
Further Reading:John 16:33
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Celebrating someone else’s failure can reveal a deeper struggle with envy, comparison, and misplaced gratitude. Rooted in 1 Samuel 18:9, this devotional confronts the subtle sin of rejoicing in others’ misfortune and invites us to trade jealousy for gratitude, humility, and trust in God’s provision.
Highlights
- Envy can quietly turn another person’s hardship into our momentary emotional relief.
- Comparison tempts us to feel better about ourselves when others fall.
- Scripture shows envy is not a minor issue—Saul’s jealousy toward David led to spiritual and emotional destruction.
- Envy says to God, “What You gave me isn’t enough.”
- Coveting blinds us to the blessings God has already placed in our own lives.
- Gratitude breaks the cycle of jealousy and restores spiritual clarity.
- Healing begins when we honestly acknowledge envy and invite God to reshape our hearts.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Do You Secretly Celebrate Others Fails or Flaws?
By Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:
“And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.” – 1 Samuel 18:9 NIV
I am happy this happened to her.
For a split second, my friend's misfortune was my utter joy. As if I was watching her situation unfold on a big screen, I couldn't help but lean in, rub my hands together, and rejoice in her big cash outlay. Oh yes, I am not the only one who must pay an unexpected bill...!
Shortly thereafter, I felt bad. I love this woman.
“What is wrong with me?" I thought.
Of course, I'd never admit this sinful thought to another soul. These sorts of things you keep to yourself. I knew better.
I knew better to admit my deep satisfaction found in my friend's horrible misfortune. I knew better than to tell anyone how her bad made me feel good for a moment.
I don't think I am alone either. None of us would admit it, because we know better, but I’d venture to say that this is why tabloids are so loved!
When the high and mighty fall, for a moment we feel lifted.
We think, "At least my life is not as bad as hers."
Looking at the tabloids in the grocery aisle, we think, at least I’m not as bad as this celebrity who is now busted as a drug addict or a 5-time cheater.At least I’m not her.
Tabloids are the outlet to the joyful slander of envy, just as much as my friend's misfortune was the release for mine.
I wanted what she had, but I didn’t have it, so I coveted her life, her goods, and her income. Envy makes slander easy. Envy easily cuts someone else down to be emotionally built up.
I’m not proud of it, but today, in humility, I admit it.
While no one ever admits this truth, I know I am not alone. It’s as old as Bible times. Think: Cain and Abel, Joseph and His brothers, Saul and David.
Saul envied David, saying, “And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” And from that day forward, Saul kept a jealous eye on David. (1 Sam. 18:9 NIV)
How did God handle envy, in Saul’s case?
“The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul…” (1 Sam. 18:10 NIV)
God did not take envy lightly, and He doesn’t today either.
When we envy another person, we say to God, “What you gave me is not enough; I hate my portion you gave me; I want their bounty.” Rather than walking with an attitude of gratitude, we count another’s blessings and miss our own.
We see another’s lot and miss our own flowers.
We look at another’s increase and think it spells out our demise.
We lose our minds with envy, coveting, and jealousy.
I suppose this is why a great command in the bible is, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Deut. 5:21)
Is there grace? Absolutely. Is there a fresh start for those like me, who aren’t even thinking while critiquing and judging others from a root of bitterness called envy? You bet.
But is there a sobriety and a reality check involved with this sin? Yes.
We cannot give God glory for things that we don’t acknowledge. We can’t see God’s best way when we are looking at someone else’s way and sizing it up. We can’t effectively say thank you when we feel hate-filled.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you ever tried to drive at high speeds ahead by looking back for long periods of time? Likely no. When we look back for prolonged periods, we are going backwards. The same goes when we compare what we have to what others have. What can you give thanks for in your life today? What has God done for you? How does true gratitude make you feel?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s new mercies for a new year remind us that lasting hope isn’t found in resolutions, productivity, or perfectly planned goals, but in the daily faithfulness of the Lord. Rooted in Lamentations 3:21–27, this devotional points us to the steady truth that God’s compassion never fails, His mercy is renewed every morning, and His presence is sufficient for each ordinary day ahead.
Highlights
- Ordinary, quiet days can feel harder than busy ones, yet they are sacred gifts from God.
- Our relationship with God is not a goal to achieve but a journey to continue.
- New Year’s resolutions cannot sustain spiritual growth the way daily dependence on God can.
- God’s mercy, love, and compassion are renewed every single morning without fail.
- Hope is not found in knowing the future but in trusting the God who reigns over it.
- There is always enough mercy for each day—never more, never less.
- Living one day at a time frees us from fear and anchors us in God’s faithfulness.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
New Mercies for a New Year
By: Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
I reach up for my coffee cup in the cabinet. Silently, while my house is still quiet, I pour the steaming liquid. The morning hours are sacred, peaceful, and go by too fast.
My children, all five of them, will wake up early. The rooms will be filled with voices, doors opening, and then the noises of food being fixed in the kitchen. Although they are older now and can make their own breakfast, I walk in with my empty coffee cup. I’m ready to help them pack their lunches and pour the orange juice.
The morning hours will once again be quiet after getting them off to school, but facing my day means I face the truth that ordinary, mundane days are often harder than the busy ones. How do I spend my day? What is truly important? If I made a list, it would be a mile long. New days bring new to-do lists.
Jobs, careers, family, and ministry weave together as the years go by, but how do we decide what to do with our days? Each day is a gift from God, and we don’t want to waste our time, so how do we live better?
As the new year approaches, you and I want to make our lives better. We want our health to be better, our relationships to be better, and we want our faith to be better. Although New Year’s resolutions are great, maybe even beneficial, what we cannot resolve to do better is our relationship with God.
Our connection to God is something to grow, not a goal to reach.
I admit that many times over the years, I’ve spent time writing out my goals and aspirations for my life in December and January, including “spiritual things.” I would write down things like praying more, reading my Bible more, and doing more for God. Although we can make tangible goals like that, God is not asking us to reach a certain point, but to continue on in the journey with Him.
What if instead of looking for more, we looked for new? In the new year, maybe we can find hope, mercy, and peace not in our goals or resolutions, but in the daily mercies God is already giving us. What do we have that is something we’ve forgotten about God?
What if we stopped looking for more and looked to God for the daily? In the book of Lamentations, we see a powerful passage of hope. The author has spent two and a half chapters lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem. Sorrow, death, and fear surrounded the city. The author’s heart was completely overwhelmed.
If you are entering this new year with trepidation, fear, or sorrow, listen closely to the turning point that happens here in the following verses.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
-Lamentations 3:21-27 (ESV)
God’s love, compassion, and mercy are new every morning. Our lives are not built because we make New Year's resolutions or meet all our goals. In the daily choices we make, that’s what really counts.
How can we daily look to God for our hope?
We don’t know what will happen in the coming year, but we can know for sure God will be on his throne (Psalm 47:2), there is hope (Psalm 9:18), and Christ is with us. (Matthew 28:20)
As we enter the new year, don’t forget that God’s mercies are new today. Every year, every morning, and each moment we walk through life, God is with us and His mercy has no end! This gives us a place to start connecting with God right now.
Each day, there is enough mercy for that day. There will always be enough. God’s mercy and love are faithful to show up every day without fail. It never runs out. You won’t disappoint, sin, or make mistakes that keep you from God’s love and compassion. We can’t outrun God’s love for us.
Don’t get wrapped up in trying to prepare for the whole year in January. Just trust God, there will be enough for each day as it comes. He invites us to live this life one day at a time. Make one resolution or goal: to connect with God daily.
Psalm 68:19 says that God “daily bears us up” (ESV). Each day God lifts us, provides for us the hope and mercy we need. God will never fail us. In Romans 8:31-39, Paul tells us what can separate us from God’s love. Spoiler: Nothing can!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
A New Year can invite us to celebrate God’s new mercies, which show up every day. We access this through His Word. Do you have a regular Bible reading habit or study plan? If life feels overwhelming, I invite you to begin with the Psalms. Check out the podcast Psalms to Help You Sleep to jump-start a daily Bible routine. You can start experiencing God’s new mercies in this new year.
Further Reading:
Psalm 40:1-3
Isaiah 43:18-19
Romans 8:28-39
1 John 5:14-15
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Setting goals for the new year often focuses on achievement, productivity, and personal growth—but Proverbs 16:3 reminds us that lasting transformation begins with surrendering our hearts to God. When we commit our plans, desires, and direction to the Lord, He shapes not only what we do but who we are becoming, aligning our goals with His purposes and power.
Highlights
- God is more concerned with who you are becoming than what you accomplish.
- Committing your plans to God starts with aligning your heart with His.
- Many goals fail when they rely on personal strength instead of God’s power.
- The Holy Spirit works from the inside out, transforming character as goals are pursued.
- Spiritual growth flows from becoming, not just doing.
- Jesus shaped His disciples through relationship before responsibility.
- God establishes plans by shaping them to fit His good purposes, even when they change.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Set Your Heart, Not Just Your GoalsBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3, NIV
When a new year starts, it’s natural to think about goals. You may want to set some New Year’s resolutions to start some new habits, or at least make plans for the year ahead. While it’s good to want to set and achieve new goals, it’s important to focus on more than just accomplishing a list of tasks. God wants you to focus less on doing and more on becoming.
God cares far more about who you are than what you check off a list.
Proverbs 16:3 highlights a simple yet significant truth: If you commit what you do to God, he will establish your plans. The key is first committing your plans to God. You can only do that if your heart is lined up with God’s heart.
When you “commit to the LORD whatever you do,” you’re not just handing God your goals; you’re handing God your whole self. That choice opens the door for God to transform you and lead you into plans that are really the best plans for you.
Maybe that’s why so many New Year’s resolutions fall apart a few weeks into the year. It’s hard to make much progress on goals if you’re relying only on your own limited power to achieve them. But if you’re relying on God’s unlimited power to help you achieve goals God wants for you, you’ll experience the Holy Spirit empowering you to accomplish those goals in any kind of circumstances. The Spirit’s power works from the inside out, so in the process of working toward your goals, you’ll be transformed as a person.
This year, instead of asking yourself what you want to accomplish, ask God who he wants you to become. Think of your goals less as what to do and more as how to be. How does God want to strengthen your character during this new year? Do you sense God calling you to be more courageous, patient, joyful, kind, generous, or trusting?
When you focus on becoming, the doing naturally follows. Habits flow from the heart. So, your goals will flow from the kind of person you are becoming, with God’s help.
Jesus didn’t start by giving his disciples tasks; he started by inviting them to follow him. Walking closely with Jesus changed who they were long before it shaped what they did. Their lives were transformed from the inside out.
God wants to do the same with you!
So, this new year, bring your goals to God, but bring your heart first. Ask God how he wants you to learn and grow this year so you can become the person he wants you to become. Then listen. Be open and willing to take slow, steady steps closer to God throughout this year and beyond.
When Proverbs 16:3 says God “will establish your plans,” it means God will shape them so they match his good purposes for your life. It doesn’t mean everything will go exactly how you imagined. Some plans will unfold beautifully. Some will change unexpectedly. Some will be put on hold. Some will lead you into places you never thought you’d go. But when you set your heart in the right place with God, you’ll fulfill all the important purposes for your life.
This year, don’t pressure yourself to achieve everything you want all at once. Instead, set your heart before God and let him shape you. Focus not on trying harder, but on trusting God more. The more you build a closer relationship with God, the more your own goals will line up with God’s goals for you.
Give God your year, and look forward to how he blesses your heart!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how it’s important to set your heart on God to set the best goals, reflect on these questions:
- What goals have you made in the past that focused more on doing rather than becoming?
- What qualities do you sense God wants to grow in you this year?
- Are there any plans or expectations you need to surrender to God today?
- What would it look like for you to “commit to the LORD whatever you do” day by day?
- How does knowing that God establishes your plans give you peace or confidence?
Further Reading:
Psalm 37:5
Philippians 1:6
Proverbs 3:5-6
Ezekiel 36:26
Psalm 90:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Everyday routines don’t always spark excitement—but Colossians 3:23 reminds us that even the most ordinary moments can be filled with purpose when we approach them with our whole heart for the Lord. This devotional reframes enthusiasm as a byproduct of gratitude, inviting us to rediscover joy, sincerity, and meaning in the daily work God places before us.
Highlights
- Enthusiasm often fades in routine, not just in hardship.
- God calls us to work heartily—with our whole heart—for Him, not people.
- Gratitude is the gateway to renewed enthusiasm.
- Sincere thankfulness reshapes how we view mundane tasks.
- Every opportunity, joyful or dull, can be used for God’s glory.
- Knowing God’s character deepens gratitude and joy.
- Everyday faithfulness matters just as much as mountaintop moments.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Renewing Your Enthusiasm for Everyday Life
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. - Colossians 3:23
I’m a full-blooded beach girl. But considering I live about ten hours from any coast, I don’t make it to the sandy shore as often as I’d like. And when I do, enthusiastic is a fitting description of my heart posture from the moment my plans are in place, all the way through to the impending day of departure. When I’m not so enthusiastic—the week after. Back at home, when the monotony of the same ole, same old greets me the following Monday morning.
What is it that fills you with enthusiasm? Is it a vacation to the beach, mountains, or the city? Maybe family gatherings, milestone celebrations, or certain seasons and holidays? And what doesn’t excite you so much? Maybe you can relate to my lack of enthusiasm on the mundane days of life. Or you may feel the staleness of your job, daily tasks, or house chores and the accompanying list of needed updates. Possibly you’d confess you’re not so thrilled with the constant demands of parenting toddlers or teens, or with the serving opportunities you’re signed up for. I get it. It’s hard to match the excitement we feel with the things that most delight our senses and souls, with the ordinariness of our everyday routines.
But wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could? Personally, I love this idea. I’ve heard it said it’s no fun, to have no fun, or on the flipside, it’s fun to have fun. And I’m sure we can agree. Fun is more favorable. And when we find enthusiasm, we find more fun. Of course, we’d love to find and add more fun, enthusiasm, and enjoyment to the everyday aspects of life because that’s where we spend the majority of our time, thus all our days really.
Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Some versions replace all your heart with enthusiasm or heartily. This verse and varying versions remind me that we are not just to do some things with enthusiasm, but all things. It also speaks to me that if we desire enthusiasm in what we do, we will approach it with our whole heart. And for the sake of the Lord.
So then, how do we do something, or everything, heartily and wholeheartedly for God? How do we add enthusiasm to everyday tasks and chores? Assignments that feel more mundane. That we, quite frankly, don’t feel so enthusiastic about.
It occurred to me that doing something with a whole heart involves a sincere heart. And I believe we gain sincerity through appreciation and gratitude for the subject. The subject of Colossians 3:23 is God. Do we have an appreciation and gratitude for our almighty Father when we’re walking through the everyday, dull, and disappointing parts of life? As much as when we’re vacationing or celebrating with loved ones? And is our gratitude sincere? Or are we forcing smiles, faking our thanks, and allowing a sarcastic spirit? I know it’s not always natural or easy, but we should aim to be genuinely grateful in all circumstances. In the fun and joyous occasions, as well as in the blah and bothersome moments. The truth is, God gives us all our opportunities for good. For our good, and most importantly for his good and glory.
The more we see that everything we do and every opportunity placed before us is for God and his glory, and the more we get to know the character and heart of him who we serve—Him who loves us like crazy and has given us more blessings than we can count—the more we grow in gratitude toward God. He is indeed the giver of gifts. And as we grow in gratitude for God and every moment that he gives, our hearts become more sincere, and we begin to add more enthusiasm to the most mundane of moments and the dullest of days.
I know sincere gratitude can be harder in some seasons and on difficult days. I feel this struggle too often myself. And those are the times we need some assistance and additional reminders to refresh our understanding of who God is and what God does. And re`12gardless if you’re feeling jazzed about the task at hand or not, we can always grow in gratitude and benefit from getting to know him better.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If you could use a boost in enthusiasm, stop and spend some time reflecting on the work or the day directly in front of you. Sit still in God's presence. Pray for a sincere heart of gratitude for what he has set before you. Soak in his power and greatness in the pages of his word. Understand that he is good. Understand that he is using every single thing for your good and the good of all those around you. And thank him for it all. Even the seemingly not-so-ideal parts. Thank him for that, too.
And then rise up sincerely grateful. Deep down in your heart, seek an angle, find a way, to be thankful for the very thing before you. There is always something in everything to be thankful for. And when you find more sincere gratitude in every moment, you'll find more enthusiasm and enjoyment in your everyday moments.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A new year brings fresh goals and expectations, but lasting growth happens when God shapes our plans from the very beginning. Grounded in Psalm 90:12, this devotional invites us to number our days wisely by centering our decisions, goals, and hopes on God’s Word—so our year is formed by His wisdom, not just our intentions.
Highlights
- Resolutions often fail when God is left out of the planning process.
- Seeking God’s wisdom leads to better decisions—not just faster ones.
- Prayer helps align our goals with God’s purposes for our lives.
- Gratitude grows when we recognize everything we have as a gift from God.
- Trust is strengthened by remembering how God has carried us through before.
- Hope remains steady because it’s rooted in an unchanging God.
- Daily dependence on God shapes a year marked by growth and faithfulness.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
How to Let the Word of God Shape Your YearBy Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading:
“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” (Psalm 90:12, CSB)
With the new year comes new hopes, expectations, and disappointments. Whatever we face, everything is always better when we face it with God. Sadly, however, we often start our year without focusing on Him. We have our goals and plans for achieving them. Yet, the Lord doesn’t always factor into that process.
Perhaps that explains at least part of the reason so many resolutions fade away by the end of January. We make commitments, but none stick. What sticks are the excuses.
Here’s an alternative. What if we made plans, but factor God into the process? What if we sought Him for wisdom on what goals to set and how best to accomplish those goals?
As a believer, that may sound self-evident, but we make many decisions every day without consulting God. We enter disputes with loved ones, take on responsibilities, and more, all without spending sufficient time in prayer.
Sometimes we have to make split-second decisions. However, if we’re being honest, there are times we could pray and simply don’t. We think we know what’s best, but then we feel foolish when things don’t exactly work out.
Let’s do something different this new year. Before we make any plans, let’s figure out how we can allow God to shape this new year.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Entering into the new year is undoubtedly an exciting time. If we’re going to make the most of this newness, we should strive to put the Lord first. Here are a few ways you can let the word of God shape your year:
- With Action
Some of us set unrealistic goals, some of us set too many goals, and some of us set no goals at all. The solution to all of this is to pray for wisdom, which God gives freely (James 1:5). He knows our heart’s desires and also knows what’s best for us. Seek Him and ask Him for the best approach.
Doing so will help us find the wisdom we need not just to make good decisions, but the best decisions.
The new year is a great time for action because we enter it with a fresh mindset. However, keep in mind that we don’t have to wait for the new year to change. We should seek God on a daily basis to become more like Christ, rather than waiting for special occasions.
- With Gratitude
When God is at the center of our plans, we experience greater gratitude. That’s the natural result of living a life with a view of the Creator. We know that what we have is not given freely, and not our own, and not to be taken for granted. What we have are gifts from God. Our plans, the success of the plans, and the result, whatever that may be.
- With Trust
When life goes our way, and even when it doesn’t, knowing that God has brought us through before helps us trust Him for the next time. That applies to specific circumstances, such as familial disputes or loss, but also applies to how we approach the new year. Some years are better than others for a myriad of reasons - financial, relational. Whatever the case, God has seen us through the difficult times, which reminds us we ought to trust Him for whatever comes next year. There is no good reason to fear the future.
- With Hope
Faith in God grants us a hope for the future that people can’t find when they don’t believe in a higher power. Such individuals are forced to find hope in people and circumstances, and that hope can just as quickly falter. However, when we have our eyes trained on God, we set our feet on solid ground. We find many reasons to hope. And those reasons never change because God never changes (Hebrews 13:8).
Let that be an encouragement as you set yourself to grow, not just this new year, but day by day.
Further Reading:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs 16:9
Psalm 32:8
James 1:5
Hebrews 13:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
As a new year unfolds and the calendar turns, uncertainty can stir anxiety—but Scripture reminds us that while seasons change, God remains the same. Rooted in Psalm 102:25–27, this devotional centers our hearts on the unchanging nature of God, offering peace and confidence when the future feels unknown and reminding us that our hope is secure in the One who never shifts or fades.
Highlights
- Change is a natural part of life, but God’s character remains constant.
- Scripture anchors us when anxiety about the future begins to rise.
- God is eternal—Creator, Sustainer, and faithful through every season.
- Jesus Christ confirms God’s unchanging promises and redemptive plan.
- Trust grows when we release control and rest in God’s sovereignty.
- God invites us to enter a new year with peace, not fear, rooted in His faithfulness.
- Our confidence isn’t in what’s ahead, but in Who goes before us.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
When the Calendar Changes but God Remains
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them, and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” - Psalm 102:25-27 NIV
I found that people have mixed feelings about change. There are those like me who crave change and are easily bored by routine and regimentation. Conversely, perhaps you are more like my husband, who finds comfort in consistency. The reality is that life offers us both. Change is inevitable and necessary, and finding contentment in routine is equally important.
Yes, as humans, we will experience change throughout our lives. But here’s the good news: there’s one thing that never changes - our God! Today, if you are feeling anxious about the changing of the calendar, rest in the truth that our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When feelings of worry and dread of the unknown are tempted to steal your joy and rob your peace, take time to recite these prayers, as you rest in our unchanging God!
“In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them, and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” - Psalm 102:25-27 NIV
Heavenly Father, I come before as I enter a new year filled with uncertainty. My heart is anxious, my thoughts consumed with the “what-ifs.” Lord, help my heavy heart rest in the knowledge that You are the Creator, You’ve always existed, and You remain the same for all eternity. You spoke the creation into existence. Your plan for redemption for Your children has remained constant through the ages. When fear of the unknown creeps in, I ask you to silence those thoughts and grant me peace that only You can provide. Thank you. Though I am fickle, Lord, You are always faithful in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. - Hebrews 13:8Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ. We see in Jesus that You keep Your promises. In the garden, You promised to make a way for Your children to be reconciled to You, to be saved and redeemed for their sins. Jesus was there in the beginning, and He has always been a part of Your plan. Help me to trust in Your purpose. Lord, You know my thoughts, my heart that quickly beats because I am anxious about tomorrow. Yet, You are sovereign, in total control, and are working everything for my good and Your glory. Calm my anxiety, and help me to release control, the need to know every detail over to You. This year, Lord, I ask that I approach each day worry-free, because I know You are unchanging, and You are Faithful, and I can put my trust in You. In Jesus'Name ' Name, Amen.
For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. - Malachi 3:6 ESV
Heavenly Father, though people are inconsistent and fickle, You are not. You are immutable, faithful, and steadfast. Your very nature is unchanging. I can put my trust in You because You are eternally trustworthy. Please guide my decisions so that I may live in a way that is holy and pleasing to you. Transform my thoughts and desires to align with Your will. I give this year to you, the highs and lows, the good and bad days, I surrender and submit to You. You are a God, who sees and cares about your children. While I am not able to see the future, I can trust in the One who is the Alpha and Omega — the beginning and the end. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Praying for you today, friend, as you navigate the changing of the calendar. May this new year bring anticipation and excitement, not dread and anxiousness, as you trust our unchanging God.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How do you feel about change? Take time today to write down one of the verses above on a card. Place the card somewhere you can easily see it when you feel anxious about the unknown.
Further Reading:
A Prayer for God's Guidance as We Travel New Paths
Psalm 102
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A new year offers a God-given invitation to renewal, hope, and spiritual refreshment rooted in His design for seasons and fresh starts. Anchored in Romans 15:13, this devotional reminds us that God weaves renewal into creation itself—daily, weekly, and yearly—so we can release the past, trust His mercy, and move forward with joy, peace, and confident hope through the Holy Spirit.
Highlights
- God designed rhythms of renewal through days, weeks, and seasons for our good.
- Fresh starts are woven into creation, pointing us toward spiritual restoration.
- The cross of Christ stands as the ultimate picture of death giving way to new life.
- God removes our sin completely, offering freedom from past failures.
- His mercies are new every morning, inviting renewed hope each day and year.
- The turning of the calendar is an opportunity to trust God with what’s ahead.
- God is still writing your story—renewal is not behind you, it’s ongoing.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Seizing the Opportunity to Refresh This New Year
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13 (NIV)
All of the hustle and bustle of the holidays has come to a close. Decorations have been stored away, regular schedules have resumed, and the inevitable and likely necessary (at least for me) annual recommitment to diet and exercise has been enacted. Another new year is upon us.
For some, the reset of the calendar feels like a fresh start, a blank slate. For others, it might draw out feelings of uncertainty about the unknown ahead. How do you view the renewal of another twelve months? Do you greet a new year with apprehension or anticipation?
If we look closely, the framework of refreshing and renewal through time and seasons is evident throughout the Word of God. From the very beginning, we learn that God made day and night. Within each 24-hour period, there is a time for work and time to rest before the cycle begins again. The Lord also established weekly sequences with days assigned to toil and a call to reset on the Sabbath. Monthly and yearly periods are connected to new moons and seasons of sowing and harvesting. The list goes on and on…
We can also observe the ultimate example of death and rebirth, exemplified through the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ, reflected every year as the world goes dormant in winter. During those dark, bare days, we question whether life is present beneath the frozen tundra, yet each year, spring bursts forth with its radiant buds, reminding us all that warmth and light are on the way.
With so many opportunities for refreshing and renewal organically embedded into creation, it is clear our Maker sees this process as “good” (Genesis 1:4). There is something cleansing, almost freeing, about a fresh start. How many situations or circumstances have you encountered this last year, or even this past month, that you wish you could put behind you and start again? There are several that come to mind.
The Lord understands how these disappointments or personal failures can become a burden too heavy to bear. Which is why both spiritually and physically, He has embedded marker-point moments for us to begin again with a clean slate.
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us,” (Psalm 103:12, NIV).
While we may struggle with the concept of freedom from current or past circumstances and sin, the Lord’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). There are opportunities for new days, new years, and renewed hope. For “… there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens, (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV).
Wherever you find yourself this new year, I encourage you to seize this opportunity to refresh. Whatever has passed, let it be put away and look forward to a new beginning. God, the great author, is still writing your story. Let’s commit together to hand Him the pen and trust that the narrative He has planned will be full of abundant blessings this new year.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How do you view the turn of the annual calendar? Do you feel inspired or intimidated? Why? Take some time today to prayerfully consider the highs and lows you experienced last year. Note next to each one how you saw God’s presence and provision in every example. Next, jot down some hopes or dreams for this new year. If possible, list aspirations in both the physical and spiritual. Are there relationships you would like to see founded, mended, or renewed? Or perhaps a new pursuit in health, education, or career. Write down anything you feel tugs on your heartstrings.
Once completed, take some time to consider how you would like to see your relationship with the Lord grow this year. Is there a particular study you would like to join? Or perhaps a prayer group, or a commitment to daily individual prayer? Whatever feels like the Lord is prompting, make note of it, then release it to Him.
I encourage you to keep this list somewhere safe. This time next year, bring it back out and see how God met you in any or all of these circumstances and desires.
Further Reading:
Ecclesiastes 3
Revelation 21:1-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Starting the New Year with Jesus reshapes our priorities, renews our focus, and grounds our lives in lasting hope rather than fleeting resolutions. Rooted in Matthew 22:37, this devotional invites believers to begin the year by loving God fully—heart, soul, and mind—choosing spiritual devotion over worldly pursuits and discovering the abundant life Jesus promises.
Highlights
- The most meaningful New Year’s resolution is deepening your relationship with Jesus.
- Centering your life on Christ brings greater joy, clarity, and spiritual stability.
- Material success and worldly goals cannot satisfy the soul like Christ can.
- Starting the year with Jesus means trusting Him with struggles, grief, and uncertainty.
- Following Jesus leads to protection, comfort, and a fuller life rooted in His love.
- Loving God above all else realigns our hearts and reveals where our true allegiance lies.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Starting the New Year with Jesus By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’” (Matthew 22:37).
As the New Year approaches, many of us consider the New Year's resolutions we want to make. Various resolutions can draw our attention, such as weight loss, getting organized, or switching careers. While all of these are common New Year's resolutions, the greatest resolution we can make is to start the year with Jesus, cultivate our relationship with Him, and faithfully follow Him.
Developing a stronger relationship with Jesus throughout the year will prove beneficial not only for the present year but also for all years to come. While we will not be completely immune from problems, our lives will become better and more focused on the Lord.
The more our lives are centered around Jesus, the more joyful we will be. Soon, we will see that materialism and the things of the world do not fulfill us. They are but empty promises that lead us away from the Lord. We don’t need to chase after these things or follow them.
Since we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we should strive to nurture our relationship with Him. This New Year could be the perfect start. Consider what you are struggling with and the help that Jesus can offer. Maybe you are battling a chronic illness or facing the death of a loved one. Give these matters over to Him and trust Him with the New Year.
It can be easy to think that this year will be just as terrible as the year prior, but we need to remember that we are making a change. The change from living in accordance with Jesus rather than with the world will prove to be glorious. Protection, safety, and comfort will always surround us.
Jesus does not want us to start another year without Him. He wants us to walk with Him and to trust Him. By making this decision, we can truly start living the most whole life that Jesus died for us to have (John 10:10).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). By doing this, we will be able to live this New Year with our hearts focused on the Lord. Rather than loving the things of this world, we need to change the narrative and choose to love Him.
Challenge yourself and see if the Lord is truly your top priority. Is He the one you want to please, or is it yourself? As we enter the upcoming year, we need to examine our hearts and ask ourselves these challenging questions. By answering these questions honestly, we will be able to see where our allegiance lies.
If a person has discovered they have not truly placed faith in the Lord yet, they can choose to trust in Him today. This can be done by believing that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 10:9-11). If you believe this, you will have eternal life, forgiveness, and salvation.
With this upcoming year, take the opportunity to start the year with Jesus. Choose to faithfully follow Him and love Him throughout every storm of life. Some days will be harder than others, yet the love the Lord has for us knows no bounds (Romans 8:37-39). Since the Lord loves us in this way, we need to love Him too and focus on serving Him.
What are your New Year's resolutions? Are any of them centered around Jesus? What would it look like to follow Jesus rather than the world this upcoming year?
Dear Lord, please forgive me for focusing on the world rather than You in previous years. I’m choosing to start this year with You and to keep my eyes focused on You. During this upcoming year, help me to fully love You with all my heart, soul, and mind. You are completely worthy of all my love, and I’m sorry I have been far from You for so long. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.
Further Reading:
Luke 9:23-24
John 8:12
John 14:15-31
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
New beginnings in Christ aren’t just inspirational ideas—they’re biblical promises rooted in spiritual renewal, freedom from sin, and transformation through Jesus. Drawing from Ephesians 4:20–24, this devotional explores what God says about new beginnings, reminding believers that faith in Christ creates a new identity, a renewed mind, and a real opportunity to leave the old life behind.
Highlights
- Scripture teaches that salvation in Christ creates a new self, not a slightly improved version of the old one.
- God offers new mercies every morning, providing forgiveness, restoration, and fresh opportunity.
- Sin, trauma, and unhealthy patterns do not have the final word—renewal through Christ is possible.
- Change may feel difficult or impossible, but God supplies the strength to walk in newness of life.
- New beginnings require belief, trust, and intentional steps rooted in God’s truth.
- Choosing God’s promises over fear allows spiritual growth and lasting transformation.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
What God Says about New Beginnings
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading:
“But that is not how you came to know Christ, assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:20-24, CSB)
There’s plenty to appreciate about new things, like the smell of a new car or the feel of new clothes. This is all the more true of a new marriage or a newborn baby. Newness in life can be and often is good and exciting. Yet, while we can usually appreciate new material things or relationships, we don’t always show the same gratitude toward the newness found in God. The newness that is God. Perhaps that is because we don’t fully fathom what He says about new beginnings.
Scripture tells us how the Lord creates within us a “new self,” and how He offers “new mercies” every morning. He takes off the shackles of sin that once defined us and helps us become better image-bearers of His Son. The old self was corrupted, but the new self was created in His righteousness.
If our faith in Jesus Christ makes us new, then we don’t have to be like our old selves. Whatever sinful habits or unhealthy relationships or trauma that once seemed permanent can be undone. A new beginning is possible.
Chances are, on an intellectual level, we believe in the new beginning because we know that change is possible. Yet, another part of us says that change is hard. And oftentimes not just hard, but seemingly impossible.
That’s when we have to remember, “I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
If God makes us new and grants us the power to walk in that newness, then we should ask ourselves, “Why aren’t we?” Fear? Laziness? Ignorance? If we are new, then we are not stuck in the old. We can grow. We can embrace a new beginning.
After reading Scripture and understanding that God makes us new, the next step is figuring out how to apply this knowledge to our lives.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Here are a few ways you can apply God’s new beginnings to your life starting today:
- Thank God for new mercies.
Today doesn’t have to be like yesterday, and tomorrow doesn’t have to be like today. If God grants us new mercies, we would be foolish not to accept them. That means mercy in the form of forgiveness, mercy in the form of a chance to right our wrongs, mercy in the form of seeing another day.
The average life expectancy for Americans may be around 80, but no day is guaranteed. That should caution us to make the most of each day we are given. Not using it as an opportunity to serve the flesh or our old way of being, but striving to be something better, someone new.
Thank God that His mercies are new every morning and make wise use of them.
- Thank God for new opportunities.
With every new day comes an opportunity to do something different. Maybe yesterday brought a contentious argument with a spouse or a relapse in addiction, but today doesn’t have to follow the same pattern. Today can be different, because the past does not predict the future.
We often see new beginnings as impossible until we’re in them, but paradoxically, not believing in the new beginning prevents us from reaching it in the first place.
Recall and thank God for the new opportunities He has given you in the past, whether in relationships, jobs, or financial security. Remember those past blessings and use them to encourage yourself today.
If a new beginning was possible before, indeed it can happen again.
- Be encouraged that you are new.
Understanding that you have been and are being made new every day will feel hard to believe some days, but we have to press forward. Newness means something to God, and He delights in His children growing in the likeness of His Son.
The sinful part of you may say that isn’t true, but if you have to ask yourself, “Do I want to believe sin, or do I want to believe God?” Which would you pick?
If you pick God, then choose to embrace your new beginning today.
Further Reading (and Listening):
Jeremiah 29:11
2 Corinthians 5:17
Isaiah 43:18-19
“God Gave Us A Future” by Marvin Winans & The Perfected Praise Choir
“Sunday is Coming” by Phil Wickham
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Looking back with gratitude and looking ahead with hope isn’t about pretending life is easy—it’s about trusting God in the middle of the hard parts. This devotional reframes familiar promises by reminding us that God often speaks hope into uncomfortable, uncertain seasons. Real faith isn’t polished or pain-free; it’s forged when we choose trust, gratitude, and hope even when circumstances feel unresolved.
Highlights
- A comfortable life isn’t the norm for God’s people—Scripture consistently shows faith growing through hardship.
- We often celebrate biblical victories while overlooking the suffering that shaped them.
- God’s promises are frequently given in seasons of waiting, captivity, or uncertainty—not ease.
- Hope and faith are spiritual disciplines that require intentional choice, not feelings.
- Gratitude helps us recognize God’s faithfulness in the present, even when the future feels unclear.
- Trusting God’s character allows us to move forward with confidence, not fear.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Looking Back with Gratitude, Looking Ahead with Hope
By: Peyton Garland
Bible Reading:
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Christianity is always easier when it’s comfortable, right? When there’s no church drama, your marriage isn’t bumpy, or the children aren’t in a rebellious season. When everyone’s health is clear, the savings account is full, and the boss is flexible. But when are all of these life avenues simultaneously smooth? When is life ever not life—the chaos, the calamity, the confusion? When we read Scripture, did any of God’s people have it easy? Moses didn’t, Esther didn’t, David didn’t, and Jesus certainly didn’t.
I believe that our pursuit of a comfortable life is the reason we gravitate towards certain Bible verses and willingly cut out the remaining context. We don’t mind discussing when Moses parted the waters, when Esther was crowned Queen, when David defeated Goliath, and when Jesus resurrected. But we too easily neglect when Moses died in the wilderness, when Esther risked her life for her people, when David’s sin caught up with him, and when Jesus was nailed to a cross to carry the sins of an ungrateful world.
Jeremiah 29:11 is another perfect example of our desperate pursuit to polish the Christian experience. Glancing at this isolated verse, you could argue for an easy-going prosperity gospel. But Jeremiah 29:14 reveals that God’s people receive this promise in captivity. They aren’t comfortable but desperate. Their hope is wary, waning. So what do they make of a promise that seems impossible?
They choose hope. They choose faith. Hope and faith aren’t easy. They certainly aren’t comfortable because they require us to practice what we don’t want to and to believe in what we don’t feel. Hope and faith are rarely instinctual. That’s what makes them spiritual disciplines. So if your heart is heavy and tumultuous, if your life has been plagued with the worst twists and turns, you are in the perfect position to welcome hope and faith into your new year.
God promises us a beautiful future on the other side of hard times, but we will never appreciate, let alone recognize, His blessings if we don’t choose to pursue God’s hope and faith in our challenging circumstances. To cultivate hope and faith is to invite God to change your perspective. It’s a chance to become more like Christ in both His suffering and His glory (Romans 8:17).
In my book Tired, Hungry, & Kinda Faithful, I dig into this idea a bit deeper:
Allow God to root his purpose in your soul in a land where you once believed growth impossible… Perhaps it is time to pledge allegiance to a God we are still wary of, and in that process—no matter how wild and scary and challenging—we learn to love him in a gentler, surer way. This way grasps the good kind of love that he designed in the first place—even if Love never promises to stop the hard times but invites us to thrive amid them. And from such a purifying journey, perhaps we will genuinely love others, and deep down, we will come to call our desert a well of hope.
It’s natural to create barriers to block God out when it seems the Christian life offers little reprieve for our minds, bodies, and souls. However, how can we ever have true hope, faith, and even joy if we shun the very source of these things?
How will we appreciate the opportunities that wait for us in the future if we don’t adopt a heart of gratitude for God’s providence, grace, mercy, and sovereignty in the present, no matter our circumstances?
Embrace a heart of thankfulness for the God who grants us hope and faith, and surrender your longing for the shallow, smooth-sailing life that offers little sustenance for the soul. Step into this new year confident in the character of a God whose goodness never wavers and whose promises are always sure.
Intersecing Faith & Life:
Make a list of the relationships or opportunities where you haven’t left room for God to work. Have you boxed God out because of past disappointments or because you think you can handle things on your own? How does this shape (or even manipulate) your definition of hope and faith? Ask God to rid you of any false notions you have regarding hope and faith, and allow Him room to work in your life to cultivate the beautiful future He has in store.
Further Reading:
Jeremiah 29
A Few Modern Thoughts on the Land of Milk and Honey
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Trusting God with the unknown is often harder than we expect—especially when the path feels confusing, delayed, or downright backward. This devotional gently reminds us that just like the Israelites in the wilderness, we are invited to trust God’s guidance even when we don’t understand the route. The journey may feel long, but God’s purpose is always at work, shaping our faith and leading us toward something worth the wait.
Highlights
- We often struggle with uncertainty because we want clarity, timelines, and reassurance.
- God’s chosen path isn’t always the shortest or most logical, but it is intentional.
- Questioning the journey doesn’t mean God has abandoned us—it reveals our need to trust Him more deeply.
- Seasons of waiting or wandering can prepare us for breakthroughs we can’t yet see.
- Faith grows when we choose trust over control, even when fear feels close.
- Looking back often reveals that God’s plan was worth every step.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Trusting God with the Unknown Days Ahead
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?” - Exodus 4:11 NIV
“How much longer? It feels like we’ve been walking forever!”
“Wait, now we are going downhill, I thought we were trying to get to the top of the mountain?”
“Why are there so many switchbacks? Wouldn’t it be faster to go straight up the hill?”
Last week, for fall break, my husband and I took our girls to the mountains. We’d found a reasonably short and easy hike that led to not one, but two waterfalls. My husband and I were excited to share our love of the outdoors and hiking with our girls. For us, the thrill of hiking is the journey to the top. We often don’t even look at the mile markers or ask other hikers, “How much longer?” We simply enjoy the fun of not knowing. Our three young girls did not share the same sentiment, as suggested by the comments made above. I tried to brush off the first few remarks, but then, I snapped, “We will get there when we get there, just enjoy the journey, and trust me, it will be worth the trip!”
As we walked on in silence, I felt that familiar pang of conviction from the Holy Spirit. While I may not ask questions about direction, timeline, or purpose on a hike, I am undoubtedly guilty of asking God for information. I want to know where He is leading, for how long, and truthfully, I want to be able to determine if the journey is worth it. Bottom line, I often doubt God’s timeline and question the journey He has me on. And, well, I am not the first person in history to wonder if God’s plan is better than my own.
In Exodus 4:14, we see the Israelites' response to seeing Pharaoh and his army coming to attack and take them back into exile. A sarcastic response to their situation was typical for the Israelite people, but I can understand their frustration. The Pharaoh recently freed the Israelites after they had been in captivity for 430 years. However, they look up and find their enslavers ready to take them back into slavery. It’s a natural response to ask, “What was the point of wandering out into the desert if we were headed back to captivity?”
The Lord led the Israelites to camp near the seashore. God had already stopped them from going through the territory of the Philistines, even though it was shorter, instead choosing to lead them a longer way that led them by the shore of the Red Sea (Exodus 13:17-18). God then tells Moses that He wants them to turn back around, going the opposite way He’d initially led them. While this served to confuse the Pharaoh, the switching in direction and the “aimless” wandering caused the Israelites to become restless. They began to voice their annoyance and wonder if perhaps they would have been better off staying in Egypt.
God is asking the Israelites to trust in His plan and to enjoy the journey, because He is working all things for their good and His glory. And just a short time later, we see that God calls the Israelites to walk by faith. Moses stretches out his hands, and the waters of the Red Sea part, allowing the Israelites to walk through on dry land to the other side. The Egyptians pursue the Israelites; however, Moses stretches his hands back over the sea, and the waters flow back over them, killing the whole army (Exodus 14:21-31).
Like with the Israelites, God asks us to trust Him, even when it doesn’t make sense. It is natural to be fearful; we are creatures who crave comfort and security. When God asks us to go on a journey into the unknown, that’s hard. However, we can rest in the truth that God is good and can be trusted.
When we reached the first waterfall, my oldest daughter reluctantly whispered, “This is pretty cool, I am glad we didn’t turn back.” The path God has for us isn’t always easy; there will be times when we feel like we are wandering, have to go backward before we move forward, and think that we are wasting our time. But God always has a purpose, and one day, we will most certainly say, “This was worth the journey.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you ever struggle to enjoy the journey? How does knowing that God has a purpose and plan for your life’s path help you find contentment in your current circumstances?
Further Reading:
Exodus14
Unwavering Faith Amid Uncertainty
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Gratitude can quietly slip into entitlement when expectations replace thankfulness. This devotional invites us to examine our hearts, reminding us that God doesn’t owe us anything—and yet, in His grace, He gives us far more than we deserve. Choosing gratitude realigns our focus on what truly matters and restores humility in everyday moments.
Highlights
- Entitlement often shows up subtly, even in everyday disappointments.
- Gratitude is not based on circumstances, but on recognizing God’s grace.
- God’s will calls us to thankfulness in all seasons, not just the easy ones.
- A heart focused on what it “deserves” easily loses sight of what it has been given.
- Jesus modeled humility and service, never demanding what was owed to Him.
- Reflecting on God’s blessings helps shift our mindset from complaint to praise.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
Gratefulness or Entitlement?By: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
This year, because we were blessed with some money in October, my husband and I decided to treat ourselves to a new coffee maker. As we pulled out this fancy machine with all the bells and whistles you could imagine, we were excited to try it out. We quickly realized, however, that it would be more difficult to use than we thought. We followed the instructions carefully, yet it wasn't making the drinks we desired. After several unsuccessful attempts (and a half a bag of wasted coffee), we decided to return the machine. After all, we weren't going to spend a lot of money on a machine that didn't meet our needs.
As we packed up the machine, we grumbled. Didn't we deserve a coffee maker that gave us what we wanted? We wanted to treat ourselves to something special, wouldn't God give us the treat that we deserved? Even though it was after Thanksgiving, our hearts were far from thankful.
After we reflected on our attitudes, we asked the Lord for forgiveness. We realized we were struggling with the spirit of entitlement. We plunked down our hard-earned money and expected to get a reward in return. But as we all know, that's not how God works. God doesn't owe us anything. In fact, we owe him everything.
The above verse reminds us that we are commanded to be thankful, but it is God's will that we be grateful in everything. Yet we can easily get consumed by our own challenging circumstances, wallow in self-pity, and lose sight of what's really important in life. We weren't just upset that a machine didn't give us what we wanted. Deep down, both my husband and I believed we deserved a high-end, fancy machine that gave us what we wanted on demand.
Jesus’ life was the opposite of that. He didn't demand anything from anyone. He received hospitality when it was offered, and He spent His life serving others. God's will is that, because of God's great mercy and grace, we choose to be grateful and focus on the truly important things.
What is important in your life? Do you find yourself losing focus on what's truly important? Do you, like us, struggle with the spirit of entitlement? Deep down, do you believe you deserve something more than what you have, or that life owes you something?
Regardless of where you are in your life, God's will is for us to be thankful. Although that's easier said than done, there is nothing more important in life than our salvation. We must always keep the right attitude. Instead of grousing or complaining because we believe life owes us something more, we can instead be grateful for where we are in life. There's always something to be grateful for.
Take a moment to pray and thank God for all the things He has given you in this life. If you are in a difficult circumstance and you are having difficulty recalling those blessings, ask the Lord to reveal them to you. Ask Him to remind you of all the things He has done in your life. Your mind will become so flooded with His blessings that you may have difficulty focusing on anything else. Silently thank God that He is present in your life and that He has given you many good things.
It is easy to get off track and to focus on the unimportant things in life. But as we meditate on God's word, He reminds us it is His will that we be thankful in everything, through good times and bad.
Father, let us be thankful in all circumstances. Let us not believe the lie that we are owed something in life simply because we exist. Instead, let us be grateful for all the blessings you have chosen to bestow on us throughout our lives. Let us take time each day to reflect on all the blessings you have given us, and let us adopt a thankful, grateful attitude every day, no matter what comes our way. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Analyze your heart. Do you struggle with a spirit of entitlement? What can you do right now to determine if you are struggling with this false spirit?
Further Reading:Psalm 100:4
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The angels’ proclamation of Jesus’ birth still matters today because it announces lasting peace, living hope, and a Savior for all people. The Christmas story reminds us that God’s glory broke into ordinary life, calling us to see Jesus personally, share His good news boldly, and live in worshipful praise.
Highlights
- The heavenly host announced Jesus’ birth with glory, joy, and peace for the world.
- God chose ordinary shepherds to first hear and respond to the greatest news in history.
- Seeing Jesus personally is essential—faith is not inherited, it’s encountered.
- The shepherds immediately shared what they had witnessed, spreading amazement and hope.
- Praise and worship naturally followed obedience and belief.
- The angels’ message continues to invite us into joy, proclamation, and worship today.
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!
Sign Up Today!
Full Transcript Below:
What the Angels Proclaimed Still Matters
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.’” - Luke 2:13-14
Northern Lights, comets, planets aligning in the sky… they all catch our attention, especially for stargazers. It’s a thrilling sight to see the night sky lit up with brilliant light.
As Luke 2:9-12 describes, shepherds who were quietly minding their own business, guarding their sheep, watching over their flocks, were surprised, to say the least, at what happened to them one clear, starry night long ago:
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’”
Although one shining angel is more than enough to catch their attention, God’s great joy and delight broke through from Heaven with a great heavenly host, praising God and lighting up the earth.
Why the Angel’s Proclamation Still Matters
Although thousands of years ago, what the angels proclaimed on that clear starry night still matters to us today. Here are three reasons why:
- We each need to see the Savior for ourselves. Just as the shepherds were told to go see Jesus for themselves, it remains a divine directive that each one of us needs to follow.
As written in Luke 2:15-16, “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”
- We still need to spread the word of Jesus’ birth. Just as at His birth, there are many who do not know about Jesus unless we tell them about Him and where to find Him.
As Luke 2:17-18 records, “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
- We are called to glorify and praise God. The angels glorified and praised God in their proclamation, an example for us to follow in celebrating His coming to earth.
As Luke 2:20 describes, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
As well, John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Christmas is a time for great celebration, as demonstrated by the angels and heavenly host. The angels inspire us to spread this good news - an announcement like no other in the history of the world.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The angels’ glorious proclamation, so many years ago, remains ageless and forever relevant in Heaven and on earth. Their message doesn’t fade away or lose its impact on the world. Because what the angels proclaimed still matters, we can see, spread, and praise God through it.
Further Reading:
A Prayer of Celebration for Jesus’ Birth
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Christmas morning can easily become about exhaustion, expectations, and excitement—but Matthew 2:10–11 reminds us that true joy is found in worshiping Jesus first. By intentionally centering Christmas morning on Christ, families can experience deeper peace, joy, and meaning that lasts far beyond the presents under the tree.
Highlights
- The Magi modeled Christmas worship by rejoicing, bowing, and offering their treasures to Jesus.
- Holiday exhaustion can distract us, but worship refocuses our hearts on what matters most.
- Keeping Christ central requires intentional planning, just like other Christmas traditions.
- Simple practices—reading Luke 2, singing hymns, or praying together—anchor the day in truth.
- Family traditions can joyfully point children to Jesus without removing the magic of Christmas.
- Reprioritizing schedules may feel uncomfortable, but it reflects the sacrificial heart of the Gospel.
- Honoring Jesus on Christmas morning creates opportunities to witness to others through love and example.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Emphasizing Christ on Christmas Morning
By: Peyton Garland
Bible Reading:
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11 (NIV)
If we’re honest, most of us will admit that once Christmas morning arrives, we are utterly exhausted. Whether we are parents who stayed up all night putting together toys with hundreds of tiny pieces, we’ve spent the last week scrambling for last-minute gifts, or we are entertaining guests over the holiday, we have pushed our bodies to the limit. They quickly tell on us, eyes heavy, mind screaming for coffee, slippers dragging the floor.
Amid this busy season, how can we ensure that Christ remains the center of Christmas morning, bringing us peace, joy, and hopeful energy far superior to our dark roast brew? How can we approach Christmastime so we enjoy all the festive traditions yet keep the manger the main thing?
Thankfully, the answer isn’t a deep secret, and it’s what most of us do well, almost too well, this time of year. Planning. Conscientious, motivated planning. No doubt, we go to great detail to collaborate with friends concerning the annual tacky Christmas sweater party. We ensure that we pack and donate at least one Operation Christmas Child box per family member. We attend our little niece’s Nutcracker performance, a bouquet of festive roses in hand. We manage to balance all of the holiday’s hustle and bustle because we hold ourselves accountable to what we value most.
Value Christ above all else this Christmas morning by grabbing a calendar and listing out exactly how your family will engage in holiday celebrations centered on Jesus. Invite your family to sit down with you and toss around ideas for which celebratory traditions sound best for both the children and adults.
A few creative ideas include:
- Gathering at the dining room table to read Luke 2 before opening presents or eating Christmas breakfast/brunch.
- Playing Christmas hymns in the background as everyone eats breakfast.
- Adding a “Happy Birthday, Jesus” cake to the breakfast menu, letting everyone sing Happy Birthday to the greatest Birthday Boy in history. (I know a family who does this each Christmas, and their four children love it!)
- Before opening gifts, have everyone take turns sharing why Jesus remains the greatest gift in their heart and life.
- Placing a nativity scene at the foot of the Christmas tree before eating breakfast or opening gifts. (Placing a nativity scene at the foot of the Christmas tree is an old Catholic tradition that I learned from my husband’s family, and though my husband, son, and I are non-denominational, it is a dear tradition we honor each year.)
- If Santa visits your children, have Santa write a note to them, celebrating the ways they have grown in character that year while also sharing that he, too, knows that Christ is most important on Christmas Day. (Remember, little hearts that lean into magic will lean into miracles, so don’t cut the miracles short!)
I pray these ideas spark creativity as you pray about and consider the Holy Spirit’s leading in how to best honor and praise Jesus on Christmas morning. But I also pray that you recognize that honoring Jesus on Christmas morning might mean you must reprioritize other things.
Perhaps extended family members who typically join you for a casual Christmas breakfast at 9 can come over for a Christmas brunch at 11 (so your family has a quiet time of worship beforehand). However, if they are interested in joining your “Happy Birthday, Jesus” celebration, they can come over whenever is best for your family. Bonus: this is a great opportunity to love on your family members who aren’t believers!
If your kiddos are accustomed to starting Christmas morning by seeing what Santa brought, I encourage you not to take away from that joy, but to reposition it. Explain to them ahead of time that since Christmas is about Jesus, we will celebrate Him first, then see what Santa brought. Having this conversation in advance allows little hearts to anticipate a schedule change. This gives them room to ask questions to better understand the purpose behind this new tradition.
These new shifts might be uncomfortable or make little ones a bit fussy at first, but remember, the Gospel had uncomfortable beginnings, as a teenage girl gave birth among cattle and the Savior of the world was placed in a trough of prickly hay. May we truly adore Him as we sacrifice our schedules to put Him first this Christmas.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Even after Christmas has passed, sit down with your family to discuss ways to continue keeping Christ the center of your days. Consider a daily family devotional or prayer time. Allow the children to include their own ideas.
Further Reading:
When Creating Christmas Memories Costs Your Sanity
Psalm 145:4
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Isaiah 9:6 reveals the wonder of Christ’s birth by naming who Jesus truly is—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. These titles invite deeper Christmas worship that goes beyond the manger and into everyday life, shaping how we trust, pray, and follow Jesus.
Highlights
- Jesus is fully human and fully God, born as a child yet given as a Savior.
- Isaiah’s prophecy points to Christ’s identity, not just His arrival.
- Wonderful Counselor reminds us to seek Jesus for wisdom and direction.
- Mighty God assures us of Christ’s divine power at work in our weakness.
- Everlasting Father reflects God’s constant care, protection, and presence.
- Prince of Peace offers spiritual wholeness that steadies us in a stressed world.
- True Christmas worship continues year-round through trust, surrender, and awe.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
How to Worship Through the Wonder of Christ’s BirthBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6, NIV
Imagine getting a gift so incredible, so mind-blowing, that you’re overwhelmed. Maybe you gasp, maybe you cry, or maybe you just sit there, speechless. The people who learned about Jesus Christ’s birth on the first Christmas must have felt overwhelmed like that after learning that God had given the world the ultimate gift of a Savior.
Hundreds of years before the first Christmas, the prophet Isaiah described that gift – including awe-inspiring titles for Jesus that point to his future work in the world: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 invites you to worship through the wonder of Christ’s birth.
The first part of the verse, “to us a child is born, to us a son is given,” focuses on the humanity of Jesus. He was a real baby, born to a real mother, experiencing real life. This part may be the easiest for you to connect with, because it’s personal and comforting.
The titles that follow challenge you to move beyond seeing Jesus just as a baby in a manger, but as the powerful Son of God who saves and transforms you. Those titles show you how you can worship Christ in every single area of your life:
Wonderful Counselor: When you need God’s guidance for your decisions, you can ask Jesus and get the help you need. He isn’t just a good adviser; he’s a wonderful one. Christ can give you wisdom that cuts through the confusion of life in this fallen world and shows you the best path forward by walking with you as your personal guide. So, worship him by bringing your hardest decisions and deepest confusion to him with the trust that he will help you move forward well.
Mighty God: This title removes all doubt about Christ’s divinity. Jesus is much more than just a powerful messenger or a great teacher; he is God himself, who came to Earth to personally save humanity. Christ is mighty – he has unlimited power that he uses for good, loving purposes to redeem what has been broken by sin in the world. When you feel powerless or overwhelmed by a challenge, worship Jesus by relying on his mighty strength to help you overcome that challenge.
Everlasting Father: This title speaks to how Christ protects you and provides for you, like a good father does. While Jesus is God’s Son, he is also fully God, because he has perfect unity with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus is part of the Heavenly Father who cares so well for you every day of your life. So, when you feel lonely or vulnerable, you can worship him by resting in his eternal, unchanging care.
Prince of Peace: Peace is not just the absence of conflict; it’s a spiritual wholeness that puts everyone and everything in creation in harmony with the Creator – which is what Christ does. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, gives you ultimate peace with God through his sacrifice for your sins. In this fallen world that’s full of stress, you can worship Christ by accepting the peace he offers, which is strong enough to help you overcome any challenges you face.
Jesus is so much more than just a baby born in Bethlehem. When you worship Christ as he’s described in Isaiah 9:6, you can’t help but be filled with overwhelming feelings of awe. Those feelings will inspire you to discover the wonder of God’s work in your life every day. True Christmas worship is something you can practice every day of the year, by seeking wisdom from the Counselor, finding strength in the Mighty God, resting in the Everlasting Father, and trusting the Prince of Peace to help you be calm and confident. Look at all Christ really is, and celebrate with wonder!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how to worship through the wonder of Christ’s birth, reflect on these questions:
- Which of Christ's titles (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, or Prince of Peace) do you personally need to focus on most this week, and why?
- What major decisions are you facing right now, and how can you trust Jesus to be your Wonderful Counselor for how to move forward well?
- The “child is born” that Isaiah 9:6 mentions is also the “Mighty God” it mentions. How does that change the way you approach prayer?
- What worries can you hand over to the Everlasting Father, with trust that he will meet your needs in those situations?
- Who can you forgive this week to worship Christ as the Prince of Peace by forgiving others as he has forgiven you?
Further Reading:
Matthew 1:23
John 14:6
Philippians 4:7
Colossians 1:15-17
Hebrews 13:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The first announcement of Jesus’ birth wasn’t delivered to kings or crowds—it was given to shepherds under a night sky filled with glory. Luke 2:9–12 reveals a powerful invitation to come and see the newborn Savior, reminding us that the Good News of Christmas is meant to be received personally and shared boldly.
Highlights
- God chose ordinary shepherds to receive an extraordinary invitation.
- Heaven’s announcement of Jesus’ birth was marked by joy, peace, and glory.
- The shepherds responded immediately—moving from fear to action.
- Encountering Jesus naturally led them to tell others what they had seen.
- The Christmas story begins with an invitation and continues through sharing.
- Bold faith has always been central to spreading the message of Christ.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
The Shepherds’ Invitation: Come and See
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” - Luke 2:9-12
What a terrifying, yet amazing, birth announcement, to be awoken in the middle of the night, greeted with a host of heavenly angels filling and illuminating the dark sky to tell the shepherds the Good News of Jesus’ birth, inviting them to come and see the newborn King.
As written in Luke 2:13-14, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.’”
If that isn’t a royal, over-the-top, fanfare invitation, then what is? Even though the invitation startled the shepherds awake, once they recovered, they willingly accepted God’s gracious heavenly invitation to see the newborn King.
As Luke 2:15-16 describes, “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”
Spreading the Word: Inviting Everyone to Come and See
After coming and seeing, Luke 2:17-18 describes what happened next, “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
Accepting the angels’ invitation to come and see Jesus led the shepherds to spread the word by inviting everyone they met to go and see Him, too. It was a divine response from their hearts.
As well, once we see Jesus for ourselves, our hearts are moved to invite others to come and see Him, too.
Jesus Invites Everyone
Jesus entered the world with an invitation, and He left us with one, too. Some of Jesus’ last words on earth are found in Mark 16:15, where He said to His followers, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.”
The shepherds on that first Christmas night did just that, spreading the word of His birth and coming to the earth. They also told others how to find Him, and as they did, so are we all called to tell others, too.
In school, I knew Jesus, but I didn’t tell anyone, so sadly, I didn’t lead anyone around me to faith in Him.
Yet, my future husband made sure to tell everyone he met about Jesus at school, to the point that some other students who had heard about him avoided him. Even so, he still led more people to faith in Jesus than his preaching scared them away.
Dr. D. James Kennedy, the late and great senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and founder of Evangelism Explosion, was known for his tremendous boldness and fearless sharing of the Gospel with everyone he met. He didn’t even second-guess sharing his faith with individuals of other religious beliefs, or let people in high-profile positions in life keep him from sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with them.
Because of Dr. Kennedy’s fearlessness, countless souls have been invited to meet Jesus as their Savior, and countless numbers continue to be saved through his ministries, teaching others to be bold in sharing the Gospel with those around them.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As Christians, are we inviting individuals to come and see Jesus, our newborn King, at Christmastime and all year round? Or, are we hesitating, not wanting to offend, or have people shy away from us? Are we like the shepherds so many years ago, willing to boldly tell others because we know it is the Good News of Christmas?
Further Reading:
The First Time Shepherds Heard about Jesus
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Emmanuel—“God with us”—is more than a Christmas name; it’s a lived reality for everyday decisions, uncertain transitions, and moments when courage feels thin. Rooted in Matthew 1:23, this devotional reflection highlights how God’s presence shows up faithfully in seasons of change, reminding us that wherever we go, He goes before us and never leaves us alone.
Highlights
- Emmanuel means God is present, not distant or detached.
- Stepping into the unknown often reveals God’s faithfulness more clearly.
- God provides protection, community, and provision in unexpected ways.
- Small details can become powerful reminders of God’s care.
- Scripture reassures us that God goes before us and stands with us.
- The same God who guided past seasons is with us right now.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Emmanuel: God Is With You, Even Now
By: Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” - Matthew 1:23 NLT
I sat at a crossroads in my mind.
Physically, I was in the driver’s seat of my car in the parking lot between Panera Bread and my favorite local bookstore. But mentally, my mind was weighing the pros and cons of a new job offer. Minutes earlier, Erin, who was the managing editor for the newspaper where I worked as a freelance reporter, had called me to say a publisher of a newspaper in Montana had called her asking for a recommendation about me. She said he sounded very interested in hiring me. In fact, she thought I was getting the job! I was excited but also apprehensive.
If they offered me this job, then was I ready to leave the only home I’d known, pack my bags, and relocate from Maryland to Montana? After all, I was a city and suburb East Coast Girl. Was I ready to take this leap of faith and move out to the West of the USA without knowing anyone there or what to expect?
Within a matter of days, the publisher interviewed me via Zoom and offered me the job. I froze. Was this really happening? After a moment of silence, I asked for time to think it over. He agreed. Later that day, my Mom—convinced this was the right opportunity for me at that time—said I should accept the job offer and prepare to move. After prayer—and considering the fact that I needed a job, but no local jobs had been offered to me for several months prior—I agreed and told the publisher I would move to Montana.
My Mom took a week off from work to help me relocate. We took a flight from BWI and a connecting flight before landing in a small airport in Montana. I still remember the statue of a big cow standing tall and strong in the center of baggage claim. We had arrived in what they call Big Sky Country.
Over the course of that week, Mom and I explored my new neighborhood—a small town that was equally charming as the people were nice. We drove an hour away to Billings (the nearest city), where we shopped for home living essentials at Target and Walmart, visited the Ashley Furniture Store to furnish my apartment, and enjoyed meals at the local village cafe near my new home. We both enjoyed the fresh mountain air, the wide-open spaces of land, and being able to see the stars shine bright in the sky at night.
When it came time for Mom to leave before sunrise to catch an early flight at the airport so she could return home to Maryland, she told me to pray this prayer every day: God be with me. After she left and the sun rose in the sky, I put on a brave face and said that prayer, then moved forward fearlessly.
Looking back, I see how God protected me and kept me safe during that time when I lived alone. He kept wild animals away (cougars were known to prowl near where I lived). He kept me safe when I drove alone through roadways bordered by majestic mountains. God also sent His blessings my way: He surrounded me with people in the community who seemed to care about me. He blessed me with friends who were Christians and married to each other; they drove me to church in Billings every weekend until my car was shipped to my new location. He blessed me with a good neighbor who lived across the hall from me. Her name was Lindsay. She and her school-age children baked Peanut Butter Blossom cookies for me with Hershey’s Kisses in the center of each cookie. They gave this sweet treat to me as a Christmas gift. It showed me that God cares about the little details in life because I was craving chocolate that night, but couldn’t drive anywhere that late to buy it from the grocery store.
When my time in Montana was over, God sent Lindsay to my door the night before I had to catch my flight home to Maryland. When I opened the door, she greeted me with a Christmas card and a sincere expression on her face. When I opened the card, money fell out. She told me she had been praying for me, and God told her that is what I needed. I thanked Lindsay for the generous gift.
All the time I journeyed in Montana, God was with me. I felt His Presence as clear as day. He sent the people I needed at the right time every time. He blessed my time there, and He brought me home safely. I am so grateful to have witnessed firsthand how God moves. While in Montana that December, a Christmas song by Casting Crowns titled “God is with Us” became the soundtrack for my real-life story. I encourage you to listen to it here: https://youtu.be/xhzWypOp-E4?si=w8ytw4wn34FE9-bC
The same God who was with me while I lived alone in Montana is with us today. The Bible says He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). He goes before us! I can testify to that fact because I saw how God aligned me with every person whom He knew I would need while away from home. May you take heart in knowing that wherever you are in this world—at home or abroad—the Creator of the Universe knows where you are and He is with you, even now.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does it feel to know that the Creator of the Universe is always with you wherever you go?
Further Reading:Joshua 1:9
Psalm 46:1
Psalm 145:18
Isaiah 41:10
Romans 8:31-39
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The true meaning of Christmas can easily get buried under gifts, traditions, and cultural noise, but it has always centered on one life-changing reality: the birth of Jesus Christ. Reflecting on Christmas through the lens of faith helps shift our focus from material celebration to the eternal hope and salvation Christ brings into the world.
Highlights
- Childhood Christmas traditions can unintentionally center more on materialism than meaning
- Familiar cultural moments, like classic Christmas specials, can point back to the Gospel
- Christmas offers a unique opportunity to share faith with those who may not know Christ
- The birth of Jesus fulfills long-awaited hope and promise
- Christ entered the world humbly, not with extravagance or recognition
- Christmas is an invitation to refocus our hearts on salvation, not spectacle
- Sharing the meaning of Christmas helps renew our own faith
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Reflecting on the True Meaning of Christmas
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
A Christmas tradition in my family was watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” each year. Countless times, I saw this television special, but its meaning would elude me. While I could blame childish ways of thinking, the real reason I wasn’t paying attention to the more profound meaning was that I was rather fascinated by the materialism of Christmas. I loved the gifts, fancy dinners, and elaborate decorations.
When I rewatched “A Charlie Brown Christmas” as an adult, I quickly saw all of the connections it had with the Gospel. Linus shares the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. As an adult, I was shocked that this Christmas special continued to air in such an anti-Christian world. Nonetheless, I am thankful this special continues to be shared, and hopefully it has led many people to the true meaning of Christmas.
Sadly, so many people still do not know that Christmas is about the coming of Christ. They are blinded to the truth. The devil will continue to blind people; however, Christmas is the perfect way to share the Gospel and combat the devil’s schemes. By sharing the true meaning of Christmas with others, it can help them come to know the Lord as their personal Savior.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
A classic Christmas passage you can share with others is Luke 2:11: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” From this passage, we are told that a Savior has been born and He is the Messiah. As we share this passage with others, it can help us reflect on the true meaning of Christmas ourselves.
During the timespan from the fall of mankind until the coming of the Lord, everyone was awaiting the Messiah. Endless Old Testament prophecies pointed to the coming Messiah, who would bring lasting peace to His people. When Gabriel shares the message detailed in Luke 2:11, the people would have been overjoyed at this wonderful news. The Savior, who would save them from their sins, had finally come.
When we reflect on this truth, it helps us understand the significance of the Lord coming down to earth. He is our Savior, who left Heaven in order to save us from our sins. He was humbly born in a stable without any special treatment. Jesus deserved every wonderful thing, yet He entered the world on a silent night. Because of the Lord’s birth into the world, He was able to grow up, live a sinless life, and die for our sins.
This is what Christmas is all about, and Jesus is the One we should be celebrating. We can do this by sharing our knowledge of Christ with others. Christmas only comes once a year, yet the Lord sacrificed His life in order for us to have peace every day of the year.
Who can you share the true meaning of Christmas with this week? Whenever you are distracted from the true meaning of Christmas, how can you bring your heart back to the Lord?
Pray with me: Dear Lord, thank You for showing me the true meaning of Christmas—You. Help me to always stay focused on You and Your birth into the world. Please also help me to lead others to know You this Christmas season. I praise You, Lord. Amen.
Further Reading:
Luke 2:1-21
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Trusting God rarely comes with all the details upfront, and Mary’s story reminds us just how costly obedience can be. Faced with fear, uncertainty, and the very real possibility of public shame, Mary chose surrender over self-protection. Her response shows that trusting God doesn’t mean understanding everything—it means believing He is good even when the path forward feels risky and unclear.
Highlights
- Mary’s calling disrupted her plans, reputation, and future
- Obedience often requires surrender before clarity arrives
- Trust means saying yes even when the cost feels heavy
- Mary praised God in the middle of uncertainty, not after it passed
- God’s plans may not align with our expectations, but they are always purposeful
- Surrender positions us to participate in what God is doing, not just observe it
- Faith grows when we value God’s will over our comfort
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
How Mary’s Surrender Teaches Us to Trust
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” - Luke 1:46-49 ESV
Have we ever stopped to consider how Mary may’ve felt when the angel Gabriel visited her? She was just a young girl, newly betrothed to Joseph. While the Bible doesn’t share with us her exact age, scholars speculate she may have been as young as 14.
Now consider the fear that likely coursed through her veins when Gabriel delivered the news that she, an unmarried virgin, would bear a son.
How scandalous!
Perhaps questions ravaged through her mind: What would people think? No one would believe her if she told them the truth. With a pregnancy outside of marriage, the townspeople would stone her.
And Joseph?
Would he believe her? If he didn’t, surely he’d feel betrayed.
Instead of arguing or begging the Lord to choose someone else, Mary simply asked, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (v. 34).
Though the plan didn’t make sense to her, she chose to swallow her fears. Hard.
As Luke writes in verse 38, Mary humbly responds: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word”. And the angel departed from her.”
Sometimes, I wonder if Mary knew the full implications of what she was saying yes to. Surely, the possibility of public shame and stoning crossed her mind. But whether she understood the full danger or not, Mary surrendered her future as Joseph’s wife, her reputation, and even her life to the Lord.
Despite the danger, she chose to sing the praises of the Lord, saying “my soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (v. 47). The Magnificat, as it’s often called, is the cry of Mary’s heart as she soaked in the goodness of God and shared how “he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name” (v. 49).
Now, none of us has been asked to carry the Son of God inside of us the same way Mary did, but we have been asked to carry Him in our hearts.
And following God does come at a cost.
Are we willing to risk everything? To praise God no matter what? To surrender our future, whatever that looks like? To surrender our reputation and even our very life itself?
Mary was willing.
Did she know exactly why the Son of God came into the world? Perhaps, like the rest of the Israelites, she anticipated a Messiah who would rescue God’s people from their physical enemies. In this case, the Roman Empire.
She didn’t need to fully understand why. Instead, she chose to embrace God’s plan, surrendering and yielding to His sovereignty even if it cost her.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What may God be calling you to today? How might He want you to share the love of Jesus Christ with others?
Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone even when it’s uncomfortable, to surrender and submit to His plan, and trust His promises?
To long for the Giver more than the gift, the Promise-Keeper more than the promise itself?
If we read the other Gospel accounts of Jesus’s birth, we know Joseph contemplated divorcing Mary (Matthew 1:19). Being a just man, he didn’t want to put her to shame. But before he could, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife and that the child was from the Holy Spirit (v. 20).
God will always take care of each of us. When we walk in obedience, even when it looks impossible, or we may lose something we hold dear, we choose to walk in that obedience anyway.
It doesn’t mean things will always turn out the way we want. Pain is a funny thing: it can either push us further from God or pull us closer to Him, depending on how we choose to respond.
Mary could’ve never foreseen the plans God had for her or the role she would’ve ultimately played in bringing God’s Son into the world. Had she resisted, God’s plans still would’ve prevailed. Perhaps he would’ve chosen someone else for the task. But then Mary would’ve missed out on an amazing opportunity to be part of what God was doing.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV) says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
When we face the unknown, we must remember we are not trusting what we can see, but in the One Who sees all things, Whose wisdom transcends our limited view and Whose thoughts are not our thoughts, and whose ways are higher than our ways.
Do you think anyone ever imagined He would send the Messiah born miraculously through a virgin? Do you think anyone ever imagined that Jesus Christ would come to save us, not as a war hero but as a humble carpenter who would grow up and take the punishment we deserved by dying on the cross in our place?
Pray with me: Dear Father God, sometimes I struggle to trust You. Please help me to learn from Mary’s surrender, to trust You, and to walk in obedience even if it looks like I may lose something else I hold dear. I know Your plans are higher than my own (Isaiah 55). Thank You for Your great, indescribable love for me! In Jesus’s Name, Amen
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The nativity is more than a quiet scene on a mantel—it’s the moment Hope took on flesh. Drawing from Luke 2:7, this devotional reflects on the tender, intimate way God chose to enter the world: humble, small, and wrapped in cloth. Like Mary, the shepherds, and the wise men who followed a star into the unknown, we’re invited to pursue Hope with trust, curiosity, and courage. Hope doesn’t shout; it waits to be sought. And when we find it—when we find Him—fear loses its grip and light floods the dark corners of our lives.
Highlights
- A personal window into the author’s first night of motherhood and the nearness of God
- Parallels between Mary’s quiet moment with Jesus and our own encounters with divine presence
- The power of hope to silence fear—echoed in Scripture and even unexpected cultural references
- Why hope often appears humble and easy to overlook
- The shepherds’ and wise men’s radical pursuit of a Savior they barely understood
- A reminder that true hope isn’t about earthly rewards but eternal transformation
- The invitation to seek, embrace, and live out the hope found in Christ
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Hope Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes
By Peyton Garland
Bible Reading:
“...and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:27 (NIV)
Outside experiencing Christ’s salvation, I haven’t felt God’s presence so loudly, so beautifully, as the night after I had my first son. My little guy didn’t have to stay in the hospital nursery, so he spent his first night with me. Exhausted from the previous night’s midnight contractions coupled with a five-in-the-morning birth, I welcomed the quiet, dark hush that finally fell over the hospital floors.
I recall the sole soft yellow light the nurses left on in my room through that night, and it shone directly over my baby. Despite the new mysteries and fears naturally coupled with motherhood, like Hagar, I felt seen, known, and embraced (Genesis 16). The presence of the Almighty was undeniable.
I imagine that Mary felt much the same as the Star of Bethlehem pierced through a world filled with darkness and cast its beautiful warmth over her, and Hope wrapped in swaddling clothes. She had little choice but to accept the kindness and favor God had placed on her through such a tiny, splendid creature. Hope for Mary’s people was now tangible.
If you have ever read the best-selling sci-fi series, The Hunger Games, or watched its film adaptations, you recall one of the trilogy’s most famous quotes: “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.” Though quoted by the villainous President Snow, I agree with his assessment. Hope has this unearthly ability to squelch our greatest fears, yet hope rarely screams to be seen. Hope is often humble, just like Katniss Everdeen, a poor young girl from an outcast district, who was willing to sacrifice her life to become hope for a nation of oppressed people.
Hope wants you to seek it out to affirm the worth you’ve placed upon it. It’s not that hope is dictatorial. Rather, hope recognizes that without your willingness to seek it and embrace it, it will never truly live inside you. You won’t experience its fullness without placing personal faith in its power.
Is that not what the nativity scene reminds us? Humble beginnings? Faith that seems scientifically impossible and socially fatal? The shepherds were greeted by a host of angels and told to meet a newborn baby who would save their souls. The wise men (likely sorcerers) felt the holy calling of a God they weren’t intimate with, yet they spent months, likely years, pursuing a star (most scholars believe the wise men didn’t reach Christ until he was two years old).
This great pursuit didn’t lead the shepherds or wise men to a king in royal garb. They didn’t discover troves of treasure. There wasn’t any earthly reward they gained from this blind trust. Instead, they met a young boy born to lowly Jews, but they were radically bettered forever. In fact, Scripture confirms that the wise men pledged their souls to Christ, worshipping him, and protecting Him from King Herod:
“[Herod] sent [the wise men] to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.’ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”
We are granted the same opportunity to pursue Hope, even if we aren’t promised worldly possessions or fame. Hope doesn’t need a bonus package or special add-ons to fill our hearts with love and light that brings us joy, no matter our lot in life. Hope only needs a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, a baby committed to experiencing sacrificial death, then shedding grave clothes for mankind to know eternal peace.
What a beautiful reason to celebrate the true meaning and hope of this Christmas season!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As Christmas approaches, take a few moments as a family to discuss the importance of the nativity scene and consider age-appropriate crafts and devotionals centered on its significance.
Further Reading:
Matthew 2
Who Is Really Coming to Town
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When Christmas expectations fall apart, the ache can feel overwhelming—but Proverbs 13:12 (often paired with this theme) reminds us that deferred hopes don’t have to end in despair. This devotional explores how to navigate a Christmas that looks nothing like you imagined while staying rooted in hope, prayer, and meaningful connection. Whether a loved one can’t come home, financial strain reshapes your traditions, or grief is pulling at your heart, God meets you in the disappointment and offers strength for a new kind of holiday.
Highlights
- How to process the grief of missing loved ones during Christmas
- The emotional weight of hope deferred—and God’s ability to redeem hard seasons
- Practical ways to create new traditions when the old ones are no longer possible
- The role of prayer when circumstances feel impossible
- Why staying connected—digitally or in person—still matters
- Simple ways to support others who are grieving or struggling this season
- A reminder that Christmas is ultimately about presence, not perfection
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
When Christmas Doesn’t Look the Way You HopedBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:16
I'm not coming home for Christmas.
These words hit hard when my husband and I realized my son would not be home for Christmas this year. In his third year of college, he has a girlfriend and wants to spend Christmas with her and her family. While we love who he's with and want him to have a good relationship with her family, it hurts us deeply that we won't get to see him during one of our favorite times of the year.
For me, my favorite part of Christmas is not opening presents for myself, but watching my children open their presents on Christmas morning. It just won’t be the same without him.
If you are grieving the loss of a loved one or a loved one won't be at Christmas like you'd hoped, you are not alone. Many of us will have a different type of Christmas this year. Sometimes it's because family and loved ones can't make the trip to see you. For others, it's a financial issue, and relatives can't afford to buy presents like they used to.
A great way to make the most of the holidays, even if they don't look like you remember, is to create new traditions. While it's OK to have feelings like anger and sadness over the loss of years past, the best way to forge ahead is to make new memories in this new chapter in your life. For us, it means making the most of having our daughter home in the few remaining years she has left with us. It also means connecting with our son through Zoom or phone so we can be together for the holidays.
It is difficult to hold on to hope when it seems like all is lost. The above verse tells us that when we hold out hope for something that seems far beyond our reach, it can feel as if our life is falling apart. However, God is a God of miracles. He can turn any situation to his advantage. Above all, he can respond to requests, even the most difficult ones, in a moment.
The verse above reminds us not to give up hope. Keep on praying. Keep on asking God to answer your prayer request, even if it has been years. Christmas is a time for miracles! Our ability to still pray for situations that seem nearly impossible tests our faith, stretching and growing us spiritually. God wants us to rely on him and ask him in faith for anything. Although we may not always get what we ask for, it is essential that we still ask and pray, trusting that God will allow the situation to turn out exactly as he wants.
Consider new ways to make the most of your holiday. Make contact with your relatives who won't be able to make the trip. Offer to pay for gifts for a loved one who is financially strapped this year. Observe the true meaning of the season by being the hands and feet of Christ, especially during the holiday season.
Although the holidays are meant to be joyful, they aren't for everyone. Sometimes people grieve deep losses during the holidays. Just because someone is suffering doesn't mean you can't help them make the most of it. If you're the one grieving, lean on others for help. Don't be afraid to ask for prayer or for help from those who can offer it. It may mean your family members bring the side dishes while you provide the main entree for the holiday meal.
Perhaps it means not giving gifts this year. Whatever you need to do, do it to make your holiday the best it can be. Even if it's not the way you hoped, do what you need to do. Christmas ultimately is not about gifts or extravagance. Instead, it is about spending time with loved ones who are near you. It is also a great way to connect with those who are far away. If your relatives can't come to you, go to them and make the effort to see them.
Pray and ask God for everything, even the situations that seem hopeless. Don't allow your heart to be troubled. Instead, make the most of your holiday season and do what you can to connect with loved ones and observe the real meaning of the season.
Father, let us be people who remember who you are and what the holiday season is for. Let us remember that Christmas is not about gifts, but instead about being connected to family. Let us reach out to communicate with family members who cannot make it this season. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Is there a loved one - someone you haven't seen but would love to connect with - this holiday season? What is one step you can take to make that connection happen?
Further Reading:Matthew 1:23
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Joy at Christmas can feel distant, but Luke 2:10 reminds us that God brings “good news of great joy for all people”—a promise still alive and powerful today. This devotional explores how joy is expressed, shared, lived, and cultivated so believers can reflect the hope and goodness of Jesus throughout the Christmas season. Whether joy comes naturally or feels a bit rusty, Scripture offers practical ways to embrace God’s presence and spread joy in everyday moments.
Highlights
- Why joy is central to the Christmas message
- Four practical ways to express, share, live, and cultivate joy
- How joy becomes contagious through words, actions, and attitudes
- The connection between God’s presence and lasting joy
- Scriptures that anchor a joyful mindset (Luke 2:10, Psalm 21:6, Psalm 16:11, John 15:11–12, Galatians 5:22)
- Simple ways to nurture joy in others
- A reminder that joy is our inheritance in Christ
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Spreading Joy Throughout the Christmas Season
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” - Luke 2:10
Great joy for all the people! What truly remarkable, good news for all of us down through the ages: an announcement thousands of years ago, still relevant today.
Yet, how many millions of people around the world are missing out on experiencing this great joy, not just at Christmas, but their entire lives?
How do we, like the angels, proclaim and spread this great joy throughout the Christmas season and all year round? What can we do to express it, share it, live it, and cultivate it in others’ lives, too?
Expressing, Sharing, Living, and Cultivating Joy
Because God calls us to joy, the following are four ways we can spread it while experiencing it for ourselves.
- Express our joy. How do individuals express joy? Many smile, some laugh, others clap, and there are those who jump for joy.
Sadly, some Christians hold their joy in, perhaps feeling it on the inside, but it doesn’t make its way outward, causing some of the Christian sayings and critiques, such as “the frozen chosen.”
As a child, I loved singing the kids’ song, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy,” over and over again.
We would sing “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!” Then we would follow it by shouting “where” and then respond by singing in reply “Down in my heart.” Just singing it brought joy to us and those listening.
However we express joy, we want to make sure to let it out, so others might experience it too, and also to share the joyous message of Christmas that can be their own for a lifetime.
- Share our joy. Many of us don’t realize that joy is spreadable - it’s contagious and easily passed from one person to another. Just as we can sing songs that get stuck in others’ heads when they hear us singing, so too can joy be shared with one another.
We can share joy simply by the way we look at the world, our situations, and those around us, letting the joy that comes from knowing God guide our words and actions.
As Psalm 21:6 describes, “Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of Your presence.”
- Live our joy. We can wake up in the morning with joy, even before anything has happened in our day yet. Before we even lift our heads from the pillows each morning, we can experience joy daily in our lives because the source of it is not ourselves, but God.
As Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”
A way to live in God’s joy is described in John 15:11-12, “If you keep my commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
- Cultivate joy in others. If we ask, God will lead us to cultivate joy in the lives of those around us. We may not know how to nurture it in others, but God can show us how, because He knows what it takes to help it grow in those around us.
As Galatians 5:22 describes, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Just the way we speak and interact with others gives us opportunities to cultivate joy in their lives by expressing, sharing, and living it out in our own.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you known for your joy? If not, take stock and ask God why not? See what’s holding you back from enjoying the great joy that is ours through Jesus Christ.
Further Reading:
Counting It All Joy Even Through the Hard Stuff
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When Christmas feels heavy, grief and disappointment can make the season anything but merry—and that’s exactly where the hope of Galatians 4:4–5 speaks loudest. This passage reminds us that Jesus came at the perfect time to redeem us, comfort us, and hold us when the holidays hurt. If you’re walking through loss, financial strain, loneliness, or the ache of an empty seat at the table, this devotional offers space to breathe and brings your heart back to the truth that God meets you right where you are.
Highlights
- Why a painful Christmas doesn’t mean you lack faith
- Galatians 4:4–5 as an anchor in seasons of grief
- Giving yourself permission to feel what’s honest
- How God makes room for sorrow, not just celebration
- Hope for those facing loss, divorce, financial strain, or uncertainty
- A reminder that Jesus stepped into a broken world—on purpose
- Looking toward the day when all things are made new
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
What to Do if Christmas Isn’t Merry and Bright
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4-5).
Christmas can feel difficult for many reasons. Perhaps you’re unable to afford presents for your children. Or, you might be facing your first Christmas without a loved one. Regardless of what we are going through when Christmas approaches, we need to remember that God doesn't expect us to be merry and bright just because it is the norm. He wants us to be genuine in our emotions and not afraid to reach out to Him.
I love Christmas because it’s the day we get to celebrate the Lord’s birth, yet I cannot run from the fact that I miss my mom terribly on this day. My mother also loved Christmas and always ensured it was a fun holiday celebration. Without her being here, it feels empty. These struggles can be really painful, especially around the holidays when we’re expected to be joyful. But it is better to address our feelings rather than to run from them. For far too long, I had the habit of running from my pain.
Maybe this is what you are going through this Christmas as well. A loved one passed away, and you are feeling anything but merry and bright. Or maybe you and your spouse are going through a divorce, or a child is having a tough time at school, or you got laid off from your job rather than the Christmas bonus you were counting on. Regardless of what you are going through, know that God doesn't condemn you for struggling this Christmas. In fact, bring all of your troubles to Him and allow His grace to strengthen you.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Apostle Paul tells us, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4-5). This is the message of Christmas. Jesus was sent into the world to redeem us and bring us into His family.
Even though we are facing hardships this Christmas, we can still celebrate the Lord with our weary hearts. He will transform our weary hearts into hearts of steadfastness, strength, and hope. Reflect upon Galatians 4:4-5 and take notice of what it means to you this Christmas. Because of the Lord, everything will be made right one day. We won't have to deal with pain, agony, or hard times forever.
The day is coming when all things will be made new. The death of loved ones, the ending of marriages, and the betrayal of friends will be things of the past. Look forward to this day, and it will engulf your heart with peace. Jesus was born into the world to save us and bring us to Him. With this truth in our hearts, we can truly shine bright for Jesus this Christmas.
Is Christmas not feeling merry and bright this year? How can you bring these feelings to Jesus?
Reflect upon Galatians 4:4-5 and how it applies to you this Christmas. What are your key takeaways?
Further Reading:
Psalm 145:8-13
Luke 2:11
1 Peter 5:7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a culture that prizes gifts, decorations, and “holiday magic,” it’s easy to let Christmas focus more on stuff than on Christ. Romans 1:25 warns against exchanging the truth of God for a lie—worshiping created things instead of the Creator. True celebration of the Savior comes not from what we buy or wrap, but from hearts aligned with God. This season invites us to pause, examine our motives, and ensure that every tradition, gift, and gathering points back to Jesus.
Highlights
- The culture of consumerism can distract us from celebrating Christ.
- Romans 1:25 reminds us that worship belongs to God alone, not created things.
- Idolatry isn’t always obvious; anything that fills a void meant for God can become an idol.
- Practical approaches, like Scripture-focused family time, help center Christmas on Jesus.
- Gifts and celebrations are not inherently wrong but should reflect stewardship of God’s blessings.
- Examining the “why” behind our holiday choices ensures our hearts remain aligned with God.
- Thoughtful reflection and prayer can guide families in meaningful, Christ-centered celebrations.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Celebrating the Savior in a Culture That Celebrates Stuff
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” Romans 1:25 NIV
How to celebrate holidays is always a difficult decision in our household. My husband and I both grew up in a home where Christ was at the center, with loving parents and a godly extended family. In general, our families, at their core, shared the same values, but their approach to life, and specifically holidays, was quite different.
One of the most significant discrepancies is that I didn’t grow up believing in Santa Claus. In an attempt to keep the holiday focused on the birth of Jesus, my parents made it clear there was no big jolly man in a red suit bringing gifts. God gave us centuries ago the only gift we need, in the form of a baby in a manger. And, any other material presents we received are as a result of God’s providence ( as stewarded by parents). Conversely, my husband’s family celebrated Santa Claus, the “magic of Christmas,” and played St. Nick on Christmas morning. Neither way to celebrate Christmas is wrong; both can promote the message of the gospel and provide a fun seasonal experience. However, it created a bit of a dilemma when we had our own children and were deciding how to approach the holiday.
Through much deliberation, we reached a compromise that worked well for our family, allowing our children to believe in Santa while also engaging in Scripture daily that focused on the birth of Christ. And, just when we thought we had it down, God blessed us with our third child on Christmas Day! I share this detail because, while we tried to mitigate the focus of Christmas being on presents, it became increasingly complex when we had a child who shared a birthday (which naturally receives gifts) with a culturally commercial holiday.
And so, if your family, like mine, is trying to keep the Christ in Christmas, as well as engage in celebrations with family members that involve gifts, let me offer the “solution” that the Lord laid on my heart a few years ago.
Romans is a book filled with profound theology and an abundance of practical wisdom for living a godly life. Paul begins his letter to the Christians in the Roman church by calling out the ways that they have allowed the culture to distract them from worshiping God. Specifically, they were worshiping the created over the Creator. God hates idolatry to the extent that the first and second commandments focus on the concept that God is the only one deserving of our worship. He tells us that we should have no other God before Him, and we shouldn’t make idols. What’s an idol? Tim Keller explains it well in his book Counterfeit Gods, “An idol is anything more important to you than God. Anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God. Anything you seek to give you what only God can give. Anything so central and essential to your life that you should lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living.”
Paul tells us that the early church “exchanged the truth of God for a lie.” We do the same thing today; the culture tells us that the answer to our problems is one click away. Yet, once we get the shiny new toy, it’s not long before that emptiness is felt again. The creation can’t give us what only the Creator can.
This holiday season, think less about how you celebrate and more about the why. What is your heart’s posture? Are you using stuff to fill a void, to mask your emptiness? Or, are you stewarding God’s blessings over your life well? As we approach this season, may we be mindful that, no matter how we choose to celebrate, we always place God first.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Take a moment today to ask the Lord to search your heart and give you clarity and guidance on how your family should celebrate the holidays, so that you may avoid worshiping the creation over the Creator.
Further Reading:
Exodus 20
3 Ways to Keep Christ at the Center of Christmas
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The holidays can feel overwhelming—shopping, decorating, cooking, and trying to create picture-perfect moments. Yet Scripture reminds us that amid the chaos, the true gift of Christmas is Christ Himself. Just as Mary gave birth in a humble stable without the comforts she expected, we too are called to make room for Jesus in the midst of our busy, stressful seasons (Luke 2:7). By simplifying, prioritizing, and focusing on His presence, we discover that the peace and joy of Christmas don’t come from perfection—they come from Him.
Highlights
- Holiday stress often overshadows the true purpose of Christmas: celebrating Jesus’ birth.
- Mary’s humble circumstances remind us that God’s plans don’t rely on comfort or convenience.
- Simplifying holiday tasks—limiting gifts, delegating meals, reducing activities—can create space for Christ.
- Focusing on Jesus transforms ordinary moments into meaningful celebrations.
- Gratitude for God’s provision, even amid financial or personal challenges, brings peace.
- Small adjustments in expectations allow families to experience joy without unnecessary stress.
- Making intentional space for Christ is the ultimate gift we can give ourselves and others.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Preparing Him Room: Making Space for Christ This ChristmasBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” - Luke 2:7
It was all too much to bear. When my kids were little, they talked about what they wanted for Christmas for months. They made their list for Santa, wrote him letters, and even dropped it in the mailbox. As a mother, I would do anything to give them the perfect Christmas. I made sure they got everything they asked for, even if it meant starting early and taking money out of our paycheck each week to save for Christmas presents.
But one year, my husband was planting a church, and finances were just too tight. I did my best to get the kids the presents that they wanted. But with all the wrapping, shopping, and a full-time job, while my husband was church planting, it added more stress to my life than I cared to admit. Although it was a magical moment to watch my kids open gifts on Christmas morning, the stress and irritation of all the preparation beforehand made it feel as if it simply wasn't worth it.
I was putting all this stress on myself to write Christmas cards, decorate the house, and care for my children, in addition to working at a daycare where I cared for two- and three-year-olds all day long, only to come home to my own set of two- and three-year-olds. This would be enough to make anyone feel the extra weight of stress. Compelled by the idea of giving my kids the perfect Christmas, I stressed myself out, worrying about finances and spending all my extra time wrapping presents and writing cards.
When Christmas Day came, I had created a holiday that would have made even Norman Rockwell jealous. But it was missing one thing: Jesus. Although my family and I attended Christmas Eve services, my kids lit candles, sang songs, and watched Christmas specials, it felt as if Jesus was missing from the holiday. Because it was so focused on the moment of opening gifts and getting my family what they wanted for Christmas, it felt as if I had wasted all my time and energy creating a magical moment that would only last a moment.
Because of all the stress, I had laid aside my quiet time with the Lord, neglected to pray, and hadn't picked up my Bible in months. For a holiday that should be focused on the actual reason for this season, I had forgotten to make space for Christ.
Maybe you can relate to the story above. All the Christmas wrapping, giving, and writing Christmas cards may seem too much to bear during the holiday season for you as well. Maybe buying gifts, long lines at the store, mounting traffic, and increasingly mean people seem like too much stress for you to bear, too.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
Mary experienced a similar situation. As she made the long travel, heavy in the throes of labor, I imagine she expected a comfortable room with which to give birth. But when she found out that there was no room at the inn, her expectations quickly shattered. But Mary didn't give in to the stress or leave God out of her situation. Instead, she made the best of what she had. She traveled to a nearby stable and, in less-than-ideal conditions, gave birth to our Savior, who, in turn, has given generations eternal life.
Although Mary's situation was less than ideal, she still completed her ultimate purpose. The Christmas story can give us hope that, despite what we might be going through —financial struggles, health crises, loss of loved ones, etc.—we can find hope. While our situation for the holidays seems less than spectacular, we can make do with what God has given us.
There's no better time than the Christmas season to give thanks for all that God has done. Minimize Christmas shopping this year. Opt to give gift cards rather than wrapping a bunch of presents. Limit the number of gifts you give to each person. Explain to them that finances are too tight this year, and the stress is just too much.
Your stressful situation can quickly become less so with a bit of understanding and compassion from your family members. Ask family members to pitch in this year by giving food for the holiday meal, or skip hosting the traditional holiday meal and go out for dinner instead. Whatever you need to do to make the best of your holiday situation, take Mary's example and don't forget the ultimate purpose of why we celebrate Christmas.
Father, let us be people who make space for you during the holiday season. Let us not crowd you out with copious amounts of gifts, wrapping, and decorating. Instead, let us remember the ultimate gift you have given us and live our lives knowing that we have already received the best gift of all. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Is Christmas too stressful for you this year? What is one step you can take to reduce the stress and make your Christmas situation a little more bearable?
Further Reading:Luke 1:41-44
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In This Special Bonus Episode From Christian Parent, Crazy World: What if the greatest gift you give your kids this Christmas is a heart of generosity—and the chance to change someone else’s world?
Catherine Segars goes beyond stockings and wrapping paper to tackle one of the most pressing questions for believers during the holiday season: How do we practically teach our children the virtue of generosity, not just for the holidays, but for a lifetime—and in a way that makes a true, eternal difference?
Answer: Plant seeds of generosity in your family with Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Gift Catalog, a unique way for families to give gifts that can transform lives around the globe.
Browse the catalog and get involved at www.samaritanspurse.org/parent.
Catherine welcomes Kristy Graham, host of the On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse podcast and wife to Edward Graham, part of the legacy family behind this renowned global relief ministry. With firsthand experience raising four children and witnessing God’s faithfulness in some of the most challenging corners of the globe, Kristy brings unmatched insight and compassion to this timely discussion.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
- Transformative Giving - The Samaritan's Purse Christmas Gift Catalog: Learn how families can open a new kind of catalog—one offering goats, honeybees, water filters, heart surgeries, and more—to provide desperately needed gifts to people across the globe.
- Real Stories, Real Impact: Kristy recounts emotional, hope-filled stories: families in Iraq whose lives are remade by a simple beehive; a mother shattered by tragedy in need of purpose and dignity, restored by a brood of baby chicks; and the power of a $9 donation to feed a hungry infant and spark the hope of the Gospel for a mother who feels forgotten.
- Generosity That Changes Hearts—Including Our Own: Discover practical ways to involve your kids in picking out gifts, writing cards for teachers in someone’s honor, or pairing a meaningful donation with something tangible.
- Biblical Parallels: Kristy and Catherine share how the work of Samaritan’s purse brings to life the stories of Ruth, who gleaned what benevolent benefactors left for those less fortunate, and Hagar, who met the God who saw her need.
- Seeds of the Gospel: Every gift given through Samaritan’s Purse meets physical needs—and intentionally opens doors for the life-changing message of Christ. Whether it’s a water well, a jar of honey, or a vital medical procedure, these gifts become vehicles for sharing hope and introducing recipients to the God who truly sees them.
Call to Action:
This Christmas, will your family give a gift that extends beyond your home?
Explore life-changing opportunities at samaritanspurse.org/parent as a family, and ask your kids: “How can we be part of God’s story of hope this Christmas?”
Let your generosity become a legacy of faith, planting seeds for eternity.
Episode Links:
- Samaritan’s Purse Gift Catalog: www.samaritanspurse.org/parent
- On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse Podcast
- Catherine's Resources for Christian Parents
About the guest: Kristy Graham hosts On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse, a show she launched in 2019 to highlight God’s faithfulness through the ministry’s work. Each week, she brings listeners close to the stories of staff and the people they serve—always pointing hearts to Christ. From missionary doctors in Kenya to military couples in Alaska to families receiving new homes after disasters, Kristy loves witnessing Samaritan’s Purse in action. At home, she and her husband, Edward, are raising their four children in the mountains of North Carolina.
Parents, what new tradition will you start this year to show your children the joy—and eternal impact—of generosity?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Some days feel more like “grit your teeth and get through it” than “rejoice and be glad,” yet Psalm 118:24 anchors us in a deeper truth: God handcrafted this day—yes, even the messy, painful, overwhelming ones. When joy feels out of reach, His sovereignty, His goodness, and His nearness remind us that rejoicing isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about trusting the One who made the day and fills it with quiet blessings we often miss when we’re rushing, worrying, or hurting.
Highlights
- Psalm 118:24 calls us to rejoice because God made the day, not because the day itself is easy.
- Joy can feel elusive in seasons of pain, fear, or exhaustion—but God sees and understands your struggle.
- God’s sovereignty means nothing in your day is wasted; everything He allows is woven with purpose.
- Blessings often sit in small, overlooked moments—noticed only when we slow down and stay present with Him.
- Rejoicing becomes possible when we remember God’s goodness, even when circumstances don’t feel good.
- Starting the day with truth (“This is the day the Lord has made…”) reorients your heart toward hope.
- Joy isn’t the absence of hardship; it’s the presence of God in the middle of it.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Enjoying Moments When You Don’t Feel Joyful
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
I have a confession. I was once known to secretly roll my eyes at a Bible verse that you probably know well. But you know what makes this easier to admit? The truth is that likely many of you have struggled with this scripture too. Psalm 118:24 proclaims, This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Well, let’s be honest. There are loads of days we don’t feel a lot like rejoicing. There are many moments we don’t seem to have much to be glad about. Personally, I have been dealing with debilitating pain for the entire past year. I feel insufficient to fight through the next few demanding months. And I have lots of fear concerning another major surgery on the horizon. The bottom line is, I’ve been digging deep to find joy each and every day.
Is there something going on around or inside of you that is keeping you from feeling joyful on this day or lately? You may not necessarily be in a season where joy is hard to find. Maybe you are feeling full of reasons to be beaming and brimming with high spirits. But I do believe we all struggle from time to time. I get it. I’m also wrestling right now. And listen, God sees you, and he gets it too.
But here’s what I understand about this well-known verse. When the psalmist says, This is the day the Lord has made, it serves as a reminder that God is sovereign over all things. That he made the day. He made it all. I also understand that our sovereign God is good and trustworthy. And because he is the master and creator of the day, and he is good, we know everything he puts in it is part of his good plan. Therefore, we have hope. Therefore, we can smile, and we can be thankful. Therefore, we can be glad and rejoice because whatever is surrounding us today is for good. And that is good.
Not only that, we know that God places good all around us, beyond what we can even see or perceive. His good blessings overflow all throughout creation and all throughout our lives. We just need to take notice, because many times we miss it. We need to be still in his presence in the present, because many times we move forward too fast or get wrapped up in our fears of the future. We need to take notice of the good he has done. Notice the small and simple moments right before us. There may be something big and scary hovering above or ahead. But right in front of us, right beside every single one of us, is the good Lord and an abundance of his blessings.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Believe it or not, I no longer roll my eyes when I hear or recite this verse. Rather, I now have a habit of waking up each morning, whispering these words to my heart. And even if my waking hours don’t feel so joyful, the reminder that our good God has created the day that greets me gives me hope and a reason to rejoice.
I understand that often as the day moves on, it’s difficult to enjoy moments when you aren’t feeling so joyful. But joy is possible at any moment, at this very moment, if you can remind your heart that this is indeed the day the Lord has made. That this is the season the Lord has made. This is the life the Lord has made for me and you. And it is all good. For your good, his good, and his great glory. So we can thank him for his power, we can thank him for his presence, and we can rejoice. We can be glad at this very moment. And we can praise him for this very day. This day that he has wonderfully and perfectly planned and made.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Quiet obedience rarely trends, but it’s one of the most powerful ways God shapes us—and shapes the world. Matthew 1:24–25 gives us a front-row seat to Joseph’s steady, unseen faithfulness, the kind that doesn’t chase applause but clings to God’s voice. His story reminds us that the most transformative moments often happen in the quiet: choosing humility over reputation, choosing trust over fear, choosing God’s will over our own desire for approval.
Highlights
- Joseph models courageous faith expressed through quiet, daily obedience.
- True spiritual maturity often develops in small, unseen acts of service.
- Reputation and comfort weren’t Joseph’s priority—honoring God was.
- Modern faith can get tangled in platform-building rather than genuine surrender.
- God often uses private obedience to create lasting public impact.
- Knowing God intimately fuels trust, humility, and courage to obey without recognition.
- This season invites reflection on our motives: Are we obeying for His glory or our own?
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
What Joseph Teaches Us about Quiet Obedience
By Peyton Garland
Bible Reading:
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” Matthew 1:24-25 (NIV)
I was warned that he was wild in his teen years. One of my best friends, who knew him then, begged me not to date him. I appreciated the concern, truly. But something about this new man in my life felt different from the other guys. Besides, are any of us at our best at sixteen?
Sure, I was wary that he hadn’t attended church in years, but I understood the burn he had felt from church people in places of spiritual leadership. In fact, I could relate to that deep, spiritual pain. However, a few months into dating him, when I grew frustrated and angry with his cynicism towards the church, I was ready to end our relationship. I was through. I was willing to believe that he was still that same sixteen-year-old boy. But loudly and clearly, I felt God stir in my soul, “Nope. Hang on. Stick with him.”
So I held fast to God’s voice rather than what I had spiritually determined about my then-boyfriend. Today, almost nine years later, I have no regrets. This cynical guy became my husband, a patient, hardworking man. He became the father to my children, a protective, present man. He became an active member of our church and is now a life group leader for nine families, a humble, changed man.
It’s often the quiet, humble obedience that makes a lasting impact. It’s the daily surrender, the daily willingness to obey in the small things, that softens our hearts. After all, anyone can stand on a stage with a microphone in hand because it often conveys their importance and (sometimes faulty) leadership qualities. Anyone can gain a social media following and throw Jesus’ name somewhere in their bio. This measly effort grants them digital access as a “theological” influencer.
But to fix the church’s toilet on a random Tuesday, like my husband did a few months back, when no one is there to notice or care, doesn’t come with worldly praise.
Showing up at a life group member’s work with a coffee early one morning just to let them know they are loved, like my husband often does, will never be a flashy form of service.
Joseph was never going to be popular by marrying a woman whose supposed adultery should have had her stoned, bearing the religious and social disgrace he never asked for. Yet he did it anyway. He trusted in God’s messenger, displaying loud, bold faith in a quiet, humble way. He didn’t waste his time trying to convince others that Mary was blameless because his reputation wasn’t his concern. His greatest concern and longing was to pursue truth and honor God.
How often can we say that of ourselves? When do we abandon our clout, our following, our comfort, or even our safety, to honor God? Most days, we won’t mention Jesus unless it’s trendy, and we certainly won’t die to ourselves for His glory in the quiet, where no one can see us.
Joseph teaches us that quiet obedience is rooted in love, in intimately knowing and trusting God. If we know God, truly know Him, then we know He is good and has our best interest at heart. This allows us to let go of anything we cling to for comfort and control so we can embrace whatever calling He has placed on our lives, no matter how big or small we label it.
This Christmas season, consider how intimately you know the Savior. Consider if/when you sacrifice your pride to humbly serve others, even if no one knows. Consider what motivates your obedience to God. Is it from a deep desire to serve your Savior? Or is it for show? A following? To make a name for yourself?
Mary, Joseph, and most certainly Baby Jesus gave up everything to humbly proclaim the good news of salvation. Why can’t we?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Take a few moments to reflect on the last time you humbly served someone else. What was your motivation? How did you feel after obeying? Ask God to soften your heart and reveal any ways that pride has kept you from quiet obedience.
Further Reading:
Matthew 2
Advent Lesson 2 from the Life of Joseph: A Man Like Joseph
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When the rush of Christmas leaves your heart feeling thin, Isaiah 9:6 offers the anchor every soul is truly craving. Beneath the wrapping paper, busy schedules, and pressure to “get it all right,” there’s a deeper longing—one only the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace can satisfy. Our hearts were never designed to be filled by productivity, perfection, or presents; they were made to be filled by Him.
Highlights
- Cultural pressure can turn Christmas into a checklist instead of a celebration.
- Many feel a quiet inner ache during the holidays—a sign we’re longing for Christ, not more activity.
- Childhood traditions may be fun, but they can’t replace encountering Jesus personally.
- True Christmas joy comes from worship, gratitude, and seeking the One born to save us.
- Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in His first coming—and will fulfill the rest at His return.
- Materialism can’t satisfy the soul; Christ alone brings peace, purpose, and rest.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Seeking Something More This Christmas
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
During the Christmas season, it is common to get caught up in all the holiday preparations. We are so worried about buying gifts for everyone, preparing the Christmas dinner, and planning all the activities. All of this can become overwhelming and even take the joy of Christmas away from us. Rather than viewing Christmas as a day to celebrate our Savior, we see it as a stressful day, filled with obligations.
Sadly, this is not unusual for most people living in the modern world. Productivity has become the baseline for us, and if we are not being productive all the time, we are somehow failing. Within the realm of the Christmas holiday, we feel that we are not being productive or efficient if we haven’t bought all the presents we need to buy and finished all our preparations. In other words, we feel we are somehow failing at Christmas if everything is not perfect according to this materialistic world.
Similar to many people, I grew up with the view that Christmas was all about Santa Claus and gifts. However, even as a kid, I sometimes felt like there was something I was missing. As I became a teenager, I quickly saw how Christmas activities could turn sour when family members couldn't get along, and it made me more stressed about the holiday. I didn’t look forward to Christmas because I didn’t fully understand what it meant—I just associated it with stressful situations.
By the end of my first semester in college, I had truly come to understand that Christmas is the celebration of the Lord’s birth into the world. Even if we don’t have gifts, fancy dinners, or elaborate activities, we can still worship, praise, and give thanks to the Lord. We will all eventually come to this reality. Our souls will hunger and thirst for something more on Christmas if we genuinely do not know the Lord.
Our own family traditions and celebrations can be fun, but if they are not rooted in honoring Christ, our souls will continue to yearn for more. You may have already felt this, and you are ready to make a change. Talk with Him in prayers, read and study the Bible, and seek out trusted sources to learn more about Him. Jesus will reveal Himself to you and help satisfy your spiritual hunger.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Isaiah prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is the child who was born into the world. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when He came into the world. There are many other prophecies He fulfilled during His first coming, and He will fulfill even more prophecies during His second coming. Christmas is a time to seek out the truth of the Lord as well as to look forward to His return. He will return, which means we need to be ready (Revelation 16:15).
This Christmas, let us focus on seeking the Lord. We don’t need to try to satisfy our yearning hearts with materialism. Instead, we need to turn to the Lord and truly celebrate Him. Our hearts, souls, and entire beings can worship Him. Seek Him this Christmas and ensure your heart is following Him.
If you have not placed your faith in Jesus yet, know that you can do so today. Confess your sins to Him, ask Him to be your Savior, repent, and follow Him. You can start a new life today and walk in accordance with the Lord. Allow Jesus to bring your heart what it truly needs this Christmas and every other day of the year: His love.
Jesus will fulfill our hearts' desires better than anyone or anything else. How might you return to Him this Christmas rather than turning to materialism?
Further Reading:
Deuteronomy 4:29
Jeremiah 29:13
Matthew 6:25-34
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life feels bigger than your strength, God’s provision becomes your power. Ezra 5:5 reminds us that when God gives an assignment—whether rebuilding a life, leading a family, launching a ministry, or facing opposition—His hand stays on His people until the work is complete. The returning exiles discovered that divine calling comes with divine supply, even when challenges rise and fear tries to stall our obedience.
Highlights
- God equips us fully for every assignment He places in our hands—strength, resources, and support.
- The exiles returned to devastation, yet God’s favor and miraculous provision met them on arrival.
- Opposition, intimidation, and discouragement threatened to halt their progress, but God’s presence stayed constant.
- His faithfulness guaranteed the completion of the rebuilding—He finishes what He begins.
- Following Jesus includes hardship, but we “take heart” because He has already overcome the world.
- Romans 8 reminds believers that nothing can separate us from Christ or stop His purposes.
- Through Him, we live not as survivors but as “more than conquerors,” empowered to persevere.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Divinely Empowered for Our Greatest Challenges
Jennifer Slattery (host of Faith Over Fear)
Bible Reading:
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not make them cease till the matter should come to Darius, and then answer should be returned by letter concerning it. (Ezra 5:5, ESV)
Today’s verse and the historical context surrounding it assure us that when God assigns us a task, be that to raise children, complete a work project, lead a team, launch a ministry, or pursue a dream, He gives us everything we need to do all that He asks. And while we will likely always experience opposition, whenever we seek to live for Jesus, the events recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah also assure us that He is greater than any opposition we’ll face. In short, He finishes what He begins. The question is, how will we respond when difficulties come? Will we cower in fear, falter in fatigue, or trust in His provision, protection, and care?
Presumably, this was a question with which Ezra, the religious leader introduced in the Bible book bearing his name, and the returning exiles wrestled as they labored, for decades, to rebuild what the Assyrians destroyed seventy years prior.
Here’s the backstory. Despite centuries of prophetic warnings in which the Lord pleaded with His people to return to Him, they remained set in their rebellion and violent and oppressive ways. Therefore, God gave them the autonomy they wanted, removed His protective hand, and allowed their enemies to conquer them and cart them off to a pagan nation to live as exiles. Yet, faithful to His promise, 70 years later, the Lord mercifully and miraculously returned them to their beloved homeland.
Their arrival was bittersweet, filled with celebration for their liberation and return and sorrow for the destruction they saw once back in their beloved capital city. They found Jerusalem’s wall broken down, the gates burned, and the temple destroyed. But they also arrived with an abundance of the Lord’s miraculous provision, given to them by Cyrus, a pagan king. Perhaps buoyed by this obvious display of God’s favor and hope in the restoration He’d previously promised through the prophet Isaiah, they immediately set to work, built an altar, and re-established worship.
Not long after, however, their progress stalled due to opposition and their desire to build homes in which to live. The intimidation they experienced from the locals steadily increased and could’ve halted the restoration project indefinitely, leaving Jerusalem like the many other ancient cities that once thrived but are no more. That’s not what happened, however, because the eye of God, meaning His favor and hand, remained on His people until they completed everything He’d assigned and promised. Because again, when God assigns something, He gives us everything we need, be that resources, strength, and people to help, to do all that He’s asked.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
This story reveals two co-existing realities we all encounter in this life. As you probably know from experience, living for Jesus isn’t, and never will be, easy. Jesus told us to expect trouble: local, national, and global conflict, relational ruptures and betrayal, sickness and poverty, and pain. But He also told us to “take heart”; to sink our faith roots deep into Him, the One who overcame the world and conquered death and the grave that we, His beloved and empowered children, might also overcome.
In Romans 8:31-37, Paul, a first-century evangelist who wrote much of the New Testament, phrased it this way:
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? … Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or anguish or persecution or famine …” (ESV).
And here’s one of my favorite parts—the last line: “in all these things” –and a thousand more besides— “we are more than conquerors” –as in, we’ve secured, in Christ, overwhelming victory— “through him that loved us” (ESV).
Lord, remind us of this truth, your promises, and unchanging character the next time we feel timid, overwhelmed, and defeated that we may pursue Your will with perseverance and Spirit-ignited determination.
Further Reading:Proverbs 19:21
Proverbs 3:5-6
Job 42:2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Authentic ministry starts with a servant’s mindset, and Christians searching for purpose will find it in action—zeal for good works is a mark of discipleship, not a pastoral job description. John 12:26 frames service as the pathway to honor from the Father, reminding believers that following Christ means stepping into everyday ministry, wherever life places your feet.
Highlights
- Ministry simply means “to serve,” and every follower of Christ is called into it.
- Jesus modeled servant leadership as the Servant King—service is imitation before function.
- The call isn’t to become a pastor, but to live like Jesus.
- Daily surrender (“die daily”) is less dramatic and more incremental—small yeses, repeated.
- Excuses shrink when identity grows: you serve because you are His, not to become enough.
- Service is worship when done in the Spirit’s power, not self-reliant hustle mode.
- Zealous good works expand your reach for God’s Kingdom—overflow comes after outpour.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Zealous for Good Works
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26, ESV).
“Ministry” is from the Greek word diakoneo, meaning “to serve.” At my church, our elders believe that every member of God’s Church is a minister, so obviously that would mean that every believer is called to serve- serve Jesus and serve His Body. Jesus was the servant of all. In fact, He was the Servant King. Christ shares in the gospel of John the importance of serving and following Him as He serves others.
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26, ESV).
Jesus asks us as Christians to lay our lives down continually, denying our wants and desires, or as the Apostle Paul said to do, “die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31).
Do we know how to do that?
Intersecting Life & Faith:
It is human nature to seek after what our hearts and flesh crave, but we do not have to give in to that kind of nature, for we have a new nature in Christ Jesus (Colossians 3:10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:24).
Some people have wrong thoughts about God and service, perhaps believing their service doesn’t matter because others have it taken care of. Or perhaps they see pastors as the ones who are qualified for service and ministry, so they don’t need to join in. But we are all priests to our God (1 Peter 2:9)! When we put our hands to the plow, so to speak, in ministry, we are worshiping God. Those who are saved by Christ will eagerly and joyfully serve Christ and His people. We have been clothed in Christ’s righteousness to match Him and follow Him. What clothes are you wearing- the world’s or Christ’s?
No matter the excuse or wrong thinking regarding ministry and service, we can ask God to help us see the importance of serving the Lord and others. The Holy Spirit empowers us to set aside our selfishness and learn how to be selfless like Jesus, preferring others above ourselves. That kind of lifestyle starts in the mind, in the way we think, as we learn to think of ourselves less and look for ways to put others first. The Lord promises that the Father will honor the one who serves Christ by serving His people. As we learn to prefer others above ourselves, the Lord fills us with His love to the overflow to reach more people for His Kingdom. He will give us zeal for ministry.
God is selfless, humble, gracious, and merciful, and as His children, He asks us to follow His example. We cannot do that in our own strength. The Holy Spirit will empower you, and with His grace, to be able to deny your own desires and selfish ambitions. We need God’s help to prefer others above ourselves. God’s Word transforms our minds so that we can learn how to think less of ourselves and seek to serve God and His people. Let us ask God to help us value the call to serve so we can look more like Him, ministering to whoever He puts in front of our path.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Keri Eichberger walks us through one of faith’s less-comfortable gym memberships—rejoicing during trials because trials train endurance. If the struggle feels like mud, endurance is the pair of boots God is forming in the mud. Romans 5:3 reminds us that endurance isn’t an accidental byproduct, it’s a forged outcome.
Highlights
- Rejoicing in trials isn’t pretending it doesn’t hurt—it’s trusting it isn’t wasted.
- Endurance grows when faith stops asking “why me?” and starts asking “what now, God?”
- We often want instant relief; God often builds internal reinforcement first.
- Struggle is the classroom; endurance is the diploma; joy is the confetti we throw early.
- Every hard season increases your future “I can handle this” capacity.
- Endurance shapes character, and character holds hope steady like a paperweight in a hurricane.
- Joy doesn’t cheapen the pain—it celebrates the Trainer, not the treadmill.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Finding Joy in the Endurance of Struggle
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Romans 5:3 NLT)
I’ve been through several seasons of struggle and suffering. And there’s something I really wrestle with when I am in the thick of it. It’s a verse and a call to action in the Bible, actually. That simultaneously perplexes and convicts me. It’s the encouragement to rejoice and be glad in our hurts and hardships. Of course, I want to be filled with joy at all times, regardless of what surrounds me. But if I’m being completely honest, my heart seems to resist finding its way to more positive and pleasant perspectives when it’s tossed into turmoil.
One instance the Bible encourages this behavior is in Romans 5:3, when it tells us to rejoice when we run into problems. And this frankly can feel like a smack in the face, and add insult to injury. We may already be feeling pretty down, and likely far from rejoicing, and then we’re being told to rejoice in it. Which may knock us further down with self-disappointment. But, regardless of the joy we may or may not muster in the mud of a problem, I bet we can agree we both want the result referenced at the latter part of the verse. Claiming we’ll receive endurance from these trials.
Personally speaking, in order to motivate me to seek and see the positive in my difficulties, it helps to understand the benefit of doing so. It helps to understand the benefit of the promised result. In this case, endurance. And let me tell you, friend, you and I definitely need endurance in this life laid out for us.
A quick Google search defined endurance as “the power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way,” and “the capacity of something to last or to withstand wear and tear.” And because life is hard, difficult, and unpleasant at times, of course, we need endurance. The beautiful blessing for us Christians, who lean on the Lord through our problems, is that we are developing this endurance one season of dependence at a time. We are increasing our capacity to withstand the wear and tear of life, which we know is inevitable. Meaning our problems are one by one strengthening us. By the power of God, strengthening our character, strengthening our ability to take on the next trial with more of God’s peace and grace, and his increased patience and love. All the while reflecting more of him to a watching world.
Do you struggle to see joy in your suffering? But can you see the value in gaining endurance to continue to withstand the inevitable, unending flow of problems and trials in this world? And isn't that what we all want? To be able to better handle what comes our way? Because we know so much tough stuff will keep coming. I don’t know about you, but one of my greatest fears is that I won’t be able to handle the hard things on the horizon or that will unexpectedly come my way. So, if you could assure me that the hard thing I’m going through now will allow me to better deal with the things I will face in the future, isn’t that reason to rejoice? I believe so.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
It certainly isn’t always natural, or even comfortable. In fact, it can be really hard when you’re walking through a dark valley. But I believe there is still a good reason to rejoice and praise God for what he is doing through it. He is the author of all things and has authority over all things surrounding you. This includes your problems, your trials, and your suffering. He will use it to strengthen you; he will use your struggles to serve you and serve others. And though no, it isn’t pleasant to walk through hard things, we can walk those hard paths knowing they will create strength and goodness. And that is something worth rejoicing and thanking God for.
Let this encourage you today when you consider the difficulties swarming around you. Know that through this very thing, God will bring about the person in you who will better deal with tomorrow's difficulties. Opening the door to greater ease and peace along the journey of your life. And we can all rejoice and praise God for that today and every day.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Megan J. Conner explores persistent prayer and Godward confidence through Matthew 7:7. When needs feel unmet or dreams stall, the reset isn’t louder striving—it’s steady asking, seeking, and knocking with a anchored heart. This passage reads like a promise and a gentle nudge off the couch of casual expectation.
Highlights
- Ask: Bring the need. Name it clearly to God before narrating it to yourself.
- Seek: Prayer moves feet too—watch for the open door and walk toward it.
- Knock: Keep going. Persistence is faith’s cardio, not its enemy.
- God isn’t hiding gifts like misplaced keys—He responds to pursuit.
- Peace grows when petitions are paired with trust, even before answers arrive.
- Delay doesn’t equal denial; sometimes it equals development.
- One small prayer whispered daily outlasts one big prayer yelled annually.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Ask, Seek, KnockBy Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” - Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
Do you feel like there are needs in your life, or desires in your heart that remain unfulfilled? Perhaps you are longing for a change of circumstances, in need of tangible provision, or losing hope over a lingering, neglected dream. Maybe you wonder if God is aware of these aspirations and is intentionally choosing to deny your desires. But before you assume the Lord is uninterested, ask yourself, have you brought these cares to Him?
The Word of God repeatedly offers us invitation after invitation to bring our concerns and requests to the Lord. Philippians 4:6 encourages us not to be “… anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God,” (NIV). When worries feel weighty, we can bring these feelings of overwhelm to the Lord. He is not standing far off, but instead is ready and waiting for us to call upon Him.
Hebrews 4:14-16 also reminds us how Jesus walked among humanity, and not only empathizes with our weaknesses and desires, but He fully understands. As such, we can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need,” (NIV). The Lord is not only able, but ready and willing to offer comfort and provision. Even further, He reminds us that when we take delight in Him, He will give us the desire of our hearts (Ps. 37:4).
Friend, God is not withholding good gifts from you, but you and I both have a part to play in the process. Years ago, my husband shared a teaching on today’s passage. Though his message was preached almost fifteen years ago, it is one that has remained with me to this day. Through his study, I learned that if we look closely, this scripture offers three distinct directives: ask, seek, knock.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matt. 7:7, NKJV).
The true message of this passage is one of perseverance. In today’s on-demand, instant fulfillment culture, we have lost a measure of determined persistence. When something doesn’t work out as planned, it is much easier for us to just sit down, give up, or walk away. But the Lord is calling us to stretch ourselves beyond our supposed boundaries. To fight for what we desire and to fight for our relationship with Him. He is not denying us. He is compelling us to exert effort, not sit idly by with casual expectation. He is calling us to action. Ask. If that doesn’t work, then seek. If seeking remains elusive, knock. He promises He will respond.
The passage goes on to say, “or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matt. 7:7-11, NKJV).
Our Heavenly Father truly is a good father. He longs to behold and bless His children. He is simply waiting for us to take the initiative. To ask… to seek… to knock.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you carrying unfulfilled desires in your heart? Do you feel like God is distant or intentionally denying you a potential destiny? If so, ask yourself, when was the last time you brought these petitions to the Lord? Even if your dreams have remained dormant for years, I encourage you, continue to bring your requests to Him. Though the final outcome may not be exactly what you had in mind, you can be assured that He hears your plea and will respond when you call.
Take some time today to look up the dictionary definition of the word “perseverance.” Then, consider if your actions or communications with the Lord exemplify perseverance. Is there any room for adjustments or improvements? If so, ask the Lord to help you draw near to Him, trusting that whatever the outcome, His work in your life is ultimately for your good and is fulfilling your deepest desires.
Further Reading:
Luke 18:1-8
Heb. 4:14-16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Loneliness and spiritual distance spike during busy or painful seasons, but God hasn’t moved—our focus often has. Cindi McMenamin unpacks spiritual closeness, biblical community, and peace over loneliness through Hebrews 10:25, offering practical resets for reconnecting to God’s voice and His people.
Highlights
- When God feels far, check the direction of your heart before checking the volume of His voice.
- Belief knows about God; obedience walks toward Him.
- Worry works like noise-canceling headphones… but the cheap kind with static.
- God’s Word and Jesus aren’t separate subscriptions—they’re the same plan.
- Avoiding community with believers often amplifies loneliness, not peace.
- Encouragement is a two-way street, and we all need construction cones in busy months.
- Closeness to God grows with intentional daily choices, not seasonal luck.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
When God Seems Distant
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:25 NLT
Are there days when you feel lonely and you wonder why? Isn’t God supposed to always be with you? Didn’t He promise in Hebrews 13:5 that He’d never leave His people? So why do you still feel lonely?
Often, we are tempted to say, “God’s not speaking to me. He’s become distant.” But in reality, you and I are the ones who stopped talking to, stopped listening, or moved further away from Him.
God promises us in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing can separate us from His love, so if you feel like God is distant, perhaps it’s a result of one or more of these three scenarios:
You might not be following Him closely.
When we are merely believers, but not obedient followers of Jesus, the abundant life Jesus promised us in John 10:10 is not ours and this can result in feeling anxious, uncertain, and lonely. Through a lack of obedience to God or misplaced priorities, we can hold back the blessings He has for those who fully surrender to Him. It’s possible to possess a head knowledge of God (in which we know what we’re supposed to do and not to do), without engaging our hearts and loving Him with all that we are. That’s when we become stuck between the now and the not yet. We live in the now of the difficulties of life on our own and have not yet experienced the joys and blessings of a life fully surrendered to Him. In the now, you may have an understanding that there’s a God and you’ll be held accountable to Him. But you don’t yet have enough of an understanding of Him, or passion for Him, to pursue a closer relationship with Him that will lead to the fulfillment you seek.
You might be worrying and not clinging to His Word.
Mark 4:19 tells us the worries of this world choke the Word’s fruitfulness in our lives. If we claim God’s not talking to us through His Word, it’s possible we are worriers and our worrisome thoughts and anxieties are drowning out God’s voice. Don’t underestimate the importance of being in God’s Word regularly in order to grow closer to Jesus and to keep from sin (worry is just one sin among many). Psalm 119:9 asks: “How can a [person] keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word” (NASB).To live in close relationship with God is to embrace Jesus and His Word because Jesus is defined in John 1:1 as the Word. To accept Him is to accept His Word. To love Him is to love His Word. To obey Him and abide in (or dwell closely with) Him, is to obey and abide in His Word. God’s Word is for us today just as much as Jesus is for us today. We can’t separate the two or claim we want Jesus, but His Word is no longer relevant. Abiding in His Word is not optional for the follower of Christ, it’s essential.
You might be avoiding other believers.
Ignoring God’s commands in His Word, harboring sin in our lives, or avoiding community with other Christ-followers can also lead to feelings of loneliness. In Psalm 25, David asked God to turn to him and be gracious to him because he was lonely and afflicted. David prayed, “Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins” (verses 16-18). David acknowledged a direct correlation between sin in his life and the loneliness he experienced—likely from a separation from God’s people. (While sin itself doesn’t separate us from God’s presence, we often voluntarily separate ourselves from God’s people when we’re in sin.) David ended his song with these words: “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you” (verse 21). David knew that the key to personal fulfillment and even God’s protection was that he maintain integrity and uprightness and keep his hope firmly in the Lord. Integrity and uprightness can put us in a place where we experience less loneliness. And we can live with integrity when we embrace God’s Word and welcome the fellowship and accountability of God’s people.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you need to set your heart on growing in your love relationship with God? Do you need to get into His Word so you will know Him more fully and He will be more than just a belief system? Or do you need to connect with a local church and become more closely intertwined with other believers?
God is waiting for you to leave behind your loneliness and experience His presence—and His people—once again.
Lord, I realize You are not the One who distances Yourself. Help me to get back into Your Word and into the places where Your people gather. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Further Reading:
Romans 8:38-39.
For more on overcoming your loneliness, see Cindi’s book,The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Gratitude shifts when attention moves from missing things to present gifts from God. Kelly Balarie frames this reset through Psalm 87:7, highlighting a real-life moment of releasing comparison and anchoring joy in Christ. Strong search phrases like biblical gratitude, contentment over comparison, and Psalm 87 fountains help more hearts find the message quickly—because noticing God’s provision isn’t denial, it’s deliberate focus.
Highlights
- Comparison is loud; gratitude is louder when practiced.
- Obedience often includes releasing what once mattered.
- Letting go creates capacity for deeper joy.
- Christ is the source, not the supplement.
- Serving others redirects the heart from scarcity to abundance.
- Worship begins at the fountain—God Himself.
- Thankfulness starts small, but builds momentum fast.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Holding on to Joy When the Season Feels Heavy
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you;in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
- Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
The holiday season brings a sense of joy and positivity to many. The constant celebrations are a welcome distraction from their ordinary lives. Yet, for others, the holidays usher in more profound feelings of grief, remorse, or desperation.
To the one who recently lost a loved one, putting on a happy face during celebrations is distressing.
To the one who received the news that they no longer have a job, having to tell their family that Christmas will look a bit different this year is dispiriting.
For those estranged from family members, watching others gather peacefully can be a depressing experience.
If you are struggling to hold onto joy this season because you are in an emotionally, mentally, or spiritually heavy season, let me encourage you with these verses.
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you;in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
- Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
When you are in the middle of an extremely difficult season, especially when it seems like the world around you is rejoicing while yours is falling apart, remember that God is with you. It may feel that He is distant, you might even be tempted to think He’s forgotten You, or His lack of removing your pain is evidence He doesn’t care. But, that is not true. God is always with you. He is your Savior and your Sustainer. He rejoices over you with gladness. He is love ( 1 John 4:16), and He created you out of love. He hasn’t forgotten you.
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” - Genesis 16:12 NIV
There are seasons in our lives where, though we know in our minds God hasn’t forsaken us, our hearts feel differently. Just like Hagar, our dire circumstances may cause us to question God’s goodness. We may feel that God doesn’t care about our situation, we are in a spiritual desert, and are desperate for something to quench our dry souls. God does care for you. He is grieved when His children are hurting. Jesus, who took on humanity, experienced all the things we experience. He knows what it feels like to be betrayed, to grieve the loss of a friend, to be rejected by the people He loved. God is a good God Who sees, and He sees you. Allow God’s goodness to draw you out of the desert, and find joy in Him.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” - Isaiah 26:3
It can be difficult to hold on to joy when our thoughts aren’t focused on the Lord. Peace, isn’t that something we all desire? We can experience peace in the hardest of seasons when our thoughts are steadfast, or firmly fixed on the Lord. How can we securely anchor ourselves in God? We firmly believe that even in our darkest moments, God is still at work. God is still faithful, He has a purpose, and nothing can separate us from His love.
Friend, if you are in a heavy season, know I am praying for you as you navigate the holidays. May you feel the Lord’s presence and know that He sees you and He loves you.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you in heavy season? If so, what verse above gives you encouragement? Commit the verse to memory and recite it when you are struggling to hold on to your joy.
Further Reading:
Isaiah 26
11 Ways to Draw Near to God this New Year
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Gratitude shifts when attention moves from missing things to present gifts from God. Kelly Balarie frames this reset through Psalm 87:7, highlighting a real-life moment of releasing comparison and anchoring joy in Christ. Strong search phrases like biblical gratitude, contentment over comparison, and Psalm 87 fountains help more hearts find the message quickly—because noticing God’s provision isn’t denial, it’s deliberate focus.
Highlights
- Comparison is loud; gratitude is louder when practiced.
- Obedience often includes releasing what once mattered.
- Letting go creates capacity for deeper joy.
- Christ is the source, not the supplement.
- Serving others redirects the heart from scarcity to abundance.
- Worship begins at the fountain—God Himself.
- Thankfulness starts small, but builds momentum fast.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Noticing What God has Given, Instead of What He Hasn’tBy Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:"As they make music they will sing, 'All my fountains are in you.'" – Psalm 87:7 NIV
I didn't want to covet. Ick. I knew coveting was against both God's will and His Word. But, how do you stop feelings when they come like a tidal wave? How can one woman hold back a giant rush of emotions?
In this case, I was packing up the back of a man's truck. I was packing his truck up with the exact sentimental sort of items I previously gave up. Because we had lived in so many places around the nation, I had to let go of holiday decorations over the years to make room for our moves. Yet now? I was helping a man load up a truck filled with the very things I had to let go of.
I wanted to serve this man by helping him; however, I also had to fight the inclination to want what he had. I knew we obeyed God by moving so much. I knew we followed Him where He wanted us to go.
Often, in obedience, there is sacrifice. Often, in moving with God, there is a laying down of goods or things we once thought we really needed.
Have you ever experienced this?
In my situation, I was happy to let go for the greater gain of following God.
For instance, I knew that if Jesus came down from heaven and addressed me, saying, "Kelly, do you want holiday decorations or do you want to serve me?" I would undoubtedly say, "Jesus, I choose you."
No item, no position, no money, no role, no appearance can match the precious calling of walking with God and living for Him. I knew this.
I told God this.
"Father?" I said. "I would give it all up again. Jesus is worthy. It is my joy to lay down things for the precious gain of serving you and your people."
I realized God has given me far more than the world or its goods ever could.
In this moment, I suddenly felt God's love and His closeness sweep over me. I think He was pleased.
Jesus is worth it. His love is priceless. His eyes see all of it.
I don't have to please myself with goods, because the greatest joy of my life is serving Him. I don't have to please man, because it is His delight I look for. I don't have to appear a certain way, because even with little, I have so much of Him.
In Him are all my fountains.
"As they make music they will sing, 'All my fountains are in you.'" (Ps. 87:7 NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Where are you looking at what you don’t have instead of all you have in Christ Jesus? How might God be calling you to adjust your vantage point? What do you have in Christ Jesus? How does this change things?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Fear steals spiritual clarity, but surrendering it opens the heart to God’s personal good news. Whitney Hopler points to Luke 2:8-11, where the angel interrupts panic with a promise of rising joy through Jesus. Keywords like hearing God, good news, fear of failure, and Luke 2 shepherds belong right up front for discovery, because quieting fear is the doorway to actually receiving what God keeps trying to say.
Highlights
- God’s best announcements lead with peace before explanation.
- Fear acts like interference; faith works like the reset button.
- Failure, rejection, and the unknown are common volume knobs stuck on too loud.
- Joy beats relief—it carries confidence, not just the absence of panic.
- Focusing on the Spirit amplifies direction and dials down dread.
- One brave decision at a time rewrites fear’s storyline.
- God’s good news is personal, persistent, and powerful enough to outshine bad thoughts. (Yes, even the dramatic ones… without needing pyrotechnics.)
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Overcome Fear to Hear God’s Good News for YouBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’” – Luke 2:8-11, NIV
On the first Christmas, the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem were just watching their flocks on a quiet night, when suddenly, the glory of the Lord shone around them, and an angel of the Lord appeared. The angel’s very first words to the terrified were a loving command: “Do not be afraid.”
The message the angel carried from God was too good to be blocked by fear. The news of a Savior for the world was meant to bring “great joy,” but the shepherds couldn’t fully hear a message of joy if their minds were preoccupied with panic.
How often has fear kept you from fully perceiving and accepting the good news that God sends your way?
Think about what you’re feeling afraid of right now. The fear of failure can stop you from trying something new or stepping out in faith, even when God is calling you to do so. The fear of rejection can keep you silent about your faith or cause you to hide your true self, making you feel isolated instead of enjoying the relationships God wants you to enjoy. The fear of the unknown can push you to cling to your own plans and miss out on the wonderful, unexpected blessings God places in your path.
Fear can be like static that interferes with your ability to hear God’s clear voice being broadcast to you. On the first Christmas, God gave the shepherds the ultimate good news, that the world’s Savior had arrived. But God continues to give good news every day. When you’re afraid, you can miss the good news God is trying to deliver to you. In order to hear it clearly, you have to follow the angel’s simple command: “Do not be afraid.”
You can do so by focusing on the news rather than the noise. The shepherds looked at the terrifying glory of God, but they didn’t let their fear of it stop them from listening to the angel delivering God’s message. You need to focus on God speaking to you through his Holy Spirit (the news) instead of on the circumstances that are making you feel afraid (the noise).
God’s good news for you will cause you to experience great joy. Joy is much greater than happiness – it’s a strong confidence that, because the Savior is here with you, everything (even the most challenging circumstances) will ultimately work out well for you.
So, the next time fear tries to interfere with you hearing God’s messages, remind yourself of the angel’s words: “Do not be afraid.” Push past your fear, open your mind and heart, and listen carefully. Joy is waiting for you!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider why it’s important to overcome fear to hear God’s good news for you, reflect on these questions:
- What type of fear (such as the fear of failure or the fear of rejection) is making it hard for you to hear God’s positive messages for you right now?
- In what areas of your life have you let the “glory of the Lord” – God’s presence – cause you to panic instead of paying close attention to God’s messages?
- How can reminding yourself that Jesus is the world’s Savior, with unlimited power, help you silence fearful thoughts?
- What’s one “good news” message – like one of God’s promises – from the Bible that you can focus on to replace a recurring fear?
- The angel promised “great joy.” How can you take a step of faith this week to move out of fear and toward embracing joy?
Further Reading:
Isaiah 41:10
Psalm 56:3
2 Timothy 1:7
John 14:27
1 John 4:18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A grateful heart brings peace in pain, and practicing thankfulness reshapes our perspective when life feels overwhelming. Megan J. Conner highlights Psalm 107:1, showing that gratitude is rooted in God’s enduring goodness, not our circumstances. When we intentionally look beyond what hurts, we begin to notice the often-overlooked blessings around us, even in the hardest seasons.
Highlights
- Gratitude starts with God’s unchanging goodness, not life going “right.”
- Pain makes thankfulness harder—so it must be practiced, not assumed.
- Our brains remember hurt more than joy; gratitude rewires that default.
- Small moments of goodness (sunrise, quiet, creation) carry spiritual weight.
- Daily gratitude builds resilience and steadies a hurting heart.
- Thankfulness grows stronger the earlier and more consistently we choose it.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
How to Be Thankful When Life Hurts
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” - Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
Do you feel like your current season of life is so hard that you struggle to find reasons to be thankful? Perhaps your relationships are strained, your finances are tight, or your health has become a daily battle. These challenging circumstances can crush your spirit and your ability to recognize the good when the bad screams so loud it deafens any other thoughts.
This discontentment can feel especially acute during the holidays. For many of us, these festive seasons can be reminders of all that appears missing. However, no matter what is going on in each of our lives, there is always something to be grateful for. Likely, there are more reasons than we realize to be thankful. But it takes intentional effort to see the good rather than the bad.
If we look to scripture for guidance in this area, it is abundantly clear we are not the only ones who wrestle with faithfully fostering a thankful heart. The psalmist and king, David, shares his angst and feelings of displeasure and dissatisfaction when he declares:
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God…” (Ps. 42:5, NIV).
I am not sure what David was facing when he penned these words, but it is clear his soul needed a forced redirection towards the goodness of God. Beyond this example, we can see repeated exhortations throughout the Word calling us to stir up a spirit of gratitude, even when we feel nothing of the sort. The Bible tells us we should always give thanks to God the Father (Eph. 5:20), give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thes. 5:18), and we should live our lives rooted and built up in Him, strengthening our faith as we were taught, overflowing with thankfulness (Col. 2:6).
When concepts or guidelines are repeated in the Word, we can know the Lord is trying to tell us something. He is trying to get our attention. This recurring thematic instruction to intentionally push past our feelings of lack towards recognizing and rejoicing in the present abundance, confirms how challenging this can be for many of us. Why? Because, against all logical reasoning, our brains recall traumatic or harmful events far more than moments filled with joy or comfort. As such, we have to put effort into recognizing all of the wonderful, beautiful, and valuable blessings already present in our daily lives.
It is amazing what we can notice if we simply look up and out beyond our unwelcome or undesirable circumstances. When was the last time you took a walk or simply stood out on your back porch to gaze upon the stars in the night sky? Or instead of rushing through your morning coffee and out the door, waking up just five minutes earlier so you can sit in the quiet and savor the warm comfort in your mug as the sun rises to greet the new day? Each one of these simple, small recognitions can add up to big change in your perspective and your overall sense of optimism and fulfillment during the holidays.
Just like everything else, practice makes permanent. The more you choose to intentionally practice thankfulness, even when life hurts, the more you will discover a continual sense of peace and serenity that will carry you through any and all seasons of life.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How is your heart during this holiday season? Is it filled with worship, awe, and thankfulness for the gifts of God, or is it overwhelmed with dread and disappointment? Have you intentionally practiced gratitude in the past? If so, how did it help to reassure your heart during difficult times?
I encourage you to use this season as a reason to implement the daily practice of gratitude. Use a journal, the notes on your phone, a “thankful” jar, sticky notes, or take photos – whatever feels most appealing to you as a form of documentation. Then, challenge yourself to find at least one thing to be thankful for each day. It can be as small as the fall of the first snow or a smile from a stranger in the grocery line. After you have successfully recognized one reason to be thankful each day, see if you can add more to your list. Before you know it, your heart will automatically recognize blessings without you even consciously looking for them.
Further Reading:
Phil. 4:4-8
1 Thes. 5:16-18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The fall-to-winter season can feel overwhelming, with demands from work, family, and holiday preparations stacking up quickly. Psalm 127:1-2 reminds us that anything built without God’s guidance is in vain and that true rest is a gift from Him. By intentionally seeking His direction, setting boundaries, and taking meaningful breaks, we can cultivate a peaceful heart even in the busiest months of the year.
Highlights
- God calls us to involve Him in all our work; without Him, our efforts are “in vain” (Psalm 127:1).
- Seek His guidance early, not just when life becomes overwhelming.
- Establish clear personal and professional boundaries to prevent burnout.
- Take intentional breaks during the busy season to rest, reflect, and refocus on God.
- Align your work and daily routines with God’s purposes to find true peace amidst busyness.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
How to Have a Peaceful Heart in a Busy Season
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading:
“Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food — yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves.” (Psalm 127:1-2, CSB)
There’s something about the months of September to December that just seem to fly by. Blame the anxiety of school starting or the anticipation of Christmas, but something about the fall-to-winter season makes time seem to fast-forward for everybody!
What is also true is that this time of year often brings out the worst in us busybodies, and the usually not-so-busybodies. We toil day and night performing favors, working longer hours for more money, stressing out about getting the right gifts or preparing the right food. We want everything to go right, while at the same time, neglecting our faith, health, and overall well-being.
Don’t get me wrong. Work can be useful. Work is a venue for honoring God, serving others, distracting us from sin, and accomplishing good in the world. Faith without works is dead after all (James 2:14-17). That being said, while keeping ourselves busy with work can be productive, there’s an emphasis on can. Are we wise enough to know when work turns from a benefit to a disadvantage?
If we’re being honest, usually not.
The work we do, whatever that work is, should honor God. As Scripture tells us, anything we build without the Lord is built “in vain.” If we’re going about our busy season and have lost all semblance of peace, then we need to take a step back. Chances are, we’re not honoring God, and much of what we do is being done in vain.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If you’re the sort of busybody that gets bogged down somewhere between September and December or all of it, then know you don’t have to stay as you are. You’re not stuck in endless toil and unrest. In fact, there are a few ways to ensure you have a peaceful heart during a busy season:
- Seek direction from the Lord.
Scripture makes clear that we ought to seek God in all that we do. Whatever is done without Him is done “in vain.” We understand this when our backs are against the wall or we hit rock bottom. Then we want nothing but the Lord. However, when life is swell, work doesn’t feel so bad. Rather than wait for the craziness to eat the fan, seek God well in advance.
Ask Him for what’s appropriate to do and how to best honor Him. Yes, God enjoys productivity, but putting our work above all else is sinful. Yes, God wants us to serve others, but He doesn’t want us to become so exhausted that we are bitter and angry toward those we wish to serve.
By seeking God first, we’ll know how much busyness is good. We’ll have the wisdom to know what to do and how to do it. This will help with time management, navigating relationships, keeping our eyes on Jesus, and so much more.
- Set boundaries with yourself and others.
Sometimes we overextend because we don’t know our limitations, and those who request of us don’t know our limitations either. If you want to find peace amidst busyness, you must set boundaries. That means setting aside time for work and rest, a time to spend in solitude with God, and a time to be among people. If you’re unsure what boundaries should look like, consider consulting someone who practices good boundaries.
You may think having limits will hurt you during the busy season. On the contrary, the more rest you have and the better your performance, because you have more energy and mental clarity.
- Take a break from your toils.
You might claim you already know this. You may say you don’t want to hear it again, but someone has to remind you. There is a time for work and a time for rest. Make sure at some point during the busy season, multiple points actually, you take a break from your toils.
Find something to do, even by yourself, that feels more like comfort than work. That could mean going for a walk in the park, journaling, reading a book, drawing, or simply praying. Whatever you do, keep your eyes fixed on God. Then nothing you do will be done in vain.
Further Reading:
Proverbs 3:5-6
1 Corinthians 10:31
Matthew 6:33
Matthew 11:28-30
Ephesians 5:15-17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas—it’s a season of spiritual preparation, reflection, and anticipation for the coming of Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 reminds us of the promise of a Savior, calling Him Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. By intentionally preparing our hearts and homes, we can embrace the joy, hope, and light of Christ, creating meaningful family traditions that honor His arrival and cultivate a posture of worship.
Highlights
- Advent is derived from the Latin word for “coming” and lasts four weeks, focusing on Christ’s first and second comings.
- Attend special Advent services to reflect, pray, and celebrate the birth of Jesus.
- Use an Advent calendar to daily engage with Scripture, small treats, or family moments that highlight Christ’s arrival.
- Light an Advent wreath weekly to symbolize expectation, reflection, and Christ as the light of the world (John 8:12).
- Create visual reminders like Advent chains or prepare a manger to help children and families anticipate Christ’s birth.
- Share the story of Jesus with others each week, following the example of the shepherds in Luke 2:17-18.
- Advent encourages both personal reflection and communal celebration, fostering gratitude, faith, and joyful expectation.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Preparing Our Hearts and Homes for Advent
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—Isaiah 9:6
Preparing a home for the arrival of a new baby is a busy time, full of choosing clothes, bedding, accessories, and more. It’s an exciting time of getting everything ready and waiting for the day to come. It’s a time when families and friends come together to help prepare and celebrate the coming birth.
As well, during the Advent season, we can remember, prepare, and celebrate anew the coming of Jesus as a newborn baby into our world.
Some Christians may ask, what is Advent?
Even though I grew up as a pastor’s daughter, we didn’t really emphasize Advent; it was something celebrated in more liturgical churches like Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran, so we didn’t really learn or practice the observance growing up.
The word Advent is derived from the Latin word “coming” and is a time of anticipation, prayer, spiritual reflection, and preparation for the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day.
Advent traditionally starts four weeks before Christmas, beginning on the Sunday closest to November 30 and ending on Christmas Eve.
Yet, it’s a beautiful time of preparation, lasting four weeks, leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ first coming at Christmas in the birth of our Messiah, and also the anticipation of His second coming and return to earth, yet to occur.
6 Meaningful Ways to Prepare for and Celebrate Advent
The following are six traditional ways to prepare our hearts to celebrate Advent.
- Attend special Advent services. Some churches and denominations offer Advent services leading up to Christmas, where attendees join together to prepare their hearts for Christ’s birth with Scripture reading, an Advent message, songs, and prayers.
- Follow an Advent Calendar. Leading up to Christmas day, as a family, go through an Advent calendar, which offers 24 or 25 doors to open, each holding a small surprise, toy, candy, or Bible verse inside to help us focus on, prepare, and celebrate each day of Advent.
Opening each door helps to teach us about Christ’s coming, along with creating warm family moments and memories to last for years to come.
- Light an Advent Wreath. An Advent wreath is traditionally made out of evergreens, but can come in various forms, such as wooden or plastic, holding four candles to represent the four weeks leading up to Advent, lighting one candle each Sunday. Traditionally, because purple represents royalty, the candles are usually three purple and one pink candle.
Lighting the wreath offers a time for expectation and reflection, where we can look forward to Christ’s coming and rejoice because Jesus is the light of the world. As John 8:12 records, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
- Create an Advent chain. As a visual countdown to Advent, young children may especially enjoy making an Advent chain, linking together colorful pieces of paper to represent each day leading up to Advent. Every day, remove a link until Christmas Day.
- Prepare a manger. Some families construct a small manger to represent preparing a place for the coming Christ, lining it each day with pieces of straw in preparation.
As Luke 2:7 reminds us, “And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
- Share Jesus. Each week of Advent, tell someone about celebrating it and what it means to all of us. Like the shepherds told others about Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:17-18, tell those we know about His coming. “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If you grew up Christian, but unaware of celebrating Advent, take some time to prayerfully consider if you and your family would like to participate this coming year in one or more of the traditions.
Further Reading:
4 Advent Traditions to Carry on with Your Family
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Gratitude isn’t just an action—it’s a heart posture rooted in worship. Psalm 100:1-5 calls us to “shout for joy to the Lord” and “enter his gates with thanksgiving,” reminding us that praising God and offering thanks should overflow from our daily lives. When we intentionally create space for gratitude, whether in prayer, family life, or personal devotion, our hearts are renewed, joy is cultivated, and worship becomes a natural response to God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Highlights
- Psalm 100 emphasizes joyful, heartfelt worship as the foundation of gratitude.
- Giving thanks is both an opportunity and a command—acknowledge God’s goodness in every season.
- Intentionally making space in your life for gratitude and prayer prevents busyness from crowding out thankfulness.
- Worship leads to joy: as we praise God, our hearts naturally overflow with gladness.
- Gratitude involves both personal reflection and communal expression, encouraging family and others to share in thanksgiving.
- God’s steadfast love and faithfulness span generations, giving us a secure foundation for praise.
- Practical tools like gratitude calendars or journals can help integrate thanksgiving into daily routines.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Psalm-Powered Gratitude for Any Season
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” - Psalm 100:1-2 NIV
Recently, I purchased a magnetic calendar for our fridge to keep everyone in the family in the loop on our schedule. As a bonus to the calendar feature, there was a spot for prayer requests, gratitude, and to-do lists.
For the first few weeks, I filled every section of the calendar to the brim. I invited my girls to add prayer requests, items they were thankful for, and activities they would like to do. Yet, as the weeks passed, the boxes containing our schedule continued to overflow, and eventually took over our gratitude and prayer request boxes. Oddly enough, the “to-do” section continued to grow exponentially, even though our schedule was already maxed out.
As I stared at the calendar, I felt a familiar pang of Holy Spirit conviction. I knew He was gently nudging me to make some space for the gratitude and prayer request section. The reality was, my family was in an intense state of burnout, and looking at the calendar was a visual reminder of our misplaced priorities. We’d neglected to take time to offer gratitude, to linger over the many blessings, the abundance of grace and mercy bestowed on our family by a loving God. We were so internally focused that we neglected the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
When I was little, my church choir teacher would always start our time together with Psalm 100, specifically focusing on the call to “make a joyful noise.” I am not sure how joyful we were, but we surely did take the command to “shout the Lord’s goodness” to heart. Knowing I needed some psalm-packed gratitude, I turn to Psalm 100, allowing the “Psalm for giving thanks” to penetrate and encourage my weary heart.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” - Psalm 100:1-5
This Psalm celebrates our opportunity to come before the Lord and worship. Far too often, I take for granted the luxury to enter the House of the Lord without opposition. Most Sundays, I come before the Lord out of obligation, not opportunity, to praise and offer gratitude for all He has done. Psalm 100 is an invitation to worship the Creator of the universe. To shout for joy, to the ends of the earth, letting everyone know that God is good! When we bow before the Lord in humble submission and with an abundance of thanksgiving, our hearts will naturally overflow and produce joy and gladness.
We are called to know God on a personal level, not just “know about Him,” but to seek an intimate connection to our Heavenly Father. God created us physically, but also made us a new creation in Christ — spiritually, those who’ve accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. We enter God's House with thankful hearts, giving Him the glory and honor for all things. We praise Him for He is good, His love is steadfast ( firmly fixed), and endures forever. God is faithful; He is the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He can be trusted to keep His promises for all generations!
Meditating on this Psalm naturally leads me to thanksgiving and to praising the Lord. As I looked at my calendar, I began to wipe away the things that didn’t really matter but were taking up space in our lives and hearts. I made room to allow my family members to add all the ways the Lord has been gracious. I opened up space, so our family can petition for others in prayer.
One of my favorite songs I sang in our children’s choir was a little chorus that went like this, “God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He’s so good to me.” Let us remember that it is good, and cherish the gift of worshiping, praising, and offering thanksgiving to the Lord.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Take time today to think about how you approach worship. Are you like me, prone to attend out of obligation, or is your heart joyful at the opportunity to “enter His courts with praise”? How can you keep a mindset of gratitude and praise for our Heavenly Father?
Further Reading:
Psalm 137
Psalm 107
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Thanksgiving is more than a holiday—it’s a lifestyle. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 calls us to “rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances,” showing that gratitude should be our daily posture. From small blessings like a morning cup of coffee to the vast gifts of God’s love, cultivating a heart of thankfulness transforms our perspective, lifts our spirits, and strengthens our relationship with Him. From all of us at Lifeaudio and Salem Media, Happy Thanksgiving.
Highlights
- Gratitude is a daily choice, not a seasonal habit.
- Starting small—like noting one thing you’re thankful for each morning—can shift your mindset.
- Counting blessings outweighs burdens and fosters joy and contentment.
- God’s goodness and provision remain constant, even when circumstances are difficult.
- Journaling or listing gifts of God can deepen awareness of His work in your life.
- Practicing gratitude strengthens your heart, aligns your perspective with God’s will, and brings joy.
- God delights when His children acknowledge His blessings and rely on Him daily.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Giving Thanks Isn’t a Day—It’s a Daily Posture
By: Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Here in the United States of America, the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us.It is a time to practice gratitude and share what we are thankful for in this life.
Often during this time of year, people tend to be more appreciative and count their blessings from God. But giving thanks shouldn’t be an occasional event; it should be a daily posture.
I’d like to share a story illustration that I heard a little while ago: A husband told his grumpy wife, who was feeling ungrateful every day, that she should give thanks for what she has. He presented a challenge: Every morning when you go to the kitchen to make your coffee, name one thing you are grateful for, then write it on a piece of paper and put that paper into this glass jar before you drink your coffee. His wife was angry at him, but followed his instructions, and for the first few days, all she could write was “coffee,” but a few days later, she realized that she also appreciated the sunlight. So, she put “sunshine” on the paper, and a day after that, she thought of something else and wrote it down. Before long, the jar was filled with notes of what she was grateful for, and her entire mood had lifted. Her mentality improved. As her gratitude grew, so did her positive attitude.
My maternal grandma told me many years ago, “Gratitude will change your attitude. Take inventory of your blessings.” Her words ring true for me to this day. She was a wise woman. She was right because I found that when I remember to count my blessings instead of my burdens, I feel better as I realize how my blessings outweigh my burdens. When I focus on what’s going right in my life instead of what went wrong, I naturally start giving thanks to God.
The Bible says that God wants us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This means that no matter what we face, we need to look for the silver lining. I believe that God can restore the most broken places and people in our lives when we put our hope in Him (Romans 8:28). Sometimes, we don’t see the resolution until we go home to Heaven. But no matter what happens here on Earth, the truth is that God is good all the time and He has good plans for our lives. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). Thanks to God’s Son (Jesus Christ), we have the hope of eternity with our Creator when we put our faith in Him (Romans 10:13).
There’s always something or someone to be grateful for, even if you are just happy that your heart is still beating or if you, like the woman in the story illustration above, are only grateful for your daily cup of coffee. Well then, that’s a start!
Ann Voskamp wrote a book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. Toward the end of it is a challenge for the reader to write one thousand things that they are grateful for. I accepted this challenge promptly by going to a Christian bookstore and buying a beautiful journal covered in a purple and pink design, then writing down what I was grateful for several times a week. My first entry in this journal was made on February 28, 2011. I wrote “Rainy days”. My last entry was made on September 23, 2017: “God’s love” being the thousandth thing I was grateful for that day.
It most likely won’t take you six years to complete this gratitude challenge but I believe it will be worth it. When we give thanks to God, it strengthens our heart and soul. When we pray to Him and ask Him to meet our every need, He does so in His perfect time. When we thank Him for His provision, I believe it makes His heart smile and perhaps fills God with gratitude for creating humankind.
So, as this Thanksgiving season is here, let’s pause at least once a day and think about all we are grateful for, then thank God for all of it and more. Such a practice will fill our hearts with joy and help us remember that our God is good all year round.
In closing, I’d like you to listen to these songs:
Song of Reflection #1: “Counting My Blessings” by Seph Schlueter.
Song of Reflection #2: “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake.
Song of Reflection #3: “Thank You” by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you tried giving thanks in all things? Imagine how your life would be different in the best ways if you practiced gratitude daily.
Further Reading: Psalm 100:4-5
Psalm 107:1
Philippians 4:6-7
James 1:17
Hebrews 12:28-29
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Thanksgiving is a season meant for gratitude, yet it can also bring comparison, grief, and longing. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us that contentment comes not from circumstances or possessions, but from trusting in God’s promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” True contentment arises when we recognize His presence in our lives, even when what we desire seems absent. This season, learning to be thankful for what we have—not what we lack—can transform our hearts and deepen our trust in God.
Highlights
- Contentment is rooted in God’s faithfulness, not worldly circumstances.
- Thanksgiving can trigger comparison, grief, or longing, but gratitude refocuses the heart.
- Practicing thankfulness for family, home, and relationships cultivates a heart of contentment.
- Avoiding a love of money or material things helps prevent discontent.
- God’s promise to never leave or forsake us is the foundation for genuine peace and joy.
- Even in seasons of loss or unmet desires, contentment allows us to recognize and appreciate God’s blessings.
- Reflecting on Scripture daily encourages a shift from want to gratitude.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Practicing Contentment This Thanksgiving
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).
While thankfulness should be our main focus on Thanksgiving, sometimes it can also be a time of comparison. When we go to family get-togethers or friendsgivings, it is hard not to compare our lives to others. Maybe we are the only single person amongst our friend group and we want to have a spouse. Or maybe we are recovering from the death of a loved one and we have a hard time coping with the lightheartedness of those around us.
Personally, ever since my mom passed away, Thanksgiving has never felt the same. Some years it has been easier to cope with, while others the depression, grief, and loss has felt overwhelming.
Although my family’s Thanksgiving doesn’t look like other people’s Thanksgivings, it doesn't mean we can not practice thankfulness for the blessings that we do have. In truth, it has allowed us to develop contentment for the circumstance we have found ourselves in. While I would want more than anything for my mom to be here, all I can do now is to be content and thankful for the family I do have and the time we have together.
The same goes for any circumstance you have found yourself in this year. My friend really wants to be married, but she hasn’t ever dated anyone and it gives her grief every year she sits in front of her siblings with their spouses. It can be painful to be in this situation and quite depressing, however, if we change our hearts to contentment rather than want, we will learn to be thankful in our present season of life. Instead of thinking of what your life is lacking, reflect upon all the blessings you do have, such as your family, a loving home, or a fulfilling job.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). While nobody knows with certainty who wrote the Book of Hebrews, we do know it was the Holy Spirit working through them. Therefore, this passage is divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21).
From this passage, we are instructed to keep our lives free from the love of money and to be content with what we have. We should do these things because God has already told us that He will never leave us or forsake us. Since these things are true, we need to practice contentment and also avoid developing a love of money. A love of money or a love of things we don’t have will only lead to a heart of discontent.
Reflecting on the truth that God will never leave us or forsake us can help us develop contentment this Thanksgiving season. Even if there is no spouse next to us, or a missing loved one across the table, or even if we’re surrounded by things we wish we had - whatever it may be - God is still with us. He will fill the void and bring our hearts the love, peace, and support that they need. God sees our pain and anguish, and He will bring healing in His proper time. For the present time, we need to lean into Him, practice contentment, and know that if we have Him, we truly do have all things.
What are some reasons why you’re struggling with contentment this Thanksgiving? Is there anything you can do to change your heart of want to a heart of contentment? Hebrews 13:5 urges our hearts to be content. What does it mean to you that God will never leave or forsake you?
What are some practical steps you can take to foster contentment in your life?
Further Reading:
Luke 12:15
Philippians 4:11-13
1 Timothy 6:6-8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Thankfulness isn’t just a seasonal tradition—it’s a spiritual posture rooted deep in Scripture and woven through history. Psalm 100:4 calls us to enter God’s presence with gratitude, a theme that began long before American holidays and continues to shape the way believers respond to God’s goodness today. From Old Testament thank offerings to the Pilgrims’ courageous faith, we’re reminded that gratitude grows strongest in hearts that remember God’s faithfulness through every circumstance.
Highlights
- Biblical thanksgiving began with offerings of gratitude long before modern celebrations.
- Leviticus and 2 Chronicles reveal how God invited His people to display thankfulness through worship.
- America’s Thanksgiving tradition is deeply influenced by the Pilgrims’ commitment to biblical truth.
- Despite tremendous suffering, the Pilgrims lived out 1 Thessalonians 5:18 by giving thanks in all circumstances.
- Historical accounts show how miraculous their survival truly was—only a fraction lived to see the first feast.
- The Pilgrims’ perseverance helped lay the foundation for a national day dedicated to thanking God.
- Leaders like Washington and Lincoln carried forward the tradition of national gratitude to the Lord.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Cultivating a Heart Full of Thanksgiving
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name”—Psalm 100:4
Offering thanksgiving didn’t begin in America; it began in the Bible, taught to humankind by a loving and gracious God who is deserving and worthy of our gratitude, and to receive thankfulness that comes from hearts truly grateful for all He has done and is still doing in our lives and in our nation.
Thanksgiving to God, often associated with food offerings, began in the Bible. As early as Leviticus 7:12, we read how God instructed, “If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil, and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in.”
Again, in 2 Chronicles 29:31, the King calls for the people to give thanks. “Then Hezekiah said, ‘You have now dedicated yourselves to the Lord. Come and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the temple of the Lord.’ So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings.”
America’s Thankfulness Rooted in Biblical Truth
Remarkably, Thanksgiving Day in America is rooted in the biblical faith brought and carried to our land through the Pilgrims who courageously escaped Europe’s tightly held religious control to pursue freedom to worship God.
Creator and Executive Producer of The Pilgrims documentary, Dr. Jerry Newcombe, follows the Pilgrims from Europe to the New World, documenting their faith and journey to America.
The Pilgrims, even in the suffering they endured in Europe and after arriving in America, believed what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 urges, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Newcombe describes the harsh winter leading up to the first 1621 Thanksgiving, marked by illness, cold, and starvation. Of the eighteen women aboard the Mayflower, only four survived. As well, half the married men and ten of the twenty-nine unmarried men died. Children survived better than the adults, with seventeen of the twenty surviving the brutal conditions.
Still, very few Pilgrims survived the devastating “starving times” and sickness to participate in the first Thanksgiving, enduring what 2 Corinthians 4:8 describes. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.”
As well, historian and author of The Treacherous World of the 16th Century & How the PilgrimsEscaped It: The Prequel to America's Freedom, William J. Federer, discusses facts that some may overlook, such as how miraculous it was for the Pilgrims to escape Europe and birth America.
“Of the 102 Pilgrims, only 47 survived till spring,” writes Federer, “At one point, only a half dozen were healthy enough to care for the rest.”
The Pilgrims Laid the Groundwork for Thanksgiving
“Without the Pilgrims, Thanksgiving Day, set aside to thank God,” states Federer, “it may not have ever been established. They laid the groundwork and foundation for America to set aside a holiday to thank God.”
Although not officially called Thanksgiving Day at the time, the Pilgrims were able to kick off America’s tradition of giving thanks to God with a three-day feast with the Native Americans.
Devoted to a purity of the Gospel, the Pilgrims recognized the importance of thankfulness, even in the most difficult of times, understanding it as a sacrifice to God. As Psalm 116:17 directs, “I will sacrifice a thank offering to You and call on the name of the Lord. “
“Because of them,” writes Newcombe, “we have had 400 years of Thanksgiving in America, and thanks to Presidents Washington (who declared the first national day of Thanksgiving) and Lincoln (who made it a yearly event), we even celebrate it as an annual holiday.”
Newcombe, who also serves as Executive Director of Providence Forum, an outreach of Coral Ridge Ministries, shares President George Washington’s declaration for a national day of Thanksgiving, “[I]t is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Ask God to lead you in cultivating a heart full of thanksgiving. Begin by studying His word, spending time in prayer thanking Him for His faithfulness, and telling others of all He has done in your life.
Further Reading:
Entering His Gates with Thanksgiving: 5 Ways to Cultivate a Grateful Heart Towards God
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life is loud—holiday loud, work-notifications loud, “my brain won’t stop” loud. Psalm 23 reminds us that God doesn’t just suggest rest; sometimes He has to make us lie down so our souls can breathe again. In a world addicted to noise, reclaiming quiet becomes an act of trust and a doorway into genuine gratitude. When we intentionally pause—before the inbox, before the scrolling, before the schedule—we begin to uncover a steadier, quieter thankfulness that anchors us in God’s presence.
Highlights
- God often has to “make” us rest because we naturally resist silence.
- Constant noise—from work, devices, and distraction—can drain the soul.
- Many of us fill forced downtime with more noise instead of inviting God into the quiet.
- Silence can feel uncomfortable, but it’s where God restores, steadies, and speaks.
- Starting with a simple morning gratitude rhythm helps reframe your day.
- Look for small pockets—commutes, showers, quiet moments—to pray and thank God.
- Choosing silence creates space for peace, intimacy, and a thankful heart.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
A Heart of Thanks in a Season of NoiseBy Peyton Garland
Bible Reading:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJV)
I recognize that most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, and most of the New Testament in Greek, so it’s not only safe but wise to assume that our English translation of each word of Scripture isn’t always an exact cultural match. However, I often chuckle at the verb that leads Psalm 23:2: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures…” (emphasis added).
I’m quite certain that if Christ didn’t force me to lie down, to take a breath, to drown out the noise, I wouldn’t. Yet, when I push back against His command and allow life’s unfiltered chaos to control me, I become spiritually drained and crawl back to Him in an unhealthy emotional state, begging that He bring steadiness and peace to my loud world.
Perhaps you can relate. You want to put down your phone and enjoy a family dinner or your kid’s ballgame, but you’re waiting on several important work emails to come through. You have to stay glued to your screen. Or you want to dedicate a few quiet moments to prayer, but your mind doesn’t know what to do with such empty headspace. Before long, you aren’t concentrated on God, but your mind has wandered to drafting a grocery list, scheduling a dentist appointment, overthinking a previous conversation with a friend, etc.
Furthermore, in those moments when God “makes” us take a break, whether due to sickness, weather cancellations, or mandatory R&R from a boss, do we fill these opportunities for heavenly reprieve with shows that we binge all day? Do we stay glued to our social media reels?
It’s as though we aren’t sure we can function–or even “rest”– without noise. I daresay that most of us are far too comfortable with noise and distractions. After all, it’s easier to be distracted with surface-level schedules and mindless social media scrolling than to sit in the silence where God can work on our hearts.
If silence makes you uneasy and the quiet feels anything but peaceful, especially during the holidays, you aren’t alone. Many of us wrestle with the same anxiousness. However, mutual understanding doesn’t mean we leave one another in this frazzled state. Instead, let’s encourage each other to start with a short, simple act of thankfulness amid the quiet.
When you first wake up in the morning, before you get out of bed and allow your cellular notifications to consume your mind, sit in the silence and thank God for three things in your life. This will only take a matter of seconds, but it will begin your day in a quiet atmosphere in which you invite God and His goodness into your life.
Once you find a comfortable rhythm of listing three things each morning, push it to five, then ten. Start searching your daily routine for brief pockets of time where you can pray another list of thanksgivings to God, or where you can offer up prayers for wisdom, discernment, and patience.
Consider taking the first five minutes of your commute to work to pray for family and friends. Allow yourself the first five minutes of your shower to be a time when you sing praises to God.
His presence isn’t hard to access. He is forever available to talk with you. However, you must face your fear of the silence to sit in His grace and open yourself to a posture of thanksgiving in all life’s busyness.
Truthfully, the noise won’t relent. It’s not only the hustle and bustle and chaos of the holidays that make us feel trapped in a muffled megaphone, but it’s also the everyday grind that we are subjected to in this modern world. Don’t cave to the chaos, though. Surrender it to God as you create pockets of peace to experience intimacy with your Savior.
If you need a breakthrough prayer to begin this reckoning with the silence, start here:
Jesus, in today’s world, we are far too familiar with noise. We are consumed and even controlled by the soundbites that engulf our heads and hearts, leaving little room for us to hear your voice. Please grant us the grace to consider our relationship with silence, and help us be courageous enough to open ourselves up to ways we can enter a silent, sacred space to better commune with you. Christ, may we use this quiet time to nurture a heart of gratitude for your unending love and eternal salvation. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:Take a few moments to jot down your general weekly/weekend schedule. Find 2-3 times each day that have room for silence. Pick one time slot to begin with and start whispering a simple, peaceful prayer of thanksgiving each day. See where your journey with silence takes you!
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Gratitude doesn’t come easily for everyone—especially if life has conditioned you to expect the other shoe to drop. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 calls us to give thanks in all circumstances, not because everything feels good, but because God is faithfully at work in every moment. When negativity feels more natural than gratitude, shifting your perspective becomes a slow, intentional surrender. But as God reshapes the heart, thankfulness becomes less of a struggle and more of a steady rhythm.
Highlights
- Early experiences can shape a pessimistic mindset, but God can retrain our hearts toward gratitude.
- Gratitude leads to contentment—and contentment frees us from constantly chasing “more.”
- A simple gratitude journal can refocus your mind on God’s ongoing work, even in small blessings.
- Positive community helps redirect your perspective toward God’s faithfulness.
- Jesus modeled thankfulness—even in pain—and invites us to adopt the same posture.
- Choosing gratitude is a daily decision that transforms the way we interpret trials and blessings.
- Shifting your viewpoint ultimately reshapes your attitude and nourishes a thankful spirit.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
When Thankfulness Doesn’t Come NaturallyBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
As a kid, I didn't have it easy. I came from a controlling household, plus I faced several health challenges. Life was not easy, even in my childhood. Even though I enjoyed the simplicity of playing with toys, playing outside, and just enjoying life, I endured other issues that made my childhood less than simplistic. My mother was also a negative person. She often saw the glass as half-empty, rather than half-full.
This taught me to be a pessimistic person, focusing on the negative side of things rather than the positive side. If something good came my way, I often wondered when things would soon turn bad. For years after becoming a Christian, I still felt like this way. Because the Christian life has been full of ups and downs, and I've endured my share of trials, it's easy to look on the negative side of things.
This viewpoint has caused me to become less grateful and more entitled. As I've matured in my faith, God has taught me that it's essential to be thankful for everything I have. When I'm grateful, I'm content. When I’m content, I'm no longer searching for the perfect life, the simple pleasures, or the luxuries that I feel I deserve.
Switching my viewpoint didn't come easily. Because I had been pessimistic and that attitude was deeply ingrained in my mind, it was hard to shake. But I've learned over the years how to make thankfulness a daily activity, even though it doesn't come naturally to me. Here are some ways to adopt a spirit of thankfulness even when it doesn't come naturally:
Start a Gratitude Journal
One of the easiest ways for me to switch my viewpoint is to start a gratitude journal. Each day, I'm able to write down even just a few things for which I'm thankful. These can be small blessings, such as having clean clothes or a job. It can also be the bigger things that God does, like the miraculous ways in which He works, or the way He heals my body when it's sick. The most important thing I need to remember is that God is constantly at work in my life. It's a matter of whether I choose to see it or not. Keeping a gratitude journal shifts my focus every day to what I should be thankful for and content in my life.
Because I'm someone who doesn't enjoy journaling, this is an easy way for me to adopt the habit of journaling, without having to write complete sentences. Use bullet points and write the words regarding the blessing, so you know what it references. At the end of the month, go back and think of all the ways God has blessed you that month. During your prayer time, thank God for all the ways He is working and for all the ways you see His blessings.
Surround Yourself with Positive People
Because I learned my pessimistic attitude from my mother, it was an attitude easy to adopt, as she was always around. However, when I became a Christian and attended churches in my area, I surrounded myself with positive people. Instead of focusing on the negative trials in their lives, they chose to be grateful to God for all the ways he was working. As I participated in small groups and heard about all the ways God was working in their lives, it became easier for me to adopt that same attitude.
Analyze the company you keep. Do you surround yourself with naturally pessimistic people? Be in regular community with those who seek to see the world positively. Adopt the same attitude of seeing how God is working, rather than focusing on all the things He hasn't done.
Adopt Jesus’ Attitude
Jesus’ attitude was one of thankfulness. Even in his last moments before he was going to be crucified, he chose to break bread with his disciples. Although I'm sure they discussed many things throughout that meal, the Gospels record that Jesus took the bread and cup and gave thanks to God. If Jesus can choose to adopt an attitude of thankfulness even moments before he knew he was going to be crucified and brutally beaten, then so can we.
We can adopt the same attitude of gratitude by looking at our trials and seeking to choose joy rather than sorrow. Although it is normal to feel sadness or despair in times of deep spiritual trial, we mustn't stay there. Instead, grieve the loss, but then move on to a spirit of thankfulness. See all the ways God may be sparing you from the situation if the answer to your prayer was no. If you are in a trial, see all the ways God is refining your character through it.
By changing your viewpoint, you change your attitude. Change your perspective to one of gratitude, knowing that God is working on your behalf. Choose to think of it this way rather than dwelling upon the negative parts of life.
By choosing to focus on the positive aspects of life rather than the negative ones, you can cultivate gratitude even when it doesn't come naturally. Adopt behaviors and surround yourself with people who will help you give thanks in all circumstances.
Father, let us be people who give thanks in all we do. Help us understand how you always work in all situations. Let us adopt an attitude of thankfulness, even when our will is bent toward negativity and discontentment. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
In what ways do you display your thankfulness in all circumstances? What is one thing you can do to express your gratitude toward the people in your life today?
Further Reading:Philippians 4:6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Thankfulness can feel surprisingly slippery—especially when the holiday meant to celebrate gratitude often leaves us rushing, coordinating, cooking, or collapsing on the couch. Psalm 100:4–5 invites us to slow down and remember why gratitude matters in the first place: God is good, His love endures, and His faithfulness covers every generation. When our hearts return to that truth, thanksgiving becomes more than a holiday feeling—it becomes a posture shaped by God’s presence, not our circumstances.
Highlights
- True gratitude goes deeper than holiday traditions or surface-level appreciation.
- Thanksgiving can be stressful—travel, expectations, or loneliness—but God steadies our hearts in every situation.
- Being thankful includes recognizing the blessing of people who want us close during the holidays.
- Reaching out to someone who’s alone can ignite genuine gratitude in them and in us.
- A thankful heart grows as we reflect on God’s goodness, salvation, and enduring faithfulness.
- Gratitude is something to cultivate year-round, not just on one busy Thursday.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Having Genuine Gratefulness This Thanksgiving
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” - Psalm 100:4-5
Thanksgiving shouldn't be known as just a day of feasting. Rather, it should be a day dedicated to genuine thankfulness. Due to all the preparations that need to be done, it can sometimes feels like the only thing we are thankful for is when the day is finally over.
Depending on your own living situation, Thanksgiving might look like traveling to three different locations to spend time with family, or maybe it looks like spending time at home alone. When we reflect on our own Thanksgiving experiences, we need to consider what it truly means to be thankful. Sure, traveling all weekend for Thanksgiving can feel daunting and stressful, but we have to ask ourselves, “Isn't it worth it to spend time with my loved ones?”
For those who don't have extended family and aren't traveling for Thanksgiving, traveling would be something to be thankful for, as it means you have people who care about you and truly want you there for the holiday season. Imagine if you had nowhere to or spend the holiday with, and how lonely that would be.
I still acknowledge that spending Thanksgiving on the road can be stressful as well. For many people, they have to travel very long distances or go to multiple places in one day. However, with God, we can still be thankful regardless of our situation.
My family and I are close-knit, so we stay together for Thanksgiving. My uncle lived by himself, and every year we would give him a big Thanksgiving meal plate, and my dad would spend time with him since all of his own family had passed away. Sadly, there are many people just like my uncle. Although he is now in Heaven, he spent most of his life alone. If you want a heart of thankfulness this year, try to spend time with a family member or friend who is by themselves. It will mean the world to them, and it might also help you become more thankful for what you have in your own life.
The goal for Thanksgiving is to express true thankfulness. Not a thankfulness that is only surface-level, but a true thankfulness that reaches to the inmost parts of our souls. This is a thankfulness that is rooted in God. When we acknowledge the many blessings of God in our lives and the very gift of salvation, we will finally be able to open our hearts to being thankful.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible tells us, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:4-5). As this Psalm states, we need to enter the Lord’s courts with praise, give Him thanks, and praise His Name. His love endures forever, His faithfulness continues through all generations, and He is good. By knowing these things and taking them to heart, we will become more grateful for our wonderful Savior and thankfulness will start showing up in our daily lives.
Reach out to a loved one who is living alone, or be happy when you have to make the long trip to meet up with family members who live in another state. Allow yourself to be thankful for the beautiful blessings God has placed in your life.
Every good gift comes from the Father (James 1:17). Continue to cultivate this thankfulness beyond the Thanksgiving season and hold onto it for the rest of your days.
Do you have trouble being thankful on Thanksgiving? What are some ways you can reach out to a loved one this Thanksgiving to help them know they are not alone?
Further Reading:
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Colossians 3:15
Colossians 4:2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Contentment is one of the hardest lessons to learn—whether you’re a child circling toys in a catalog or an adult eyeing upgrades and “just one more thing” that promises satisfaction. Philippians 4:12 pulls us back to center, reminding us that peace doesn’t rise and fall with our circumstances. Paul learned to be steady in seasons of plenty and seasons of lack because his confidence was rooted in Christ, not conditions. When we anchor our joy in the unchanging character of God, we discover the quiet strength that carries us through both abundance and need.
Highlights
- Contentment and happiness aren’t the same—one depends on circumstances, the other doesn’t.
- Paul learned contentment through every season: need, abundance, hunger, and fullness.
- Lasting peace is found in Christ, not in possessions, upgrades, or life improvements.
- Our hearts easily drift toward “more,” making contentment a daily, intentional choice.
- Philippians 4:13 reveals the true secret: Christ’s strength empowers us to be faithful in any situation.
- Even Paul, writing from captivity and suffering, modeled unwavering trust in God.
- Want and plenty both test our faith—but both can draw us closer to God when we rely on Him.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Faithful in Plenty, Faithful in Want
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” - Philippians 4:12 NIV
“Give me! It’s my turn to look!” my youngest daughter screamed as she ripped the latest Christmas catalog out of my middle daughter’s hands. We’d received four toy books this week, the glossy pages filled with the latest gadgets, and my daughters were eager to circle the items they’d had their eyes on all year and add a few more things to their lists.
“I think I will hold onto this,” I said as I tucked the book underneath my arm. “You girls already have so much, how could you possibly find anything else you want?” My daughters turned to each other in an unspoken agreement that their mother was, in fact, crazy. They could never have “enough,” there was always something more to bring them greater joy.
\
It is my responsibility as a parent to teach my girls about contentment, gratitude for what they have, and the dangers of placing our happiness in things. Don’t worry, I did address the heart issue with my littles. However, at thirty years their senior, I still struggle with the same things. No, it’s not the lure of a new doll that promises to boost my morale; instead, it’s looking forward to a raise, taking a trip, or upgrading the kitchen appliances. How often do I struggle to be faithful in plenty and faithful in want? Sadly, it is still a struggle.
Paul, in his letter to the Christians at Philippi, encourages them to be content and faithful to what God has called them to, in all circumstances. Notice that Paul, in our key verse, uses the word content and not happy. Often, we use those words interchangeably, and while they are similar, they have slightly different meanings. Happiness, a state of euphoria, is dependent on circumstances, while contentment is a state of peace or satisfaction independent of circumstances. Paul desired that his ancient readers and today’s believers understand that peace and joy aren’t rooted in our circumstances but in our relationship with Christ.
Therefore, contentment and choosing to be faithful to God’s purpose are daily choices. Often, my feelings dictate my soul's contentment. Paul understood this struggle.
The verse following Paul’s “secret,” to contentment, tells us how he was able to, even in the worst of circumstances, he can stay faithful ( remember, Paul is writing this letter from house arrest, and was beaten, flogged, and severely injured for the gospel). Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Paul kept his faith even in the most dire of circumstances because God was with him, strengthened him, and gave him peace and joy through the work of the Holy Spirit in Paul’s life.
The key to lasting happiness and peace isn’t found in a temporary world but in an everlasting God. Paul understood how easily we get discouraged, allowing the disappointments of this world to overcome us, rob us of our peace, steal our joy, and undermine our faith. But in our weakest moments, we must cry out to God, asking Him to give us the strength to “count it all joy” (James 1:2-4).
Once my girls had settled down, I brought out the magazine and shared with them that I, too, can get sidetracked and distracted by all the shiny things this world offers. It’s not wrong to want a new pair of shoes, or a new game, or even to have a toy chest overflowing with playthings. However, we must guard our hearts against the proclivity to find contentment in our circumstances, cash flow, or STUFF. The “not-so secret” to be faithful in plenty and little, is to place our trust in the One Who is the Provider of it all.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Next time you are tempted to measure your happiness by the temporary, take a minute to meditate on our key verse. Commit the verse to memory, or write it down on a sticky note as a reminder that we can find contentment in Christ, not our circumstances.
Further Reading:
James 1:2-8
A Prayer to Enjoy Each Season
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
True gratitude is more than a warm feeling—it’s a God-designed response that reshapes how we see Him, ourselves, and the people around us. Scripture shows that real thankfulness flows from the heart, is rooted in God’s Word, and grows stronger in every circumstance. When we recognize gratitude as a divine gift rather than a human habit, we begin to see how it transforms our faith, our relationships, and our daily mindset.
Highlights
- Gratitude begins in the heart and naturally overflows into worship (Psalm 9:1).
- Scripture calls us to give thanks in all circumstances—not just the pleasant ones (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- True gratitude doesn’t pick favorites; it thanks God for everything, trusting His goodness (Ephesians 5:20).
- We thank Jesus for His strength, His calling, and His constant work in our lives (1 Timothy 1:12).
- Genuine gratitude includes thanking God for fellow believers who walk beside us (Colossians 1:3).
- Remembering God’s past deeds fuels present praise and future confidence (Psalm 9:1).
- Gratitude celebrates the grace God pours out on others (1 Corinthians 1:4).
- We give thanks for the faith growing in believers around the world (Romans 1:8).
- Gratitude honors the love God cultivates in His people (Ephesians 1:15–16).
- Remembering others in prayer is itself an act of gratitude (Philippians 1:3).
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
What the Bible Teaches about True Gratitude
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.” - 1 Thessalonians 2:13
In looking to learn about gratitude, the Bible is our teacher, with God being the author and creator of gratitude.
It isn’t a human invention but a God-given response that rises up within us because He created us to express gratitude to Him. In learning to thank Him, it’s where thankfulness spills over to expressing gratitude to those we love and even strangers we interact with on a daily basis.
Gratitude isn’t by any means a product of human nature or our fallen world, but rather a divine gift from God above who stirs it up deep within our hearts.
Throughout the Bible, God encourages us to give thanks and to show true gratitude. The following are ten true characteristics the Bible teaches about true gratitude.
- True biblical gratitude comes from the heart. If anyone knew how to express gratitude to God, it’s David. Whether shepherd boy or king, his heart seemed to overflow with it.
David teaches us that gratitude is a heart issue, writing in Psalm 9:1, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
- True biblical gratitude is for all circumstances. Gratitude has no boundaries, meaning it isn’t reserved for happy times only, which the Apostle Paul knew all too well, experiencing many circumstances in his life, difficult ones. So, if anyone knew how to give thanks in all circumstances, it was him.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, he shares his wisdom, writing, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- True biblical gratitude is for everything. Whether good, bad, or ugly, the Bible teaches that true gratitude makes no exceptions in life. No matter if life is empty or full, we’re called to give thanks to God, focusing on Him and not what’s going on in our lives.
As Ephesians 5:20 urges, “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- True biblical gratitude is given to Jesus for all He does for us. For all the benefits and blessings we receive from Christ Jesus, the Bible teaches us to give thanks.
Paul models how in 1 Timothy 1:12, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service.”
- True biblical gratitude thanks the Father for fellow believers. True gratitude thanks God for our brothers and sisters in Christ, as Colossians 1:3 encourages. “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.”
- True biblical gratitude remembers God’s wonderful deeds. In Psalm 9:1, David points out the importance of remembering and telling others every wonderful deed God has performed.
- True biblical gratitude includes thanking God for the grace He gives to others. As 1 Corinthians 1:4 encourages us, “I always thank my God for you because of His grace given to you in Christ Jesus.”
- True biblical gratitude offers thanks for the faith of others. Paul teaches us how true gratitude thanks God for the faith He gives to those around us, as he wrote in Romans 1:8. “First, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.”
- True biblical gratitude honors love in others. Paul, again, in Ephesians 1:15-16 explains, “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”
- True biblical gratitude is expressed in remembering others. As Philippians 1:3 reminds us to give thanks in remembering others. “I thank my God every time I remember you.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: Our best teacher when it comes to learning about true gratitude is found in the Bible. As the author of gratitude, no one knows or can teach us more about it than God. He is our authority on how, when, where, and why to express it.
Further Reading:
Cultivating Thankfulness Each and Every Day of the Year
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Desire is part of being human—but Psalm 73:25 reminds us that nothing on earth can satisfy us the way God does. When our plans stall, doors close, or God simply says “not yet,” it’s easy to feel the sting of disappointment. Yet in those very moments, He invites us to rediscover a deeper truth: He is enough. The longings we carry—relationships, opportunities, fulfillment—are not wrong, but they are never meant to replace the One who satisfies the soul. When we release our grip on what we think we need, we often discover that God has already given us everything essential for life, peace, and joy.
Highlights
- Our desires are real, but they can quietly take priority over God without us realizing it.
- God’s “no” or “not yet” often shapes our character more than His “yes.”
- Seasons of lack can reveal how fully God satisfies the weary and longing heart (Psalm 107:9).
- Blessings are gifts, not guarantees—and never substitutes for intimacy with God.
- Contentment grows when we trust that God withholds nothing we truly need (Psalm 23:1).
- God is unchanging—faithful in abundance and faithful in scarcity (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8).
- Choosing gratitude over discontent quiets fear and centers our hearts on His goodness.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
God Is Everything We Truly Need
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.” - Psalm 73:25 ESV.
We know that truly, there is no one in heaven that we have but God Himself, and none on earth that we ought to desire besides Him, but that is SO much easier said than done.
If you’re anything like me, then there are probably so many desires tucked away in the secret corners of your heart. Hopes and dreams that you treasure in your heart like Mary.
What should we do when God says “no”? When God doesn’t give us everything we ask for?
How can we truly say with a heart full of faith, “there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you,” when there are other things we want as well?
Think about it.
What is something you long for?
Perhaps a child. A spouse. A new job.
About a year ago, the Lord really impressed on my heart a time in my life where every “no” from Him meant to grow and cultivate me into His image felt like a devastating blow to my plans.
During one of my moments of discontentment, the Lord whispered to my weary heart, “Am I enough for you?”
His words, soft and gentle yet far from condescending, brought an instant prick of conviction to my heart.
When did God stop being enough for me? Of course, I thought He was enough. If someone were to ask me if He were enough, I would’ve said yes and thought I was being honest.
But when did I start putting things I wanted above God? When did I start seeing the glass as half-empty instead of counting my blessings?
I remember moments in my life where there were things I deeply desired - and didn’t have. Friendships are an open door to serve in media ministry, among others.
In those seasons of “lack”, God taught me that I really had everything I needed. I may have desired good things, and it didn’t mean God didn’t want to eventually bless me with those things. (After all, God loves to give good gifts to His children). But God wanted to show me that He was enough for my weary soul.
I didn’t need a specific job or to serve on a particular project (although that would be nice).
I didn’t need to have specific friendships (although I would appreciate them if the Lord chose to bless me with them).
As much as I deeply desired those gifts, the truth is, I didn’t “need” any of it. Anything God chooses to bless me with is still His and is a gift. It’s not for my own selfish gain, either, but a tool to further His Kingdom for His glory.
“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things” (Psalm 107:9 ESV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Dear friend, God will certainly bless you with good things. It may not look exactly like you’d thought, but it will be good.
We are reassured that the Lord doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6) and again in Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) when the author writes to the Hebrews the promise that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
In our highest moments, when we’re successful, rich, and have everything we could ever want, God is good.
But if God never changes, then the opposite is true, too.
In our lowest moments, when we are barely making ends meet, and when we’re waiting for a miracle that we’re not even sure will come, God is still good. He loves us and will overflow our cup with His love, comfort, mercy, and grace, riches that far surpass any this world could give.
I’ve been on both sides.
There are times when I wrestle with a cup that feels as if it’s half-empty. I also know what it’s like to have that same glass overflowing with the love of the Lord.
We can either choose to be discontented and experience growing dissatisfaction (and then nothing will ever satisfy, not even if we receive the very thing which we want). Or we can choose to trust that God has given us everything we need (2 Peter 1:3, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 23:1). It is in those moments I find my heart quiets, anxiety stills, and fear flees.
And I come to realize that I’ll be okay even if I don’t get what I want because God will not withhold anything I need.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Sharing stories of God’s goodness isn’t bragging—it’s obedience. Psalm 9:1 calls us to give thanks with our whole hearts and boldly speak about the wonderful things God has done. In a world filled with criticism, division, and constant noise, our testimonies become powerful reminders that God is still active, still providing, and still working in the lives of His people. Gratitude grows when we speak it out loud, and joy follows when we point everything back to Him.
Highlights
- Testimonies strengthen faith—ours and the faith of those who hear them (Psalm 9:1).
- Sharing God’s goodness publicly isn’t boasting when the glory goes to Him.
- Gratitude helps guard our hearts against negativity, comparison, and discouragement.
- A thankful posture begins with honest self-reflection and, when needed, confession.
- Blessings—big or small—become fuel for worship when we acknowledge God as their source.
- Speaking about God’s deeds invites both believers and non-believers to notice His presence.
- Shifting our mindset from complaint to praise reshapes our spiritual outlook and our witness.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Tell of God’s Wonderful DeedsBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” — Psalm 9:1
A few months ago, I arranged a meeting with a publisher for two of my clients. Within an hour, we secured two book contracts for them. We were thrilled! Before the publisher ended the call, I asked if she could stay on for a few more minutes. I also had a book I wanted to pitch to them, and by God's grace, I had secured a contract for myself!
I wanted to share God’s goodness, so I posted on social media. I couldn’t wait to share about his goodness at that moment. I aimed for it to be a testimony to others struggling to get a contract, letting them know that even though this book had been sitting on my laptop for years, God had finally found a place for it.
Although some people later told me that I was bragging about my accomplishments, I truly took it as an opportunity to acknowledge God's goodness. We are called to share what God has done in our lives. In this chaotic world we live in, it's easy to hear criticism on social media and in various parts of our lives. What we need more of are testimonies of how God is moving in and through us.
The above verse reminds us that we are to tell of God's wondrous deeds. This is an excellent way for us to keep an attitude of gratitude, especially as we approach the holidays. With all the political posts and division plaguing our country, we need to be people who tell of God's good deeds, not the horrible things we wish we could fix.
Take a moment and analyze your life. Are you someone who often tells of God's wondrous deeds? Does this help you keep an attitude of gratitude? Do you find yourself complaining more than rejoicing? Although keeping a thankful attitude can be difficult, it is important to maintain it each day. It may be as simple as counting your blessings, even the ones you take for granted. Other times, it might involve making a grand gesture for someone as an act of kindness to show them Christ’s love in tangible ways.
Regardless of the way you choose, tell of God's wondrous deeds. Brag on the Lord. Give him credit for everything in your life. Don't let anything get in the way of you celebrating all that God has done.
Have you found that difficult? Analyze your heart. Do you have unconfessed sin or another area of your life that might be hindering you from truly rejoicing in the Lord? Go to Him and confess your sin. Afterwards, take a few moments to get out a blank journal and start writing down your blessings. This will transform your attitude as quickly as possible.
Additionally, if you find yourself taking credit for things happening in your life instead of giving credit to God, it's likely your attitude is wrong. Repent of this behavior. Know that God is in control of all things in your life. Everything good you have in your life comes from him. The quicker you can adopt this perspective, the quicker you can change your attitude and pivot it to giving God all the glory he deserves.
Vow to tell people of all the wondrous deeds he has done. Take a week and post on social media the great things God has done. Be in tune with the spirit and be on the lookout for all the ways God is working in your life. Be sure to tell others, both through social media and in person, all the things God has done. Do this with believers and non-believers, and you may find that non-believers are attracted to your example.
As Christians, we are known more for what we are against rather than what we are for. Let us change our perspective so that people forget about us and always remember the Lord.
Father, let us be people who tell of your wondrous deeds. Let us find various ways to celebrate all the things that you are doing. Let us give you all the praise and glory you deserve in multiple ways every day. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you find yourself rejoicing or complaining about your life? In what ways can you change your attitude today?
Further Reading:Philippians 4:4
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life feels heavy, it’s easy to wonder if anything good could come from the pain. But 2 Corinthians 1:4 reminds us that God never wastes what we walk through. The comfort He gives us becomes the comfort we offer others. That truth reframes suffering—not as something pointless, but as something God can shape into purpose, compassion, and strength. Our stories, even the hardest chapters, can become lifelines for someone else who needs hope.
Highlights
- God uses our struggles to equip us to comfort others with the same grace we received (2 Corinthians 1:4).
- Wise mentors and spiritual leaders can help us see purpose in seasons that feel confusing or overwhelming.
- Suffering often becomes a refining tool—shaping character, deepening faith, and anchoring us more firmly in Christ.
- Real-life examples remind us that even in pain, God can shine through our attitudes, words, and perseverance.
- Faith is strengthened through community; we grow by learning from those who have battled before us (2 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 12:1).
- God often heals deep wounds in the midst of present struggles, using past hurt to bring present comfort.
- No season of difficulty is wasted—God works through it, in it, and beyond it.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Our Suffering Is Not Wasted
By Lauren Fletcher
Bible Reading:
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” - 2 Corinthians 1:4
Early on in a season of struggles with mental health, I reached out to my uncle, a pastor in California, for guidance—I needed someone to help walk me through this tough time. I vividly recall the anxiety and confusion that were a part of my everyday life. I remember both my uncle and I asking the question of why I was going through this situation.
In one of our video calls, he compassionately shared that as Christians, our suffering is not wasted. This was a game-changer. In 2 Corinthians 1:4, Paul says that when we suffer, our suffering can be used to help someone else in a future challenge. This verse gave purpose to my suffering. It changed my attitude and made my situation bearable. If God could use this, it was worth it.
One of my favorite conversations I’ve had with my uncle is when he shared about his own health issues. He recalled a time when a friend offered to pray for him for healing. He shared how he didn’t necessarily want the health issue to go away until God had finished the work He was doing through it. What he meant was that sometimes, God uses situations to refine us, to work on our character, and sometimes, God also uses situations to reach others.
A great example of this is a woman I got to know as I was growing up in the church. Through a mission trip, she had become a close friend. She ended up getting cancer, and one day, I visited her in the hospital. Smiling, she talked to her nurse and told her who her best friend was—Jesus. I was amazed at her attitude during such a hard time.
I think of the scripture that says to always be ready to give an account of the hope we have (1 Peter 3:15). My friend continued to hold onto her close relationship with Jesus as she walked through cancer and openly shared with those around her. I learned so much from her.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Can you recall a time when something someone else has walked through has helped you? How has it impacted your life? How has it given you a heart of gratitude? As believers, we truly need each other. Our growth depends on others’ help. In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul writes to Timothy, “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” The author of Hebrews also says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
Sometimes, God is working something important in us, in our character, or through us, to others. Is there a time when you walked through suffering and it refined you, changed something in you? Can you see the purpose and personal growth, even healing in it? In my own life, I have walked through seasons of suffering where God touched a wound from the past when I was going through something in the present. He brought healing to that place and was present to comfort me.
Finally, have you ever faced a challenging situation, whether it was a personal health struggle or a family circumstance? Perhaps it was job-related or a personal relationship issue. Is there something that God used to reach someone else? How did that change your perspective and grow your faith?
Be sensitive to who the Lord may bring into your path. Who may He want to reach in their troubles? He may want to comfort them through you.
What I have learned from my own suffering is that God will use it. He doesn’t waste it, and He has a plan.
Further Reading:
1 Peter 3:15
2 Corinthians 1
2 Timothy 1
Hebrews 12:1
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good practice—it’s a Christ-shaped way of living. Colossians 2:6–7 reminds us that thankful hearts grow strong roots, and Jesus’ life shows us exactly what that looks like. From praising the Father in unexpected moments to giving thanks over a meal that seemed far too small, Jesus modeled a rhythm of gratitude that was thoughtful, generous, and deeply intentional. His example invites us to slow down and notice the countless opportunities we have each day to respond with thanksgiving.
Highlights
- Jesus expressed gratitude with insight—recognizing God’s work even when others overlooked it (Matthew 11:25).
- He gave thanks generously, blessing God for resources that seemed insignificant and sharing them freely (John 6:11).
- His gratitude fueled goodness toward others, shaping a life of compassion and service (Luke 6:31; Acts 10:38).
- Jesus demonstrated thankfulness in everything, from daily provision to His final moments before the cross (Ephesians 5:20; Matthew 26:27).
- His ultimate act of gratitude came through sacrifice—offering His body and blood for our salvation (Luke 22:19).
- A thankful life reflects the heart of Christ and keeps us rooted in God’s faithfulness.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
What Jesus Modeled about Gratitude
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” - Colossians 2:6-7
How many times do we miss opportunities to express gratitude to God? Most likely, for some of us, there are too many for us to count.
So, when it comes to learning how to show gratitude, especially to God, where do we look for a mentor? Of course, Jesus tops the list in demonstrating it to us, being perfect in all His ways and actions.
After all, He is the Savior of the world, along with being fully man and fully God, understanding both how we as humans think, feel, and respond in earthly situations and also how God views and receives gratitude.
How Jesus Modeled Gratitude
In looking at Jesus’ life on earth, we discover ways He modeled gratitude, along with how we can follow His example. The following are five ways we can model gratitude to God and those around us, as Christ did on earth.
- Jesus modeled insightful gratitude. Often, individuals, some Christians included, may miss opportunities to express gratitude, missing the insightfulness Jesus demonstrated in all He did on earth.
Matthew 11:25 reveals how Jesus recognized an opportunity to show gratitude to God for revealing to children what is hidden from the intellectual and educated individuals on earth.
“At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’”
It was an observance and revelation of sorts, yet Jesus took the time, place, and opportunity to publicly express gratitude to God.
- Jesus modeled generous gratitude. When it came to expressing gratitude to God, Jesus didn’t skip over it, even when it involved a hungry crowd.
The Apostle John describes in John 6:11 where, “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”
Some may feel like five barley loaves and two fish were hardly worth showing gratitude to God, such a seemingly small amount, more like a snack.
As well, to share what seemed like an insignificant amount of food so generously, letting people have as much as they wanted. If most of us were sharing it, we probably would have tried to limit it to each person, knowing we started with a small amount.
- Jesus modeled do-gooder gratitude. Gratitude to God flows through us, encouraging us to express the gratitude we have to God and to others. Jesus says in Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Acts 10:38 describes how He accomplished it, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.”
- Jesus modeled thankfulness in everything. Some may laugh at those of us who are continually thanking God for what seem like little things in life, but doing so helps our hearts to remain thankful throughout our days.
As Ephesians 5:20 urges, “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
From sharing a small lunch to sharing the truth about God’s love, Jesus expressed gratitude for all that He had, including laying down His life for us, expressing a heart of gratitude to God His Father.
Even when His life on earth was about to end, He modeled it in Matthew 26:27, “Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you.’”
- Jesus modeled gratitude through sacrifice. He didn’t hold anything back from us, including the life we receive from His body being broken and blood poured out for our Salvation, as demonstrated in Luke 22:19:
“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As words to the old hymn go, with hearts full of gratitude, we can sing and thank God for Jesus’ sacrifice.
“Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul.
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole.
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me,
Thy great Salvation so rich and free.”
Further Reading:
4 Ways Gratitude Can Change Your Mindset
Making Do-Gooding A Way of Life
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
There’s a quiet kind of grace found at the table—a place where the noise of daily life slows and God’s presence feels nearer. Luke 22:14–15 reminds us that Jesus deeply desired time at the table with His friends. That same invitation extends to us: to pause, to savor, and to step out of the rush of chronos time and into the soul-settling rhythm of kairos—God’s time. Whether shared with others or enjoyed in peaceful solitude, the table can become a sacred space where our hearts are refilled.
Highlights
- Jesus modeled intentional, meaningful moments around the table.
- Small choices—like candles, real dishes, or slowing the pace—help us step into God-centered time.
- The table can create a boundary against stress, hurry, and digital distraction.
- Kairos moments often come through simple acts of presence, connection, and gratitude.
- Communing with God at the table—alone or with others—shifts our focus from exhaustion to rest.
- Creating beauty in ordinary moments can soften the heart and open space for reflection.
- A quiet table can become a reminder that God meets us in everyday rhythms.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
The Grace of a Quiet Table and a Full Heart
By Deidre Braley
Bible Reading:When the hour came, he (Jesus) reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. Then he said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” - Luke 22:14-15
I have a confession to make: My husband and I often eat dinner on the couch.
Though I have wonderful visions of eating at the table with our children, sharing about our days, and passing the potatoes, the reality is that with three children under the age of seven, evenings in our household often involve pouting over vegetables, lively play in dinosaur pajamas, and occasional tears about toothbrushing. And by the time everyone finally makes it to bed, the thought of being upright any longer feels too heavy a burden to bear.
“Think we should eat at the table tonight?” my husband will ask tentatively, a plate in each hand.
“Not tonight,” I’ll say most nights. “The couch is calling my name.” And then I’ll plop down, an exhausted pile of mush.
But last week, I made a parmesan risotto and slow-cooked beef tips, and I spooned it into pretty bowls. It looked so lovely that I thought, “Well, I’ll put out the cloth napkins.” After I did that, it only seemed right to light a few tapered candles. When my husband emerged from bedtime story duty, his eyes got wide. “I guess we’re eating at the table?”
We lingered at the table long after our food was done, simply talking and enjoying the time together. When we finally saw the time, we retreated to get ready for bed, both remarking how nice the evening had been and how we should do this simple thing more often.
The author Sarah Clarkson talks about how Madeleine L’Engle reflected on the two words used for ‘time’ by the ancient Greeks: one is chronos, which refers to chronological time, and the other is kairos, which L’Engle refers to as “God’s time.” Clarkson writes about the various ways her family intentionally pushed back against the demands of chronos time to make room for kairos, saying, “...kairos is also our choice, a way of offering our hours to God so that they become the cup and cradle for his precious life” (This Beautiful Truth: How God’s Goodness Breaks Into Our Darkness, pg. 157-158).
Eating at the table is one way to usher in kairos time: to draw boundaries around the sacred so that the world has to wait outside for a while. When Jesus ate his Last Supper with the disciples,
his friends, I always imagine that it was his way of encircling this time of communion and protecting it from the forward march of chronological time—and all the events that would soon follow. He protected it, cradled it, and enjoyed it for all it was worth. To him, it wasn’t just a meal or even a religious ritual: He told his disciples, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” It was a joy—in these moments, kairos time—God’s time—was activated.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The table is a wonderful way to step into kairos time. Though it’s wonderful to enjoy a meal with others—whether that’s a spouse or a friend, or a dinner party filled with chatter and laughter—it can also be powerful to sit at the table alone and use that time to commune with God. Somehow, the posture of sitting at a place meant for reflection and communion can signal to your body, mind, and spirit, “It’s okay to put the world aside for a while. It’s okay to step into rest, or joy, or gratitude, or fellowship.”
Give it a try. Even if it’s for a simple breakfast, try putting your food on a beautiful dish. Light a candle. Put on some light music. See how it elevates your mood. Take note of how you might experience time differently here. Invite God in. Breathe deeply.
Welcome to kairos time.
Further Reading: Psalm 23:5
Luke 14:15-24
Proverbs 17:1
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life feels like a jar half-empty, 1 Kings 17:12–16 reminds us that God’s provision isn’t limited by what we can see. The widow, facing her final meal, offered what little she had—and discovered a miracle that carried her household through famine. God often calls us to trust Him beyond our logic, timelines, or resources, not to take from us but to reveal how faithfully He provides when we surrender what feels scarce.
Highlights
- The widow’s “last meal” became the doorway to God’s ongoing provision.
- Fear, scarcity, and uncertainty can make obedience feel impossible.
- Trusting God doesn’t always make sense in the moment—but it positions us to see His power.
- God often works behind the scenes long before we see results.
- Obedience in the small things can lead to unexpected opportunities and blessings.
- Personal stories—like finding a job, purpose, or direction—often echo the widow’s journey of radical trust.
- God’s plans unfold step-by-step, not all at once, and His timing rarely looks like ours.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
When All We See Is a Jar Half-Empty
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. - 1 Kings 17:12-16
One Saturday afternoon, as I spent quiet time with God, the Lord impressed on my heart the story of the widow and Elijah.
I froze.
Where did that come from? In all honesty, I hadn’t thought of that story in a long time. Needless to say, I flipped open my Bible and found the story smack-dab in the middle of 1 Kings 17.
As I reread the story, the Lord reminded me of a time in my life when God had called me, like the widow in the story, to trust His plans more than the “reality” I could see.
Let’s rewind, refresh our memory of the passage, and step into ancient Israel for a moment.
Have you ever wondered how the widow in 1 Kings 17 felt as she peered into her jar and jug?
Perhaps she sighed.
Perhaps, despite how empty both were, they’d never felt so heavy in her hand.
One more meal.
One more meal and then she and her son would have nothing left.
Perhaps she gazed up into the heavens or perhaps she fell on her knees in the dirt. Perhaps a tear slipped down her cheek and hit the soil, the splash of liquid the first the dry earth had seen in so long.
Had God forgotten her?
Suddenly, in the distance, there appeared a man, no doubt dusty and worn from his travels.
He asked her for a drink.
That alone would’ve been difficult to procure in a drought and famine.
But she turned to fetch it.
And then.
He requested a morsel of bread.
Her heart, no doubt, sank.
Why would God ask her to surrender one of the very things she and her son needed to live? Perhaps a million thoughts ran through her mind. As it was, she and her boy would die eventually because they had nothing left.
And now?
Was God asking her to give everything? Didn’t He know what it would cost her?
Despite her fears in the midst of God’s promise, the widow chose to offer what she had. Even though she couldn’t see how God would provide. Even though the reality staring her in the face contradicted what God had reassured her.
And you know what? “And she and he and her household ate for many days” (v. 15).
This realization wrapped around me like a warm blanket.
I believe God will not always show us the next step. Sometimes, all we can see is what sits directly in front of us, but we don’t see the whole picture.
When God asks us to do something radical, it doesn’t matter if it looks like we may lose something we hold close. It doesn’t matter if it looks like we will lack what we think we need (As the widow knew she would run out of food. That, after all, made sense).
But God doesn’t operate in our timelines. He provides miracles often when we least expect them.
Sometimes, God asks us to move in a direction that appears contrary to what we think makes sense.
Intersecting Faith & Life
A couple of years ago, God told me He wanted me to focus on where He had me.
Let me explain. After nearly 6 months off work due to an initial layoff and then helping to care for my mom, who’d been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and when it was possible for me to look for a job again, God impressed on my heart to wait.
Wait?
That didn’t make any sense.
As a young adult two years out of high school, I needed to have a job. To make some money to save.
Right?
But despite what made sense, God challenged me to focus on where He called me. I’ll be honest. At the time, I wasn’t exactly sure what that meant.
A year-and-a-half before I graduated, I’d started working on a novel He’d placed on my heart years earlier. Now that I was a high school graduate and didn’t have homework, what was I supposed to do with all that “free” time during the day? Write novels?
That seemed a bit unrealistic.
Thankfully, that wasn’t what God had in mind. Not in the long run.
After all, I wanted to be able to make some money to save. It would be even better if it were doing something I truly loved.
One particular afternoon when the fear screamed louder, God’s voice was a gentle anchor to my heart.
Trust.
Trust.
Trust.
That evening?
I’m not even kidding. A friend of mine emailed me to ask if I’d step in to work remotely as her marketing manager for her small business since her former manager was stepping down.
A miracle and divinely orchestrated?
Absolutely. Especially considering I had zero professional marketing experience and had desired to work in marketing for this exact company.
And now?
I work remotely for a digital marketing company halfway across the country whose client includes a film company. Which means I get to market films. I write fiction and nonfiction. I’m in a new film school that launched this past year. My family and I had the privilege of traveling to Nashville recently to work on a major proof-of-concept for a TV series. In addition, I’m now writing for Crosswalk and still marketing for my friend’s company when needed.
All glory to God.
The best part is? I never could’ve foreseen all of this when God asked me to trust His plan and to focus on where He had me. I still don’t know what God’s plan is for me tomorrow, next month, or next year. Yes, there are absolutely hard days, but life with God is an adventure, and I know He will lead each of us in accordance with His will and good plans and purposes.
Where might God be asking you to trust Him? What are you afraid to say “yes” to because of what you lack? If God is calling you to do something, even if it’s radical, I want to encourage you to say “yes.”
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When the colder months trigger grief, anxiety, or seasonal depression, Psalm 94:19 offers an anchor: God’s consolation brings real joy even when our hearts feel heavy. Fall and winter can stir painful memories, shorten our daylight, and intensify emotional weight—but these seasons don’t have to be walked alone. God meets us in the darkness, understands the sorrow we carry, and invites us to bring every fear, memory, and ache to Him for comfort and healing.
Highlights
- Seasonal shifts can stir grief, trauma, or depression, making fall and winter emotionally overwhelming.
- Psalm 94:19 reminds us that God brings joy even when anxiety runs deep.
- Talking with God—and with trusted loved ones or professionals—creates space for healing.
- Painful seasons don’t mean you’re alone; God fully understands the weight you carry.
- New memories, community, and small steps of connection can help soften the heaviness.
- With God, joy can return even to seasons marked by loss or sorrow.
- Healing often comes slowly, but God remains present and tender with every step.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
When the Fall and Winter Seasons Feel HeavyBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” - Psalm 94:19
Autumn is a season of beautiful leaves, crisp air, and an endless array of pumpkin-themed sweets. For many, the autumn season rings in fond memories and excitement for the upcoming holidays. However, for some, the colder months loom like a dark cloud.
At one time, I, too, loved the autumn season as I was excited to see the leaves change, go trick-or-treating, and get ready for the start of the holiday season. However, each fall has a heaviness over it ever since my mom passed away a few autumns ago. Ever since then, it has been difficult to associate these months with anything else.
Fall can be heavy, and it can be overwhelming at times for many of us. Perhaps, like me, you experienced a traumatic life event that clouds each autumn with sad memories. Or, perhaps you experience seasonal depression during the fall and winter - something that is common among many people. The days get shorter, and we’re left in darkness for much longer. Know that whatever it may be that is bringing heaviness into your life during this time, you are not alone.
If you feel that fall is a difficult season to navigate, it is essential to talk with God as well as loved ones about what you are feeling. Reaching out to medical professionals can also be helpful if you ever have concerns about depression, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm. Even if you only have minimal concerns around any of these things, be proactive about addressing them with your primary care provider.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible tells us, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 94:19). Although fall can bring much sorrow into our hearts, God can also bring joy into them. Whenever our hearts are full of anxiety, sorrow, or pain, we need to go to the Lord in prayer. God's consolation will bring us joy.
God understands the pain we are feeling and how certain seasons can cause painful memories or depression to resurface. Despite the pain and heartbreak we are experiencing, God can help us to see the light of life again. Even if you think you will never enjoy fall again or you won't be able to walk into autumn without pain, know that it is more than possible. All things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26).
The heaviness may continue; however, try to allow God to heal your weary heart. God may provide healing through your family, friends, or spouse. Make new memories with those around you and treasure the memories of the past. We might always feel a bit heavy when fall comes around, but sometimes this heaviness can keep our loved ones close to our hearts.
Why does this season feel especially heavy for you? How can you bring those things to God? He longs to bring joy to a weary heart - all you need to do is reach for Him.
Further Reading:
Psalm 34:17-18
Zephaniah 3:17
Joshua 1:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Pain has a way of shaking our confidence, but Job 1:21 reminds us that worship can rise even from the hardest seasons. When everything fell apart, Job chose praise—a response rooted in the unshakable truth that God’s presence can’t be taken from us. His story shows us that even when loss, confusion, or unanswered questions threaten to overwhelm, God remains steady, powerful, and worthy. Sometimes the deeper gift in suffering is discovering who God truly is when everything else fades.
Highlights
- Job praised God after unimaginable loss—because God Himself was still his greatest treasure.
- Emotional pain can still lead to worship when we trust God’s character.
- Physical suffering pushed Job into deeper questions and honest wrestling.
- God responded not with explanations but with a revelation of His majesty.
- Seeing who God is often brings more peace than understanding why hardship happens.
- Surrender grows when we remember God’s purposes can’t be thwarted.
- Pain can become the pathway to a closer, more intimate knowledge of God.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Praising in the Middle of Pain
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord! (Job 1:21 NLT)
Job said these words after literally losing everything he had. Can you imagine praising God, as Job did, after unimaginable loss?
The story of Job in the Bible is not a parable or a fable. Job was a real man, husband, father, and farmer. In fact, he was a present-day millionaire, in a sense. The Bible says he was the “greatest” (richest) man in the east. Then everything he had– and I mean everything—was gone in a day.
In spite of this obvious and apparent shock of suddenly losing everything—his livestock, his livelihood, his investments, and all ten of his children—Job’s response was worship of his Creator and the One who had allowed him to lose it all. In a humble, God-honoring statement that truly defined this man’s character, Job responded not with questions, complaints, or curses, but with praise:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD” (verses 20-21).
How could Job have responded that way?
I imagine you and I would react quite differently after losing just half as much as Job did. We might say things like:
“God, why?”
“God, I’ve served You and yet You let this happen.”
“God, are You even there, anymore?”
Experiencing loss upon loss can have that kind of effect on us. It makes us question everything we ever knew.
Yet, Job could praise God in his pain because, in his wisdom, he realized the one thing that mattered most to him—his God—was something he would never lose. Job realized God was still there, God was still good, and God was still worthy of his praise. Job saw God as his greatest possession.
Job’s response, though, wasn’t quite as stellar when he lost his health. When his livelihood and loved ones were taken from him, the emotional pain gave way to praise. But when his body became wracked with pain, the confusion, disillusionment, and responses that would be more like yours and mine set in. That is when Job began to question. That is when Job’s friends began to offer their opinions on why God was allowing his suffering. That is when Job met his darkest, most painful time—in the confusion of not understanding why God wasn’t letting up.
And then, we get the most beautiful description in all of Scripture of Who our Creator is and all that He is capable of. In chapters 38-41, God takes our breath away when He answers Job out of his “storm”—the biggest storm God knew any man or woman on earth would ever have to endure.
And God’s big reveal? His all-coveted answer to the age-old question why? It didn’t come. When God finally spoke, He didn’t solve the age-old mystery of why bad things happen to good people. Rather, His words began with: “Why do you talk so much when you know so little?” (Job 38:2 CEV). God was, in a sense, saying: “Who are you, Job, to question Me?”
And for four long chapters, God doesn’t shine a penlight of understanding on Job’s circumstances, but projects a spotlight on who the God of the Universe really is, and all He’s capable of.
After God’s discourse, Job is the one who is silent. After hearing God’s description of how He rules and sustains all creation, Job is speechless.
The only thing he can finally utter is a declaration that God is God and Job is not: “I know that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:5).
Do you hear Job’s humility? Do you sense his surrender? Now listen for Job’s song—the true reward for his suffering. The rest of verse 5 reads: “My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You” (42:5).
Oh, to know God in a way that we have “seen” Him with our spiritual eyes…understanding how great and majestic He is and yet knowing that, in spite of all He allows or prevents, He still loves us beyond reason.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is God allowing you to go through so that you don’t just know about Him in your head, but truly know Him in your heart? What is He doing so you aren’t just one who has heard of God, you’ve had the privilege of seeing Him by faith?
Instead of assuming or concluding your pain is your punishment from the hand of God because He no longer loves you, consider that what you are going through may be God’s hand extending to you an opportunity to know Him in a way you never have before. Perhaps He is inviting you to walk closer to Him than you ever thought was possible.
Practice surrender today by telling God how much you love Him in spite of what hurts right now.
Further Reading:Job 38-42
For encouragement on who God is and how much He loves you, see my book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life suddenly feels unclear and the path you’ve been walking seems to disappear beneath your feet, it’s easy to assume something has gone wrong. But Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us that God is always at work—even when our view is obstructed. Sometimes confusion isn’t a setback; it’s a signal that God is shifting your direction, preparing new ground, or ushering you into a fresh season. What looks like disorientation may actually be His gentle nudge to lift your eyes, trust Him again, and follow where He’s leading next.
Highlights
- Confusion can be a sign of transition, not failure.
- God often uses unexpected moments to redirect our steps.
- Old paths may fade so new ones can form.
- What feels like “lost” may actually be God’s protection or preparation.
- Faith invites us to walk even when visibility is low.
- Seasonal shifts in life often require new vision and fresh trust.
- Scripture realigns our perspective when we can’t see the way forward.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Confusion May Signal a God-TransitionBy Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”
– Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
God is so creative.
Ever notice how He uses the most unusual things to teach us the lessons we need to know?
It happened to me today...
Taking a hike, I headed deep into the woods, leaves crunching underfoot. I kept my eyes alert, knowing I needed to take note of landmarks if I wanted to safely return to my car. You know how it is — it’s easy to quickly head somewhere without even realizing how you got there in the first place. That couldn’t happen; I wanted to make it home safely.
At first, seeing my path was easy — that is, until it wasn’t. What used to be visible gray ground had disappeared. Now, pine needles covered my path. And confusion set in...
Was I going right — toward that tall tree? Straight — toward no trees? Or left — toward a tree stump? I wasn’t so sure.
Have you ever been there? Going a certain way only to suddenly experience confusion? Disillusionment? Maybe you were headed somewhere with God, only to be obstructed...
Maybe you thought you were on the right path until you ran into something...
This can feel discouraging and disorienting.
It can happen in marriages, jobs, joys, hobbies, friendships, vision, or calling. All the same, it becomes wearying to be on a path you thought was right — only to feel lost.
That’s how I felt — for a second — lost. But as I lifted my head and looked yards ahead, I saw it. There! The path.
I was safe — yet again.
However, those path-covering pine needles got me thinking... How did they get there to begin with?
I figured they arrived one of two ways:
- The wind blew them there.
- The new season of Fall placed them there.
Some of us today need to know that our confusion isn’t just about disorientation — it may be about God providing us with a new direction. And sometimes what covers the old path is actually preparing the ground for a new path.
When the winds of God come, though they displace things, it can be a very good thing. It is His repositioning. It is His moving.
Yes, it’s true — what we once knew can look different or even disappear. But this doesn’t mean it won’t be good. Even if we can’t see, by faith, we can still walk — trusting Him.
Likewise, confusion may signal a progression into a new season. The paths we knew in the old season may not suffice in a new one, which is why seeing can be hard.
The pine needles of Summer must fall to make way for Fall. We can’t hold on to what was and still step into the beautiful potential of what can be. Plus, the falling is part of the seeding of new ground. Did you know that pine needles prepare the soil and they save the path from weeds? In our not seeing, there is also God protecting us in the process of shifting seasons.
So, what do we do when we find ourselves here?
We readjust. We ask God if He has something new for us. We discern if He wants us to change course, change jobs, change relationships — or simply press through.
Either way, we take a time-out with the Lord to listen and discern.
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:11, NLT)
There is a time for everything — and sometimes, there is a time when God adjusts our vision so we can walk in a new direction.
If He is doing this in your life, be encouraged: He is not doing this to hurt you, but to guide you.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you ever headed somewhere with the wrong directions? It’s frustrating, isn’t it? A left turn should have been a right turn. Ten minutes turns into twenty. We all know this: when going the wrong way, it is essential to get back on track. Part of getting back on track is to get a map. The Word of God is our map. Jesus is our Sure-Guide. Father cares. Holy Spirit is the Revealer. If you feel off track, how about you get on your knees? How about you ask God to reveal to you what He is doing and how He is guiding you? How about you keep your eyes and ears open to how He may respond?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Worry has a way of sneaking in and taking over, but Ephesians 3:20-21 reminds us of something worry can’t compete with: a God who is able—able to do exceedingly, abundantly above anything we ask, imagine, or fear. When anxiety rises, God invites us to remember His power, His faithfulness, and His perfect track record. From parting seas to opening parking spaces to carrying us through life-changing moments, He proves again and again that nothing is too big or too small for His care.
Highlights
- God interrupts our worry with reminders of His presence and power.
- Scripture anchors us when our minds want to spiral into fear.
- God cares for both the “small things” and the monumental moments of our lives.
- Nothing can thwart God’s plans—His purpose always prevails.
- We worry because our vision is limited, but God sees the whole story.
- Remembering past faithfulness strengthens our confidence in present battles.
- Jesus stands ready to answer the “door” when worry comes knocking.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
God Is Able
By: Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
“Why are you worried?”
God interrupted my thoughts with this question to ponder before I could start a downward spiral in my mind. He then put the lyrics to a song I hadn’t heard in years into my head. The song “He’s Able” by Deitrick Haddon ministered to my spirit and lifted my thoughts heavenward.
It was through the message of this song and reading Bible verses that support it that God breathed new life into me and reminded me that He is still in control. He let me know I can always take my concerns to Him. The Bible says we are to “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT). But how often do we keep our worries in our grasp and push God away? Perhaps we think that ruminating over our problems will somehow solve them. I’ve learned that way never works! The good news is that we have a Savior (Jesus Christ) who is exceptionally good at saving us from everyday disasters and ultimately, saving our souls (John 3:16-17) so we can make it into our final destination (Heaven).
Over the years, I’ve learned that when worry comes knocking on the door of my mind, I need to remember who God is and let His Son (Jesus Christ) answer that door and send worry running away from me for good. I’ve found that when worried, it helps to remember Bible stories of how God delivers His people. One of my favorite scriptures to illustrate that point is the story about when God parted the Red Sea for His children (the Israelites) to pass safely to the other side then He drowned their enemies who were in pursuit behind them by returning the sea to its natural form! This is the same God who is alive today. The same Lord who is available to help us 24/7/365 because He never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121:4).
When worried, it is important to recall God’s faithfulness to us. He is Almighty, Sovereign, Faithful, and True to me and you. God is able to accomplish everything He has planned for our lives on Earth and in the world at large. No human or evil supernatural force can thwart God’s plans. His purpose always prevails (Proverbs 19:21). Nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37)! So why do we worry? I think it’s because we’re still human, mere mortals with finite vision. But the good news is we serve an Immortal God with infinite vision!
The Bible says that God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). He’s planned out all the days of our life (Psalm 139:16), and He knows what He’s doing. God has a perfect track record of being trustworthy, and He does all things with perfection. God shows up for us in little ways and big ways. Such as the time when I needed a parking space in an office lot that is often full. Recently, as I prepared for an appointment, I prayed about this on my drive to that small space, and when I arrived, there were four empty parking spaces! This proved to me that God cares about the small things. When I was in my last few weeks of graduate school, our professor told us that if we made more than two mistakes on our final paper, then we would fail her class and not graduate. I asked all my God-fearing family and friends to pray for me about this serious situation, and God answered our prayers! I passed her final class and received my graduate degree. This proved to me that God cares about the big things!
In closing, I’d like for you to listen to this song, “He’s Able” by Deitrick Haddon, then remember that God is a loving Heavenly Father who provides for all our needs daily. So next time you feel a wave of worry crashing over you, reach out to Him. He’s always there. Our Lifeguard (Jesus Christ) walks on water. He won’t let us drown. We just need to remember that He is able to rescue us, sustain us, and help us reach our true home (Heaven).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does it feel to know that we serve a God who is able to meet our every need and exceed our greatest expectations?
Further Reading:
Isaiah 40:29-31
Luke 12:24
Psalm 37:25
Philippians 4:6-7
Hebrews 7:23-25
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Spiritual heaviness can feel like it hits from every direction—global tragedies, personal struggles, and the weight of a world that seems to groan louder each day. Ephesians 6:10-11 reminds us that we’re not powerless in these seasons. God equips us with spiritual armor, giving us strength to stand firm, fight wisely, and remain grounded in His truth even when darkness feels overwhelming.
Highlights
- Spiritual battles are real, but God never asks us to face them alone.
- The Holy Spirit empowers believers with strength, discernment, and courage.
- God’s armor—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and His Word—protects us against the enemy’s schemes.
- Darkness may appear loud, but God’s authority is final, and His victory is already secured.
- Preparing daily with Scripture helps us resist defeat and stay rooted in truth.
- The enemy’s tactics are predictable, but God’s power in us is greater.
- Remembering God’s past faithfulness helps anchor us when the present feels heavy.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Armor for the Spiritually Heavy Seasons
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” - Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
For the past few weeks, I have felt a spiritual heaviness, both personally and as if I am carrying the weight of the world. Perhaps you can relate?
In the middle of you trying to figure out how to pay for your child’s braces, another school shooting pops up on your news feed, and it's more than you can handle.
A friend sharing about a difficult diagnosis on the heels of learning about a public assassination is overwhelming.
The tension in your church is growing due to differences in direction, coupled with the continued polarization of society, leaving your soul weary.
There is so much despair, desperation, and depravity all around us, yet as believers, we don’t have to live defeated. Paul, in his letter to the church of Ephesus, reminds them of the spiritual battle that wages all around them. However, they are not alone in the battle; they have the power of the Holy Spirit, who is alive and active in the lives of believers. Scripture is clear; it’s not a question of whether we will encounter spiritual attacks, but when we do, we must be prepared.
So suit up, brothers and sisters in Christ, put on the whole armor of God as you stand firm in your faith, rooted in God’s Word, strengthened by the Lord’s power. Join me as we enter the battle each day, knowing that we don’t fight against the flesh, but against the powers of darkness, the prince of this world (Ephesians 6:12). May we cling to the truth that while it may feel that the darkness is winning, God is on the throne and one day, He will come again. Darkness will be defeated once and for all!
“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” - Ephesians 6:13-17 NIV
Heavenly Father, we bow before You, and we humbly ask that You equip us for battle. We know, Lord, that there is a spiritual battle that wages all around us. We want to be prepared so that we don’t fall victim to the enemy’s attacks. While he is the prince of the power of the air ( 2 Corinthians 4:4), he is a created being, and You are the creator ( Genesis 1:1). Satan’s power is limited, and he is under your authority. We don’t have to be fearful, but we must be watchful, for the enemy prowls around like a lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Our adversary’s tactics are not unique, and his mission is simple: “to kill, steal, and destroy” ( John 10:10) God’s creation.
As Your Children, we don’t fight alone! You’ve given us a Helper (John 14:26), the Holy Spirit, who teaches and reminds us of Your Truths. Let us feel Your presence, as we buckle the belt of Truth around us, holding up our faith, and giving us the secure confidence and support of the Scriptures. Let us stand firm, as we proclaim the Truth of the gospel, shielding the enemy’s attacks on the righteous. We arm ourselves with the shield of faith and securely fasten the helmet of salvation, protecting our minds and thoughts from the evil one. Lord, grant us perseverance and steadfastness in our studying, meditation, and application of Your Holy Word.
Lastly, Lord, when we feel overwhelmed and are tempted to believe that all hope is lost, grant us the power of remembrance. Fill our hearts and minds with biblical Truth, guide us to recall all the ways You have been faithful in our lives, and may we rest securely that You will keep Your future promises. You are securely on the throne, with Jesus at Your Right hand, to You be the glory, and honor! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Many of us are familiar with Ephesians 6:10-17, yet we suffer from spiritual amnesia. When we are under attack, we begin to feel defeated, instead of remembering that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:31-39). Take some time today and write out Ephesians 6:10-17, and place these verses somewhere as a daily reminder to put on the whole armor of God.
Further Reading:
Romans 8:31-39
A Spiritual Warfare Prayer
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Autumn has a way of stirring change—new rhythms, new challenges, and sometimes, new wounds. Whether you’re navigating loss, transition, or a season that feels heavier than you expected, Isaiah 41:10 offers a grounding truth: God upholds you with His righteous right hand. Even when change feels overwhelming, His presence remains steady, strong, and unchanging.
Highlights
- Seasons shift, but God’s presence stays constant and close.
- Painful change—loss, transition, uncertainty—can become part of a redeemed story in God’s hands.
- Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that God strengthens, helps, and upholds us.
- God goes before us and delights in us, offering peace in the midst of upheaval.
- Change doesn’t get the final word—God does.
- Leaning into Scripture and prayer can anchor your heart during difficult transitions.
- His love brings the hope needed to face whatever lies ahead.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Embracing Change This AutumnBy Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
Throughout the seasons, we face various changes. Depending on your own individual experiences, some seasons hold more changes than others. When I was a kid, autumn was a major season of change because it was when I started school, had to figure out my class schedules, and tried to make new friends.
I remember this caused me immense anxiety. I had to switch to an entirely new school when I entered middle school, and I didn't know anyone there. My sixth-grade year held a few massive changes that ultimately brought a lot of pain into my life. Due to bullying, my mom had to take me out of public school and started homeschooling me with my sisters for the following school year.
Seasons of change come and go in our lives. Maybe this autumn happens to be a big season of change for you. Changes aren’t always bad, but it’s the tough ones that seem to leave the biggest marks on our lives. Perhaps you’ve lost a loved one, walked away from a marriage, or lost a job. Bring any of these pains and set them at the foot of the cross. Allow Jesus to transform these painful changes into part of your story; one where He is changing ashes to beauty.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
God tells us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). As God says in this passage, He is with us, He will strengthen us, help us, and uphold us with His righteous right hand. Regardless of the changes that are going on this autumn, He is still with you, and He will keep your heart steady.
Some changes can feel unbearable, but they can become manageable when we know the Lord is with us. God goes before us, regardless of the storm we are facing. He takes great delight in us and rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). This can give us the strength that we need to face what is ahead.
Turn to Him today and let His love give you the hope you need. The change you are facing may feel overwhelming, but it does not get the final word. God has already defeated all things. Whether this autumn brings much change or not, we know God is with us always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). May we all lift His Name in praise and worship today.
Change can be hard. What are some changes you have had to go through in previous seasons? Did these changes impart any lasting lessons?
What are some ways you can be reminded of God’s love and strength this autumn? Try a daily Bible study or prayer journal that can help you stay focused on His unchanging love.
Further Reading:
Matthew 1:23
Romans 8:31
Psalm 23:1-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
True credibility as a Christian flows from a pure heart of love. John 13:35 reminds us that others will recognize us as disciples of Christ not by our words or actions alone, but by the love we show. When our hearts are fully surrendered to God and motivated by His glory, even skeptical eyes cannot obscure the light of Christ shining through us.
Highlights
- A pure heart of love reflects Jesus to others, regardless of perception or criticism.
- True discipleship is shown through consistent, Christ-centered love (John 13:35).
- The enemy may try to derail good intentions, but prayer and discernment restore clarity and peace.
- Humility and surrender amplify God’s glory, keeping the focus on Him rather than ourselves.
- Loving boldly, even in the face of misunderstanding, demonstrates faithfulness and obedience.
- God positions our hearts to bless the right people at the right time, revealing His love through us.
- Credibility comes not from human approval, but from a genuine, surrendered heart aligned with God.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Gaining Credibility as a Christian Through a Pure Heart of Love
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35)
Have you ever felt like someone was questioning your intentions? In the midst of a moment or situation where you were sure your heart was pure. When your soul wanted nothing more than to serve for the good of another or others. And to bless others for the glory of God. Yet, somewhere on the other end, for some reason, that wasn’t what seemed to be perceived. It felt like someone even thought you were doing wrong, something self-focused, or something that certainly wasn’t based on a heart yielded to God’s holy will and way.
I was consumed with this same sense last week. God had placed a special someone firmly on my heart a few months back. Someone who needed his blessing in a rich way, in a trying season of her life. And as my plans to help and serve became known, it suddenly seemed there were some skeptical eyes on the sidelines. And if I’m being brutally honest, it pained me deeply. I knew my heart was pure. I knew God had called me to help in this specific way. I had prayed and prayed for his discernment and guidance. For humility, and for the love of Christ to be shown and known. But nonetheless, because of the rocky response, I found myself questioning the call. Questioning my conviction and intention. And so I did all that I knew how to do. Pray, listen, follow the Lord's lead. And to love.
John 13:35 says, By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. This reminds me that everyone will know we are truly followers of Christ, that we are filled with Christ, by the love that they see in us. And by the love that flows from us. When people see our love, they will see him. And I don’t know about you, but I want people to see him. So I will continue to love out loud. That is what we all should continue to do. And we should not question our love, or the intention to love, for others.
If you are truly seeking the Lord. If you genuinely desire to love the way Jesus would love, and if he is laying specific calls and directions on your heart, trust him. We need not listen to what others say, or what others might think. The enemy will certainly try to confuse and derail our good intentions. The enemy will try to make you cower to bold love. Or any bold action on behalf of Jesus.
While I was being bombarded by the enemy’s misleading manipulations, I took some time to reflect, to pray, and to ask God to impress the truth upon my heart. I asked him to remove any thoughts or ideas that were not of him. I asked him to help me love the people in my path. How to best give him all the credit for every act of love and blessing. How to be confident in the particular instructions of love he had just for me. And then for peace that he would work out the details and heal the fractured pieces of every heart involved.
And that’s just what he did. He gave me clarity. He gave me peace. He increased my humility to even better reflect his heart. He allowed me to be a beacon of his love light. And above all, he allowed others to see him. Not me, but Jesus. It wasn’t, and isn’t, about me or any of us. It’s never about our glory. It’s always about Jesus and his glory. And so it doesn’t even matter what some may think or say. God will use your pure heart to show his to the exact people who need it. You will gain credibility and be seen rightly, with and by the right people, when you have the right heart. A pure heart that sincerely, vulnerably, and genuinely longs to point others to him, and only to him.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Let’s keep loving boldly and serving big in the ways the Lord leads us. With a pure heart. Surrendered and yielded to him. Humbled and bowed down before him. Knowing that he will reveal his goodness and the purity of our hearts to the souls he intends to bless. And those people—his people—will know the truth, will know his love, will come to know him… by our pure and holy hearts of pure and holy love.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In the midst of life’s busyness, God invites us to step away into a quiet place and rest in His presence. Mark 6:31 shows that even Jesus, fully God and fully man, sought moments of stillness—sometimes with those He loved. Welcoming quiet allows our souls to recalibrate, hear God’s voice, and find true peace amid the noise of daily life.
Highlights
- Jesus modeled the need for quiet and rest, inviting His followers to join Him.
- Quiet time isn’t just physical rest; it’s a soul-level invitation to be with God.
- Embracing stillness allows us to hear God’s tender voice, not our inner critic.
- Scripture encourages us to stop striving: Psalm 46:10, Psalm 131:2, and Jeremiah 31:3.
- Quiet helps us develop contentment, security, and joy in God’s presence.
- Practical steps: switch off distractions, focus inward, and allow God to fill your mind and heart.
- Regular quiet cultivates a deeper connection with God and His peace.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Welcoming the Quiet
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31 NIV)
Jesus said these words to His followers after a busy day in ministry. Perhaps He felt drained from all the demands and expectations placed upon Him from crowds of people who wanted something from Him. Perhaps He felt burdened at all there was to do, and so many people to help that He needed to get away to a quiet place with His Father in heaven. And certainly, He knew His followers could use some rest and respite as well. And that’s why He invited them to come with Him to the quiet to get some rest.
If Jesus, being fully God, yet fully man, could sense His need to go away to a quiet place, then we should sense our need for the stillness and quiet as well. And I find it interesting that Jesus, while there were times He got away by Himself to be with God, in this particular verse, He invited those He loved to come away with Him. Part of Jesus’ rest and refueling was to be with those He loved—in the quiet.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you ever sense the need to get away from it all to a quiet place where you can get some rest? Perhaps you sense that every day. But that is more than just your body’s way of saying “get some rest” or your mind’s way of saying, I need a vacation. I believe it’s our soul’s way of saying “God’s been waiting. Get away with Him.” I believe it’s Jesus’ way of saying, “Come with Me to a quiet place where we can be together.”
You and I can view quiet, alone times as reminders of our loneliness and do everything we can to avoid them. Or, we can try to get to a place where we think it will be quiet, but we’ll be taking our noisy minds and selves with us. But I encourage you to welcome the quiet as a much-needed respite from the noise—and as an invitation from God who has been whispering to you: Come with Me to a quiet place and get some rest.
How often do we feel we must set aside time to be with God and then feel guilty for not doing it? How often our hearts may long for a getaway with Him, not realizing that getaway is available to us every moment of the day because He indwells us and calls us to come to Him within the recesses of our hearts.
“Be still and know that I am God,” says Psalm 46:10 (NIV). We can get to know Him in the stillness as we allow Him to quiet our thoughts, and we begin to focus on His presence.
Psalm 46:10 in the New American Standard Bible reads: “Stop striving and know that I am God.” Having a heart at rest means we are not striving to control, not anxious or stressed about what might happen, or all that we have to do. It means we are in a place of quiet contentment, like David sang in Psalm 131:2: “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me” (ESV).
Quiet. Full. Satisfied. Secure.
Is it time to slow your pace, switch off the inner chatter, and ask God to still your mind from anxiety or busyness and flood it with His peace? Is it time to close the app, shut the lid on your device, or turn off the music or the TV, and develop a heart that not only welcomes but longs for the quiet stillness? It’s there you will begin to discern your Savior’s voice, which is much more loving than your own internal critic. It is there you will hear His tender words: I have loved you with an everlasting love… I have drawn you with kindness (Jeremiah 31:3). It is there you will be assured of His promise to never leave you or abandon you (Hebrews 13:5). It is there, in His presence, that you will find fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).
Embrace the quiet of your day—or escape to it by carving it out somewhere—so you can get away with God in your heart. Close your eyes. Enjoy the stillness of the moment and the assurance of His presence. Spend some time thanking Him for breathing rest –and quiet—into your day.
Further Reading:
Matthew 11:28-30
For a guided plan for growing closer to God in the quiet, see book: The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Doubt can feel like a relentless pinball machine in our minds, tossing us back and forth between yes and no. James 1:6-8 reminds us that double-mindedness makes us unstable, but when we approach God with decisive faith, we unlock clarity, confidence, and spiritual stability. Trusting God—even when uncertainty creeps in—empowers us to act boldly and live by faith, knowing that His grace can make any situation right.
Highlights
- Double-mindedness creates instability; decisive faith brings clarity and confidence.
- Replace “I don’t know if He will” with affirmations of trust: “God, I know you are able and faithful.”
- Draw a line in the sand when doubt arises—choose to trust God even after decisions are made.
- God’s grace can make any choice right; mistakes do not diminish His ability to work.
- Acting in faith strengthens our relationship with God and glorifies Him through unwavering trust.
- Practical exercises: affirm God’s faithfulness, thank Him for peace, and take confident action.
- Faith becomes alive when we trust God’s goodness and promises in real-life situations.
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
Full Transcript Below:
Super Practical Ways to Defeat DoubtBy Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” – James 1:6-8 NKJV
I sat at the restaurant, menu in hand. Frankly, I didn’t know a restaurant could have so many options to choose from. Trying to decide, I think, “Maybe I’ll get this… No, I’ll get that.” Minutes later, I think, “What about this?”
My friend announces what they’re getting. . .
Hmm… They’re getting that? Maybe I should, too.
Mind like a pinball machine, changing directions a mile a minute –left, right, up, and down. Ahh! Now I really don’t know what to get. As soon as I decide, I consider the other way...
Frankly, I am in the dead-heat of double-mindedness, or quadruple-mindedness, for that matter…. Ever been there? Doubting? Uncertain? Wavering? Believing the answer is yes, and then wondering if it is no? Wanting to go one way, but questioning if it is right?
Scripture talks to us about double-mindedness and prayer when it says: “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:6-8 NKJV)
This scripture helps us see that there is power when we move from double-mindedness to decisiveness. Why? Because decisiveness leads to confidence, clarity, and stability in the Lord. We want these things. And we also want great faith; confidence in the Lord is a key ingredient of faith.
What does this look like practically?
Instead of saying, “I don’t know if it is okay that I am asking God for this and so I doubt He will do it or if He really wants me praying this,” instead, we can say, “God, I am sure you will answer me about this, even if you come with fresh direction.”
Instead of saying, “I don’t know if He will do it,” we can say, “God, I know you are more than able. I thank you that you are able. Oh, how I am confident in you and your faithfulness.”
Then, take action -- with resolute determination to trust Him – all the way through.
Now, I know… often, this is more easily said than done. I get it. When push comes to shove, or when life has a rub – it sure can feel hard.
So, what do we do when doubt tries to creep up again?
Sometimes, we must remind ourselves that even if we get things wrong, God is big enough to make things right. Grace is more powerful than any bad decision or even our best decision!
More important than getting it right is remembering that God can make it right – even when we get it all wrong. Here, we can attach faith to any decision, eradicating double-mindedness to walk in God's confidence. God is able, even when we were not.
For instance, say I prayed and felt peace about buying a car, so I bought it. If, afterward, I feel guilty because I have a sense I spent too much money, I may be inclined to doubt. However, I have the power to stop myself right there by drawing a line in the sand.
As I draw this line, I can say, “God, I trust you. I choose to trust you, by faith, in the gap of my finances. I remember how you gave me peace when I bought the car. Thank you for that peace. Now, I ask you to direct me in the way you have me go with this car and my finances. No matter what, I am not looking back, but instead, I am trusting you. You will lead me. I am believing, by faith, that you will use this car in special ways, for your glory. I am not looking back, not fearing, and not doubting. I am not going to be tormented. I trust you to help me. Thank you, Jesus!”
Here, a line is drawn in the sand that says: “Nope, I still trust you, God.”
God is tremendously glorified, within our sure heart, when we are unwaveringly trusting in His good heart to help us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do we believe God is good? I’ve noticed that if I don’t trust someone, I will not trust them when they say they are going to do something. It may sound odd, but we can’t say we trust when we don’t trust. We can’t easily follow God if we think He has only bad things in store for us. Why not take a moment and ask yourself if you really trust God? If you really believe His promises? How are you showing it in your life? In what ways are you finding your faith alive and active?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Election Day is more than a civic duty—it’s an opportunity to honor God with the choices we make at the ballot box. Deuteronomy 30:19 reminds us to “choose life,” aligning our decisions with God’s ways so that blessings flow to us and our communities. Voting as a Christian is about more than candidates or parties; it’s about reflecting God’s principles and demonstrating the heart of faith in action.
Highlights
- Christians are called to vote with discernment, seeking God’s guidance and aligning choices with His Word.
- Election Day historically has been viewed as a sacred responsibility to uphold godly principles in governance.
- Individual votes matter—John Wesley emphasized acting “as if the whole election depended on your single vote.”
- Abstaining from voting can have spiritual consequences (James 4:17).
- Voting reflects the values of our hearts and serves as a declaration of faith (Psalm 119:30, Joshua 24:15).
- Praying and humbling ourselves before God ensures our votes honor Him and contribute to healing the land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
- A biblically guided approach to elections helps Christians navigate political and moral complexities faithfully.
Join the Conversation
How do you ensure your vote reflects your faith? What steps can you take this Election Day to seek God’s guidance in your civic decisions? Share your thoughts with #VotingWithFaith #ChooseLife #ChristianVote.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Casting Votes That Please God
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”- Deuteronomy 30:19
As Christians, on Election Day, we can cast votes that please God, not by relying on our own reasoning or viewpoint, but by looking to God’s Word to see what votes align with His ways and principles.
As we seek to discover what votes will please Him, we can ask Him to lead us in voting at the ballot box for the candidates to be appointed that will serve and glorify Him and work and seek to accomplish His will on earth.
Some may think that God doesn’t care one way or the other who we vote for or if we even vote, but He does, calling on us to choose the candidates and laws that align with His teachings. It’s very clear in His Word. We have a responsibility to choose rulers and authorities who do what is good for us and to please God.
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good” (Titus 3:1).
Is Election Day a Sacred Duty?
William J. Federer, historian and co-author of Courageous Christianity, writes that on April 19, 1926, 30th U.S. President, Calvin Coolidge, stated that, “Election day in the olden times was generally considered more or less sacred.”
In America’s early days, notes Federer, from the beginning of the United States of America, Election Day was not to be taken lightly.
“New England pastors understood that since Jesus never forced anyone to follow Him, they could not either. The Kingdom of God was not to be forced top-down by a theocratic king. The only way for it to happen was if the majority of people held godly values and willingly voted for representatives holding those same values. Then laws would be passed reflecting those values, and the values of the Kingdom of God could come voluntarily, from the bottom-up.”
Do Our Votes Count?
1700s Theologian and evangelist, John Wesley, is cited as saying, “Act as if the whole election depended on your single vote.”
Still, with all the issues and conflicts in the American voting system, individuals, including some Christians, may wonder if it even matters if and how they vote. As Christians, when we do vote, we are called to honor, please, and reflect God’s principles at the voting booth.
Some say it’s a sin not to vote; if so, it’s a matter of conscience, as James 4:17 warns, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
The United States’ 40th President, Ronald Reagan, said, “Voting is a precious right that for two centuries Americans have fought and died to protect. Let’s all honor that sacrifice this election day.”
As Deuteronomy 30:16 instructs, “For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”
Our Votes Reveal Our Hearts
As Christians, how we vote establishes who we ultimately serve, as Psalm 119:30 proclaims: “I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on Your laws.”
When we vote, it’s not just casting a vote for a certain candidate or particular political party, but rather it’s making a declaration of our faith. Who and what we vote for reveals what our hearts and minds truly believe.
As Joshua 24:15 challenges, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
In voting, we want to remember what 2 Chronicles 7:14 reminds us: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
On Election Day, ask God to lead you in voting in a way that pleases Him, as you prayerfully review and, through a biblical worldview, consider the candidates and the issues at hand.
Further Reading:
A Prayer for God to Lead Us in Voting on Election Day
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Dwelling with God isn’t just a promise for the afterlife—it’s an invitation for every day here on Earth. Psalm 27:4 reminds us that we can seek God’s presence, gaze upon His beauty, and live fully in His house all the days of our lives. Like the ancient Israelites, we can cultivate a life that delights in God’s nearness, experiencing His presence in the everyday moments of life.
Highlights
- The ancient Israelites focused on dwelling with God daily, not just awaiting the afterlife.
- Psalm 27:4 emphasizes seeking God’s presence and enjoying His beauty each day.
- God’s Word offers guidance to live in His presence, cultivating intimacy with Him.
- Modern Christians can learn to prioritize daily communion with God over merely anticipating Heaven.
- Dwelling with the Lord transforms ordinary life into a space of worship, peace, and purpose.
- Experiencing God now strengthens faith and prepares hearts for eternity.
- Living in God’s presence is a daily choice—actively seeking Him in our routines.
Join the Conversation
How do you intentionally dwell with God in your daily life? What practices help you experience His presence right here, right now? Share your reflections using #DwellingWithGod #FaithInThePresent #LivingWithTheLord.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Dwelling with the Lord in the Land of the Living By Deidre Braley
Bible Reading:One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple. - Psalm 27:4
The ancient Israelites had a far different understanding of eternity than we do today; the concept of Heaven and Hell as two distinctly different eternal dwelling places would have been a foreign idea to them.
I learned about this as a seminary student in my Master of Divinity program, where this semester I’ve had the privilege of taking a class that explores the Torah—that is, the first five books in the Hebrew Bible (also sometimes called the Pentateuch). And when I reached this startling understanding that the ancient peoples believed they would all someday go to a somewhat damp and gray place called sheol, I asked my professor in horror, “But how did they live with this idea? Where was their hope? How did they not all die of existential crises?”
What he said, though, was beautiful. He explained that what was most important to the ancient Israelites in their death was that they were remembered by their families, but also that their bones were buried in their land, because they believed that God dwelt in Israel, and they wanted to be wherever he was. But what struck me even more was what he said next:
“For the Israelites, the torah—that is, their teachings—offered a way to dwell in God’s presence every day of their lives. They were focused on being with God and enjoying him in the present.”
And when we look at Scripture like Psalm 27, we see evidence that it’s true: the ancient authors weren’t waiting for some faraway day after they’d died to be with God; they believed it was possible to spend every day of their lives in the presence of God, and to enjoy it immensely. The psalmist wrote, “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple” (v.4, emphasis added).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As modern-day followers of Christ who do have beliefs about the existence of a very real Heaven and Hell, it can be easy to focus on our eternal destination; in fact, that is the focus of many sermons and the basis of many arguments for the Gospel. But to focus entirely on where we’ll go after we die is to miss out on a major (and incredibly beautiful) part of the good newsthat is the Gospel: We don’t have to wait to enjoy God’s presence. We get to dwell with him right here, right now—every day of our lives.
In this sense, we have a lot to learn from the ancient Israelites. There is an invitation to walk in the Kingdom of God even while we walk on Earth. Will we wait for some future day, or will we start to dwell with the Lord in the land of the living—today?
Further Reading:Luke 17:20-21
Matthew 6:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Daylight Savings can leave us feeling drained and in a spiritual funk, but God’s light offers hope and renewal. 1 John 1:5 reminds us that God is light and that in Him there is no darkness at all. Just as seasonal darkness affects our mood, spiritual darkness can weigh on our hearts—but God’s light empowers us to shine, overcome, and point others to Christ even in the darkest seasons.
Highlights
- Spiritual darkness is temporary; God’s light never fades (1 John 1:5, John 8:12).
- Darkness symbolizes evil, while light represents God’s presence and purity.
- Believers are called to live as children of the light, reflecting God in families, churches, and communities (Ephesians 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:5).
- Doing good deeds and shining for Christ helps others see God’s love (Matthew 5:16).
- Seasonal or spiritual darkness can impact mood, but God’s light brings hope and restoration.
- Walking in the light requires vigilance, prayer, and repentance to combat spiritual heaviness.
- Gratitude for God’s light encourages resilience through temporary dark seasons.
Join the Conversation
Are you experiencing a season of spiritual or emotional darkness? How do you intentionally shine God’s light in your daily life? Share your thoughts using #ChildrenOfTheLight #ShineForChrist #FaithOverDarkness.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Finding the Light When Daylight Savings Hits
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” - 1 John 1:5 NIV
When I graduated from college, I moved to Montreal, Canada, where, in winter, the daylight hours average around 8-9 hours. Often, I would go all day without seeing the sun. After a few days of living in darkness, I would grow quite depressed. I became so depressed that I sought out medical attention. As soon as I sat down, the doctor, hearing my accent, asked me, “Where are you from?” “South Carolina,” I answered in my southern drawl.
He explained that the reason for my melancholy was an illness called seasonal depression, which is typically common in the winter when the hours are shorter. Being from a state that, even in daylight saving time, still saw a good amount of sun, my body was struggling to adapt to the prolonged winter days —the intense cold didn’t help either. The doctor suggested purchasing a sun lamp. When it was dark outside, I could turn on this lamp, and the light would lift my mood.
Before that day, while I didn’t enjoy the prolonged periods of darkness, it never occurred to me that the profound effects it had on my mental, physical, and spiritual health.
Scriptures often speak to the ideas of light and darkness, both in a physical and a spiritual sense. We see in Genesis that the earth was formless and in complete darkness, and that the first thing God said was, “Let there be light.” God declares that the light is good and separates the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:1-4). We see from the beginning of creation a division between light and darkness; light has the power to overcome darkness, but darkness ( being the absence of light) doesn’t have the power to overcome light.
As we read on in Scripture, we see that darkness is indicative of evil (Ephesians 5:11), while light represents God (John 1:5). Our key verse, 1 John 1:5, tells us, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” This verse is such an encouragement to believers: we don't have to be afraid of the darkness because we serve the God of light! Scripture doesn’t describe God as a light; He is the light; holy and pure, He is void of the darkness of sin. And, though we were once children of darkness, who followed the prince of the air, those of us in Christ are now walking in the light; we are to live as children of the light ( Ephesians 5:8).
As Christians, through faith in Christ, we have the light of God within us, and we are called to be the light in our families, churches, and communities. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 tells us, “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.” We don’t have to fear the darkness because we belong to the God of light. And out of immense gratitude for God delivering us from darkness, we can shine our light brightly, doing good deeds and pointing others to Christ (Matthew 5:16).
While it can certainly be depressing to be in darkness during the long winter season, we know that spring and summer will return soon. And just as the darkness won't last forever seasonally, the same is true spiritually. Even those in Christ can experience times where we feel spiritually defeated; there is a heaviness that we carry around with us, we may not suffer from seasonal depression, but we are experiencing the effects of spiritual depletion. Jesus said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." While our enemy can’t steal our salvation, he works tirelessly to snuff out our light, to steal our joy, and lead us into darkness.
Let us be encouraged this daylight savings season that summer will return, bringing with it longer days of sunshine to lift us out of our funks. May we remember that just as this season won't last forever, neither will spiritual darkness. The God of light will one day destroy the evil one once and for all. Let us walk in the Light, shining brightly for all to see as we reflect God in a dark world.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you in the season of spiritual darkness? Ask God to bring to light any unrepentant sin, and seek His forgiveness. Look for ways to shine your light for Christ this week.
Further Reading:
1 John 1
8 Ways to Fight Daylight Savings Blues
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Waiting on God can feel frustrating, especially when our prayers seem unanswered. Social media comparisons and silent seasons can make us question His timing and care. Yet Lamentations 3:25 reminds us that the Lord is good to those who await Him and seek Him. Learning to navigate these waiting periods strengthens our faith and draws us closer to God, helping us see His blessings even in the silence.
Highlights
- Unanswered prayers don’t mean God has stopped listening; they are opportunities to grow in trust and faith.
- Ground yourself in God’s truth: His mercy, righteousness, and nearness counter the lies of the enemy.
- Remain faithful and persistent in prayer, focusing on God’s will rather than simply your desires.
- Record your blessings and past answers to prayers to maintain perspective during waiting seasons.
- Redirect your prayers by asking God what He wants you to pray for, aligning your heart with His purposes.
- Waiting develops patience, discernment, and deeper reliance on God’s timing.
- Every “no,” “not yet,” or unexpected answer can be a form of protection or provision.
Join the Conversation
How do you stay faithful while waiting on God? What practices help you recognize His work during silent seasons? Share your thoughts and tag @LifeAudioNetwork with #FaithInTheWait #TrustingGodsTiming #PrayPersistently.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
During the Wait
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
The LORD is good to those who await Him,
To the person who seeks Him. (Lamentations 3:25)
It can feel so discouraging when you and I are praying for something and God doesn’t appear to be answering.
Why are others enjoying the warmth of God’s blessings, and I’m being left out in the cold? we wonder.
We scroll through social media and see one person after another reporting their #blessings and wonder why God is waiting when it comes to what we are hoping for. God’s silence, or even a very clear no to our prayers, can add to our discouragement and leave us in a place where we are vulnerable to Satan’s attacks on our faith and internal questions about whether God really cares about us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Because the enemy’s shouts of accusation can overpower the still small voice of your loving Heavenly Father, you and I must know what to do—and what not to do—when God doesn’t give us what we requested.
First, re-acquaint yourself with God’s truth. When you’re feeling discouraged or abandoned by God due to unanswered prayer, that’s often when Satan swoops in to launch his ruthless attack by giving you thoughts that aren’t even your own. He will taunt you with lies like God stopped listening to you long ago. He will try to heap shame on you with accusations like, Do you really think God will give you anything you ask for after what you’ve done?
Counter the enemy’s lies by familiarizing yourself with God’s truth from His Word:
He is merciful and compassionate (Lamentations 3:22-23). He is “righteous in all His ways, and kind in all His works” (Psalm 145:17)He is near to all who call on Him (Psalm 145:17-18).
When you know He is good and forgiving, and knows how to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11), it will help you discern truth from falsehood and keep you from being easy prey to Satan’s attacks during this difficult time.
Second, remain faithful. Even though you might not feel you have what you want right now, remember that God so freely and generously gave you His Son. Romans 8:32 assures us, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (ESV). Do you want to give that kind of generous and loving God an attitude of entitlement or, worse yet, resentment when you don’t get what you want? God wants a relationship with you more than He wants your list of requests. He wants you to be satisfied in Him, not just what you receive from Him.
Jesus told a parable in Luke 18:1-8 of a widow who got what she wanted from an unrighteous judge simply because she wouldn’t stop asking. Then Jesus pointed out how much more our loving Heavenly Father, who isrighteous, will give justice to those who continually plead with Him their case. Remain faithful. Don’t stop praying. Seek Him, instead of what you want from Him. It might make all the difference in what you’re asking for, and you might even find you already have—in Him—all you could ever want.
Third, this is the time to record your blessings and what God has already granted. Start keeping track of what you do have. Writing down your prayer requests, as well as God’s continued blessings—even the ones you don’t ask for—can help you keep perspective. Record the date that He answers, whether it’s a yes or no. You’ll soon look back and see He is answering, and His yes may be more frequent than you realize. And His no, not yet, or not in this way, may be more of a blessing or a means of protection than you realize.
Finally, redirect your requests to what God wants you to pray for. Have you ever asked God how to pray? “Lord, what should I pray for?” “Lord, how do You want me to pray?” “Lord, lay on my heart Your desires and make them mine.”
When you and I begin praying according to God’s lead, rather than expecting God to passively respond to our requests, it will completely change how we view and approach prayer altogether. We will discover there is so much He is doing in and around us, and so much He wants us to pray for, so He can accomplish so much more than we ever thought possible.
Ask God to lay upon your heart what He wants you to ask for. And thank Him, by faith, for the privilege of making your prayers a conduit through which He can perform His work here on earth.
Further Reading:
Luke 18:1-8
Psalm 62
For encouragement as you wait on God, see my book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What gives someone the courage to stand up for truth—even when it costs them everything? Martin Luther’s bold stand for the Gospel wasn’t born from rebellion but from revelation. Rooted in Ephesians 2:8, his discovery that salvation comes by grace through faith ignited a movement that changed history. Having the heart of a reformer means loving God, loving His Church, and being unwilling to compromise the truth of Scripture—no matter the consequences.
Highlights
- A reformer’s heart begins with a deep passion to draw close to God and live by His Word.
- Luther’s relentless study of Scripture led him to uncover the truth of salvation by grace, not works.
- True reformers love the Church enough to seek its correction, not its destruction.
- Luther’s bold action—nailing his 95 Theses—sparked a spiritual awakening that shaped Christianity.
- Sharing the truth requires courage, humility, and a willingness to face rejection.
- Luther’s legacy reminds us that faithfulness to God’s Word outweighs fear of man.
- Every believer is called to carry that same conviction—to speak truth in love and protect the purity of the Gospel.
Join the Conversation
What truth has God been stirring in your heart to stand for, even if it’s uncomfortable? Share your thoughts with us and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #FaithThatTransforms #StandForTruth #HeartOfAReformer.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
What Does It Take to Have the Heart of a Reformer?
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” - Ephesians 2:8
On Reformation Day, our hearts are filled with deep gratitude for the life of Martin Luther, for his unwavering faith and commitment to the truth of God’s Word.
But what did it take for Luther to have the heart of a reformer? It wasn’t his life goal or that he set out to become one. Yet in discovering the truth in God’s word that we’re saved by grace and not by works, he couldn’t keep silent.
8 Characteristics of a Reformer’s Heart
So what did it take for Luther to have the heart of a reformer? The following are eight characteristics found in his life.
- Luther had a passion to be close to God. He had a heart to seek after God, diligently pursuing becoming a monk, whipping himself raw, thinking he had to try and appease the wrath of a holy God and become deserving of Heaven.
Tirelessly trying to get closer to God in his own efforts, Luther was also a compulsive confessor of his sins, doing so up to six hours a day.
- Luther had a thirst for discovering the truth of God’s word. Luther devoted himself to studying the Scriptures and during his studies, the Holy Spirit revealed to him the truth of Ephesians 2:8 that the just shall live by faith. In discovering this truth, Luther learned that none of his self-afflictions could ever justify him before God, because it only comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
- Luther loved the Church. With his new revelation concerning Salvation, Luther became disillusioned, recognizing serious errors in the Church’s teaching and practices, including selling indulgences to raise money, pressuring individuals to give money with the promise that their deceased relatives could be released from purgatory. His hope was that the truth would bring loving correction to the Church.
- Luther took action. So with deep conviction, on October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses against the Church’s revenue-generating scheme, along with other abuses, nailing his document on the Wittenberg, Germany, cathedral door for all to see, a common practice at the time.
But the Church rejected Luther’s critique and corrections and disapproved of the spread of his findings via the newly invented printing press. As his ideas spread throughout Germany, they stirred up a lot of controversy, and led to the Church Council in 1521 to demand that Luther recant his theses.
- Luther felt a responsibility to share the truth he found. Once God revealed the truth to Luther, he felt a responsibility to make this truth known. He most likely thought the Church would be receptive and even grateful for his revelation.
- Luther was unafraid to speak the truth of God’s word. After discovering the truth, Luther had to tell others, regardless of the consequences. When he was told to keep silent, he wouldn’t because he felt such a conviction to let others know the wonderful truth he had found.
- Luther was unwilling to compromise the truth. The price for his stand was costly, paying dearly for it, being excommunicated by Pope Leo X from the Catholic Church in 1521, because he would not recant, he was declared an outlaw and heretic and had to run for his life, finding refuge in Wartburg Castle with Fredrick the Wise, under an assumed name and disguise.
- Luther would not back down. Despite being excommunicated from the Church and his life threatened, Luther refused to back down, stating:
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis: my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus, I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.”
Luther had a burning desire for others to know God’s truth for themselves. During his hiding out for his life, after being excommunicated, he put the Bible in the hands of the people by translating it into German.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Like Luther, are you discovering truths that you want to share with your pastor, church, and denomination? If so, what is holding you back? Ask God to help you step forward and step up to offer loving correction when you see an error in teaching.
Further Reading:
6 Reasons Christians Should Celebrate Reformation Day
Are You Willing to Address Issues in Your Church?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Halloween doesn’t have to be a night of fear—it can be a night of faith in action. Rooted in Matthew 5:16, this devotional reminds believers that even on the darkest day of the year, God’s light shines brightest through us. Instead of retreating, Christians can use Halloween as a powerful opportunity to connect, protect, and share Christ’s love with their neighbors. Whether through simple acts of kindness, offering a safe space, or handing out a message of hope, we can turn Halloween into a day of light.
Highlights
- Transform Halloween from a day of darkness into one of redemptive mission and community connection.
- Designate your home as a safe house where children can find refuge and kindness amid the chaos.
- Share the Gospel naturally by including tracts or church invite cards with candy.
- Host a bonfire or neighborhood gathering to build relationships and spark meaningful faith conversations.
- Use Halloween as an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love and create a welcoming, light-filled atmosphere.
- Remember: when we shine Christ’s light, even the darkest night can point others to the hope of the Gospel.
Join the Conversation
How do you plan to shine your light this Halloween? Share your ideas and stories with us! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #ShineBrightForJesus #LightOverDarkness #FaithInAction.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Sharing Christ’s Light This HalloweenBy Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16
Growing up in a Catholic household, I participated in Halloween each year. I dressed up as many of my favorite cartoon characters: one year I was a Care Bear, and one year I was a Smurf. Once, I was even Punky Brewster! Even as a kid, something was clear:
Each year that passed, I hated Halloween more.
Even before I knew the Lord, something stirred in my soul each Halloween. As a kid, many of my friends dressed up as innocent cartoon characters. But as we got older and entered our teenage years, the masks and costumes grew gorier, bloodier, and scarier. This made a day that I dreaded, now one that I couldn't stand.
As an adult, I have come to discover the redemptive qualities of Halloween. Raising our kids, we participated in Halloween, but we did not celebrate it. Our kids were also allowed to dress up as innocent cartoon characters and go around the neighborhood getting candy. They were never allowed to be anything gory or scary, and they obeyed that rule. Halloween is forever etched in my kids’ minds as a fun day to get candy and go around with their friends.
I realize Halloween could be a polarizing topic for many Christians. Some choose not to have any part in it, for they fear that they are worshipping Satan rather than God. However, those who choose to participate want to make it a redemptive day, being on mission for Christ. Here are some ways to be a light to your neighborhood this Halloween:
Be the Safe House
Some older kids can become aggressive and violent on Halloween, making some little kids scared to go around the neighborhood. These older kids steal their candy, make fun of their costumes, and kids may not know where to go for help. As a church, announce to the congregation that you'll be passing out candy in your neighborhood. Leave a light on and let the kids know that if they run into a situation where they feel afraid, they can come to your house.
Designate your house a safe house, where kids can go and wait for their parents while diving into their candy stash (with your inspection). This will allow kids to know that there is a secure place in the neighborhood where they can go, free from violence or other crimes that would put them at risk.
Give Out Tracts/Invite Cards
Halloween is the one day a year when kids literally come to your home with their hands out, expecting you to give them something. Give them a sweet treat, but also provide them with the greatest gift that will keep on giving for the rest of their lives. Wrap each piece of candy individually with a tract or invite card for your church. Let them know your church has great activities for children. This not only provides an opportunity to let your neighborhood know about your church and what activities you offer, but it also takes the awkwardness out of evangelism. Kids are ready to take whatever you give them. You can even place it in their bucket or bag for them so that it's in their bag already. What a way to redeem Halloween for kids who came simply for candy but left your house with the gift of salvation.
Start a Bonfire
Another great way to celebrate Halloween is to invite your neighbors over for a bonfire. Get together as a group and give out the candy together. Use it as a time to get to know your neighbors and, at the same time, get to know other kids in the neighborhood as well. Get a small fire pit, set some chairs up around your driveway, and when your neighbors turn their lights on or set out to get candy, invite them over to your home to sit with you when they are done.
Let them know you'll be giving out candy for a couple of hours, and you will be there at any time. This is another excellent way to take the awkwardness of evangelism out of the equation, and a great natural way for you to invite your neighbors over to your home to get to know them.
Although Christians hold many views regarding Halloween, Halloween can be a great time to be missional in your neighborhood. Seek to not only turn on your porch light, but also to be the light of Christ to all your neighbors this Halloween.
Father, allow us to be people who see the redemptive quality in any day, including Halloween. Although the day is specifically a day when Satan reigns, let us allow you to reign instead. Let us, as Christians, take back the darkest day of the year, shining our lights brightly for all the world to see. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is your view on Halloween? Can it be a day where you can shine your light for others to see?
Further Reading:
John 3:16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Most people think of October 31st as Halloween—but it’s also Reformation Day, a cornerstone of Christian history that forever changed how believers understand salvation. Rooted in Romans 5:1–2, this devotional reminds us that faith—not works—justifies us before God. Martin Luther’s courage to challenge corruption in the church reignited the truth of salvation by grace alone through faith alone, and his bold stand still calls us to live out the Gospel with conviction today.
Highlights
- Reformation Day commemorates October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg church door.
- Luther’s actions reclaimed the biblical truth that salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works or wealth.
- His translation of the Bible into German gave ordinary people access to God’s Word for the first time.
- Today, over 700 languages have Scripture translations—a legacy of the Reformation’s impact.
- Believers are called to guard against modern distortions of the Gospel, like prosperity or works-based teachings.
- Living out Reformation truths means boldly proclaiming salvation through Christ alone and standing firm in sound doctrine.
Join the Conversation
How can you live out the truths of the Reformation in your daily faith walk? Share your reflections and gratitude for the freedom we have in Christ. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #ReformationFaith #GraceAlone #FaithInChrist to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Living Out Reformation Day Every Day
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” - Romans 5:1-2 NIV
For most people, the only holiday associated with October 31st is Halloween. But, did you know that All Hallows Eve isn’t the only thing celebrated on the last day of October?
Reformation Day is a day commemorating the start of the Protestant Reformation, which was sparked by Martin Luther's act of nailing his 95 Theses to the church door on October 31, 1517. For believers then, and today, this act was a turning point in Christianity; it was the "greatest moves of God's Spirit since the days of the Apostles," as Ligonier Ministries points out.
If this holiday is so influential to the protestant faith, why is it often overlooked on the calendar? Specifically, for today’s believers, what does it look like to live out the principles of the Reformation in our everyday lives?
History of the Reformation
On October 31, 1517, a German Monk, Martin Luther, acted out of frustration and grief over the current situation of the Roman Catholic Church. Luther questioned the extravagant spending of church leaders and their ongoing abuse of power– specifically, withholding access to the Bible from the common man. Luther was also profoundly disturbed by the practice of selling indulgences, a form of forgiveness sold by the church for past, present, and future sins.
Luther wrote the 95 Theses to ignite a debate among church leaders and encourage congregants to examine church practices in light of Scripture. After nailing these theses to the church door, it was evident that the church needed more than a revitalization; it required a reformation!
Why Was a Reformation Needed?
The church during Luther’s time was grossly misrepresenting and distorting Scripture, specifically the doctrine of Justification. The Bible clearly presents salvation by grace alone through faith alone, not because of what we have done, but because of Christ’s work on the cross on our behalf; we are justified (Romans 5:1). However, before the Reformation, many popes, bishops, and priests preached that personal merit and financial contributions secure one's Salvation. The church replaced a faith-based model for salvation with a works-based model, specifically the idea that one could “buy their way into heaven.” Luther spread the message that man doesn’t hold the power to save souls; salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit, through the atoning work of Christ, initiated by God.
During Luther’s time, Bibles were scarce, and many churchgoers lacked access to the Scriptures, making it easier for church leaders to distort and twist God’s Word for their own personal benefit. However, with Luther's help, the Bible was translated into German, putting the Scriptures in the hands of believers for the first time. Today, the Bible is translated into over 704 languages!
How Can We Live Out the Truth of the Reformation Today?
First, we can praise the Lord and express gratitude for Martin Luther’s boldness in ensuring that the Truth of the Gospel was presented and preserved for future generations. When we open our Bibles, we humbly acknowledge the luxury of personal access to God’s Word. We become extra diligent in fighting the ways the Gospel is perverted for personal gain in today’s society. When we hear preachers share the message that the Lord will bless them financially (prosperity Gospel) or that they can secure entry to Heaven by being a “good person” (works-based Gospel), we stand up and stand firm on the doctrine of Justification.
The Reformation should be remembered and honored like any other significant historical event, primarily so that we can prevent history from repeating itself. I think about the principles Luther spoke out against and his passion for eradicating all misconceptions of the Gospel message. Let’s be encouraged not only on October 31st, but year-round, to be willing to boldly proclaim that the Gospel is for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Take a moment today to reflect on the benefits we experience because of Luther’s willingness to stand up to corrupt leaders, making the Gospel message accessible to all people. Pray that we, like Luther, would protect the Gospel message for generations.
Further Reading:
The Facts of Reformation Day
Romans 5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Fear can hold us back from boldly sharing the hope of Jesus, but God calls every believer to step forward in courage. Drawing from Joshua 1:9, this devotional encourages Christians to rely on God’s presence and strength to overcome fear and proclaim the Good News with confidence. Courage is not the absence of fear—it’s trusting that God goes with us wherever we are sent.
Highlights
- Fear often surfaces when we feel unprepared or anxious to share our faith.
- God commands strength and courage, promising His presence wherever we go (Joshua 1:9).
- The enemy uses fear to silence believers, but God’s power surpasses any opposition.
- True courage flows from trusting God, not relying on our own abilities.
- Speaking the truth of Jesus with love can impact lives and advance His Kingdom.
Join the Conversation
Where has God been calling you to step out in courage? Share a moment you overcame fear by trusting Him. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #BoldFaith #CourageForChrist #ShareTheGoodNews to inspire others to trust God’s presence in their bold steps of faith.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Courage to Share the Good News of Jesus
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
I can’t tell you how many times fear has attempted to overtake me and keep me off a stage. And particularly when it comes to sharing the word of God. Which is super frustrating, considering I gave my life to full-time ministry several years ago and I’ve had many opportunities to speak to groups and crowds about Jesus. My heart wants to be bold for Jesus' sake. My soul longs to point others to the grace, love, and freedom found in our Savior. But in a similar way, Moses thought he had a stutter and couldn’t effectively deliver on behalf of the God of the Universe; anxiety plagues me whenever I face a room full of still and staring eyes. My stomach turns and twists in knots of nausea, and sometimes my mind goes completely blank.
But even still, I feel called to speak up. I have a passion, I have words, and I have a deep desire to pour it out. And it all comes from the Lord. But here’s the trouble. Satan. He sees it. He knows I am on fire for his opponent, which fires him up with fury. And so he is hot after me. I can feel it. He is relentless. And I wonder if you’ve ever felt his vicious, angry attacks too. When you’ve had a desire to disciple the lost, a heart to help the hurting, a nudge to share your story, or an excitement to make a difference or walk into a calling, all for the name of Jesus. But there was fear, somehow, that held you back. Maybe you didn’t feel equipped, were afraid you wouldn’t have the right words, or worse, that you’d say something wrong and turn someone away from the faith. I have felt all these things. In fact, I still struggle with these doubts and fears. And when we listen to them, we are giving in to the schemes of Satan. But I know you’d never willingly do this. If the enemy said follow me, we’d say, “No way, I follow Jesus. He is the way and the truth and the life.”
So today, I boldly ask us both to consider living out what we believe. Boldly showing the world who we follow. Our God on the throne, who reminded the terrified Israelites in the book of Joshua, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Friends, God calls us to be courageous. And it is courage we must carry to advance the Kingdom of God. To help fill the earth with the truth of God’s power and love. To spread the word of Jesus, the only one who can save souls. The only real hope we have. Hope of forever in paradise with him and the ones we love. And I don’t know about you, but I want everyone I love there. I want to offer this hope to our entire hurting world. And I’m sure you do too.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Listen, I know it’s not easy to be courageous. Fear haunts me too. The enemy lurks around me, too. But God’s command to courage is followed by the promise that he will be with us. Wherever we go. So, whether it’s on a stage to testify on his behalf, serving in some uncomfortable capacity, or taking a step into any area of uncertainty—God is with us. And he is more mighty than any attack, stronger than any opposing force, and more powerful than any tactic the enemy will attempt to derail us with. We must hold tight to the truth that God goes before us and will never leave us. We must be bold, we must be courageous, we must speak up and speak out the truth about Jesus. In order to share the good news, save the lost, and spark a flame so massive that it will spread wild and wide. And stand solid against the darkness, trying to smother the living light—that is Jesus Christ.
So, I may feel fear, and Satan may try to stop me. But with God by my side, I will step out anyway. I will courageously speak the truth when given the chance. I will show the genuine, gentle love of Jesus every day. I will place my hope, faith, and all my trust in the one who made me and holds the whole universe in his hands. And I will pray that you will join me.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Fear is one of the greatest battles every Christian faces — but God has already equipped us to conquer it. Drawing from 2 Timothy 1:7, Megan J. Conner reminds us that we can overcome fear not through our own strength but through God’s power, love, and a sound mind. Through personal reflection and biblical examples—from David’s cries for courage to Paul and Silas singing in chains—this devotional reveals how faith transforms fear into steadfast trust.
Highlights
- Fear is natural, but faith is our divine response.
- God replaces fear with power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
- David found courage by focusing on God’s strength and salvation (Psalm 27:1).
- Paul and Silas showed unwavering faith in prison, turning fear into worship (Acts 16:25–26).
- God’s Word is a powerful weapon against anxiety (Ephesians 6:10–20).
- Memorizing Scripture builds spiritual resilience and peace.
Join the Conversation
What verse helps you face fear with faith? Share your reflections and encourage others to trust God in the face of fear. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #FaithOverFear #LifeAudio #CourageInChrist to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
How Christians Can Face Fear with FaithBy Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
How do you face fear? They say each one of us has an automatic “fight or flight” reaction when encountering danger. Whether real or perceived, psychologists have proven every one of us does have a built-in response when we feel afraid. We may dig our heels in, brace ourselves for a fight, and determine that no matter what adversary awaits, we will battle to the bitter end. Or we may run for the hills as fast as our legs can carry us, covertly slink away quietly and quickly, or crawl back into bed with the covers over our heads to avert a potential threat.
I am sad to say that my natural inclination leans towards the latter. However, God saw fit to pair me with a husband who is the exact opposite. His fearlessness, resolute courage, and fierce determination have challenged me to grow in an area I have traditionally felt incredibly weak. Even further, the Lord Himself has stretched and matured me in ways I never thought possible. Like many of you, life has thrown at me some pretty terrifying circumstances that shook me to my very core and literally brought me to my knees. But it was my husband who, very early on in our marriage, taught me today’s scripture: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind,” (2 Tim. 1:7, NKJV).
I have recited this scripture more times than I can even count over the past twenty-plus years. And while God does create those like my husband who naturally bear the heart of a lion, not all of us are natural fighters. In fact, if we look at scripture, there are numerous accounts and exhortations of God reminding His people not to be afraid. This suggests many, if not all of us, struggle against a spirit of fear. Even King David, one of the Bible’s most renowned warriors, penned his own reminder when his courage wavered.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation;Whom shall I fear?The LORD is the strength of my life;Of whom shall I be afraid?” - Psalm 27:1 (NKJV)
This passage shares with each one of us the key to unshakeable faith when faced with fear. The Lord is our strength and salvation. We do not need to be afraid because He is our fortress and deliverer (Ps. 18:2). He will fight the battle on our behalf (Ex. 14:14), and He promises us that we can be strong and courageous because He goes with us. We do not have to be afraid (Deut. 31:6).
One of the most inspiring examples of this unshakeable faith in the face of fear can be found in Acts chapter 16, when Paul and Silas were captured, tortured, and imprisoned in Philippi after sharing the gospel with the people there. Scripture states the magistrates tore off their clothes, beat the two men with rods, and then threw them into a cell where they were shackled in chains. How many of us would have crumbled in terror and defeat after such horrific treatment? Yet, Paul and Silas did not attempt to flee, nor did they rise up and fight (at least not in their flesh). Instead, they called upon the One who could battle on their behalf.
“About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” - Acts 16:25-26 (NIV)
The Lord set the captives free – literally! And, He continues to perform this same miracle today.
I have always considered fear my greatest nemesis – an enemy that could never be defeated. But God has so proven His faithfulness through trial after trial that I am shocked by the strength and resolve I find in myself when facing unexpected challenges and dangers. God set me free from the bondage of fear! He can do the same for you.
I have also learned God did not give me a spirit of fear. Instead, He granted me power, love, and a sound mind that can resist the temptation to cower in dread and terror. Above all, I have discovered that I can face my fears with faith because I depend wholly and completely on the Lord as my defender and provider. And, you can do the same. If we truly believe that, then the psalm of David rings true for all of us. There really is nothing to fear.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When faced with fear, it can be difficult to respond in faith. However, the Word of God is a powerful weapon (Eph. 6:10-20). May I encourage you to memorize 2 Tim. 1:7? Write it on an index card, make it the wallpaper on your phone, whatever you need to do to commit it to memory. The next time you feel afraid, speak this scripture out loud to bolster your resolve. You have nothing to fear!
Further Reading:
Psalm 27
Ephesians 6:10-20
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In Pursue Righteousness and Kindness, Whitney Hopler reflects on Proverbs 21:21 and reveals how righteousness and kindness are designed to work hand in hand in the life of a believer. Too often, we separate the two—valuing truth over grace or compassion over conviction—but Scripture reminds us that real holiness comes from their balance. True righteousness isn’t rigid, and true kindness isn’t weak; together, they mirror the heart of Jesus, who perfectly embodied both truth and love in every word and action.
Highlights
- Proverbs 21:21 connects righteousness and kindness as virtues meant to be pursued together.
- Righteousness without kindness can lead to self-righteousness and harshness.
- Kindness without righteousness can turn into people-pleasing and compromise.
- Jesus modeled perfect balance—He stood firmly for truth while showing compassion to sinners.
- Pursuing both virtues leads to spiritual growth, deeper relationships, and the fullness of life God promises.
- Living with both conviction and compassion points others toward God’s truth and love.
Join the Conversation
Do you find it easier to stand for truth or to lead with kindness? How can you bring more balance between the two in your life this week? Share your reflections and examples of living out Proverbs 21:21. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #PursueRighteousness #LiveKindly #FaithInAction to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Pursue Righteousness and KindnessBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.” – Proverbs 21:21, ESV
Where I work, at George Mason University, we honor people from throughout our university community as “Kindness Ambassadors” on World Kindness Day each November. Our Kindness Ambassadors are students, faculty, or staff members who have been nominated for the honor by people who appreciate their kindness. Once they’re honored, they serve as ambassadors for the importance of spreading kindness every day. People who others recognize as being especially kind inspire many others to pursue kindness in their own lives. In the process, we often see that the same people who put kindness into action also stand up for what’s right. Kindness is an important part of living a righteous life.
Proverbs 21:21 connects righteousness and kindness as virtues we should pursue together to grow in holiness. They balance each other well. If we try to separate them, we can see that they’re not meant to be separated.
Righteousness without kindness can lead to legalism and self-righteousness. We can be technically “right” but harsh, critical, and unloving in how we express the truth. We can see this in the Pharisees, who were obsessed with the letter of the law but often missed God’s heart, which is full of compassion, grace, and mercy. If we pursue righteousness alone, we may win arguments, but we risk losing relationships. We might have all the right answers but still sin by speaking sharp words.
Kindness without righteousness can become weak and compromising. It can turn into simple people-pleasing, where we avoid speaking the truth because we’re afraid of conflict. It’s being nice without the backbone of conviction. True kindness isn’t just about making people feel good; it’s about wanting what’s genuinely best for them, and what’s best is always connected to God’s truth. Kindness without the foundation of righteousness can lead us to approve of things God calls wrong, all because we’re trying not to offend people.
God’s design is for righteousness and kindness to work in a partnership. Righteousness is what we believe, while kindness is how we live out that truth in the world around us.
As we pursue both virtues, we can point people toward God’s truth and love, which Jesus showed us the perfect example of during his earthly life. Jesus never compromised the truth. He spoke directly against sin and hypocrisy, which shows us righteousness in action. Yet, Jesus was also known for being a friend to sinners and for speaking with incredible gentleness and compassion to people in pain, which shows us kindness in action. Jesus wove righteousness and kindness together in all of his words and actions. We can ask Jesus to be our advocate by helping us with whatever we need while we’re trying to develop more righteousness and kindness in our lives.
Proverbs 21:21 promises that pursuing righteousness and kindness leads to life, righteousness, and honor. By balancing these two virtues, we can live our best lives, grow closer to God, and experience all the blessings that result from doing so.
So, let’s take an honest look at our hearts. Are we leaning too far one way? Are we so focused on being right that we’ve forgotten to be kind? Or, are we so focused on being nice that we’ve started to compromise what’s right? God calls us to pursue righteousness and kindness together. When we do, we can discover the wonderful lives he wants us to enjoy!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how to pursue both righteousness and kindness regularly, reflect on these questions:
- Do you find it easier to pursue righteousness (like standing for truth and doing what's right) or to pursue kindness (being compassionate and loving)? Why?
- When have you seen someone show righteousness without kindness? How did it feel? When have you seen kindness without righteousness? What was the result?
- Jesus was the perfect example of righteousness and kindness. Which story from the Gospels best shows this balance to you?
- How can you apply both righteousness and kindness to a difficult situation you’re currently facing?
- What’s one step you can take this week to bring more kindness into your pursuit of righteousness, or more righteousness into your practice of kindness?
Further Reading:Micah 6:8
Ephesians 4:15
Zechariah 7:9
2 Timothy 2:24-25
James 3:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Lauren Fletcher offers a deeply personal reflection on faith amid silence and struggle, grounded in 1 Thessalonians 5:17—“Never stop praying.” Through seasons of mental health battles, loss, and uncertainty, Lauren discovered a profound truth: even when we can’t hear God, He still hears us. This devotional reminds believers that prayer isn’t about perfect words or constant clarity—it’s about trust in a faithful God who listens, comforts, and moves on our behalf, even in the quiet.
Highlights
- God hears every prayer, even when we can’t sense His presence or voice.
- Our past wounds may resurface, but God uses them to bring healing and intimacy with Him.
- Prayer doesn’t have to be long or eloquent—sometimes, a simple “Help me, Lord” is enough.
- The Holy Spirit and Jesus Himself intercede for us when we can’t find the words (Romans 8, John 17).
- Faith grows not in certainty, but in persistence—continuing to pray and believe when life feels silent.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever gone through a season where you couldn’t hear God clearly? How did you keep praying through it? Share your story to encourage others who are struggling to stay connected in faith. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #KeepPraying #FaithThroughSilence #GodStillHears to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Even if I Can’t Hear You
By Lauren Fletcher
Bible Reading:
“Never stop praying.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
A few years ago, I was on a family trip. I was going through a hard time personally, including difficulty at work and post-traumatic stress disorder. My mental and spiritual health were going through a challenging season. It was also having an impact on my relationships.
I didn’t know that the trauma of my past could come back to affect me in the present. I had wounds from childhood and young adulthood, ways I had handled difficult circumstances that were not the healthiest, though I did the best I could at the time.
I remember one day that was particularly hard. I was struggling with an obsessive fear, and I just got to the end of myself. I remember staring out the car window, the breeze blowing, and watching the trees pass by. I heard God so clearly — I wanted to help you then. Tears falling, He touched my heart. I asked, God, will you help me now?
As the trip continued and I faced battles with my mental health, I tried to turn to God. I knew He wanted to help me, and he was helping me.
Months later, I lost my job. I was at home and struggling with PTSD again. I had days where I was confused and anxious. I struggled to remember the person I was. I’d pray, 'Lord, will You find me?' In these moments, I would cry out to God. It was hard to hear him, but what I began to notice was that He would answer my prayers. So, I kept crying out to Him. I kept praying.
He helped me have moments of clarity, little moments where I would realize: that’s who I am; that’s my heart. I spent many days listening to the radio and waiting for just one word that would speak to me, and it would come through testimony, the verse of the day, or even the DJ’s heartfelt words. I would find scriptures from Isaiah or the Psalms that would give me hope. I would paint these every day. God was faithful in this season. He gave me hope for the future.
What I began to adopt was the understanding that even if I can’t hear God, He still hears me, so I will continue to pray. He continues to answer our prayers. In Matthew, Jesus teaches us how to pray and even says, “…your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him!” (Matthew 6:8). This gives me faith that even if it’s hard to get the words out, the Lord knows what I need.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
That season didn’t last forever, but what I learned has stuck with me. I try to continue to pray, knowing that God hears everything I’m saying. Something I’ve also learned is that He hears me the first time I pray. The previous verse in Matthew says, “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again” (Matthew 6:7).
I have been known to repeat my prayers over and over, thinking God is not answering them. Out of impatience or perhaps desperation, I will do this, but when all I can do is barely get out a few words, I can see that He does answer.
Have you ever had moments where you couldn’t pray, where you had to rely on the Lord to help you in this? Whether a few words or a thought, is there a time when you can remember He answered those prayers?
There are moments when our circumstances or even our thoughts will be so loud that we cannot hear God. He is still there. He is still fighting for us and helping us. I’m reminded of the scripture that says Jesus is praying for us (John 17, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25). The Bible also says the Holy Spirit is praying for us (Romans 8). When we can’t even pray for ourselves, we can take heart. We are not alone.
I encourage you, if you are in hard times or cannot hear God, keep praying. He hears and answers our prayers.
Further Reading:
Matthew 6:5-18
Romans 12:12
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Luke 18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A powerful story of prayer, persistence, and divine timing inspired by Matthew 7:7–8 — “Ask, seek, knock.” For years, Hannah dreamed of serving in the Christian film industry, but doors remained closed—until one act of obedience changed everything. This devotional reminds us that sometimes faith means waiting, but other times, it means having the courage to knock and trust that God is already working behind the scenes.
Highlights
- God invites us to bring our bold prayers and desires before Him (Matthew 7:7–8).
- Dreams placed in your heart often serve a divine purpose, even when they seem delayed.
- Faith sometimes looks like stillness, and other times, like courageously knocking on a closed door.
- God’s timing is always perfect—He arranges opportunities long before we recognize them.
- Don’t let fear keep you from stepping toward what God has already prepared.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever hesitated to “knock” on a door God might be calling you toward? Share your story of faith, persistence, or answered prayer in the comments. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #AskSeekKnock #FaithInAction #DailyPrayer to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
When You Wonder If You Should Knock
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock, and it will be given to you. For everyone who asks receives and the one who seeks finds, to the one who knocks it will be opened.” - Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)
Since I was 10 years old, I deeply desired to be involved in the Christian film industry. This flame burned within me, ignited by movies like FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, and in more recent years, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE and JESUS REVOLUTION.
If you’ve seen any of these or other movies that have tugged at your heart, then you know what I’m talking about. As a young child, movies that gripped me emotionally and glorified God in the process never left my mind. I devoured these films and coaxed my family to watch behind-the-scenes content with me. I loved seeing what went into the process of making a film.
What would it be like to be part of something like that someday?
Before I was even a teenager, I’d filled pages in my prayer journal, asking God to allow me to be involved in the Christian film industry. I thought it was impossible, but I prayed for God to open the door someday.
Eventually, I stopped praying those prayers as often. The hope of serving God in film ministry hadn’t fully died, but I laid it to rest and pursued what God called me to in that season, which included serving in a Biblical drama ministry and writing.
Fast forward to the summer of 2024.
This burning desire to serve in the Christian film industry had only intensified, and I didn’t know what to do with it except continually take it to Jesus and lay it at His feet.
I wrote in my prayer journal: “God, if you want me in the film industry, you’re going to have to push me in there.”
Bold prayer, perhaps.
But then again, nothing is too bold for God.
What I didn’t realize was how God was working behind the scenes, putting all the details in place.
I’d had a longtime mentor whom I’d kept in touch with over the past several years. (He’d originally introduced me to the book that inspired my fiction novel that I’m now seeking representation for). As God would have it, he was also a screenwriter and film producer who moved back into my area and started co-producing a feature film with both his film partner and 3 of my good friends.
Should I ask him if there are mentorship opportunities in film?
Fear initially held me back.
What if now wasn’t the right time? Why would I do something crazy like that?
One September afternoon, I sat on my parents’ porch, overlooking the grassy fields and rocking gently back and forth.
“What do you want me to do, God?” I whispered.
There was no audible whisper in response. Instead, God impressed on my heart a vision of me standing in front of a closed door. He reminded me of the verse in Matthew 7:7-8 where it says: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock, and it will be given to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
In that moment, I knew I needed to knock.
My parents also encouraged me to reach out and ask, confirming what I knew in my heart.
After all, what did I have to lose?
Now, less than a year later, I choke up when I think of how close I came to never knocking.
Honestly, I never could have foreseen the doors that would open simply from that one “knock”. But God did.
I never could have imagined all the people I’ve gotten to meet and work with.
One simple “knock” turned into so many doors opened, including a remote work-from-home job at a digital marketing company on the other side of the country that I would’ve never found—and would’ve never found me—had it not been for God’s hand orchestrating every detail.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How many times do we wait for God to make the first move? Yes, absolutely, there is a time to be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Sometimes, there is nothing we can (or should) do to try to change our circumstances. As the Lord said in Psalm 46:10 (ESV) “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
But sometimes He puts before us a closed door, and He calls us to knock.
Sometimes, He calls us to be like the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), to keep praying and to walk through doors God has opened for us. Sometimes, like in my own story, it wasn’t a clear open door. It was a closed door that God called me to knock on.
I knew it was a possibility that the door may never open.
But I also knew I didn’t want to let fear hold me back from knocking on a door that God wanted to open for me if only I’d been brave enough to ask.
Consider where God has you right now. Is He calling you to be still, trust in His sovereign plan, or to knock on a door He might want to open for you?
Pray with me:
Dear Father, sometimes, I struggle to know exactly what You want me to do. Please give me discernment to know what You want me to do and to trust that it’s enough to just be still and soak in Your presence if that is the only thing You are calling me to in this season. After all, that’s what’s most important. Please show me if there is a closed door You want me to knock on and to be like the persistent widow. To not stop praying for Your will to be done and Your kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In What Does the Lord Require of Us?, Megan J. Conner reminds us that amid the noise of modern life, God’s call to His people has always been simple: love Him and love others. Reflecting on Micah 6:8 and Matthew 22:36–39, this devotional breaks down what it truly means to live justly, practice kindness, and walk humbly with God in a world that often prioritizes self over service.
Highlights
- The Lord’s requirements are clear: act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.
- Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments into two essentials—love God and love others.
- True love is more than emotion; it’s a daily practice of justice, compassion, and humility.
- Kindness requires intentional effort, especially when distractions or pride take center stage.
- Walking humbly keeps our hearts aligned with God’s grace and reminds us that all are equal before Him.
Join the Conversation
What does it look like for you to live out Micah 6:8 today? Share how you’re practicing justice, kindness, and humility in your faith walk. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #WalkHumbly #LoveMercy #FaithInAction to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
What Does the Lord Require of Us?
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“He has told you, O man, what is good;And what does the LORD require of youExcept to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion),And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?” - Micah 6:8 (AMP)
What is the Lord really requiring of us as followers of Christ? Both secular and faith-based cultures flood our feeds, our inboxes, and our minds with directives on how to live our best lives, make the most of our time here on earth, and achieve our dreams. All of which only causes confusion and clutters our already overstimulated brains with more to do. None of us needs more tasks to add to our to-do lists, nor is it helpful for anyone to feel overwhelmed and lost trying to simply walk out our days. Yet that is the noisy chaos in which most of us reside, making it difficult to discern what truly matters.
While this may seem like a modern dilemma, the truth is God’s people have always struggled with priorities. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were given the Ten Commandments as a framework for their faith. These same guidelines are summarized in the New Testament by Jesus in Matthew chapter 22.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matt. 22:36-39 (NIV).
It really isn’t as complicated as we thought it to be. The Lord is asking us two simple things: to love God and love others. Our primary focus is devotion to the Lord. If we are able to do that, the second will flow out of us organically as God is love. If we are full of Him, then we can’t help but share His love with those around us. But what does it really mean to show love?
Modern vernacular tosses around the word “love” flippantly and absent-mindedly.
“I love those shoes!”
“I love it when someone wears pink!”
“I love ice cream!”
“I love that song!”
The list goes on and on… The word has become so overused, it can be challenging for us to fully grasp the depth of its meaning. Today’s passage from the Amplified translation offers us an expanded definition of how followers of Christ show the love of God towards others. It outlines for us what truly is “good.”
“He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion),
And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?” Mic. 6:8 (AMP)
Treating others justly and fairly exemplifies the gospel to those around us. The summarized second greatest commandment suggests we love others as we love ourselves. All of us long to be treated fairly. If we would extend the same justice and respect to others that we desire for ourselves, how much different would our world look today?
The next call is to diligently practice kindness and compassion towards others. This exhortation is accurately described as it does take intentional effort to extend kindness and compassion towards others. Perhaps we are grumpy or discontented and are not in a space where those sentiments flow easily out of us. But more often than not, it is simply because we are so focused on what we personally have going on that we fail to see the needs of others. This is why we must practice kindness, just as we would practice any other ability.
Finally, we are asked to walk humbly before God and others. We are to set aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness. Pride can be a slippery slope for all of us. We esteem ourselves higher than we should, and if we are not careful, we can harshly judge others and push them away from the things of God rather than drawing them near. We must remember that all of us “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus," (Rom. 3:23-24, NIV). We are all equals before the Lord; none better or more valued than another.
We are flawed, distracted, and can be incredibly selfish at times (I know I can). But our Good Father sees the heart within. He knows we struggle to consistently walk in His ways. Thank goodness for the Word of God, which clearly reminds us what the Lord requires of us. All that is needed is for us to love Him and to love others.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What have you understood was required of you as a follower of Christ? Do you feel as if you are fulfilling the mandate God has placed upon us as believers?
Find one intentional way to care for another today as you act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
Further Reading:
1 Corinthians 13
Romans 3:9-24
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s Word isn’t just for reading—it’s a guiding light for everyday life. Drawing from Psalm 119:105, this devotional reminds believers that Scripture can illuminate our paths, giving confidence and wisdom when facing uncertainty. By knowing and applying God’s Word, we can navigate challenges, encourage others, and walk boldly in His will.
Highlights
- The Bible serves as a lamp and light, guiding our decisions and interactions (Psalm 119:105).
- Knowing Scripture equips us to speak and act with confidence in moments of doubt or fear.
- God provides the right words and guidance exactly when we need them.
- Scripture is a love letter from God, offering assurance, direction, and encouragement.
- Daily engagement with God’s Word strengthens faith and empowers us to live righteously.
Join the Conversation
How do you let God’s Word guide your daily life? Share a moment when a verse illuminated your path or gave you courage. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #LightYourPath #ScriptureGuidance #FaithInAction to encourage others to live boldly in His Word.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Let the Word of God Light Your PathBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
As part of my role as the director of discipleship in my church, my husband and I meet with specific team members to gather their thoughts on what they would like to see their teams accomplish in the upcoming year. One thing we had planned was an introductory event for newcomers who had been attending the church for one year or less, where they could learn more about our small groups, teams, and opportunities for involvement.
As we planned the event, it was clear that one woman was becoming increasingly shy and hesitant. When I asked her how she was feeling about it, she immediately said she was getting nervous. She wasn't sure if she could be that outgoing to say hi to strangers and to welcome them into the church. “What if I don't know what to say?” she asked. I suggested that she write out what she wanted to say ahead of time and have it in front of her. I also give her tips and questions she could ask, so that the situation is more about them rather than about her.
Yet, she was still hesitant. Recalling the words God said to Moses when he was reticent about speaking for the Lord, I told her, “If the Lord can give Moses what to say at the time it's needed, he could do the same for you.” I encouraged her by praying with her, letting her know that the Lord would give her exactly the right words at the exact right time.
It is not only essential to know the word, but it is also important to recall it during pivotal times in our lives. God used that moment to encourage this woman, who was feeling shy and hesitant about being outgoing during a social event. I needed to remind her that God's word is relatable to us, not only to do the right things, but also to be reminded of God's promises.
God never lets us down, and when he wants us to speak for him, he will give us the right words at the right time. She needed my reassurance and a gentle reminder that God is with us wherever we go. If he wants her to speak, he will give her the words at the right time.
At that moment, my knowledge of the Bible was not simply a rote recitation of a verse. Instead, it was a way to light the path for this woman to socialize and welcome newcomers at her table. This is a great way to encourage her and to let her know she was valuable and essential in the Kingdom of God. When she doubted herself, the word of God illuminated her path and gave her the assurance she needed to complete the task.
Think about the word of God. Do you know enough scriptures so that when you are tempted by the enemy, feeling insecure in your identity, or unsure of your next direction, you can pull out a verse and rest in its assurance, allowing God to encourage you during a time of confusion or despair?
The word of God is not simply a bunch of words to memorize. Instead, it is a love letter to his people. It is also a way to live righteously in accordance with God's commands. When we choose to live God's way rather than our way, life is better. The Lord guides our path with the light of His presence and the anchor of His word, to guide us.
Just like the word of God illuminated that woman's path to her abilities, the word of God can illuminate your path as well. Incorporate scripture memorization into your daily routine and allow the word of God to illuminate your daily path as well.
Father, let us know the scriptures well enough to allow them to light our path. Let us not simply be hearers of the word but doers of the word as well. When we know Scripture well enough to apply it to daily situations, we know we are growing in our faith. Allow us to be mature by digesting and using the word daily. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
In what ways do you use the word of God daily? What is one step you can take to know the word of God better?
Further Reading:
Matthew 5:16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s faithfulness is as constant as the sun, moon, and stars. Drawing from James 1:17, this devotional illustrates how the “Father of the heavenly lights” faithfully provides good and perfect gifts to His children, even amidst the shifting shadows of life.
Highlights
- God’s faithfulness mirrors the steady appearance of the sun, moon, and stars.
- Everyday blessings—like food, family, and life itself—are gifts from the Heavenly Father.
- Even in difficult seasons, God’s goodness is constant, visible through both large and small acts of provision.
- Unlike fleeting shadows or changing circumstances, God’s character and love never waver.
- Practicing gratitude allows us to recognize and receive His blessings in our daily lives.
Join the Conversation
How has God’s faithfulness been evident in your life? Share how you recognize His daily blessings and encourage others to look up and give thanks. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #HeavenlyLights #FaithfulGod #GratefulHeart to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Father of Heavenly Lights Sends You BlessingsBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17, NIV
The Father of the heavenly lights is such a wonderful name for God! It reminds you that the same God who listens to your prayers is the one who created the brilliant sun, the glowing moon, and every single star that glitters in the vast night sky.
The God who faithfully makes sure these heavenly lights appear regularly is just as faithful to send good and perfect gifts down into your life.
Every single morning, without fail, the sun rises. It pours out light and warmth that support all life on Earth. You don’t have to do anything to earn a sunrise, and you don’t have to worry about whether or not it will show up. Every sunrise is a gift from God. Your life is filled with other blessings from God that are so consistent you might not even notice them anymore, such as your heartbeat, the food you have to eat, and the people who love you. Just like the sun, these blessings are a constant sign of God’s faithful goodness to you. Sometimes, of course, your days feel cloudy. You sometimes go through challenging seasons that block out the warmth of God’s love. But just as the sun is still shining above the clouds, God’s goodness is still present in your life, even when you can’t feel it. The “Father of heavenly lights” is constant, and his good gifts are always being sent down into your life. When you see the sun in the morning, let it be your first reminder of the day that God’s goodness is here again for you.
When the sun sets each evening, a whole new display of God’s faithfulness appears. The moon rises, reflecting the sun’s light to guide your way. A huge number of distant stars start to sparkle in the sky. The moon and stars shine with steady light during dark nights. They can remind you of how God sends his light into the darkness of this fallen world with a steady glow that you can always find when you’re looking for God. You may see God’s light shining through your life in many different ways, like guidance to make an important decision or a strong sense of peace after you’ve prayed. The next time you look up at the night sky, think of the countless stars as a picture of God’s countless blessings. Many are small and easy to overlook, but together they create a breathtaking display of his constant care for you.
The verse concludes that God “does not change like shifting shadows.” Shadows move and change throughout the day. In the morning, they’re long, like they’re stretched out. At noon, they’re shorter. In the evening, they grow long again before disappearing into the night. Shadows are unreliable because they’re always changing.
Just like shadows, your feelings and your circumstances often change. But God is not like a shifting shadow. He is completely and eternally constant. Your Heavenly Father’s love for you doesn’t change, and neither does his good and faithful character.
The heavenly lights – like the sun, moon, and stars – appear in the sky faithfully. You can count on seeing those lights because of God’s design, and you can count on God – the Father of the heavenly lights – to send good gifts down into your life faithfully, as well. In this fallen world of shifting shadows, you can rely on your unchanging God to send you blessings regularly. Your only job is to look up and receive them with thankfulness!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how God faithfully sends blessings into your life, reflect on these questions:
- How does thinking of God as the “Father of heavenly lights” change the way you think about a sunrise, a sunset, or a starry night?
- What is one “good gift” in your life that, like the sun, is so consistent you sometimes forget to thank God for it? Go ahead and thank God for it now.
- Think about an especially challenging period in your life. Reflecting on that time now, can you see any small glimmers of God’s faithfulness that were present even then?
- James 1:17 says that God “does not change like shifting shadows.” How does this promise encourage you when your feelings or circumstances are changing?
- What’s one way you can use the sky to remind you this week to thank God for his blessings?
Further Reading:
Hebrews 13:8
Psalm 19:1
Psalm 136:7-9
Lamentations 3:22-23
2 Corinthians 4:6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Lauren Fletcher reflects on a season of unexpected challenges—unmet career goals, personal setbacks, and the responsibility of caring for her mother and grandmother. Drawing from Romans 8:28, this devotional reminds believers that God works all things together for good, even when life seems off-track, showing that His timing and purposes are perfect.
Highlights
- Life may not align with our personal plans, but God’s purposes are always at work.
- Unexpected seasons can provide opportunities to serve, care, and grow spiritually.
- Trusting God’s timing allows us to see His provision even in difficult circumstances.
- Psalm 139:16 reassures us that every moment of our lives is already known and held by God.
- What may feel like disappointment can be part of a larger, “brutiful” (brutal yet beautiful) plan.
Join the Conversation
How have you experienced God’s timing in unexpected ways? Share your story and encourage others to trust His purposes. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #TrustHisTiming #FaithInAction #Romans828 to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Right Where I Was Supposed to Be
By Lauren Fletcher
Bible Reading:
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” - Romans 8:28
It was not the season I had always dreamt about. A quiet room, tears streaming down my face, no job or husband — this was not my ideal year.
I had been seeing a counselor for several months, and she was encouraging me to apply for jobs. I would get excited, think about where I’d like to apply, and then something would get me off track. Whether emotions, circumstances, or big life events changed things, I was not doing what I was “supposed to” be doing. I was not living the independent adult life that we both thought I should be living.
There is a verse in Proverbs that I have thought about recently: “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Though I had been making plans for the future, hoping that I would have a job and get back “on track,” when things seemed to fall through, I realized God had other—perfect—plans.
That year, my mother broke her arm. I cared for her and helped her through the weeks she was unable to care for herself physically. It was a growing time in our relationship dynamic, and she was also able to be more present, as I’d just gotten divorced and needed the emotional support.
Months later, my grandmother became ill. With late nights in the ER, days of waiting in hospital rooms for a physician’s report, eating cafeteria food on the daily—it finally hit me. If I’d had a job, I would not have been able to be with her like this. I would not be able to stay in her room all day and help her.
As I considered these things, I knew God had called me to this, that this was His will, to take care of my grandmother, my family. I had this newfound understanding that God had put me in the right place at the right time—I was right where I was supposed to be all along.
Those days turned into months, and hospital rooms turned into hospice care. With long hours of sitting and doing nothing but being there, I remember being restless. Things still were not as expected, and I was getting frustrated by the amount of money I was spending on eating out. A friend told me I would not regret the time I spent with my grandmother. It was hard to see then, but on the other side of things, I understand now. After Easter, my grandmother went to Heaven. I was thankful for the provision God had given me with time and finances during this season.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
In Romans, Paul says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28). When I reflect on the year of what seemed like disappointments as far as career and life goals, I realize God had something else in mind. I was able to be present for my family and their needs. God worked together the hard times to bring about something good.
Is there a situation in your life that seems like a disappointment or where your expectations are not quite lining up with what you’re experiencing? Can you see where God is working something out for good? Sometimes, I find it’s in the unexpected. It may be in the “bru-tiful” (brutal yet beautiful), as my friend, Mallory, puts it.
In Psalms 139:16, David says, “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” This scripture comforts me that God already knows what my life will look like, what life events or challenges may come up, and what joyful moments I will experience. It encourages me to trust in Him. How can this passage comfort you, that every day of your life is already known to God? Let this understanding draw you into deeper trust and intimacy with Him.
Further Reading:
Proverbs 16:9
Jeremiah 29:11
Psalms 139:16
Philippians 4:19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In The Glory Due His Name, Megan J. Conner reminds us that in a world obsessed with the artificial, it’s easy to lose sight of the majesty of God’s creation. Drawing from Psalm 29:2–4, this devotional calls believers to lift their eyes from the screens and distractions of daily life and return to authentic worship—to “ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name.”
Highlights
- In a world filled with man-made distractions, we often overlook God’s true glory in creation.
- Like the Israelites in the wilderness, we easily forget God’s faithfulness and miracles when we focus on worldly comforts.
- God’s handiwork is all around us—every breath, seed, and heartbeat declares His majesty.
- Worship is not just a Sunday activity; it’s a daily act of remembrance and gratitude for God’s provision and redemption.
- We are called to lift our gaze, turn from distractions, and proclaim His greatness to the world.
Join the Conversation
How do you intentionally worship God in your daily life? Share your reflections and inspire others to glorify Him amid life’s noise. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #AscribeGlory #WorthyIsTheLord #FaithInAction to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Glory Due His NameBy Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.” - Psalm 29:2-4 (NIV)
In today’s culture, we are surrounded by so much that is man-made, artificial, and superficial that it can be easy to overlook the glory of God. It is sad to say, but unfortunately, it is the truth. Especially in “wealthier” nations or more developed areas of the world. We rarely lack food to eat, have more entertainment at our fingertips than we know what to do with, and spend countless hours consuming content that promotes the “here-and-now” far more than the divine eternity awaiting us on the other side of mortality.
Even further, our vision is so low (literally, as most of us spend our days staring at phones or screens) that we fail to look up and out at the splendor of creation all around us. God spoke our universe into existence with His very words. Every atom, seed, and beating heart bears the fingerprints of our Living God, and yet we fail to recognize the majestic as we have belittled it as common. It is so familiar to us that it yields little to no attention. But the clamor of the latest trends, videos, or news articles will prompt us to view, like, subscribe, and share in an instant. These behaviors are not just the mannerisms of secular culture. They are the norm for Christians and non-Christians alike.
Yet, as believers, we are called to intentionally turn our eyes away from worthless things (Psalm 119:37). We are exhorted to remind ourselves of all He has done for us. He formed us each individually in our mother’s wombs (Psalm 139:13). He meets ALL of our needs (Philippians 4:9, Matt 6:25-34). And, He sent his only Son to pay the penalty for our sins so that we might be reconciled to the Father (John 3:16). In response to His endless love, mercy, and grace, we should wake in the morning with praise upon our lips. (Psalm 34:1). We should declare His deeds among the people, for He has done marvelous things (Isaiah 12:4-5). We should be shouting, and dancing, and celebrating God’s goodness and presence in our lives, yet our vision has become dulled, and we are lulled to sleep by the “security” of this world.
Our memories are short, just like those of the Israelites of old when they wandered in the desert. Though God had performed the most incredible miracles before their very eyes (the parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven to satisfy their hunger, and water bursting forth from a rock to satiate their thirst). However, they struggled to recall these divine interventions as they continually fixated on their fleshly desires. And we succumb to the same, repetitious temptations. But just like the Israelites and countless other biblical characters who knowingly, or unknowingly, lost sight of the majestic works of our God, we have a choice. We can choose to open our hearts and eyes to the evidence of the Creator all around us. We can choose to recognize all of the individual blessings God has bestowed upon us. And we can rejoice over the ultimate gift of salvation that redeemed our very souls.
In light of such wondrous deeds, how could we hold back our praise? Will you join me today in ascribing to Him the glory due His name? May we stand out as voices in the muffled silence, as light in the darkness, to a world desperately in need of authentic and enduring hope. He truly is worthy!
“Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness…All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you.” - Psalm 145:3-10 (NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How often do you find yourself ascribing to the Lord the glory He is due? Do you recognize and celebrate His creation? Are you thankful for the blessings He has provided in your life? Or are you easily distracted by the things of this world?
There is no judgment for those who struggle with the daily practice of worship. As shared earlier, all of us, including me, can easily fall into seasons of apathy when it comes to our faith. But may I encourage you today to choose another way? Pick one practice through which you can prioritize worship as part of your daily routine. Maybe you thank God for a new day before your feet hit the floor. Or you commit to reading a praise scripture each day for the sole purpose of glorifying our God. Whatever you choose, be intentional about it. Don’t give yourself an excuse. Together, let us praise the Lord, each and every day!
Further Reading:
Psalm 29
Psalm 145
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In No More Goodbyes, Alexis A. Goring tenderly reflects on the deep sorrow of loss and the eternal hope believers have in Jesus Christ. Drawing from Matthew 5:4, this devotional reminds us that while goodbyes are painful, they are never final for those who belong to Christ. One day, in Heaven, there will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more goodbyes—only joy in God’s presence and reunion with loved ones who have gone before us. Through Scripture and song, Alexis invites readers to rest in the comforting truth that death does not have the final word—Jesus does.
Highlights
- Earthly goodbyes are temporary; eternal reunion awaits in Heaven.
- Sin and death entered the world through Adam and Eve, but salvation through Christ restores eternal life.
- Jesus’ sacrifice gives believers unshakable hope beyond loss and sorrow.
- Heaven promises perfect peace—no pain, no separation, no final farewells.
- Worship songs like “Goodbye for Now” and “No More Pain” beautifully express the hope of Heaven and the comfort of Christ.
Join the Conversation
How does the promise of no more goodbyes comfort you today? Have you experienced peace through God’s promise of eternal reunion? Share your reflections or favorite worship songs that bring you hope with @LifeAudioNetwork using #HeavenHope #FaithBeyondGoodbyes #EternalComfort
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
No More Goodbyes
By: Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4 NIV
A few years ago, one of my author friends shared that the doctors told them it was time to say goodbye to their daughter because there was nothing else the hospital staff could do to revive her life. Reluctantly and with deep sorrow, they said their final goodbye to their young daughter who had died.
This sad story made me think of how there will come a time when we who believe in God and are faithful followers of Jesus Christ will never need to say goodbye to loved ones ever again because we will be in immortal bodies living in the presence of our Savior (Jesus Christ) in Heaven.
It also reminds me of the song “Goodbye for Now” by Kathy Troccoli. Kathy opens the song singing from the perspective of someone who has lost a loved one. It feels surreal, like a dream. They cannot believe that their loved one is no longer living. That person was their world, and they feel like they cannot continue living without them. It’s to the point where they feel dead inside. She sings about how much she misses her loved one through the changing seasons of life. But then, she remembers that she has hope because, for faithful followers of Jesus Christ, death is not the conclusion. She knows that there will be a time when she will see her loved one again (when they are reunited in Heaven). Joy quickens her voice as she says how she looks forward to being reunited with her loved one and seeing their face, hearing their voice, and laughing together again. She looks forward to holding them close and never shedding a tear of sadness again because in Heaven, they will live forever and never have to say goodbye again. How she longs for that day! But for now, as she lives on Earth, she knows she has to say goodbye.
Saying goodbye to someone you love is never easy, even if you’re just saying it before you go on a journey, but have every intention of returning and seeing them alive before they die. I think that deep inside our hearts as humans, we know that we were made for eternity, and death was not part of God’s original plan for humankind. We can read the Bible story about Adam and Eve, who brought sin and death into this world when they disobeyed God. God made them perfect in every way. They were healthy, happy, and surrounded by beauty in the Garden of Eden. They were allowed to eat the fruit on every single tree, except one tree: The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God told them not to touch it nor eat its fruit because if they did, they would die (Genesis 2:16-17). Quite often, Adam and Eve walked and talked with God in the Garden. They tended to the garden and enjoyed their perfect marriage that God ordained. All was right with the world until one day, Satan deceived them and led Eve to disobey God by touching and eating the forbidden fruit. She shared it with Adam, who ate it too, and then everything went downhill. Sin entered this world, and with it came disease, sickness, death, and what could have been eternal separation from God. But God, in His mercy and loving kindness, made a salvation plan to rescue humankind—He promised to send His Son (Jesus Christ) to save our souls and reconcile us to Him (John 3:16-17).
Because of Adam and Eve’s transgression, all humans are sinful from the moment of conception and after birth (Psalm 51:5). The Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Scripture also says the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) but that verse ends with a note of hope saying, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV). Jesus Christ completed God’s plan to save human souls (John 3:16). He made a way for us to be reconciled to God and experience eternity in perfection again, but this time it will last forever.
While we are experiencing this imperfect life on Earth, we and our loved ones in our mere mortal bodies will eventually die, and we will have to say goodbye for now. However, we can cling to hope in Christ because we know that we will be reunited with loved ones and God in Heaven for all eternity. It is a hope worth living for. There are two songs that inspired this message. In conclusion, I encourage you to listen to these beautiful, soul-soothing melodies.
Song of Reflection #1: “Goodbye for Now” by Kathy Troccoli. Listen Here
Song of Reflection #2: “No More Pain” by Point of Grace. Listen Here
Intersecting Faith and Life:
How do you feel to know that one day you will never have to say goodbye to a loved one again?
Further Reading:
Isaiah 53:5
Psalm 32:1
John 14:2-4
Revelation 21:1-4
Revelation 22:1-5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In Jesus Knows Our Hearts, Michelle Lazurek explores how Jesus’ divine discernment reveals the truth hidden within every heart—and how believers can develop that same spiritual sensitivity. Drawing from Mark 2:8, this devotional reminds us that while people see only appearances, Christ sees the motives, pain, and wounds beneath our words and actions. Just as Jesus lovingly confronted the Pharisees’ hypocrisy and discerned the true needs of those He healed, we too are called to invite the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, heal hidden hurts, and guide us in extending discernment and grace to others.
Highlights
- Jesus’ discernment reveals the deeper issues behind people’s words and actions.
- Healing and leadership both begin with emotional and spiritual health.
- The Pharisees’ outward spirituality contrasted with the impurity Jesus saw within their hearts.
- God calls us to develop the gift of discernment through prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
- True healing comes when we allow the Spirit to expose and heal unprocessed hurt, fostering unity in the body of Christ.
Join the Conversation
How has God revealed what’s truly in your heart lately? Have you asked the Holy Spirit to uncover wounds or patterns that need healing? Share your reflections and stories of discernment with @LifeAudioNetwork using #HeartCheck #FaithThatHeals #SpiritLedLiving.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Jesus Knows Our HeartsBy: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:“Immediately, Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, Why are you thinking these things?” - Mark 2:8
A woman from the women's ministry team at our church requested to meet with me. As we met to discuss some difficulties she was having with gaining momentum for the ministry’s events, securing regular attenders, and integrating deep discipleship into each event, I sensed a more profound longing behind her words. As I listened, I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me to discern that a deeper issue was at play.
I pivoted her questions to her recent exchange with another leader in the church. This leader commented that this person had not been nice to her and had made some rude comments. I then asked her what was really going on. I asked her to comment specifically on her relationship with her previous pastor, who had now been gone for several years. She put her head down and immediately began to cry.
She discussed all the ways she felt the pastor had dishonored her and made her feel like she wasn't an essential part of one of their teams. We both agreed after our conversation that she, as the leader, needed some healing. We understood the importance of having healthy leadership to lead teams effectively. I asked her to hold off on beginning any new group for a few months, suggested some books on grief, and asked her to go through them.
Jesus not only was a good leader, as he taught his followers how to do the work he would do when he was gone, but he also knew what was in their hearts. With the gift of discernment, he was able to understand what was truly going on in a person's heart.
For example, he was able to make comments to the Pharisees about their hearts being unclean because he knew that evil lurked deep within their souls. They acted spiritual and educated, but deep down, they weren't. Their actions didn't match their words. The Pharisees wanted to dictate to everyone else how to live their lives, but their own actions didn't align with their lifestyle. Jesus knew this and lovingly confronted them on their issues.
In the same way, he was able to discern whether someone was ill, demonically influenced, or just needed a bit of healing. In each situation, he was able to meet their need.
Similarly, we need to refine our gift of discernment in relation to the people within our church. It is essential to discern when someone shares a personal experience, discusses gossip about another person, or vents about a challenging situation that is affecting them, so you understand what's truly happening.
Connecting the dots for people helps them understand that sometimes their issue with one person isn't the real issue at all. Sometimes unprocessed hurt, unforgiveness, and old wounds manifest in anger, unforgiveness, and bitterness toward others. However, when they can heal what has been broken or hurt, they can act in healthier ways toward others. With his gift of discernment, Jesus was not only able to heal people's physical ailments but also their hearts.
Take a moment to analyze your heart. Are there any issues within your soul, either within yourself or with someone else, that cause you to act out in unhealthy ways? Do you find yourself getting angry at the traffic or at other issues, when it may have more to do with a problematic relationship in your life? What steps can you take to help heal that relationship today?
Take time to be with the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to unearth within you any unprocessed wounds, hurt, unforgiveness, bitterness, rage, or anything else that would be hindering you from having healthy relationships in the future. Allow the Holy Spirit to heal you in every way possible. Ask the spirit to give you the gift of discernment so that when you talk with others, you can quickly discern the real issue behind the current situation.
When we can heal others emotionally, spiritually, and mentally, we can interact with others in healthier ways. This fosters a sense of unity within the body of Christ, enabling the church to work together efficiently to accomplish the work of the Kingdom.
Father, let us be people who have the gift of discernment. Help us to discern what is in people's hearts. Help us to be brave enough to call out whatever may be hindering them. Let us help them through the process of total healing so that the body of Christ spreads the gospel to the nations. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are there any areas of your life with which you need healing? How can you utilize your time with the Lord in prayer to initiate this process of healing?
Further Reading:Luke 5:22-23
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In Let God Light a Fire in You, Whitney Hopler invites readers to experience the transforming power of God’s fire—a divine flame that purifies, strengthens, and ignites faith. Drawing from Hebrews 12:28-29, this devotional reminds us that while the world is shakable, God’s kingdom remains unshakable, offering us refuge, renewal, and purpose. When we draw near to His consuming fire, He burns away fear and sin, filling our hearts with passion, gratitude, and awe for His unchanging love.
Highlights
- God’s fire purifies and refines, removing sin, fear, and doubt while igniting deeper passion for Him.
- Hebrews 12:28-29 assures believers that God’s kingdom cannot be shaken—unlike the instability of the world around us.
- True worship flows from reverence and awe, as we encounter God’s holiness and power more personally.
- Gratitude fuels worship: focusing on God’s faithfulness anchors us amid uncertainty.
- As we invite God to light His fire in our hearts, we reflect His light to others and grow stronger in faith.
Join the Conversation
How has God’s fire refined or reignited your faith lately? What areas of your life need His purifying touch or renewed passion? Share your reflections with @LifeAudioNetwork using #FaithOnFire #UnshakableKingdom #GodsConsumingFire and inspire others to draw closer to His light.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Let God Light a Fire in YouBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'” – Hebrews 12:28-29, NIV
When possible, I love to light a candle to use during my evening prayer and meditation time. There’s something powerful about looking at a bright flame and reflecting on how God’s light brings hope into the darkness of this fallen world. There are so many ways that God burns brightly – through his passionate love, through his unlimited power, through his wisdom that enlightens us, and much more!
This Bible passage tells us that our “God is a consuming fire.” A physical fire purifies the area around it as it emits light and heat. When we draw close to God’s fire, he begins to burn away the impurities in our lives, such as sin, fear, doubt, and selfishness. The process can be uncomfortable, but it cleanses us and makes us more like Jesus. At the same time, God’s fire ignites a passion within us that fuels our faith and lights up our path so we can see where we’re going. A faith that has been touched by the fire of God shines brightly, drawing others in and pointing them toward the source of the flame.
We learn from these verses that we are “receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken”. Everything in our world can be shaken. Our relationships can end, we can lose our jobs, our health can fail, and we can lose much more in this world that’s full of uncertainty. But God’s kingdom is unshakable. It’s the ultimate safe place, because we’re cared for there by our loving and powerful Creator.
The passage continues by saying: “let us be thankful.” In response to being included in God’s kingdom, we should have an attitude of gratitude that inspires us to look beyond our changing circumstances to our unchanging God, who always loves us. When we focus on the unshakable hope we have in God, it’s easier to feel thankful, even when we’re going through temporary situations that are shaky.
The Bible then guides us to “worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” These two words, reverence and awe, involve getting to know God better and growing in your respect for God, as well as your ability to notice and be inspired by God’s wonder. The closer you grow to God, the more you can experience God’s unlimited power, his perfect holiness, and his unending love for you. You can move from knowing about God to truly knowing God. When you do, you’ll be so inspired with wonder that you’ll naturally be motivated to worship God. You won’t be able to help being amazed by who God is.
So, don’t be afraid to move closer to God’s fire. Invite God to burn away what doesn’t belong in your life. Ask God to set your heart on fire with his love. As you invite God to light a fire in you, you’ll find your faith becoming stronger, and you’ll feel the consuming fire of God’s love!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how to invite God to light a fire of faith in you, reflect on these questions:
- What “shaky” things in your life are causing you anxiety right now? How does focusing on God’s unshakable kingdom change your perspective on them?
- What are three specific blessings you’re thankful for today? How can you turn that thankfulness into worship?
- When was the last time you felt a sense of awe in God’s presence? What happened, and how can you seek out more experiences like that?
- Since God can act as a “consuming fire” in your life, which impurities (like a bad habit or a recurring fear) would you like God to burn away first?
- What is an area of your life where you need God’s fire to bring more passion? How can you cooperate with God to ignite that spark?
Further Reading:
Deuteronomy 4:24
Malachi 3:2-3
2 Timothy 1:6-7
Isaiah 6:3-5
Psalm 96:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life feels like it’s falling apart, Megan J. Conner reminds us in Salvation and Strength that true peace isn’t found in control, hustle, or quick fixes—it’s found in surrender. Drawing from Isaiah 30:15, this devotional calls believers to embrace repentance, rest, quietness, and trust as the pathway to strength and salvation. Even when the world shakes, God remains steady, guarding, guiding, and granting peace to those who rest in Him.
Highlights
- Isaiah 30:15 teaches that salvation and strength come through repentance, rest, quietness, and trust—not striving.
- When everything feels unstable, God remains our unshakable source of peace and protection.
- Biblical examples like Joseph, Elijah, and Esther reveal that deliverance often comes through stillness and surrender.
- Our efforts can fuel anxiety, but rest allows God to work on our behalf.
- Silence is powerful—when we quiet distractions, we can hear God’s gentle whisper and receive renewed strength.
Join the Conversation
Where do you turn when your world feels unsteady? How has God met you in moments of stillness and surrender? Share your reflections with @LifeAudioNetwork and encourage others to find strength in quiet trust. Use #RestInGod #FaithOverFear #QuietStrength to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Salvation and StrengthBy Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” - Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)
Does your world feel like it is splitting apart at the seams? Perhaps you are facing a tragic, unexpected loss or an unplanned change in your circumstances, and it feels like a seismic shift has cracked open the very ground beneath your feet. Or you may be overwhelmed by what you see, hear, or read in the news or on social media. Everything appears to be out of control, and you are struggling to find any measure of security or stability. Where can you obtain help? Is it even possible to discover peace?
Grasping for that elusive sense of safety and security has been an ongoing struggle for all of humanity. From the Old Testament to the New, the Word of God is filled with accounts of believers facing adversity and longing for rescue and respite. Just take a look at the stories of Joseph, Elijah, or Esther, to name a few. In each narrative, we witness the demise of their anticipated plans and purposes without practical solutions. They could not solve their own problems or fight their way out of their troubles. Rather, it was through rest and quietness that their deliverance was provided.
Today’s passage from Isaiah offers clear direction for those struggling through seasons of shifting sand. “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” (Isaiah 30:15, NIV). It is not through battle, through wrestling, through hustle, busyness, or all the rest, that we obtain peace. More often than not, our human efforts will fail to bring about the desired outcomes simply because they are prompted by the wrong motives. We long for a quick escape. We want the unpleasant circumstances to change. Yet, God sees far beyond that. As unwelcome as they may be, our Good Father is using your current challenges to grow your faith and draw you closer to Him. He has not left you alone to claw your way out of your circumstances. Instead, He reminds you that He, and He alone, is the source of your strength. Your help comes from Him.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121 (NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How do you respond when it feels like your world has undergone a seismic shift? Do you find yourself running in circles, trying to repair everything? Is it easy or hard for you to release your future to the Lord? Why or why not?
I know for me personally, relinquishing control, even if it is only the perception of control, is incredibly difficult. However, I have learned my efforts rarely generate anything other than increased anxiety. If that is you as well, join me today and intentionally choose rest and quietness. When you feel an itch to get up and hustle your way through your dilemma, force yourself to remain seated. If necessary, physically sit down in a comfortable chair and surrender your security to the Lord. Sometimes our bodies need to reflect the actions of our hearts.
If you are seeking noise and distraction to cover up the discontent in your soul, turn off the TV, podcast, radio, or even white noise and simply rest in the silence. Remember – silence offers strength. It is in the quiet stillness that we can hear the gentle whisper of the Lord.
God is faithful to fulfill His promise. “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)
Further Reading:
Psalm 23
Psalm 46:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Hannah Benson reminds us that even in seasons of deep heartache, God is near. Drawing on Psalm 34:18, this devotional illustrates how God gently removes our illusions of control and calls us to surrender, trusting Him through grief, loss, and uncertainty. In doing so, He transforms our pain into opportunities for growth and deepened faith.
Highlights
- God draws near to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.
- Painful loss and heartache can reveal areas of life where God desires greater trust and surrender.
- Surrendering to God, even amid fear and uncertainty, allows His grace and peace to work within us.
- Life’s trials can deepen intimacy with God, helping us lean on Him instead of our own control.
- Scripture reassures that Jesus remains constant and faithful, even when our hearts hurt (Hebrews 13:8).
Join the Conversation
How has God been present in your seasons of loss or heartache? Are you allowing Him to transform your pain into trust and growth? Share your reflections, encourage others, and join the conversation with @LifeAudioNetwork using #HopeInHim #TrustThroughPain #GodIsNear.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Hope When Your Heart Hurts
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
Tears filled my eyes.
Why did it have to hurt so much?
I was 15 years old, a tender homeschooled high school sophomore, and for the first time in my life, I’d thought I’d found my very own kindred spirit. We’d not known each other long, but already, it felt as if we’d known each other forever. Perhaps we’d be forever friends, like Anne of Green Gables and her kindred spirit, Diana, or Katie Weldon and Christy Miller (from Robin Jones Gunn’s bestselling Christy Miller series).
But it didn’t turn out that way, and looking back, I recognize that I clung to this friendship with an iron fist until it became more important to me than God.
An idol.
We know from Scripture that God, rightly so, will not permit idols in our lives (Exodus 20:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 Samuel 5:2-4). Anything that we hold tighter than God becomes an idol, which He will either remove or put into its proper place in our lives.
The removal of something, something that might even be good, and surrendering to God’s will, hurts sometimes.
When God allowed that friend to walk away from my life, it hurt so terribly.
I shed countless tears.
But even as I wept, in the deepest parts of my soul, something was happening.
I didn’t know it at the time, but I realize now that the Lord was peeling back a layer of myself, exposing me to His grace.
And as the years passed and more relationships shifted and my heart broke a little more, God gently peeled back another layer as one removes a band-aid, asking me to be more vulnerable with Him and to lean on Him.
I didn’t realize until later that the Lord wanted all of me. I’d been so afraid to surrender my will that I clung to my life and the things I thought I could control with an iron fist.
But little by little, God called me to let go and trust Him.
As the years passed, I became increasingly aware of the fact that I wasn’t in charge, and at the age of 19, I’d lost even the illusion of control when my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
I remember sitting on the wooden floor in our family room, my family clustered around Mom after her visit to the doctor. The moment she told us she had bad news, tears filled my eyes.
Because I knew.
It was as if a dark shadow descended over our home, striking fear into our hearts. We all know life can be fragile, but when we’re slapped in the face with something as terrible as cancer, we begin to realize for the first time how fragile it is.
The next day, I journaled my thoughts in a prayer to the Lord. “It is an odd thing, truly, to be surrounded by such peace in the midst of such awful news.” It didn’t make sense to me or even to my mom, who also had peace and a growing trust in God. Yet during that season, our entire family felt the nearness of God in a way we never had before.
But it took God removing us from our comfort zone and giving us an opportunity to trust Him.
It took surrendering and laying down everything to the Lord. Countless tears and begging God for a miracle, but fully realizing His plans might not be ours. God reminded me, as I remembered the friendship I’d lost years earlier and wondered if I would lose my mom, that even though it felt like He was breaking me, He was only in the process of making me who He wanted me to be.
Are you being pulled from your comfort zone? Maybe you have children leaving home, elderly parents that need to be cared for, or an unknown future facing you. I believe that God will take us from where we’re comfortable to where we’ll trust Him even if it means stripping our illusion of control.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Friends, the breaking is part of the making.
God’s ways are higher than ours, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). When my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I didn’t know how that could be true. But the truth of Scripture isn’t based on our feelings but on God. It led me to answer hard questions I’d never wanted to ask: What if God did allow me to lose my mom? (For those of you wondering, she was declared cancer-free in July 2023. Praise Jesus!)
However, amid not knowing, God challenged me to make the decision to praise and worship Him no matter what happened and to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Even when the future remained unclear, God reminded me that one thing never changes: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 ESV). The same is true no matter what you’re going through today. Jesus remains the same and will give you hope even when your heart hurts.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Aaron D’Anthony Brown reminds us that even in the midst of fear, suffering, or societal pressures, we can trust in God’s light. Drawing on Psalm 56:3, this devotional encourages believers to approach God honestly, commit to Him consistently, and seek strength in community so that darkness does not have the final word.
Highlights
- Darkness and suffering are inevitable in a fallen world, but God’s faithful love remains constant.
- Honest, earnest prayer aligns our hearts with Christ and brings hope even in difficult circumstances.
- Commitment to God involves daily devotion, prayer, and active participation in His community.
- Surrounding yourself with supportive believers strengthens faith and reduces the grip of fear.
- Trusting God allows His light to shine through life’s challenges, replacing fear with faith.
Join the Conversation
How do you respond when darkness creeps into your life? Are you leaning into God’s presence and trusting His light, or trying to face struggles alone? Share your reflections, encourage others, and join the conversation with @LifeAudioNetwork using #TrustInGod #FaithOverFear #GodsLightShines.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Trusting God’s Light When Darkness Creeps In
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading:
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3, CSB)
Imagine dwelling in a society where people cheer on death and violence. Imagine that this excitement is directed at people like you, with your values and beliefs. Now, imagine society actively trying to bring about death and violence in your life and the lives of those you love. There are places like that in this world.
That’s a harsh truth on top of the everyday things that already make us feel sad, lonely, hurt, and afraid - relationships, financial struggles, loss.
No matter when you come into this world, or where, there’s always suffering. When the darkness creeps in, there are a few steps you should take to ensure the darkness doesn’t win. We may be tempted to give up, and tempted to give in, but we certainly don’t have to. We never do.
Talk Earnestly to God
Perhaps you know this, but don’t quite believe it. God wants to hear from you. Yes, He knows what darkness has crept into your life, and the truth is, He has allowed it. Yet, at the same time, God cares. And if He cares, then there must be a reason for the suffering. Ask Him why. Talk openly and honestly about the pain.
In Psalm 13, David sings to God, asking some rather tough questions about his suffering. “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” Imagine saying that to someone or someone saying that to you.
We don’t talk to God to inform Him but rather to conform ourselves to the image of Christ. David knew he could approach the throne, but knew that God was in control of everything. That’s why, after these deep questions for God, he ends on a note of optimism. He has decided to “trust” in God’s “faithful love.”
Commit Yourself to God
Yes, committing yourself to God involves prayer, but it also involves so much more. Many who consider themselves to be Christians only talk to God when calamity hits. They plead for God to help and often thank Him when He does, but afterward, the Lord is yet again an afterthought until the next crisis hits.
If you want solid trust in God, then you have to start with commitment. Pray when life is down, but also when things are looking up. Go to church and get involved, even in a small capacity. Read Scripture and meditate on God’s Word daily.
The more you think about the Lord and His righteousness, sovereignty, and power, the less of a stranglehold the darkness will have over you. You’ll be tempted to fear, but you won’t because you’ll remember the Truth.
Find Strength in Others
God did not design the first man to be alone, nor did he create us to be alone. He made us for community. When you fall short, and you will, because we all do, find support in those around you. Surround yourself with people who will bring out the best in you. Likewise, seek to bring out the best in them. When we strengthen one another, the bad times don’t hurt as much.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
No matter how many devotionals you read, how much time you spend in the Word, or how often you pray, darkness will creep into your life. We reside in a fallen world, which means suffering is inevitable. No matter how low or high we are in society, we all face some form of suffering. The question is, how will we respond?
As a believer, you have the choice of giving into the darkness, but the better, and obviously wiser option is to choose God. Remember how he has come through for you in the past. Write those blessings down. Get a friend to remind you. Remember, and whenever the darkness appears again, you won’t forget.
Further Reading:
John 15:18
Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs 27:17
Psalm 9:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Whitney Hopler reminds us in Run Hard and Fast in Faith that each day is a gift from God, and we are called to live it with purpose, wonder, and faith. Drawing from 1 Timothy 6:11-12, this devotional encourages believers to seize the life God has called them to, embracing His love, pursuing righteousness, and living intentionally for eternal impact.
Highlights
- Every day is a gift from God, filled with opportunities to live intentionally.
- Pursue a righteous life marked by wonder, faith, love, steadiness, and courtesy (1 Tim. 6:11-12).
- Recognizing God’s work in our lives strengthens faith and inspires action.
- Living with intention helps us focus on what has eternal value, despite daily distractions.
- Running hard in faith brings us closer to Jesus and aligns our lives with His purpose.
Join the Conversation
What does “running hard and fast in faith” look like in your daily life? How can you focus more on God’s work and presence today? Share your reflections, inspire others to live intentionally, and join the conversation with @LifeAudioNetwork using #RunInFaith #SeizeTheDay #FaithInAction.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Run Hard and Fast in FaithBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:“Pursue a righteous life – a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.” – 1 Timothy 6:11-12, The Message
These Bible verses were on the front page of a memorial service program for one of my father’s close friends. Aubrey (who went by the nickname “Smitty”) was known for living each day to the fullest. He found a lot to enjoy as he lived each day with an awareness of God’s presence. As a high school English teacher, Sunday School teacher, father, husband, and community volunteer, Smitty passed along his joy to lots of people during his earthly life. He was able to do so because he was intentional about pursuing a righteous life of running hard and fast in the faith, as the Bible encourages us all to do in 1 Timothy 6:11-12.
Every new day God gives us is a gift. The fact that the sun rises in the morning is only because God designed it to do so. Even the fact that we can take our next breath when we need it is because God gives it to us. Each day, and all the opportunities it brings us, are gifts from our loving and generous God. When we really think about it, we can see how every day is a miracle! God wants us to open the gift of each day and use it to the fullest, not drift through it casually without appreciating its value.
God calls us to do much more than live dull, routine lives. These Bible verses encourage us to live righteous lives where we pursue wonder, faith, love, steadiness, and courtesy. Each of these qualities is an important part of making the most of our time each day.
When we open our eyes to the wonder of God’s work around us, our faith can grow stronger because the more we see of God’s wonder, the more we’re inspired to seek closer relationships with him. Our stronger faith opens us up to receive more of God’s love and share it with others. Then, as we put God’s love into action, we can live with more steadiness and courtesy in all situations.
Living like this – running hard and fast in faith – we can experience the meaningful lives God wants us to enjoy. We can seize the life God has called us to and spend our valuable days focusing on what matters most.
On some days, we may get distracted as we deal with challenges that come up in our schedules. But if we go into each day with the intention to run hard and fast in faith through it, we’ll usually be able to take advantage of the best opportunities God gives us. We’ll be able to set our minds on what has eternal value, live into our God-given purpose, and enjoy the process!
Running hard in faith is worthwhile because Jesus is worth it. Every step we take in faith brings us closer to Jesus and closer to the life we were created for.
So, let’s open and enjoy the gift of each day God gives us. Let’s live each day like the miracle it truly is!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how to run hard and fast in faith to live each day to the fullest, reflect on these questions:
- What would “running hard and fast in the faith” look like in your daily life?
- Where are you most tempted to chase after activities that don’t last, and how can you redirect your focus toward God?
- How can you discover more of the wonder of God’s work in your daily life and become more aware of God’s presence with you?
- In what ways can gratitude for what God is doing in your life change your perspective on the challenges you face right now?
- Who can you encourage this week to keep running their own race of faith to the fullest?
Further Reading:
John 10:10
Hebrews 12:1-2
Psalm 118:24
Colossians 3:23-24
Philippians 3:13-14
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Wondering about the power of God’s Word and your own calling? Megan J. Conner reflects on John 1:1-5, showing how God’s Word has been present since the beginning, creating life and shining light into the darkness. This devotional reminds us that we carry God’s light within us and are called to bear it in the world.
Highlights
- God’s Word existed from the beginning and created all life (John 1:1-3).
- The light of God penetrates darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:4-5).
- Believers carry God’s light within them, called to be ambassadors of His mission (Matt. 5:14).
- God’s Word guides, transforms, and shapes our lives, even fulfilling dreams He places in our hearts.
- Personal stories illustrate how God fulfills His promises in unexpected and meaningful ways.
Join the Conversation
What dreams or callings has God placed in your heart? How are you letting His light shine through your life today? Share your reflections and encourage others to trust God’s Word. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #LightInTheDarkness #GodsWord #CalledToShine to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
In the Beginning…By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 (NIV)
It was 2001, and I was working in a faith-based coffeeshop and bookstore (a revolutionary concept back then), when a man struck up what would be a life-altering conversation with me. He had traveled up from Los Angeles to my city and stumbled across our unique shop. He started chatting and shared with me that he had formed his own Christian theater company. As an actor, dancer, choreographer, and director within the performing arts arena myself, this was beyond inspiring. Something in my spirit leaped inside of me, and I had this glimpse, this knowing, that one day I would walk in similar footsteps.
I daydreamed while he continued to talk, and I imagined a dark stage illuminated by a single light and this exact scripture from John chapter 1, echoing through the auditorium. To this day, nearly 25 years later, the impact of that scripture has never left me. It has become deeply etched into my heart and has served as an anchor to my soul in both the good times and the bad.
In the beginning was the Word. The Bible tells us that God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. The One who was, and is, and always will be (Rev. 1:8). He was there before the foundations of the world, and through his WORD all life was created (Gen. 1). Isn’t that incredible? As someone who studies and practices the craft of writing and spends most of her days considering, sharing, and utilizing words, it is beyond humbling to recognize the weight of language and its power to form and transform.
Yet God did not just create the world with words; He gave us His Word to guide and direct us through life, to share His unfathomable love for us, and to direct us towards Him at all times. Truly, nothing has been made, nor will be made, without His expressed direction, acknowledgment, and permission.
He then goes on to establish that all of these works were made by and through Him, that in Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. That light pierces through the darkness of the world, of hearts, of lives, and the darkness cannot overcome it. God boldly declares that all life, every aspect of creation, from the smallest atom to the vast constellations, was made through Him. And, in the midst of all life is the light of God, Himself. That means that you and I carry the weight and the glory of the Lord within us. Within the very fiber of our beings, we carry with us the light of the Lord. We are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14). What a weighty and holy calling!
The infinite, universe-creating God has embedded into you His Word and His light. He came before us to make a way so that we could follow in His footsteps and continue on as ambassadors for His mission. You are His own. He created and chose you to bear His light to the world.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,” John 1:5 (NIV).
For those interested, nearly ten years after that initial dream of a stage production beginning with this treasured scripture, I did in fact write, direct, and produce a full-length work that shared the gospel through the story of Christmas. It opened with this very scripture, a dark stage, and a single light. Don’t give up on the dreams God places in your heart. You never know when He will bring them to fulfillment.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What has been your understanding of today’s scripture? How did today’s devotional shine a new light on the eternal power of this famous passage? Are there dreams you felt the Lord placed in your heart that remain unfulfilled? If so, ask the Lord if there are steps He is calling you to take to bring those dreams into fruition.
Further Reading:
John 1:1-18
Matt 5:14-16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling powerless amid upheaval or uncertainty? Jennifer Slattery reflects on Daniel 1:6-9, showing how God remained with Daniel during exile and worked through him to influence a nation. This devotional reminds believers that even in times of political, social, or personal turmoil, God is sovereign, present, and always working for the good of His children.
Highlights
- Daniel’s faithfulness in exile demonstrates God’s ability to protect, elevate, and use His people, even in foreign or difficult circumstances.
- God’s favor can work through unlikely individuals—including secular leaders—for His purposes.
- Biblical truth affirms God’s control over earthly powers (Proverbs 21:1).
- Darkness—whether personal, societal, or global—cannot overcome God’s light (John 1:5).
- Anticipating God’s work in our lives fosters hope and resilience, even amid chaos and hardship.
Join the Conversation
How have you seen God work in unexpected ways during challenging seasons? Share your reflections and encourage others to trust His sovereignty. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #FaithInTheChaos #GodRemains #LightInTheDarkness to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The God Who Remains with Those Who Feel Exiled
By Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel. - Daniel 1:6-9
Political change, company takeovers and buyouts, national or global unrest often leave us feeling unsettled and anxious, and understandably so. Those who lead our state and country wield significant power—but not even the most powerful earthly institutions and officials can thwart God’s plans for us or His kingdom. He remains on His heavenly throne, regardless of who sits in the Oval Office—or holds the position of CEO in the company for whom we work. He is our Father and King who loves to lavish His children with favor and grace, as He did with Daniel, the exiled Hebrew teenager selected to receive special training to enter the royal service.
The chief of staff also gave him a Babylonian name, as the IVP Bible Background Commentary states, to “exercise authority over them and their destiny,” adding that “since names often made statements about deity, Babylonian names would impose at least a subtle level of acknowledgement of the Babylonian gods on the young men.”
This is, in part, why today’s passage holds such significance. According to Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs, “the faith of one man, Daniel, influenced and helped preserve the faith of a nation. He took his stand for God and was rewarded for his faith. He became, in effect, the prime minister (Dan. 2:48). And he continued in some sort of leadership role until the first year of Cyrus (Dan. 1:21) and even into his third year.”
His courage, position, and influence likely allowed the other exiles to practice their faith in a foreign land with decreased fear.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
As I said at the beginning of today’s reflection, upheaval and change, nationally, and globally, economically, and in our workplaces, can leave us feeling vulnerable and defenseless, like our well-being rests in someone else’s hands. But God’s protection and elevation of Daniel, and all the Lord did through him during the exile, assures us this is never the case. God remains on His eternal throne, advancing His will, always and forevermore.
He never abandons His children. Because of Christ, who surrounds us and resides within us, we are never defenseless. We belong to, are held and carried by, and provided for by the Almighty. He sees us in our fear and pain, understands our most intense emotions, moves toward us in our need, and promises to bring good out of today’s chaos and hardship.
Daniel’s story, and the favor and compassion he received from the Babylonian official, verify the truth in Proverbs 21:1, which reads, “In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.”
God can, and often does, work through the most unlikely individuals, pagan leaders included, for the good of His people. Through the exile, perhaps the darkest season in ancient Israel’s history, we see His light breaking through, because, as John 1:5 states, His light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not, and cannot, overcome it.
His light has the power to break through our darkness as well. The darkness we might feel internally, when depression, sorrow, or grief weighs heavily on our souls. The darkness is attempting to destroy families battling dysfunction, estrangement, betrayal, or addiction. The darkness is creeping into our workplaces, cities, state, and nation through violence, injustice, corruption, and oppression.
Lastly, Daniel’s story encourages us to anticipate miracles and, when all hope seems lost, to fix our eyes on the God of hope who is always working on our behalf and loves to replace ashes with beauty.
Further Reading:
Psalm 90:17
Isaiah 58:11
Psalm 5:12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever looked back and felt the sting of a missed opportunity? In Missed Opportunities and Growth, Vivian Bricker reflects on Ephesians 5:15-17 and reminds us that while fear can cause us to step back from God-given opportunities, His grace still leads us to growth. Even when we stumble, God redeems our regrets and uses them to strengthen our walk with Him.
Highlights
- Ephesians 5:15-17 calls us to live wisely and make the most of every opportunity.
- Fear often blocks us from stepping into new seasons of growth.
- Missed opportunities can lead to regret—but also reflection and transformation.
- God provides continual chances to grow in wisdom, courage, and faith.
- Learning from setbacks prepares us for future opportunities aligned with His will.
Join the Conversation
Have you missed an opportunity God placed in your path? How did He use that moment to help you grow? Share your story and encourage others to walk in wisdom and courage. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #FaithAndOpportunities #GodRedeemsRegret #WalkInWisdom to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Missed Opportunities and Growth
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).
Typically, we only think of growth and change during the year's beginning or end. However, there can be opportunities for growth throughout the year. Most of these opportunities are given to us by the Lord. He is always giving us opportunities to try new things, meet new people, and grow in our walk with Him. As Christ followers, we need to make sure we are taking advantage of these opportunities and not wasting them.
Most of us turn away from opportunities due to fear. Fear blocks our path and causes us to steer away from something new. I have seen this in my life, and you might have seen it in yours as well. Maybe God placed an opportunity for a new job, a new friend, or a new connection group at church. However, you walked away due to fear in your heart.
Rather than using these opportunities to grow, we run away. This is entirely normal, but we must fight against it as much as possible. I have wasted many opportunities for growth in the Lord because I was afraid. Fear of rejection or not being good enough polluted my mind, so I turned these opportunities down. I feel a lot of regret over missing out on these opportunities, and one in particular sticks with me still. I was supposed to go on my second mission internship during my master’s degree, yet my opportunity was missed. My only choice was to give all my donated funds to someone else who was still trying to raise enough support or donate it to the mission board. I felt ashamed over the fact that so many people had donated to my mission fund, and they weren’t even going to get their funds back. It was embarrassing and challenging to say the least.
Even though I lost the chance to go on this mission trip, I learned from it and began working on myself because of it.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Apostle Paul tells us, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:15-17). As Paul says in this passage, we need to be careful in how we live and to be wise. We need to make the most of every opportunity because evil is so prevalent in the world. Rather than being foolish, we need to understand the Lord’s will and hold fast to it.
Think about what you are going through today. Maybe you are expressing grief over a past opportunity you missed. Bring these regrets over to the Lord; however, also apply the biblical teachings to be careful, wise, seize every opportunity, and understand the Lord’s will. In the future, Jesus will continue to give you many opportunities for growth and help you stand strong. While you might miss some, Jesus will still ensure you experience growth through it.
“Dear Lord, please give me opportunities for growth and the wisdom to accept them when I can. Please also help me to learn from missed opportunities, and still help me to grow. I want to make the most of every opportunity and to understand Your will. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.”
Have you missed out on an opportunity? How did this make you feel? Even though you missed this opportunity, did it help you grow as a follower of Jesus?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Grief and loss can feel like ashes, but God promises to bring beauty, strength, and hope out of our pain. In Become Like an Oak Tree, Whitney Hopler reflects on Isaiah 61:2-3, reminding us that God grows us into “oaks of righteousness”—deeply rooted in His love, resilient through life’s storms, and a living display of His splendor.
Highlights
- God transforms mourning into joy and despair into praise (Isaiah 61:2-3).
- Oak trees symbolize strength, endurance, and deep-rooted faith.
- Trials and grief become the soil where God plants new hope.
- Spiritual roots—through prayer, worship, and trust—anchor us in storms.
- Our testimony of faith gives others shade, comfort, and encouragement.
Join the Conversation
Where have you seen God bring beauty out of your ashes? Share your story and encourage others to stay rooted in faith. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #OaksOfRighteousness #BeautyFromAshes #FaithThatEndures to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Become Like An Oak TreeBy: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:“… to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” – Isaiah 61:2-3, NIV
Walking across the Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland one day, I was struck by how beautiful the place was. The ugly reality was that it was the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, on September 17, 1862. Yet despite the fact that more than 22,000 men died there, the rolling hills and fields of bright green grass dotted with wildflowers made it look like I was just strolling through a gorgeous park. Beauty surrounded me everywhere. But the old trees – some of which were old enough to have witnessed the Civil War – were especially beautiful. Some of those old trees were oak trees, with branches stretching out wide and another year’s worth of new leaves growing from those strong and graceful branches.
In Isaiah 61:2-3, God promises his people that he will bring beauty out of their painful grief, and that they will become “oaks of righteousness” – strong and beautiful people who display the power of God’s work in their lives.
What kinds of grief are you going through in your life? Maybe you’re grieving the death of someone you loved. Maybe you’re carrying the weight of another important loss, like a job layoff, an illness, or a broken relationship. Life can feel like a battlefield, where hope can seem hard to find as you’re struggling with suffering. But God promises to comfort you. God will take the ashes of your pain and transform them into something beautiful. Where the pain of grief has touched your life, God will pour out the oil of joy. Where there was despair, God will clothe you in praise.
God doesn’t forget your pain, just like God doesn’t forget the painful history that happened at Antietam. But God will seeds of hope in the soil of your suffering, and over time, he will grow them into something as strong as an oak tree.
The process of becoming an “oak of righteousness” involves trusting God’s timing and staying persistent in prayer while you wait for God’s answers to arrive. Oak trees grow slowly. Their roots reach deep into the earth, anchoring them against harsh conditions like strong winds. Likewise, God wants to establish a deep faith in you so you won’t be uprooted when you face challenges.
This growth won’t be easy. There will be seasons of drought when you feel spiritually dry, and storms that test your faith. But challenges like these are opportunities for you to learn to trust God more deeply. As you lean into your relationship with God, he will strengthen you, expand your spiritual roots, and prepare you for what he knows you’ll face in the future. Over time, you’ll find that the situations that once upset you no longer have the same power to do so. That’s because you’ll be grounded in a close relationship with God, who has unlimited strength.
Just as oak trees give those around them the refuge of shade, your testimony of faith in action will give other people hope. The wonderful ways God has worked to transform you will show everyone who knows you a display of God’s splendor, just as the Bible says in Isaiah 61:2-3. No matter how much pain you suffered in the past, God will bring something beautiful out of it, while healing you and making you stronger in the process.
So, if you’re grieving right now, remember that God isn’t finished with your story yet. The ashes in your life won’t last forever. God will bring beauty out of your ashes and help you grow to become strong like an oak tree – deeply rooted in God’s righteousness and showing others the power of God’s work in your life.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how God will grow your faith when you go through grief, reflect on these questions:
- What specific “ashes” that you’re grieving right now would you like to ask God to transform into something beautiful?
- Oak trees grow slowly and are anchored by deep roots. What spiritual practices (like prayer and meditation) help you deepen your roots in faith, especially when you feel spiritually dry or threatened by storms?
- In what ways have you seen God bring new life out of a difficult past situation without ignoring the reality of the pain that was there?
- How does the idea of becoming an “oak of righteousness” change your perspective on the challenges and waiting periods in your life? Do you see them more as opportunities for growth?
- How can your story of God’s faithfulness give hope to someone else who’s grieving right now?
Further Reading
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Matthew 5:4
Romans 5:3-4
Ephesians 3:17-19
Psalm 34:18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Conflict within the church can be painful and complicated. Michelle Lazurek’s Be True Peacemakers walks believers through biblical conflict resolution using Matthew 18:14-18. This devotional emphasizes private confrontation, mediation, and, when necessary, church discipline—all with the goal of restoration and reconciliation.
Highlights
- Address conflicts directly and privately first
- Bring a trusted leader as a mediator if initial attempts fail
- Church discipline is for restoration, not revenge
- Avoid gossip, triangulation, and slander
- Seek integrity and humility in all steps to maintain unity in the body of Christ
Join the Conversation
Are you currently navigating conflict with a brother or sister in Christ? Reflect on steps you can take toward reconciliation today. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #TruePeacemakers #Matthew18 #FaithfulConflictResolution to share your experience and encouragement.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Be True Peacemakers
By: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:14-18
In a previous church, concerns were raised about relationships within the church. When my husband sat down with the leaders, we quickly knew this was no ordinary meeting. As each person spoke, it was clear that rumors and gossip had been flying for quite a while. While there were grains of truth to some statements and outright lies in others, one thing was clear:
No one had confronted my husband directly.
Once the rumors were cleared up, and the situation went back to normal, we couldn't help but reel from the fact that people choose to gossip and spread rumors and lies, disparaging my husband's reputation, with no thought or consideration to him at all. If they had come to him, he could have cleared the air, and we could have been spared much more time and energy working to dispel rumors and working toward the Kingdom. After that, it was clear there was a lack of trust from both sides.
Matthew, in his gospel, outlines a straightforward way to lovingly confront someone, point out their sin, and work toward reconciliation and purity of the church. Although many people take the above verse as the model for conflict resolution, that's not the purpose for which it was written. It was written for people to point out someone's sin so that the purity of the church can be maintained.
The above verse explains that the first step in lovingly confronting someone always begins with a one-on-one private confrontation. This spares the offender from shame or public humiliation. Those things do not belong in a church body. If the person will not listen, then it instructs that a person should bring another person along. Ideally, an elder or a pastor should be the person in that situation.
The leader or the pastor should act as a mediator to resolve the conflict. The mediator mustn't have a bias toward the person offering the complaint. In some ways, it's a way to gang up on the offender. God sees the bigger picture and knows the full intention of each person's heart. No one person has all the truth. That's why it's essential to bring a mediator along to help diffuse the situation and extract the truth from it.
If the situation remains unresolved, then church discipline can be instituted. This does not mean a person is allowed to bring a person up in front of the church when leaders disagree with their complaint. If their complaint is unfounded, it does not mean the person should take the next step to fulfill what is written in the above verses.
If you are embroiled in a conflict with someone and are unsure of how to proceed, the above verse provides an excellent guide for handling conflict effectively and biblically. Here are some ways to effectively deal with your conflict:
Confront Them Privately
Do not triangulate other people into your situation. That means the first step in Matthew 18 has not been followed. Go to that person in love and directly confront them with gentleness and respect. Name the offense using I statements. Let them know how you feel and how the situation has affected you. Listen to what the offender has to say. Sometimes there is an explanation or reason behind the situation.
Consult Another Leader
If the person will not acknowledge anything regarding the incident, meet with an elder or a leader in your church. Make them aware of the situation and explain it in the same way you described it to the offender. Listen and solicit the advice of the elder or leader. If the elder or leader will not approach the situation or feels the problem is unwarranted, do not triangulate other people into this situation. This only breeds dissension and gossip.
If you want to maintain your integrity and credibility by truly seeking reconciliation with the person, you must listen to the advice of the leadership. If you disagree with the decision, it is best to let either the situation go or leave the church. Holding on to an offense simply because you want justice or disagree with the decision is not a reason to hold on to it.
If the leader is not willing to face the situation directly, but there is something warranted, consult a leader who is above the offender. If the offender is a pastor, consult with their district regarding their model for addressing conflict and resolving issues within the church.
Consult the Church
If a leader advises to bring it up in front of the church, then church discipline will be instituted. Do not use manipulative tactics such as gossip or slander to get your way. Triangulating other people who don't know both sides of the situation is not only unfair but also slanderous and libelous towards someone's reputation. The Bible warns us against these types of people.
Seek church discipline only in the case of reconciliation and restoration for the person to separate themselves from their sin and turn from their ways. Do not use it as an avenue to get justice or revenge. In this case, you are no better than the offender.
Conflict can be complex and can lead to hurt feelings and soul wounds that only Jesus can heal. Do your best to work through your issues before confronting a person directly. Make sure you are right with the Lord before you go and talk to someone else about their unrighteousness.
Father, let us be people who resolve conflict gently. Allow us to use the model outlined in Matthew 18 as a guide for conflict resolution. Help us to be people who seek the restoration and reconciliation of the body of Christ. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you have conflict with another brother or sister in Christ? What steps can you take towards reconciliation?
Further Reading:
Galatians 6:1-5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling distant from God? Megan J. Conner reminds us in Hide and Seek that even when we hide from Him—whether through sin, fear, or heartache—He is patiently waiting to be found. Drawing on Deuteronomy 4:29, this devotional encourages believers to seek God with their whole heart and soul, trusting that He is always near.
Highlights
- Hiding from God is natural, but His presence is never absent
- Childhood hide-and-seek illustrates how we often distance ourselves from the Lord
- God patiently waits for us to reach toward Him, even in dark or difficult seasons
- Scripture reassures us of God’s unwavering presence: Deut. 31:6; Matt. 28:20; Acts 17:27
- Seeking God wholeheartedly leads to restoration and intimacy with Him
Join the Conversation
Are you hiding from God today, or seeking Him with your whole heart? Share your reflections and encourage others to trust in God’s presence. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #SeekGod #FaithInTheWilderness #FoundInHim to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Hide and Seek
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deut. 4:29, (NKJV)
Over the summer, my husband and I were blessed to host three special littles and their parents. They stayed with us for eleven days and thought Uma and Umpa’s house was THE best. Why? Because they said it was the perfect house to play hide and seek. And oh, did we play hide and seek! Round after round, we took turns hiding while the chosen seeker sought us out. Sometimes, the players concealed themselves so well, the game lasted quite a while.
One round, I was assigned the role of hiding and scrunched myself into a tiny corner of our basement laundry room, tucked underneath the ironing board. It was a pretty good hiding spot, if I do say so myself. Well, it ended up being so good that it took all three of the kids and my teenage daughter almost 30 minutes to finally discover me. Relief and a hint of frustration were on the faces of my seekers as they grabbed my hand and helped me exit my small, uncomfortable space.
“Uma!” they declared. “It was so hard to find you!”
“Well, thank goodness you found me,” I replied. “I was getting lonely down here all by myself in the dark.”
“We’ve got you now, Uma!” they laughed triumphantly as they rescued me with smothered hugs.
What an interesting comparison between this innocent children’s game and our walk with the Lord. Perhaps you can recall moments when you have been in a similar circumstance. When heartache, disappointment, or the slippery slope of sin has drawn you intentionally or unintentionally away from God. Why is it that when we face challenges, we tend to distance ourselves from the Lord? Utilizing our own expert hiding spots, we curl ourselves inward and assume the darkness will provide a respite from the pain.
Then, before we know it, we long for the complete opposite. Where is our rescuer? Why can’t we find the Lord in the midst of all that is plaguing our hearts and minds? We remain secluded in isolation and assume God is intentionally remaining aloof and does not want to be found by us. But the truth is, He is there patiently waiting for you to reach out towards the light, to reach out to Him.
The Word of God assures us, “the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you,” (Deut. 31:6, NIV), that He will be “with you always, even to the end of the age,” (Matt. 28:20, NLT).
There are seasons where our Heavenly Father allows us to wander in the desert, but He has not left us there alone.
“God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:27 (NIV)
Whether you have been called to a wilderness season or simply have separated yourself from God, He is ready and waiting for you to turn your heart towards Him. He desires to be found. If your heart feels distant from the Lord today, ask yourself who is the one who is really hiding. If you are truly longing for connection with the Lord, all you need to do is “seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul,” Deut. 4:29, (NKJV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Where is your heart today? Are you hiding from the Lord? Or perhaps you feel that He is hiding from you? How does today’s scripture remind you that God is present and available if you are willing to seek Him out?
The scripture from Deut. 4:29 says that the Lord can be found, but only when we seek Him with all of our hearts and all of our souls. “All” is a big word here… Take some time today to evaluate the position of your heart. Perhaps make a list of the things that you value most. Are you prioritizing your time, talents, and treasures for your own purposes first? No matter where you find yourself today, know that the Lord is patiently and graciously ready to pull you out of your hiding place and into His arms.
Further Reading:
John 17:20-26
Heb. 13:5-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When fear and weakness threaten to overwhelm us, God calls us to courageous obedience. Just as He told Gideon in Judges 6:13-14 to “go in the strength you have,” the Lord invites us to trust His power, not our own. Jennifer Slattery shares how God’s presence transforms impossible situations into testimonies of His strength and victory.
Highlights
- Gideon’s story shows God calls ordinary, fearful people to extraordinary purposes
- “Go in the strength you have” reminds us our weakness is the stage for God’s strength
- Personal story of stepping into a difficult calling with limited resources
- God doesn’t expect perfection—He expects obedience and trust
- True victory comes from God fighting our battles for us
Join the Conversation
What’s one area where God is calling you to step out even though you feel weak? Share your reflections and encourage others to trust God’s strength. Tag @LifeAudio and use #CourageousObedience #FaithOverFear #StrengthInChrist to join the discussion.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Courageous Obedience When We Feel Weak and Afraid
By Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”
The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:13-14, NIV
Have you ever sensed God asking you to do something you knew would be incredibly difficult, say yes, and find yourself in what felt like an impossible situation? One that took every ounce of strength you had, and you still felt like you were perpetually failing?
That was precisely where I landed, years ago, when my husband and I opened our home to a teenager with a really rough background, and numerous behavioral challenges for which we weren’t prepared. As is often the case, this situation came in the middle of an already stressful season, and for the youth, this was an emergency. We were empty nesters at the time, I was leading an international ministry, completing my Christian ministry degree, working to meet numerous writing deadlines, and preparing for speaking engagements I’d accepted long before we answered God’s call to love on this deeply wounded, and incredibly angry teenager. To complicate matters, this was a busy time for my husband as well, as he was doing a lot of traveling for work—leaving me to parent this kid alone. Adding to the chaos was the fact that the teenager hated women and, frankly, was bigger and stronger than me.
As you can imagine, I was more than overwhelmed and, sadly, often reacted to the teenager from my overwhelm rather than allowing God’s love and grace to flow through me. But, on those occasions when I paused my frantic efforts to manage it all in my wisdom and strength and sought God’s presence, I received instant peace, clarity regarding the situation, a Holy Spirit glimpse into the youth’s wounded and frightened heart, and the strength I desperately needed to overcome my fears, insecurities, and unhealthy tendencies.
Reading Gideon’s story, recorded in Judges 6-9, reminded me of that difficult but enlightening season during which I needed to “go in the strength I had”—not so I could win the victory, but rather, so I could reveal Christ’s supernatural strength at work in me and through me.
You might recognize this biblical account. This occurred during a dark period in ancient Israel’s history during which they repeatedly rebelled against God, experienced oppression from other people groups, cried out to the Lord for rescue, received the divine help they so desperately sought, only to rebel against Him yet again.
When Scripture introduces us to Gideon, we find him hiding in a wine press, threshing wheat. His behavior makes sense, considering the circumstances. Judges 6 tells us that the Midianites oppressed ancient Israel for 7 years—destroying their crops and stealing their sheep, goats, cattle and donkeys. Meaning, their source of survival. Facing starvation, the people finally cry out to God. Like I said earlier, He responds by calling Gideon to fight on the nation’s behalf.
He began with these words, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”
He called the man hiding in a winepress a hero—because the Lord saw past Gideon’s current position to the victorious man of God he would become. Then He added, ‘The Lord is with you!”
To which Gideon responds, in essence, “Really? Then why are we in this mess?”
I find it intriguing that God never answers his question. Instead, He issues this directive:
“Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14, NIV, emphasis mine).
He said this during a time when Gideon appeared to possess zero strength and a whole lot of weakness. Yet, as the story continues, we see that this was the point. God wasn’t expecting Gideon to fight his oppressors in his wisdom and strength. He was simply telling him to engage. To obey and allow God’s supernatural strength to flow in him and through him.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
The Lord Himself won the battle. He fights our battles as well. He sees our weakness and understands why we might be figuratively hiding in a winepress. He doesn’t get frustrated by our anxiety, fear or overwhelm, but neither does He leave us stuck. Instead, He invites us to step out in faith, to go in whatever strength we possess, trusting Him for the victory. Because we aren’t destined for defeated. As Romans 8:31 states, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.
Further Reading:
Romans 8:31-39
Philippians 4:13
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God still performs miracles today—and He invites us to pray big, bold prayers. In Habakkuk 3:2, the prophet asks God to repeat His wondrous deeds in their own time. Whitney Hopler shares a powerful personal story of her mother’s healing and salvation, showing how God responds when we dare to pray for something awesome.
Highlights
- Habakkuk 3:2 reminds us to pray with awe and boldness
- Story of miraculous healing that led to salvation
- Why we often settle for small, “safe” prayers
- God’s power is the same yesterday, today, and forever
- How to expect God’s awesome work daily
Join the Conversation
What’s one bold prayer you’re asking God to answer? Share your story and encourage others to pray expectantly. Tag @LifeAudio and use #PrayBoldly #FaithInAction #GodStillMoves to join the community conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Pray for Something Awesome
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” – Habakkuk 3:2, NIV
I’ll never forget the day my mother told me that she had seen an angel! After 23 years of praying for her to come to faith in God, I had grown frustrated wondering if God would ever answer my prayers. Mom eventually did come to believe in God, but she still struggled to believe that God would love her enough to save her. She still hadn’t started a relationship with God by the time she was diagnosed with leukemia and hospitalized – fighting both the blood cancer and pneumonia in her lungs. But one night, she saw an angel appear in heavenly form and send glowing bits of energy into her chest. The next day, tests revealed that the leukemia was in remission and the pneumonia was gone! But Mom’s physical healing wasn’t the biggest miracle. What was even more miraculous was that God had convinced Mom he loved her personally by sending her one of his heavenly messengers to minister to her. Mom was in awe of God’s deeds, and she finally placed her faith in him.
The wonderful way God helped Mom showed me that God is just as willing to do miracles today as he was in earlier times. Habakkuk 3:2 reminds us that, when we think about God’s famous miracles, we can ask God to do something awesome in our own lives right now. When we face big problems – like health struggles, broken relationships, or money worries – we pray small prayers too often. We might just ask God to help us get through the day as we deal with problems we don’t expect to be solved. But Habakkuk shows us that we can pray bigger prayers. We can look back at God’s mighty deeds and dare to believe he can do something awesome for us right now.
God is the same God now that he always has been. He’s the same God who performed all the wondrous miracles from the Bible, such as feeding thousands of people with just a few fish and loaves of bread, raising Lazarus from the dead, and opening prison doors for Paul and Silas. This same awesome God listens to your prayers today and does wonderful work in your life every day.
Even when we remind ourselves that God is still powerful and merciful, sometimes we hesitate to pray big and bold prayers because we’re afraid of being disappointed. What if God doesn’t answer the way we hope? But God can see what’s really best in any situation.
Praying like Habakkuk involves praying for God’s best and truly expecting that God will answer our prayers by doing something awesome.
What would happen if you began to pray for God to do something awesome in your own life? What if you prayed not just to survive, but to thrive? What if you looked beyond your circumstances to the God who is in control of them? God has unlimited power, and he uses that power for good in your life, because he’s good and he loves you!
Instead of dreading the stressful situations in your day, you can ask: “God, what awesome way will you work in my life today?” Then you can pay close attention, expecting that the wonder of God’s work will show up for you during every single day. Sometimes you’ll experience dramatic answers to prayer, and sometimes you’ll find quiet inspiration – but you’ll always find God’s deeds somehow when you look for them. That’s something to celebrate!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how you can expect God to do something awesome when he answers your prayers, reflect on these questions:
- What past awe-inspiring answers to prayer can you remember and thank God for today?
- In what areas of your life are you tempted to pray small, safe prayers instead of big, bold prayers?
- How does Habakkuk’s prayer inspire you to see your current challenges differently?
- How can you live with the daily expectation that God will do something awesome in your life?
- How can you encourage other people to trust God for awe-inspiring answers to prayer in their lives?
Further Reading:
Ephesians 3:20
Jeremiah 32:27
Mark 11:24
Psalm 77:14
Isaiah 43:19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s provision and faithfulness are unshakable, even in life’s hardest seasons. Isaiah 46:4 reminds us that the Lord carries us, sustains us, and rescues us from beginning to end. In this devotional, Michelle Lazurek shares her story of church planting, financial struggles, and moments of doubt—only to discover God’s sustaining hand through every sacrifice, setback, and unexpected blessing.
Highlights
- Isaiah 46:4: God promises to sustain us through every stage of life
- How financial struggles and sacrifice can test our faith
- Stories of unexpected provision through God’s people
- Why gratitude and reflection reveal God’s faithfulness in hindsight
- A reminder that God never forgets us and always has a plan
Join the Conversation
How has God sustained you during a season when you felt abandoned or overwhelmed? Share your story with the LifeAudio community and encourage others to trust God’s provision. Tag @LifeAudio and use #FaithfulGod #ChristianLiving #GodProvides to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God Sustains Us
By: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah. 46:4
Many years ago, my husband and I planted a church. We planted it from a mother church where he originally pastored as an associate pastor. It became challenging to find people to be sent out to join us in our endeavor. We recruited 12 people from various backgrounds and areas of our lives, as well as a few from the church we were currently attending. From day one, it was a challenging experience.
We moved several times, had to take several pay cuts, and experienced frequent turnover among our congregation members. Many people who came to us had previously experienced hurt in a church and were seeking a new kind of church. However, that emotional baggage that they brought with them, they dropped right at the church's doorstep. Because of all the financial, emotional, and mental issues involved in it, it was tough for us to deal with all the issues surrounding it.
After the first pay cut, there were times when we couldn't always pay our bills. There were moments when my husband didn't eat dinner that night because there wasn't enough food.
In those moments, it felt as if God had abandoned us. We were making all these sacrifices; why did we have to make those sacrifices when everyone else got to live their lives how they wanted? The church plant had a profound impact on my spiritual life. I became angry at God for the things I thought I was entitled to or deserved.
God had called me to sacrifice, but it was clear he wasn't calling anyone else to make those same sacrifices. Because of this, I grew resentful. It deeply affected my spiritual life. I stopped praying and was going through the motions of the faith.
As I look back now, I understand more completely the distinction between the two. As I reflect in the mirror now, donning many gray hairs, I know that even through the challenging stages, God has been with us. Looking back, I remember so many times when God provided for us. He had friends bring us food when there wasn't enough to eat. He had people give generous donations to us to help us make ends meet.
Although I don't want to go through that difficult time again, I can see all the ways that God provided for us and sustained us during that difficult time. One time, we didn't have enough money to pay for a home repair. A couple from our congregation heard of our plight and surprised us with a check for the exact amount to get our roof fixed. We were elated! We were forever grateful to that couple for sacrificing and giving of themselves so that we could live another day in our home.
It is not always easy during trials to see where God is at work. However, when we successfully resolve our emotions associated with trials and look back soberly at the situation, there are always moments where we can see God at work. Being able to reflect on what God is doing amid a difficult time in our lives helps strengthen my faith. It shifts my mindset and allows me to look upon God in his character, who never forgets, always sees, always provides, always sustains.
Look at your life. In what ways has God sustained you through difficult times, in areas where God performed a mini miracle, providing for you in a way that you never thought possible? Did God use people in your life to speak a word of encouragement, remind you of God's word, or provide for you in a way you never expected? In all those ways, God is to be praised because he is at work in our lives, even when we don't see it. As we reflect in our old age, we are reminded that God never forgets about us. He always has a perfect plan for our lives, until the day we return home.
Father, let us be people who remember your sovereignty, provision, and goodness. Remind us of all the ways you sustain us and provide for us, even in challenging circumstances. Allow us to wake up each day grateful for your presence in our lives, knowing that you have a perfect plan for us. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Analyze your life. In what ways has God sustained you through difficult circumstances?
Further Reading:
Philippians 4:19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A cheerful heart is more than a good mood—it’s God’s prescription for hope and healing. Proverbs 17:22 reminds us that joy can strengthen our spirit, while negativity can crush us from within. This devotional explores the power of perspective, gratitude, and God’s wisdom to transform how we walk through trials.
Highlights
- Discover why Proverbs calls joy “good medicine” for the soul
- How your outlook impacts mental, spiritual, and physical health
- The danger of letting negativity spiral into despair
- Practical ways to cultivate gratitude and a cheerful heart in hard times
- Encouragement that God can shift your heart from hopeless to hopeful
Join the Conversation
What helps you keep a cheerful heart when life feels heavy? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram and Facebook @LifeAudio, and encourage someone else who may need this reminder today. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to help others find biblical encouragement.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Best Medicine
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Prov. 17:22 (NIV)
Proverbs is one of the most interesting books in the Bible. Often referenced for “one-off” quotes like this, but, in some cases, ignored as a work of wisdom in its entirety. It seems as if most of us aren’t really sure what to do with the Book of Proverbs, so we simply skim over the content or only digest it in small doses of daily scripture reading.
I have had the true privilege of editing and consulting for a beautiful Christian author who is incredibly passionate about the works of Solomon, specifically Ecclesiastes and his contributions to the Book of Proverbs. Her work and message have transformed my entire perspective on the value of this ancient wisdom, especially in light of the eternal nuggets of truth that it offers us. Today’s scripture is one of these prized nuggets.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Prov. 17:22 (NIV)
The first part of this quotable quip could be a cute bookmark or slogan on a coffee cup. Perhaps you have run across one at a bookstore or boutique. However, the latter part of the passage hits hard. The contrast of these two paradigms is so stark that it is actually startling. They are extremes at opposite ends, but I sense that is exactly what the author was aiming for. Why? Because that is how strongly the position of our hearts can influence our overall mental, spiritual, and even physical states.
When you face challenges, disappointments, or hardships of any kind, it is very easy to become overwhelmed by negativity. Especially if the struggles you are facing are serious or life-altering. There is a strong pull beckoning you to crawl back under the covers and hide away from it all. Anxious and depressing thoughts start to convince you that all is lost, things will never change, or the pain will never go away. If you are not careful, you can be drawn into a dark, downward spiral that will begin, a little at a time, to fully crush your spirit and dry up your bones.
How do I know this? Because I have lived it. Not once or twice, but repeatedly throughout my own twenty-year journey through trials. It has taken me years, literally years, to learn the power of a cheerful disposition in the midst of heartache. On this side of my shift in perspective, I can assure you the truth of this proverb is valid.
Does this mean I am suggesting we placate and pretend that all is well when it is not? No, not at all. I am a firm believer in recognizing and validating the reality of our emotions. But that does not mean there is no way to control them. Feelings help us recognize there is something that needs our attention. And we need that. Sometimes, we don’t comprehend how much an experience or circumstance has impacted us until those emotions start rising up and drawing attention to it. However, while they are helpful tools, they do not have to dictate our overall outlook.
No matter what is going on in your life right now, EVERTHING is not bad. Good still remains; you just have to look up and out to discover it. You also have to be intentional about your search for the existing blessings. They really are there, but it is the disposition of your heart, a desire to even discover these treasures, that compels you to be cheerful. And while this practice may not alter your circumstances at the moment, it will drastically transform how you are walking through your disappointments or struggles.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you believe it is possible for your outlook to be different when faced with difficulties? Even if you aren’t sure you believe your dark thoughts and deep disappointments can be changed, sometimes we have to choose to begin and trust that God will prove Himself faithful along the way. If we wait until we think we are ready, or we finally have enough “faith,” we will remain stuck indefinitely.
Decide today to choose a cheerful disposition. This does not mean you force yourself to “be happy,” but it is a conscious decision to recognize and celebrate at least one small blessing each and every day. Many call this the practice of gratitude. During one of my darkest seasons, I employed this practice every day for an entire year, and the alteration was truly effective. Did it happen overnight? Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, it took a while for me to even consciously recognize the change. But the change did occur, and my heart moved from disgruntled to grateful, from disillusioned to hopeful, and from negative to cheerful.
What God is faithful to do for one, He will do for another. May you also discover that a cheerful heart is the best medicine for whatever you are facing today.
Further Reading:
Proverbs 15:13
Psalm 51:12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s love is relentless, personal, and healing—even when we run, rebel, or reject Him. In Hosea 2:14–16, we see a God who pursues His people with grace, redemption, and restoration, offering hope when we least deserve it. Just like Israel’s story of betrayal and reconciliation, we are pursued in love by a Savior who refuses to let us go.
Highlights
- Discover the depth of God’s faithful love in Hosea 2:14–16
- Why God compared His relationship with Israel to a broken marriage
- The powerful picture of grace in the face of betrayal and rejection
- How God turns judgment into restoration and hope
- What it means to be pursued by God in your own faith journey
Join the Conversation
How has God pursued you in moments of failure or rebellion? Share your story with us on Instagram and Facebook @LifeAudio and connect with others walking this journey of grace. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to help more people discover encouragement from God’s Word.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
You Are Pursued in Love
By Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
“Therefore I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the wilderness
and speak tenderly to her.
15 There I will give her back her vineyards,
and will make the Valley of Achor[b] a door of hope.
There she will respond[c] as in the days of her youth,
as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
16 “In that day,” declares the Lord,
“you will call me ‘my husband’;
you will no longer call me ‘my master.’ Hosea 2:14-16, NIV
We’ve all experienced the pain of shattered relationships, of betrayal and rejection. Sometimes, these experiences shock us and leave us battling indignation. Other times, we expected the relationship to fracture and the other person to withdraw—because of how we behaved. But oh, what healing when we encounter someone who sees us at worst and chooses to not only stay, but reaches for us, bridging the canyon our hurtful actions created and meets our ugliest deeds with grace.
The Lord’s ever-present, never-ending, oh-go-gracious love has, and is, bringing healing to the wounded places in my soul and is helping to shatter the shame from some of my, relationship-harming behaviors—including those things that I know grieved the Lord’s heart and abused His grace. A grace He lavishes, in abundance, upon each of us.
He pursues us when we regularly read our Bibles, pray, give and serve. He also pursues us—in love—when we choose His gifts over His presence, turn our backs on Him, and rebel.
As we see again and again and again in His response to ancient Israel. For thousands of years, they treated His faithful kindness with contempt, disdained His life-giving commands, and only pursued Him when they landed in an insurmountable crisis.
Hosea, the Old Testament prophet who wrote the book from which today’s passage comes, stepped into ministry during a challenging season in ancient Israel’s history. Delivering God’s message when his contemporaries Micah and Isaiah did the same, he conveyed similar warnings of judgment and promises of restoration and reconciliation with the Lord, but in a unique and powerful way. God told him to marry a “harlot”, which some commentators believe meant she worked as a prostitute, while others suggest the name points to a promiscuous lifestyle. The shocking and scandalous marriage revealed the depth of relationship God desired with His people and the intense grief He experienced from their betrayal.
The text invites the reader to pause and consider their most intimate human relationship, and how they’d feel with an unfaithful spouse. If you’ve ever experienced this type of rupture, you know the intense pain this causes. Infidelity shatters trust and any sense of emotional safety once held, often leading to divorce or a long, arduous road of repair.
God wanted His people to understand the damage they’d caused when they not only enjoyed all the blessings He provided—rain and sunshine for their crops, wheat and grapes for their bellies, and warm homes to sleep in each night—while attributing them to idols.
Having read Judges, 1 and 2 Chronicles, and 1 and 2 Kings in chronological order, page by page, I was stunned and touched by the Lord’s continual grace. Generation after generation, His people rejected Him and His love and behaved in horrific ways. They oppressed the weak, committed violent acts against one another, engaged in temple prostitution and even child sacrifice. Those sins alone demand quick justice. But what made them even more atrocious was the fact that the ancient Israelites were the only people, on the planet, whom the Lord chose to live out His mission and reveal Him, His heart and His ways to the watching world.
This would be like your church sending missionaries to another country, paying for all their living expenses, only to find out they’d used their home to throw wild parties and their salaries for drugs and alcohol.
One wouldn’t expect someone engaging in such a manner to keep their position, let alone receive a second, or third, fourth, or twenty-first opportunity to try again.
Yet, that is precisely what God offered His people. Yes, judgment would come, but like I said, so would redemption, restoration and, most importantly, reconciliation with their heavenly Father and faithful husband.
Pause to read today’s passage again, reflecting on what it reveals regarding our Savior’s heart:
“Therefore I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the wilderness
and speak tenderly to her.
15 There I will give her back her vineyards,
and will make the Valley of Achor[b] a door of hope.
There she will respond[c] as in the days of her youth,
as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
16 “In that day,” declares the Lord,
“you will call me ‘my husband’;
you will no longer call me ‘my master.’
In mentioning the wilderness, the Lord was reminding them of how He’d freed them from slavery and oppression in Egypt—through a series of unforgettable miracles that became cemented in the nation’s history. Then, after liberating his helpless and oppressed children, He led them personally, faithfully, and tangibly, making His presence known in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. And while in the wilderness, He met their every need. He wasn’t just ensuring their survival. He was also teaching them to trust in and rely on Him.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
That was the depth of relationship He’d always wanted. That was the type of relationship our Father grieved and longed to restore. Most importantly, that’s the depth of relationship He wants with us—one built on trust, dependence, and the emotional intimacy enjoyed in the healthiest and holiest marriages.
Reflecting upon this, and the Lord’s unchanging character revealed throughout history, encourages me to turn to Him when I mess up, to rest in Him when I’m overburdened, to trust in Him when I’m afraid, and to celebrate His presence in difficult and joyous seasons.
Further Reading:
Luke 19:10
Matthew 23:37
Psalm 23:6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Worry doesn’t have to dominate your life. In Turn Your Worries into Prayers, Whitney Hopler reflects on Psalm 34:4 and shares how prayer can transform fear into peace and courage. Listeners will learn practical steps for turning anxious thoughts into prayers, experiencing God’s strength in challenging situations, and trusting Him to guide their hearts even when circumstances don’t change. This episode is perfect for anyone seeking freedom from fear, deeper trust in God, and practical ways to make prayer a daily habit.
✨ Highlights
- Psalm 34:4: prayer frees us from fear
- Turning worry into prayer shifts attention from the problem to God
- God may not always change circumstances, but He strengthens and changes us
- Practical tips for praying immediately when fear arises
- Learning to walk with courage and peace through life’s challenges
- Reflection: identifying specific fears and giving them to God
💬 Join the Conversation
What worries have been weighing on you lately? How can you turn them into prayers today? Share your experiences with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #FaithOverFear #PrayerPower #TrustGod #CourageThroughChrist to encourage others to find peace in God’s presence.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Turn Your Worries into Prayers
By: Whitney Hopler
“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4, NLT
I struggled with many fears while growing up. After my parents’ divorce, remarriages, and moves, I rarely felt secure. Every day brought more stress that led me to worry a lot. As a young adult, I still struggled with the bad habit of worry, even though by then I had a relationship with Jesus. It wasn’t until I finally decided to pray – every single time I noticed that I felt afraid of something – that I finally broke free of my fears. By turning my worries into prayers, I welcomed God into my struggles. I didn’t just ruminate on my anxious thoughts; I did something useful with them by giving them to God to handle. That made all the difference! Soon, I learned that God is always willing to fight anxiety for me. Now, I still feel afraid sometimes in this fallen world, like everyone does. But I don’t get stuck in fear. I pray whenever a worry enters my mind – and God frees me from my fears by giving me the peace and courage I need, even in scary situations.
What fears are you struggling with in your own life? You were never meant to carry those burdens alone. Psalm 34:4 describes a life-changing truth: prayer is the action that turns your fears over to God.
Prayer moves your attention away from the source of your fear and toward the source of your strength: God. When you pray, you stop letting fearful thoughts run wild in your mind and get rid of them by asking God to handle them. A quick prayer that you say as soon as you catch yourself worrying will work. God already knows your thoughts, and he already knows how to help you, as well.
Sometimes, God might change the challenging circumstances that are causing your fears. But more often, God won’t change your circumstances. Instead, he will change you. God will give you the courage to walk right through your challenges without worrying about them.
The freedom God gives is a strong sense of peace that settles over you even when challenges are going on around you. You’ll know that you’re not alone and that God’s strength is more than enough for you to handle any challenge that comes into your life. You’ll still feel afraid sometimes. But you can overcome your fears, because of the confidence God gives you that he’ll help you do so.
So, the very next time you notice a fearful thought in your mind that’s tempting you to worry, let that be your signal to pray. Don’t let the thought spiral. Instead, immediately say a prayer about it to God. You can say a brief prayer, either out loud or silently. It could be as simple as: “Lord, help me,” or: “God, I give you this fear. Please give me your peace.” You can even pray something similar to the words of Psalm 34:4 itself: “Lord, I’m praying to you. Please answer me and free me from this fear.”
By doing this, you can turn every single one of your worries into prayers. You’ll be amazed at how God will answer your prayers by strengthening you to move forward with courage!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how God will free you from your fears when you turn your worries into prayers, reflect on these questions:
- What’s one specific fear that has been on your mind lately? Pray about it, asking God to free you from it.
- Can you recall a time in your life when you prayed about something that was worrying you, and God helped you overcome that challenge?
- How does the idea of being freed from fear by receiving peace and courage – rather than by the problem disappearing – change how you might pray in challenging situations?
- This week, how can you make prayer your first response to the worries that enter your mind?
Further Reading
2 Timothy 1:7
Isaiah 41:10
Joshua 1:9
Philippians 4:6-7
1 Peter 5:7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Tragedies can be sudden, shocking, and heartbreaking—but they also remind us of life’s eternal reality. In Why Tragedies Lead Us to Eternity, Lynette Kittle reflects on 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 and explores how witnessing or experiencing loss can point us to the hope we have in Christ. Listeners will be encouraged to consider their eternal destination, understand the gift of salvation, and trust that Jesus has conquered death, offering everlasting life to all who believe. This episode is essential for anyone seeking clarity, comfort, and assurance in the face of life’s fragility.
✨ Highlights
- 2 Corinthians 2:15-16: Christians are the aroma of Christ to the saved and unsaved
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13: Comfort for those grieving with hope in Christ
- Hebrews 2:9: Jesus’ death and resurrection bring eternal life to believers
- Eternal choices: Daniel 12:2 and Matthew 25:46 explain the reality of judgment
- The futility of trying to cheat death vs. the promise of resurrection through Jesus
- John 5:24, John 8:51, John 11:25-26: Belief in Christ ensures victory over death
- Reflection: Do you know where you will spend eternity?
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you considered how sudden tragedies point to the hope we have in Jesus? How does trusting Him change the way you live today? Share your reflections with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #EternalLife #TrustInJesus #ChristianHope #SalvationInChrist to encourage others to embrace the gift of eternal life.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Why Tragedies Lead Us to Eternity
By Lynette Kittle
“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?”--2 Corinthians 2:15-16
Our nation has witnessed some horrific tragedies including fiery plane crashes, destructive fires, devastating floods, explosive tornadoes, and more.
In all of these, we’ve witnessed individuals’ lives end in an instant, with no prior warning, leaving this world in a moment’s notice and headed for eternity.
Christians whose loved ones pass away have the hope of seeing them again, in eternity. But to those who don’t believe and haven’t accepted Christ as their Savior, there is no hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13, explains, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”
The Good News is that Jesus has tasted death for us, so we don’t have to, and those who perish knowing Christ, move from life to life, walking into their new forever lives in a second.
Hebrews 2:9 explains, “But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”
Bystanders to Tragedies Can Still Choose
Being witnesses and bystanders to these tragedies leads us to eternity. Even if we don’t know those who are leaving this earth, their passing lives remind us that we need to be ready for it.
Some individuals aren’t worried about dying, believing that their lives will just cease to exist at death, an eternal oblivion. But life continues after physical death, whether we accept Christ or not, our life will continue eternally. It’s just a matter of where we choose to live it.
Daniel 12:2 describes what is to come: “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.”
In Matthew 25:46, Jesus describes what happens, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Cheaters Never Win
Others believe they can cheat death and live forever, hard at work trying to stop it from happening to them. But Hebrews 9:27 says it’s appointed unto each man to die once, so humans on earth are wasting their resources, time, and efforts trying to escape death.
As the Scripture explains, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”
But Jesus gives us a free pass from death and all we have to do is to accept His gift of eternal life, but if we reject it, then we’re on our own.
As 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 explains, “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
Scripture makes it very clear, explaining over-and-over again how it works. Jesus said in John 5:24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
Again, in John 8:51, Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys My word will never see death.”
How much more clear could He make it, saying yet again in John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?’”
So the question for us to answer today is, “Do we believe?”
If so, then we don’t have to worry or be concerned about sudden danger, tragedy, and death because our eternity is already settled. We are ready for eternity without a moment’s notice.
Intersecting Faith & Life: If you should die today, or tomorrow, or next week, do you know where you will spend eternity? If not, you can settle your eternal destination right now, by receiving Jesus’ gift of Salvation, received through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave.
Further Reading: How Do We Tell Others About Christ?
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/ibelieve-truth-a-devotional-for-women/how-do-we-tell-others-about-christ.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Obeying God rather than man is one of the most vital choices in the Christian life. Acts 5:29 reminds us, “We must obey God rather than human beings!”—a truth that calls believers to stand firm in faith, walk in obedience, and trust God’s authority above cultural pressures or human approval. In It Is Better to Obey God Than to Obey Man by Vivian Bricker, we explore why obedience flows from love, how fear is replaced by faith, and why following God leads to freedom, joy, and spiritual growth. This episode is perfect for listeners seeking encouragement in Christian living, strength to resist temptation, and clarity on what it means to obey God daily.
✨ Highlights
- Acts 5:29: Peter and the apostles boldly declare obedience to God over people
- Why fear of man fades when we trust in God’s love and protection (Psalm 118:6)
- Obedience rooted in love, not fear—John 14:15 and God’s heart for His children
- Practical encouragement for standing firm when pressured by others
- The dangers of obeying man over God and drifting away spiritually
- How submitting to God brings true joy, freedom, and a stronger relationship with Him
💬 Join the Conversation
Who are you obeying—God or man? How can you live out obedience to God in your daily choices with courage and joy? Share your reflections with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #ObeyGodNotMan #ChristianLiving #FaithInAction to encourage others to walk boldly in obedience to the Lord.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
It Is Better to Obey God Than to Obey Man
By: Vivian Bricker
“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!’” (Acts 5:29).
Each day, we have the choice of whether we will obey God or obey man. Many of us are fearful of other humans, but in truth, we shouldn’t be afraid of them. May we all echo the words of the psalmist, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 118:6). Rather than being afraid, we can live freely in obedience to God.
Many believe this means we should be afraid of God, but this isn’t what God wants. He doesn’t want us to be afraid of Him. He wants us to respect Him, obey Him, and love Him.
Fear doesn’t last, but love always does.
If we genuinely love God, we will obey Him (John 14:15). Our hearts will be devoted to God alone, and we won’t have a desire to obey man over God’s commands. Living in obedience to Him will bring about our greatest good.
Walking in obedience to God is based on love and His work in our lives. It can take some time to walk in obedience with the Lord fully; however, as long as we are trying to walk according to Him, we are going in the right direction. We will never be perfect, so we will all still continue to sin throughout our lives; however, our lives will change when we actively choose to obey God rather than man.
Whenever we are faced with the decision of obeying God or going along with whatever a person tells us to do, we need to stand our ground. While we don’t need to be angry or hostile to others, we need to stand up for the Lord and remain faithful to Him.
If we choose to obey mankind over God, we will fall into many temptations and sins. Submitting to them and treating them as our ultimate authority will only lead us further away from God. This alone can drastically affect our relationship with the Lord. Rather than growing in our relationship with Him, we will drift away with the world.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible tells us, “Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!’” (Acts 5:29). As believers, we need to follow what Peter and the apostles say here: first and foremost, we must obey God. There is no reason for us to obey humans if they are not in agreement with the Bible.
Obeying God is not a chore or something to dread. Everything He has taught us in the Bible is to help us. God isn’t a killjoy or a malevolent ruler who wants to control us. Instead, He is our loving, caring, and kind Father who wants the best for us. Submitting to Him and obeying Him will help us have more joyful lives.
Who are you obeying: God or man? How might you start obeying God rather than man? How can you keep yourself accountable for walking in obedience with God rather than the world?
Further Reading:
1 Samuel 15:22
Proverbs 3:5-6
Luke 6:46-49
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Are you ready for the return of Christ? The Book of Revelation reminds us that Jesus will come again, and every thought, word, and deed—both public and private—will be revealed before Him. In Are You Ready for the Lord?, we reflect on Revelation 1:3 and explore how God’s warnings to the seven churches still call us today to live faithfully, repent of sin, and prepare for eternity with Him. Perfect for listeners seeking hope, guidance, and clarity about the end times, Christian accountability, and walking in readiness for the Lord’s return.
✨ Highlights
- Revelation 1:3: a blessing for those who read, hear, and take to heart God’s prophecy
- Why Revelation reveals both encouragement and warnings for the church
- How God’s omniscience uncovers both our good works and our hidden sins
- The promise of Christ’s return and the hope of eternity in heaven
- What the seven churches teach us about living faithfully today
- Reflection: Are your deeds pleasing to God, or in need of repentance?
💬 Join the Conversation
Are you living ready for Christ’s return? What does preparing for eternity look like in your daily life? Share your reflections with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #FaithAndEndTimes #ChristianLiving #ReadyForTheLord to encourage others to stay watchful and walk in faith until the day He returns.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Are You Ready for the Lord?
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:3.
“Ready or not, here I come!”
I would shout these words with my friends as we played the classic game of hide and seek as kids. Whenever I went over my friend's house or got to choose what we played at recess, hide and seek was one of my favorites. Because I was so small, I could hide in various places around the playground or around my friend's house. With great anticipation, I waited as I heard my friend's footsteps coming frantically, trying to find me.
Once, I hid in my friend’s pantry and ducked under the high shelves filled with canned goods. When they couldn't see me, I hollered, “Here I am!” I ran to my friends, grinning from ear to ear at the realization I had tricked them into not finding me.
Although I would love to hide from God, regarding my deepest secrets and sins, God's omniscience and sovereignty always reveal them to me. He always knows exactly where I'm hiding: my thoughts, words, and deeds, both publicly and privately. The book of Revelation is a retelling of just that. God, seeing the church's deeds done both openly and privately, knows the places where they're strong, but also where they are weak.
The Apostle John writes the Book of Revelation as the prophetic uncovering of the church’s most extraordinary deeds. In a sense, the Book of Revelation is like John repeating those fateful words the person tasked with finding their hidden friends in the game of hide and seek must utter aloud: “Ready or not, here I come!”
But the Lord, in his sovereignty and grace, gives us ample time to get prepared. The book of Revelation is to prepare the body of Christ with the understanding that Christ will come back again someday. Although no one is sure exactly when he will return, Revelation is clear that the Lord will come down on the clouds and you will rise with him to spend eternity with him in heaven.
Although this will be a joyous day when we get to unite with our savior, we will also become accountable for all our deeds, both public and private. The worst sins are covered under the blood of Christ’s atonement; we will receive rewards in heaven based on how we choose to live our lives.
God gives John these visions of the seven churches because all of us can relate to and see ourselves in both the good and bad deeds that John reveals. The Book of Revelation is not meant to scare us or make us afraid of God. Rather, it is a warning to make sure we're living lives worthy of Christ both in thought and deed.
Take a moment and analyze the words John uses to both encourage and admonish each of the seven churches. First, John always tells them what they are doing well. Then, he lets them know the places where they are falling short. Then, he ends with other things that they are doing well that the Lord most enjoys.
It will be the same with us in the last days. The Lord will point out all the things that we did well. However, he will also hold us accountable for the reasons behind our actions. Whether we committed a particular act or refrained from standing up for doing what is right, all our deeds will be exposed and judged accordingly.
Although the Book of Revelation is targeted toward specific churches, take a moment and think about your own deeds. Would your thoughts be something that pleases him, or something for which he must admonish?
In Revelation, one thing is clear: Regardless of whether we understand fully the symbolism outline, God will one day return to be united with his children.
Are you ready?
Father, let us be people whose deeds are pleasing to you. Let us analyze our deeds, done both publicly and privately. Let my words and deeds be things that you would find attractive, and not ones that would prompt a letter of rebuke.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Are there deeds in your life for which you need to repent? What can you do to do that?
Further reading
1 Thessalonians 4
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Christian emptiness can feel overwhelming, but in Christ, our emptiness becomes the very space He fills with His presence and peace. In How Emptiness Fills Our Souls, Peyton Garland shares her journey through OCD, therapy, and discovering how God uses our broken places to reveal His love and healing. If you’ve struggled with loneliness, anxiety, or spiritual dryness, this episode offers encouragement to see emptiness not as the end, but as the beginning of God’s work of restoration in your life.
✨ Highlights
- Ephesians 3:16–19: God strengthens and fills us through His Spirit
- How emptiness creates space for healing, hope, and God’s fullness
- Breaking free from cultural lies about independence and fulfillment
- Personal testimony of finding help through Christian counseling
- Why vulnerability opens doors to truth, peace, and lasting joy
- Emptiness as an opportunity to encounter God’s resurrection power
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever felt spiritually or emotionally empty? How has God met you in that space? Share your story with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #FaithAndHealing #ChristianCounseling #HopeInChrist to connect and encourage others who may be walking through emptiness toward God’s fullness.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
How Emptiness Fills Our Souls
By Peyton Garland
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)
An American woman born to a well-to-do middle-class family, my basic needs were met, and my superficial childhood wishes almost always came true. My life wasn’t perfect, though, as my father struggled with PTSD for most of my childhood, and I battled undiagnosed OCD. Those were the hidden pieces of my easy life that weren’t simple to fix. No toy or vacation can heal the mind, and when it’s left unsettled for so many years, it learns to operate out of fear.
My family isn’t one to volunteer for therapy or mental health counseling. Our old southern roots dig deep in the dirt, and my relatives often see those roots as the laces by which we should all pull ourselves up by our bootstraps.
But at 25, this boot-strap philosophy still wasn’t working. I felt hollow and lonely, as though no one could understand my obsessive mind and the intrusive thoughts I could never shake. I opened up to a friend who recommended a therapist in my area, and attending her sessions was life-changing.
I came to her office at the end of my rope, empty of answers and hope, and because of this emptiness, I was able to be filled. And because I was making my emptiness known to a trusted source, I could be filled with goodness and truth. I could find healing that would never have happened had I been left to my own devices.
My therapist granted me a fresh perspective concerning my OCD. She offered conversations that allowed me to discover core issues that my heart continued to carry. She also shared hard truths concerning my diagnosis and my relationships with others that I needed to hear. Therapy wasn’t easy work. I often left feeling physically depleted, but my heart was settled. Hope had a brighter face, one I could look at and believe in.
I share my story to remind you that feeling empty, whether in relationships, job fulfillment, spiritual searching, etc., doesn’t have to be the end of your story. It doesn’t have to define who you are or keep hope out of reach. Emptiness is an opportunity to be filled, but we must only open ourselves up to be filled with what is good, lovely, and true. Anything else will not only reinforce the weight of emptiness but span the gap between you and joy that lasts.
Emptiness isn’t meant to be a badge of honor, either. In a culture that tells women they are better off alone, without children, and most fulfilled at a desk, it’s easy to believe the lie that remaining devoid of relationships with people and God is the route to safety and success. But I encourage you to rebuke culture’s destructive lie. Don’t allow emptiness to become a companion. It’s a lousy friend, I promise.
Just as an empty tomb gave way to the resurrected Savior, who has set the world free, may your empty heart give way to God’s glory and vision for your life. May your emptiness prompt your hands to open, and may your hunger be filled with everlasting peace.
“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9 (NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Take some time to list any/all ways you feel empty. If it’s relationally, consider opening yourself up to healthy friendships through a church small group, moms’ group, book club, etc. If you feel spiritually empty, find a trusted Christian leader to confide in. If your mental health feels hollow, I encourage you to seek Christian counseling, like I did.
Further Reading:
When You Feel Spiritually Dry
Psalm 107
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Christian joy isn’t something to feel guilty about—it’s a gift from God. In Go Ahead and Enjoy Your Life, Whitney Hopler reflects on Ecclesiastes 9:7 and reminds us that God has already approved the simple pleasures that bring gladness to our hearts. From meals with friends to family adventures, enjoying life is part of our spiritual walk. Discover how embracing joy in everyday moments deepens your faith, relieves stress, and opens your eyes to the wonder of God’s work around you.
✨ Highlights
- Ecclesiastes 9:7: God’s approval for us to enjoy life’s blessings
- Why Christians often feel guilty about rest, leisure, or enjoyment—and how to let go of that guilt
- Joy as a spiritual practice: how savoring meals, nature, and meaningful connections can draw us closer to God
- The difference between God-honoring enjoyment and reckless indulgence
- Practical ways to recognize God’s presence in joyful experiences
- How gratitude and delight strengthen your relationship with Him
💬 Join the Conversation
Do you struggle with feeling guilty for enjoying life’s simple pleasures? How has God reminded you that joy is part of His plan for you? Share your story with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #ChristianJoy #EnjoyLife #FaithAndHappiness to encourage others to embrace God’s approval to live with gladness.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Go Ahead and Enjoy Your Life
By: Whitney Hopler
“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” - Ecclesiastes 9:7, NIV
My favorite way to get together with my friends is to enjoy lunch together. I regularly make reservations at various restaurants to meet each friend one-on-one. There’s something about eating a good meal that helps us especially enjoy our time together. At lunch, we can relax and be fully present with each other, rather than getting distracted by the items on our to-do lists. We can savor our food by eating mindfully and savor our conversations by listening well to each other. As we do, we’re free from stress and able to fully embrace the joy God offers in that experience. We could eat shorter and less expensive lunches if we just ate at home while talking on the phone together. But we don’t feel guilty about our restaurant lunches, because we know that eating our food with gladness together is always a good choice.
Have you ever felt guilty for enjoying something when you could have made a more practical choice? Maybe you went to see a sports game or a theater show in person, even though the tickets were expensive and you could have just watched TV instead. Maybe you took a day trip to a place you’ve wanted to visit for a while, instead of spending the day getting caught up on chores or errands. When you’re busy, it’s easy to feel like you always need to be practical and productive. But finding joy in life is also important, because God wants you to live life to the fullest.
This verse from Ecclesiastes can remind you that God is a loving Father who loves to see you enjoy life. God has already approved of the happiness you get from a delicious dinner, a fun concert, or a trip to a museum with your family. Experiences like those aren’t distractions from your spiritual life; they’re a part of it.
God is at work all around you, all the time. You can discover the wonder of God’s work every day – in nature, in the love that flows between you and your family and friends, and in many other experiences. You just need to make time to look for it. Paying attention to God’s wonderful work around you is easier when you’re not rushed and stressed. When you choose to go ahead and enjoy life day by day, you’ll naturally start to notice more of what God is doing in your life.
So, go ahead. Enjoy your food with gladness. Drink your wine (or your water, or your tea) with a joyful heart. Embrace all the fun and adventure you can – and don’t feel guilty for it. God has already approved what you do! He wants you to find joy in your life, to see how that joy comes from the wonder of his work, and to be grateful for every single blessing he gives you.
Enjoying your life on a regular basis is just as important spiritually as your regular spiritual practices, like prayer, reading the Bible, and going to church. Give yourself permission to enjoy your life. God has already given you his approval to enjoy the life he has so graciously given you!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how important it is to enjoy life, reflect on these questions:
- How often do you feel guilty for simply enjoying something? Why do you think that is?
- What’s one action you can take today to look for the wonder of God’s work in your life?
- Think of a time recently when you felt a sense of pure joy. What was happening, and how can you see God working through that experience?
- What’s the difference between simple enjoyment and reckless indulgence?
- In what ways does finding joy in everyday life strengthen your relationship with God?
Further Reading
1 Timothy 6:17
Psalm 16:11
Proverbs 17:22
Psalm 34:8
James 1:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Christian community and biblical fellowship are essential for spiritual growth and protection from the enemy. In Our Need for Each Other, Cindi McMenamin explores Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 and Proverbs 18:1 to show why God created us for connection, not isolation. Drawing wisdom from Scripture and even from caterpillars in North Africa, this episode highlights how linking with other believers strengthens our faith, shields us from spiritual attack, and helps us live out the “one another” commands of the Bible.
✨ Highlights
- Why “two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10) is vital for Christian living
- The dangers of isolation—how loneliness can open the door to shame, fear, and destructive thoughts
- Biblical wisdom from Proverbs 18:1 and the importance of community
- Lessons from creation: caterpillars traveling in unity as a model of spiritual defense
- Practical encouragement to link arms with other believers for spiritual survival and growth
- God’s design for fellowship, accountability, and interdependence in the body of Christ
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever experienced God’s protection and encouragement through Christian community? How do you stay connected when life gets busy? Share your story with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #OurNeedForEachOther #ChristianCommunity #FaithAndFellowship to encourage others to link up and walk this journey of faith together.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Our Need for Each Other
By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
King Solomon, whom Scripture calls the wisest man who ever lived, told us there is strength in numbers when we are surrounding ourselves with at least one other believer.
But it’s just so easy these days to shoot a text or respond to someone via email instead of actually being with one another.
Life can get busy and we can too easily find ourselves isolating from one another. We may not intend to do it, but when our to-do list screams at us to be more productive, the needs from our family become too insistent, and the internal cry of ours is to get away from everyone and get some rest, we can end up on an island, feeling isolated and alone.
But linking up with other believers in the body of Christ, is not just an option. It’s essential for our survival.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
While I was in North Africa visiting my brother, we were on a walk through a rural park when he pointed out to me something I had never seen or noticed in the States. The caterpillars—dark grey and black in color—travel single file one after another, linked so closely that they look like one long snake on the ground to any predator above them like a bird or animal that might otherwise swoop down and eat a single caterpillar or two.
“When they link up with one another, they are protected,” my brother pointed out. “That is their defense.” I watched them closely. They weren’t independent, doing their own thing and only coming together when they needed something to do or something to eat. They traveled this way. They walked this way. It was their lifestyle, their mode of operation.
In Scripture, we are given more than thirty “one-another” commands, instructing us how to live with and relate to other believers. We are not to just link up when it’s time for a church potluck or an entertaining event. We are to live linked, travel that way, walk that way. It’s our defense.
The enemy of your soul knows the potential of a like-minded believer to strengthen your faith. Therefore, he wants you to believe you’re fine on your own, you’re strong independently, and that no one really has time to hear of your struggles anyway. But God created us to be dependent on Him and interdependent on one another so He can be glorified in our celebrations as well as our sufferings. Satan wants nothing more than for you to detach from the train of believers and move increasingly further from the body of Christ, and to believe God’s church is no longer relevant to your life.
But like the defenseless caterpillars, when you and I are alone, we are prey to the enemy. If he can get us alone in our thoughts, he can bring in shame about our past, doubt about our present, and fear about our future. He will also try to lure us toward destructive thoughts about ourselves and others. When people are alone they get depressed. When people are alone they damage their bodies. When people are alone they take their lives. Those aren’t group activities. Satan strikes the believer when he or she is alone.
King Solomon, who told us two are better than one, also wrote: “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (Proverbs 18:1). In other words, by seeking our own desires, we are not considering the wisdom of others. In another translation, that verse reads: “Whoever pulls away from others to focus solely on his own desires disregards any sense of sound judgment” (The Voice).
In Proverbs 6:6-8, Solomon instructs us to look at the ant and gain wisdom from her work ethic. We also ought to look to the caterpillars to gain wisdom from their survival skills. When we link up with one another, we’re less of a target to our enemy. We are protected as we are among each other and cooperating together. We are not renegade, off by ourselves, doing what is right in our own eyes. Once we separate and go our own way, we become fodder for the enemy.
God never intended for us to isolate ourselves. He created us for community with one another. Don’t try to go it alone, my friend. Link up with those who are on this journey with you. You need them for your spiritual and emotional survival, as much as they need you.
Lord, thank You for the way you designed the North African caterpillars to operate in Your intended fashion for their survival. Help me to be wise and link up with those you have surrounded me with so I will stay strong in you and never walk alone.
Further Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:11-12; Philippians 2:1-3
For more on growing closer to God and others, see my books: The New Loneliness: Nurturing Meaningful Connections When You Feel Isolated, andThe New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Struggling with darkness, depression, or discouragement? In The Lord Is My Light, Vivian Bricker unpacks Micah 7:8 to remind us that even when we fall, God’s light breaks through. This episode offers hope for Christians battling spiritual darkness, emotional struggles, and seasons of despair—pointing to the Lord’s protection, grace, and peace that bring light out of shadows. Perfect for those seeking encouragement, Christian hope, and biblical truth about overcoming darkness with God’s presence.
✨ Highlights
- Micah 7:8 and the promise: “Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.”
- How depression and spiritual darkness can affect our walk with God
- Why physical and emotional darkness can give a false sense of security
- The Lord’s power to protect, restore, and bring peace even in life’s darkest seasons
- Encouragement to rise again after falling, trusting in God’s light and salvation
💬 Join the Conversation
Do you ever find the darkness more comfortable than the light? How has Jesus brought you out of seasons of despair into His peace and presence? Share your reflections with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #TheLordIsMyLight #ChristianEncouragement #FaithAndHope to encourage others with your story of God’s light breaking through.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Lord Is My Light
By: Vivian Bricker
“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light” (Micah 7:8).
As someone who struggles with depression, I often find myself in the darkness. This might surprise some, but I tend to be more comfortable in the darkness. Rainy days and nights bring me comfort, while the brilliance of the sun brings my heart grief. Sad music brings my heart comfort rather than upbeat, happy tunes.
Even though some of us may be comfortable in the darkness, it does not mean it is the healthiest place to be, either physically or spiritually. Always being in physical darkness can worsen our feelings of depression as well as our deep sorrow. In the same way, being in spiritual or emotional darkness can cause us to suffer in our walk with the Lord.
As we turn more to the Lord, we will see His light shine into our lives. He calls us out of the darkness and into His Kingdom. Even though it might be scary at times to go into the light, we can trust the Lord. The darkness is not our forever home, as it only gives us a false sense of security. By turning to the Lord, we will have His protection, grace, and peace.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Through the Book of Micah, we see Micah calling the Lord his light: “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light” (Micah 7:8). As Micah says in this passage, although he sits in darkness, the Lord will be his light. Jesus will also be our light; even if we sit in the darkness for years, we can still find hope in the Lord.
While some periods of darkness can feel comfortable to us, there are also other periods of darkness that cause us to feel worried, scared, and alone. During these times of darkness, we can also find comfort in knowing the Lord is our light. He will illuminate the darkness and make His peace, comfort, and love known to us. We are never without hope because we are never without God.
Upon further reflection on Micah 7:8, we also see the prophet saying, “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise.” Like Micah, we can also tell our enemies that they cannot gloat over us. Although we may have fallen, we will rise again. The Lord will establish our feet on level ground and strengthen us.
He is our light and our salvation (Psalm 27:1). We never need to doubt Him or be worried. The Lord brings light out of darkness, and where He stands, the dark shadows flee away. There is nothing in all creation that can thwart Jesus’ protection or His power. Rather than remaining in the darkness, we can step out into the light today.
Do you find the darkness to be more comfortable? Why or why not? What would it look like to have Jesus bring you out of this darkness? Would it give you a sense of hope or uncertainty? Jesus is the light of our lives and will help us rise again. How can you find peace in this truth today?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Discover how God’s mysterious ways are revealed in nature and in our lives in Discovering God’s Mysterious Ways this Fall. Lynette Kittle explores the spiritual lessons of autumn, including God’s promises of resurrection, renewal, and hidden growth, perfect for listeners seeking Christian insight, reflection, and spiritual growth during the fall season. This episode helps believers connect the beauty and change of fall with God’s transformative power and eternal plan.
✨ Highlights
- How fall reveals the mystery of resurrection and Jesus’ promise of new life
- Understanding how dying leads to new life, spiritually and naturally
- The hidden work of God in secret, unseen growth during seasons of dormancy
- God’s creation of newness in our hearts and lives through the Holy Spirit
- Practical reflection on embracing God’s transformative work during autumn
💬 Join the Conversation
How does fall remind you of God’s mysterious ways in your life? In what ways do you see God working in hidden or unexpected ways during times of change? Share your insights and reflections with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #GodsMystery #AutumnReflections #SpiritualGrowth to connect and encourage others to see God’s work in every season.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Discovering God’s Mysterious Ways this Fall
By Lynette Kittle
“This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed”-- 1 Corinthians 4:1
What’s so beautiful about fall? The answer is, “Almost everything!”
Beautiful fall colors lead the way with their bright and varied intensity. The changing hues are bright and magnificent, glorious and breath-taking, until they fade away to become the brown, and brittle. Once the splendor of vibrant colors diminishes, it causes us to look forward to what lies ahead.
Fall Reveals Some of God’s Mysterious Ways
Fall paints a picture that reveals some of the mysterious ways God works in nature and in our lives. The following are four ways.
- Fall reveals the mystery of resurrection’s promise. Although at fall’s ending, the earth seems stark and barren, it carries the promise of the resurrection to come, as lived out in the life of Jesus on earth.
His death brought great sorrow and loss to His followers who, during His death process on the cross, didn’t fully understand what would happen next, even though He told them.
In Revelation 1:18, Jesus explains, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Jesus’ death was followed by His glorious resurrection from the grave, bringing great joy and the promise of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, so that we, too, can live on earth filled with the power Jesus exuded.
- Fall reveals the mystery of dying leading to new life. Fall is literally the dying off of spring and summer’s growth. Although, for most, death seems like the end, God reveals to us that dying can lead to new life.
Jesus’ death led the way to our receiving new life. As the Apostle Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 5:15 “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”
Paul teaches, too, how we then die to sin and become alive in God: “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:1).
- Fall reveals the mystery of God’s secrets. Fall reveals to us that God does things in secret. After fall, when nature looks naked and stripped, God is stirring new life within the trees and plants, things we can’t see in their barrenness.
Deuteronomy 29:29 explains how, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”
After fall, most outdoor trees and plants go into a survival state termed dormancy, where their outer appearances seem lifeless, but they are still very much alive on the inside, deep within, hidden from human eyes.
During the winter cold, they may look dead, but they are dramatically slowing and conserving their internal biological processes as protection from the frigid temperatures. Although hidden inside from sight, new life is forming buds and seeds, carefully preparing and preserving them to burst forth in springtime.
- Fall reveals the mystery of God creating newness. Fall paves the way for God to create newness on the earth, ridding the land of the past and bringing forth new life, just like He does in us.
The way God transforms the hearts of sinners is truly a mystery, of how His Holy Spirit works deep within us, making us new, cleansing us within.
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”(Hebrews 9:14).
God removes old things from inside of us, and creates a new us, from the inside out. 2 Corinthians 5:17 explains it further: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Intersecting Faith & Life: If fall stirs up a mixed bag of feelings and emotions for you, ask God to show you how its fading beauty leads to something even more beautiful, new life. Ask Him to stir His life and new creation within you, as you look forward to the earth’s newness to emerge.
Further Reading: A Prayer to Deepen Your Prayer Life this Fall
crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-prayer/a-prayer-to-deepen-your-prayer-life-this-fall.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Loving others well, growing in discernment, and navigating challenging relationships are explored in Abounding in Love and Discernment, based on Philippians 1:9-11. In this episode, listeners learn how to cultivate Christ-centered love that overflows with knowledge, insight, and spiritual discernment—essential for handling difficult family members, friends, or coworkers. Perfect for those seeking guidance on Christian love, relational wisdom, and spiritual growth.
✨ Highlights
- Understanding Paul’s prayer for love to “abound more and more” in knowledge, insight, and discernment
- Practical guidance for showing Christ-like love in difficult or challenging relationships
- Using experience, empathy, and Spirit-led wisdom to love well under pressure
- Balancing grace and truth when navigating boundaries, dysfunction, and relational pain
- Encouragement to grow continually in godly love, insight, and spiritual maturity
💬 Join the Conversation
How do you apply Christ’s principles of love in challenging relationships? In what ways do knowledge, insight, and discernment help you navigate relational difficulties? Share your experiences with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #ChristianLove #DiscernmentInFaith #RelationalWisdom to encourage and connect with others seeking to grow in God-centered love.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:9-11, NIV).
Am I the only one who, at times, lands in situations where loving others feels challenging and confusing? And I’m not referring to those instances when we’re hurt, or distrustful, or selfish and simply don’t want to love like Jesus. I mean, that in and of itself is perhaps the most difficult assignment the Lord gave us.
But how do we apply Christ’s directives to, say, a drug addicted child or alcoholic spouse? How should we respond to that friend struggling with debilitating depression or working through unhealed trauma from their past? What about that family member that consistently blows through our boundaries and threatens to infect us with their dysfunction?
Loving people well, honorably, with equal parts grace and truth, feels anything but simple. Maybe that’s why I felt so drawn to today’s passage in Phillipians. This letter from Paul, a first century evangelist and God-ordained apostle who wrote much of the New Testament, encourages us to love others, those who are prickly, hurting, joyous and fun, and everyone in between, with our thinking brains engaged.
First, I’m struck by the fact that he prayed for the Philippians to grow in love. I’m intrigued by many of his prayers in Scripture. We rarely see him praying for relief, for himself or the men and women he led. They experienced persecution, job loss, health issues, and all the other challenges and hardships we do. But Paul remained fixated on his mission, representing Christ well, and teaching those he influenced to follow his example.
I once heard a sermon that the experience he relayed in 2 Corinthians 12, where he, according to verse 4, “was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell” enabled him to persevere through intense suffering—because he’d caught a glimpse of the amazing blessings that lay ahead. I suspect that’s true. He was able to love well, sacrificially, because he knew Christ had already won, and that God had preserved a glorious inheritance for all His children.
Such understanding might help with our motivation, but that doesn’t speak to the confusion we often feel when trying to live this out in our day-to-day lives. That’s why we need to continually grow in knowledge, insight, and discernment.
Paul prayed that our love might abound more and more in those qualities. If one were writing this today, they’d likely end their sentence with numerous exclamation points. Let’s break this down. In the original Greek, the word our Bibles translate as abound has the connotation of something that exceeds what is necessary and overflows all around. I’m thinking of when someone uses a hose to fill a bucket with water and keeps it flowing so that it gushes over the rim and onto the concrete. But that wasn’t enough. Paul expanded on this abundance with the phrase, “more and more.” Therefore, an increase in what already existed in abundance.
This reminds me that we never reach a place of complete maturity, complete godliness, this side of heaven. We can always grow in our ability to love others, again, with the perfect blend of grace and truth.
Paul prayed that the Philippians’ love, and by extension, ours, would abound in knowledge. In the original Greek, this is the understanding that comes through personal experience. It’s one thing to recite the qualities of love described in 1 Corinthians 13, to know, in our head, that love is patient, kind, and gentle. It’s another matter entirely to know how to display those characteristics when we’re hurt, irritated, sleep deprived or triggered. That takes experience and practice.
Notice, also, Scripture encourages us to love with insight and discernment. Insight implies understanding the needs, challenges, perceptions and hurts of those to whom we are showing love. It’s taking time to really see people, and to respond from a place of empathy, understanding, and Spirit-led wisdom.
And finally, God wants us to love with discernment. This reminds me of when Jesus told us to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. We’re to remain alert to manipulation tactics, dishonesty, dysfunction, and behaviors that, if encouraged, could lead someone to self-destruct.
This also takes practice, prayer, ongoing connection with Christ, and maintaining a pure and pliable heart that learns to follow His lead, and only His lead, trusting that He knows best how we can love the souls He created.
Further Reading:
John 13:34-35
Ephesians 4:25-32
Romans 12:9-13
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Autumn reflections, Christian faith, and spiritual patience come together in Getting Ready for Autumn by Vivian Bricker, offering guidance for navigating the changing seasons of life. Drawing on James 5:7-8, this episode explores how God’s presence, patience, and comfort help believers process grief, embrace beauty, and remain steadfast in faith. Perfect for listeners seeking Christian encouragement, spiritual growth, seasonal reflection, and coping with loss during fall.
✨ Highlights
- Embracing the beauty and pain of the Autumn season through a Christ-centered perspective
- Learning patience from the farmer’s example in James 5:7-8
- Recognizing God’s constant presence through all seasons of life, including grief and hardship
- Practical encouragement for coping with memories, loss, and emotional challenges in fall
- Reflecting on personal spiritual growth and trust in God during times of waiting
💬 Join the Conversation
Does Autumn bring happy or sad memories for you? How do you embrace both the beauty and challenges of the season while trusting God? Share your reflections with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #AutumnFaith #ChristianReflection #PatienceInGod to connect with others navigating the season of faith, grief, and hope
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Getting Ready for Autumn
By Vivian Bricker
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:7-8).
Autumn is a beautiful time of year. The colorful fall leaves, the changing of the seasons, and the cooler weather are its hallmarks. However, the fall season can also bring many sad memories. My mom passed away in the fall, which changed the Autumn season for me. I still think Autumn is a beautiful season, but now there is pain that coexists with beauty.
Maybe fall brings you the same feelings. There is pain, but there is also beauty. As we prepare for Autumn, we need to reflect on all these feelings. We need to accept the pain and the beauty. This is something that I have had to do for many years. Autumn was once filled with joy, and now it is a reminder of tears and pain. I have learned that accepting the pain is part of the journey of moving forward.
God has been present with me through every struggle and hardship. He was beside me when my mom passed, and He continues to be beside me every day. This is one of God’s many promises to us: He will be with us through every step of our lives (Psalm 23). Rather than giving way to pain and fear, we need to turn to God. He will help us cope with anything that the world throws at us.
Sadly, none of us is promised an easy life on this earth. We will have hard times and intense struggles. Health problems will come, friends will leave our lives, and loved ones will pass on. The only person who stays with us always is God. He will never leave our side, whether it is Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter. No matter what season brings pain into our lives, God will be with us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Getting ready for Autumn also requires patience. Patience for the season ahead and patience to endure any troubles. The half-brother of the Lord says, “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:7-8). As James tells us, we need to be patient until the Lord’s coming.
Similar to how the farmer waits for autumn and spring rains, we need to be patient and stand firm, because Jesus’ coming is near. As we walk through this Autumn season, we must patiently wait just as the farmer waits for his land to yield its crop. Jesus’ coming will arrive in its proper time, but we must wait until it’s time. Waiting can be hard, but we can weather any storm with the Lord’s strength.
We can choose to be patient as we are approaching this season by staying focused on God. He will equip us with comfort, peace, and guidance. During the fall months, we can begin to experience intense sadness because of the darker days and the memories of the past. However, God can help us accept this pain while also enjoying the beauty of the crisp, colorful days.
As you walk through this season, be patient with yourself. It is okay to cry and express your emotions. There is nothing wrong with releasing your pain in tears. Crying out to God is not weak or problematic. In fact, it is actually a great thing because it acknowledges our dependence on God and our need for His deliverance. Give all of these feelings over to Him today, equip yourself with patience, and step into Autumn with a heart of hope.
Does Autumn bring happy or sad memories for you? How might you allow the beauty and pain of Autumn to coexist? What are some ways you can trust God in the waiting period?
“Dear God, I will wait patiently for Your deliverance just as the farmer waits for the spring and Autumn rains. Autumn can be a challenging time for me, but I’m waiting on You. Please fill my life with your love, hope, and protection. Help me to also see the beauty even amidst the pain. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.”
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Every day, we face countless decisions—some small, some life-changing. In Discern What’s Best, Whitney Hopler shows how prayer, God’s guidance, and growing in spiritual insight help us make choices that honor Him and produce the fruit of righteousness. Drawing on Philippians 1:9-11, this episode explores how God-centered discernment, love, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance shape our daily decisions. Perfect for listeners seeking Christian decision-making guidance, spiritual growth, and clarity in life’s choices.
✨ Highlights
- How God’s love deepens knowledge and insight to help discern the best choices
- Practical ways to grow in discernment: prayer, Bible reading, and listening to the Holy Spirit
- Using discernment to align decisions with God’s will and produce the fruit of righteousness
- Reflecting on daily decisions through a spiritual lens for holiness and clarity
- Encouragement for integrating God-centered discernment into everyday life
💬 Join the Conversation
How has God guided you in a recent decision? What does it look like for you to seek His perspective before making choices? Share your insights and experiences with the LifeAudio community! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #DiscernWhatsBest #ChristianDecisionMaking #FaithAndChoices to connect and encourage others on their journey of spiritual discernment.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Discern What’s Best
By: Whitney Hopler
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” – Philippians 1:9-11, NIV
As I looked forward to a weekend coming up, I considered how I’d like to spend it. I loved adventures in nature, so maybe I could hike with my husband in a park, even though the forecast called for rain. I thought of how a coworker was planning to binge watch a new TV show that I also wanted to see, but I didn’t want to let TV consume too much of my weekend. I couldn’t forget my to-do list of work, chores, and errands I wanted to get through, so I planned which ones I might tackle first. All of those choices were good enough not to be bad, but none of them excited me. So, I prayed about my weekend plans, asking for guidance. Then a good friend came to mind, and when I called her, she invited me to attend an event at her church that weekend. At that event, I experienced renewal and revival from a powerful worship service and deep conversations with my friend and other women there. It turned out to be the best choice I could have made!
We’re free to choose from among many options every day as we make decisions. Lots of good choices are possible. But choosing what’s truly best is only possible with the discernment that comes from God.
In Philippians 1:9-11, the apostle Paul prays that our love would grow “more and more in knowledge and depth of insight” so we can “discern what is best”. This love – the love that comes from God – helps us see the choices we face from the perspective of what really matters most. Discerning love comes as a result of relationships with Jesus. When we ask Jesus to help us discern what’s best, his love flows through our lives, shaping our perspective so we can understand what’s truly important. Then, we can make the best decisions day by day.
We can keep growing in discernment by praying for more knowledge and insight regularly. We can read God’s Word often to get to know God’s character and teachings well. We can ask the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, to help us see the decisions we face from God’s perspective. We can also pause before we make an important decision and ask ourselves questions like: “What is the most loving thing to do here?” and “What decision will produce the fruit of righteousness?” The more we know God from walking with Jesus, the better we can recognize what’s truly best in any kind of situation.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to make good choices; it’s to make the very best choices. So, as we face different decisions day by day, let’s pray for help to discern what’s best. When we do so, we’ll be blessed, and God will be grateful, because we’ll be giving him glory and praise in the process!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how important it is to discern what’s best, reflect on these questions:
- Think about a recent decision you had to make. Did you feel like you had a clear sense of what was best, or was it a bit confusing? What factors influenced your final choice?
- This verse connects discernment with love. How do you think a deeper, more knowledgeable love can change the way you approach difficult choices?
- What’s one area of your life where you feel a strong need for more discernment right now? How can you pray for knowledge and insight in that area this week?
- This verse says that discernment helps us become “pure and blameless.” How would praying about your decisions help you grow in holiness?
- How can you create more space in your life for the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and decisions more?
Further Reading
Proverbs 3:5-6
Hebrews 5:14
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
James 1:5
Romans 12:2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How does parenthood shape our faith? In The Toddler’s Gospel, Peyton Garland explores the profound spiritual lessons hidden in the chaos of toddler life. From navigating postpartum struggles to discovering humility and dependence on God, this devotional shows how the simple words of a child—Help, Please, Sorry—reveal the heart of the gospel and deepen our prayer life. Perfect for parents, caregivers, and anyone seeking guidance on faith in daily life and Christian parenting.
✨ Highlights
- The spiritual lessons of toddlerhood: humility, dependence, and repentance
- How the toddler words Help, Please, Sorry mirror our relationship with God
- Finding God’s presence and guidance during postpartum challenges
- Learning to pray with vulnerability, honesty, and surrender
- Practical encouragement for moms, dads, and caregivers in faith-filled parenting
💬 Join the Conversation
How has your parenting season taught you about humility, dependence, and prayer? What small moments in your home reveal God’s heart to you? Share your story and encourage other parents, caregivers, and believers! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #ToddlersGospel #FaithInParenting to join the conversation and inspire others to see the gospel in everyday life.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Toddler’s Gospel by Peyton Garland
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 (NIV)
I thought I had the Lord figured out in my late twenties. I had finally untangled lots of lies that I was subjected to in an unhealthy church culture. I had undergone counseling to work through childhood hardships and relational struggles. I was praying all the prayers, reading all the Bible studies, and holding myself accountable through godly friendships. By all “good Christian” standards, I had ensured my mind, body, and soul were healthily aligned with God’s truth.
My faith was unshakeable… but then I became a mother, and my perception of myself and God was turned upside down.
I endured heavy post-partum depression and wasn’t sure I would ever find hope again. The hormonal changes were drastic, and my mind couldn’t keep up with my body’s ever-changing state. Meanwhile, family members who promised to support us in this new season didn’t show. It seemed life handed us constant disappointments.
But my son’s smile, his little giggle, was my glimpse at heaven. His innocence was a treasure trove of joy I could open on my worst days. He was the reason I clung to my shaken belief that God was good.
After nearly seven months of intensive therapy, hard conversations with family, and lots and lots of praying, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. My body slowly regained its stability, and I discovered a new fervor for understanding the God who had handcrafted the angel I cradled every day.
But with this new fervor came a new sense of humility, of recognizing just how little control I have over life and how often my failures pile high. This fervor for my faith shifted from being about me to being about the nature of God. If the sermon, the podcast, the devotional, etc., wasn’t about His heart, I wasn’t interested. My heart had experienced too much hurt and, I’ll be honest, self-loathing to mold the gospel around me.
I wanted something more sure and steady. I wanted God. He was the only one who could keep my head above water. He was the only one who could truly protect my baby.
I’m now in the toddler season of motherhood, where faith and patience are tried by fire. My days are filled with scrubbing peanut butter off walls, fishing toy tractors out of the toilet, and saying (for the five-millionth time that day), “No, sir!” It’s mentally taxing work, but my son continues showing me the heart of the Father. He does so with three simple (garbled, phonetically incorrect) words: “Hewp!”, “Pease,” and “Sowwy.”
If these three words aren’t the foundation for the gospel, I’m not sure what else is. After all, aren’t we often God’s toddlers, running wild, doing as we please, no matter how selfish or spiritually dangerous? Shiny things catch our eye, and we chase whatever is in front of us without thinking. It’s no wonder so many of our prayers start with, “Help!”
If it’s been a while since you asked God for help, consider this one-word prayer and the humility it presses on your heart.
“Please” is placing power in another’s hands, allowing them to grant or deny your request. My little one doesn’t enjoy it when his “Pwease” is followed by my “No, sir!” But aren’t we often like my toddler? We easily believe that asking is all it takes for a prayer to be granted. If we’re nice enough, we think we can manipulate God, and if we don’t get our way, we throw spiritual tantrums. We bail on church and neglect our Bibles.
But what if “Please” was an honest request, where we shared heartfelt desires that ended with, “... nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:43, ASV)? How much healthier would our hearts be, regardless of getting our way or not, if this became our new prayer?
My son loves to rough play, but sometimes, his idea of play is a bit too violent. When our little guy disobeys, we tell him to say he is sorry, and we then explain to him, in simple toddler terms, why we don’t do x, y, or z. Needless to say, in this life season, “Sowwy” is on repeat.
It’s still hard for him to understand why he should apologize, but simply hearing that word from him melts my heart. And I fervently believe that when we repent, even when we don’t understand all the hurt we’ve caused, I believe it melts God’s heart, too. Repentance changes things, and I encourage you to search your heart for the reasons you might owe others and/or God an “I’m sorry.”
My toddler has shifted my perspective on the gospel. He has shown me what true humility is and how my need for control is useless. I’ve discovered how simple but beautiful my faith can be when I keep a heartfelt “Help,” “Please,” and “Sorry” in my daily prayers.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Take a few moments to list the ways you could implement a vulnerable prayer of “Help”, “Please,” and “Sorry” into your daily conversations with God.
Further Reading:
6 Prayers of Peace for Moms Choosing to Stay at Home
Bible Verses about Children - Scriptures for Kids and Parents
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How do we honor God’s faithfulness in our lives and in our churches? In this devotional, we explore the importance of celebrating your church, your community, and God’s work through milestones and spiritual victories. Just like the Israelites set up stones of remembrance in Joshua 4, we are called to pause, reflect, and rejoice in the ways God has guided, sustained, and blessed us—both individually and collectively.
✨ Highlights
- Why celebration should be part of every church’s culture
- How setting “stones of remembrance” strengthens our faith
- Practical ways to honor God’s work within your community
- Encouragement to celebrate spiritual milestones — big and small
- How celebrating together deepens unity and reflects God’s love
💬 Join the Conversation
How has your church celebrated God’s faithfulness in your life? Do you mark spiritual milestones with your community, small group, or family? Share your story and encourage others! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #CelebrateGodsFaithfulness to join the conversation and inspire believers everywhere to rejoice in what God has done.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Celebrate Your Church
“Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you… These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:4-5;7
Plunking down the dinner plates and setting up each fork and spoon in perfect formation, I reflected on the ups and downs we had gone through in our 25 years of marriage. Our lives together had many high points. But it is also accompanied by some very low points in life. We know we wouldn't have gotten through any of that if we were not together.
As we looked out over the balcony and watched as many of our old friends and family members gathered to celebrate our landmark anniversary, we remembered just how blessed we were to have so many people with whom we were still in touch who were championing the success of our marriage. As we walked hand-in-hand to the eruption of their applause, we sat at our table, ate our food, and danced in celebration of the many things God had done in and through us through our 25 years of marriage.
Although the party took a lot of planning, effort, and hard work, we wouldn't have done it differently. We wanted that day to be a celebration of all the things that God had done. We tried to make the day not only about us, but also about God and what he had done. As many marriages end in divorce, we wanted to celebrate that through God's faithfulness, we had stayed together and stayed the course of God's path for us in our marriage.
Celebration should become a normal part of every church. Cheering each other on in their spiritual journey should be infused within the DNA of every church. Not only does the church shine when it helps others in need, and cares for their sisters and brothers in Christ during times of crisis, each member should also be celebrated for their successes in the spiritual journey.
In the same way that we wanted to celebrate our milestone of being married for twenty-five years, the church should also make a habit of celebrating each other's successes. Although churches may not be able to afford or have the workforce to put on parties for every successful event in the church, the church needs to remember all the ways God has been faithful to them over the years.
Because churches today are often known more for what they are against rather than what they are for, churches need to be remembered as ones that celebrate their members’ successes and triumphs in life. Most of all, the celebration can be a remembrance of all that God has done in and through his church throughout the years.
What are some of the ways you remember your church members’ successes? Is there a way you can celebrate with your small group or have a yearly event where you celebrate all the milestones of what God has done? Can a church ‘s administrative assistant put some praise items in the bulletin? What other ways can you celebrate your brothers and sisters in Christ, or even your own successes?
Take a moment and write in your journal all the ways God has worked in your life and your church. Take it to your small group or leader and share all the ways God has moved. Celebrate all the ways God has shown his faithfulness to you and the church, not only this year but also in the past years. Be people known to celebrate who you are, what you have done, and most importantly, who He is.
Father, let us be churches that are known for celebration. Let us set up figurative stones of remembrance so that we can be reminded of your faithfulness on a regular basis. Help us not to forget who you are and what you have done through us. Let us work for your pleasure, not only when we care for others during times of difficulty, but also celebrate all the ways you've made them prosperous and successful. Amen.
Intersecting faith and Life
What is one thing you can celebrate in your life or in the life of your church?
Further Reading
1 Peter 3:15
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How can you tell if a teaching lines up with God’s truth? In this devotional, we explore how reading the Bible protects us from false teaching and equips us to recognize deception before it takes root. By understanding Scripture deeply, we can confidently discern God’s truth and avoid being led astray by misleading doctrines and counterfeit beliefs.
✨ Highlights
- Why studying the Bible is key to recognizing false teachers
- How God’s Word exposes manipulation, error, and deception
- Practical ways to hide God’s Word in your heart
- How the Holy Spirit guides us in discerning spiritual truth
- Scriptures to help strengthen your faith and guard against lies
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever encountered a teaching that didn’t sit right with you? How do you test what you hear against God’s Word? Share your thoughts and experiences with us — we’d love to hear from you! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #GroundedInTruth to join the conversation and encourage others in their faith journey.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
How Reading the Bible Keeps Us from Believing False Teaching
By Lynette Kittle
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves”--2 Peter 2:1
Like art and jewel experts and dealers study real jewels and artwork to keep them from buying forgeries and counterfeits, studying the Bible keeps us from believing false teachings.
Disappointingly, the world, like never before, is full of scams, schemes, and false beliefs. Nowadays, there are countless emails, texts, and online offers and deals that look so convincing before we know it, we’re ordering products that are never going to arrive.
Like phony offers, if we aren’t aware of and informed to know and understand that there are false teachings trying to draw us in, designed to deceive us, we can be duped and led astray. It’s why the Bible is such an important book to read and study, because by doing so, it protects us from being captured by the enemy of our souls.
2 Timothy 3:6-9 describes what they are like: “They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.”
The Bible Reveals Truth to Us
The Apostle Paul wrote, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
He understood, as written in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
The word of God not only gives us life, but it also helps to protect our faith by cutting through errors, manipulation, deception, and false teaching, revealing the truth to us of what we’re reading and hearing.
The Bible Equips Us to Recognize When Things Seem Off
Because I carefully go through each morning choosing vitamins for my husband and myself, it’s so familiar to me, that I can look down and instantly see if one is missing because the pile of pills looks off and different.
It’s like that when we know God’s word, when we’ve hidden it in our hearts. We come to know it so well that when we see, hear, or read something that’s off or different from the truth of His word, we instantly recognize it.
Psalm 119:11 teaches, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”
Becoming so familiar with God’s word and establishing itself in our hearts, along with the help of the Holy Spirit leading us, helps us, without even thinking to recognize when we see or hear something that doesn’t line up with it. God’s truth hidden in our hearts alerts us to false teachings.
The reason so many believers are led astray is that they don’t know His word, so when a false teaching or doctrine is introduced to them, they don’t recognize it. For those reasons, it’s vital and critically important for us to read and study our Bibles, so that we aren’t deceived, misled, or led astray from the truth of God’s word.
We can be confident that when His word shines light on what we’re hearing and reading, we will not be misled, as Psalm 119:105 describes, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: How are you at knowing what is truth or error when it comes to God’s word? If you don’t know His word, find a Bible reading plan to help you know the truth of God’s word. Check out Biblestudytools.com for a free Bible app offering Bible reading audio, reading plans, and devotionals to help you know God’s word.
Further Reading: 7 Reasons to Read Your Bible
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/7-reasons-to-read-your-bible-the-crosswalk-devotional.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you ever feel unseen, unworthy, or unloved? In this devotional, we unpack what it means to be precious in God’s sight and how your identity in Christ gives you lasting value. Drawing from Isaiah 43:4, we explore God’s promise that you are deeply loved, fully known, and chosen—no matter your past, mistakes, or insecurities.
Highlights
- Why God calls you precious, honored, and deeply loved
- How Isaiah 43 reveals God’s heart for His people, even in rebellion
- Finding security when relationships feel distant or rejection creeps in
- God’s compassion and grace in the middle of our brokenness
- Practical steps to anchor your worth and identity in Christ
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever struggled to believe you’re valuable and loved by God? Share your story with us—we’d love to hear how Isaiah 43:4 speaks to you. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #PreciousInHisSight to join the conversation and encourage others who need this reminder today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life. Isaiah 43:4, NIV
Do you ever feel like a burden, unimportant, or insufficient? Maybe you’re a parent of an adult child, and you wonder if your son or daughter truly wants to hang out with you. Or maybe they’re in that young adult phase where, developmentally, they’re figuring out who they are, and are forging new relationships and, for a time, separating from you. And maybe that feels like a rejection that triggers negative self-talk. Or maybe there’s another relationship that doesn’t quite feel emotionally safe or reciprocal. Those circumstances can leave us feeling insignificant and unvalued.
I understand how that feels. For much of my life I battled feelings of insecurity and wounds that challenged my ability to see myself as valuable, let alone precious. Yet, that’s precisely how God sees me. Even on my worst, most sinful and emotionally dysregulated days, He calls me precious.
I say that based on the context surrounding today’s verse and all that was occurring with the nation of Israel when God first spoke these words through the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. God’s people had rebelled against Him, for generations, to worship idols. They abandoned the Lord who watched over them, loved, protected, and guided them. The people resorted to violence, oppressed and used one another, and perpetuated injustice. For centuries, the Lord urged them to return to Him and live in the freedom for which He created them, but they refused.
This grieved the Lord.
The very fact that He addressed their sin through numerous prophets and in many chapters, shows how much He longed for a restored relationship with them and for them to love one another well. For His kids to stop abusing His kids.
Listen to His heart, expressed to His rebellious children, in Isaiah 30:18:
Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. (NASB)
Then, about 12 chapters later, He promised to send His Son who, according to Isaiah 42:3, would show gentleness to those weighed down by their burdens and who felt ready to break.
Then we get to Isaiah 43, one of my favorite passages in Scripture because it reminds me that we’re never alone in our chaos, even when we’ve landed in messes of our own making.
Intersecting Life and Faith
God remains with us when we feel like we’re drowning and He promises He won’t let the waves overtake us. Why? Because we are precious to Him. He calls us precious when we faithfully read our Bibles, pray, serve in ministry, and regularly attend church. He also calls us precious when we react out of fear or frustration, give in to our pride, and do and say things that cause our friends and loved one’s pain. Obviously, He doesn’t condone our sin, but neither is that all He sees, when He looks at us. Instead, He sees our redemption and the righteousness of Christ. He remembers when He knit us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), took our first steps, made our first friend, and first received His gift of life.
When He gazes upon me and you, His deeply flawed but deeply loved children, He also sees our potential—who, by His grace, we’ll one day become.
And He calls us precious. Rare, valuable, costly, and highly esteemed. Men and women He cherishes, carries, and protects. People He loved so much, He sent His Son to free us from the mess we’ve all, collectively created.
How does that truth hit? The wounded parts of me find this surprising, but I’m learning to cast aside all the lies I’ve absorbed about myself and to live more firmly anchored in the truth my Father proclaims. Because He alone has the authority to determine our value, and again, He says we’re precious. Lord, help us to receive your words as truth. If this is something you struggle with, I invite you to read through my upcoming Bible Reading plan on identity titled, Embracing Your True Self: Living in Your Christ-Centered Identity, coming soon to the YouVersion Bible app.
Further Reading:
1 Peter 2:9-10
Isaiah 49:16
Luke 12:6-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Are you facing a situation that feels impossible to fix on your own? This devotional reminds us that God can do what we can’t do and invites us to fully trust Him in circumstances beyond our control. When we reach the limits of our own abilities, God’s power begins where ours ends.
Drawing from Luke 18:27, we’re reminded that “what is impossible with man is possible with God.” Whether it’s a strained relationship, financial hardship, health struggle, or an unanswered prayer, God invites us to surrender our worries and rely on His strength, timing, and plan.
✨ Highlights
- God can do the impossible — Our limitations don’t limit Him.
- Faith grows in the waiting — Trusting God deepens when we surrender control.
- Prayer comes first — Instead of forcing solutions, bring your needs to God first.
- Surrender releases peace — Handing our impossible situations to God allows us to rest in His power.
- God’s strength shines through weakness — Our struggles become opportunities for Him to display His glory.
💬 Join the Conversation
What’s one situation in your life right now that feels impossible? How are you learning to trust God and make prayer your first response? Share your thoughts and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #GodCanDoTheImpossible.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God Can Do What We Can’t Do
By: Whitney Hopler
“Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’” - Luke 18:27, NIV
I’ve been praying every day and night for many months about a job situation for a family member that’s incredibly important. My family and friends have all been praying regularly for the same situation. Despite our prayers, however, the situation hasn’t changed yet. It’s frustrating, because there’s nothing that any of us can do ourselves to change this situation. Only God can do it! So, all we can do is keep praying and keep trusting God to answer our prayers. It’s painful for me to wait for God to act on this, since it’s something we need very much, and the uncertainty is stressful. But it’s impossible for me to do anything else other than pray and trust, or just give up. So, I’m choosing to keep asking God for help until his answer arrives. Jesus’ words in Luke 18:27 have encouraged me a lot during this time. I believe that God can do anything – even what’s impossible for me and the others who are praying with me. While I wait for God’s answer, my faith can grow stronger, since I know that I must completely rely on God instead of on myself or on anyone else for this.
We can’t always change our circumstances, but God can. God can do what we can’t do!
What are you facing right now that feels impossible? Maybe it’s a difficult relationship, a financial struggle, or a health crisis. We’ve all been in situations where we’ve done everything we can, and it’s still not enough. We’ve tried to make change happen, but we’ve hit a wall. It’s easy to feel hopeless and discouraged in impossible situations. But this verse reminds us that our limitations don’t limit God. When we’re at the end of our own abilities, we’re in a position to let go and let God take over.
When we pray for situations where we can do absolutely nothing ourselves, our faith is tested. We have to surrender our need to control the outcome and trust that God will do what we can’t.
Our first instinct is often to try harder when we face a problem that seems too big to solve. We make a plan and get to work, doing our best to make a solution happen, no matter what. But Jesus calls us to take a different approach. Jesus invites us to come to him first, and to trust that he will work to meet our needs in ways we can’t even imagine.
Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort. When we face a situation we can’t change, we need to pray something like this, with humility: “Lord, I’ve done all I can, and it’s not enough. I’m giving this to you, and I’m trusting you to do what only you can do.” When we pray like this, we’re not just asking God for a favor; we’re declaring our faith in God’s power.
So, what’s one situation that seems impossible, that you’ve been carrying on your own lately? Whatever it is, surrender it to God in prayer right now. Trust that God can do what you can’t. Your weakness is actually an opportunity for God’s strength to shine. God is a God of miracles, and you can rely on him to do the impossible!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how important it is to trust God to help you with situations you can’t change, reflect on these questions:
- What’s one impossible situation you’re facing right now that you need to give to God?
- How does it make you feel to know that God can do what you can’t?
- What does it mean to truly surrender a problem to God?
- What would it look like for you to make prayer your first response, not your last resort, in an impossible situation?
Further Reading
Matthew 19:26
Jeremiah 32:17
Philippians 4:13
2 Corinthians 12:9
Luke 1:37
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever wondered what it really means to be made in the image of God? Genesis 1:27 reveals that being created in God’s image isn’t just about our unique qualities—it’s about our purpose. In Scripture, God appoints humanity to represent His character and authority on earth, reflecting His love, order, and goodness wherever we go.
This devotional explores the deeper biblical meaning behind being made in God’s likeness, revealing how we were created not only with identity but also with divine responsibility. Like royal ambassadors, we are called to bring light into darkness, peace into chaos, and God’s presence into every sphere of influence.
✨ Highlights
- Being made in God’s image goes beyond identity — It’s about living out God’s authority and reflecting His goodness.
- Purpose and responsibility — We are meant to represent God’s character wherever we live, work, and influence others.
- A biblical perspective — Ancient Near Eastern kings used statues to represent their reign; in the same way, we represent God’s kingdom on earth.
- Humanity’s mission — Bring God’s order, kindness, and love into the spaces around you, from your home to your community.
- Practical reflection — Use your unique gifts not only to build yourself up but to magnify God’s presence and goodness in the world.
💬 Join the Conversation
What does being made in God’s image mean to you? How are you using your gifts to reflect God’s character in your home, workplace, and relationships? Share your thoughts and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #ImageOfGod.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
What It Really Means to Be Made in the Image of God
by Deidre Braley
Genesis 1:27: So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (NIV).
The verse from Genenesis about God creating mankind in his own image is a clear fan-favorite amongst Christians; it is often interpreted from an individualistic perspective as a way to applaud our innate giftings. People look at their own unique skills, qualities, and personality traits and consider them inherited attributes from God.
And while this view certainly holds value, it’s important to also understand that that’s not all there is to the story. See, when the Bible says that God made humankind in his image, it doesn’t only mean that he gave people a similar spirit or likeness to his own. It also means that he gave them a purpose and responsibility. Let me explain.
In Ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings would create royal statues of themselves—replicas of their own likeness that they could place throughout their empires to demonstrate their dominion even when they couldn’t physically be there. Given this context, the ancient audience of the Bible would have understood that when the author of Genesis said, “So God created mankind in his own image…” it meant that God had, in a similar sense, created humankind as a visible representation of himself when he could not be visibly seen otherwise on earth.
Bible scholar Richard Hess explains it this way:
…at the completion of God’s creation, he left ʾādām as his image to represent his authority on earth. This suggests that the function of the image is to reflect the divine will on earth in such a way as to extend God’s kingdom into every area of nature, society and culture. This is exactly what happens with the first man in Genesis 2.1
So what does this mean for us? In a world where nihilism runs rampant and many question whether their lives hold any value or purpose, this interpretation of Genesis 1:27 hands us a dazzling mission: to reflect God’s divine goodness in a world that craves light. We are not meant to just build our individual nests and keep to ourselves; we are meant to bring order, kindness, peace, and love into every corner we can reach.
1 Richard S. Hess, “Adam,” in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch, ed. T. Desmond Alexander and David W. Baker (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2003), p. 39 (Under Adam)
Intersecting Faith & Life
Today, take a couple minutes to prayerfully consider the following questions:
- Am I using my unique skills and giftings to build myself up, or am I using them to magnify God and reflect his goodness back into the world?
- What would it look like for me to reflect God’s divinity in my home? to my neighbors? in my children’s school? in my workplace? in my online interactions? in my unique area of influence?
- How can I take one step toward doing that today?
Further Reading
To learn more about God’s intended purposes and responsibilities for humankind—and also what happens when humans don’t follow that path—consider reading the following chapters from Scripture:
- On Being Salt & Light: Matthew 5:13-16
- The Story of the Tower of Babel: Genesis 11:1-9
- An Excerpt from Ezekiel: Ezekiel 15
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Are you overdue for a spiritual check-up? If you’ve been wondering how to know if you’re growing spiritually or what the Bible says about renewing your mind, this devotional will help you reflect on your faith and realign your heart with God’s Word. In Romans 12:2, Paul reminds us not to conform to the world’s standards but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Yet, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others—whether friends, celebrity Christians, or social media influencers—instead of measuring our hearts against Scripture.
Drawing from Paul’s humility and honest self-reflection, this devotional encourages us to stop competing, stop comparing, and start aligning our lives with God’s standards. True spiritual growth comes when we consistently examine ourselves and allow Scripture—not the culture around us—to shape our transformation.
✨ Highlights
- Why spiritual check-ups matter — Regularly examine your faith, attitudes, and heart alignment with God’s Word (2 Corinthians 13:5).
- Comparison is a trap — Measuring ourselves against others can lead to pride, shame, or complacency.
- Paul’s example of humility — Despite his influence, Paul called himself the “worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15), reminding us we all need grace.
- Renewing the mind — Transformation begins when we filter our thoughts, habits, and actions through God’s Word rather than worldly standards.
- Pressing toward the goal — Focus on Jesus and the calling He’s placed on your life, not the noise around you (Philippians 3:14).
💬 Join the Conversation
When was the last time you had a spiritual check-up? What’s one area God is calling you to grow in right now? Share your thoughts and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #FaithCheckUp.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our Sister shows— Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Spiritual Check-Up 101
By Lynette Kittle
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will-- Romans 12:2
Like we go to the doctor or the dentist, do we go to God for a spiritual check-up to see how we’re doing spiritually overall?
Or, do we look at the surrounding crowds of individuals around us, comparing our current condition with how they are doing, checking the latest celebrity Christians to measure ourselves next to them and see if we’re spiritually keeping up?
Are we measuring our spiritual condition with the world then deciding whether we’re doing better or worse than them, whispering a ‘thank you” to God that we’re not walking in their shoes, relieved about ourselves, but not being very gracious when it comes to those who are struggling?
Many of us may not realize that looking at others to feel better about ourselves is prideful along with having a haughty spirit. In comparing ourselves to others around us, we’re setting ourselves up to fall, as Proverbs 16:18 warns: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
God’s Word Sets the Standard
Of course, as Christians, we know deep down that people aren’t how we measure our spiritual condition, but rather the word of God is what we need to hold up to our lives, to see how we’re doing.
2 Corinthians 13:5 urges us to, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”
When we do, it alerts us and points out areas in our lives where we may be off-track and needing of correction and that is probably why many of us are reluctant to examine ourselves, because we may not want to know the truth or like what we find.
The Apostle Paul’s Self-Examination
Many of us think of the Apostle Paul as a Saint, yet, in his own words, he counted himself the worst of sinners, which is hard for us to believe because he wrote most of the New Testament.
Still, he wrote in1 Timothy 1:15. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”
He recognized that sin is sin and there is no difference between being a big sinner and a little sinner, because all sin leads to destruction.
Nowadays, many of us judge how well we are doing spiritually by checking social media updates, seeing how we’re doing in comparison to others, measuring their successes and losses against our own..
Still, again, Paul brings us to looking at God’s standards rather than man’s, stressing to us in Romans 12:2, that we are not to conform to human patterns but to be transformed by God’s word, renewing our minds.
Keep Pressing On Towards Jesus
Paul didn’t get caught up with what those around him were doing but said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
He focused on his own spiritual condition, keeping his eyes on Jesus, and careful not to let the world dictate how he lived his life by resisting conforming to it.
As well, the Apostle John warned in 1 John 2:15, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: How are you doing spiritually? Are you checking God’s word to see how you’re measuring up to His standards? If not, set time aside to check in and see how you’re doing with the transforming and renewing of your mind.
Further Reading: Are You Grieving the Holy Spirit?
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer/are-you-grieving-the-holy-spirit.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
As Moses approached the end of his life, his focus wasn’t on regret, bitterness, or personal loss—it was on God’s people. In Numbers 27:15-17, Moses prayed that the Lord would appoint a leader to guide Israel so they wouldn’t be “like sheep without a shepherd.” Despite his mistakes and missed opportunities, Moses left a legacy of faith, humility, and care for God’s people. This devotional reminds us that true spiritual leadership looks beyond ourselves and points others toward the ultimate Good Shepherd—Jesus—who leads us into rest, protection, and eternal promise.
✨ Highlights
- Moses’ selfless prayer — Even at the end of his life, Moses was focused on God’s people, not his own loss
- A legacy of faith — Despite failure, Moses’ life still pointed others toward God’s promises
- Jesus, our ultimate Shepherd — The fulfillment of Moses’ prayer is found in Jesus, who leads us to spiritual safety and rest (John 10:11)
- Kingdom perspective — God calls us to live with an eternal mindset, thinking beyond our present circumstances and investing in future generations
- Carrying God’s light — As Christ-followers, we are called to shine His light wherever we go and leave the world “better than we found it”
💬 Join the Conversation
How are you leaving a God-led legacy in your life? What practical ways are you pointing others toward Jesus, the ultimate Good Shepherd? Share your story and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #FaithfulLegacy to encourage others on their journey of faith.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
15 Moses said to the Lord, 16 “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community 17 to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” Numbers 25:15-17, NIV
A recent guest on the Faith Over Fear podcast shared how his wife, when battling illness that placed her on bedrest and fearing for her future, encouraged him not to wait too long, once she passed, to marry someone else. Needless to say, this completely shredded his heart, in part because he was dealing with his own fears and grief regarding his wife’s illness, but he was also deeply concerned for her, and empathetic toward her anguish.
Thankfully, she is doing much better—no longer on bed rest, able to go on vacations with her family, and enjoying her 11 grandchildren. But her statement highlights something. Love thinks beyond today and certainly beyond how things affect us personally.
Often, when we consider the last year of Moses’ life, we fixate on his mistake—the moment when he acted out of pride and a brief lapse of faith and forfeited entry into the promised land. That had to sting. But as today’s passage indicates, it also greatly concerned Moses—but notice, as his life neared its end, he wasn’t focused on himself. He could’ve been. Frankly, had I been him, I probably would’ve been battling guilt, shame, sorrow and regret. And maybe even a tinge of bitterness or despair. I mean, the man had spent 40 years trekking through the wilderness, leading a massive group of individuals who did not make Moses’ role easy. At one point, they even threatened to stone him.
For four decades, Moses had served God well—humbly, faithfully, sacrificially. But then, like I said, in a moment of weakness, or frustration, or maybe both, he blew it at the cost of entry into the promised land.
It’s important to note, however—his sin didn’t cost him his relationship with God or entry into heaven. Based on what I read elsewhere in Scripture, he still received entrance into the ultimate promised land—eternal paradise.
But he wasn’t able to lead the ancient Israelites, people for whom he deeply cared, during what would be their greatest, most exciting and, likely frightening, transition of their lives. And in today’s passage, we catch a glimpse of how much this concerned him. It’s like he’s saying, “Lord, don’t let them suffer because of me. Bless them. Watch over them and raise someone else up to lead them.”
When I read his prayer in Numbers 27—his request that God would bring someone to lead His people that they might go in and go out and not live like sheep without a shepherd, I’m reminded of Jesus’ words in John 10, when He declared Himself our Good Shepherd who leads us, that we might go in and out and find pasture.
He is the ultimate leader Moses’ life, and to whom all of the Old Testament points. And He is the One we are to follow and point others to as well.
Intersecting Life and Faith
Love looks beyond our present circumstances and how things affect us to consider the lives, blessings, and spiritual health of those who’ll remain on this earth once we’re gone, and the generations yet to come.
That’s our call as Christ-followers. Contemporary Christian singer and songwriter Danny Gokey has a song titled, “Better Than I found it,” and it reminds us all of our call to play a part of bringing a bit of heaven to earth.
According to a sermon I once heard, that’s what it means to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus said that you and I are the light of the world, because we carry the light of Christ. Wherever we go, and in every encounter, we have Holy Spirit power to shatter this world’s darkness with God’s light.
Imagine, for a moment, what our world might look like if we cultivated the same attitude and perspective demonstrated by Moses, a man who, yes, messed up, but more importantly, left a powerful, God-led legacy that played a major role in showing us all what it means to live in an ever-deepening, dependent relationship with the Lord.
Further Reading:
Matthew 5:14-16
Matthew 28:19-20
Psalm 78:4
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life feels overwhelming and your heart is troubled, Psalm 4:8 reminds us of God’s promise: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” In this devotional, Alexis A. Goring shares a personal story of how God used the song “I Will Rest in You” by Jaci Velasquez to bring peace in the middle of anxiety. Through Scripture, prayer, and resting in God’s presence, we are reminded that we can lay our burdens down and trust that He never abandons us.
✨ Highlights
- God never leaves us — He promises to be with us always (Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:20)
- Honesty in prayer matters — God invites us to bring our deepest pain and struggles to Him (Psalm 62:8, Hebrews 4:13)
- God is our safe place — No matter how uncertain life feels, His presence offers protection and peace (Romans 8:35-39)
- Resting in Him — By casting our cares on God (1 Peter 5:7), we can release our anxiety and sleep in peace, knowing He never sleeps (Psalm 121:4)
- Practical encouragement — Share your heart with God, meditate on His promises, and trust Him to handle what you cannot
💬 Join the Conversation
How do you find rest in God when life feels overwhelming? Do you pray, listen to worship music, or meditate on Scripture? Share your thoughts and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #RestInGod.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Song Mentioned: “I Will Rest in You” sung by Jaci Velasquez
Full Transcript Below:
Rest in God
By: Alexis A. Goring
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”
— Psalm 4:8 NLTOne night as I was preparing to go to bed, my mind was too troubled to sleep.
So, I turned to prayer. I asked God to remind me how real He is and within seconds of that prayer request spoken directly to God, He brought a song to my mind with lyrics I hadn’t listened to in years. “I Will Rest in You” sung by Jaci Velasquez ministered to me and gave me great hope.
The song lyrics begin by painting the picture of a person feeling like they are surrounded by darkness and deep in despair. They feel like their world is caving in. The person begins to seek God by being honest about what they are experiencing.
They tell God that their mind is playing games yet again but deep inside they know that God is right there in the dark with them and He’s never abandoned them. Realizing the hope in this, they ask God to bring them back to the safe place they remember having with Him when they were growing up in their faith walk with Jesus Christ. A place where they knew God’s personal care intimately. They desire to return to the safe haven that they knew so well in their childhood. In those days, it felt like they could free fall into God’s open arms and be covered by His all-surrounding protection. They want to rest in God.
There are so many takeaways that one can glean from this song. Let’s focus on a few:
Takeaway #1: God has never and will never abandon you (Hebrews 13:5). Sometimes, we may feel like God has left us to face life alone but that is not true because the Bible says He will be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
Takeaway #2: God encourages us to be honest with Him. He can handle the depths of our pain, especially when we are feeling despair. Nothing is hidden from Him (Hebrews 4:13). He knows our thoughts before they form in our mind. Given this truth, we may as well tell Him everything that’s weighing heavy on our heart (Psalm 62:8). He waits patiently for us to come to Him just as we are and cast our burdens on Him (Matthew 11:28-29).
Takeaway #3: God is our safe place. Period. No matter how unsafe our world may feel and no matter where we live on this Earth, we can go to God for safety. His Presence is fully accessible to us everywhere on this planet. He knows all and sees all (Proverbs 5:21). The Bible says nothing can separate us from His Love (Romans 8:35-39). When we feel scared and hopeless and like the sky is falling, we should seek God. And we don’t have to look far to find Him. He’s closer than we think and always just a prayer away.
Takeaway #4: God wants us to rest in Him. How do we rest in God? Good question. I believe we can rest in God by first letting our guard down and opening up to Him about how we’re feeling and sharing our heavy load with Him. Then we can ask Him to ease our anxiety and lift us up out of the pit of despair. The Bible says to cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7) and trust Him because His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Finally, as He soothes us, we can rest in His care and go to sleep in peace every night knowing that He never sleeps (Psalm 121:4). This means He’s effectively handling everything we’re stressing out over. The Bible says God works everything out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
My personal experience has been that when I need God, He always shows up. He either draws me close to Him through my Bible study and prayer time (James 4:8) or He sends someone who loves Him to help me through whatever is troubling me. Oftentimes that comes in the form of another Christian who prays for me. Earlier this year when I was going through something difficult, a Christian friend of mine prayed over me in a way that sounded like she was very close to God and that she was praying from the depths of her heart for me. It was a gift that reminded me how much God cares about everything we care about and how He sends His people to cover us in prayer. I am grateful.
If you don’t know God and haven’t accepted His Son (Jesus Christ) to be your Lord and Savior, it’s not too late because you can do that today. And when you do then you can rest in Him, trusting that He’ll always cover you and be there for you even when nobody else can. Go to God before you go to people. Ask Him for what you need then trust Him to provide it. God loves you with all His Heart. He wants you to trust Him just like a child trusts Him as their Heavenly Father.
Intersecting Faith and Life: Next time you feel like the sky is falling, will you turn to God and rest in Him?
Further Reading:
John 14:27
Isaiah 26:3
Psalm 23:1-3
Psalm 56:3-4
Psalm 62:1
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Mornings can feel overwhelming when to-do lists, responsibilities, and worries start piling up the moment you wake up. In this devotional, Whitney Hopler reminds us that Psalm 46:5 offers a powerful promise: “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” When we start our mornings with prayer, invite God into our schedules, and trust His guidance, we can face even the busiest days with peace and confidence. God’s presence is constant, His help is timely, and His strength is enough for whatever comes our way.
Highlights
- Why mornings matter — how starting your day with God’s help sets the tone for peace and focus
- The promise of Psalm 46:5: God’s presence keeps us steady and secure
-
Practical tips for beginning your morning with God:
- Pray first — surrender your worries and ask for His strength
- Read Scripture — meditate on God’s promises for the day ahead
- Declare truth — speak God’s Word aloud and align your mindset with His promises
- How trusting God at the start of the day shapes your response to challenges
- Why September’s busy seasons are an opportunity to rely more on God’s help
💬 Join the Conversation
How do you start your mornings with God’s help? Do you pray, journal, meditate on Scripture, or declare a favorite verse? Share your morning routine and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #StartWithGod.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Start Your Day with God’s Help
By: Whitney Hopler
“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” – Psalm 46:5, NIV
Shortly after I wake up each day, all the items on my schedule and to-do list for that day start swirling around in my mind. I can feel overwhelmed if I wait too long to do that one thing that prevents unnecessary stress for me each morning: pray. However, if I start my prayer devotional time within the first few minutes of waking up, I can direct my attention beyond my responsibilities to the One who will help me manage them. It only takes a brief time of connecting with God intentionally to start to notice God’s presence with me. As soon as I focus on enjoying God’s presence, I receive his peace. That gives me the confidence that I won’t fall – no matter how much I have to do during the day ahead – because God will be walking through the day with me. God will be there to give me whatever I need, for whatever situations I face, so I can’t fall as long as I’m relying on God’s help.
September mornings can be especially busy, since many people move into a faster pace at work, school, and church after the slower summer season. The new responsibilities can feel heavy. Psalm 46:5 assures you that no matter how crowded your calendar becomes, you don’t have to handle it alone. When you invite God into your mornings, you can begin your busy days with the reassurance that God will be there to help you with all you have to do.
Each morning is a fresh opportunity to walk in faith by trusting God to help you with whatever you need. You may wake up feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list, burdened by yesterday’s struggles, or anxious about what your new day may hold. But God promises to be right there with you, to keep you from falling. God’s help is available at the break of every new day!
The way you start each morning affects your ability to handle whatever comes your way. When it says “God is within her,” Psalm 46:5 reminds you that God is within you through his Holy Spirit, and because of God’s presence right there with you, you won’t fall, no matter what happens during your day. The promise “she will not fall” reminds you of God’s unlimited power. You may stumble, but you won’t fall down into despair. You’ll face challenges during your day, but with God at your side, you’ll be able to overcome them. God will hold you steady and give you the grace you need for every situation in your day.
You may sometimes feel like God’s help is slow to come. You may wonder why certain prayers seem unanswered or why some burdens feel heavier than others. But Psalm 46:5 reassures you that God’s help comes at the perfect time – at the break of every day. Just as the sun rises every day reliably, God shows up for you every day, as well.
So, start each day by communicating with God before doing anything else. Thank God for the opportunity to be part of the new day, and pray about everything that concerns you so you can let go of your worries and start relying on God to help you with what you need for your day. Then choose a Bible verse or passage to read, and let it shape your mindset for the day by meditating on it and asking the Holy Spirit to help you apply it to your life. Finally, declare God’s truths over your day by speaking them out loud. You may want to personalize a Bible verse and say it, or just say a sentence or phrase that boosts your faith, such as: “God is with me and God will help me throughout this day.”
As you start each new morning, remember that God is already there, waiting to help you at the break of day. Let God help you walk through your day in peace and confidence!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how to start your day with God’s help, reflect on these questions:
What distractions do you usually have when you wake up, and what would help you focus on God instead when your day first starts?
How can starting your day with prayer and meditation change the way you handle your responsibilities during the day?
In what areas of your life do you most need to remember that “God is within you” today?
How do busy seasons, like September, affect how much you rely on God?
What’s one change you can make now to start every single morning with God and rely more on God’s help throughout your day?
Further Reading
Lamentations 3:22-23
Psalm 5:3
Matthew 6:33
Isaiah 41:10
Proverbs 16:3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In Psalm 34:18, we’re reminded that “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” But in seasons of heartbreak, unanswered prayers, or overwhelming busyness, God can sometimes feel distant. Cindi McMenamin shares how we can quiet the noise, draw near to God, and experience His presence as close and real as the air we breathe.
✨ Highlights
- Why God sometimes feels distant and how to reconnect with Him
-
Four practical ways to experience God’s presence:
- Take a Divine Pause — slow down, breathe deeply, and be still (Psalm 46:10)
- Whisper His Name — use simple “breath prayers” like “Jesus, I need You” (Acts 4:12)
- Read His Word Aloud — Scripture is “living and active” and draws us closer (Hebrews 4:12)
- Start Praising Him — worship shifts our focus from ourselves to God’s goodness
- The promise of Jeremiah 29:13: when we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him
💬 Join the Conversation
When was the last time you felt God’s presence as close as your next breath? Share your story and inspire others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #AsCloseAsYourBreath.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
As Close as Your Breath
By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 NASB)
Does it sometimes feel like God is far away?
Heartbreak, struggles, hurts from the past, unanswered prayer, or just filling your schedule with everything but Him can make you believe God is distant. But Scripture abounds with evidence that He is as close to you as the air you breathe.
Psalm 139 assures us that God knows every detail of our lives and in verses 7-12, we read there’s nowhere we can go outside of His presence and away from His watchful eye. Hebrews 13:5 also tells us He will never leave us nor forsake us. But maybe you know all that and you still long to know He’s there.
When we feel like God is far away it’s often because we are the ones who have distanced ourselves. Perhaps other loves have stolen our heart away. That feeling that He’s distant can be an indicator that we need to put ourselves in the position where we can sense His presence, hear His voice, notice His work around us, and invite Him closer to our hearts.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
How can you be assured God is right next to you?
Take a Divine Pause—Sometimes we can't sense God's presence because there's too much of everything else going on. Too much noise. Too much confusion. Too much anxiety. Too many apps or windows open. Too many voices and thoughts running through our minds. Center your mind on Him (Colossians 3:1-2) and start to breathe deeply. Try it. Exhale the distracting thoughts. Inhale a desire to sense His presence. Exhale your pre-occupation with self. Inhale a desire to know Him more completely. Exhale the worries of the moment. Inhale His peace. Now, don't you feel closer to His heart already? There's a reason His Word says "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 ESV).
Whisper His Name—There are times we need Him but we just don't know what to say or where to begin. Start by saying His name aloud and then speak your heart's cry. Scripture says there is power in the name of Jesus, not only because "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12), but because Jesus responds to His name when His loved ones call to Him.
The writers of the classics called this type of whispering cry “breath prayers.” My breath prayers to sense His presence are "Jesus, I need You" or "Jesus, give me a heart for You." Calling His name just as often as we breathe is one of the simplest ways to sense His presence. And I believe the simplest of cries are the ones that penetrate His heart—and ours—the quickest.
Read His Word Aloud—God speaks to us through His Word. And one of the best ways to sense His presence is to get into His Word and ask His Holy Spirit to guide you into a better under-standing of it. When you read God’s Word, and even speak it audibly, you will sense its power and His presence. The Bible says God's Word is "living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). That sharp sword will prick your heart through conviction, inspiration, enlightenment, or determination. A pricked heart is better than a numb, dull, or complacent heart any day, so get into His Word and find Him there.
Start Praising Him—God inhabits the praises of His people. Ever wondered why you sometimes feel closer to God when you're in a church service, singing hymns or praise songs? It’s possibly because that’s where worship tends to take place. But you don’t have to only be in a church building among other believers in order to worship Him. Worship is praise and acknowledgment of His worthiness wherever you are and in whatever situation you are in. Worship is surrender. Worship is giving Him your time, talents, and treasure.
When you start praising Him, regardless of where you are, you'll sense His presence, probably because you're no longer focused on yourself, but on Him. When we open the door of our hearts to love Him, He will meet us there. Every time.
Lord, Thank You for never hiding from me. Your Word says I will find You when I search for You with all my heart (Jeremiah 29:13). Make Your presence known as close and real as the air I breathe.
Further Reading: Psalm 139:7-12; Colossians 3:1-2
For more on experiencing God’s presence, see my book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In Romans 1:1, Paul reminds us what it means to be set apart for the gospel — living fully surrendered to Christ and committed to sharing the good news with others. Laura Bailey reflects on Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle and challenges us to examine our own willingness to share the gospel, even when it feels uncomfortable. Like Paul, we are called to let our lives reflect God’s grace and boldly carry the message of salvation to those who need to hear it.
✨ Highlights
- What Romans 1:1 teaches about living a life set apart for Christ
- Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle and its powerful testimony
- Why sharing the gospel message requires faith, courage, and obedience
- How our stories can point others to God’s grace and salvation
- A reminder that we’re responsible for sharing the message, not controlling the response
💬 Join the Conversation
Who in your life might need to hear the gospel message today? Has God been nudging you to start that conversation or send that note? Share your experience and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #SetApartForTheGospel.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Set Apart for the Gospel
By: Laura Bailey
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—”
Romans 1:1 NIV
I love getting mail, don’t you? Who doesn’t enjoy receiving a letter from a friend or family member, especially one filled with encouragement, love, and words of affirmation? Better known as “snail mail,” letters are considered an outdated form of communication by most.
Now, we converse through 280-word text limits and a series of emojis. A champion for the written word, I still pen letters, dotting my “i’s” with a heart, underlining important words, and using way too many exclamation marks! I am convinced that holding a handwritten letter from a loved one is one of the best feelings in the world.
It’s an instant morale booster, and often, the sender’s words feel like they were delivered straight from the Lord. They were just what my heart needed to hear. Letters remind the recipient that someone cared enough about them to write a message they needed to hear. And that’s precisely the heart behind Paul’s letter to the new believers in the church of Rome, encouraging them in their faith.
Romans is a letter to early Christians in Rome, following the historical custom of greeting, identification of the author, identification of the recipient, and the reason for writing. Paul shares that he is a servant, or slave, to the gospel. In the original Greek text, the word "servant" implies someone who sold themselves into servanthood for some time. By describing himself in this way, Paul is telling his audience that he doesn’t consider his life his own—Christ owns him. And for what purpose? To share the gospel message! Paul has given up everything to fully commit his life to sharing the gospel and encouraging other believers.
Why was it so important for Paul to list out his qualifications? We read in Acts 9 that Paul, formerly called Saul, was the chief persecutor of Christians. While on the road to Damascus, the Lord called him to repent and then go and share the gospel with the Gentiles. Paul’s life was a living testimony to the power of the gospel to change lives.
Paul was the perfect person to share the message of salvation and how God uses our stories for His glory. Paul was persecuting and killing the very people he was now ministering to and encouraging in their faith. These people were a little wary of this man, and rightly so. Paul understood his words could be received with some apprehension, so he explained to the Romans how his life had been changed, not because of what he had done but because of what Christ had done and was continuing to do in his life. In faithful obedience, Paul made it his mission to share the good news with everyone everywhere (Romans 1:5).
And that’s what the book of Romans is all about: sharing the good news of the Gospel for both salvation and encouragement. Paul will spend the rest of his letter presenting the message of the gospel and explaining why it is essential, not just for salvation, but for every day of believers' lives. The compassion and concern that Paul has for this early church is palpable; he has made it his life’s mission to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge of God’s Word. He understands the sense of urgency; souls are at stake, there is no time to waste, and every day is an opportunity to share that God loves them and has made a way for them to be saved from eternal damnation.
When I was in seminary, one of our assignments was to write a letter to someone whom we knew was not saved. The person I knew God wanted me to reach out to was a dear friend; yet, I procrastinated, almost forgoing the assignment altogether. I was so worried that she would be offended or wouldn’t speak to me again, which would cause a significant rift in our relationship. I deeply loved her friendship and cared about the state of her soul, yet I struggled to send the letter. Guilt-ridden, I shared my reluctance with my pastor, to which he assured me, I am not the only person who has felt apprehension in sharing the gospel with friends and loved ones.
As I reflect on these words from Paul, it wasn’t always easy for him to share the gospel, but he cared more about people’s eternal state than his comfort. I eventually sent the letter, but she never responded, and that was okay. Like Paul, I wasn’t responsible for her response to the gospel; only God can convict and open hearts to receiving His truth. However, we can be His servant, as we set ourselves apart for the gospel.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Is there someone today who needs to hear the gospel message? Ask God to help you discern the best way to share the good news with them.
For Further Reading:
Romans 1:16
Romans 10:14
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever struggled to be quick to listen and slow to speak? In this devotional, Megan J. Conner reflects on James 1:19 and how challenging it can be to practice patience, humility, and gentleness in our everyday interactions. From stressful situations to family conversations, James reminds us that our reactions reflect Christ’s character to those around us. God calls us to represent His nature by choosing compassion over anger and listening over rushing to respond.
✨ Highlights
- What James 1:19 teaches about patience, listening, and responding with grace
- How our reactions reflect God’s character to those around us
- Why slowing down and practicing gentleness leads to healthier relationships
- The connection between our faith, accountability, and emotional responses
- A prayerful reminder to welcome God’s correction and grow in humility
💬 Join the Conversation
Do you find it hard to be slow to speak and quick to listen? How has God helped you practice patience and gentleness in your relationships? Share your story and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #FaithInAction.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Quick to Listen and Slow to Speak
By Megan J. Conner
“Brothers and sisters, let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”James 1:19 (NIV) – CHECK
How many of us have heard this scripture and felt immediate conviction? I know I have – absolutely, 100%! I long to embody these humble sentiments, but I find myself more often than not falling short – very short. Perhaps you feel the same. Why is it that many of us struggle with quiet spirits, closed mouths, and open ears?
The Book of James is one that challenges me and cuts straight to the heart in several passages (James 1:1, anyone?). Not one to mince words, James just comes right out and boldly declares we should all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. He goes on to say that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. In other words, our actions outside of this mandate counteract the work of the gospel in the lives of those around us. Ouch! So, my lack of patience with the airport personnel who just announced my flight was delayed again, thus producing the loss of my luggage again, is not pleasing to the Lord no matter how justified I feel? When I take a breath and calm down, my logical brain can clearly analyze the disconnect. However, because my reaction to a frustrating situation is immediate, my analytical brain is overrun by my heightened emotional state.
What about when someone in my family comes to me to share a question or concern and I not only fail to listen, but I jump in with a quick solution completely bypassing their feelings so I can check off the next box on my list? I love my family and it is never my desire to harm them in any way, yet how easy it is to instantly react in such a manner and miss out on a possible opportunity to show them my love and the love of Christ?
Right before our focus scripture today is an explanation from James on how and why we should be held accountable for our actions and reactions.
“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures,” (James 1:16-18, ESV).
Our loving, benevolent Father gave us every perfect and good gift so that we might represent Him to those around us. He brought us forth by the word of truth so that we would produce fruit that bears His image. If we are His image-bearers here on earth then how we act and react is directly connected to how others view His nature and character.
If you are anything like me, then the reflection of this scripture against our hearts looks marred and messy at best. However, our Heavenly Father knows we have fallen short and will fall short again and again. Thank you, Jesus, for the grace and mercy of the gospel. Jesus paid the full price for our sins and covers our failings with His sacrifice. But this grace does not excuse us from accountability to His commands. The Word of God is called a double-edged sword that cuts bone and marrow (find quote). Direct declarations, like this one, cut straight to our hearts purposefully so that we might recognize areas where we are not walking well with the Lord.
If that is you today (it certainly is me), then let us receive the compassionate correction from Him who loves us. Let us heed His word and value the lessons He is teaching us through the words of James. Lord, would you help each of us today to welcome a quietness of spirit, to be SLOW to react and QUICK to listen? Would you help us grow in gentleness so that we can properly reflect Your goodness to those closest to us?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Take some time today for reflection. Quiet your mind and your body. Then, ask the Lord to reveal to you instances when you have struggled to really listen to those around you, or when a lack of patience produced an angry response (well passive or active). Consider adding the simple pray above to your daily time with the Lord. Let’s believe together, that He will hear the cry of our hearts and foster a spirit of gentleness in each of us.
Further Reading:
Eph. 4:26-32
James 3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you ever struggle with FOMO—the fear of missing out? In this devotional, Hannah Benson reflects on Psalm 16:6 and reminds us that God has set boundaries for our lives with purpose and intention. While it’s tempting to compare our blessings with others, God calls us to trust His unique plan and timing. Instead of chasing every opportunity or envying someone else’s path, we can rest in the truth that we will never miss out on what God has for us when we walk in His will.
✨ Highlights
- How Psalm 16:6 teaches us to embrace the “pleasant places” God has chosen for us
- Why comparison and jealousy steal joy and distract us from God’s plan
- Trusting that God’s timing and blessings are uniquely tailored for your life
- A reminder to celebrate answered prayers instead of chasing what’s next
- Encouragement to surrender control and find contentment where God has placed you
💬 Join the Conversation
Do you ever wrestle with FOMO or comparison? How has God reminded you that His plans are better than your own? Share your story and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #TrustHisTiming.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
When You Wonder if You’re Missing Out
A devotional by Hannah Benson
“The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
Psalm 16:6 (ESV)
Do you ever struggle with FOMO (or fear of missing out, as it’s often called)? I wrestle with this fear all the time.
The fact is, we can’t be everywhere all at once even if we wish we could.
As much as we don’t want to hear this, we are not meant to be everywhere. Certainly not everywhere all at once and sometimes not ever. I know this is painful to hear (it is for me, too), but we need to realize that not every space is ours to fill.
Read that again.
Not every space is ours to fill.
As Psalm 16:6 puts it, "The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” This means not every opportunity is ours to have. I know it’s hard to watch someone else win the award, receive a promotion, or “move forward” (according to our definition) in life.
What about when we want to be everywhere all at once? When we’re uninvited or simply can’t do everything or we’re forced to choose between two amazing opportunities? Is it possible to “miss out” on God’s will for our lives?
Or what if the space we find ourselves in isn’t the space we want to be?
Because of our human nature, sometimes, we are going to be envious of the blessings God has chosen to shower upon someone else.
We are going to wonder why we weren’t invited. Why we aren’t as popular. Why we didn’t get the scholarship, the award, or the leading role in the school play.
This is something I’ve struggled with for a long time. A mixture of prideful arrogance often led me to believe I “deserve” whatever it is I want. Selfish, isn’t it? And when God in His mercy sees fit to bless someone else with the very thing I wanted, I became angry.
Why didn’t He bless me the same?
This was a struggle for a long time until the Lord gently pried my hands open and urged me to stop clinging to what I wanted as if it were an idol.
And He reminded me that He knew best. Just because He didn’t bless me with the exact same blessings as someone else didn’t mean He was withholding good things from me. Humans are not meant to be copycats of each other. Even identical twins, siblings, best friends, and spouses. We may have a lot in common with those closest to us, but we won’t have all the exact same experiences and blessings even if we try.
God has a unique plan and purpose for each of us.
He has a calling for you and me.
Intersecting Faith & Life
In case you need this reminder today, if you are following the Lord, you will not miss out on anything He has for you.
Look around you.
Look at where you find yourself right now.
Perhaps life isn’t perfect.
It never is.
But are you living an answered prayer? Do you remember a time when you got on your knees, maybe folded your hands, and begged God for a miracle and He came through?
I am guilty of praying for something, begging God for a miracle, and forgetting to thank Him when He provides a breakthrough. When I think back on my life, I’m honestly overwhelmed. I’m overwhelmed when I think of where I started versus where I am.
Last summer, I told God, if He wanted me in the film industry, He was going to have to push me in there.
This summer, I’m involved in at least 4 film projects working with wonderful mentors I’d never even dreamed possible.
I told God I needed a job.
Two years later?
I’m working remotely in marketing, including film marketing, which was exactly what God knew I needed in this season.
Even writing for Crosswalk is an answer to prayer.
I’d been asking God for another place to consistently write devotionals when He provided Crosswalk.
And that’s only a few examples.
Of course, God doesn’t always answer our prayers with what we want. He certainly doesn’t always answer mine with what I want! And sometimes, like I had to for the right job, we must wait two (or more) years.
But the truth is, I think all of us have an answered prayer we are living right now. Perhaps it’s a prayer you whispered as a child that is now finally coming to fruition. Perhaps it’s a prayer for good health. Or knowing God is holding you close in this difficult season. Perhaps it’s an answered prayer knowing God has never left your side.
What answered prayer might you be living right now?
Perhaps you are still waiting for something. Fighting jealousy because of the blessings showered upon someone else.
But have you ever considered God has you right where He will use you?
Maybe you’re not meant to stay there forever. After all, seasons change.
But perhaps at this very moment, you are right where you are supposed to be.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a world filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and overwhelming stress, how can we truly experience God’s peace? Drawing from Philippians 4:6-7, reminds us that God offers an unshakable calm when we choose prayer over panic and trust over control. Through Scripture, practical steps, and personal reflection, this devotional invites us to trade our worries for God’s peace and refocus our minds on what is true, lovely, and praiseworthy.
✨ Highlights
- Why anxiety, fear, and worry are at an all-time high—and how God meets us there
- How praying with an open Bible deepens trust and strengthens your faith
- Philippians 4:6-9’s step-by-step antidote to anxiety: pray, thank, focus, and rest
- Why fixing your thoughts on God’s goodness brings peace that surpasses understanding
- A simple, powerful prayer to surrender your concerns and experience God’s presence
💬 Join the Conversation
What verses bring you peace when worry takes over? Have you seen God replace your anxiety with His calm? Share your story and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #CalmInChrist.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
His Calming Presence
By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer
“Don’t worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).
It’s been said we are living in the most anxious times on earth. Post pandemic loneliness and a sense of isolation still impact many people, young and old alike. Countless people suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. Mental and emotional health issues are off the charts. Stress is triggering cancer cells in our bodies and adding to our health problems. Many struggle with a sense of identity. Financially, it’s one of the most difficult times to make ends meet. And the U.S. Surgeon General has declared loneliness a public health crisis with devastating results.
Where is God in all of this?
If you’re like most believers today, you’ll say you know in your head that God is in control, but you have a hard time relying on Him in your day-to-day life. And, what I’ve observed after decades of ministry is that those who can’t bring it from their head to their hearts—from the pages of God’s Word to their daily lives—are also those who admit they need to be in the Word of God and know it much more.
To know God is to know His Word. To know His Word is to know Him. I once heard my mentor author, Elisabeth Elliot, say: “Pray with an open Bible. How can we know what to pray if we aren’t reading God’s Word? And how can we understand God’s Word if we aren’t praying?”
The more you open up His Word (whether it’s in book form or an app on your device), the more He will open your eyes and heart to know who He is and how He can calm your anxious heart.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Philippians 4:6-7 has been a lifeline for me through the years—especially because there is much to worry about…
when you’re contemplating decisions that will impact your future
when you’re seeking a man to marry—or struggling in your marriage
when you’re pregnant—or trying to get pregnant
when you’re caring for a child, parent, or grandparent
when you’re trying to stay afloat financially
when your health—or the health of someone you love—causes fear or frustration
Life is often accompanied by concerns that quickly turn into worries that can develop into fear or anxiety. Yet God’s Word gives us a simple, yet practical, antidote to the type of worry that breeds fear. Philippians 4:6-7 instruct: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (NLT).
The following verse tells us what exactly to focus on. Our worries of what hasn’t yet happened? The things we are anxious to control? The worst possible scenario? No.
“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (verse 8, NLT). We are to focus on what is true—or real, not on what we fear will happen. We are to focus on what is “pure, and lovely, and admirable.” Those descriptions sound like God’s characteristics, not our circumstances. As we focus on the here and now, the true and real, and all that God is, “Then the God of peace will be with you” (verse 9 NLT).
Do you really believe that? As you focus on what is true and real and all that is good about God and what He does for His children, peace will replace that worry. I can honestly tell you that every time I pray for something that bothers me or has the potential to, that concern never develops into fear, but instantly dissolves, as I realize God has heard me and He has taken that worrisome burden from me and replaced it with His indescribable peace.
He will do that for you too. You have only to ask.
Are you wishing you were closer to God than you are right now? Do you long to feel less anxious and more at peace as you trust this capable God with your concerns? Then start now. Open your Bible to Philippians 4:6-9. Pray through it (which means reading it aloud to God as a prayer, inserting your name and situation into the passage), and He will answer. It is a promise. It is a guarantee. And it is your route to rest, freedom, and peace.
Lord, help me not to worry about anything, but to instead pray about everything. You know exactly what I need and I thank You for working through this situation on my behalf. I trust Your promise to give me indescribable peace as I lay my concerns at Your feet and focus on what is real, pure, and admirable, like You.
Further Reading: Matthew 6:25-33
For more on experiencing God’s calming presence, see Cindi’s book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In Philippians 4:4, Paul encourages us to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” But what does that really mean when life is full of stress, setbacks, and struggles? Whitney Hopler explores the difference between happiness and true joy, showing us that rejoicing in the Lord is possible even in life’s hardest moments. Drawing from Paul’s prison writings and personal reflections, this devotional reminds us that joy is not based on circumstances—it’s rooted in God’s unchanging presence and love.
✨ Highlights
- Why joy and happiness are not the same—and why joy lasts
- How to rejoice in the Lord even during trials and stress
- Paul’s example of choosing joy while imprisoned for his faith
- Practical ways to cultivate daily joy, like gratitude and noticing God’s wonder
- A reminder that joy isn’t the absence of trouble, but the presence of God
💬 Join the Conversation
What helps you choose joy when life feels overwhelming? Have you experienced God’s presence carrying you through a difficult season? Share your story and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #ChoosingJoy.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
What Does It Mean to Rejoice?
By: Whitney Hopler
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4, NIV
When I visited the Happiness Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark, I read some of the thousands of individual sticky notes left by visitors who each wrote down something that makes them feel happy. People listed pets, friends, travel, cooking, sports, reading, walking in nature, listening to music, and much more. The note I left read: “Discovering and experiencing God’s wonder” and I was pleased to see that many other people mentioned God in their own notes. While many things can give us temporary feelings of happiness, only relationships with God can give us joy. Joy is greater than happiness, and unlike happiness, joy is possible to experience in any kind of circumstances.
In Philippians 4:4, the Bible encourages us to rejoice all the time. Honestly, this verse can sometimes feel unrealistic. How can we rejoice always when we have to deal with so many challenges in this fallen world? How can we do so even when we’re stressed, exhausted, frustrated, sad, anxious, or angry?
If rejoicing meant forcing ourselves to try to feel happy, there would be plenty of situations where we couldn’t do so. Thankfully, though, the rejoicing this verse describes happens “in the Lord”. We can rejoice because of our relationships with Jesus, who connects us in saving relationships to God, the source of all joy.
The Apostle Paul wrote this verse through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration from a prison cell in chains, as he was possibly facing being killed for his faith. His joy wasn’t tied to any circumstances that made him happy. Instead, Paul found joy in his relationship with God, who was present with him and faithfully loving him even in the worst circumstances.
As your own circumstances change, your feelings will naturally change. Sometimes you’ll feel happy, but sometimes you’ll go through challenging circumstances that will knock happy feelings right out of you. No matter what, though, you can always experience joy by connecting with God. Whenever you notice God’s presence with you, you can focus on God and enjoy the joy that God will send you in the process. You can be struggling emotionally as you deal with an especially hard challenge, and still experience joy. That’s because joy is much more than just an emotion, like happiness is. Joy is a deep confidence that your loving God is with you and will help you!
In this verse, Paul repeats himself by writing: “I will say it again: Rejoice!” That repetition emphasizes how important it is to not let your joy be hijacked by any kind of challenging situation. Being joyful is a choice. When you find yourself struggling in a stressful situation, you need to make that choice as many times as it takes to keep your focus on God instead of on your circumstances.
One practice that can help you choose joy is expressing gratitude. The more you thank God for the blessings he pours into your life, the more you can turn your focus away from what’s missing in your life. Having an attitude of gratitude is a choice, as well. You can always make that choice – even during the worst circumstances of your life – because you’ll always have the ultimate blessing of a relationship with God.
It’s also helpful to pay attention to the wonder of God’s work in your life every day, which you can discover and enjoy even in the middle of challenging circumstances. God is always answering your prayers and showing you signs of his work around you, such as in nature and through the kindness of other people. The more you look, the more you can find God’s wonder. That’s a reason to rejoice!
Unlike happiness, joy doesn’t depend on good circumstances. You can rejoice anytime and anywhere, because joy comes from trusting God in the middle of any situation you face. Even in the worst circumstances you go through, you can still rejoice in the Lord.
Joy isn’t the absence of trouble; it’s the presence of God!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how to rejoice in any circumstances, reflect on these questions:
- What does “rejoice in the Lord” mean to you personally?
- In what situations do you find it hardest to rejoice? Why?
- When have you chosen to rejoice lately despite facing challenging circumstances? What helped you do so?
- What’s something about who God is, or what God is doing in your life, that’s bringing you joy today?
- How can you build the habit of rejoicing into your daily routine?
Further Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Psalm 118:24
Nehemiah 8:10
Romans 12:12
John 16:22
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Arguments can spiral quickly—but God’s Word offers a better way forward. In this devotional, Laura Bailey reflects on Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 and shares practical, biblical wisdom on managing conflict, practicing patience, and choosing peace over pride. Through personal stories and Solomon’s timeless counsel, Laura reminds us that unresolved anger leads to broken relationships—but a heart submitted to God leads to reconciliation.
If you’ve ever struggled with wanting the “last word,” this devotional encourages you to pause, pray, and pursue God’s wisdom when emotions run high.
✨ Highlights
- How Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 teaches us to choose patience over pride
- Practical, biblical strategies for handling conflict and avoiding unnecessary arguments
- Why delaying your response can lead to better understanding and restored relationships
- The dangers of letting anger control us instead of surrendering it to God
- Encouragement to prioritize people and peace over proving you’re right
💬 Join the Conversation
When was the last time you paused instead of reacting in anger? How did God guide you through it? Share your story and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #ChoosePatience to encourage others who are seeking God’s wisdom in moments of conflict.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Stopping the Argument Before It Starts
By: Laura Bailey
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”
Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 NIV
I’ll admit it. I am a “get the last word” kind of gal. I could blame my fiery red hair, my explosive personality, or the fact that I received the argumentative gene from both my parents.
However, the truth is that I am a proud person.
Not only do I desire to have the final say, but I am also reluctant to admit that I was wrong and delay seeking forgiveness. Fully aware that this runs counter to the admonishment to “ love your neighbor as yourself, ( Matthew 22:39), I’ve spent a significant amount of time in both prayer and Bible study in the hopes that the Lord will tame my tongue and soften my heart.
I discovered these verses from Solomon in Ecclesiastes 7:8-9, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” Whew, talk about a gut punch.
The book of Ecclesiastes is filled with sage advice and practical, godly wisdom on how to live in a way that pleases the Lord. Solomon succeeded his father, David, to the throne at a young age. Yet, God promised that he would be the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 3:12). Shortly after taking over the throne, his wisdom is on full display when he pacifies an argument between two mothers (3:16-28). Solomon knew the benefit of resolving conflicts quickly, while staying calm and in control of his emotions.
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received was to wait a day before acting or responding to something that upset me. If I was still upset after a day, they encouraged me to wait a week. If I was still upset after a week, give it one more week. If, at the end of two weeks, it continued to bother me, then I should reach out. By delaying my response, the hope was, in the words of my late grandmother, “everything eventually works itself out,” or I would be clear-headed enough to have the conversation without letting my emotions prompt me to say something I would later regret.
Solomon’s words echo this same sentiment, but he takes it a step further. He tells us, just let it go, don’t stew on it, don’t bring it back up, lay it rest. While I understand that there are things we should address, offenses that we should not overlook, and grievances that are suitable for airing, but, in my experience, the majority of things that “steal our joy” are not significant; they are petty and rooted in our personal pride and selfish desires.
I love how The Message translates Ecclesiastes 7:9, “Don’t be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.” I am sure, if I ever shaved my head, there would be a copious amount of scars pocking my cranium. God gave us feelings; anger is not only normal but natural. The Lord knew that there would be things in this life that cause us strife and lead us to frustration, and as a result, our anger would be stirred. However, while anger is an appropriate response to injustice, wickedness, evil, and the widespread hurt and harm that pervade our lives, we must not let our anger control us; instead, we learn to control our anger.
We take a step back, we humbly submit our feelings to the Lord, and weigh our response in light of God’s Word. We ask ourselves, are we acting in godly wisdom or human foolishness? Our words have lasting consequences. Our outward actions tell our inward hearts’ motivations. May we prioritize caring for people and relationships over our pride and desire to be right as we seek to love our neighbors as ourselves, because we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind (Mark 12:30).
Intersecting Faith and Life
Next time you find yourself on the brink of conflict, try taking a day or a week to respond. During this time, journal your feelings and thoughts about the situation. Pray that the Lord will give you clear direction on whether to let it go or address it with biblical wisdom.
Further Reading:
Speak Life-Giving Words
Philippians 2:1-11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Navigating social media today can feel like a no-win situation—say too much and you're criticized, say too little and you're ignored. In this devotional, Deidre Braley reflects on Matthew 11:16-19, where even Jesus and John the Baptist faced relentless judgment from their generation. Just like in biblical times, our world is filled with strong opinions, constant debates, and digital noise. But Jesus offers us a better way forward: to repent, draw near to God, and find rest in Him as we engage the online world with grace and truth.
📖 Read more devotionals here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse
Highlights
- Social media struggles are nothing new — Even Jesus faced criticism no matter what He did.
- Repentance brings clarity — Turning toward God helps us see people as He does: beloved and worthy of grace.
- Resting in Christ — True peace comes when we lay down our anxieties and follow His gentle way.
- Living differently online — With a Christ-centered mindset, we can engage in the digital world without losing our grounding in faith.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever felt caught in the social media no-win cycle? How do you stay rooted in Christ when digital debates get overwhelming? Share your thoughts with us and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #FaithInFocus — we’d love to hear your story!
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Catch 22: How to Engage With Social Media in a No-Win Situation
by Deidre Braley
Matthew 11:16-19: “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
The other day I fell down the rabbit hole of social media and, before I knew it, I was like Alice in Wonderland: disoriented, and suddenly feeling uncertain about reality.
I had meant to just hop on and respond to a message from a client, but I got distracted by a “recommended post,” and when I clicked on it, it took me to another social media platform altogether. After I’d been carried over there, I was a goner. I began to scroll through these all-new-to-me people, each with their own strong opinions, loud crowds, and unwavering certainty.
By the time I surfaced for air, I was completely dejected. I felt a sense of whiplash from the digital back-and-forth I had just witnessed, and felt a sort of ethereal confusion I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I thought, There’s just no getting it right! It doesn’t matter what you say or think; someone will always completely disagree with you—and they won’t be afraid to malign you for it either.
I often hear people say that we live in unprecedented times, and while it might be true that our technology is evolving across new frontiers, reading passages like the one above leads me to believe there is actually nothing unprecedented about the human heart. In Matthew 11, Jesus voices the same frustration—the same no-win situation—that I felt that day on social media. People had something critical to say about everyone and everything—no matter what they did or did not do. John the Baptist didn’t eat and drink, and people claimed he had a demon (v.18). Jesus did eat and drink, and people called him a glutton, a drunkard, and—gasp!—a friend of tax collectors and sinners (v.19).
In the meantime, the people were so busy speculating about John and Jesus and judging their every move that they missed the point: that the kingdom of Heaven was in their very midst, and that God had drawn near enough for them to actually touch. I find it interesting that in the following section of Scripture, Jesus begins to denounce the cities where he had done his most powerful works, because the people within them had still not repented—that is, turned back toward him (Matthew 11:20-24). They had encountered the Living God and missed the point entirely. I wonder if they too were too busy squabbling over his dinner habits to recognize who was even standing in front of them.
Intersecting Faith & Life
How are we meant to conduct ourselves in this current digital landscape, then? Looking at this passage of Scripture, Jesus seems to address the fickle, critical, and discontented heart in two phases. By giving our hearts the same treatment, we will not necessarily change the current reality of social media, but we will be able to maintain hold of reality while engaging with it:
- Repent (Matthew 11:20-24)
Repentance requires a posture of humility and openness to the works of God in our lives. It requires us to draw near to God and to admit that all the power and glory goes to him. In this posture, we cannot claim to know everything or to control everything. Rather, we must say, “God’s will be done.” That’s when we see Love pouring through every crevice of our souls. That’s when we are transformed by his goodness. This allows us to see the
people we encounter as God does: as beloved children, often in need of heaping amounts of grace.
- Rest (Matthew 11:25-30)
In the passage that follows Jesus’s lament over the cities that did not repent, he famously says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find
rest for your souls” (v. 28). In other words, he invites us to put down our worldly concerns, to rest in him, and to learn his ways of gentleness and humility. He wants to be our Comforter—and our Teacher.
When we take the time to turn toward Jesus (and away from our own self-righteousness) and then allow him to comfort and teach us, we can enter the digital world grounded in the reality of his love and presence—and then are able to extend it toward others. It frees us from the no-win cycle of bickering, blaming, judging, and pandering so we can do what really matters: bring the presence of Christ to everyone we encounter.
Further Reading
Jesus often addressed the religious leaders, who spent so much time speculating over Jesus’s authority that they missed the opportunity to experience him as Savior in their own lives. Look at how Jesus responds to them in Matthew 12.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this heartfelt devotional, Hannah Benson reflects on Psalm 37:4 and God’s promises about the desires of our hearts. While we often pray for dreams, relationships, and opportunities, Hannah reminds us that true fulfillment comes when we delight ourselves in the Lord first. God wants to transform our desires to align with His will — not to give us idols that take His place. Through personal stories and biblical insight, this devotional invites us to surrender control, trust God’s timing, and find contentment in Him above all else.
✨ Highlights
- The deeper meaning of Psalm 37:4 — why God shapes our desires before He fulfills them
- How good things like careers, relationships, or ministry dreams can become modern-day idols
- Why God sometimes says “no” and how His redirection protects our hearts
- A practical way to test your desires: “If God asked me to give this up, would I?”
- Encouragement to trust that God’s plan is always better than anything we could imagine
💬 Join the Conversation
What dreams or desires have you had to surrender to God? How has He reshaped your heart in the process? Share your story and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #DelightInTheLord to join the conversation and encourage others to trust God’s timing and purpose.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God Will Meet the Desires of Our Hearts, but He Won’t Give Us the Idols We Ask For.
A devotional by Hannah Benson
“Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your hearts.”
Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
This verse has been an anchor for me over the past several years as I’ve navigated the challenges of high-school and now adulthood. I have so many dreams and desires on my heart. Some doors God has swung wide open, while others, I’m still wondering what is on the other side.
Sometimes, God whispers to my heart: “You need to knock.” After all, didn’t Jesus say “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 ESV).
We know the Lord delights to give good gifts to His children.
But what happens when we’ve asked, sought, and knocked multiple times, but God says no?
If the Lord doesn’t give us what we want, does this mean we didn’t have enough faith? That we didn’t ask or believe as hard as we should’ve?
According to Psalm 37:4, if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts.
Does this mean we didn’t delight enough in God?
Why then didn’t God give us what we wanted?
Reread the verse.
Notice it says, “God will give us the desires of our hearts” not “God will give us everything we ask for.”
The psalmist writes in Psalm 73:25 (ESV), “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”
Dear friend, God is meant to be the greatest desire of our hearts.
The verse in Psalm 37:4 could have a two-fold meaning.
- When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will truly give us the desires of our hearts—Him! He will be what we long for most, which is far more important than anything else we could ever want.
- When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He changes our heart to want what He wants for our lives.
I can’t tell you how many times I have longed for something. Usually, one of two things happens when I have something placed on my heart. I either clench what I want in my fist and that’s when I realize it’s an idol. God will usually remove it from my life (either permanently or at least for a while until my heart changes).
God wants us to surrender and trust Him. Even if He says no. Even if He asks us to make a decision that doesn’t make sense.
I have found that God will meet the desires of our hearts, but He won’t give us the idols we ask for.
Now, you may be thinking: “That’s crazy! I would never ask God for an idol or bow down to any other god. I’m a believer!”
Intersecting Faith & Life
If we long for something more than we long for God, even if it’s good, then it becomes an idol in our lives. It could be our desire for a job, a spouse, a child, even an open door to go on a missions trip. Those wants and desires aren’t wrong, but if placed above God, then that’s when things get sticky. A key question to ask ourselves when wanting something is: if God asked me to give this up, would I?
If the answer is no, then that’s a sign our heart is in the wrong place.
If the thing we desire most has turned into an idol, then God won’t give it to us.
I speak from personal experience.
This isn’t to say that upon surrendering that which our heart longs for we shall receive it either. God is sovereign and knows what is best for each of us.
But it has to come from a heart of surrender.
Pray with me:
Dear Father, please forgive me for clenching what I want in an iron fist. I know You are calling me to let go, to fall into Your arms, and to trust You with the deepest desires of my heart. I know You are my greatest heart’s desire. Please help me to live like and truly believe this truth. Please help me to want You more than anything and to trust You will bring my way what I am meant to have. I will not miss anything if I’m walking with you. Thank you! In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
“A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?” — Proverbs 20:24
Have you ever felt like you’re wandering aimlessly, unsure if you’re on the right path? In today’s devotional, Lynette Kittle reminds us that even when life feels uncertain or our choices seem unclear, God is still directing our steps. Through Scripture and personal experience, we’re encouraged to trust God’s timing, follow His leading, and rest in His promises — even when the way forward doesn’t make sense.
✨ Highlights
- Why our steps are ordered by God, even when we don’t see the bigger picture
- How to recognize God’s quiet guidance when life feels confusing or uncertain
- A personal story that shows how God’s direction often becomes clear after we act in faith
- How the enemy uses doubt and discouragement to make us question God’s plan
- Practical encouragement to lean on Proverbs 3:5-6 and fully trust God’s guidance
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever felt like you were wandering — only to later realize God was leading you exactly where you needed to be? We’d love to hear your story! Share your experience and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #TrustHisSteps to encourage others walking through seasons of uncertainty.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Step This Way, Please
By Lynette Kittle
“A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?--Proverbs 20:24
Sometimes, we seem to sense God’s leading, feeling surefooted of the direction our steps are taking us.
Yet, at other times, it can feel like we’re aimlessly wandering around, not hearing His voice at all and unsure where our next steps are leading us to, causing us to feel at times like we’re just stumbling around in life, making missteps, getting off track and headed directions we didn’t plan on going.
Not that we’re trying to misstep, but as our steps aren’t making sense at the moment and don’t seem to be leading us in the direction we thought we were headed.
Long before the popular “Star Wars” miniseries “The Mandalorian” created the catchphrase, “This is the way,” God’s been showing us the way to walk.
This saying originates in the Bible, found in Isaiah 30:21, where God assures us, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
When Our Steps Seem All Over the Place
Recently, I felt like I was really struggling in choosing and sending birthday gifts to a treasured friend. Spending literally days, evenings, and weeks praying for inspiration and direction, looking at various options, and so on, I finally decided in what seemed like a last-minute style on a few select items to send.
So feeling let down, like I waited too long, missed the gift-giving boat, didn’t plan well, and so on and so forth, the gifts were sent but left me feeling like I had fallen short, failed, and let her down.
A few days later, I received the following text from my friend who received the gifts:
“I want to thank you so much for the birthday gifts. I think I can honestly say I have never enjoyed gifts as much as these. Every day for 5+ days I totally enjoyed my roses and the cheesecake was so amazing. It was perfect! I still have a few pieces of the chocolate I’m hoarding those…lol. Thank you for such wonderful gifts!”
When It Feels Like a Misstep
How many times do we allow the enemy of our soul to point fingers at us, causing us to doubt God’s guidance in our lives and accusing us of all kinds of shortcomings in an attempt to steal our joy away from us, rather than trusting that He is leading us, even when it doesn’t seem or feel like it at the time?
This isn’t the first time that my wandering or uncertainty in a situation has brought about an inspired response, where, although it seemed like I was just roaming around clueless, God was leading me in a very specific direction that reaped heartfelt responses.
When We Think We’re in Charge of Our Steps
Although we might be tempted at times to believe that we are in control of our steps, Psalm 37:23 explains, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way” (NASB).
Not only is God leading us, but He enjoys it. Sometimes we may believe when we ask for His guidance that He’s tired of our asking, but He’s not. God delights in leading us in His way.
Likewise, we can trust Him to be with us, directing our steps in the right direction.
As Proverbs 3:5-6 assures and urges, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: Have you felt lately like you can’t sense God’s leading in your life? If so, be encouraged, that even when you don’t feel like He’s directing your steps, He still is. And although at times you may be tempted to believe He isn’t, feeling like you’re floundering, God is there, right with you, leading you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”
Further Reading: When God Establishes Your Steps
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/when-god-establishes-your-steps-the-crosswalk-devotional.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
“Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” — Genesis 22:2 (NIV)
Have you ever felt God calling you to do something that didn’t make sense? In today’s devotional, Laura Bailey unpacks Abraham’s radical obedience in Genesis 22 and what it teaches us about having unwavering faith when life feels uncertain. From trusting God’s provision to surrendering our own plans, we’re reminded that stepping out in faith leads to God’s blessings, promises, and purpose.
✨ Highlights
- Why Abraham’s obedience in Genesis 22 is a model for trusting God amid uncertainty
- How God’s provision of the ram foreshadows Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb
- The connection between Abraham’s faith and God’s promise to bless all nations
- Encouragement to say “yes” to God’s calling, even when it defies human logic
- Living a life of surrender and experiencing the blessings that flow from obedience and faith
💬 Join the Conversation
Has God ever called you to take a leap of faith? Maybe it was a career change, a move, or a personal decision that required deep trust. We’d love to hear your story! Share how you’ve seen God provide and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #UnwaveringFaith to encourage others walking through seasons of uncertainty.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Unwavering Faith Amid Uncertainty
By: Laura Bailey
“Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Genesis 22:2 NIV
Has the Lord called you to do something that, at the time, didn’t make sense or seemed a bit crazy?
Perhaps the Lord called you to change your job, but that would mean a significant pay decrease.
Or maybe He called to move to another state, but then you’d be leaving behind your strong Christian community.
Possibly, you sensed that the Lord called you to adopt a child, but physical space and financial resources are already scarce.
While you might not relate to the specific circumstances above, most of us have experienced a time when we felt God calling us to step out in faith and trust in His plan, purpose, and provision. Acting in faith is not always easy; in fact, most of the time it’s challenging to walk by faith, not by sight. Yet, God has longed for His children to trust Him from the beginning of creation. To even amid uncertainty, be faithful and obedient to whatever He’s called us to.
And while following God’s commands at times can be daunting, especially when they defy human logic, we can recall all the ways God has been faithful to give us strength and comfort. We see God’s provision on full display in Genesis 22:1-19, where the Lord calls Abraham to do the unimaginable. Yet, Abraham, without delay, obeyed.
Abraham, Isaac, and his servants set out on their journey, and after three days of travel, arrived at their destination. Abraham instructed his servants to stay behind, grabbed the fire and his knife, and told Isaac to carry the wood; they were going up the mountain alone. Isaac noticed that they were missing the central element of a sacrifice – an animal. Abraham tells him not to worry about it– “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (Genesis 22:8). Once they arrived, Abraham made the altar, bound up Isaac, placed him on top of the firewood, and raised his knife to kill his son ( Genesis 22:9-10).
But, graciously, the angel of the Lord calls out from Heaven, telling Abraham not to harm Isaac. Abraham then looks over and sees a ram in the bushes and sacrifices it to the Lord, naming the area “The Lord will Provide” (Genesis 22:13-14). Then the Lord promises Abraham three things. The first two are specific to Abraham; the Lord will bless him with offspring, making them as numerous as the stars in the sky, and give him victory over his enemies ( Genesis 22:15-17). But the last promise is good news for all of humanity. God tells Abraham, “and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me” ( Genesis 22:18). Jesus, the savior of the world, God’s only son ( John 3:16), who He loves ( John 15:9), will come from the line of Abraham.
We see God’s unconditional love, grace, and mercy for His children through the blessing He bestows on Abraham and his descendants (that’s you and me!) Just as the ram was the substitute sacrifice for Isaac, Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world (John 1:29). Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God’s promise was fulfilled—a Savior for His people.
Knowing that God can be trusted gives us the strength to obey the Lord’s commands faithfully, even in times of uncertainty. Today, we benefit from Abraham’s obedience, a man who was called to do the unthinkable, yet said, “not my will but the will of the Father.” Because of Abraham’s willingness to say “yes” to whatever God called him to, the world experiences God’s blessings of grace and mercy through faith.
Like Abraham, God desires for His children to experience the blessings of a life that is wholly surrendered to the Lord. God is faithful to complete the works He calls us to (Philippians 1:6). Even when we don’t understand, we can have unwavering faith, trusting and obeying, because we serve a God who can be trusted to keep His promises.
Intersecting Faith and Life: Is there something that the Lord is calling you to, but will require you to step out in faith? Thinking about our passage today, and how Abraham’s obedience resulted in the Lord’s blessings on many nations, how does this truth encourage you to say “yes” to whatever the Lord is asking of you?
Further Reading:
Stepping Out in Faith When You Are Afraid
Hebrews 11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What will people remember about you when your life is over? This devotional explores what it means to leave behind a faithful legacy that blesses future generations.
Through the surprising story of Alfred Nobel, who transformed his reputation from an inventor of explosives to the founder of the Nobel Prizes, we’re reminded that it’s never too late to change your impact. A legacy isn’t just about wealth — it’s about the values, faith, and love we pass on to others.
God calls us to focus on what has eternal value and to intentionally build an inheritance of faith, character, and purpose for those who come after us.
✨ Highlights
- The surprising lesson from Alfred Nobel’s mistaken obituary and how it changed his life
- Why your legacy is more than money — it includes faith, character, wisdom, and prayer
- How Proverbs 13:22 challenges us to focus on eternal impact over temporary success
- Practical ways to build a faithful legacy through daily habits and intentional choices
- Encouragement that it’s never too late to start fresh with God and inspire future generations
💬 Join the Conversation
What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? Reflect on this devotional and share your thoughts with the LifeAudio community. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #FaithfulLegacy to encourage others on their journey.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
What Legacy Will You Leave?
By: Whitney Hopler
“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” – Proverbs 13:22, NIV
Imagine waking up, opening the newspaper, and seeing your own obituary printed there. That’s exactly what happened to Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite. But the obituary wasn’t supposed to be his. It was a mistake. His brother had died, but the newspaper got it wrong and reported that he had passed away.
When Alfred read the mistakenly published obituary, he saw that it criticized him for inventing and selling something that killed so many people. Alfred had made his fortune from explosives used for destruction and war. Reading his own obituary showed him how the world remembered his life up to that point. That experience motivated him to build a better legacy. Instead of continuing to build wealth from explosives, Alfred decided he wanted to leave a legacy that inspired people to contribute to the world in positive ways. Before he died in 1896, he set up the Nobel Prizes to honor people like scientists, writers, and peacemakers around the world. Now most people remember Alfred as the founder of the Nobel Prizes, which continue to celebrate positive change and inspire people worldwide.
The first part of Proverbs 13:22 points out: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children”. At first glance, this might seem like it’s only about passing down money. That’s part of it. The Bible encourages us to be generous with our money. But the word “inheritance” isn’t limited to money, and the most valuable parts of our legacies aren’t financial at all. We can leave our faith, our character, our work ethic, our wisdom, our story, and our prayers. All of that is even more valuable than money!
Have you ever known someone who passed away and left behind a legacy of love and holiness? You may not remember all the details of that person’s life, but you likely remember how that person lived with real love and truth by focusing every day on what has eternal value. That’s the kind of legacy God wants us all to leave behind!
The second half of Proverbs 13:22 says: “the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.” In other words, even if people gain a lot in their earthly lives without relationships with God, their wealth and accomplishments won’t last because only righteous people who follow God’s guidance for their decisions will leave valuable legacies.
So, what legacy will you leave? What are you doing today that will bless people and honor God tomorrow?
You don’t have to be rich or famous to leave a faithful legacy. God will help you build your legacy every day he gives you to live from now on, in your own ways that accomplish God’s good purposes for you.
You also don’t have to worry about your past, as long as you’re committed to building a faithful legacy now. It’s never too late to start fresh with God. He can turn your mistakes and regrets into something beautiful that lasts if you ask him to help you build the kind of legacy he wants you to pass on.
All you have to do to build a faithful legacy is focus on what has eternal value every day. So, communicate with God regularly by building strong prayer and meditation habits. Do your best to be honest and trustworthy, as well as kind and compassionate. Invest in other people by encouraging and serving them whenever you can. Pay attention to the wonderful ways God is working in your life every day, and share that with people to inspire them. Show the people who know you what it looks like to trust God daily.
When you do, you’ll build a legacy of loving faith that can inspire future generations. Every day that God gives you to live is a new opportunity to build an inheritance of faith to leave for others!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider what legacy you’ll leave after your earthly life is over, reflect on these questions:
- If your life ended today, what would people say about you?
- What kind of inheritance do you want to pass down to the next generation, beyond just money?
- Are there areas of your life that need to change to reflect the kind of legacy God is leading you to build? If so, what changes can you commit to making from now on?
- What’s one healthy habit that is currently helping you build the legacy you want to leave?
Further Reading
Matthew 6:20
Galatians 6:9
Psalm 78:4
2 Timothy 1:5
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life feels unbearably heavy, it can be hard to believe God’s goodness still surrounds us. In this heartfelt devotional, Keri Eichberger reflects on walking alongside her dear friend Allison, who recently lost her husband after a two-year battle with cancer. Through grief and heartache, Allison’s unwavering confidence in God’s promises becomes a powerful reminder that His goodness never leaves us—even in the darkest valleys.
This devotional invites us to trust that, no matter our circumstances, God’s love and blessings are still present today and that He is preparing even greater goodness for our future.
✨ Highlights
- How God’s goodness and love sustain us in seasons of grief and uncertainty
- A moving story of unshakable faith through loss and trusting God’s promises
- Why believing in God’s goodness changes the way we endure suffering
- Encouragement to hold onto hope, comfort, and God’s faithful presence
- A biblical reflection on Psalm 23:6 and its promise of God’s everlasting care
💬 Join the Conversation
What helps you hold onto hope when life feels overwhelming? Share your story and encourage others walking through hardship. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #ConfidenceInChrist to join the conversation and remind others that God’s goodness is always near.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Confidence in the Good to Come
By Keri Eichberger
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. (Psalm 23:6)
It pains me to have to report this, but my dearest friend lost her young husband after a two year battle with cancer just a few short weeks ago. It’s been a treacherous journey that we relentlessly prayed wouldn’t end this way. But all the while, I’ve been grateful to walk alongside Allison, honored to hold her up through the hard emotions and heavy moments. And because I love and care for her deeply, I have been bearing some burdens for her. One of which has been desperately desiring to remove her pain that was or would be. But the problem is, I can’t make it all go away. I can pray, show up with a hug, or lend a listening ear. I can share bible verses, send encouraging texts, and let her know she’s thought of and won’t be left alone. Yes, I can offer a little light. And so that is just what I did last week. Dropped in to listen and love.
Our efforts won’t be all-sufficient, but we can all be a touch of God’s goodness and shed some of his light in the shadows for others. And sometimes, as in my case, the unexpected happens. I may never know how my gestures will help Allison, but she’s certainly serving me in the process. Because as I was leaving that afternoon, she said something so profound. I had just quoted the title of a book that I’d mentioned wanting to share with her when the time was right. Written by my Christian author friend, Lisa Appelo, it’s called, “Life Can Be Good Again.” And as soon I spoke those words, without a thought, Allison assuredly stated, “I believe it’s true.” She was claiming her confidence that regardless of her grief, God indeed still held good for her life. And this is where and why I stand encouraged, amazed, and changed by her affirmation of faith.
How can it be that someone enduring the hardest of hard can still say, “life can be good again.”
It’s God. And she knew that.
Do you know that? Do I know that? The truth that even though life can look terribly wrong, out of order, and so personally painful, there is still goodness here and then. And also true: there will be so much more goodness. But if I’m being honest, I’m not always confident in this truth. When I’m afraid of what might happen, or what might not come to be in my future and in the lives of those I love.
God says he will always be there. He says his goodness will follow us. And he says all the days of our lives. And maybe you can’t imagine this either. Maybe you’re having a hard time envisioning how you might experience his goodness through the worst that could be too. But the thing is, not only has he gotten us through our hard things of the past, I have watched him carry others through the absolute unimaginable with grace, swelling peace, and a strong awareness of blessings surrounding them. Carrying a light only he can offer.
I’ve seen all of that in Allison the past two years and still now. Her hope is a living testament to me and all those around her. Her assurance through the valley that the unchanging God is good yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It’s true. Regardless of what we may have believed. Regardless of how hard life might get.
I want this living hope, along with God’s unshakable promises in the living word, to give me confidence in his goodness always. And it should. We can be confident in the goodness he promised to pour out. He said he would do it, I’ve watched him do it, and he will be faithful to do it to the end. We can get through hard things and endure the loss of good, because we know there is more good to come. There is more beauty to come. There is comfort, there is love, there is bright light and a beautiful future to come.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Today, will you consider what it is that has been hard, the hard that you fear, or the potential pain you struggle to imagine goodness in and through. Remember my friend Allison, who yes has faced the unfathomable and knows her days ahead will hold grief and plenty of heartache. But who also knows God is good, and will follow her, and will keep watching over her and her young children. All the days of her life. You can be confident he will do the same for you. There is good to come for you. And for each of his cherished children whom he loves.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We all have moments we wish we could take back—times when pride, frustration, or impatience gets the better of us. In this heartfelt devotional, inspired by Titus 3:4-5, we’re reminded that God’s grace and mercy aren’t earned by our own righteousness but are freely given through Christ. Through a personal story of conviction, apology, and reconciliation, we see how asking for forgiveness can restore broken relationships and reflect the gospel at work in our lives.
✨ Highlights
- Why asking for forgiveness is essential to living out our faith
- A personal story of pride, correction, and reconciliation
- How God’s mercy covers our shortcomings and restores relationships
- Practical encouragement for letting go of pride and seeking peace
- A reminder that Christ’s forgiveness empowers us to forgive others
💬 Join the Conversation
Is there someone you need to seek forgiveness from—or someone you need to forgive? How has God’s mercy helped you reconcile relationships in the past? Share your story and tag @LifeAudioNetwork with #FaithInAction to encourage others walking this journey.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Ask for Forgiveness Often and Always
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his mercy…” Titus 3:4-5
In ministry, I’ve said and done things I wish I could take back. On a particularly bad day, I was dealing with some personal struggles, and a church member had asked to meet with me and my husband. As we met together, the church member took the opportunity to complain about the direction the church had taken. As she complained, I stopped her at one point because what she was saying was incorrect.
When I corrected her, she got a surprised look on her face, and she expressed that she was highly offended at the interruption. As she walked out, I knew she felt unheard and unappreciated. Unfortunately, I was too busy trying to be right rather than the right relationship. A few days later, the Holy Spirit convicted me. He wanted me to apologize. I didn't want to apologize. What I had said was correct theologically, but it more adhered to the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law.
Although Jesus wants us to correct others when their theology doesn't align with the truth in Scripture, he also wants us to love others and be slow to anger. In this situation, however, I had been much quicker to anger than I should have been.
I swallowed my pride and sent a text letting her know how sorry I was and that I hoped she could forgive me. Surprisingly enough, within a few minutes, I received a text back saying that she forgave me and that we were still on good terms.
The above verse reminds us that it is not by anything we do in our righteousness that earns us God's grace. Rather, it is in the moments of our weakness that God pours out His abundant grace and mercy upon our lives. In the moment when I asked for forgiveness, God poured out His grace and mercy over my quick and flippant response to this woman.
I had not loved her as Christ loved her, and he was asking me to make amends. Although it was difficult to apologize and ask for forgiveness, I was grateful that she was willing to accept it.
The gospel message is that Christ died to be the ultimate sacrifice for all our sins. These are all the sins we have committed and all that we ever will commit in this life. We can rest assured that simply by asking for his forgiveness, God is faithful to grant it. Just as we understand the weight of Christ’s death on the cross, we also need to offer forgiveness freely when someone asks for it. This demonstrates our understanding of the gospel message, both in our own lives and in the lives of others.
Take a moment to reflect on your relationships in life. Is there someone from whom you need to ask for forgiveness? How easy would it be for you to send a text, write a note, or call that person and ask for forgiveness? If the only thing standing between a reconciled relationship and a severed one is pride, God wants to remind us that He gives His grace and mercy to all of us, no matter what we've done.
Just as we receive God's grace and mercy simply because of Christ's death on the cross, we also need to extend and ask for forgiveness accordingly. We need to be reminded daily that all of us deserve death. But He took away our sins and replaced them with love, forgiveness, and, best of all, salvation.
Although it is not always possible, we must strive to live in peace with everyone. Although some people’s hearts are too hardened to reconcile appropriately, it is still vital that we reach out and try. It means suffering rejection and a continued broken relationship.
We can take solace in knowing that Christ is always there for us, and he's our friend. In the same way Christ has forgiven us for what we've done, we also need to forgive others. We also need to ask for forgiveness from those whom we have offended regularly.
Father, let us be people who ask for forgiveness often. Let us forsake our pride and our appearance and substitute it for the grace, love, and mercy of Jesus. Let us be a living example to you when we ask for forgiveness, even when we don't deserve it. Let our lives be the test of your glory in our lives. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Is there someone from whom you need to ask for forgiveness? What step can you take to do that?
Further Reading
Matthew 18:22
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When a tornado devastated her small Kentucky community, Megan J. Conner found herself reflecting on the fragility of life and the strength of faith. As she surveyed the uprooted trees on her property, Megan was reminded of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19—that we would be rooted and grounded in God’s love, drawing strength from Christ to withstand life’s fiercest storms. In this heartfelt devotional, she invites us to examine the depth of our faith and lean into the unshakable love of God when everything around us feels uncertain.
✨ Highlights
- A personal story of loss, restoration, and hope after a tornado
- How God’s love anchors us when life’s storms uproot our security
- The meaning of being “rooted and grounded in love” from Ephesians 3:14-19
- Practical steps to deepen your faith and strengthen your spiritual roots
- Why knowing Christ’s immeasurable love changes the way we endure hardship
💬 Join the Conversation
Are your spiritual roots deep enough to weather life’s storms? What practices help you stay grounded in Christ? Share your story and tag @LifeAudioNetwork with #RootedInChrist to encourage others on their journey of faith.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Uprooted
By Megan J. Conner
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Eph. 3:14-19 (NKJV)
Recently, my small rural community in southern Kentucky was hit by a tornado. While there is much to be grateful for, as the collateral damage could have been MUCH worse, we are still devastated. Lives perished, businesses and homes were destroyed, livelihoods and tangible remembrances were swept away. We live in the lower hills of the Appalachian Mountains, an area typically immune to such tragedies, as there is not enough flat land for these vicious cyclones to gain momentum or remain active. The last time a tornado caused any measure of significant damage here was in 1974. However, on May 16, 2025, nature defied the odds and ravaged our town and the neighboring community east of us.
Our family home and business survived the tragedy, but not without damage. In particular, our back deck, fence, and wooded land were greatly impacted. Our home sits at the top of a hill, overlooking our own personal forest. I LOVE my trees! It is the main reason we bought our house. Our property is filled with skyscraping beech, oak, and ash trees. Our second story literally sits level with the trees, making it feel like we live in a real-life treehouse. It is just stunning. A dream come true for this former westerner used to brown dirt and dry land. Our woods are fairly dense and give off a sense of grandeur, of ancestry. It is likely these trees were here well before the Civil War.
Our forest appeared immovable and unshakeable. Until… an unimaginable force came through and literally unearthed several entire trees from their deep, substantial roots. We lost six trees during the tornado. Not a single one broke. All six trees were completely uprooted in their entirety and displaced from the land that once gave them life. Due to their massive size, there was nothing left to do but have them all chopped up for firewood and removed. They could not be restored.
As I stood there looking down upon one of these massive trees with giant clods of dirt still clinging to its deep-seated base, I could not help but notice the symbolism between the natural and the spiritual. How do we stay rooted in Christ, immovable and unshakeable in the storms of life? In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul encourages the believers to draw their strength from Christ. It is through the Holy Spirit within that they can withstand severe tempests. And at the root of it all, anchoring them in the Lord is LOVE. To know the love of Christ and the fullness thereof is to form an unbreakable, immutable bond with God; a root system that is so deeply entrenched, nothing in this world can uproot it.
Wherever you find yourself today, whatever dark clouds hover nearby, I pray you would be “…rooted and grounded in love, (that you) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:14-19, NKJV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you feel deeply rooted in your faith? If so, what do you consider your anchor? Is it a specific belief or tradition? Or are you able to truly say that you are rooted and grounded in the love of Christ? If that is not your first or most confident answer, may I encourage you to spend some time in the Word of God? Using a concordance, reference Bible, or a simple internet search, look up scripture passages that specifically speak to the love of God. Write down a few key verses that resonate with you and commit to reading or reciting them at least two to three times per week (daily if you can). Over time, you will notice your roots digging in deeper and the fruit of your faith flourishing.
Further Reading:
Rom. 5:8
John 15:9-17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Whitney Hopler reflects on the power of encouragement through the lens of 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Drawing inspiration from her father’s lifelong friendship with Hibbie, Whitney reminds us how simple acts of support, prayer, and love can bring God’s light into a hurting world. True Christian encouragement strengthens relationships, spreads hope, and reflects God’s heart for His people.
✨ Highlights
- Why encouraging others is a reflection of God’s love in action
- How simple words and gestures can strengthen someone’s faith
- The multiplying effect of encouragement—how it inspires others to pass it on
- Practical ways to uplift friends, family, and community members in need
- A biblical reminder from 1 Thessalonians 5:11 to build one another up daily
💬 Join the Conversation
Who has encouraged you the most in your faith journey? And who in your life could use encouragement today? Share your story and inspire others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #EncourageOneAnother. Let’s build each other up and spread God’s hope together!
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Encourage One Another
By: Whitney Hopler
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV
My dad Jim is grateful for many friends, and one of his friendships stands out to me. Dad and his friend Hibbie bonded as young boys whose fathers had passed away. Both of them had to deal with the grief and challenges of not having their fathers while growing up. They encouraged each other and built each other up day by day. By the time Hibbie passed away at age 87, he and Dad had celebrated about 80 years of friendship! I’m inspired by how Dad and Hibbie leaned on each other, shared their burdens, and strengthened one another for nearly a lifetime.
That’s what the Bible urges us all to do 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Life is hard in this fallen world. We face many challenges, but we’re not meant to go through our challenges alone. God has given us a powerful gift: each other. God calls us to encourage one another. That means giving each other courage through kind words and actions. Encouragement is often simple, but it’s significant. God will send his power flowing through our lives when we speak encouraging words in our conversations or write them in our texts and cards to each other. When we show up for one another and help meet one another’s needs, our efforts will make a positive impact because God will bless our actions.
Encouragement matters because it reflects God’s love for people. Throughout the Bible, God shows his love for people through encouragement. When we encourage other people, we’re showing them God’s love in action.
That’s powerful! Encouragement can change people’s paths through life for the better by pointing them to the hope God offers. It can give them the faith to believe they matter or the strength to face something that’s especially challenging for them. It also draws people closer together. When we encourage others, we’re building relationships by creating trust and showing that we care. Encouragement is also powerful because it multiplies. The more we encourage people, the more they can pass it on by encouraging other people they know. Encouragement spreads like light, brightening the lives of everyone who experiences it in our homes, workplaces, churches, schools, and communities. So, encouragement is a powerful way for us to bring light into the darkness of this world!
The apostle Paul understood that when he wrote this verse to people in the Thessalonian churches. They were facing many challenges in their lives at that time, and Paul knew that they needed to be reminded of God’s love for them. Paul didn’t just teach them the truth; he told them to encourage one another with it. He also wrote: “… just as in fact you are doing” to let them know that he saw and appreciated their efforts. God calls us to make encouragement an ongoing lifestyle rather than only a one-time choice. Just like Jim and Hibbie encouraged each other throughout the decades, we’re called to encourage the people in our own lives whenever we can.
Think of people in your life right now. Who’s struggling with something? Who’s especially stressed or lonely? Who might need someone to tell them: “I see you, and I believe in you”? Your encouragement could be the reason someone doesn’t give up today.
You need encouragement too. So, don’t hesitate to let your trusted friends know when you could use encouragement about anything you’re facing right now. Ask them to pray for you and help you with what you need.
God has designed us to support and strengthen each other. When we encourage one another, our faith can grow stronger because we’re helping each other find hope through God. God’s love flows through our lives to meet all of our needs when we encourage each other. Let’s do our best to encourage one another – just as Jim and Hibbie did – day by day.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how important it is to encourage one another, reflect on these questions:
- Who in your life has encouraged you the most? How did his or her encouragement help you in your relationship with God?
- Who is someone in your life right now who might need encouragement? How can you reach out to that person today?
- Who can you turn to for support when you need encouragement yourself?
- What’s one way you can make encouragement a daily habit in your family, with your friends, at work, at church, and online?
Further Reading
Hebrews 10:24-25
Proverbs 12:25
Romans 15:2
Galatians 6:2
Isaiah 41:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever prayed and wondered if God was really listening? In this devotional, Lynette Kittle walks us through the struggle of feeling unheard by God and explores two powerful steps we can take when prayers seem to go unanswered: self-examination and persistent seeking through fasting and prayer. Drawing from Daniel’s experience, we discover how spiritual battles can delay answers but also how God hears us the moment we call.
✨ Highlights
- Why unconfessed sin can create a sense of distance between us and God (2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 John 1:9)
- How Daniel’s story reveals that prayer delays don’t mean God is silent or absent
- Practical steps to restore closeness with God through confession, fasting, and seeking His presence
- The reality of spiritual warfare and why persistence in prayer matters (Ephesians 6:12)
- Encouragement to trust that God hears you—even when answers feel delayed
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever experienced a season when it felt like God wasn’t answering your prayers? How did you find strength to keep believing and seeking Him? Share your story with us and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #FaithInTheWaiting to inspire others walking through similar seasons.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Hello, God, Are You There?
By Lynette Kittle
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear”--Isaiah 59:2
Have we ever felt like God wasn’t hearing us, not listening, and wonder why?
If so, do we look for new ways to pray with more powerful words and phrases to say in our prayers? Do we point fingers at the devil, blaming him for interfering somehow in our prayers, maybe preventing them from reaching God like what happened with Daniel?
So what steps can we take when it seems like God is either not hearing us or answering our prayers? The following are two ways we can look to see what may be behind these feelings.
Dig Deeper
It’s not something we like to do and most of us try to avoid it, but possibly a self-evaluation is needed to see if we’re sinning, not just in the everyday way we all do throughout life, but in an in-depth look where we go beyond the surface and start digging down.
2 Corinthians 13:5 urges, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”
If we find sin, what is our next step to rid the separation we’ve created between God and us, and to reconcile with Him, so that He hears us once again?
It’s really simple, as 1 John 1:9 directs, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
God calls us to repent because He wants our relationship to be restored.
Fast, Pray, and Mourn for Answers
Daniel 9:3 describes how Daniel prayed and sought answers from God. “So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.”
Yet, even so, it seemed like God wasn’t answering him and, like us, Daniel didn’t understand. But God was hearing and listening, and He sent Gabriel to let Daniel know what was happening in the heavens (Daniel 9:22), saying, “As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision” (Daniel 9:23).
Then, later on, after three weeks of mourning and seeking answers (Daniel 10:2-3), Daniel experienced another divine encounter. “I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like topaz, His face like lightning, His eyes like flaming torches, His arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and His voice like the sound of a multitude” (Daniel 10:5-6).
“He said, ‘Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.’ And when He said this to me, I stood up trembling. Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.’” (Daniel 10:12-14).
Through Daniel’s story we see that the enemy can interfere with our prayers being answered, but when it seems to be happening in our lives, we can follow his example to fast, pray, and mourn until there is a breakthrough.
When answers to prayers seem delayed, we want to remember what Ephesians 6:12 explains, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: Like Daniel, are you going through agonizing times when it seems like God is not hearing and answering your prayers? If so, ask God to strengthen you to keep asking and believing that He is hearing and will answer you.
Further Reading: A God Who Hears and Listens
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/a-god-who-hears-and-listens-the-crosswalk-devotional.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God created you with intention and purpose, shaping you as His workmanship to fulfill good works uniquely designed for your life. In this devotional, Aaron D’Anthony Brown explores why living a teachable life is essential to recognizing God’s plan and stepping into your calling. Through personal reflection, biblical insight, and real-life examples, we’re reminded that embracing God’s design leads to transformation, wisdom, and a deeper connection with Him.
When we open ourselves to learning—from Scripture, experiences, and others—we begin to see God’s hand shaping us daily. Pursuing Him unlocks peace, motivation, and meaning, helping us overcome cycles of discouragement and live with eternal purpose.
✨ Highlights
- Why recognizing God’s workmanship is key to living with purpose
- How having a teachable mindset draws us closer to God’s calling
- The connection between pursuing God and experiencing lasting joy and fulfillment
- Practical wisdom on gaining understanding through Scripture and relationships
- Encouragement to trust God’s intentional design, even in seasons of uncertainty
💬 Join the Conversation
How have you seen God’s workmanship in your life? Has being teachable helped you grow in faith or purpose? We’d love to hear your story! Share your thoughts and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #RecognizeHisWorkmanship to inspire others to pursue God and embrace His calling.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Do You Recognize His Workmanship?
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
If I’m ever blessed with a son, there’s one underrated lesson I want to impart: Be teachable. I want him to be willing to learn from the obvious places like the Bible, his teachers, his parents, and his family. Yet, the not-so-obvious places like secondhand experiences and fictional stories are also valuable.
Not everything he hears will be accurate, but being teachable doesn’t mean being naive. Instead, a teachable mindset means being willing to learn from all experiences. That entails knowing what to do and what not to do. Moreover, when people give him feedback, he should hear them out, even if he doesn’t ultimately change anything.
God created us for “good works,” but those who aren’t teachable don’t get to experience the fullness of this truth. Teachable people are works in progress. Emphasis on progress. They are like a craft being fine-tuned. We are prevented from realizing our full potential when we don’t fully realize this workmanship.
I was reminded of this recently when talking with a friend from college. Those school days were about a decade ago, and back then, she was sad, lonely, and seeking purpose. All these years later, it’s even worse. Despite any insight offered to her by her parents or friends, she always has a response. There’s always a justification for her behavior. We are always wrong, and she is always right.
In reality, she is not teachable. She doesn’t recognize what God created her for. However, we don’t have to live stuck in the same old cycles of misery and sorrow. When we allow ourselves to be teachable, we open ourselves up to change.
When you recognize that you are made in God's image, suddenly, you don’t feel the burden of living a purposeless or fleeting life. Instead, we recognize a deeper vocation, one that inspires motivation and happiness—a calling that tells us we are living for more than just ourselves, and we are all the better because of it.
God created you intentionally. There are unique responsibilities and goals that He wants you to fulfill, and you can. While we can settle for the world, being teachable leads us to something more. Therefore, ask yourself, do you recognize His workmanship?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Seeing God at work in your life is not always easy. That’s especially true when things aren’t going your way. Disappointments and setbacks can make us question our purpose and God’s design.
If He loved me, why is He allowing this? If God created me, why am I so broken?
Whenever those thoughts or anything like them crop up, remember, you are made in His image. You are His workmanship. The trick is always to find ways to recognize and recall that.
Pursue God
We all know those who call themselves Christians, but don’t pursue God. They avoid church, reading the Bible, and discussing faith-related topics. Perhaps, that’s where you are right now. I’ve certainly been there. We can all find one reason or another to avoid God, but the better way to live is to pursue Him. We experience His presence, goodness, peace, and more when we do. In addition to that, we recognize His workmanship.
When life gets difficult, and it will, where will we turn? The world offers nothing lasting, no matter how tempting. On the other hand, God cares about us. He made us with intention, preserves us with intention, and will guide us.
When pursuing God is the norm, we have an easier time overcoming troubles and living purposefully. Not because we are all-powerful, but because we worship a God who is.
Gain Wisdom
The Bible talks plenty about gaining wisdom. Scripture even compares the wise to the foolish several times, implicitly and explicitly. Wise people do things like study the Bible, actively listen, and keep good company. They are also teachable, open to learning, no matter the situation.
Being teachable requires a shift in mindset. You have to be willing to say that no matter your age, no matter how great you think you are, there’s still room for improvement. There are still ways God can make you better.
Not everything you hear from man will be true, but with wisdom, you will be able to glean what is and use that to better your relationship with God, and ultimately, your entire life.
Further Reading:
Genesis 1:27
Colossians 3:10
Proverbs 1:7
Proverbs 19:20
2 Timothy 3:16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this devotional, Keri Eichberger reminds us that the deepest connection our hearts long for can only be found in Jesus. Drawing from John 15:5, she shares a personal story of longing for closeness with her husband, only to be reminded that lasting comfort, peace, and joy flow from remaining connected to Christ. When we stay close to the Vine, we bear spiritual fruit that no relationship, friendship, or earthly connection can replace.
Highlights
- The Longing for Connection: Why our hearts crave closeness, affirmation, and love from others.
- The True Source of Fulfillment: How Jesus, the Vine, offers the deepest connection our souls desire (John 15:5).
- Spiritual Fruits of the Soul: Discover the blessings of peace, joy, comfort, and security that come from staying connected to Christ.
- Practical Encouragement: Remaining in Jesus looks like daily communion—talking to Him, listening for His guidance, and leaning on His presence throughout your day.
- Finding Comfort in Christ: Earthly connections are beautiful, but only Jesus offers the unshakable peace our hearts are searching for.
Join the Conversation
When have you experienced a moment where Jesus reminded you that He is your truest source of connection and comfort? Share your story with us by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #ConnectedInChrist. Your testimony could encourage someone longing for the same peace and closeness today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Connection You’re Longing For
By Keri Eichberger
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
We weren’t quite seeing eye to eye. Nothing major. Just a slight variation in our interest of focus on that particular Monday morning. My husband had certain very honorable responsibilities on his heart, while my desires were driving my mind in a different direction. And I was left with an empty feeling. Longing for connection and time whisked away from the heavy demands of my recent days. And seeking that connection with him—the person with whom I held memories of carefree fun, comforting love, and a sense of safety, steady, and serenity. And as dug to the depths of my longings, the Lord prompted me with truth about true connection. The truth about the fruit I was truly seeking from the connection I was craving, and also how to find it. In a connection with Jesus. And this wasn’t new news to me. I’ve known this well, but I also know I need to put it into practice over and over.
Do you find yourself craving the comforts of connection? And with a specific or certain someone or someones? Maybe you could use a friend to pour out your problems to, a comforting soul to offer you some encouragement, or company to share the current joys of life with. Or just a genuine soul to remind you that you’re seen and loved. I desire all of these things. I was looking for them the other day when I felt a disconnect with Mike. I feel a similar sense of lack in seasons when my kids, friends, and family are distracted with their own demanding lives. And within each disconnect, the fruits of comfort, peace, and joy, that we find in our connections, seem harder to come by.
Something else to consider: How connected with Jesus are you when you’re lacking the comforts of connection with others? Are you closely connected with him when you’re seeking to soak in those missing blessings? Jesus told his followers, I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. We may often think about the visible fruit produced from our striving efforts when we hear this verse. But we also bear spiritual fruits of the soul. Precious blessings that blossom within when we remain connected to Christ.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
If you ever end up empty of a sense of safety, serenity, comfort, or care—securities that I was looking for in the person beside me—and you seek to find it in connection with someone, can I remind us both of something? We can do none of this apart from Jesus. We must first connect with him. And not just temporarily. Remain means to stay. So if and when we drift a bit, we need to return. Remaining in Jesus looks like refreshing our communion every morning, and then holding his hand through every moment we encounter, through the entire day. Going to him over and over. In all our work, in every decision, in each conversation. Talking to him, leaning on him, listening to him. And as we do our connection grows stronger, along with the sweet fruits we crave. Understanding, affection, attention, approval. Jesus gets you and me. He cares and comforts. And not like anyone else can. Apart from him—away and at distance from him—we will not find that which we want, that which we sometimes feel desperate for at the depths of our souls.
Remain ever so close to him. And you will find the comfort, connection, and fulfillment your heart and soul are searching for.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this devotional, Hannah Benson reminds us of a timeless truth: God sees you. Even when prayers seem unanswered, and our hearts feel weary, the Lord’s eyes are always on us. Through personal testimony and Scripture, Hannah shares how God gently reminded her of His presence in a moment of deep discouragement. Just as He revealed Himself to Hagar in the wilderness and heard Hannah’s cries in the temple, God is attentive to your life, your struggles, and your desires.
Highlights
- God Sees You: Encouragement from Genesis 16:13 and the story of Hagar’s encounter with “El Roi.”
- When Prayers Feel Unanswered: Why God’s timing and responses—whether yes, no, or not yet—can still be trusted.
- Hannah’s Story: Biblical assurance that God hears and knows the desires of your heart.
- The Power of Obedience: How a simple note from a friend became a divine reminder of God’s care.
- Practical Encouragement: Be willing to follow the Spirit’s prompting—your act of obedience could be someone else’s answered prayer.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever had a moment where God reminded you that He sees you—maybe through Scripture, prayer, or even a word from a friend? Share your story with us by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #GodSeesYou. Your testimony could encourage someone else who is wondering the same question today: “Lord, do You see me?”
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God Sees You
A devotional by Hannah Benson
““So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”
Genesis 16:13 (ESV)
Have you ever wondered if God sees you?
Scripture clearly tells us He does, but being a fallible human, sometimes, we may struggle to know this truth deep within our hearts.
Recently, I’ve wrestled with this question. I’ve been praying the same prayer for monthsand not yet seen a breakthrough. To this day, I don’t know how the Lord will answer. Perhaps it will be a yes. Perhaps it is a no. Perhaps He is speaking and saying not yet. Even if the answer is different than I hope, I trust that His plan is good.
As a result, I’ve found myself spiritually on my knees. Crying out to God.
“Do You hear me?”
“Do You see me?”
“Why won’t You bless me with what I want?”
Later that week, I was at a rehearsal for a show I’m in. For years, I’ve been part of a biblical theater ministry that often feels more like church than a regular drama troupe. Prayer, worship, fellowship, and exercises in hearing the Holy Spirit often occupy our gatherings, especially in the weeks leading up to the performances.
That night, several of us gathered in a room with pencils and strips of paper, listening to worship music and spending time with the Lord. We were encouraged to write notes as the Holy Spirit led, to write words of encouragement to our fellow cast members if God whispered something to our hearts.
I received a note with a message that spoke directly into what I was going through and was exactly what I needed to hear.
“God sees you. He knows.”
Inside, I wept.
The person who wrote the note had never heard the deepest prayers of my heart—those were between God and I. But God had impressed on her heart exactly what I needed to hear.
Instantly, God reminded me of Hagar’s story in the Bible. When she’d been exiled from her home and she wandered in the wilderness, God revealed Himself to her. With joy, she exclaimed: “You are a God of seeing!” aptly calling Him “El Roi,” “the God Who sees me.”
I also remembered Hannah’s story.
When she cried out to God, her heart and arms empty and barren, her prayers weren’t in vain. He heard her, and He knew the desires of her heart.
No matter what happens, I am reminded that God sees me, and He knows the desires of my heart.
INTERSECTING FAITH & LIFE
God speaks in the whispers, in the wind, sometimes in the quiet subtle moments in life that we may not even realize it’s the Lord speaking.
In this particular case, He used a friend of mine who followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit and may not have even realized the significance of her obedience in that moment. She didn’t “need” to write that note.
What if she’d said “No”? What if she’d thought the prompting crazy and ignored the nudge?
God is sovereign and certainly could’ve spoken to me in other ways, yes. After all, the most important way we hear from God is through His Word.
But I for one am so thankful my friend followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Let this be an encouragement to you today: obey the voice of the Lord. If God calls you to encourage someone, do it because you never know the impact your obedience may have on their life.
It might even sound crazy. Maybe it doesn’t make sense, but honestly, if it’s a word of encouragement, you can hardly go wrong.
How might God want you to encourage someone today?
Please note: Any word we receive should be tested against Scripture to ensure it aligns with God’s truth. Promptings should never contradict God’s Word, and wise counsel can help us discern them.
PRAY WITH ME
Dear Father God, thank You for these reminders that You see me. You know me, and You know the desires of my heart. Please help me to be brave and share the love of Jesus with others around me. Please help me to make it a daily habit of encouraging others, even if it sounds crazy or strange to me at times. Thank You for Your love, for Your Word, and the way You also use others in my life to speak to me as well. Please help me to be that person for someone else. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Megan J. Conner reminds us that even in our deepest trials, God is at work revealing Himself to us. Drawing from the story of Job, she explores how suffering—though painful and bewildering—can lead to a greater understanding of God’s majesty, faithfulness, and love. True blessing isn’t always the resolution we hope for, but the unveiling of God’s presence in our lives.
✨ Highlights
- How suffering can draw us closer to God and fortify our faith
- Job’s story as a model for lament, honesty, and perseverance in hardship
- The “unveiled blessing”: seeing God more fully through trials
- Biblical encouragement to trust God even when life seems unendurable
- Scriptures for reflection: Job 42:1-6, Rom. 5:3-5, Jer. 29:11
💬 Join the Conversation
Are you navigating a season of trials or uncertainty? How has God revealed Himself to you in those moments? Share your story and encouragement with us by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #UnveiledBlessings. Your insight could give hope to someone walking through their own season of hardship.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Unveiled Blessings
By Megan J. Conner
“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you,” Job 42:5 (NIV)
Have you ever found yourself in a season of deep despair? Perhaps you are there now. Where sorrow seems ceaseless and you feel as if you are learning the true meaning of “longsuffering.”
Often, when people are entrenched in hardships, the Book of Job is inevitably brought up. As someone who has spent the better part of twenty years walking through one unwelcome trial after another, I can confidently attest that while many want to reference Job as the biblical character synonymous with suffering, few have actually read the full account. In our current generation, Job has become more of a cultural reference than a sage testimony of the deity, wisdom, and provision of God extended to those immersed in tragedy.
It is hard to read the Book of Job – I get it, I really do. Some of the dialogue can feel a bit archaic, even mystical. But the reality is, we avoid this book of the Bible because we don’t want to intimately witness that level of misery. As human’s we have an innate desire to avoid pain at all costs, even if the sufferer is someone other than ourselves. It makes us uncomfortable. We desire life, not death, joy rather than sorrow, and if we aren’t forced to face such circumstances, who would voluntarily look to enter into them?
While undesirable to our humanity, it is abundantly clear throughout the Bible that God employs hardships to fortify our faith and draw us closer to Him. Joseph did not inherit his prophesied role until after he endured over a decade of slavery and imprisonment, the claim to the Promised Land was only achieved on the other side of the battle, and freedom from sin and death was only accomplished by our Lord, Jesus Christ, on the other side of the cross. Despite the clear pattern, we think our lives should be filled with peace, prosperity, and happiness. Job struggled with similar sentiments.
After losing his property, his livelihood, and all of his children, Job sat in a heap of ashes, scraping pus off sores covering his whole body, and crying out to God that he wished he had never been born. Though he was known as a man of faith, Job struggled to comprehend God’s good plan in any of this. And rightfully so… How many of us would have responded any differently? Pride and a desire for justice rose up in Job, and he even challenged God to defend His actions. Job’s declarations may seem bold (who is he to demand the God of the universe justify His actions), but when unimaginable tragedies ravage our lives and hearts, there is little we can do but wail, lament, and look for something… anything to blame for our heartache.
Thankfully, God doesn’t turn away from us (or Job) when our pain screams louder than our logic. As a Good Father, God patiently allows Job to vent until there is nothing left to say. When Job finally stops talking, a full 38 chapters later, God does something completely unexpected. He reveals His majesty, omnipotence, and power to Job. When face-to-face with such glory, there is nothing left to refute. Job bows in humility; his entire outlook and heart forever changed.
“Then Job replied to the LORD: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
Job 42:1-6 (NIV).
The story jumps ahead with an epilogue describing how the latter part of Job’s life was greater than the former. Many think this was Job’s reward for remaining true to the Lord in the midst of such misfortune. While those are all wonderful gifts bestowed upon Job, that was not the greatest blessing. The greatest blessing was the unveiling. Like Saul as he is transformed into the Apostle Paul, the scales came off of Job’s eyes, and he was able to SEE God. Fully see Him, and know Him in a way that would not have been possible without enduring the unendurable.
If you find yourself in your own season of Job, may I encourage you to hold on. There is another side to the trial you are facing. And though it may not feel like it all at this moment, God IS working for your good and not your harm. May you like Job, be able to boldly declare, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you,” Job 42:5 (NIV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you struggling through unwelcome hardships? Are you besieged by doubts, maybe even desperation? If so, take a fresh look at the Book of Job and the additional scriptures provided today. I pray God opens your eyes to the true gift of suffering – the gift of Him.
Further Reading:
Rom. 5:3-5
Jer. 29:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Alexis A. Goring reminds us that when we mess up, God meets us with compassion, grace, and mercy—not condemnation. Reflecting on a personal story from her time at Williams-Sonoma, Alexis draws a beautiful parallel to how God gently asks, “Are you okay?” before addressing our mistakes. Through Scripture and the inspiring song “Savior to Me” by Kerrie Roberts, she highlights God’s enduring love and His desire to restore what feels broken.
✨ Highlights
- The power of compassion over condemnation when we make mistakes
- How God’s heart is like a caring friend who checks on us first (“Are you okay?”)
- Biblical assurance of God’s mercy and grace that renews every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23)
- The hope found in Jesus Christ, the Savior who understands our pain and restores us
- A reminder that God can heal what we thought was permanently broken
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you experienced God’s mercy in a moment when you felt broken or afraid? How has His grace helped you rebuild? Share your story and encouragement with us by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #MercyAndGrace. Your testimony might be the hope someone else needs today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
“Savior to Me” by Kerrie Roberts? Listen to it here: https://youtu.be/lgcjC9DEzTs?si=uYfH3MkQRxZqlfUL
Full Transcript Below:
Are You Okay?
By: Alexis A. Goring
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy.”— Psalm 103:8 NASB
Have you ever needed mercy, grace and compassion after making a mess?
When I worked for Williams-Sonoma—one of my favorite stores that sells kitchenware and home furnishings—I always treaded lightly and carefully around the store displays because most of the products for the kitchen and dining room areas were fragile. I didn’t want to accidentally bump into a display or drop anything while I cleaned it or arranged the products neatly on the shelf. Therefore, every moment on the sales floor was a guarded experience for me.
For the first few months as a sales associate at this store, I didn’t drop anything nor topple over a display of delicate items…until one day. I accidentally bumped into one of the wine glass displays and half of those fragile items crashed down to the floor and shattered into what looked like a million pieces. I was mortified and worried about losing my job. However, one of my colleagues who worked in the stockroom calmed me down when she came alongside me. Instead of being mad at me for making a big mess of expensive items that now had no value because they were permanently broken, she made eye contact with me and with a concerned expression on her face, she asked, “Are you okay?”
In that moment, my mortification turned to relief because I felt like I was given grace despite feeling like a bull in a china shop who caused a catastrophe. Reflecting on that experience years later, I realized my colleague’s compassionate response was similar to the response God has for us when we mess up. He knows we’re going to make mistakes at least once in our lifetime because we’re flawed humans, mere mortals who are sinners by nature and always in need of a savior. And when Jesus Christ who is the Savior we all need, steps into our mess—even if it’s of our own making—He doesn’t immediately scold us, chastise us, blame us, condemn us or shame us. He looks us in the eye and says with a heart full of compassion, “Are you okay?”
What a wonderful God we serve! He is willing to make sure we are okay before He deals with us according to our actions. He is a fair judge (Psalm 7:11) who gives us grace and mercy when needed (Psalm 86:13). Praise the Lord!
This reminds me of the song “Savior to Me” by Kerrie Roberts. The lyrics talk about how God knew everything about our world before He created it. His Presence hovered over the darkness as He spoke light and life into this world. He created mankind with great care all the while knowing that we would hurt His heart when we choose to disobey Him and sin. God also knew that living in a sin-sick world and being affected by the pain of it all would break our hearts. So, He put a plan in place to save our souls. God sent His Son (Jesus Christ) to save our lives (John 3:16-17). Thanks to Him, if we accept His free gift of salvation offered through Christ then have the hope of Heaven after the end of our life on Earth.
I appreciate how Roberts sings about how good God is—He’s not just true but His heart for humankind is filled with a love that endures through the ages. He is powerful yet gentle. He is a Good Father to all of us. Roberts says how we need to realize that we are not the owners of our life, God is, and He paid a price to save us when He let His Son Jesus Christ die and experience separation from God for a few days before He was resurrected. Our Savior is alive and will never die again! We who follow Jesus Christ have this hope of knowing we serve a Risen Savior who understands our pain and empathizes with the plight of humans on this planet.
When we make mistakes and ask Him to forgive us, He covers us with His grace. The Bible says His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Therefore, when we make a mess—and God knows that as humans, we will—we don’t need to panic or be afraid of facing unjust punishment. Instead, we need to turn to our merciful Savior and let Him help us make things right. God loves us with all His Heart. He’ll always check our hearts to see if we are okay before He deals with our mistakes. This is not an excuse to take advantage of His kindness; it is an opportunity to allow God’s love to transform our heart, overflow in our life so that people see Him in us, and to let His grace cover our mistakes.
God can restore anyone and anything if we let Him—including what we thought was permanently broken.
Intersecting Faith and Life: How does it feel to know that we have access to the Savior of the world who can help us piece our life back together when we make a mess or fall apart? How does it feel to know God’s love for you endures forever?
Further Reading:
Psalm 136
John 14:23
1 Peter 5:10
Romans 15:13
Psalm 103:11-12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Growing in our knowledge of God isn’t just a spiritual discipline—it’s an act of worship. Using Proverbs 18:15 and a relatable moment with her child, she explores why Christians sometimes fear new perspectives and how God invites our honest questions. Through personal testimony, practical tips, and encouragement, Deidre shows that seeking deeper understanding of God can actually strengthen—not threaten—our faith.
✨ Highlights
- Why our deep-seated beliefs about God can make us resistant to new insights
- How asking hard questions can be an act of worship
- The reassurance of Hebrews 4:15–16 when we bring our uncertainties to God
- Practical ways to expand your understanding of God through scripture, discussion, and study
- Resources like The Bible Project and free seminary courses to grow in biblical knowledge
💬 Join the Conversation
When was the last time you learned something new about God that changed your perspective? How has curiosity deepened your faith? Share your thoughts and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #WorshipThroughLearning to encourage others to keep seeking His truth.
🌟 Explore more from Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Megan J. Conner invites us to confront the fears and anxieties we often harbor around money and control. Drawing from her personal journey and key scriptures like Hebrews 13:5 and Philippians 4:19, she challenges us to shift our trust from financial security to God’s faithful provision. This devotional gently reminds us that money itself isn’t evil—our hearts and priorities matter most. Through surrender and faith, Megan shows how we can find peace and contentment even amid economic uncertainty.
✨ Highlights
- Why money is a tool, not the enemy, when used with the right heart
- How financial fear often signals a deeper trust issue with God
- Megan’s personal struggle with anxiety and the breakthrough found in surrender
- Scriptural promises to anchor your faith in God’s provision and care
- Practical step: physically “surrender” your financial worries through journaling and prayer
💬 Join the Conversation
Are financial fears stealing your peace? How have you learned to trust God over your bank account? Share your story or a scripture that helped you surrender control. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #FaithInFinances to encourage others wrestling with the same challenges.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Faith in Finances
By Megan J. Conner
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb. 13:5 (NIV)
Faith in finances is a tough topic to tackle, but is one I have felt the Lord revealing and refining in my own life for the last several years. While it is not always the most comfortable subject, I pray you hang in with me as we both take a deeper dive into what scripture says about our faith, our hearts, and our relationship with the almighty dollar bill.
First, I would like to dispel the myth that money is bad, especially for Christians. The truth is, money is part of our worldly systems and even Jesus understood its role in the earthly realm (see Matt. 22:15-21). We exchange our labor for finances that provide us the means to put a roof over our heads, clothes upon our bodies, and food in our bellies. Money in and of itself is not evil. On the contrary, it can be a powerful tool for the Kingdom of God when used properly. The issue with money is not its existence; it is our hearts.
I never was one who thought I had an unhealthy relationship with finances. My family made much out of the little both of my educator parents brought in growing up, and my husband and I have seen various seasons of plenty and seasons of want, yet we have maintained gratitude and even generosity towards others regardless of how much surplus (or lack thereof) there was in the pocket book. However, all of that changed for me after 2020.
Our family owns a business that employs a significant number of people. People who represent families, ours included. We aren’t big, but we aren’t small either. We work hard day in and day out in a challenging industry and have always found a way to persevere through any obstacle. Despite our track record of God always making a way when there seemed to be no way, the economic challenges that arose in 2021 and beyond shook me to my core, literally. I had never experienced fear over finances the way I did these last few years. I struggled with anxiety. I was consumed by fear. In an attempt to “fix” it all, I worked more hours, dug deeper, and clenched my fists tighter around any and every attempt to control fiscal outcomes.
Realizing I was completely off balance, I repented before the Lord and humbly asked Him to set me free from this fear that had begun to control my whole life. The key to my freedom was TRUST. Without my even realizing, I had stopped believing that my Heavenly Father was a trustworthy caretaker. The issue wasn’t the economic challenges. I simply had stopped trusting the Lord.
At the root of all fear is a lack of trust in the Lord, in His goodness, and in His assured provision. God promises He will meet all our needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19). He is able to bless us abundantly, so that in all things at all times, we have all that we need (2 Cor. 9:8). He also reminds us that He clothes the lilies of the field and feeds the birds of the air. How much more will He then provide for us (Matt 6:25-34)?
If you, like me, find yourself struggling for control over your financial situation, may I encourage you to step out in faith, to let go and let God? For the last two years, I have been on a journey of surrendering this burden each and every day. As I have recited scripture, prayed, and literally laid each monetary care at His feet one by one, I have discovered immense freedom and peace. The same is possible for you. We can keep our “… lives free from the love of money and be content with what we [you] have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb. 13:5 (NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you fearful of your financial situation? Are you losing sleep, hustling hard, or grasping for control to ensure you have what you think you need? If that is you, I encourage you to start a daily activity where you physically “surrender” your cares to the Lord as they arise in your heart and mind. Each time you feel that twinge of fear over a financial circumstance, write it in your journal or on a notecard. Then, put it away. Each time that same worry re-emerges, remind yourself that you gave that one to the Lord. It is in His hands and is not yours to pick up again.
Further Reading:
Phil. 4:19
Matt 6:25-34
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this powerful testimony, Michelle shares a journey through anxiety and panic attacks, highlighting God’s healing, sovereignty, and grace. Despite the struggle and moments of doubt, God’s goodness prevailed—restoring not only health but also a flourishing writing ministry. The piece challenges us to focus on God’s blessings rather than our hardships and encourages sharing our stories as living proof of hope found in Him.
✨ Highlights
- Battling anxiety and panic attacks, and the impact on ministry and career
- God’s healing power and the unexpected blessing of restored purpose
- Choosing to focus on God’s goodness instead of pain or rejection
- Using personal testimony as a platform to normalize mental health and share hope
- The importance of being prepared to give a reason for the hope we have (1 Peter 3:15)
- Practical encouragement: journal your blessings and practice sharing your testimony
💬 Join the Conversation
When was the last time you shared your story of God’s goodness? What part of your testimony shines the brightest with hope? Join the conversation by sharing your story with #GodsGloryStory or tag @LifeAudioNetwork to encourage others to see God’s work in their lives.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Let Your Story Be God’s Glory
“Always be prepared to answer everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” 1 Peter 3:15
In the year 2020, I battled anxiety. These experiences with anxiety turned into rounds of panic attacks I couldn’t control. After getting help from psychiatrists and being prescribed medication, I was officially diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. After the diagnosis, I was distraught. I felt as if I would never be able to function normally again. Not only this, but I felt like my writing career was over. Because I couldn't function normally due to those waves of panic attacks, I felt as if I would never write again. However, God, in His sovereignty and goodness, allowed me not only to write again but also to become very successful in my career.
As a guest on various podcasts, I always attest to God's goodness during this time in my life. Although many people understood my situation and either struggled with it themselves or had loved ones who struggled with mental disorders, there were a few who were not so understanding. They tried to leverage their knowledge of this disorder as an opportunity to get me out of ministry. Instead of focusing on the tremendous pain and trauma these people put me through, I chose to focus on the positive.
There are so many ways in which God has not only healed me emotionally from this disorder, but he has also allowed me to use it as a platform to normalize mental health. A Christian’s obligation is to be supportive and compassionate to sufferers of this disorder. Whenever people ask me how I can continue in my writing and ministry, I simply answer that God is good.
My ability to look on the positives and focus on God's goodness is a reminder that the above verse is crucial for us to live out in our lives. When life looks bleak, it is easy for unbelievers to look on the painful side of things. It's easier for them to become full of despair and hopeless that anything will ever work out.
However, they are looking to Christians for hope and understanding. They want to know that God is not only real but also sovereign and can turn even the most difficult situations around, providing hope and encouragement for us.
In this way, I believe I am giving people a reason for the hope I have. I have hope because I have God. I've seen him open doors and work so many wonderful things out in my life. Not only do I understand this, but I also feel that my blessings are from Him, knowing that I'm a completely different person than I was five years ago. That is all thanks to God's mercy and grace in my life.
Is there a situation in your life where you have hope, even though it wasn't something you thought you should have any? When you testify to God's goodness, what do you say? Do you choose to focus on the ways God has let you down or disappointed you? Do you choose to instead focus on the ways God has bestowed his grace and mercy on your life?
The way we testify to God's goodness is an example of our testimony. The more we focus on God's blessings and our ability to work despite our weaknesses, the more light is shed on God's character of using our weaknesses to turn negative situations into positive ones through his strength. People need to hear about God and who he is. There is no better way to do that than through our testimonies.
Think about the ways God has been good to you. Get a journal and write these things down. When we choose to focus on the positives and count our blessings, we will find that journal pages fill up quickly with all the ways God has been good. Take a couple of those and practice telling your testimony to others. Allow it to be a stepping stone to sharing the gospel with those who do not know him.
Father, let us be people who focus on how you have blessed us rather than on our losses or grief. Help us to use our stories as a testimony to who you are and your presence in our lives. Help us to give a reason for the hope we have, and help us to know that the reason we have hope is because of you. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
When is the last time you shared your story with someone? What did you say about God’s role in that story?
Further Reading
Psalm 75:1
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
we learn to approach the Bible with a fresh question: “What does this story reveal about God?” Rather than simply asking how Scripture applies to us personally, this lens helps us see God’s character shining through even in stories of human failure. From Adam and Eve’s exile to Cain’s punishment, God’s consistent compassion and provision stand out—clothing, protecting, and covering His people despite their sin. This understanding invites us to trust God’s faithful, loving nature and approach Him with confidence, even when we’ve messed up.
✨ Highlights
- The transformative question: “What does this reveal about God?” changes how we read Scripture
-
Examples of God’s love and provision despite sin:
- Clothing Adam and Eve after their exile (Genesis 3:21)
- Marking Cain for protection after killing Abel (Genesis 4:15)
- God’s justice balanced with compassion—He allows consequences but continues to care and cover
- Encouragement to bring this understanding into your personal faith journey—God’s character hasn’t changed
💬 Join the Conversation
How has shifting your focus to God’s character in Scripture changed your reading or faith? Can you recall a time when you felt covered by God’s compassion despite your mistakes? Share your insights and experiences with the hashtag #WindowIntoGodsHeart or tag @LifeAudioNetwork so others can be encouraged by your story.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
How to Read Scripture as a Window Into God’s Heart: Ask, “What Does This Story Reveal About God?”
2 Timothy 2:13: …if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.
As my professor Dr. Dan Lowery often says, “Remember—the Scriptures were written for you, but they were not written to you.” In other words, it is not always helpful to read a passage from the Bible and think, “Oh, this is about me.” Perhaps a better approach is to ask the question, “What does this reveal about God?”
Since learning to ask this question, I haven’t been able to read the Bible in the same way again. It has helped me to notice how God’s actions consistently reveal the essence of his character to be Love.
A beautiful example of this can be found in the stories of the first humans on Earth, each of whose sins we can likely recall with ease. First, we read about Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God and ate fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and then there is the story of Cain, who killed his brother Abel out of jealousy.
But when we look away from their sin and zero in on God’s role in these stories, we notice something remarkable: in both instances, the characters do experience consequences as a result of their sins—but God also provides for them in unconditionally loving, and even surprising, ways. This is a moment when it makes sense to ask that good question we talked about: “What does this reveal about who God is?”
When Adam and Eve are sent from Eden after eating from the tree, the author of Genesis makes sure to point out an important detail. Though they had become aware of their nakedness only after eating the fruit—the shame a direct result of their sin—God didn’t send them out of the Garden that way. Genesis tells us that “...the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them” (3:21).
And in the next chapter, when Cain kills his brother Abel and tells God that his punishment of being a fugitive and wanderer on the Earth is too great, God once again offers a covering of protection; Genesis says that “...the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him” (4:15).
What does this reveal about God? That even when his people sin against him and consequences are necessary and just, he does not stop providing for them. He does not stop caring about them. He is compassionate and covers them even still.
Intersecting Faith & Life
Once we learn to approach Scripture through the lens of this question, “What does this reveal about God?” we can then ask another good and important question: “How does this understanding about God impact how I relate with him?”
In these cases, we see that even after humans royally mess up, God is good, and loving, and faithful. Even when their sins have consequences (all actions do!), God makes sure to cover them with his provision. Knowing this, we can begin to work this understanding into the fabric of our own faith, because God never changes. Who he was then, he still is today. That means that when we mess up—even when we are consumed with shame—God still loves us, and wants to cover us in that love. We can be confident as we approach him in repentance, knowing that he cares for us, even now. Isn’t it such a relief to have these stories as evidences of God’s good character?
Further Reading
Here are other stories of God’s faithfulness despite his people’s sins:
- When he provides for Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 16-17)
- When he restores relationship with David after he commits adultery/murder and allows Bathsheba to bear a son (2 Samuel 12)
- The story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Megan J. Conner reminds us of the incredible truth that the Creator of the universe calls us His own. Through Scripture like 1 John 3:1 and Romans 8:17, we’re invited to embrace our identity as beloved sons and daughters of God. This devotional explores God’s intentional design for relationship, His relentless pursuit to reconcile us through Christ, and His promise of an eternal inheritance. Whether you’ve struggled with feelings of unworthiness or wrestled with viewing God as a loving Father, this message will help you rest in His unconditional, everlasting love.
✨ Highlights
- The biblical foundation for belonging in God’s family (1 John 3:1, Gen. 2:18)
- How God’s love restores intimacy broken by sin through Jesus’ sacrifice
- Our inheritance as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17)
- Encouragement for those whose earthly relationships make trusting God difficult
- Key verses affirming God’s faithfulness and unconditional love (Jer. 31:3, Rom. 5:8, 1 John 4:16, John 3:16)
💬 Join the Conversation
Do you believe you are a child of God? What helps you rest in that truth when doubt creeps in? Share your story or a Scripture that reminds you of your place in His family. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #ChildOfGodFaith to encourage others to embrace their God-given identity.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Children of God
By Megan J. Conner
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
It can be so easy to feel lost, isolated, or even abandoned in today’s world. The pressures of life, the unrealistic expectations we place upon ourselves, the burdens placed upon us by others, and the challenges and brokenness often present in our relationships can cause us to retreat inward, feeling like the only way forward is to go it alone. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. While all relationships will be imperfect as they are composed of fallible human beings, the need for companionship and belonging in a family unit is part of God’s divine design.
From the very beginning, God saw that it was not good for man to be alone.
“The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him,” (Gen. 2:18, NIV).
God intentionally placed us in relationships with others for our good. However, He didn’t stop there. He intended for us to be His children. The Creator of the universe desired to be our Heavenly Father. How unfathomable is that? However, similar to our human relationships, which can often be filled with distance or turmoil, intimacy with our Heavenly Father was separated by sin. This occurred originally in the Garden of Eden through Adam and Eve, but remains present in each one of our tainted hearts.
Again, unwilling to settle for separation from those He loves, God lavished love upon us by sending His one and only Son to pay the penalty for our transgressions so that we might be reconciled to God. Taking it even one step further, our Good Father didn’t just want reconnection with us, He invites us into His affections and inheritance as children of God.
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,” (Rom. 8:17, NIV).
We have been brought into the fold, redeemed, and are treasured as children of the Living God. We will inherit His Kingdom just like a prince or princess would through their royal lineage. That is how valuable you personally are to Him. Sometimes, our earthly relationships with parents or caretakers affect our ability to open our hearts to our Heavenly Father. Again, human relationships are messy and can be fraught with difficulty or disappointment. But, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Num 23:19, NIV).
He assures us over and over again in His Word of His faithfulness and unending affection towards us. The Bible states:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
Jer. 31:3 (NIV)
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8 (NIV)
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)
These scriptures and more assure us of our Heavenly Father’s patient and everlasting love for each one of us. We truly are children of God. What a Good Father He is to us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you believe you are a child of God? Why or why not? If you struggle with accepting this reality, are you able to pinpoint a specific cause of your mistrust? Even those of us who are able to comprehend God’s fathership, can still struggle to feel worthy enough to be called a child of God. If that is you today, may I remind you that His love for you is not conditional. It is not based on performance. You do not need to earn it. You don’t have to be good enough. So today, wherever you find yourself, I pray you open your heart to your Heavenly Father and receive the abundant love that He is pouring out over you.
Further Reading:
1 John 4:7-21
Rom. 5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In All Things Take Time to Grow, we’re reminded that God’s timing is always perfect—even when it feels slow to us. Drawing lessons from the towering California redwoods and the patience of farmers, this devotional encourages believers to trust the Master Gardener as He works in our lives. Using Scripture from Habakkuk 2:3, 1 Corinthians 3:6, and Galatians 6:9, it challenges us to remain faithful, patient, and confident that the harvest will come in His appointed time.
✨ Highlights
- Why growth in God’s timing is never truly slow, even when it feels delayed
- Lessons from California redwoods and the patience required for deep spiritual roots
- The danger of prematurely harvesting blessings before God’s appointed season
- Encouragement from Habakkuk 2:3 and Galatians 6:9 to persevere in faith
- Remembering that God gives the growth, not our own striving
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a season where God asked you to wait? Share how trusting His timing changed your perspective. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #TrustGodsTiming to encourage others who are learning to wait patiently for His perfect plan.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
All Things Take Time To Grow
Trusting God When Growth Seems Slow
Have you ever seen a California redwood, proudly standing hundreds of feet tall? I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing one in person myself, but I’ve had friends who’ve visited California tell me of their magnificence and share pictures with me.
Admittedly, I don’t know much about redwoods—or any kind of tree for that matter—but I know enough to know that those trees didn’t just grow overnight. Some of the tallest redwoods in the world have been around for hundreds or thousands of years, and while they’re beautiful and unrivaled in their magnificence, they didn’t just appear that way. They had to grow, and their growth took time.
If there’s one thing the Lord has been cultivating in me lately, it’s the idea that all things—not just redwoods—take time. I can naturally be an impatient person and want to see growth or the fruit of my labor now. But as the Lord said in Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV), “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”
God, being sovereign, no doubt knew that His people would struggle and yearn to rush His timing. But notice Scripture says, “if it seems slow” not “if it is slow”. God’s plans for growth in our lives are never slow even if they seem so.
Like a tree that grows so tall after years of growth, so all things take time in our lives. When we plant vegetables or flowers, we don’t expect to reap the fruits of our labor the next day. Why? Because we know growth takes time. We must nurture the plant and patiently wait for change to occur. Why then do we not trust the Master Gardener, knowing His work in our lives will grow in due time?
As vegetables or flowers in a summer garden take time, it also takes the right environment for them to grow. You can’t plant a pumpkin patch in the middle of winter and expect anything to grow. You also can’t prematurely harvest something that’s not ready to be picked. Farmers know the right time to harvest the fruits of their labor, and so does God.
As Paul writes to the church in Corinth, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6 ESV). When it comes to sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others or growing a ministry or business, the only thing we can do is be faithful with what has been entrusted to us and trust God will give the growth as He sees fit. And if growth comes, it’s vital for us to remember Who gave the growth.
Intersecting Faith & Life
I’ll be the first to admit that waiting isn’t easy. I would rather see growth now than wait patiently, but prematurely harvesting in our timing will only lead to unripe produce. As difficult as it is to wait, we must trust the Gardener and believe the harvest, when it comes in His timing, will be better than if we were to “pick the produce” prematurely.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 ESV). Do you believe this promise? At the right time, we shall reap the rewards and blessings of obedience if we remain faithful and do not give up. With reassurance like that, I’m encouraged to trust, wait, and be patient knowing growth in God’s timing is better than growth in my own timing. Are you?
Pray With Me:
Dear Father, thank You for this reminder that all things take time to grow. I know I can get impatient often, wanting what I want when I want it. Please help me to trust You, knowing You have my best interests at heart. Even when it’s hard to believe sometimes, help me to remember that growth is never slow even if it seems so. I don’t have to fear falling behind because if I’m following You, there is no such thing. I know I’m right where I’m meant to be. Thank You. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a culture overloaded with noise and distraction, The Crosswalk Devotional: Being Silent with Jesus invites you into the sacred practice of stillness. Kyle Norman reflects on Jesus' habit of withdrawing to quiet places to pray (Luke 5:16) and challenges us to do the same. Drawing from personal insight, biblical examples, and modern parallels like the show Alone, this devotional explores how spiritual silence opens us to hear God's voice and deepen our relationship with Him.
If even Jesus needed time away from the crowds to reconnect with the Father, shouldn’t we also make space for solitude and spiritual renewal?
✨ Highlights
- Why silence and solitude are vital for spiritual growth
- How Jesus modeled a life of intentional quiet time with God
- The emotional and spiritual transformation that comes through being still
- Practical ways to cultivate a quiet heart in a noisy world
- Encouragement to stop striving for answers and start simply being with Jesus
💬 Join the Conversation
What does silence with Jesus look like in your life? How have you created moments of stillness to hear from God? Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and share your story using #SilentWithJesus to encourage others to pursue quiet time with Him.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Being silent with Jesus
Written and Read by Kyle Norman.
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray” (Luke 5:16)
There is a popular television show that my family enjoys watching. It is titled “Alone.” The premise is simple. Several survivalists and outdoorsy types are dropped off in the middle of the wilderness, alone. With no resources beyond what is on their backs, they must build a shelter, establish a supply of food, and get ready for the upcoming winter. There is no camera crew or support staff, they record their own journey. The one who lasts longest wins a pile of money.
What I find fascinating about this program is the emotional and spiritual journey that each contestant goes on. The utter silence of their surroundings eventually moves inward, and many begin to wrestle with issues such as identity, purpose, or value. Many people end up leaving early, on their own volition, concluding that deep satisfaction in their lives can’t be found in prize money or competition wins.
The bible talks a lot about silence. Elijah stands at the mouth of Horeb and hears the Lord in the sound of silence (1Kings 19:12) the Psalmist calls God’s people to be silent before him; (Psalm 62) Jesus invited the weary disciples to “come away to lonely place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31) Silence is a way to quiet the clamour of the frenetic world so that we can inwardly turn to that which is most important, most life giving. In silence, we meet the presence of the Lord who surrounds us each day, but for whom the frenzy of the world too often distracts us.
Cultivating this silent fellowship with the Lord is vitally important for a healthy spiritual life. Even Jesus himself cultivate this practice. Scripture tells us that Jesus would often withdraw to lonely places to pray. He did this frequently, often to the dismay of the disciples who were too concerned with what next might be on the agenda. Jesus, however, was never driven by the list of tasks or demands before him; he followed not societal pressures of fame or prestige; Jesus walked with the heavenly Father, and he walked with the Spirit. And even though he was God incarnate, he still needed to step away from the noise of the world to listen to the voice of the Father, and to breath in the Spirit deeply.
If this is something that Jesus felt the need to do for his human life, shouldn’t this be something that we cultivate as well? When is the last time that you cultivated a time of silent communion with the Lord? When is the last time that you turned off all the electronic devices in your midst, stepped away from the computer or television, and simply sat with Jesus.
Ultimately, silence is more an internal quality than an outward reality. It is defined by what we are invited into, what we receive from the Lord, not about what we abstain from. Turning off the television, putting down the phone, and sitting in the absence of noise isn’t enough. We must actively open ourselves to the presence of Jesus in our midst. We seek him more than anything else. See, the purpose of silence is not to get anything out of the Lord; we seek not the answers to our questions – although that may come. We do not seek a particular mystical experience, although we may find ourselves enwrapped in one. The direction of our heart and our soul is simply to be with the one who is the lover of our soul, and our heart’s delight. Silence is about being with Jesus.
Intersecting faith and life
Exterior silence is rare today. Noise occurs all around us. Music is played in elevators and waiting rooms. We hear it in the background of malls and restaurants. Television and radios are played form the moment we wake to the second before we sleep. And in those moments when we do approach silence, too often we reach for earbuds or cellphones to fill up the space with noise.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We can follow the example of our Lord, take up his invitation, and lean into time of silence. What is more, it really is not that difficult. All it takes is the willing desire to turn to Jesus instead of other things. Instead of reaching for our phone the first moment we awake, we might allow ourselves to sit with Jesus over our morning coffee. No newspaper, no morning program, just the Lord. Or we might do as Jesus did and physically walk away from that which was distracting. Might we take some this weekend to get away from others, so that we might be with the Lord in a deeper way?
Cultivating silence doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does have to be intentional. And while it may be uncomfortable at first, if we stick with it, it will transform our lives.
For further reading:
Luke 10: 38-42
Psalm 62
How to seek God in silence and Solitude on crosswalk.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Vivian Bricker challenges us to take inventory of the things we may have unknowingly placed above God. Drawing from Exodus 32, she explores how even good things—like careers, relationships, or personal goals—can become modern-day idols if they consume our attention and affection. With personal reflection and biblical truth, this devotional reminds us that true worship belongs to God alone, and that letting go of false gods leads us back into alignment with His purpose.
✨ Highlights
- How modern-day idols aren’t golden calves, but often good things misprioritized
- Why worry and anxiety can subtly become false gods in our lives
- The spiritual cost of putting anything above God, even unintentionally
- A biblical reflection on Exodus 32 and God’s response to Israel’s disobedience
- Encouragement to surrender idols and return to wholehearted devotion
💬 Join the Conversation
What false gods have you had to surrender? Whether it’s success, control, or even anxiety—your story could help someone else find freedom. Share how God led you back to Him and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #ReturnToTruth to join the conversation and encourage others to keep God first.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Forgetting Any False “Gods”
By Vivian Bricker
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt’” (Exodus 32:7-8).
There are many false gods in this world today. While we often think of false gods as golden calves, shrines, or other created objects, they can also be in the form of our career, relationships, or appearance. Anything can become an idol if we place it above God. This also includes good things like a spouse, children, or parents. The moment we put something or someone above God, it becomes the “god” in our lives and can cause us to turn away from Christ. As one can imagine, this is not our purpose in life.
Our purpose in life is to know the Lord, love the Lord, and make Him known. We won’t be able to do this if we have put other things above the Lord. For example, if we have made our career the god of our lives, we will make it our priority and focus above all else, placing God on the back burner.
Rather than serving the Lord and equipping other believers to know Him, we will become obsessed with our job, deadlines, and how to keep climbing the company ladder. While nothing is wrong with wanting to be successful or enjoy our jobs, we don’t need to place them as more important than God. God is greater than our careers because He is the One who has created us, saved us, and loves us. Our career or any other “god” we have created in our life does not do these things.
Something that I have struggled with is making worry and anxiety the gods of my life. We might not think of these things as false gods; however, when we establish them as our sole focus, they have become our “gods.” You see, I tend to get overwhelmed, stressed, and worried whenever anything goes wrong, and I lose sight of God. I hyper-fixate on the problem, and all I can do is worry and be anxious.
God has shown me many times that this is wrong, yet it is something that I still struggle with. Whenever worry or anxiety starts raising its head as the false gods in my life, I turn to God in prayer, ask Him to give me peace, and to calm my anxious heart. Something about simply asking the Lord to do this brings peace to my heart and gives me the relief that I need. Therefore, whatever has taken the place above God in your life, choose to give it over to Him and rest in His forgiveness.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Exodus 32:7-8 says, “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’” The broader context of this passage is that Moses had ascended to the top of Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments written on stone and had left Aaron and the Israelites to wait for him.
He wasn’t gone for very long when the Israelites engaged in pagan revelry and created a golden calf, which they worshipped and presented offerings to in the form of praise (Exodus 32:1-35). God knew what was happening, and His anger burned against them. Moses descended the Mountain, addressed the people, and soon his anger also burned. The false god they created in the form of a golden calf showed Israel’s disobedient heart. They had turned away from God and made their own “god.”
Israel was punished severely for this as the Levites who spoke allegiance to God were commanded by Moses to strike down their own brothers, sisters, and families (Exodus 32:27-29). God also strikes the remaining Israelites with a plague (Exodus 32:35). This shows the severity of following other gods. It will not end well, as it will only cause separation between us and God. As believers, we need to surrender any false gods we have created and return to the true God of the Bible.
What false gods have you created? How have false gods led you further away from the true God? How do you think God feels when we create false gods?
Further Reading:
Exodus 20:3-6
Isaiah 44:9-20
Malachi 3:7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Is your glass half-empty or half-full? In Half Empty or Half Full?, Megan J. Conner reflects on how our perspective shapes our faith. Through the story of Adam and Eve and the subtle lies of the enemy, she reveals how focusing on what we lack leads to spiritual discontent—and how gratitude and truth can shift our mindset back to the goodness of God.
This episode is a powerful reminder that contentment starts with choosing to see abundance, even when circumstances tempt us to focus on what’s missing.
✨ Highlights
- How the enemy uses subtle deception to shift our focus from abundance to lack
- Why gratitude is key to spiritual peace and emotional resilience
- The ripple effects of perspective on our faith, speech, and actions
- A look at Genesis 3 and Proverbs 18:21 to explore the power of words and choices
- Practical challenge to build a daily habit of thankfulness and see your cup overflow
💬 Join the Conversation
Where have you seen God’s abundance in a place you once saw as lack? Share a moment of gratitude or a shift in perspective and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #GratitudeOverflow to encourage others to keep their glasses full!
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Half Empty or Half Full?
By Megan J. Conner
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden...? For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Gen. 3:1-5 (NIV)
Do you classify yourself as an optimist or a pessimist? Do you see your glass as half-empty or half-full? While we may dismiss these characteristics as simple designations, there is tremendous power in what we think and even greater in what we speak. Proverbs 18:21 states, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit,” (NIV). What we recite over ourselves or rehearse with others has the ability to influence our thoughts, propel our actions, and even dictate our overall mental and spiritual states.
We all know the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. We look at their account and can easily cast judgment on their erroneous ways. We can be tempted to think there is no way we would have disobeyed God like they did. They walked with God and talked directly with Him all the time. How in the world could they just turn their backs on Him like that? We flippantly assume that if it had been us in that garden, we would have made a very different decision. Perhaps, before we cast the first stone, we should take a closer look at what might have caused them to boldly sin against God in such a manner.
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’ The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” Gen. 3:1-6 (NIV)
What tactic did Satan use to convince Eve that she should disobey God? If Satan had challenged her directly to defy God’s edicts, she likely would have refused. However, his enticement was subtle, not direct. Satan artfully got Eve to see what she lacked rather than what she had. Where there was abundance, she suddenly saw deficiency. On the outside, it seems like such a small shift, yet it produced immense repercussions. It is no different for us today. Our perspectives really do change everything.
Unfortunately, we are very familiar with the long-term effects of Adam and Eve’s poor choice as generation after generation endures the consequences of this sin. However, God did not forsake us (or Adam and Eve). He chose right then and there to pay the penalty for our sins through the death and ultimate resurrection of His one and only Son so that we might be reconciled back to the Father. Yet even in this, we still have a choice. Do we recognize the gift we have been given? Or do we still see the glass as half-empty?
Gratitude is THE key to the peace and contentment we all seek in life. Perspective dictates our daily direction, and it takes intentional effort to look for the good instead of the bad. We all have a choice. No matter how difficult or disappointing our circumstances may seem, there is always something to be thankful for. May I encourage and challenge you today? Look for the good, seek out the blessings that are right there in front of you. I promise, if you go treasure hunting, you will discover riches far beyond your imagination. Your glass really can be full to overflowing.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Let’s take a moment and conduct a quick survey of our lives. Set a timer for one minute and, without thinking, write down every single thing you can think of to be grateful for. Once completed, take a look at how many treasures you were able to unearth. Then, I challenge you to take five minutes each day for the next week and see how many more blessings you can add to your list. Let’s commit together to see abundance and not perceived lack. Let’s keep our glasses full!
Further Reading:
Phil 4:10-13
1 Thes. 5:18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What does “home” really mean when nothing on earth feels permanent? In Looking Forward to Home, Lynette Kittle shares a heartfelt devotional exploring how our sense of home shifts as we grow in faith. Through personal stories and Scripture, she invites us to stop anchoring ourselves to physical places and instead long for the eternal home Jesus is preparing for us.
If you've ever felt displaced or like you don’t quite belong here, this episode is a beautiful reminder: our true home is with Christ.
✨ Highlights
- Why a Christian perspective on home goes beyond physical places
- How moving often can actually deepen your eternal perspective
- The connection between loss and longing for Heaven
- Encouragement from Jesus' promise in John 14:3—He’s preparing a place for us
- Reflection on how Heaven becomes more real as our loved ones go before us
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever felt like this world isn’t your true home? How has your view of Heaven changed over time? Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and share your thoughts using #HeavenIsHome to inspire and encourage others who are longing for eternity with Christ.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Looking Forward to Home
By Lynette Kittle
“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come”--Hebrews 13:14
When we think of home, what do we think of? What comes to mind, a particular house, or city, or an area of the country or world? Some might quote the popular saying, “Home is where your heart is.”
Growing up, my family moved around a lot, so I decided as a teenager that when I grew up and became an adult, I would reside in one place for the rest of my life and never move again. That was my plan.
But God had different plans and knew my moving from place to place growing up was preparing me for married life, one where He has kept us on the move, relocating over 30 times and still counting, moving from East to West, South to North, from one end of the United States to the other.
Needless to say, my dream of living in one place for the rest of my life didn’t pan out as we waved goodbye to the place chosen to be my “forever home”, as some might call it.
Not until years later, after my parents both passed away, did I start to realize that a specific place isn’t what makes a home, but rather the people we love who live there.
While my parents were still living, I loved visiting them in the town I had planned to live out my life, not ever wanting to leave the place and area that felt like home to me. But once they passed away and were no longer living there, my desire to live there passed away, too, where even the draw and appeal of it no longer called to me, not even for a visit.
Still, it was the same place I thought was where I wanted to live out my days. So what has changed my desire so completely?
The Apostle Paul explains how, “The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47), so as His followers, we are changed from residents of the earth to residents of Heaven.
In thinking about how my feelings changed drastically after my parents left this world, I considered how Jesus’ disciples and followers may have experienced similar types of feelings with His leaving and absence, like it just didn’t feel like home any longer.
Maybe why Jesus assured His followers before His leaving, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).
How reassuring Jesus’ words must have been to them, after experiencing His death, resurrection, and ascension, to remember His telling them beforehand that He was preparing a place for them and would come back to take them with Him.
What a comfort for His followers, then and now, to hear and know, because our real home is where He is, not a place, but with Him, so to go with Him, is to go home.
As Jesus prayed in John 17:24 “Father, I want those you have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world.”
Likewise, Revelation 21:3 describes our future home, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.”
Home really is where our hearts are, where we feel most connected and loved by people rather than a particular physical location.
Since my parents left this world, Heaven does seem more like home than it did before. Knowing they are already there with Jesus draws me home.
Intersecting Faith & Life: Where is home for you? Do you feel at home and comfortable here on earth, or are you looking forward to living with Jesus in His home? If the thought of heaven seems too far off, or out-of-reach, ask God to draw you closer to Him.
Further Reading: A Prayer to Look Towards Heaven
https://www.crosswalk.com/video/a-prayer-to-look-towards-heaven-your-daily-prayer.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this moving devotional, Angela Anderson shares a real-life story of watching a woman struggle in deep waters—until she surrendered and was rescued. Through this gripping analogy, Angela unpacks the meaning of "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3) and how spiritual surrender opens the door to God’s kingdom. When we recognize our deep need for God's grace, we stop striving and allow Him to rescue us.
This devotional is a reminder that salvation isn’t about striving harder—it’s about admitting we can’t do it on our own. When we surrender, we experience the richness of God's love, peace, and hope.
✨ Highlights
- What it truly means to be "poor in spirit"
- Why surrender—not self-reliance—is the key to spiritual rescue
- A powerful real-life metaphor for how God saves us when we stop fighting
- Encouragement for those who feel like they’re drowning in life’s circumstances
- The immediate promise of kingdom living for those who fully depend on God
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you had a moment when surrendering to God brought breakthrough? We’d love to hear your story. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #PoorInSpiritRichInFaith to share how God met you when you let go.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Let the Poor Say I Am Rich
By Angela Anderson
Bible Reading:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 (ESV)
I stood there in awe with the rest of the crowd. I wanted to scream for help, but I was speechless. I could not believe what I was witnessing, and I was terrified at the thought of a tragic outcome.
There was a woman drowning in the middle of the ocean, and no one was coming to her rescue. She accidentally fell off the pier and she was too far out for even an experienced swimmer to reach her. Her arms were flailing, water was splashing, her head was bobbing up and down, and the crowd just stood there watching it happen. There was a lifeguard nearby, and he was also a silent bystander. I was perplexed. I thought it was the responsibility of the lifeguard to save people from drowning. Why wasn’t this lifeguard jumping in the water to save this woman?
A few more minutes went by. It felt like everything was happening in slow motion. I saw the woman begin to get tired. Her arms were no longer moving wildly in the air and the water around her seemed to calm down. Then the worst possible scenario occurred. The woman went under. The crowd gasped in unison.
Immediately, the lifeguard dove into the water and within seconds he appeared with the woman in his arms. He swam back to the pier while pulling the woman who was serenely floating alongside the lifeguard. Once they reached the bottom of the pier, they were pulled to safety by a team of rescuers who had just arrived on the scene.
Occasionally, I think about that incident and my mind goes back to the moment when the lifeguard saw the woman drowning, but he did not instantly act. It was later explained to me that the lifeguard was waiting for the woman to stop struggling in the water. If the lifeguard jumped in to save the woman while she was still fighting for her life, he might have been pulled down in the chaos, and both may have drowned. The lifeguard could not force or coerce the woman to be saved. Instead, the lifeguard had to wait until the woman surrendered and allowed herself to be saved.
It is the same way with God and His continuous desire to save us. The verse for today found in Matthew 5:3 indicates that the poor in spirit will inherit the kingdom of heaven. What does it mean to be poor in spirit? The word poor in this context does not refer to the lack of material wealth. On the contrary, to be poor in spirit is to recognize your spiritual poverty and your deep need to be saved. There is an awareness that salvation is not something that can be earned. There is an understanding that God’s favor is a gift. There is an acknowledgement that you must depend on God’s grace, rather than rely on your own righteousness, accomplishments, or strength.
For those who are poor in spirit, there is spiritual humility which is the opposite of pride or self-sufficiency. You can freely admit your need for God and His mercy. For example, the tax collector in Luke 18:13 had a heart of repentance when he prayed the words, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” This is an outward sign of dependence on God and submission to His will. Once you reach this point in your life, there is an openness to God. You are receptive to the gospel. Only those who realize their need will fervently seek and receive the promise of God’s kingdom.
This promise is not a future event. Instead, it is referring to belonging to God’s kingdom in the present. Those who are poor in spirit are reaping the reward of living under God’s rule which is characterized by His grace, peace, and hope. Moreover, it is the foundation of a faithful, grace-filled life. You will experience the richness of His love.
To be poor in spirit is to fully surrender. Just like the woman who was drowning, once you accept that you cannot save yourself, you stop struggling and you give God permission to act. Just like the lifeguard, God is patiently waiting for you to be still so that He can jump in and rescue you from the deep waters of your life.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are there areas of your life that you have not surrendered to God? What will it take for you to relinquish control?
Further Reading:
2 Peter 3:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Is singleness a gift or a flaw to be fixed? In this heartfelt devotional, Vivian Bricker invites us to rethink cultural and even church-based assumptions about being single. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 7:7 and Colossians 2:10, she reminds us that single Christians are not lacking—they are complete in Christ.
Whether by choice, circumstance, or calling, singleness offers a unique opportunity to deepen our devotion to God and grow spiritually without distraction. Vivian speaks candidly from personal experience, addressing the pain, pressure, and purpose of singleness in a culture that often misunderstands it. If you’ve ever felt overlooked or “less than” because of your relationship status, this reflection will affirm your value and remind you that you are fully known and fully loved.
Highlights (What You’ll Learn)
- Why singleness is not a flaw—but a God-given gift (1 Corinthians 7:7)
- The emotional challenges of being a single Christian in a relationship-centered world
- How Colossians 2:10 affirms that we are already complete through Christ
- Common misconceptions about single believers—and why they need to change
- Encouragement to embrace this season (or life calling) with purpose, dignity, and joy
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you struggled to see singleness as a gift? Or have you found freedom and growth in this season of life? Share your thoughts by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #SingleAndSecure to encourage others walking a similar path. Let’s start a real conversation about what it means to be whole, chosen, and complete in Christ—no matter our relationship status.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Acceptance for the Single Christian
By Vivian Bricker
“I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that” (1 Corinthians 7:7).
As a single Christian, I have often been ridiculed. Many Christians view me as something that needs to be “fixed.” What these individuals don’t know is that singleness does not mean you are broken or lacking in any way. Through faith in Jesus, we have been brought to fullness (Colossians 2:10). This means we are not lacking anything in our lives.
Since we are given fullness in Christ, there is no reason to be ashamed as a single Christian. It is true that single life can get lonely, and we often feel a lack of love, but it does not mean we are not complete. Many people stay single for various reasons. Some simply choose to stay single in order to be devoted to the Lord, others have bad experiences with dating, and others have never been pursued by someone. It is best not to look down on singles or to make any comments on their singleness because you don’t know why a person is single.
People who are single have different feelings concerning singleness. For some, it might be painful; for others, it is a sense of Christian growth and grace. In either case, Christian singles need to be respected and treated equally with other believers. There have been too many occasions where I have been looked down upon because I am a single Christian.
These individuals think that if a person is single, they are immature or incomplete. As mentioned, single Christians are complete because we know Jesus and have been given fullness in Him. All Christians, regardless of their relationship status, are worthy, valued, and enough. To say otherwise would be to call Jesus’ love and grace insufficient. As it is, Jesus’ love and grace are more than sufficient, and we are all complete in Him.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Rather than believing lies about singles, it is time to listen to what God says in His Word. While marriage is a beautiful blessing and a gift, singleness is also a gift (1 Corinthians 7:1-40). This is what Paul is saying when he makes the statement, “I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that” (1 Corinthians 7:7).
In saying this, Paul tells us that each of us has our own gift from God. This would tell us that singleness is a gift and it is a great blessing. By being single Christians, we have much more time to devote to the Lord, go to Him in prayer, and read the Bible (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). Our top priority is God, and He always will be.
Rather than seeing singleness as a lesser state, it is important to embrace our singleness. For some, this might only be a season of life, and for others, it might be for the rest of their lives. If you are young and think you are “doomed” to be single, know that singleness is not a curse. As stated, it is a gift. Jesus tells us that we should accept singleness if we can (Matthew 19:12). The Lord is never wrong, and we need to embrace the life He has called us to. The life He has for each of us is amazing, whether that includes marriage or not.
“Dear Jesus, I often struggle with my singleness, and it makes me feel as though nobody will ever love me. Help me to know that I am complete in You and I’m not lacking anything. Please help me to also see singleness as a gift rather than a curse. My life is meant to serve You, regardless of my relationship status. Help me to remember this every day. Amen.”
Have you held any distorted views of singleness in the past? The Bible tells us singleness is a gift. In what ways do you see it as a gift in your own life? Singleness can be hard for many Christians to accept. How can you work on accepting singleness in your own life this week?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What do we do when we’re walking through spiritual wilderness—those dry, difficult seasons that test our faith and strip us of comfort? In this moving devotional, Megan J. Conner invites us to consider what it means to build altars in the wilderness—not as monuments to our victories, but as places of sacrifice, surrender, and transformation.
Drawing from Genesis 22 and the powerful story of Abraham and Isaac, this episode explores the sacred difference between memorials and altars, and how God uses wilderness moments to draw us deeper into trust, humility, and full dependence on Him. If you’re feeling lost, weary, or stretched beyond your limits, this is a tender reminder that God meets us in the wilderness, and often calls us to lay down what’s most precious so that new life can rise.
Highlights (What You’ll Learn)
- The distinction between biblical monuments and altars, and why it matters for your faith
- What Abraham’s altar moment teaches us about deep surrender and costly obedience
- How spiritual “wilderness” seasons are often invitations to intimacy and transformation
- Why humility and sacrifice are central themes of the Christian journey
- Encouragement that what you lay down in obedience, God often raises up in new life
💬 Join the Conversation
What has God asked you to surrender in a season of wilderness? How has He met you in that place? Tag @LifeAudioNetwork with #AltarInMyWilderness and share a moment when laying something down led to growth, renewal, or unexpected blessing. Your story may be the encouragement someone else needs today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Altars in the Wilderness
By Megan J. Conner
The phrase “altars in the wilderness” has become somewhat of a Christian catchphrase that has gained popularity over the last several years. The expression sounds deep, compelling, romantic, even. It alludes to a sense of profound destiny, as if connected to some measure of achievement or victory. While marker stones were often set up in the Old Testament to memorialize an act of God’s deliverance or miraculous provision during wilderness wanderings, there is a significant difference between a monument and an altar.
Throughout the Old Testament, we see monuments resurrected through marker stones. Similar to our modern-day statues, granite walls, or marble towers, these memorials were built as a lasting reminder of God’s triumph over an obstacle or enemy, and His divine deliverance of His people. We see examples of this in Joshua chapter four when the twelve tribes stack stones to memorialize the crossing of the Jordan river, and again in 1 Samuel chapter seven when God delivers the Israelites from the Philistines and Samuel erects a memorial called “ebenezer,” meaning stone of help. In both of these references, God miraculously demonstrated love in action as He cared for those who belonged to Him.
While faith was required to follow the Lord in each of these scenarios, it was God who was responsible for the work, not man. How different in comparison when we look at the term altar. Again, the word stirs in us visions of majesty and the divine, but an altar at its core is not a place of glory, but of humility. The word altar, when used as a noun in Hebrew, means “place of sacrifice,” and is derived from a verb meaning “to slaughter, to offer, or to sacrifice.” There is no grandeur here; rather, there is messy, raw surrender. A total and complete resignation of one’s self.
One of the most famous biblical examples of this can be found in the story of Abraham and his son Isaac. Abraham waited decades for his promised son, Isaac. Abraham was assured he would have descendants as numerous as the stars. Yet, God calls Abraham to sacrifice his only son upon the altar of the Lord. Abraham did not fully understand the outcome of this command, but his assurance in the Lord was so unshakeable, he obeyed and trusted God would provide a solution he simply could not see.
“Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, ‘Father?’ ‘Yes, my son?’ Abraham replied. ‘The fire and wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.”
Gen. 22:6-9 (NIV)
Take a look at the last sentence. Why do you think Abraham bound his own son? Because he was about to be slaughtered, and a struggle might ensue. Because to lay down one’s life is HARD, even when the heart is willing and there is confidence in the Lord. Ultimately, God provided a ram for the sacrifice, and Isaac’s life was spared. However, the intense, guttural surrender of both Abraham and Isaac upon that altar is almost incomprehensible. Yet… it was through this sincere act of sacrificial death that God birthed a nation. Just as the crucifixion of Christ continues to offer us resurrection and redemption today.
The altar is a sacred place of transformation. As reflected in scripture, these opportunities to lay open our hearts upon the holy ground of self-sacrifice often arise during seasons of wilderness wanderings. Times when the world falls away, during moments of isolation and hardship, when water and sustenance seem scarce. If you find yourself in a moment such as this, look up and look out. Likely, there is an altar ready and waiting for you in that wilderness. Will you, like Abraham, offer what is most precious to you in surrender to the Lord? If so, what may appear as death WILL spring forth new life.
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it,”
Matt. 10:39 (NIV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Deep humility can be difficult. We long to feel validated in our own selves, our own efforts. We pride ourselves on what we can achieve or accomplish. We long to be in control of our own destinies. However, the Kingdom of God is an upside-down kingdom. Those who long to be first will be last, and the last will be first (Matt. 20:16). If you find yourself wandering in a wilderness today, know that God is doing a good work in you. He is not punishing or abandoning you, He is calling you into deeper surrender and relationship with Him. Will you heed that call? What can you lay down upon the altar today?
Further Reading:
Gen. 22
Matt. 10:34-42
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life unravels—through loss, illness, or uncertainty—can we really believe that God works all things together for our good? In this honest and hope-filled devotional, Lynette Kittle wrestles with Romans 8:28 and what it means to trust God when life doesn’t make sense. From unexpected hospital visits to life-threatening moments turned miraculous, this episode reminds listeners that God’s plans are always good, even when our circumstances aren’t.
Whether you're facing job loss, grief, or simply feeling crushed under life’s weight, this devotional encourages you to cling to God’s promises and believe that He’s working behind the scenes for your good and His glory.
Highlights (What You’ll Learn)
- What it really means to believe Romans 8:28 in the middle of suffering
- Why God’s goodness isn’t limited by our understanding of “good”
- A real-life story of how an unexpected illness led to a life-saving intervention
- Encouragement to shift from fear and worry to trust and peace
- How to lean into God’s promises during personal trials and heartache
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever seen God bring good from something painful or confusing? We’d love to hear your story. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork with #GodWorksItOut and share a moment when God showed up unexpectedly in a hard season—you might just encourage someone else today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
When Tough Times Come: Believe God
By Lynette Kittle
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”—Romans 8:28
It’s easy to say, but when it comes down to it, do we really believe God works all things together for our good, including job losses, broken relationships, natural disasters, accidents, car and appliance breakdowns, bumps, bruises, sicknesses, and more?
To think God works horrible and awful things for our good is hard for us to digest and comprehend. It doesn’t make sense to us, or seem possible, and seems to go against the loving, sacrificial God we know.
Yet, lately, doesn’t it seem like the Lord is nudging us to take Him at His word and truly believe that He really will work all things together for our good? Remarkably, what we’ll find when we choose to believe His promise, is freedom and relief from fear, worry, regret, and so much more.
For most of us, it seems we know the Scripture verse and want to believe it when hard things happen, yet it’s difficult for us to grasp and hold onto it during challenging times, where we’re experiencing loss and pain, and it’s easy for us to fall into fear and worry about how we are going to get through it and what might be coming next.
As well, we deal with the pain and grief that accompanies situations, causing many of us, to feel defeated, without hope, vulnerable, and helpless to fix our situations.
Even during major events, including natural disaster, loss of loved ones, job lay-offs, and more, we can experience the peace that comes with the Holy Spirit, reminding us of God’s promise to work it for our good, even the things that aren’t at all good in themselves.
High Fever Leads to Lifesaving Care
Recently, a close friend visited the hospital emergency room with a very high fever of unknown origin. Unable to pinpoint its cause, the physician admitted her to the hospital. Two days later, she passed out, nearly going into a dangerous cardiac arrest with what’s termed “the Widow-maker,” because of its high mortality rate.
Had she not been admitted to the hospital, but at home or out and about at the time, the blockage of the largest artery to her heart would most likely have taken her life that day.
Yet, rather, God had her right where she needed to be to receive immediate lifesaving care. Although the high fever wasn’t good, how God worked it for her good was good.
God’s Plans for Us Are Good
As Jeremiah 29:11 proclaims, God has good plans for our lives. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
God loves us more than we love ourselves, and although we would do almost anything to keep from experiencing hard things in life, He knows that some things are only worked out and developed in us through tough stuff, a truth we don’t want to accept or believe.
In this life, many of us have had times when we may ask God “why is this happening?” and “what good could possibly come out of this?”, not understanding why God would allow us to go through such hardships, losses, disappointments, and more.
Yet, God loves us, through it all, even when we don’t understand, and as hard as it may seem during those times to do, we can choose to trust Him, remembering God promises that “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you or your family currently going through tough times? If so, believe God has good plans, despite your current circumstances. Ask Him to help you believe that He will somehow, someway, bring good from your losses, sorrows, and difficulties.
Further Reading: Will God Really Work All Things Together for Our Good?
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/will-god-really-work-all-things-together-for-our-good-the-crosswalk-devotional.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What does divine protection really look like? In this moving devotional, Alexis A. Goring reflects on Psalm 121:7 and explores how God, like a loving parent, shields us from dangers—both seen and unseen. Using relatable stories and Scripture, she reminds us that God's boundaries are not restrictions, but rescue. If you’ve ever struggled with trusting God’s direction or wondered why certain paths are blocked, this episode will reassure you of His loving guidance and constant care.
Highlights (What You’ll Learn)
- Why trusting God’s wisdom protects us from spiritual harm (Proverbs 14:12, Isaiah 46:10)
- How God acts as our ultimate protector—even when we ignore His warnings (Psalm 91, 1 Corinthians 10:13)
- What it means to follow a “Good Good Father” who disciplines out of love (Hebrews 12:6)
- The difference between spiritual restrictions and divine rescue
- Practical encouragement to seek God’s guidance before making life decisions (Philippians 4:7, Psalm 139:16)
💬 Join the Conversation
Has there been a time when God protected you—even when you didn’t realize it? Share your story or your favorite “God protected me” verse by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork with #HeavenlyProtector. Let’s celebrate the safety we have in our Good Father together.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
A God Who Protects Us
By: Alexis A. Goring
“The Lord will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers.”
—Psalm 121:7 (CEV)
Did you know there is a God who will protect us and keep us safe from danger?
I was reflecting on this Biblical truth one day while observing a professional actress watch over her baby girl as she filmed their day together on social media.
Her toddler was acting cute in front of a mirror as she played with a rubber band in her hands. But as soon as her daughter put the rubber band into her mouth, Mom said in a high alert tone of voice, “That’s dangerous!” She put her phone down and went to rescue her daughter, taking the band out of her baby’s mouth before she could choke and die. Just like any good parent would drop everything to save their child from danger, we have a God who will protect us at all costs.
The Bible shows us that God is a good Father who cares about our well-being and safety. He will always be there for us if we let Him. God warns us about danger but sometimes we’re too stubborn and shortsighted to listen. However, God still covers us and protects us.
Another example about how God protects us is a cartoon I saw in a Christian publication many years ago. There was a big fence bordering a plateau on spacious land. A man ran toward the fence shouting that he’s tired of all these restrictions around him. His friend chased after him saying, “Stop! The fence is there to protect you!” But the man proceeded to jump over the fence and fall to his death because he didn’t realize that the fence was protecting people from falling off the steep cliff behind it. I think that illustration rings true for us as mere mortals today.
This cartoon reminded me of our human condition. As humans, our wisdom is limited. We can only see so far ahead of us. We can only be wise to an extent. This is yet another reason why we need God. Sometimes, we feel like God is restricting us or keeping us from having fun. When we’re wanting to gratify our fleshly desires and do what feels good or enjoy what looks good in the sinful moments, we cannot see the consequences behind it. So just like the shortsighted man in that cartoon, we rush toward the restrictions, determined to either bulldoze through it or jump over it. But we don’t realize that such a brazen act could end our life. The Bible says in Proverbs 14:12 (NLT), “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”
This is why it’s so important to trust God and seek His infinitely wise counsel before we make our plans and proceed down any path in life. God wants to protect us but we have to be willing to listen to Him and obey Him. It’s so easy to forge ahead in whatever direction we believe we should go. When we do this, I imagine God as our Heavenly Father shaking His head and perhaps letting out a heavy sigh thinking, “There they go again.” However the good news is, nothing we do ever surprises God. The Bible says He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) and He has planned all our days (Psalm 139:16). God knows when we’ll mess up and He’s made provision for our mistakes. He’s also provided a way out of every temptation every time we’re tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13).
God gives us His grace when we make mistakes because He knows we’re not perfect. He forgives us for our trespasses when we repent and ask forgiveness. However, this is not a reason to continue sinning and disobeying God because we still will reap the consequences of our sins. The Bible says God disciplines those who He loves (Hebrews 12:6). Just like our earthly parents discipline us when we’re growing up so that we can become responsible, moral and kind adults, God as our Heavenly Father has our best interest at heart and wants us to become more like His Son (Jesus Christ).
There have been times in my life when I thought I knew what was best and pursued that path only to have it hurt me or be a dead end. There have also been times in my life when I prayed to God for wise counsel and was led down the right path. Such as when I was trying to figure out my path in life concerning my career. I sought God’s counsel, and He helped me major in the right field at that time when I was a college student. As I started that journey with God, I felt a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This peace wasn’t limited to career-related pursuits; God gave me peace every time I chose His plan over mine. He helped me see the wisdom in seeking Him first and asking Him to align my desires with His so I can want what He wants for me.
We all face challenges in this life but when we trust Christ to be our Savior and Guide, we can survive everything we go through. Ultimately, we know that no matter how our earthly existence ends, we who have followed Christ faithfully have an eternal home in Heaven. And in Heaven we will be safe forever. But while we’re here on Earth, we need to remember that our Heavenly Father puts parameters in place to protect us and when we stay within those boundaries and obey His will then we will be safe (Psalm 91). It doesn’t mean that we still won’t have to go through storms in this life, but it does mean that God will stay with us in the storm and protect us as He helps us to arrive safely to our destination.
I hope this message has encouraged your heart. In closing, I’d like for you to listen and reflect on two songs.
Song of Reflection #1: “God of All My Days” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here: https://youtu.be/ZYkZE8AogDE?si=zU0jqBy4cE3tf0N5
Song of Reflection #2: “Good Good Father” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here:
https://youtu.be/CqybaIesbuA?si=WLyvj81JjDp2YiZm
Intersecting Faith and Life: How does it feel to know God is a Good Father who will always protect us and keep us safe? Have you asked God to guide you?
Further Reading:
Psalm 27:14
Psalm 32:7
Psalm 46:1
Isaiah 41:10
Isaiah 54:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this heartfelt devotional, Vivian Bricker explores the biblical command to care for others—especially the weak, lonely, or overlooked. Drawing on Psalm 41:1-3 and her personal upbringing, she shares how compassion is not just an act of kindness but a reflection of Christ at work within us. If you’ve ever wondered how to serve God more deeply, start by noticing those who need a friend.
Highlights (What You’ll Learn):
- Why caring for the weak reflects the heart of God (Psalm 41:1-3)
- How compassion flows from a Spirit-led life (John 13:34-35)
- What Scripture teaches about loving the forgotten (James 1:27, Ephesians 4:32)
- Practical encouragement to live with empathy, kindness, and a pure heart
- God’s promise to sustain and bless those who extend love to the vulnerable
💬 Join the Conversation:
How have you seen God work through your care for others? Who in your life needs a little extra compassion this week? Tag @LifeAudioNetwork with #CaringWithChrist and share your story or a favorite verse that reminds you to love like Jesus.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Importance of Caring for Others
By Vivian Bricker
“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them—they are counted among the blessed in the land—he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness” (Psalm 41:1-3).
From a young age, my mom taught me the importance of caring for others. If someone was sick, crying, or in pain, I was supposed to help them. If a kid was sitting alone at lunch or playing by themselves on the playground, my mom taught me to be their friend. I actually met my best friend in elementary school by following my mom’s advice, and I have continued to do this without thinking about it. Whenever someone seems hurt, brokenhearted, or struggling, I tend to migrate to them and I’m quickly able to build a friendship with them.
I give the credit for this skill to my mother because she wanted to ensure I was a friend to the people who didn’t have any friends. As someone who has often been on the other side of this scenario in my adult years, I have often wished there was someone who would come sit with me when I was alone at the lunch table or silently looking out the window at group events. Sadly, not everyone is taught this same teaching in their childhood. However, there is much that is said in the Bible about caring for others.
The Bible tells us to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving toward others (Ephesians 4:32). Jesus tells us we are to love others as He has loved us (John 13:34-35). We are also told to care for widows and orphans (James 1:27). From these teachings, we can see how important it is to God that we care for others.
How can we do this if we are turning a deaf ear to their cries for help? As Christians, we are called to love and care for others. Anything short of this is ignoring the Lord’s commands. The love, kindness, and care we extend to others are a natural overflow of our faith. The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives helps us bring glory to the Father and the Son by loving others as they have loved us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Psalm 41:1-3 says, “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them—they are counted among the blessed in the land—he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” As this psalm tells us, we are blessed if we have regard for the weak. This means we will extend care, concern, and compassion to them. Love, kindness, and support will be our priorities toward others.
For those who have regard for the weak, the Lord will deliver them in their time of trouble. Jesus will protect, preserve, and bless them. They won’t be given over to their foes. Instead, the Lord will sustain them on their sickbed and restore their health. All of these are promises made to us when we have regard for the weak. We shouldn’t do these things simply for the promises; rather, we should genuinely want to care for the weak because of the love we have for God.
How wonderful it is to know that Jesus pays attention to our care and concern for others. With the same kindness we have extended to those struggling, the Lord will surround us with protection, preservation, and health. We can take solace in these blessings because the Lord appreciates the love we extend toward others. Doing these things out of a pure heart brings Jesus much joy.
How can you start extending care, concern, and compassion to the weak today? Extending love to others is a natural outpouring of God’s work in our lives. Have you seen this love at work in your own life? How can you have a pure heart when it comes to caring for the weak?
“Dear Lord, please help me to always have regard for the weak. Help me have a pure heart as I help those in need, and allow me to extend the love of You in my actions. My heart is fully devoted to You, and I want to help all people, no matter what they are struggling with or the cause of their weakness. I praise You, Lord. Amen.”
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Follow the Wind by Megan J. Conner explores how the Holy Spirit often moves like the wind—subtle, powerful, and unseen. Through a vivid moment on a quiet balcony overlooking the ocean, Megan reflects on Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:8 and encourages us to embrace the evidence of God’s presence, even when we can’t physically see it. This devotional invites listeners to deepen their faith walk, embrace spiritual discernment, and trust God’s guidance—even when the path isn’t clear.
Highlights
- Reflecting on the invisible but undeniable movement of the Holy Spirit
- A faith-building reminder that God leads us even when we can’t see the full picture
- Encouragement to take a personal inventory of areas where faith feels strong versus where doubt creeps in
- Scripture focus: “The wind blows where it wishes…” – John 3:8
- Practical prayer prompt and journaling activity to strengthen your trust in God
Join the Conversation
Have you ever felt the quiet nudge of the Spirit or seen God’s hand guiding you when the road ahead was unclear? Share your experience and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #FaithInTheUnseen. We’d love to hear how you’re following the wind.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Follow the Wind
By Megan J. Conner
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 (ESV)
Warm cup of coffee in hand, Bible and journal in my lap, I greet another new day. However, today’s view is a bit different. Rather than my usual wooded scenery, I sit on a warm balcony overlooking the gulf. The ocean and the stunning white shores appear endless from my picturesque perch. Wave after wave crashes, and I am in awe of the sheer power. Who is this God who created such infinite beauty?
I cannot help feeling overcome by the majesty before me. But beneath the grand landscapes, something subtle speaks. There is a whisper of the Spirit that gently beckons within the wind. Have you ever truly considered the wind? It can be a gentle and leading breeze or a forceful and powerful gale. However, because it is an unseen force, it is often overlooked and sometimes even misunderstood. It can be the same with our awareness and understanding of our Heavenly Father and His Kingdom.
When Jesus explains to Nicodemus, the Pharisee, the mystery of how we must be born again of the Spirit when we come into faith, He uses the natural force of wind as an illustration.
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 (ESV)
We accept that the wind exists because we can sense it. We cannot grasp the wind, but we can feel its gentle brush against our skin. We cannot see or taste it, yet fragrance is often a travel companion to a breeze. Though intangible, there is evidence that affirms the existence of the wind. And we readily accept this truth without questioning its validity.
The same should be true about the Lord, yet we struggle to believe in what is unseen when it comes to our Heavenly Father. Just like the wind, the reality of a living and active God in our lives is evident, if only we would have the eyes to see. Every day, we journey through our lives in an artistic masterpiece. Stunning vistas, impressive geological sculptures, complex beings in all of their animate and inanimate forms, nurture our bodies and souls with their beauty and provisions, allowing us to survive and thrive here on this earth. Though visible, these earthly attributes remain hidden by the busyness and noise of all that demands our attention, and the worries that consume our hearts.
It is my prayer today that we quiet our souls, lean in, and listen for that gentle whisper, that fragrant breeze. Our Heavenly Father is here, leading and guiding us down the paths He has for us.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
Ps. 23:1-2 (NIV)
Though He may be unseen and the future foggy and uncertain, it does not mean God is absent or your steps are unplanned. May we, like Nicodemus, hear what the Spirit is saying to us. May each of us open our eyes and hearts and follow the wind today.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you struggle with putting your faith in the intangible, in things unseen? If so, can you identify what areas in particular you wrestle with? Are there other areas of faith that come more easily to you?
I would like to encourage you today to complete a simple activity. Spend some time in prayer and ask the Lord to reveal to you which areas you feel secure in faith and which areas of your heart feel mistrusting. Write your two lists down in two separate columns. Once completed, note next to each item the evidence (or lack thereof) that affects your beliefs in that area. Then, take a step back and look at your comparisons. Do you recognize any trends, or were you able to gain any insights? How can you utilize the evidence or strategies in your confidence column to help you bolster the areas where you feel weak?
I pray that you would have the ears to hear how the Lord is speaking to you through this exercise, and you can take one single step forward in faith as you follow the wind today.
Further Reading:
Heb. 11:1-3
2 Cor. 5:7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Keri Eichberger shares a vulnerable reflection on enduring seasons of deep emotional and physical discomfort. From her father’s sudden brain hemorrhage to chronic scoliosis pain and financial strain, she wrestled with losing every worldly comfort—only to discover that the true source of peace and strength is found in God alone. Based on 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, this episode invites listeners to rethink where they turn when life unravels.
✨ Highlights:
- Real-life encouragement on trusting God in suffering
- Why worldly comfort fades but God’s comfort is eternal
- A reminder that God meets us in our pain, not just to rescue us, but to refine us
- A powerful call to seek comfort in God Himself—not just relief
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you experienced a time when everything felt like it was falling apart? We’d love to hear your story. Tag us @LifeAudioNetwork and share how God became your comfort using #FaithInTheFire. Your testimony might encourage someone else walking through the same valley.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Comfort We Long For
By Keri Eichberger
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
I can clearly recall a moment last fall when I said out loud, with tear-filled eyes, I feel like God keeps stripping away comfort after comfort and I don’t understand why? Starting six months back I’d endured profound emotional discomfort through my Dad’s life-altering brain hemorrhage, an unexpected and detrimental loss of financial comfort, and then the loss of my best friend’s comforting companionship at home when my husband—who after five years of working remote—was called back into the office full-time and indefinitely. I literally felt like one thread at a time the comforts of my life were beginning to unravel beneath me.
I will thankfully say, through seasons of discomfort I had learned to understand two truths. One, that God didn’t promise comfort and ease in all situations and circumstances in life. In fact, he promised the opposite. And two, I understood that in our discomfort, God wants to remind us to look to him. So, though a bit slowly and reluctantly, I took heart in my confusion of adversity knowing this was part of the refining process that would lead to the blessings of a more resilient faith.
What has caused you discomfort? Have you had moments recently, or that you can remember, when you had comforts stripped away as well? Maybe something in your home surroundings shifted unfavorably, or you experienced a painfully stretching financial strain. Maybe you’ve dealt with the onset of a health or mental struggle that caused considerable difficulty. I bet you can recount many circumstances or memories of instances where you had to sort through and handle losses of comfort in your life.
Personally, what I didn’t know last fall when I started to wear thin as the comforts kept crumbling, was that there was even more in store. Because a month later my scoliosis, which had been paired with manageable pain for years, finally passed the tip of tolerable and became debilitating to the point of surgery a few short months later.
But before I began to lash out at God once again for another layer of comfort peeled from my path, something struck me. I had been seeking comfort in all the wrong places. I had been blindly looking to the world for sufficiency and security. Sure, I understood that God never promised comfort from the world, and that he wanted me to rely on him for comfort. But he does not want me to seek him for the world‘s comforts. He wants me to seek him for him. For HIS comforts. Because he IS the comfort.
And he is where I began to seek more and more of my comfort. He is where I am seeking my comfort today. And he is where I hope to continue to seek it. Him, who is our true source of comfort.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Where will you choose to seek comfort? The tough truth is, inevitably our years will deteriorate and our days will continue to contain discomfort. But the good news is this: When we truly understand, not only that worldly comfort is not promised here on Earth, but also that God is our true and only comfort, that is when we begin to truly seek him alone for the comfort for which we desire. And when we wholeheartedly seek him, we will find absolutely him, along with the true, lasting comfort of the soul we are all seeking, searching, and longing for.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this relatable devotional inspired by Psalm 23:1, we're reminded that God is our shepherd—even in everyday frustrations like broken lawnmowers and unexpected expenses. When everything felt like it was falling apart, this family discovered how God provides in unexpected ways, using others to show His faithfulness. Whether you're facing financial stress, emotional weariness, or simply trying to make ends meet, this story encourages us to trust God to provide exactly what we need—right on time.
✨ Highlights:
- Psalm 23:1 meaning – “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” God provides, even when the need feels small.
- Faith in hard times – God showed up through the kindness and integrity of others.
- God provides in unexpected ways – A broken mower became a reminder of His perfect timing and provision.
- Trusting God to provide – This story is a powerful example of relying on Him, even in the little things.
- Rest matters to God – Our physical and emotional needs are never overlooked by our Shepherd.
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you ever experienced God’s unexpected provision? What “impossible” situation has He carried you through?
Tag @lifeaudionetwork and share your story with #TrustTheShepherd—your testimony could be just what someone else needs to hear today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Trust the Shepherd
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1
Watching my husband spend endless hours cutting the lawn with a push mower each week after two weeks’ worth of torrential downpours, I knew it was time for a change. After working long hours, he had little time left for any recreation. Having to spend hours cutting the lawn and doing yard work was cutting into what little valuable free time he had left. “I think it's time to get a riding lawn mower,” I said.
My husband had owned riding lawn mowers in the past but always got them used from social media sales markets. His luck had been less than stellar when it came to finding one that lasted. As he looked online, he found one that we could afford and felt it would last. He went over to the man's home, checked the motor, checked the gas, and took it for a spin. He was so happy he wouldn't have to spend long hours cutting the grass again.
That was, until he started it up the following day. After one swipe around the yard, the engine started to race. He turned it off quickly, and a puff of white smoke came out of the end. As he lifted the motor cover, he quickly discovered a crack in the motor. An hour later, I went outside to find him pushing the push mower once again.
My mind started racing with the thought of how we would find another riding lawnmower. After all, we had spent a few hundred dollars on this one, only to discover that it was broken after the first day. We certainly couldn't afford to get another riding lawn mower only to find it would do the same thing. My husband sat down next to me, dejected. “Why is my luck always like that?” he asked me. I tried to comfort him, but to no avail.
Why was this happening to us?
I asked him to contact the gentleman who sold it to him, and he let him know the situation. He got him in touch with the man who had serviced the lawn mower last fall. Before that, the owner had put it away for the winter. They worked out a deal, and the man was able to fix the mower and the motor under warranty.
The Bible promises us that God is our good shepherd. Shepherds lead and guide their flock. They don't leave them alone, as they are unable to find food or water. He leads them to good things because he is the ultimate provider. God knew the lawn mower would break. But he also provided a man of integrity who would promise to fix it under warranty. He could have easily refused or said it was too far past the service period, but the man, compassionate over my husband’s plight, chose to do the right thing and make it right.
Not only had God provided a lawnmower, but He also provided a man who would honor his work. In today's world, where we live in a “you break it, you buy it” mentality, we thought we were sunk. We felt we'd wasted hundreds of dollars on a mower only to find that we'd have to buy another one. However, God, in his ultimate provision, not only provided us with a replacement but also provided a mechanic who would do his best to fix the problem.
It seemed like an impossible situation to us, but it was no match for God. He knew the situation before it even occurred. He also knew my heart was in the right place when I asked him to buy them or save him the effort. God honored both my good intentions and my husband's need for physical rest. Not only did we get a lawnmower we could afford, but also the work to ensure it would last a long time.
What situation seems impossible to you? Have you given it over to God, confident that he will fix the situation in due time? Good shepherds never let their sheep go without their basic needs. Although a lawn mower is not a necessity, it is based on his tight work schedule. My husband's need for rest was enough for God to honor him with a machine that would help lighten his workload.
Give over whatever situation you have to God. Pray and ask Him to take care of the situation by providing for all your needs. As a good shepherd, he promises to provide for your every need.
Father, help us to entrust all our situations to you. Let us trust in you, knowing that you are a good shepherd. Allow us to trust your leadership and guidance in every situation. Let's ask for every need, trusting that you'll provide above and beyond what we could ever ask for. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
What situation do you need to give over to God? How can you pray to demonstrate your trust that God will provide for your needs?
Further reading
Matthew 6:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Trusting God to Guide Us Through Painful Unknowns
When life feels like a dark, uncertain path, Isaiah 42:16 reminds us that we are never walking it alone. In this deeply personal devotional, Jennifer Slattery shares how God restored her marriage and led her and her husband through a season of brokenness they couldn’t fix on their own. Through Scripture and raw testimony, we’re reminded that God will guide you, even when the road ahead is unfamiliar and painful. His promises hold firm—even when we can’t see what’s next.
✨ Highlights:
- God lights the way in darkness – Isaiah 42:16 offers hope for those feeling lost or stuck.
- Faith in hard times leads to spiritual healing – God doesn’t just show the way, He walks with us.
- Healing in marriage is possible – Even toxic patterns can be restored by divine intervention.
- We don’t have to have it all figured out – Trusting God through uncertainty brings peace and direction.
- God’s promises are personal – He meets us in our pain and leads us forward with grace.
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you ever felt blind in a season of life? How has God led you when you couldn’t see the road ahead?
Tag us @lifeaudionetwork and share your story with #GuidedByHisGrace—your journey could be the light someone else needs.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Trusting God to Guide Us Through Painful Unknowns
by Jennifer Slattery
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16, NIV)
About five years into our marriage, my husband and I almost got divorced. Although love, strong and pure, had drawn us together, our mutual dysfunction nearly tore us apart. We didn’t actually want to end things. But neither did we want our toxic patterns to continue. The problem was, we didn’t know how to repair the mess and heal the hurt we created.
One night, while my husband was at work and our daughter asleep upstairs, I sat in our dark, silent living room, feeling so alone. Knowing what Scripture said about divorce, I concluded that the Lord wanted me to remain miserable for the rest of my life. I simply couldn’t imagine my husband’s and my relationship getting better.
Frustrated, I told the Lord, “Fine. I’ll stay, but You’ve got to do this for me, because I’m done.”
Although the prayer was more flippant than genuine, the Lord heard the unspoken cries of my heart—the pain, ache for connection, and flickering hope I’d buried in anger and “offense.” He saw the longing in our souls, the untended wounds and deception fueling our fights, and our ignorance when it came to building a healthy marriage.
We were walking blind, stumbling along a foggy, uneven road marred with potholes, boulders and detours. We needed God’s supernatural vision, His hand to remove the obstacles too heavy for us to maneuver, and His guidance for our long, difficult and uncertain journey.
In short, we needed Him to fulfill His promise recorded in today’s verse. The Lord originally spoke these comforting words, through a prophet, to the ancient Israelites during a dark period in their history. The people had rejected God to turn to idols, chose violence and oppression over integrity and love, and were seeking aid from a pagan nation rather than their ever-faithful Creator. The Lord warned them, for generations, of the judgment to come. But He also promised them forgiveness, transformation, and restoration through His “Faithful Servant”, the Messiah, His Son.
In John 8:12, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (NIV). He’s the One who illuminates every shadow lurking within our soul and who lovingly lights the path before us.
Intersecting Life and Faith
The Lord knows we’re hopelessly blind. Spiritually ignorant. He also realizes we can’t correct our vision ourselves. And so, He met us in our self-destructing, deceived state to lead us to better. God Almighty remains intimately involved in the lives of His people. While He provided us with an extensive instruction manual through Scripture, He didn’t just drop a written guide on our doorsteps, dust off His hands, and say, “Job done. Now on to the next.” Instead, through Jesus, He moved toward us in the middle of our mess to show us the way out.
Yes, today’s verse refers to salvation and the New Covenant Jesus instituted—a righteousness through faith rather than rule following. That was certainly an unfamiliar path, and a route to God His people didn’t expect. But He doesn’t stop guiding His children once they receive His gift of grace. He continues to lead us through life’s uncertainties. He lights up the path before us, removes barriers that don’t aid our transformation, and fills in the potholes that otherwise might trip us up.
He gives us everything we need to live the thriving, God-honoring life to which He calls us, inviting us to focus not on the uncertainties ahead but rather, our very next, divinely orchestrated step, trusting Him to clear the way before us.
Twenty-five years after that really hard season in my marriage, I can assure you that our God is faithful, and His ways are best. Next month, my husband and I celebrate our thirtieth anniversary, and we’re in a much healthier and happier place, thanks to all Christ has done in us and our relationship. While I don’t know what uncertainties you’re facing, or will encounter tomorrow, I do know this—God will faithfully guide you as well.
And there’s such peace in that. We don’t need to know every detour or fork in the road when we have unhindered access to our Father’s perfect vision through the Holy Spirit within us.
Further Reading:
Psalm 32:8-11
Isaiah 30:21
Isaiah 58:11-12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life feels like a relentless heatwave—physically and spiritually—Psalm 23 offers more than poetic comfort; it offers divine renewal. In this devotional by Whitney Hopler, we’re reminded that God doesn’t just see our stress and exhaustion—He meets it with peace, stillness, and strength. Just like a good shepherd cares for his sheep, God refreshes your soul when you allow Him to lead you beside quiet waters.
✨ Highlights:
- God is your Shepherd – He provides, protects, and leads you with purpose.
- Spiritual renewal is available – Real rest comes not from a nap, but from God’s peace.
- Quiet waters = soul restoration – Make room for moments of prayer, nature, or Scripture that invite stillness.
- You lack nothing – Believing this frees you from stress and opens the door to lasting peace.
💬 Join the Conversation:
Where do you go for rest when life feels overwhelming? How has God refreshed your soul lately?
Tag us @lifeaudionetwork and share your story using #SoulRefreshedByGod so we can walk this journey together.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God Will Refresh Your Soul
By: Whitney Hopler
“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul...” – Psalm 23:1-3, NIV
The summer heat can be so relentless that it drains away my energy. Whenever I come back to my air-conditioned home after being outside during summer, I crave some refreshment, so I pour myself a cold glass of water as soon as possible. On summer evenings, I take showers in cool water for more refreshment. This physical refreshment often reminds me of another kind of refreshment I need regularly – refreshment for my soul. Just like I need to recover physically from the heat of hot weather, I need to recover spiritually from the heat of stress that accumulates in my life from lots of work and other demands.
Psalm 23 describes God as a shepherd who helps us get the rest we need, leads us beside quiet waters, and refreshes our souls. God makes it possible for us to enjoy the spiritual revival and renewal we all need.
Here’s how you can rely on God to refresh your soul:
Verse 1 says: “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” When the Lord is your shepherd, he is guiding you, protecting you, and giving you what you need. Just like a good shepherd makes sure his sheep have what they need to thrive, God makes sure you have all that’s truly important for your well-being. When you really trust that God provides for your most important needs, a strong peace starts to settle in your soul, and that peace refreshes you from the inside out.
Verse 2 points out: “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” In this busy world, it can be hard to really rest. You might take a break to sit on a couch to scroll on your phone, but real rest – the kind that makes your soul feel new again – often escapes you. God knows you need this rest. He encourages you to lie down. Your “green pastures” can be refreshing times of prayer and meditation, experiences enjoying God’s wonder in nature, or other kinds of breaks that refresh your soul.
The second part of verse 2 declares: “he leads me beside quiet waters.” Quiet, still waters are peaceful. When your mind is racing and your spirit is troubled, God offers you his peace, which is much stronger than any stress you’ll ever face. You can enjoy following God to “quiet waters” by focusing on God’s peaceful presence with you.
Finally, verse 3 begins by saying: “he refreshes my soul.” This is the wonderful result of God being your shepherd. When God refreshes your soul, he sends you the strength you need for what’s ahead in your life. God has unlimited strength, so he can empower you in every way you need fresh strength from him.
So, ask God to refresh your soul whenever you need that. Just like you look for a cool drink when you’re thirsty, you can turn to God when your soul is tired. You can pray, tell him you’re exhausted, and invite him to lead you to his green pastures and quiet waters. This summer, when you feel the heat and want to cool down physically, let it remind you to seek spiritual refreshment too. God, your good shepherd, is waiting to lead you and to refresh your soul in ways nothing and no one else can!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how to rely on God to refresh your soul, reflect on these questions:
- What are some stressful situations in your life that are making your soul feel drained right now?
- In what ways do you currently try to find rest or refreshment? Are those ways really helping you spiritually?
- How can you include some time in “green pastures” and “quiet waters” in your daily schedule?
- What does it mean to you personally to truly believe that “the LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing”? How can believing that help you manage stress and experience more peace in your life?
- What’s one action you can take this week to allow God to refresh your soul, based on Psalm 23?
Further Reading
Matthew 11:28-30
Isaiah 40:31
Jeremiah 31:25
Psalm 19:7
Proverbs 11:25
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Pain may be part of our lives, but so is the presence of a compassionate Savior. In The Healing Compassion of Jesus, Keri Eichberger shares a heartfelt devotional from Matthew 9:36 that reminds us we’re never left alone in our suffering. Jesus sees us, feels our pain, and meets us with deep compassion. Whether you're dealing with emotional wounds, physical ailments, or the quiet ache of the everyday, this message speaks to your soul and offers comfort straight from the Shepherd who never leaves His sheep.
✨ Highlights
- 💔 You are seen: God sees your suffering, even when no one else does.
- 🕊️ Jesus feels with you: He doesn’t just notice—He cares deeply.
- 🐑 He is your Shepherd: Even when life feels isolating, His comfort is personal and real.
- 🙏 Find peace today: Let His compassion become the healing balm your heart has been longing for.
📲 Join the Conversation
Have you experienced the healing compassion of Jesus during a hard season? Tag us @LifeAudioNetwork and share your story using #HeHealsWithCompassion — your testimony could encourage someone who needs it today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Healing Compassion of Jesus
By Keri Eichberger
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)
I’ve been suffering for sometime now with a specific physical pain I’m really ready to move on from. But who am I kidding, if I think about it, and reflect back far enough there’s always been something I’ve been actively suffering through. Like when I was in my teen years and experienced a bad break up that left deep lingering emotional pain for half a decade, or when I started having kids and began to live through a never ending roller coaster of mental strenuous stress and struggle. And the sad news for us all is that suffering and pain will continue to be a part of our lives until the good Lord calls us home. And I don’t know about you, but the longevity of this truth leaves me in constant longing for compassion and comfort. I deeply desire for someone to see me, see my hurt, and care enough to help or ease the difficulty and discomfort.
I would ask if you feel the hurts of life too, but I know you do. We all do. The question is, what are you currently suffering through and how are you handling it? Has your suffering been long and seemingly without hope? Or have you been living through yoyo bursts of trials since before you can remember? Let me say, I’m so sorry. I feel your pain. It’s real and you’re not alone. You’re not alone because we’ve all been there. Though the truth is, our struggles can still feel isolating and like not one really gets it. Because though we all have our hard stuff, we can’t possibly be feeling or experiencing the exact emotions. We are unique souls with unique situations. So, yes, at times it’s hard to convince ourselves we’ll ever find the compassion we’re sure would soothe our souls.
But can I remind you—though no one will completely get it, and thus it will seem like no one can completely comfort us—God sees you. And you may believe this. You may know that God genuinely sees you, but you may not feel like he cares enough to do anything about it based on the seeming lack of movement in a more favorable direction. In this case I want to reassure us both that he sees, but he also cares. He has compassion on you as you walk through each challenge and suffer through every hurt and heartache. Matthew 9:36 says, When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. This is the Lord Jesus.He is the shepherd seeing his hurting, helpless sheep, and having compassion on them. And you are the sheep, and he is your shepherd.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Consider what you have been suffering through lately. And remember, for each moment you or I feel helpless, hopeless, heartbroken, or even harassed, this is when the Lord swells with compassion. Your compassionate caretaker is constantly watching over you, loving you, and caring deeply for you like a shepherd tending to his beloved sheep. I pray you feel this. Right now and forever, he is with you, and he is hurting with you. But he is always holding you with sufficient compassion. The ever-present, all-encompassing compassion of Jesus that, when acknowledged and accepted, will help and heal every hurting heart.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you feel like you’re running on empty—striving, pushing, juggling it all—and still feeling stuck? In this heartfelt Christian devotional on Matthew 11:28-30, Hannah Benson invites us to pause, breathe, and fall into the arms of Jesus. Through a personal moment of burnout and breakthrough, she reminds us that true rest isn't found in finishing the to-do list, but in trusting God’s timing and leaning into His presence. If you're craving soul-deep peace, this is your gentle invitation to come as you are—and find the rest your soul longs for.
What You’ll Learn (Highlights):
- What it means to truly rest in Jesus, not just physically—but spiritually and emotionally
- Why doing things “for God” can never replace simply being with God
- How trusting God’s plan brings freedom from burnout, anxiety, and overachievement
- Practical encouragement for letting go of control and leaning into His embrace
- A reminder that your value isn’t in your productivity—it’s in being His beloved child
💬 Join the Conversation:
What does it look like for you to fall into the arms of Jesus right now?
Tag @LifeAudioNetwork with #RestInHisArms and share how God is inviting you to pause, trust, and rest today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Fall into the Arms of Jesus
A devotional by Hannah Benson
““Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
Recently, the Lord challenged me to fall into His arms. At first glance, that statement may sound odd, but allow me to clarify.
What exactly does falling into the arms of Jesus mean? It’s not like I can literally fall into His arms.
On a particularly stressful afternoon, I found myself staring at a blank screen instead of working on the writing project I needed to tackle.
Honestly, I was kind of frustrated with myself. “I need to get this done”, I thought. Yet no matter how hard I tried to concentrate and move past the writer’s block, I either ended up staring at a blank screen or mindlessly scrolling through social media hoping inspiration would strike—which, by the way, never happens.
As I sat there, the Lord quietly whispered to my spirit: “I want you to spend time with Me.”
Yes, God, that would be a good idea except I needed to finish what I was doing first.
Which was what?
Oh yes.
Overcoming writer’s block and actually getting words on the page.
Ugh.
Eventually, the Holy Spirit’s prompting won out, and I closed my laptop and picked up my Bible instead.
I don’t know how to explain it, but it was as if my spirit did a trust-fall. And instantly I realized what the Lord had been trying to tell me all along. Perhaps I’d gotten so busy doing things for God that I’d forgotten to spend time with Him. Quality time is my love language. Why then would I not ensure I spent time with the One Who loves me more infinitely than I could ever know?
Yes, I have a lot of things on my plate. As the old adage says, perhaps “I’ve bitten off more than I can chew”. But what is more important than anything I could ever do?
Cultivating relationships.
With God, first and foremost, and then with others.
Loving God and others.
Serving God and others.
Sounds really simple, doesn’t it?
Simple but often difficult to live out.
I realized I’d been trying to do everything in my own strength instead of relying on the Lord. I’d been yearning to rush the journey, but God was challenging me with an alternative.
What if instead of trying to do things in my own strength, why not lean on the Lord? Instead of rushing through life, what if I found joy in the journey?
What if I learned to trust His process and plan for my life instead of what I could perceive?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
I love Jesus’s invitation in Matthew 11. “Come to me.”
This is an invitation for all of us who feel weary, burdened by the sins or stresses of the world, or those of us who simply can’t carry ourselves anymore.
Dear friend, we are not meant to carry it alone.
He has offered to carry our burdens for us. Even when the world around us is thrown into chaos or our mind is running in circles trying to remember the next thing on our to-do list, breathe. Take time to sit at His feet because true rest is found in Him.
Allow yourself to fall into the arms of Jesus, to do the best with what you have and let the Lord take care of the rest. Maybe our house isn’t spotless by the time our guests arrive (I know. We’ve all been there grin.) Maybe our career paths don’t look exactly like we’d planned. Maybe it looks like everyone else has their life together.
I know it might not always feel like it, but I promise, if we come to Jesus and truly give Him our burdens, fears, and what weighs heavy on our heart, we will be okay. How do you think the Lord might be calling you to rest in His embrace today?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We all thirst for something—but are we drinking from the right well? In this heartfelt devotional, Alexis A. Goring shares how a simple moment at a lemonade stand revealed a deeper truth about our spiritual lives. Reflecting on John 4:10, she draws a powerful parallel between physical thirst and the soul’s longing for the Living Water that only Jesus can provide. Whether you’re feeling spiritually dry, chasing worldly “quick fixes,” or just in need of renewal, this Christian devotional on John 4 offers refreshing encouragement: Only Jesus can truly satisfy.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Highlights):
- What the “Living Water” in John 4:10 really means for your daily walk with God
- How the Samaritan woman’s story shows Jesus meets us in our mess, not our perfection
- Why worldly pleasures can’t satisfy a spiritual need—and how to return to Christ
- How to recognize the “counterfeit comforts” we chase in place of God
- Encouragement to fill your soul with what it truly needs: a relationship with Jesus
💬 Join the Conversation:
What “lemonade” have you been chasing to quench your soul?
Tag @LifeAudioNetwork with #ThirstQuenched and share how Jesus has met your deepest need—or how you’re learning to turn to Him first.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Living Water We All Need
By: Alexis A. Goring
“Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
—John 4:10 NIV
One hot and humid summer day, I attended a festival outdoors. After enjoying the various activities, my throat felt parched. To quench my thirst, I walked over to the lemonade stand and bought a big cup of lemonade.
But that first cup didn’t quench my thirst, so I returned to the lemonade stand a few minutes later to buy another one, only to return again ten minutes later to buy one more. It was not until after trying to quench my thirst with three big cups of lemonade that I realized what I really needed was water to drink. Therefore, I returned to the lemonade stand one more time—this time to purchase a big cup of pure water. The ice-cold water started to quench my deep thirst from the moment it touched my tongue. As I gulped it down, my desperate thirst was quenched. It was like my body was saying, “Finally! She is giving me exactly what I need.”
Looking back on this experience that taught me an important life lesson, I realized a spiritual parallel to this story: Just like my body needed pure water to keep it hydrated and protected in the intense heat of that day, my spirit and soul needs something only God can give. Scripture calls it Living Water (referring to our Savior, Jesus Christ).
The Bible shows a story in John 4:1-42 about a Samaritan woman who was a social outcast not just because of her ethnicity and heritage (the Jews ostracized the Samaritans) but because of her sinful lifestyle that was gossiped about by the women in the town where she lived. Hoping to escape their scrutiny, this Samaritan woman would make the long trek to the town’s well to draw water during the time of the day when the heat was so intense that nobody else dared to go to there. She did this to avoid facing the women who treated her poorly.
We may go unnoticed in society and at times feel like an outcast but to Jesus Christ, we are always seen, heard, understood and supported—this Samaritan woman was no exception. The Bible says that Jesus took time out of his journey with his disciples to stay behind at this same well while they went to town. It wasn’t an accident or coincidence—He planned this one-on-one meeting with this woman who was in so much pain from her past. Long story short: Jesus revealed himself as the Messiah and offered her living water—the kind that satisfies your soul when you accept it. This woman came to know Jesus as not only the Messiah she had heard about but as her personal Savior who saw beyond cultural barriers, right into her heart. He gave her hope that she never knew she needed or could have and as she accepted Him as her Savior, she became like a missionary and evangelist, running back into town to tell everyone she knew and met along the way, that she met the Messiah who offers everyone living water and salvation.
Just like Jesus met the outcast Samaritan woman at the well, He wants to meet us where we are today and offer us water that will quench our souls for all eternity. But how often do we turn to—run to—counterfeits? We may think we can quench our need for Christ with worldly things and resources. Just like I kept returning to the lemonade booth to fill my physical need with that sweet drink, we as flawed humans keep chasing after things that are not of God in hopes of filling a void within us that only our Eternal King and Savior can make whole.
We might turn our favorite foods, drinks, entertainment or drugs to fill that void. Some of us might chase fame and fortune. Perhaps we chase people for more satisfying friendships or romantic relationships. Maybe we read books or go to the movie theater to see the latest film. We even may indulge in retail therapy or go to real counseling with a licensed professional. And while taking care of our mental health is needed, even the best human counselor cannot compete with our great Counselor (The Holy Spirit) who is sent by God to comfort us in our time of need (John 14:26). We need both therapy and Jesus.
The song “You’ll Never Thirst” performed by Anointed, beautifully portrays our ongoing need for our Savior, through the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. Some of the lyrics in this song say how we as humans are always searching for something to fill us up—often looking for love—but true love can be difficult to find. However, there is One who can quench our thirst today and forever. His name is Jesus Christ. He is our Savior and He offers us a drink of pure Living Water. Christ will never disappoint us because He is what our soul has longed for and when we drink His Living Water, we will never be thirsty again.
So don’t be stubborn and forgetful like I was on that hot day at the festival many years ago, thinking the solution to my thirst was lemonade. Be wise and choose to drink pure water (physically) and Living Water (spiritually) that only Jesus can give. Let’s not try to fill this void within us with counterfeits. Go to God. Fill up on a relationship with Christ. He is always here, waiting for us to turn to Him to supply all our needs and secure our eternity in His Kingdom.
Intersecting Faith and Life: When was the last time you needed Jesus Christ in your life but turned to other things or people instead? How does knowing that Jesus offers to quench your thirst for all eternity, satisfy your soul?
Further Reading:
John 3:16-17
Acts 4:12
Acts 16:30-31
Romans 3:22-24
Romans 6:23
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What if you could pray with boldness, knowing God always hears you? In this encouraging devotional, Sarah Frazer reflects on Mark 11:24 and reminds us that prayer isn’t about how much faith we have—it’s about who we’re putting our faith in. Whether you're praying for peace in a stressful season or asking God for a life-changing breakthrough, this Christian devotional on prayer offers a powerful perspective: God answers because He is good, not because we are perfect.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Highlights):
- Why Mark 11:24 gives us confidence that God hears and answers our prayers
- The difference between faith in God vs. faith in outcomes
- Biblical examples that prove God’s character as a faithful responder
- Encouragement for when prayers seem unanswered or delayed
- How even “mustard seed faith” connects us to God’s unlimited power
💬 Join the Conversation:
What are you asking God for right now—big or small? Has He answered a prayer in a surprising way?
Tag @LifeAudioNetwork with #AnsweredByGrace to share your story and encourage others who are still waiting.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Praying with Confidence Because God Answers
By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 (ESV)
Devotional
My children ask me all of the time for things. Most of the time they ask me for small things, like food or a drink. Sometimes they are looking for something like a specific shirt or shoes. Occasionally, especially as they have gotten older, the requests tend to be bigger.
“Will you drive me to the movies with my friends?”
“Can you buy this for me?”
“Can I go here for my birthday?”
“Can you help me fill out this job application?”
Those requests often require more than just a few minutes of my time. As a mother, I want to answer my children’s requests, even it means I am inconvenienced. Sometimes I can, but because I am only human, sometimes I can’t accommodate them.
Aren’t you glad we have a Heavenly Father who is not limited by time, space, or ability? God the Father never sleeps (Psalm 121) and is always listening to our prayers. (Psalm 116) Not only that, Jesus reminds us in Mark 11 that God answers our prayers.
Jesus’ declaration in Mark 11:24 is not a new teaching of scripture. All throughout the Old Testament we see reminders of God’s promise to answer His people’s cry. We see this in Exodus when God heard the cries of the Israelites while they were enslaved in Egypt. He heard them and acted to set them free.
We see this when Hannah cries out to God for a child and she gives birth to Samuel. Or when David asks God for victory, and God grants it. Over and over again the God of the Old Testament answers the prayers of His people. When Jesus comes on the scene in the Gospels, although He is bringing a New Covenant, not based on the law, we see so many things about God’s character that do not change.
Jesus says that the same God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament. God still answers prayer. It might be tempting to read a verse like Mark 11:24 and think that our prayers are only heard or answered because we believe. Is it our faith that makes the prayer possible?
No. It is not our faith, because in the same passage Jesus said that faith as small as a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed, can move mountains. It is not the size of the faith but who we have our faith in that matters.
When we come to God in prayer, we need not worry if we believe enough or have enough faith. So many times I’ve prayed for things and then they didn’t happen. God shut a door I wanted to be open or a person died who I wanted to live. Healing sometimes doesn’t come and dreams do die. Was it our lack of faith that caused the defeat?
I believe that as we lift our prayers to God, it is actually not about us at all. When we pray, we come to God with even the smallest faith, trusting that whatever He desires to do, He will do. We focus our hearts and minds on the power of God Himself. We rejoice in a God who hears, listens, and answers. We take comfort that no prayer we will ever pray will be ignored or unanswered, even if it feels that way.
I think that Jesus’ teaching on prayer gives us courage to believe that God longs to answer our prayers, but sometimes we need to trust His timing.
I understand that sometimes our prayers go unanswered year after year. Sometimes we pray for things and the answer is no. In those times, in those moments, may we cling to the promise that God is all-wise, all-knowing, and all-loving. He does not always give us an explanation, but He does give us His presence. No matter what devastating event has happened, God has never left us.
Maybe your requests for God are small, like help me have patience or give me peace tonight. Or maybe your requests lifted up to God in prayer are huge, like help me get this job, get married, or help this person come to salvation. God, our loving heavenly Father, longs to answer our prayers - big or small. We can trust that each prayer is heard and will be answered.
Maybe even today!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What big or small thing are you asking God for today? Do you believe God hears and will answer? How can you trust in God’s character during this time of waiting for your answer?
Further Reading:
Isaiah 65:25
Psalm 145:18
1 John 5:14
Psalm 34:17-18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What are the desires of your heart?
Sometimes we think, “If I just had ___, then I’d finally be happy.”
Psalm 37:4 offers a different promise:
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
This powerful devotional by Megan J. Conner explores how God lovingly transforms our longings—helping us discover that what we truly desire is Him. If you’ve ever wondered why even your biggest wins still leave you wanting more, this message will speak to the deeper need in your soul: true contentment in God.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Highlights):
- Why our deepest longings often can’t be satisfied by success, status, or stuff
- How Psalm 37:4 reveals God’s process of shaping—not just granting—desires
- Encouragement to reflect on your current goals through an eternal lens
- The comforting truth that only God fills the “God-shaped hole” in our hearts
- Scripture-based hope to anchor you in seasons of unmet desires
💬 Join the Conversation:
What’s something you’ve longed for—only to find it still didn’t satisfy? How has God shifted your heart over time?
Share your story using #HeartCheckFaith and tag @LifeAudioNetwork to encourage others on the same journey.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Desires of Your Heart
By Megan J. Conner
“Delight yourself also in the LORD,And He shall give you the desires of your heart,” Ps. 37:4 (NKJV).
We all know the legends in which a nod of the head, a rub of the lamp, or a drink of fantastic waters will allow someone’s greatest wishes to come true. While these stories are fiction rather than fact, in many ways, we yearn for such a reality. We think that if we could just receive what we are longing for, our hearts would finally be satisfied. My husband often likes to joke, “If I can only win a million dollars, then life would be perfect. I don’t need to be greedy; I just want one. Just one tiny million, and then I would never ask for anything else.”
Perhaps you can relate. Maybe you aren’t dreaming of a million dollars or a grand house on a hill (that is fully paid off), but it is so easy to believe tangible items or outcomes will ease our angst. We project, if my children would just find the right spouse, then I would have peace. If my parents’ health would improve, then I will stop worrying. If I could just obtain that perfect job, then I would be happy. The list can go on and on. However, what we are really seeking is our version of what we think we want.
Thankfully, our Heavenly Father sees far beyond our momentary light afflictions (2 Cor. 4:17) and into the deep crevices of our souls. He, and He alone, understands the true desires of our hearts when we may not know them ourselves.
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my bodyand knit me together in my mother’s womb…
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.Every day of my life was recorded in your book.Every moment was laid outbefore a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.They cannot be numbered!”
Ps. 139:13-18 (NLT)
God formed us and saw the path our lives would take while on this planet. He is intimately aware of the thoughts of our hearts and omnisciently redirects our lives so that we may receive the true desires of our hearts rather than our shallow substitutes. For many of us, the ultimate longing of our heart is oneness with Him. There is a well-known Christian saying, “There’s a God-shaped hole in our hearts.” While it may sound cliché, there is profound truth in this statement. Nothing else will satisfy that innate craving each one of us carries within our souls other than the Lord.
Because of this, our Heavenly Father is so good to grant us rich, abundant treasure. Through trials or blessings, each circumstance is a gift from Him that draws us closer as He grants us the true desires of our hearts. The eternal treasure of Him.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you felt like no matter what goals you achieve or gifts you are granted, that nothing satisfies? Maybe you have taken the dream vacation, found the perfect spouse, or got into the exact college you were hoping for, and still, it feels like something significant is missing. If that is you, may I encourage you to quietly reflect today on the true desires of your heart?
Take some time today to consider the goals, circumstances, or possessions you are yearning for and write them down. Once you have made your list, reflect on the outcomes you feel are connected to each item. How will each one of these make you “happy”? Then, ask yourself, will those things continue to satisfy six months from now, two years from now? What about five or ten years from now? Is it possible that once these goals are achieved, your “happiness” may wane, and you will be looking forward to the next shiny object for satisfaction?
If so, may I recommend reading through the additional scriptures provided, or looking up some of your own that remind you of God’s unending presence and comfort? I pray as you draw closer to the Lord, you are able to find true contentment in Him and Him alone.
Further Reading:
Ps. 139
John 4:1-26
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle you just couldn’t break—where freedom feels promised but not lived out? In today’s devotional, Jennifer Slattery shares her deeply personal journey through disordered eating and emotional wounds. But more than that, she reveals the key to lasting freedom: learning to rely not on our own strength, but on Christ's Spirit within us.
2 Corinthians 3:17 reminds us, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This isn’t just a feel-good verse—it’s a declaration of the abundant life we’re meant to walk in every day.
🌟 Highlights:
🔑 Real talk on spiritual strongholds and emotional healing
🛑 Why we self-sabotage even when we know better
🙌 Freedom isn’t found through striving—but in surrender
💡 How the Holy Spirit leads us toward healing, hope, and transformation
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever experienced God setting you free from a mindset or habit? We’d love to hear your story. Share in the comments or tag us @LifeAudioNetwork using #FreedomInChrist to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Learning to Live in Christ’s Freedom
by Jennifer Slattery
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
In my teen years, I responded to my chaotic and painful environment by seeking control—through dieting. Soon, however, this unhealthy coping mechanism began to control me, and the very act that initially provided a sense of strength—pseudo strength—only added to the feelings of hopelessness from which I so desperately sought to escape. Initially, I tried to fight my eating disorder in my own strength, but this inevitably led to failure and shame. I began to experience the freedom I sought, not just from disordered eating, but the wounds driving it, when I invited God into my struggle and learned to rely, more consistently, on His power at work within me.
While I’ve come a long way, praise God, since my self-destructing adolescence, my soul still contains wounds for which I need the Lord’s healing, and self-sabotaging patterns in need of His freedom. I gain the courage to follow Him in that transformative journey when I reflect not on the difficulty of obedience but instead on the heart of the One doing the leading.
Jesus longs to see me, and you, living in the freedom of grace. This is a beautiful gift bestowed upon everyone who’s trusted in Christ for salvation. His Spirit does indeed set us free—from the enslaving pull of sin, from the threat of death, and the punishment we deserve for all our moral failings.
Yet, if this is true, why do so many of us still struggle with self-sabotaging, unChrist-like behaviors? Like lashing out when we’re hurt, angry, or feel under attack, or withdrawing and isolating in self-protection? Comforting ourselves with a quart of ice cream, numbing out through hours of television watching or mindlessly scrolling through our social media feeds?
We’ve received spiritual freedom through faith in Christ, but now we need to learn to live in it. We do this, in part, by becoming more alert to God’s presence within us and all around us. As today’s verse states, He is Spirit. This means He’s not bound by space or time. He remains present in our greatest challenges and regrets and plants within our souls hope for our future.
Today’s verse also reminds us of His heart toward us, His children. He longs to see us living vibrantly, beautifully free. That was why Jesus came.
Foretelling Christ’s mission, as if through His voice, the prophet Isaiah wrote:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor (Isaiah 61:1-3, NIV).
Intersecting Life and Faith
Jesus brings good news—a message of love, grace, hope and thriving life. He pursues those held captive to sin, the wounds that come from living in our broken world, and the lies those hurts often create.
He sees our pain, understands our most intense struggles, and He meets us not with condemnation or frustration but instead, compassion. He lifts us out of the ashes and crowns us with beauty and a garment of praise.
And He invites us to turn to Him, to rely on Him, trust in Him, and yield to His Spirit at work within us. That is how we experience ever-deepening freedom—not through striving, but rather, through connecting with and resting in Him.
Stated another way: so long as we do our best to follow Him, He will lead us to greater freedom. And when we mess up, which we will, we can trust Him to pursue us and His Spirit to draw us back to Himself. To quote my therapist, He does the heavy lifting. All He’s asking is that we hold tight for the ride.
Further Reading
John 10:7-10
John 8:36
Galatians 5:1, 16-18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Whether you're facing a thunderstorm outside or a spiritual storm within, this powerful devotional reminds us of one unwavering truth: God is greater than any storm. Drawing from Psalm 77, author Whitney Hopler explores how the natural chaos of a thunderstorm mirrors the emotional and spiritual turmoil we all experience—yet ultimately, both point us back to God's unmatched strength and presence.
As we weather life’s uncertainties—unexpected loss, broken relationships, anxiety, or burnout—this message offers real peace: the Creator who commands the lightning and thunder is right there with us in our storms, guiding us to calmer, more hopeful days.
✨ Highlights
- Psalm 77 imagery paints a vivid picture of God’s power, reminding us that no storm—physical or emotional—is stronger than Him.
- Life’s storms often come without warning, but they have purpose: spiritual renewal, clarity, and deeper trust in God.
- Whitney shares how even thunder, lightning, and chaos can become reminders of God’s sovereignty.
- Encouragement to lean into God’s strength when life gets loud, messy, and uncertain.
- A fresh perspective on hardship: storms can be wake-up calls, cleansing moments, and faith builders.
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you weathered a spiritual storm recently? What did God teach you in it?
Share your story with us and encourage someone else walking through the rain.
Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #GodIsMyShelter to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God Is Stronger than Any Storm
By: Whitney Hopler
“The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.” – Psalm 77:17-18, NIV
I watched in awe as a summer thunderstorm raged outside one afternoon. Safe inside my house, I looked through a window as dark clouds poured down water in blurry sheets. I listened as thunder rumbled so loudly that the sound vibrated in my body. Our cat was so scared by the thunder’s noise that she ran to hide in our coat closet. Our lights flickered, and then the power went out completely. Huge streaks of lightning flashed in the sky as the storm kept going with furious energy.
We often feel vulnerable when a big storm hits. We lose electrical power, roads flood, and trees fall. But even in the middle of that chaos, there’s something beautiful about how a storm reminds us of something greater than ourselves. The sense of awe we feel when we experience nature’s power points us to nature's Creator, God. Thunderstorms are incredibly powerful, but even the strongest thunderstorm is still just a part of creation and can’t match God’s strength as the Creator. Psalm 77:17-18 uses the imagery of a thunderstorm to describe God’s awesome power and give us a sense of how overwhelming it can be. God has unlimited power, so God is stronger than any storm.
Just as there are physical storms, there are also spiritual storms in our lives. These can come in many forms – such as a broken relationship, a sudden job loss, or a scary health diagnosis – in our fallen world. These spiritual storms can feel just as overwhelming as a raging thunderstorm. They can leave us feeling shaken and drenched in discouragement.
But here’s the wonderful truth: The same God who commands the thunder and lightning is the God who is always with you, even as you go through storms. You can count on God to help you with everything you need during storms, and you can look forward to God bringing good purposes out of them. Just like physical storms, spiritual storms can also serve good purposes. A thunderstorm clears the air and renews the earth. Our spiritual storms are painful when we go through them, but they also refresh us. They can wash away our complacency, clarify our priorities, and motivate us to trust God in fresh ways that help us experience spiritual renewal and revival.
Every thunderstorm ends, and when it does, the sun breaks through and we can see with a fresh perspective. After a spiritual storm, we can emerge with a fresh sense of hope because God has taught us something spiritually valuable during the storm. The “lightning” of a spiritual storm might light up a path we need to see, so we can make wise decisions. The “thunder” of a spiritual storm might be a wake-up call to take action on something God wants us to do.
So, the next time a thunderstorm rolls into your area, see it as a powerful reminder of God’s wonderful strength that can help you go through the spiritual storms in your life. Remember that the same God who’s in control of every part of creation is stronger than any storm you’ll ever face – either physical or spiritual. God is ready to lead you through any storm to the calm on the other side, and to refresh you in the process!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how you can rely on God’s strength during storms, reflect on these questions:
- Do you feel stressed when a strong thunderstorm happens? How can you change your perspective to see God’s power at work in it?
- What was the last “spiritual storm” you experienced, and how did you get through it?
- Even though that spiritual storm was hard to go through, how did it ultimately serve a good purpose in your life?
- What’s one step you can take to rely more on God’s strength when you’re going through a spiritual storm?
Further Reading
Nahum 1:3
Psalm 29:3-4
Isaiah 43:2
Mark 4:39
Philippians 4:6-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this heartfelt devotional, look back on life’s milestones—not as random moments, but as powerful testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Inspired by Joshua 4, where stones were stacked as a memorial to God’s miraculous provision, the message encourages us to establish “stones of remembrance” in our own lives. Whether it's an anniversary, birthday, or a moment of personal breakthrough, every celebration becomes a spiritual marker of what God has done.
Highlights:
- Biblical Encouragement: Reflects on Joshua 4:7 and how God called His people to remember His faithfulness.
- Personal Application: Through a 25th wedding anniversary celebration, we’re reminded to use joyful occasions as public testimony of God’s goodness.
- Spiritual Challenge: Encourages believers to boldly celebrate God’s faithfulness, not just in quiet reflection, but in community celebration and witness.
- Cultural Connection: Highlights how even in modern Christian living, we can reclaim the practice of pausing to praise.
“Jesus’ ministry revolved around celebration. He even turned water into wine at a wedding!”
Join the Conversation:
What are the “stones of remembrance” in your life? How have you seen God's faithfulness over the years?
Share your story with us by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #CelebrateGodsFaithfulness.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Celebrate the Lord
“These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:7
As the DJ played our wedding song, we marched into the banquet hall to the sounds of our friends and family erupting in applause. After celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary in June, we decided to throw a party to celebrate all that God had done through that time. After we entered the room, I grabbed the microphone from the DJ. I thanked everyone for coming and told them how blessed we are to have such wonderful friends and family who took time out of their busy schedule to celebrate with us. I then said to them that at the bottom of their favor box, they would find a small stone.
The theme of the party was around Joshua 4, where the Israelites stacked twelve stones together at the place where the Lord had done something significant for their people: “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever,” Joshua 4:5-7.
I ended by telling them that this was a celebration of all that God had done in and through us over the past twenty-five years. We wanted to use the party as a stone of remembrance for everyone in attendance. I wanted them not only to rejoice with us and all that God had done through us, but I also wanted to rejoice with them and what God had been doing through them. As I spoke with many of our guests, they shared stories of the things God has been doing over the past twenty-five years.
We all go through periods of great trial and grief. The church is a beacon of light that can be a source of comfort and hope to those who are truly grieving. However, the local church does not always celebrate the milestones and memories of the significant things God has done that deserve celebration. After all, Jesus' ministry revolved around celebration. He even turned water into wine at wedding feasts!
Jesus wants us to celebrate all the things that God does in and through us. He wants to use it as a testimony to who God is and how God works amid difficult circumstances. Our wedding is a testimony to God's faithfulness. As we chose to be obedient and could feel fulfilled in our commitment to our wedding vows, God was faithful and provided for us in every way during our marriage. Many people shared our triumph, commenting that it was a beautiful tribute to the Lord and a testament to what God had done. Above all, it was an example of love and faithfulness not only to one another but also to the Lord.
God deserves all our praise, honor, and glory. Even in times of celebration, such as a birthday party or wedding, we can attribute all our triumphs to the Lord. We can hold feasts and festivals in his honor. In all these things, God is glorified.
As you look back on your life, are there things to which you can testify to God's goodness? Are there ways in which you can celebrate his faithfulness to you in your life? God deserves all our praise and honor at every moment of our lives, including those of great joy and triumph.
The next time you have a birthday party or a special celebration in your family, be sure to attribute it to the Lord. Give your testimony of how God has been faithful to you throughout your life or in your marriage, and you will find that it will be an example to those who have doubts or do not believe. One of the most incredible testimonies we can ever give is to God's faithfulness amid a trial, and that is enough reason to celebrate.
Father, let us be people who celebrate often. Let us remember who you are and how you have loved us amid great trials and difficult circumstances. Let us celebrate you, whether it's through your testimony, party, or celebration. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
What special events or milestones can you celebrate in your life? What is one thing you can do to celebrate?
Further Reading
Psalm 118:24
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a culture that often silences or shames believers, staying bold in your faith can feel exhausting. But Hebrews 12:3 gives us a lifeline: “Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” This devotional challenges Christians to stop hiding and start standing—especially when it’s uncomfortable.
Whether you’ve faced ridicule, workplace pushback, or quiet pressure to compromise your beliefs, this message reminds you that you’re not alone—and that your strength comes from Christ, who faced opposition and never backed down. Stay firm. Stay faithful. Stay grounded in the One who understands your suffering.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why spiritual endurance is essential when facing rejection for your beliefs
- How Jesus models faithful perseverance through persecution
- Encouragement for believers navigating criticism or exclusion for their faith
- Ways to embrace religious freedom with courage and gospel-centered boldness
- How to find emotional and spiritual strength in Jesus when you feel weary
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you ever been criticized or left out because of your faith in Jesus? How did you respond—and what did God teach you through it? Share your story to encourage someone else. Tag us @lifeaudionetwork and use #StandFirmInFaith to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Don’t Grow Weary or Lose Heart
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3).
About a year ago, my family and I watched a series called “Torchlighters.” For each episode, they would tell the story of someone who died for their faith in Christ. Most of the time, these individuals were missionaries; however, some were persecuted in their own hometowns. After each episode, I was convicted by their amazing faith. They knew they were going to be persecuted for their faith and even killed, yet they continued serving the Lord.
Not many of us are physically persecuted for our faith if we live in America; however, many of us are looked down upon or made fun of because of our faith in Jesus. Sometimes these individuals can take it further and cause problems for us at school or in the workplace. Sadly, this is to be expected. As Christians, the world will hate us. The Lord already warned us of this truth (John 15:18).
It can be hard to face this reality, yet it is something we have to do. Being opposed by the world will continue throughout our lives, but we must be strong in the Lord. If we are blessed enough to live somewhere we have religious freedom, we need to take advantage of this opportunity and share our faith freely. Even though schools and the workforce might oppose us, we still have the freedom to share what we believe.
Similar to how a Muslim or a Buddhist could share his or her faith with others, we can share our faith too. As Christians, we need to take hold of this opportunity and truly start living out our faith. There are Christians throughout the world who are dying for their faith in Jesus. They are not tap dancing around whether someone would like them or not after they share the Gospel. Instead, they are boldly sharing the Gospel because of their love for the Lord.
Rather than continuing to be afraid of someone making fun of us or belittling us, we need to start being bold in sharing the Gospel. Jesus knows what it feels like to be mistreated and hurt, yet we often don't turn to Him when we are suffering for our faith. Sometimes, we even blame Him for our pain or hurt. Jesus is not the one to blame, and we don't need to accuse Him of doing wrong.
Jesus is our Savior and Lord. He surrounds us with His comfort, protection, and hope. Whenever others persecute us in any form, we need to run to Him instead of running away from Him.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Hebrews 12:3 tells us, “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” As the writer of Hebrews says, we need to consider the Lord, who ensured much opposition from sinners in order for us not to grow weary or lose heart. Being persecuted for our faith can wear us out, but we don't need to lose heart. We can look to Jesus and rest in the comfort that He has experienced the same things as us.
Jesus knows our pain. He knows exactly how we are feeling, and He wants to surround us with His love, peace, and comfort. Whenever we are faced with mean words or comments about our faith, we need to look to Him. Similar to how Jesus remains calm and peaceful, so do we. By thinking of Him during these times, we will not grow weary or lose heart.
“Dear Jesus, whenever people are mean to me for my faith, I feel weary and I lose heart. Please help me to be strong in You. I'm choosing today to look at You when things are hard and to remember that You endured much hardship from people too. I give You all the praise, Amen.”
Have you ever been persecuted for your faith? What did this look like? How can you stand confidently in the face of opposition? How can you find comfort in Jesus, knowing that He understands your pain?
Further Reading:
- Hebrews 4:15
- Matthew 11:28-30
- Galatians 6:9-10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When God calls us to something new, our first instinct is often to focus on what we lack—our insecurities, fear of rejection, or the possibility of failure. But Matthew 10 reminds us that confidence in God's calling is rooted not in our abilities but in His presence, power, and purpose. Jesus sent His disciples out with authority, without micromanaging their flaws. His instruction? Be wise, stay pure, and keep moving forward—even in the face of rejection.
If you’ve ever felt unqualified or hesitant to pursue a new opportunity, this devotional reminds you that godly confidence is less about perfection and more about obedience. Shake off the dust, trust your calling, and walk boldly into your next assignment.
Highlights
✨ God doesn’t wait for perfection—He works through our obedience.
✨ The disciples were imperfect but sent anyway. So are we.
✨ Jesus’ instruction to "shake off the dust" is a bold reminder: don’t carry rejection into your next opportunity.
✨ Confidence in God’s call means focusing more on His power than our past mistakes.
✨ Like the disciples, we are chosen, equipped, and sent to make an impact.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever shaken the dust off and stepped out in faith, even when you felt unqualified? Share your story with us and encourage someone else! Tag us @lifeaudionetwork and use #CalledWithConfidence to join the conversation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Pursuing Opportunities with Godly Confidence
by Jennifer Slattery
As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matthew 10:12-16
When God invites you to something new, what usually comes to mind first—His empowering and guiding presence within you, or your weaknesses and potential inability to meet the challenges ahead? I’ve shared in other episodes how, when I first sensed the call to speak and write, I felt incredibly anxious, for numerous reasons. Fear of failure, of rejection, or responding to potential rejection in unhealthy ways … In short, I overly focused on myself and under focused on the power and presence of the One calling me.
Perhaps that’s why I find Jesus’ instructions to the disciples in Matthew 10 so thought-provoking and encouraging. To paraphrase, about a year into His ministry, the Lord officially chose the 12 disciples to, according to Mark 3:13-15, spend time with Him, to preach, and to cast out demons. He then demonstrated how to do the very things He’d soon assign to them. They listened to His teaching on the beatitudes, forgiveness, and prayer. They watched Him heal the masses and set the demonized free.
Then, what seems like months later, if that long, He gathered these previously untrained men together, gave them the power and authority to advance God’s kingdom, then sent them out to talk to strangers. About religion, and to find someone, again, a stranger, with whom to stay, for as long as the person allowed.
How’s that for a job assignment?
That would’ve taken significant courage. Granted, they lived in a culture in which people were accustomed to hosting travelers, but still.
I admire their gumption in obeying, seemingly without protest—although based on Mark 3, they knew what they were getting into when they accepted Jesus’ invite. Then again, we probably did, as well. Following Jesus means learning to live as He did, while on earth.
Yet, that’s not what most strikes me about this event. I’m intrigued by the instructions Jesus didn’t give. We don’t see Him pulling Simon Peter, the Foot-in-Mouth guy aside to encourage him to listen more and talk less. Nor does the Bible show Him addressing James’s and John’s temper. If you’re familiar with Scripture, you might remember their nickname, sons of thunder, and the time they wanted to send fire from heaven to destroy a Samarian village.
Instead, He focused on the possible reactions displayed by those they encountered. He called those who responded positively to His message “worthy”, or, as the NIV states, “deserving” and therefore, allies. Those who rejected it, on the other hand, He termed “unworthy.”
Then, as if emphasizing this, He said, in Matthew 10:14, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet” (NIV).
This held cultural relevance well-understood by first century Jews. To quote Bible scholar Craig Keener, “Pious Jewish people returning to holy ground would not want even the dust of pagan territory clinging to their sandals.” This indicates that Jesus wanted the disciples to consider those who spurned their message as Gentiles, and to, in essence, shake off the experience.
He didn’t want them to ruminate on any rejection they experienced or all the ways they’d “failed.” That doesn’t mean the disciples fulfilled their mission perfectly. Nothing in Scripture indicates that was even a remote possibility. The Bible demonstrates, in numerous places, that they were often faithless, at times prideful and focused on elevating themselves rather than Almighty God.
They were about as perfect, or rather, imperfect, as me and you. Yet, again, He told them to “shake off the dust”. To not let the reactions of equally imperfect humans hinder their confidence or mission. Instead, they were to embrace every encounter as chosen, called and empowered children of God who carried the authority of Christ.
Intersecting Life and Faith
Imagine what our lives, ministries and impact might look like if we lived anchored in those same truths. When God presents us with a new assignment, we experience setbacks, or people don’t respond to us and our efforts as we’d hoped, what if we honestly acknowledged our errors, but did so with our souls filled with the Lord’s grace.
In other words, what if we gave God’s power and presence at work within us more emphasis than our weaknesses and mistakes? That’s not to say we shouldn’t address and learn from our blunders and flaws, but that we view them from a growth mindset and refused to carry the figurative “dust” of yesterday to thwart our obedience and calling.
Further Reading:
Romans 12:6-8
Mark 16:15
Ephesians 2:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In today’s devotional, Whitney Hopler draws a powerful parallel between environmental cleanup and spiritual renewal. Just like small pieces of litter accumulate to cause environmental damage, “little sins”—like gossip, white lies, or procrastination—can add up to serious spiritual harm.
This episode reminds us that the seemingly small compromises in our faith walk can spread through our hearts like yeast in dough, impacting our thoughts, actions, and relationship with God. But the good news? Jesus, our Passover Lamb, has already made a way for us to be cleansed and renewed.
If you’re wondering how to deal with those “no big deal” moments in your spiritual life—this one’s for you.
Highlights
✨ Small sins can have big spiritual consequences – just like yeast spreads through dough (1 Cor. 5:6).
✨ Sin left unchecked can damage your relationship with God and others—even if it seems minor.
✨ Cleaning out sin is not about legalism—it’s about living in the freedom Jesus offers.
✨ Confession, repentance, and grace are the steps to remove “old yeast” from your life.
✨ We need the Holy Spirit’s help to see where sin may be subtly growing.
💬 Join the Conversation
What’s a small but powerful step you’re taking this week to guard your spiritual health?
📲 Share your reflections and tag us @lifeaudionetwork using #CleanHeartChallenge. We’d love to hear how God is guiding you to clear out the “old yeast” and walk in truth.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Little Sins Can Lead to Big Problems
By: Whitney Hopler
“… Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch – as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” – 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, NIV
Recently, I joined other volunteers to clean up trash in an area near a stream that flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Our goal was to reduce the amount of toxic runoff and pollution entering the bay. As I walked along, I picked up little bits of trash like cigarette butts, plastic straws, and discarded pieces of broken toys. Individually, each piece of trash seemed too little to cause much harm. But when I filled a huge trash bag with all those little pieces of trash – and when I saw all the bags that other volunteers were filling with trash – it became clear to me that all those little bits of trash added up to a big problem. They polluted the watershed, harmed wildlife, and contributed to a larger environmental crisis.
Just like a little bit of trash can add up to a big physical problem, little sins can add up to big spiritual problems in our lives.
The Bible makes that point in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 when it describes yeast in bread. We only need a little pinch of yeast when we’re baking. The yeast will steadily work its way through the entire dough, making it rise. The sins we may consider to be little – such as a few words of gossip, a so-called white lie, a quick burst of anger, or procrastinating when God is calling to act on something – might feel minor. We might think those sins are no big deal. But just like a little bit of yeast, even a little bit of sin can spread. If we don’t clean up our little sins, they can affect our entire spiritual well-being by corrupting our thoughts and damaging our relationships with God and other people.
So, how can we “get rid of the old yeast” and live with “unleavened bread of sincerity and truth”?
We need to first be honest about the reality of sin, no matter how small it seems. We often downplay our mistakes by making excuses or comparing ourselves to others who are sinning more. But God’s standard is holiness. God wants us to be holy by doing our best to live in ways that honor him and reflect his holiness. We also need to regularly confess our sins to God in prayer and repent by turning away from our sins and back toward God. Finally, we need to embrace God’s grace to purify and refresh us. We don’t clean up our lives in our own strength. Jesus is the Lamb of God who has already paid the price for our sins – the big ones and the “little” ones alike. His grace is a powerful force that works within us to transform us.
Just like we have to remove trash from our homes and neighborhoods on a regular basis, we have to regularly clean up the sins in our lives. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to show us the areas of our lives where the “yeast” of sin might be spreading. Then we need to confess, repent, and rely on God’s Spirit to help us change.
When we clean up little sins, we prevent them from becoming big problems, which protects our spiritual health.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how little sins can lead to big problems, reflect on these questions:
- Can you think of a “little” sin in your life that, if left unchecked, could grow into a larger problem?
- How does the analogy of yeast in dough help you understand the impact of sin?
- What is one specific “old yeast” (a sinful attitude or habit) that you sense God might be leading you to get rid of this week?
- How does remembering that “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” encourage you when you think about pursuing holiness?
- What can you do today to embrace God’s grace and help to clean up and refresh an area of your life?
Further Reading
1 John 1:9
Romans 6:1-2
Proverbs 28:13
James 1:14-15
Hebrews 12:1
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What would happen if we responded to the Holy Spirit immediately, without delay or second-guessing? In Running Toward the Holy Spirit, Deidre Braley shares a personal story about missing a divine prompting and contrasts it with Philip’s quick obedience in Acts 8. This powerful devotional reminds us that when the Spirit nudges us—whether it's to speak to a neighbor or extend an act of kindness—we are called not just to go, but to run.
This devotional encourages believers to practice spiritual attentiveness and cultivate a “yes” mentality toward God’s promptings. If you’ve ever ignored a gentle nudge or wondered if it was really God speaking, this message is for you.
Highlights
✅ Obedience to the Spirit: Philip didn’t wait for more context—he ran in obedience (Acts 8:29-30).
✅ God's purpose unfolds in motion: Philip’s mission became clear only after he responded.
✅ Every nudge matters: Even small promptings—like saying hello to a neighbor—can have eternal impact.
✅ We often hesitate: Like Deidre’s real-life example, we can miss Spirit-led moments by overthinking.
✅ Practice spiritual sensitivity: Learn to ask, listen, and act when the Spirit leads.
✅ Scripture shows us the pattern: Throughout Acts, believers are used mightily when they respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever responded (or missed a chance to respond) to a Holy Spirit nudge? What happened? How did it impact you?
📲 Tag @lifeaudionetwork and share your story with #RunWithTheSpirit. Let’s encourage one another to listen and move when the Spirit leads.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Running Toward the Holy Spirit: A Lesson from Philip and the Ethiopian Official by Deidre Braley
Acts 8:26-31: Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip,“Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
I live on a small, private lane with only two other houses, and today, I missed an opportunity to love my neighbor well.
Here’s how it happened: It was lunchtime, so I took a break from my desk, pulled on my sneakers, and stepped outside to take our dog for a walk. We took a stroll down the lane, and when we walked by our neighbor’s house, I noticed he was outside on his deck, grilling his lunch.
The Spirit nudged me, saying, “Go up and say hello.” Now, I wish I could say I zipped right up his driveway and popped in for a friendly chat, but do you know what I did instead? I said, “Lord, I don’t think that was you, right? I don’t have much time. I don’t want to bother him. He probably doesn’t even want to talk to me.” And then I walked right past his driveway and continued on with my day.
But as I walked, I could feel the Spirit continue to nudge me. I knew he had spoken to me—and that he had wanted to use me—but I had refused. I didn’t know why he had wanted me to say hello to my neighbor, but I had a sense that it was important. I resolved that if he was still outside when we got back from our walk, I’d go up and say hi. But when we returned, he was already gone.
How should we respond when we feel the Spirit prompting us? The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in the book of Acts may lead us to believe that the answer is…immediately!
In this story, the apostle Philip—following the leading of the Lord—went down into the desert. While he was there, a chariot passed by, carrying a court official of the Ethiopian queen. In this moment, the Spirit nudged Philip, saying, “Go over and join this chariot” (Acts 8:29). Now, did
Philip hem and haw and say, “Lord, I don’t know this man, so may I please just go on with my day?” Of course not. Rather, Scripture says that “Philip ran to him” (Acts 8:30, emphasis mine).
Even before he knew what God would have him say to this man—or why he was asking him to interact with him in the first place—Philip responded in immediate obedience. He heard the word “go,” and so he ran.
When he got to the chariot, he found that the Ethiopian was reading the book of Isaiah and—lo and behold—could not understand it because he’d had no one to explain it to him (Acts 8:30-31). Philip’s purpose immediately became clear, but it was only after he followed the prompting of the Spirit to approach the man in the first place.
Intersecting Faith & Life
So what does this teaching mean for us?
It’s simple, really. When we feel the prompting of the Spirit to talk to someone, to smile, to pay for a stranger’s coffee, to drop off a meal, we needn’t hem and haw and wonder whether he’s really asked us to do it. These are all opportunities to love our neighbors well, and so we can respond in the same way Philip did: we can run. The Spirit will give us the information we need as we go along; our job is only to listen and follow.
If you are truly conflicted about whether the Spirit has asked you to move, it’s okay to ask. You can say a simple prayer, like, “God, was that you? Are you asking me to [insert what you felt the Spirit nudging you to do]?” Then, wait and listen. The Spirit is faithful to respond.
Further Reading
Today, consider reading other stories from the book of Acts when God’s people listened and responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 10
- Acts 13:1-12
- Acts 27
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever tried to distance yourself from someone you’ve wronged—dodging interactions, avoiding gatherings, or putting on a smile while hiding the discomfort inside? “Are You Hiding?” explores the spiritual tendency we all share: hiding from God when we know we've fallen short. Through the lens of Adam and Eve’s story in Genesis, this devotional reminds us that God doesn’t abandon us in our shame—He comes looking for us with love, not condemnation.
This message is for anyone who has drifted from God, avoided spiritual disciplines, or felt too ashamed to draw near again. God is not hiding from you—He’s calling your name.
Highlights
- Hiding from God is a deeply human response to sin, rooted in fear and shame (Genesis 3:10).
- We may avoid Scripture, church, or prayer, thinking we can escape conviction—but God always sees us and still desires relationship.
- Even when we distance ourselves, God pursues us, calling out just as He did in the Garden: “Where are you?”
- Like the prodigal son (Luke 15), restoration comes not through hiding, but in returning with a surrendered heart.
- Fig leaves of distraction—our modern ways of covering sin—can’t replace the healing power of repentance and grace.
- When we stop running and respond to God, He covers our shame with love, mercy, and forgiveness.
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever felt distant from God because of guilt or shame? What helped you find your way back?
📲 Tag @lifeaudionetwork and share your story using #NoMoreFigLeaves. You never know who might find healing through your honesty.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Are You Hiding?
By Megan J. Conner
“When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees.
Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”
He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”
Gen. 3:8-10 (NLT)
Can you recall a time when you purposely evaded someone because you had wronged or harmed them in some way? You decline invitations to events because you know they will be in attendance, or if being present together is unavoidable, you walk to the other side of the room when they arrive, pretending to be busy with an important task. Perhaps this individual is completely unaware of the offense you carry in your heart, so they continue to pursue relationship with you and are clearly confounded by your distance. It would be better in the long run to have the much-needed hard conversation and make amends, but fear holds you captive. At the moment, it feels easier to hide. But is it really?
Because we are created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27) each and every one of us knows the difference between right and wrong. A measure of the Holy Spirit resides in every soul. Secular views coin this internal conviction as a conscience that measures and judges the motives of our hearts. Regardless of title or worldview, it is evident that humanity carries within them an organic sense of morality. Think of a child at a very young age who desires a toy or an object they have been told they cannot have. Even though they know they aren’t supposed to have it, they will plot and plan a way to obtain it. And once they have it in their possession, what is the first thing they do? They run away and hide.
Child or adult, none of us is any different. For thousands of years, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, when we willfully choose to sin, we separate ourselves from our Creator. We retreat; we go into hiding. Perhaps we stop reading our Bibles, stray away from godly relationships with others, or maybe even avoid attending church or other faith-based gatherings. Somehow, we deceive ourselves into believing this distance shields us from the knowing eyes of the Lord. But the truth is, we are only covering ourselves with fig leaves.
“The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.” Gen. 3:6-7 (NLT)
The allure of sin, paired with the deception of the enemy, convinces us that we should not only give in to the desires of our flesh, but that when we do, God is not aware of misgivings. Even further, we should run away from Him rather than towards Him. Similar to our relationships with others, if we avoid reconciliation, we will continue on in a state of unsettledness – of discomfort. Relief will only come once we repent and return to right relationship with the Lord and others.
God knew exactly where Adam and Eve were in the garden that day. He did not need to call out to them to learn of their mistake. Though they distanced themselves, He went in search of them. Like the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to recover the one who has wandered away, so too does the Lord pursue us when we hide away from Him. And when He approaches, all we have to do is humbly surrender, and He will cover our shame and draw us once again into His loving arms.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you feel distant from the Lord today? Are there areas of your heart you are hiding from Him? I encourage you to take a look at the passages provided for further reading and see how God not only pursues us when we run away from Him, but also how He clothes and heals us when we return. There is no need to hide. Return to Him. He is ready and waiting to embrace you today.
Further Reading:
Gen. 3
Matt 18:10-14
Luke 15:11-32
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Grief can be blinding. When sorrow settles over our hearts like a heavy fog, even the truth can be hard to see. In this heartfelt devotional, Sarah Frazer shares how grief can cloud our belief—just like it did for the disciples when they couldn’t accept Jesus’ resurrection. This message gently reminds us that even when we feel spiritually numb, God’s presence is near. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, lasting comfort and faith are still available to us—even when we feel broken.
Highlights
- Grief can cloud faith, just as it did for Jesus’ disciples after the crucifixion.
- When loss or sorrow overwhelms us, we may struggle to believe God is still good—or still near.
- Mark 16 shows how even those closest to Jesus had moments of unbelief in their grief.
- God's presence—through the Holy Spirit—is our source of strength when belief is hard to muster.
- Jesus blesses those who have not seen, yet still believe (John 20:29). That’s us today.
- We are not alone in our sorrow. The Holy Spirit comforts, assures, and strengthens us through seasons of suffering.
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever experienced a time when sorrow made belief difficult? What helped you feel God’s presence again?
👉 Share your story by tagging @lifeaudionetwork and using the hashtag #BeliefInTheStorm. Let’s encourage one another to keep believing, even when it’s hard.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
When Sorrow Clouds Belief
By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.” Mark 16:11 (ESV)
Devotional
My heart dropped at the news. Again!? That word echoed in my head as I read through the social media post. In just two years two young men had passed away who attended the same church. Again a family grieved the sudden loss of a son and brother. Again a church mourned the pain of a life cut too short.
Sorrow seemed to follow them and my heart ached to help in some way. It seemed all I could do was pray, but I knew that prayers were also powerful. At first I prayed that the people would be comforted. But then I began to pray that the people would believe. Yes, I prayed for the comfort of these families who were suffering, but also for church’s belief to remain strong.
Over the years I’ve faced many sorrowful events in my own life. Death, illness, broken dreams, and struggles not fit for social media. In the midst of the hardest days, belief is hard to come by. During one hard season I read this verse in Mark 16 about the disciples.
“But when they [the disciples] heard that he [Jesus] was alive and had been seen by her [Mary Magdalene], they would not believe it.” Mark 16:11
On the third day after Jesus’ crucifixion, the women came to Jesus’ tomb and found it empty. At first the disciples and the women didn’t know what this meant. They were still grieving. When I read that verse in Mark 16:11 I realized that maybe the disciples couldn’t believe the truth about Jesus’ resurrection because they were still grieving.
Have you ever experienced such a sorrow, so deep and wide, that you doubted the faith you’ve held for so long? I know that the enemy likes to prowl and pounce on us when we are at our weakest, and during times of sorrow we are often clouded by grief and we struggle to believe.
Maybe you are in a season right now that feels too overwhelming, too hard, and filled with too much grief. I pray that you will not be like the disciples and harden your heart to unbelief. Jesus’ death was fresh on their hearts and minds. I think we can all identify with the followers of Jesus in those first few days. They struggled to believe and understand and sometimes grief can’t be explained.
The women had seen Jesus’ tomb, Mary Magdalene had seen Jesus alive, but the disciples, hiding in a room, struggled to make sense of the death of Jesus. In our grief we try so hard to make sense of it. We want to know why. But so often, in the middle of my my grief, it is less about why, and more about Who. Who is with me?
It says in Mark 16:12-13, “After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.” Again eye-witnesses told the disciples that Jesus was alive! How many times do people come to us, in the middle of our grief, and try to comfort us with truth.
Sometimes truth is hard to believe when we are sorrowing, and that is ok. What changed for the disciples? Jesus appeared to them. It was His presence that they believed. How I wish we could all experience the physical presence of Jesus here on earth, but we live in a different time.
Jesus referred to this time, in the Gospel of John, as actually a time of something better. We do not have Jesus’ physical presence today, but we have God’s spiritual presence available to us always! The Holy Spirit lives in each believer. Once we give our lives to Jesus and become a child of God, God’s spirit resides in us - God’s very presence.
It might feel like we are all alone, but we are not. We can choose to believe, even in the middle of our sorrow, that God has not left us. What fuels our belief is choosing to trust God’s presence is withus in the Holy Spirit. The disciples had Jesus’ physical presence, and that was when their belief rose up.
We have the presence of the Spirit of God always with us, and it has the power to give us all of the comfort and belief we need for today.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Thomas is known as the doubting disciple. Only until he physically saw Jesus did he believe. Listen to Jesus’ words: “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” That is you and me! Use one of the verses below to read and meditate on today, choosing to believe that God is with you, even in the midst of sorrow.
Further Reading:
John 16:22
Psalm 30
2 Corinthians 4:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a culture obsessed with fixing weaknesses, Whitney Hopler invites us to shift our focus to our God-given strengths. Drawing from Romans 12:6-8, this devotional encourages believers to identify, celebrate, and use their unique spiritual gifts and talents instead of dwelling on flaws. Embracing your natural strengths not only aligns you with God’s design but also empowers you to serve more confidently and effectively in your personal and professional life.
Highlights
- Many people spend too much time trying to fix weaknesses, losing sight of the powerful strengths God has given them.
- Formal strength assessments or simple reflection can help you discover your unique spiritual gifts and natural abilities.
- Romans 12:6-8 encourages using your strengths faithfully rather than obsessing over weaknesses.
- God’s purpose for you is best fulfilled when you lean into what you’re naturally good at, making a greater impact for His kingdom.
- Focusing on your strengths leads to greater confidence, wise decisions, and freedom to be your true self in Christ.
- Strengths-based living helps overcome weaknesses without becoming paralyzed by them.
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you discovered your God-given strengths? How has focusing on your strengths changed your outlook or actions?
👉 Tag @lifeaudionetwork and use #StrengthInFaith to share your story or insights. Let’s inspire each other to live boldly in our unique gifts!
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Focus on What’s Strong, Not Wrong
By: Whitney Hopler
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” – Romans 12:6-8, NIV
The well-being center where I work at George Mason University manages a popular program where students and employees take free assessments to learn what their personal strengths are and how to use those strengths well. We’re currently training students to be “strengths counselors”, as well, so their fellow students can get help from their peers to use their strengths to the fullest, both personally and professionally. Often, we hear from the people we serve that they had focused mostly on their personal weaknesses before they learned to focus on their strengths instead. They had worried about their weaknesses and limited their plans because they lacked confidence. But the more they paid attention to their strengths, the less their weaknesses limited them, and the more they were able to accomplish in every part of their lives.
Many people are taught from a young age to identify their weaknesses and to work on them, to fix what’s supposedly wrong with them. Maybe that happened to you. While it’s true that you can always grow and improve, focusing on your flaws can prevent you from seeing and using the unique strengths God has given you.
But what if you changed your focus? What if, instead of dwelling on what you perceive as “wrong” with you, you started celebrating and developing what’s strong with you? God has given you a unique mix of strengths for a purpose, and he wants you to use them!
Romans 12:6-8 urges you to identify your God-given personal strengths and put them into action. It doesn’t advise you to work on your weaknesses. Instead, it says to figure out what you’re naturally good at doing, and then do it!
God, your Heavenly Father, has designed you uniquely. When you spend too much time and energy trying to fix something that isn’t your natural strength, you might miss out on the incredible impact you could be making by using your God-given talents. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t pursue lifelong learning or overcome challenges. Of course, you should! But it’s important to have the confidence, and positive impact, that God wants you to have.
You can start to put your strengths into action by identifying them first – either through a formal assessment like people at my university do, or just by reflecting on what comes naturally to you, what you enjoy, and what others often say you’re good at doing. Then, you can embrace your uniqueness by letting go of comparisons and celebrating the distinctively wonderful way God has designed you. Finally, ask God to help you live into your purpose by giving you opportunities to use your strengths in every part of your life – your relationships, your work, and more.
As you use the strengths God gave you, he will help you overcome your weaknesses, so you won’t have to worry about them. When you focus on what’s strong, not wrong, you line yourself up with God’s design for your life. You can enjoy the freedom of being who you’re meant to be, and you can make wise decisions with confidence.
So, stop worrying about what you think is wrong with you, and start celebrating what’s strong with you!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how it’s important to focus on your God-given strengths, reflect on these questions:
- What are some of your natural strengths that you often overlook or take for granted?
- How has focusing on your weaknesses held you back in the past?
- When was the last time that you put one of your strengths into action? What happened as a result?
- What can you do this week to use one of your God-given strengths?
- How can embracing your strengths more fully help you to serve God and others in new ways?
Further Reading
1 Peter 4:10
Ephesians 2:10
Philippians 4:13
2 Corinthians 12:9
Proverbs 18:16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Are you searching for lasting peace amid life’s storms? Stress, anxiety, and uncertainty are common struggles, but the peace Jesus offers is unlike anything the world can give. In this devotional, Vivian Bricker shares how the peace of Christ surpasses temporary fixes and brings lasting transformation. Through trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord, we can experience a profound peace that calms our hearts even in difficult times.
Highlights
- The world offers fleeting relief through self-help tips and distractions, but Jesus offers lasting peace that truly satisfies (Philippians 4:7).
- Accepting Jesus as your Savior—believing in His death and resurrection—is the key to receiving His peace (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 3:1).
- Jesus’ peace does not fade or get taken away, even when life feels chaotic (John 14:27).
- You can surrender your worries, anxieties, and fears to Jesus and find rest at His feet (John 16:33).
- Lasting peace often grows gradually; remain open-hearted and patient as Jesus works in your life.
- Counseling and therapy can coexist with faith, complementing the peace Jesus provides.
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you experienced the peace of Christ in your life? How do you handle anxiety and stress with your faith?
👉 Share your story with us on Instagram and tag @lifeaudionetwork using #PeaceInChrist.
Tell us:
- What does lasting peace look like in your life?
- How has trusting Jesus helped you overcome anxious moments?
- What advice would you give to someone seeking peace today?
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Can Jesus Give Lasting Peace?
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Have you ever felt so stressed out that you were at your breaking point? Maybe you were going through a divorce, you failed a test at college, or you simply felt anxious about the future. Did you know that it doesn’t have to be this way? If somebody told you today that you could have lasting peace, would you accept it? The truth is that you can have lasting peace, but the only way is through Jesus Christ.
The world today tries to give us temporary highs or self-help tricks to keep our minds off our stress and anxiety, but these quick fixes never last. While some of these techniques and tips can benefit us and we should utilize them, we have to know that they are not the same as Jesus’ peace. However, therapy should be continued and endorsed within the Christian community. We don’t need to believe that counseling and Jesus cannot co-exist, because they can.
Nonetheless, Jesus wants you to have the peace that only He can offer you. When you truly have the peace of Jesus, your life will be transformed, and you will feel a peace that you have never experienced before (Philippians 4:7). This peace will wash over you and provide your weary heart with what it needs.
We can obtain Jesus's peace by trusting in Him and giving all control to Him. We do this when we accept Him as our Savior and Lord. Accepting Him as your Savior and Lord consists of believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). After you believe that He is God and that He died and rose again, you become a child of God, and this is where peace begins (1 John 3:1).
Everyone is looking for peace, but often in the wrong places. Jesus gives the peace that surpasses understanding. He wants you to come to Him and have peace. He never wants you to feel weighed down by the anxieties of life. Jesus gives lasting peace, and His peace begins as soon as you accept Him. This peace isn’t something that is hard to obtain, as it is freely given by the Lord Himself.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). The peace that Jesus has given us will never fade away nor can it be taken away. Even if everything around us is falling apart, His peace still remains. While it might take some time before you fully embrace His peace, it is already waiting for you.
Go to Him today and tell Him about your feelings. All of your anxieties, worries, and fears, lay them at His feet. Jesus knows this world is full of hardships and troubles, and He is always more than happy to help us. As Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Even amidst the troubles, Jesus still reigns, and His peace is still shining bright. This is the beauty of His peace. We will feel more at ease by knowing the Lord, fully trusting in Him, and patiently waiting on Him. This doesn’t mean that we will never be anxious again, but it does mean that Jesus can calm any storm, even the storms of our minds and hearts. Submit yourself to Him today and rest at His feet.
With time, you will see His peace wash over you. It may come in small increments or right when you need it. Keep an eye out for His peace and fully embrace it. It is possible to resist Jesus’ peace; therefore, make sure you are keeping an open heart and open mind to Him.
Do you believe that obtaining lasting peace is possible? Why or why not? Will you make the decision today to have lasting peace by accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord? Is there something holding you back from accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord?
Further Reading:
- Philippians 4:4-9
- 1 Peter 5:7
- Romans 5:1-2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The God Who Knows Us Better Than We Know Ourselves is a powerful devotional that explores Peter’s journey from boldness to denial—and Jesus’ divine insight into his heart. It reminds us that even when we believe we’re ready, God’s timing is intentional. Jesus sees not only who we are now, but also who we are becoming. If you’re feeling stuck in a season of waiting or wondering why God hasn’t “put you in the game,” this episode will bring clarity, encouragement, and comfort.
✨ Highlights:
- Luke 22:31–34 sets the scene: Jesus warns Peter about Satan’s plans—and reveals Peter’s future denial.
- Peter, full of confidence, says he’s ready for prison or death… but Jesus knows the truth.
- The devotional reflects on how our zeal doesn’t always match our maturity—and how Jesus intercedes and lovingly guides us.
- Just like Peter, we may overestimate our readiness, but God sees the full picture of our hearts, trials, and future impact.
- Encouragement for believers who feel overlooked or underused: God plays the long game, and His plans are rooted in both mercy and foresight.
💬 Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you!
Have you ever felt like Peter—ready and willing, but waiting on God's timing? Or maybe you've seen how God used a failure to bring about growth in your life?
👉 Share your story with us on Instagram and tag @lifeaudionetwork using #FaithInTheWaiting.
Let us know:
-
- What is God teaching you in this season?
- How has He revealed something deeper about yourself—something you didn’t even see?
- How are you learning to trust the God who knows you better than you know yourself?
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
"Welcome to The Crosswalk Devotional. We're glad to have you listening with us. Today'stopic is [share a few words about the devotional's main theme/topic]. We'll return with thedevotional after a brief message from our sponsors."
Take a 5-second pause, then say, "[Title of devotional] written and read by Deidre Braley."Then, proceed to read the devotional.
The God Who Knows Us Better Than We Know Ourselves
Luke 22:31-34: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you Peter, the rooster will not crow this day until you deny me three times.”
If our faith journeys had mantras, mine would be, “Put me in, Coach!”
I have always been chomping at the bit for God to put me in the game. If the world was a soccer match, I’d be the player on the sideline, jumping up and down with my hand raised screaming, “I’ve got this! Pick me! Pick me!” Sure, my footwork could use some precision and my endurance could stand a boost, but what I lack in raw talent I am certain I can make up for in spirit.
This is how I imagine Simon Peter, too. Peter was the disciple who boldly named Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 16:16), who jumped out of his boat to walk on water towards Jesus (Matthew 14:28-30), and then who leapt out of his boat again to reach Jesus on the shore after his resurrection (John 21:7). He was impulsive, zealous, and earnest, and he seemed to be eager to be used by God.
But on the night of his betrayal, Jesus turned to Peter and told him that Satan had demanded to “sift him like wheat,” and that he had prayed that Peter’s faith wouldn’t fail (Luke 22:31-32). Indignant, Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). It’s clear he believes his faith is solid as the rock he’s been named for; in this moment, he cannot conceive the possibility that it will falter.
This moment is important because it shows that our own understanding of our capacities, abilities, and firmness of faith is not always in alignment with reality. Peter seemed to truly believe that he would go to prison or even death alongside Jesus, but when the moment of testing came, he was not able.
Yet Jesus always knows the state of our hearts and content of our character more clearly than we see it ourselves. He indicates this in the conversation with Peter when he predicts that he will, in fact, deny him three times before morning even comes (Luke 22:34). But here’s something else Jesus sees which we can not: our capacity for growth—where we will be, someday.
Jesus doesn’t turn to Peter and say, “You may or may not make it through this trial. Your faith may or may not crumble. Who knows how things will turn out for you?” He says, “And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32, emphasis mine). He is certain that Peter will not only return with a renewed faith, but that he will also have grown in such a way that enables him to strengthen his brothers, too.
Intersecting Faith & Life
Like Peter, we often think we’re ready for things we are not. We say things like, “Lord, I’m ready to lead,” or “Lord, I’m ready for [insert new opportunity or challenge here].” We are so certain in our own capacities—and resolute in our spirits—that we become frustrated when he makes us wait. Doesn’t he see us jumping up on the sideline, saying, “Put me in, Coach?” Doesn’t he see that we are willing and able? We can see only what we think we want and what we think we should be able to do.
But the fact is, Jesus understands our hearts and abilities better than anyone. And not only that, he sees the trajectory of our lives, and also the version of the person he’s helping us become. In just a blip, he can survey the situation in its totality, seeing the synergy of our past, present, and future.
So when he asks us to wait, it might be that he’s still working on something within us. He recognizes our zeal and spirit—good and wonderful things!—but he’s not just in it for a soccer match. He’s playing the long game. (He’s in it for eternity.)
Today, if you’re feeling ready for a new challenge or opportunity and can’t understand why God hasn’t “put you in yet,” try asking him these simple questions:
God, what are you doing in my life that I can’t see? Would you give me a sense of what you’re working on while I wait?
You might be surprised to find that he not only understands the longings of your heart, but that he also might even teach you something you didn’t know about yourself.
Further Reading
Consider spending some more time reading about Jesus’ interactions with Peter today.
- Matthew 14
- Matthew 16
- Luke 22
- John 21
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Taking the Marriage Plunge: Why Commitment Still Matters
In today’s culture of overthinking, swiping, and fear of missing out, many Christian singles view marriage as too risky. But Lynette Kittle reminds us that God's design for marriage is not based on feelings or flawless partners—it’s rooted in faith, courage, and self-sacrifice, just as Christ laid down His life for the Church (Ephesians 5:25). Whether you’re navigating modern Christian dating or wrestling with the fear of commitment, this devotional offers a fresh and faithful perspective on why marriage is still worth the plunge.
✨ Highlights
- ✅ Christian marriage isn’t about finding the “perfect” person, but being willing to trust God through the unknown.
- ✅ Fear of commitment and the “what-ifs” can keep many from embracing God's purpose for marriage.
- ✅ WWII couples embraced marriage even in crisis—proving love often requires sacrifice over certainty.
- ✅ Ephesians 5:25 calls husbands to love sacrificially—marriage is spiritual warfare, not emotional convenience.
- ✅ In a culture that fears lifelong decisions, trusting God in marriage is a powerful act of obedience.
💬 Join the Conversation
Has fear of the unknown held you back from marriage?
Share how God is shaping your heart toward commitment and faith-filled relationships. Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #MarriageIsWorthThePlunge and join others who are choosing to trust God's vision for love and lifelong partnership.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Taking the Marriage Plunge
By Lynette Kittle
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her”-- Ephesians 5:25
Marriage seemed easier to attain decades ago, when high school sweethearts couldn’t wait to take the giant plunge into Holy Matrimony after graduation.
Young, hopeful, and optimistic, they weren’t really considering all that could go wrong in a marriage, or thinking of the fears and changes that could occur. They just fearlessly took the plunge into it free from over-thinking it and the heaviness of countless “what ifs.”
Also, during WWII, soldiers facing going to war, took the plunge and had the opportunity to wed their sweethearts before shipping out and thank goodness they did, too, or many of us wouldn’t be here today.
Their heartfelt choices to marry before going off to fight helped to keep our nation growing and moving forward, because although thousands of young men would never return from battle, losing their lives in war, many still live on through their wives and children left behind.
Marriage Is for Risk Takers
Sadly, it seems nowadays, marriage is too risky of a union for many singles who over-think and fear how it could go wrong, trying to figure out the worst-case scenarios, keeping individuals at a distance from the very thought of saying “I do.”
It’s paralyzing to countless singles, men and women afraid of missing out or choosing the wrong person, fearful of discovering a spouse isn’t as perfect as they first thought and reluctant to face the unknowns of unexpected struggles and difficulties. They want a sure-fire guarantee that their spouse-to-be is the “right one” and will remain who they think they are in the moment.
As well, having the world at our fingertips has proven to be a bit overwhelming, with the possibility of finding a mate on the other side of the earth through social media, along with the available endless singles showing up daily on online dating sites, as well as the opportunity to swipe a new date multiple times a day.
This global broadening of the dating pool, with the lookout for the next best girl or guy, is keeping men and women from committing, fearful of missing out on their dream person who might just be out there somewhere.
Trending Plunges
Although individuals clamored to join others around the world to take the “cold water plunge,” an act supposedly proving how gutsy and brave they are, are still running the other direction when it comes to taking the marriage plunge.
During WWII, marriage was trendy because it was fueled by thousands of men facing the possibility of going to war and facing death. In comparison, the risk of marriage seemed far less risky than the risks of war.
Still, the commitment to marriage and war seems similar, in that, both in wartime and holy matrimony, men are called on to give their all, including their lives, as the Apostle Paul explains in Ephesians 5:25 calling husbands to love their wives just like Christ loved the Church and laid down His life for her.
Men giving up their lives for their wives began in the Garden of Eden, as explained in Genesis 2:24. “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
Both in wartime and marriage, men are motivated to sacrifice themselves for love, to preserve and hold onto their countries or their marriages, both well worth fighting the battles, enduring the wounds, and triumphing over the struggles.
Interestingly, in looking at history and human behavior, there seems to be a correlation between a culture willing to fight for their country and willing to take the marriage plunge, both based on men being willing to lay down their lives.
Intersecting Faith & Life: If single, are you dodging taking the plunge of marriage based on fear of the unknown and the changes it will bring to your life? If so, ask God to calm your fears and to help you be willing to give up your life in marriage. Seek to trust God in His creation of marriage and be willing to take the plunge.
Further Reading: 7 Things Marriage Isn’t
https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/7-things-marriage-isnt.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Why You’re Exactly Where God Wants You
In Acts 17:26–27, Scripture reveals that God has intentionally placed you in this exact time and place in history. Your location, your generation, your circumstances—none of it is random. God designed your life with purpose so you would seek Him, grow in faith, and reflect His love to others. This devotional encourages you to stop wishing you were elsewhere and start recognizing the divine appointments in your everyday life.
✨ Highlights
- ✅ God’s divine timing is perfect—you were born for this generation.
- ✅ Your location matters—God placed you exactly where He wants to use you.
- ✅ Every opportunity and relationship is part of God’s bigger plan to draw you closer.
- ✅ Spiritual growth happens when we seek God in our current season, not a future one.
- ✅ You reflect God's light best right where you are.
💬 Join the Conversation
How has God shown up in your here and now?
Share your story on social and use #DivinelyPlaced to inspire others to trust God’s timing. Don’t forget to tag @LifeAudioNetwork so we can share how God is working through everyday lives!
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Appointments for You
By: Whitney Hopler
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” – Acts 17:26-27, NIV
I sometimes fantasize for fun about what it would be like to live in other times in history and places in the world. If I had access to a time and space travel machine, I would love to use it to visit all sorts of eras and locations. I would visit my grandfather Jim, who died before I was born, at one of the general stores he operated in the 1930s and 1940s here in Virginia. Then I’d travel over to California to visit some of the classic movie stars whose movies I’ve enjoyed. Dialing back farther in history, I’d travel to meet a variety of world leaders and inventors I admire. Of course, I’d also visit Jesus during his earthly life. Beyond the past, I’d also enjoy traveling to the future – maybe to meet each of my great grandchildren in the places where they’ll be living then. But there’s one important factor in all that: the ability to return to my own time and place. I’d cancel all my trips back into history or forward into the future if they wouldn’t be round trips back to my life here and now. That’s because I want to fulfill God’s purposes for my life as he planned it.
Acts 17:26-27 reveals that God has intentionally placed every one of us exactly where we are, at this specific time in history. He has good purposes for the times and places he appoints for each of us.
God, in his unlimited wisdom and power, determined the exact time you would be born and the specific place where you would live. God has made divine appointments for your life!
Why? The passage says it’s because God wants you to seek him and find him when you reach out. Every situation you face, every person you encounter, and every opportunity that comes to you in your life here and now is part of God’s plan to draw you closer to him by helping you grow spiritually. God knows the spiritual environment of your time and place. He understands the unique temptations and opportunities that exist when and where he’s appointed you to live. God has also given you everything you need to shine a light in the darkness of our fallen world here and now. The people around you – your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and more – are also there by God’s design. God has placed you among them for reasons that relate to his good purposes for all of your souls together. Your unique experiences and perspectives are shaped by your “appointed time and boundaries”. That helps you connect with the people you know in ways that someone from a different era or place couldn’t connect.
Beyond giving you these specific appointments, God is present with you each day as you live them out. As this Bible passage says, God is not far from you. You can experience the wonder of God’s work in your life every day as you pay attention to it and let it inspire you with awe.
So, the next time you find yourself fantasizing about living in another time and place, take a break to pray. Ask God what he wants to accomplish through you right here and right now. Embrace the reality that you are exactly where you’re meant to be, at exactly the right time in history. God has appointed you to live your life in this time and place, and he wants you to make the most of this opportunity by reaching out, growing spiritually, and enjoying a closer relationship with him.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider God’s appointments for your life, reflect on these questions:
- What are some of the unique aspects of this time in history and this place in the world where you currently live?
- How has God blessed you in ways that relate to living in this exact time and place?
- How do you think your specific circumstances may be helping you draw closer to God?
- How can you actively “seek him and reach out for him and find him” in your life today?
- What is one way you can embrace God’s appointments for your life and live out God’s purposes for you this week?
Further Reading
Jeremiah 29:11
Ephesians 2:10
Psalm 139:13-16
Romans 8:28
Philippians 1:6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A deep, personal devotional from Vivian Bricker. When life unraveled after the death of her mother, Vivian found herself standing at a spiritual crossroads. Her story is honest, raw, and deeply relatable. She trusted Jesus for salvation—but everyday faith? That was harder.
Like many of us, she knew the truth in her head before it reached her heart. She believed God could heal and redeem, but wrestled with why He hadn’t stopped the pain in the first place. Yet through grief, studying Scripture, and time in His presence, her fragile faith grew into deep trust—one small act of belief at a time.
✨ Highlights:
- We often trust God with eternity but struggle to trust Him with tomorrow.
- True faith isn’t blind; it’s based on knowing God’s heart and seeing His faithfulness.
- Jesus still turns toward us, sees us, and says, “Take heart, daughter.”
- Faith grows when we take our pain to Jesus instead of pushing Him away.
💬 Join the Conversation:
How has Jesus strengthened your faith through hardship? Share your story with us using #FaithThatHeals and tag @LifeAudioNetwork. Let’s encourage each other to trust Him—one faithful step at a time.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
A Story of Great Faith
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment” (Matthew 9:22).
When I turned eighteen years old, my entire life changed. What was once a life filled with routine and reliable schedules quickly unfolded into a confusing spiral of chaos. After my mom passed away, I didn’t know what to do, and I couldn’t find hope in anything or anyone. However, the one person I knew I could trust was Jesus. I placed faith in Jesus shortly after my mom passed away, and He brought hope into my heart. While accepting Jesus didn’t fix all my problems right away, He gave me comfort.
I was already enrolled at a Christian Bible college, so I was able to start learning about Him more. I soaked up all the knowledge about the Lord, yet I still struggled with one vital piece: faith. I had faith in Jesus to save me from my sins, but I struggled to have faith in Him for the normal parts of everyday life. A part of me was still holding onto the argument that He could have prevented my mom from passing away, and the other part of me just wanted comfort from His love.
As I started to grow in my relationship with Jesus, I began to trust Him more. My faith started to grow, and I began having faith in Him for all things. No matter how big or how small the concern was, I trusted that Jesus could fix it. And He has and I have faith in Him to continue to be by my side. The same is true for you, as Jesus is always by your side and He is worthy of your faith.
When we have faith in the Lord, we are not blindly trusting in Him. Rather, we have faith in Him because we know Him and we have seen His amazing work in our lives. While it is true that Jesus could have prevented my mom from passing, it was her time to go. She was young, but she is no longer in pain. I miss my mom very much, yet I’m glad she doesn’t have to be in pain anymore, and she is with the Lord.
It took me years to finally accept my mom’s death and to see any good that came from it, yet faith helps us to see these things. The more we trust in Jesus, the greater our faith will become. He can work all things out for His good, even bad things (Romans 8:28).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Matthew 9:22 records, “Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.” In broader context, the woman Jesus is speaking to was struggling with an issue of blood. She had been in pain and suffering for 12 years with no help from doctors (Luke 8:43-48). She thought if she could just touch Jesus’ cloak, she would be healed (Matthew 9:21).
The Lord saw her great faith and told her to take heart; her faith had healed her. From that very moment, the woman was cured. Just because of her faith in the Lord, she was cured from her long 12 years of suffering. Through this example, we see the importance of having great faith. We all need to strive to have the same faith as this woman.
We can start applying this type of faith in our lives by trusting the Lord. Rather than only trusting Him with our salvation, we need to have faith that He will provide, care, and protect us from all things. He is completely worthy of our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, read about Him in the Bible, and go to Him in prayer, the greater our faith will grow. With time, our faith can be as strong as the faith of the woman with the issue of blood.
“Dear Lord, please help me to have great faith in You. I have often struggled at times, but I know You are completely worthy of my trust. Help my faith to be just as strong as the woman You healed with the issue of blood. I praise You and I thank You. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.”
How strong is your faith? Is it as strong as the woman with the issue of blood? What ways can you increase your faith in Jesus this week? What is holding you back from trusting the Lord with every part of your life?
Further Reading:
- Proverbs 3:5-6
- John 14:1
- Romans 1:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Don’t Let Anger Win: Reconciliation Over Retaliation
Matthew 5:23-24 reminds us of something radical: God values restored relationships even more than religious rituals.
In this heartfelt reflection, the author shares how God transformed her marriage—not through dramatic breakthroughs, but through a thousand quiet nudges toward humility, grace, and emotional honesty.
Worship didn’t erase the tension overnight, but as she sat in God’s presence week after week, He slowly softened her heart. He gave her eyes to see her husband’s pain, not just her own. And in that holy space, she learned that bitterness may feel justified—but it will never satisfy.
🔥 Key Themes:
- Relationships matter deeply to God—so deeply He tells us to press pause on worship until we pursue peace.
- Anger escalates when left unchecked. Jesus knew that unchecked resentment often leads to destruction.
- Reconciliation doesn’t guarantee perfect resolution, but it keeps your heart soft, open, and aligned with God’s mercy.
- Emotional maturity means choosing connection over being right.
🕊️ “We experience the most peace, in our souls and relationships, when we learn to deal with our emotions before we begin to devalue the other person.”
💬 Join the Conversation:
Where is God calling you to make the first move toward peace? Let’s talk about the beauty (and the bravery) of reconciliation using #FightForPeace and tag @LifeAudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-24, NIV).
As someone navigating through some challenging and confusing relationships, this passage brings me comfort. While it doesn’t guarantee reconciliation, or a life filled with deep, safe, and fulfilling connections—even when I actively pursue such things—it does assure me that my relationships matter to God. In fact, they matter more to Him than my Sunday morning worship and my most generous and sacrificial tithe.
This was a message He often conveyed to me, back when I was a relatively new and extremely immature wife and Christ-follower who’d spent years learning to hold grudges rather than choosing to forgive. Back then, it seemed like my husband and I were always fighting about something. Sadly, in our selfishness and pride, we often cared more about winning an argument than investing in the health of our marriage. If not for God’s gentle, but steady, intervention, we probably would’ve divorced before our daughter’s fifth birthday.
Instead, the Lord nudged me to abandon my childish desire to prove myself right—getting my husband to admit to this, of course, with ample apology—and to choose gentle, gracious love instead. In short, to fight for our marriage, rather than against it.
This often occurred during church. I’d walk into the sanctuary frustrated, ruminating on some perceived injustice, expecting my husband to bridge the gap our anger had created between us. But then, inevitably, once the music started and I began to sing God’s praises, I’d sense Him softening my heart by allowing me to see my husband’s. As I sat in the Lord’s presence, He slowly replaced my bitterness and resentment with compassion and grace. In short, He brought a holy perspective to my otherwise selfish and deceived mind, while reminding me of times when I’d behaved in a similar fashion.
I find it challenging to remain upset with someone for hurting me in the same way I have them or someone else. Not only does this holy realization remind me of God’s mercy toward me, for a lifetime of thoughtless acts. But in that space, I’m also more apt to recall the reasons behind my past behaviors, which helps me view theirs with more curiosity and understanding and less contempt.
The Lord’s love, for me and my husband, and our relationship—elevates my view, helping me to respond to conflict less like a wounded toddler prone to lashing out and more like the mature, Spirit-led adult I am, by God’s grace, becoming. While this might feel like “losing” in the moment, it positions me to win in the ways that matter most.
Living this way also helps me avoid the sting of regret that comes when we feed and unleash, rather than prayerfully process, our anger and make the situation worse, potentially irreparably so.
This seems to be Christ’s warning in His words that follow. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court,” He said in verse 25. Otherwise, we might find ourselves hit with a heavy ruling, a verdict, we didn’t anticipate. Like relationships shattered over matters we could have, by God’s grace, resolved.
This is where I find His instructions in verses 21-22, where He equated hateful thoughts with murder, helpful. In this, He let us know that one doesn’t typically jump from offense to homicide. Most often, murder comes after someone’s hurt turns to a settled anger where they’ve rehashed the emotional blow, attaching other violations to it until they’ve amassed a long list of wrongs that vilify the “offender” while, typically, minimizing the ways they’ve caused the other person pain.
Intersecting Life and Faith
We experience the most peace, in our souls and relationships, when we learn to deal with our emotions before we begin to devalue the other person. That was the message Jesus conveyed when He warned us against calling others worthless (raca in the original Greek), or a fool. May we, God’s beloved, redeemed and empowered children never allow our anger to become so strong and unmitigated that we become unable to see the other person’s value as a human being created in the image of God.
I don’t mean to suggest this is easy. In fact, there are times when doing so will feel excruciatingly hard, if not impossible. But that’s when Jesus’s words at the beginning of the chapter can prove so helpful. When we remember that He sees our pain, every injustice we experience, and promises to reward our every obedient act, we feel less compelled to vindicate ourselves. We’re better able to trust Him to work all things for our good and His glory, and often, He does His most beautiful work in those very relationships we otherwise might have destroyed.
Because our God is for us—for our joy, peace and relational fulfilment.
Further Reading:
Matthew 7:1-5
Colossians 7:1-5
Psalm 34:12-14
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Your Light Matters More Than You Know: May Patterson paints a vivid picture of the firefly—tiny, unaware, yet radiant. It doesn't overthink or second-guess. It just shines. And that’s exactly what we’re called to do as believers.
You don’t have to be flashy or famous. You don’t even need to feel impactful. You just need to let the light of Christ overflow in your everyday life—through kindness, faithfulness, sacrifice, and praise. When you do, you’re fulfilling a God-given purpose that makes this dark world just a little brighter.
💡 Key Takeaways:
- You don’t have to create the light—just reflect the One who is Light
- Small acts of love and faithfulness are sparks that push back the dark
- You may never see the full effect of your light—but it still matters deeply
- When we all shine together, the result is stunning
📖 “Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.” – Matthew 5:16 (TLB)
🕯️ So go ahead—shine on. The world needs your spark.
💬 Join the Conversation:
How are you letting your light shine this week? Share your glow with us using #ShineAnyway and tag @LifeAudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Don’t Hide Your Light Today, Let It Shine!
By May Patterson
Bible Reading:
“Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.” Matt. 5:16 TLB
The firefly’s only purpose (that I know of) is to shine its light in the dark. But does it know how beautiful its light is?
No.
The firefly doesn’t know how shining its one little light produces a wondrous spark in the inky darkness. It can’t see how its light combines with the lights of its pals to make a summer night beautiful.
No, the firefly has no concept of any of these things. It simply shines. And when it does, it fulfills its God-given role.
Maybe we’re like that.
As Christians, we also have a light to shine. It may not seem grand, or important, or impactful—and maybe, it’s not. But when you do what God calls you to do, when you take on an opportunity He places in your path, it provides light, beauty and even a bit of wonder to our dark world.
If we all let our lights shine, it would be quite a show.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
So, what does it mean to “shine your light?” Here’s a few ideas:
- Recognize that you don’t have to produce the light, you simply have to reflect it. So, spend some time with the Lord today. Ask Him to make His face shine upon you and to fill you with His beautiful light.
- Then go out today and shine! Simply let the Lord’s light overflow from your heart. You can do this by reflecting God’s character in all that you do.
Shine brightly today:
- By valuing your children.
- By respecting your neighbor.
- By helping a tired mother carry her load.
- By upholding your marriage vows.
- By being kind.
- By expressing gratitude to God and to others.
- By striving for purity in your speech and thoughts.
- By sacrificing for your family without complaining.
- By forgiving someone who has wronged you.
- By praising the Lord throughout your day.
As you reflect God’s character, you will shine out like a star against the utter darkness of the world. Shining your light brings light, beauty and love into places that desperately need it.
The Bible says:
“. . . Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Phil. 2:14 NLT
Like the firefly, you may never realize how beautiful your light is. You may never see how it impacts others. You may never grasp how it fulfills God’s purpose. But that doesn’t matter. Simply let your light shine, today.
And if we all do that, it will be quite a show.
Further Reading:
Daniel 12:2-4
Phil 2:14-16
1 John 1:5-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Silence the Storm Within
Megan J. Conner writes and speaks with raw honesty about the inner chaos that often begins before our feet even hit the floor. With candid vulnerability, she describes anxious thoughts that arrive uninvited and swirl like storms. But through Scripture—especially Psalm 131 and the calming of the storm in Luke 8—she reminds us of the One who speaks “Peace, be still” to our restless minds.
Even in our spiraling thoughts, God is present. He doesn’t condemn us for the clamor; instead, He invites us into quiet, into trust, and into peace. Like a weaned child resting in safety, our souls can find calm in His embrace.
🕊️ Key Takeaways:
- Like the disciples in the boat, we panic, but Jesus invites us to rest in faith
- The Lord speaks peace into our loudest, most anxious moments
- Identifying when and where anxious thoughts arise helps us proactively respond
- Time in God’s presence—through prayer, Scripture, and worship—brings soul-level quiet
- God is not overwhelmed by your worries; He’s already in the boat with you
📖 “I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.” – Psalm 131:2 (NLT)
💬 Join the Conversation:
When does the “noise” hit you hardest—and how do you seek God’s peace in the middle of it? Share your quieting practices using #StillMySoul and tag @LifeAudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Quieting the Noise
By Megan J. Conner
“Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
Ps. 131: 2 (NLT)
“And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!”
I greet the day with clamoring, incessant thoughts. From the moment I open my eyes, I am bombarded with swirling shouts. Though silent to others around me, the projected worries and cares forecast every worst-case scenario I can imagine. Perhaps you can relate… Like a runaway train, your racing thoughts propel you far down the tracks of anxiety, where you feel the need to grasp for control of something… anything.
My heart feels battle-weary, and my feet have yet to even hit the floor. I grab my cup of coffee and my Bible, sit in my favorite chair, and begin to ask the Lord to calm the seas raging within me.
“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:22-25 (NIV).
Like the disciples in the gospel of Luke, I have a tendency to look at the wind and the waves and panic rather than rest in Him. Why is it that our fears and unwieldy thoughts can so easily overshadow that which we know to be true? Despite my anxious state, I know that the Lord holds all things in His hands. That He is working for my good and not my demise (Rom. 8:28). I know that His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts (Isa. 55:8-9). Yet, when the noise arises, it demands attention. Often it creeps in unnoticed, one thought enters in, then another, until the volume is turned up so loud it starts to drown out my sanity. And then I hear that still small voice whisper, “Where is your faith?”
Though convicted, I repent with gratitude. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, I wouldn’t recognize my downward spiraling thoughts. My mind was wandering towards the darkness, but He beckoned me back into the light. There, I intentionally quiet my soul. I remind myself to be still, and know He is God (Ps. 46:10). And one incessant thought at a time, I surrender each care to the One who walks on water and calms the seas. He says, “peace be still.” He can be trusted. He, and He alone, is in control of all things.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you struggle with clamoring thoughts that steal your peace? Do you feel like it is impossible to quiet your mind? If so, are you able to identify when and/or where you feel most plagued by doubts and concerns?
I have noticed I struggle the most early in the mornings, or when driving in the car. It is so easy to let my mind wander during both of these situations. Can you identify a similar pattern in your life? If so, how does recognizing how or when you are likely to fall victim to runaway thoughts help you to proactively combat them?
Take some time today to pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you when you are most vulnerable to the storms of anxious thoughts. Are there specific moments or situations that trigger such thinking? Once identified, come up with one to two proactive efforts that can help stay the winds of worry. For me, my morning time with the Lord helps quiet the noise that greets me each sunrise, and listening to worship music in the car can help combat the wandering thoughts that so easily creep in while I am driving. I encourage you to seek out your own ways to help quiet your soul.
Further Reading:
Rom. 8
Isa. 55:8-9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Faith Lit the Fire of Freedom.
Lynette Kittle reminds us that the fight for liberty wasn’t just political—it was deeply spiritual. John Adams and other Founding Fathers understood that freedom begins with God. Influenced by the Great Awakening, their pursuit of independence was undergirded by prayer, Scripture, and a firm belief in God’s providence.
From James Madison’s defense of religious liberty to Benjamin Franklin’s reflections on virtue and morality, America’s foundations were built on the understanding that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
🎇 Key Takeaways:
- The Declaration of Independence was born not just of revolution, but of revival
- John Adams envisioned July 4 as a day of “solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty”
- The Great Awakening helped prepare hearts for liberty
- Founders like Madison and Franklin saw virtue and faith as pillars of civil society
- Our freedom today rests on a foundation of spiritual conviction
📖 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
💬 Join the Conversation:
How does your faith inspire you to steward your freedom well? Share your reflections with us using #FaithAndFreedom and tag @LifeAudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
America’s Founders’ Faith behind the Declaration of Independence
By Lynette Kittle
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love”--Galatians 5:13
On July 3, 1776, Founding Father and First Vice President and Second President of the United States John Adams wrote to his beloved wife, Abigail, about the high price of freedom paid to construct the Declaration of Independence.
“You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not—I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States—Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
Adams is also noted as saying that the American Revolution was preceded a generation or so by the spiritual revival in the hearts and minds of the people.
America’s Spiritual Awakening Led to Freedom
As Christian historians believe, the spread of “The Great Awakening” across the colonies greatly influenced and strengthened Patriot leaders leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, where prayer and fasting played a critical role in helping America to establish its freedom.
“The Great Awakening absolutely helped the cause of independence,” writes author, historian, and Providence Forum Executive Director Dr. Jerry Newcombe. “Even before the Great Awakening, the ministers, especially the ones from New England, helped shape the thinking of the Colonists as to their God-given rights. Meanwhile, a lot of Bible-based views were circulating long before the Great Awakening. That movement helped re-awaken people’s commitment to God and the Church.”
Adams supported the spiritual awakening in our country, seeming to recognize and make the connection to where true freedom originates. As 2 Corinthians 3:17, explains, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
As well, in regard to the Declaration of Independence, Adams wrote to his wife, “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other, from this Time forward forever more.”
Faith of Our Founding Fathers
Along with Adams, our Founding Fathers included men who believed in God and His providence in establishing the United States of America.
Called the “Father of the Constitution,” James Madison, who became our nation’s 4th President, was pivotal in the drafting of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.
Beginning as a state legislator in 1776, Madison worked heartedly to ensure there would be no federal religion imposed on citizens. He argued tirelessly for freedom of religion rights during the making of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, demanding the wording be changed from citizens having their religion fully tolerated to having the “free exercise of religion.”
Madison firmly stood his ground and strongly believed the government had no right to direct an individual’s religion because it is a matter of conscience, which he spelled out in his influential petition called “Memorial and Remonstrance,” containing 15 arguments against government support of churches.
Likewise, Benjamin Franklin’s writings recognize and reveal his respect for Christians and how they were influential in lowering crime and raising interest in self-government. During the Great Awakening, it’s estimated that three out of every four colonists became Christians.
Franklin is noted for saying, “A Bible and a newspaper in every house, a good school in every district, all studied and appreciated as they merit, are the principal supports of virtue, morality, and civil liberty.”
Miracles in American History author, historian, and speaker, William J. Federer, writes, “In defending the Declaration, Adams told the Continental Congress, July 1, 1776: ‘Live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence forever!’”
Intersecting Faith & Life: As you celebrate July 4th and the Declaration of Independence, consider the faith of our Founding Fathers behind its creation. Thank God for their fortitude, bravery, and boldness in paving the way for the freedom we in our nation enjoy each and every day.
Further Reading: How the Church Paved the Way for America’s Freedom
https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/america/how-the-church-paved-the-way-for-americas-freedom.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
You were made to shine.
In “Shine Your Light,” Whitney Hopler invites us to reflect on the purpose of our spiritual glow. Just as fireflies light up the night without effort, we’re called to radiate the hope, peace, and goodness of God. Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 5: your light isn’t for hiding—it’s for helping others see Him. When we live in kindness, walk in integrity, and reflect His love, people notice. And that’s the point—not to spotlight ourselves, but to glorify our Father in heaven.
Key Takeaways:
- Your light is a gift from God—meant to shine
- Good deeds rooted in love and faith point people back to God
- Fireflies don’t strain to shine; they glow because it’s what they were created to do
- You were made to shine in the same way—naturally and boldly
- Don’t let the world’s darkness convince you to dim your light
📖 “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16, NIV.
💬 Join the Conversation:
What does letting your light shine look like in your everyday life? Share your story with us using #ShineWithoutFear and tag @LifeAudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Shine Your Light
By: Whitney Hopler
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16, NIV
Every summer, I search for fireflies on my evening walks. I get excited every time I see the lawns in my neighborhood come alive with their tiny, dancing lights. Depending on the species, some fireflies shine white, and others shine yellow, as they illuminate the darkness. They don’t try to hide their glow. They simply shine, by instinct, as God designed them to do. For a few wondrous hours on summer nights, fireflies inspire us to think about how light is greater than darkness.
We often find ourselves facing spiritual darkness in this fallen and broken world. It can feel overwhelming, but we can always find light when we’re surrounded by darkness. That’s because Jesus is the Light of the World who offers everyone hope, and he tells us in this Bible passage that we have spiritual light in our souls that we’re meant to shine brightly.
When you invite Jesus into your life, his loving light begins to shine through you. Your life reflects the reality of God’s hope in a world that desperately needs it – as long as you let your light shine by living out your faith.
Jesus uses two powerful images to illustrate his point. He speaks of a town built on a hill, where it’s visible to everyone. Your God-given light isn’t meant to be hidden; it’s meant to be seen. Jesus also mentions lighting a lamp. No one lights a lamp only to hide it under a bowl. The point of lighting a lamp is to dispel the darkness to help people see. As Jesus says, people place a lamp on a stand, where its glow can reach everyone around it. Your light isn’t just for you. It’s meant to benefit others.
What does it mean to “let your light shine before others”? It means living out your faith in ways that show people God’s light shining through your life. If you do your best to live a holy life, people will see God’s light shining through you. Spend time in prayer, read God’s Word, and seek to understand how God wants you to live. As you do, God’s Holy Spirit will empower you to live in a way that naturally reflects God’s light. You can ask Jesus to help you choose kind words and actions every day, make decisions with honesty and integrity, help people in need generously, forgive people instead of holding onto grudges, and everything else Jesus leads you to do, day by day. The more you do what Jesus inspires you to do, the brighter your light will shine to the people around you.
Jesus says that your good deeds are meant to point people to God. When people see the love, peace, and joy that radiate from you, they should be able to connect it back to the source of that spiritual light – God. Then, they’ll be inspired to glorify God.
Don’t let this world’s darkness dim your unique glow. God has called you to shine the light he has given you as brightly as you can, to show people the way to hope. Just as a town on a hill can’t be hidden and a lamp’s light is supposed to be seen well, your life is designed to reveal God’s love to people who need it.
So, shine on, because the world needs your light!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how to shine your God-given light, reflect on these questions:
- When have you experienced someone else’s light pointing you toward God’s hope during a dark time?
- In what ways do you feel you are currently shining your light?
- Are there any areas in your life where you feel like you’ve been “hiding your lamp under a bowl”?
- What is one small step you can take this week to intentionally “let your light shine” for God?
- How can seeing your good deeds cause others to “glorify your Father in heaven” rather than drawing attention to yourself?
Further Reading
John 8:12
Ephesians 5:8-9
1 Peter 2:9
Isaiah 60:1
Philippians 2:14-16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What matters most when we show up to worship?
In “Relationships Matter to God,” we’re reminded that unresolved conflict—especially in our closest relationships—matters deeply to God. In fact, Jesus said we should press pause on worship if we know someone has something against us. Why? Because our hearts, our humility, and our willingness to seek reconciliation are acts of worship too. One woman shares how God softened her heart during years of marriage struggles, leading her from resentment to grace—and from pride to peace.
Key Takeaways:
- God prioritizes reconciliation over religious ritual
- We can’t truly worship when bitterness is brewing
- Conflict often becomes destructive when left unprocessed
- Christ calls us to deal with our emotions before they harden into contempt
- Forgiveness is a gift we give to others and ourselves
📖 “First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:24, NIV
💬 Join the Conversation:
When has God led you to reconcile before continuing with worship? How did that change your heart—or your relationship? Share your story using #GraceBeforeTheGift and tag @LifeAudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-24, NIV).
As someone navigating through some challenging and confusing relationships, this passage brings me comfort. While it doesn’t guarantee reconciliation, or a life filled with deep, safe, and fulfilling connections—even when I actively pursue such things—it does assure me that my relationships matter to God. In fact, they matter more to Him than my Sunday morning worship and my most generous and sacrificial tithe.
This was a message He often conveyed to me, back when I was a relatively new and extremely immature wife and Christ-follower who’d spent years learning to hold grudges rather than choosing to forgive. Back then, it seemed like my husband and I were always fighting about something. Sadly, in our selfishness and pride, we often cared more about winning an argument than investing in the health of our marriage. If not for God’s gentle, but steady, intervention, we probably would’ve divorced before our daughter’s fifth birthday.
Instead, the Lord nudged me to abandon my childish desire to prove myself right—getting my husband to admit to this, of course, with ample apology—and to choose gentle, gracious love instead. In short, to fight for our marriage, rather than against it.
This often occurred during church. I’d walk into the sanctuary frustrated, ruminating on some perceived injustice, expecting my husband to bridge the gap our anger had created between us. But then, inevitably, once the music started and I began to sing God’s praises, I’d sense Him softening my heart by allowing me to see my husband’s. As I sat in the Lord’s presence, He slowly replaced my bitterness and resentment with compassion and grace. In short, He brought a holy perspective to my otherwise selfish and deceived mind, while reminding me of times when I’d behaved in a similar fashion.
I find it challenging to remain upset with someone for hurting me in the same way I have them or someone else. Not only does this holy realization remind me of God’s mercy toward me, for a lifetime of thoughtless acts. But in that space, I’m also more apt to recall the reasons behind my past behaviors, which helps me view theirs with more curiosity and understanding and less contempt.
The Lord’s love, for me and my husband, and our relationship—elevates my view, helping me to respond to conflict less like a wounded toddler prone to lashing out and more like the mature, Spirit-led adult I am, by God’s grace, becoming. While this might feel like “losing” in the moment, it positions me to win in the ways that matter most.
Living this way also helps me avoid the sting of regret that comes when we feed and unleash, rather than prayerfully process, our anger and make the situation worse, potentially irreparably so.
This seems to be Christ’s warning in His words that follow. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court,” He said in verse 25. Otherwise, we might find ourselves hit with a heavy ruling, a verdict, we didn’t anticipate. Like relationships shattered over matters we could have, by God’s grace, resolved.
This is where I find His instructions in verses 21-22, where He equated hateful thoughts with murder, helpful. In this, He let us know that one doesn’t typically jump from offense to homicide. Most often, murder comes after someone’s hurt turns to a settled anger where they’ve rehashed the emotional blow, attaching other violations to it until they’ve amassed a long list of wrongs that vilify the “offender” while, typically, minimizing the ways they’ve caused the other person pain.
Intersecting Life and Faith
We experience the most peace, in our souls and relationships, when we learn to deal with our emotions before we begin to devalue the other person. That was the message Jesus conveyed when He warned us against calling others worthless (raca in the original Greek), or a fool. May we, God’s beloved, redeemed and empowered children never allow our anger to become so strong and unmitigated that we become unable to see the other person’s value as a human being created in the image of God.
I don’t mean to suggest this is easy. In fact, there are times when doing so will feel excruciatingly hard, if not impossible. But that’s when Jesus’s words at the beginning of the chapter can prove so helpful. When we remember that He sees our pain, every injustice we experience, and promises to reward our every obedient act, we feel less compelled to vindicate ourselves. We’re better able to trust Him to work all things for our good and His glory, and often, He does His most beautiful work in those very relationships we otherwise might have destroyed.
Because our God is for us—for our joy, peace and relational fulfilment.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How do we respond when someone disappoints or offends us?
In “Kindness and Compassion When Dealing with Others,” we’re reminded that while our instincts may push us toward harshness or confrontation, Scripture calls us to something higher—compassion, forgiveness, and restoration. One mom shares how she chose grace over anger after a trusted friend made a poor choice. The result? A restored relationship and a glimpse of God’s heart in action.
Key Takeaways:
- God calls us to handle correction with grace (Eph. 4:32)
- Following Matthew 18 means addressing issues directly—and kindly
- Extending forgiveness models the grace we’ve received
- Gentleness can repair what harshness might destroy
📖 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you ever had to confront someone in love? How did compassion change the outcome? Use #Love&Compassion and tag @LifeAudioNetwork to share your story.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Kindness and Compassion When Dealing with Others
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
My nineteen-year-old daughter came up to me during a wedding reception. “A friend tried to get me to drink alcohol,” she said. She assured me that she had not drunk it, but told me the offer made her feel uncomfortable. Not only that, but the friend told her she would block our view so that her father and I couldn't see what was going on. I was surprised and upset to hear this. I thanked her for telling me this and told her she was right to stand up for what she believed in and refuse the alcohol.
Not only was this situation wrong, but the person who offered her the alcohol was someone who claimed to be Christian. She had just been baptized a few months prior and was a hard-working, intelligent individual. Although we had never had issues with this person before, it upset me that not only would she offer an underage person alcohol, but that she would go so far as to be deceitful about it.
A few days later, I was still upset about this. I was tempted to go to her mother and let her know what had happened. I wanted her to apologize and assure me that it would never happen again. But as I prayed, I felt the Lord impressing upon my heart the need to deal with her in gentleness. Instead of going to her mother, I sent this person a text. I let her know that I loved her, but I also told her that the situation had been brought to my attention.
I asked her to respectfully refrain from ever doing that again. I also let her know that I would never think differently of her, and that all was forgiven. But I did want to let her know that the situation was unacceptable and should never happen again.
A little while later, I received an apologetic response from this person. She told me she was wrong for doing it and let me know she would never do it again. In my flesh, I wanted to deal harshly with her, but as the above verse suggests, I needed to deal with her with kindness and compassion. I also needed to extend forgiveness freely to her, especially since we had never had to deal with this issue before. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and let her know that I still loved her despite the difficult situation, and also assured her I would not speak to her mother about it.
Similar to the above verse, Matthew 18 commands us to go to a person and let them know when they are at fault. It is essential that in the first step of Matthew 18, we approach the person privately and discuss the matter with them alone. This gives them a chance to repent and express godly sorrow for what they've done. We also show them kindness in the wake of their sin. If they do so, we have won them over, and there's no need for future corrective action.
However, if someone is unwilling to repent or unable to do so, the next step in Matthew 18 should be taken. The person should then bring one or two witnesses with them and confront them again. If it remains an issue, it should be brought before the church. However, being brought before the church should be the last step in the process. The Bible does not want us to deal harshly with people. Many verses emphasize the need to restore people gently to the fellowship.
We must never forget that we need forgiveness, just as everyone else does. My flesh wanted to deal harshly with this person, but the Holy Spirit led me to choose the latter option. As a result, our relationship was repaired and restored. She was able to express her feelings and ask for forgiveness, and I was more than willing to give it. Because of all this, God is glorified.
Father, let us be people who treat others with kindness and compassion. Let's remind ourselves that we are all in need of God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Help us to deal with people in love just as God deals with us. Help us to repair broken relationships and deal with people in gentleness, so that the situation can be rectified, justice can be served, and God can be glorified through it all. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Do you treat others with kindness and compassion, or with harshness? What can you do to change that?
Further Reading
Romans 8:28
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Are you doing all the right things—but missing the heart of it all?
In “The Greatest Commandment,” Megan J. Conner reflects on Jesus’ simple but powerful call: Love God with everything, and love others as yourself. It’s easy to get swept up in serving, ministry, and spiritual performance—yet forget our First Love. If our actions aren’t rooted in love, we’ve missed the mark. Megan shares her personal story of learning this the hard way and invites us back to the source of it all: Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- Love is the foundation of every meaningful Christian action
- Our motivations matter as much as our service
- Ministry without love can drift into self-reliance or legalism
- Returning to Jesus renews both purpose and peace
📖 “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” – Matthew 22:37
💬 Join the Conversation:
Where have you seen love make the difference in your walk with Christ? Use #Walkwithchrist and tag @LifeAudioNetwork to share your story.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Overwhelmed by life’s crashing waves?
In “God’s Power is Stronger than Your Challenges,” Whitney Hopler shares the inspiring faith of a small island community literally disappearing beneath rising tides—and how their trust in God’s power sustains them. Psalm 93 reminds us that even when the storm surges, “the Lord on high is mighty.” When problems rise like pounding waves, God’s strength stands firm.
📌 Key Takeaways:
- Why God’s power is greater than even the fiercest storms
- How to find peace when your future feels uncertain
- Encouragement to focus on God’s might—not the magnitude of your problems
- A reminder that God’s power is limitless, even when we feel weak
📖 “Mightier than the thunder of the great waters… the LORD on high is mighty.” – Psalm 93:4
💬 Join the Conversation:
What wave are you trusting God to carry you through? Share your story with us using #God'sTrust and tag @LifeAudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Power is Stronger than Your Challenges
By: Whitney Hopler
“The seas have lifted up, LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea – the LORD on high is mighty.” – Psalm 93:3-4, NIV
Tangier Island, which sits in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, may not exist in a few decades. Rising sea water is eroding Tangier Island so quickly that two-thirds of it has already been lost since people started keeping track of the erosion in the mid-1800s. Scientists estimate that now, about 9 acres of the small island are disappearing under the waters of the Chesapeake Bay every single year. Despite lots of interest from people – including U.S. Congress members – to try to help, no one has raised the money so far to pay for the massive engineering project it would take to stop the erosion. So, the approximately 300 Tangier residents don’t know if they’ll lose their homes and need to move to the mainland. Some homes and yards are already being flooded, I noticed while visiting. Despite the fact that the sea water has lifted up pounding waves and the people of Tangier face a challenging future, their faith is strong. Many of the islanders are active in one of the two church congregations there. The people I talked with on my visit said they were at peace that, no matter what ends up happening to Tangier, they had hope for the future because God’s power would be there to help them. Either God would make a way for the engineering project to be funded and let them stay on the island they love, or God would help them adjust to life in a new place if they have to move. They knew that, somehow, God’s power would be stronger than the challenges they face from the rising sea.
Life often feels like a raging ocean, with waves of challenges crashing over us. Our problems can hit us with such force that they wash away our peace. But Psalm 93 describes God’s mighty power as “mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea”.
Think of the force of crashing waves that are so powerful they reshape coastlines. God’s power is much greater than waves like that. It’s so much greater, in fact, that it doesn’t have any limits at all. Even our hardest challenges are limited. But there is absolutely no limit to God’s power! The same God who created the universe and can calm any kind of storm is the God you can call on to help you with any kind of challenge.
So, when your challenges feel like overwhelming waves crashing over you, look beyond the powerful waves to the greater power of God. Choose to trust that God’s power is really available to you whenever you need it. Remind yourself that God’s power can help you even when waves are still crashing around you and you don’t know how your problems will be solved.
Don’t hesitate to confess your weakness to God and ask him to empower you through the Holy Spirit to overcome the challenges you face. Remind yourself of the truth Psalm 93 describes, that while waves of problems are washing over you, you can count on God’s mighty power to help you. God’s power can be like an anchor you rely on to stay strong and calm during the sea of challenges you go through in life.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how God’s mighty power is so strong that it’s strong enough to help you with any kind of challenge, reflect on these questions:
- What specific challenges are you currently facing that feel overwhelming?
- How does thinking about God’s power being mightier than the sea encourage you right now?
- How can you change your focus from the size of your problems to the greatness of God’s power?
- Remember a time God helped you through a past challenge. How does that memory strengthen your faith for dealing with a challenge you’re facing today?
- What will help you trust God’s unlimited power more in the future?
Further Reading
Psalm 46:1
Isaiah 41:10
2 Corinthians 12:9
Matthew 19:26
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling overwhelmed by the battles you’re facing?
In “God’s Protection for Times of Crisis,” Jennifer Slattery shares a powerful reminder that we’re never alone in the fight. Drawing from Deuteronomy 3:21–22 and her family’s personal story of workplace adversity, she shows how God not only walks with us—but fights for us. Just like the Israelites in the wilderness, we can anchor our faith in the truth that our God is trustworthy, present, and powerful in times of trouble.
Key Takeaways:
- Why hardship often grows our faith more than comfort
- How God uses crisis seasons to build deeper trust and freedom
- Encouragement to move forward even when fear creeps in
- The importance of remembering God’s past faithfulness to fuel present courage
📖 “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” —Deuteronomy 3:22
Listen now on LifeAudio.com or your favorite podcast app.
💬 Join the Conversation:
Where have you seen God fight on your behalf? Share your story using #CrosswalkDevotional and tag @LifeaudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Protection for Times of Crisis
By Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
At that time I commanded Joshua: “You have seen with your own eyes all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. The Lord will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” Deuteronomy 3:21-22, NIV
This was the message God gave our family years ago when my husband transferred into toxic work environment where certain individuals made it their mission to get him fired. Two years prior, he’d left the company to work for their competitors and had returned with a demotion that quickly turned into a promotion when railroad police escorted the former shop director off the property on numerous counts of fraud.
Unfortunately, this left my husband with the difficult task of leading numerous workers who’d benefited from their previous boss’s corruption. They weren’t pleased with the necessary changes Steve implemented, nor the faith that drove him to do so. The union rep even went so far as to email the company president with a list of grievances, which he then tacked to the community board in the break room.
But while this was a stressful time, we chose to believe that God would bring good from it. And He did. The Lord protected my husband, provided for our family, and allowed those watching to catch a glimpse of Himself and His ways.
This has long been God’s pattern. Whereas we might prefer a trouble-free life, it’s often in seasons of hardship that our trust in Him grows the most. He’ll often remove those things that increase our self-reliance while allowing those things that deepen our dependence because He knows that is the only way we can thrive.
That always is, and always has been, His heart—to see His children living completely free; thriving. We see this in His interaction with the ancient Hebrews. The early books of the Old Testament record their story. To paraphrase, God used a man named Moses to liberate His people from 400 years of slavery in Egypt and to bring them into an intimate relationship with Himself. He wasn’t only breaking their physical chains; He was also seeking to free them from the shackles around their souls.
The men, women, and children who lived through the Exodus had experienced years, and for some, decades, of significant, chronic trauma. This hindered their ability to trust the Lord and Moses, their leader and their capacity to envision a hope-filled future. Add to this the fact that they’d spent their lives prior absorbing the influences of growing up in a pagan culture where people worshiped “gods” thought to be selfish, vindictive, fickle, and prone to jealousy.
Considering their background, their tendency to respond to frightening circumstances with a panicked and pathological fight for survival makes sense. As I’ve discussed numerous times on the Faith Over Fear podcast, throughout their wilderness journey, the Lord was teaching them that He was their Provider who they could trust. For forty years, He’d remained tangibly present, faithfully led them each day, satisfied their hunger and thirst in miraculous ways, and protected and defended them in times of danger.
By the time we get to today’s verse, those who left Egypt as adults have died, their children, now grown, have not only witnessed four decades of God’s faithfulness, but they also witnessed and experienced the painful results of their parents’ perpetual lack of faith. (Moses reminded them of this in his “end of life” address.) Now, the people were about to enter a land the Lord had long promised to give them—under a new leader. Moses, the man who courageously confronted Pharaoh, demonstrated an intimate relationship with God, and performed numerous life-saving miracles—by the Lord’s power, of course, wouldn’t be joining them.
Therefore, they had ample reason to feel afraid, but even more reasons to trust in God’s goodness and steady care. Moses reminded them of this in the passage surrounding today’s verse. When confronted with an approaching army, Moses told Joshua, his mentee:
“You have seen with your own eyes all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. The Lord will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you” (Deut. 3:21-22, NIV).
You have seen with your own eyes all that the Lord your God has done …
The people could anchor their faith in experience and in truth. Moses assured them that they could trust the God who had faithfully cared for them for the past 40 years would continue to do so, reiterating His promise to protect, defend, and provide for His children.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Although they no doubt felt afraid, they didn’t have to allow their fear to consume them or halt their steps, because God was bigger and more powerful than any threat they might encounter. Almighty God Himself would fight for them, and He did.
He’ll do the same for us. He sees the battles we face, and how overwhelming they feel. He understands our fight-or-flight responses and those things that challenge our trust. And He speaks to our frightened hearts, saying, “Do not be afraid. I love you. I’m with you, and I’ll fight for you, today and always.”
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling the weight of change?
In “To Everything There Is a Season,” Michelle Lazurek reflects on the bittersweet beauty of life’s transitions—whether you're letting go of childhood moments, entering a new stage of parenting, or simply learning to navigate life’s ever-changing rhythms. Based on Ecclesiastes 3:1, this devotional reminds us that God doesn’t waste a single season—even the hard ones.
Key Takeaways:
- How to grieve and grow through life’s transitions
- Why every season (even the painful ones) has divine purpose
- What farmers, parents, and the Bible can teach us about spiritual seasons
- How to embrace where you are and trust God for what’s ahead
📖 “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” —Ecclesiastes 3:1
💬 Join the Conversation:
What season are you currently in—and what is God teaching you through it? Share using #LifeAudioDevos and tag @LifeAudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
To Everything There Is a Season
By Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Tears welled up in my eyes as I waved goodbye to my daughter, who got on the big yellow school bus, and with its red flashing lights drove off into the distance for the last time. For ten years, I had stayed with my daughter at the bus stop to ensure she got on the bus to start her school day. But today was the last time she would ever get on a school bus. She had just gotten her license and was excited to drive to school. My mind recalled the many years I watched her run to the bus, sit by her friends, and giggle wildly as the bus took off. But there would be no more of that today. That season of her life—and ours—was over.
While it was exciting to watch her grow up and bask in the woman she was becoming, it was difficult not to grieve the loss of that season of life. The innocence of childhood was long past, giving way to the challenges of making new friends, attending high school, adjusting to classes, and navigating relationships. Just as we had always done, we stood by her and ensured that we saw her through every transition she would make.
In life, everything has a season. We are promised that there will be good days and bad days. Those endless days of changing diapers, folding laundry, and staying up for nighttime feedings give way to more exciting experiences, such as attending school, earning good grades, and eventually transitioning into adulthood.
Farmers understand the idea of seasons all too well. There are seasons throughout the year when they must plant the seed, moderate the growth, fertilize the soil, and then dig up the harvest. No farmer expects to remain in the harvesting season for the rest of their lives. They understand that to reach the harvest, there must be planting, weeding, and watering. If they skip a step in this process, their harvest will not be plentiful. It can impact their well-being and ultimately their ability to earn a living. Farmers understand that each season has its purpose, to prepare for the harvest that's to come.
In the same way, the difficulties you may be facing now will give way to better seasons in the future. Today will not always be difficult. There will be seasons in life that you love, and seasons in life that you simply endure. Don't skip through the seasons that are refining you and making you into the Christ-like person God wants you to be. Embrace those seasons and look back to reflect on all that God has done.
What season in life are you in now? Are you in a season of raising children? Are you in the prime of your life, preparing to travel and explore the world? Are you going to work every day, saving up for the eventual season of retirement? Seasons come and seasons go. To have a spring, there must be a winter. Dead leaves that fall to the ground in autumn must happen to allow new life and buds to sprout flowers for the spring.
But remember this: every season has its purpose. God does not waste our pain. Even in seasons of great trial and tribulation, they must happen so that we can get closer to Jesus. Those difficult seasons allow for new birth in our lives. The old self must die to give way to the new self. And it's essential to embrace each season of life as it comes, knowing that even in the worst seasons, there will always be room for better ones in the future.
Father, help us to remember that every season has its purpose. If we are currently experiencing a difficult season of life, let us hold onto the hope that this will not last forever. Please help us to remember that you are using this difficult season to create new growth and new life. To experience new life, we must undergo old, dead growth. Please help us to embrace each season of life as it comes. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Are you currently in a good season or a bad season? How can you embrace and accept this current season?
Further Reading
John 16:33
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Is waiting wearing you down?
In this devotional, Megan J. Conner reminds us that God’s delays are not His denials. Drawing from Habakkuk 2:3 and the fruit-bearing seasons of biblical heroes, Megan encourages readers to trust that every season—especially the slow ones—serves a sacred purpose in God’s perfect timing.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why spiritual growth often happens in the waiting
- How God uses delay to develop character and deepen trust
- Encouragement from Scripture for the dry or uncertain seasons
- A fresh perspective on why “the appointed time” matters more than your timeline
💬 Join the Conversation:
Are you in a waiting season right now? What’s one way you’ve seen God at work behind the scenes? Share your thoughts and encouragement using #AppointedTime and tag @LifeAudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
An Appointed Time
By Megan J. Conner
“This vision is for a future time.It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently,for it will surely take place.It will not be delayed.”
Hab. 2:3 (NLT)
Have you ever longed for the arrival of something significant? Maybe it’s a vacation you have been saving and planning for, a graduation, an upcoming wedding, the birth of your first child, an employment transition, or a relocation across town or cross-country. When these impending milestones stretch out before us, it feels like they will never arrive. We are so excited to experience all that we imagine these moments will carry with them, that it feels like time slows down as we approach the anticipated dates. Creeping, crawling towards the finish line, there can be a sense that the day will never come.
Waiting can be so hard for some of us. Delayed gratification is something many of us struggle with in our modern culture. We are used to getting what we want, when we want it. Though desirable to our flesh, instant fulfillment isn’t always the best thing for us. In many cases, it can be to our detriment. Think of a child who is granted all their heart's desires. What kind of character is produced in such a child? Often, words like spoiled, entitled, demanding, and thankless come to mind. The true nature of the heart cannot help but overflow for others to witness.
“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
Matt. 7:15-20 (NIV).
Our Heavenly Father understands the value of what is forged in seasons of denial and delay. There is something miraculous that occurs as we are forced to wait. The Israelites entered the desert a mixed group of disgruntled travelers, but when they crossed into the Promised Land they were a unified nation. It took forty years in the wilderness to fortify their faith and foster their maturity. It took Noah decades to build the ark. Even Jesus went into the desert for forty days after His baptism before He launched His ministry. There is something sacred and holy about waiting for the appointed time.
A seed is buried in the darkness, with the weight of the soil pressing upon it. Once it has been inserted into the moist dirt, it can easily be forgotten. But come spring and summer, the evidence of life bursts forth. Eventually, those small buds grow into flowers and fruit. And when it has fully matured, and only when it has fully matured, is it ready for harvest.
It is the same with the character of our own hearts. If you find yourself in a season of waiting or uncertainty, know that the Lord is doing a good work in you. Though the pruning may be painful, valuable fruit is being produced.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,” (Gal. 5:22-23, NLT).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you find yourself in a season of waiting? If so, what specific emotions are you experiencing? Are you anxiously anticipating an exciting event? Or perhaps you feel a sense of impending doom as you look ahead toward undesirable circumstances? Or maybe you feel stuck, trapped, or are struggling with a lack of control?
How does understanding God’s good work through denied or delayed outcomes help you hold onto hope during this time? What other biblical stories come to mind when you consider others who were called to wait? How can their testimonies encourage you that you are not alone?
Take some time today to reflect on the scriptures listed for further reading and any other biblical examples you recalled, as we have looked at how faith intersects with life. How do these examples help you remember that there is a time and a season for everything, and God will reveal His plans and His way at the appointed time?
Further Reading:
Ecc. 3:1-8
Ps. 130
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What’s worth more than silver or gold?
In this insightful devotional, Whitney Hopler explores the eternal value of a good name. Drawing on Proverbs 22:1 and examples from America’s founding fathers and mothers, she reminds us that a life of integrity is a legacy far more valuable than wealth.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why your reputation—your “good name”—matters more than riches
- How living with integrity reflects God’s character to the world
- The peaceful confidence that comes from an honorable life
- Why legacy built on character outlasts any financial gain
💬 Join the Conversation:
How do you define a good name? Who in your life inspires you to live with integrity? Share your thoughts with @LifeaudioNetwork and tag #LegacyOfIntegrity to encourage others walking the same path.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
A Good Name Is Important
By Whitney Hopler
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1, NIV
I enjoy reading biographies of the people who helped start the United States – the so-called “founding fathers” and “founding mothers” of my country. One characteristic that connects them is how much they valued their good names over money. Back then, the United States wasn’t rich. The financial situation was unstable, and the people who worked hard to start this nation did so not for silver or gold, but because they believed they were serving an honorable cause. In all parts of their lives, many of the founders did their best to live with integrity. Their personal honor was very important to them. They cared more about being known for living honorable lives than about accumulating wealth.
We live in a fallen, broken world that constantly tells us money is the key to our fulfillment. But Proverbs 22:1 tells us that a good name is more desirable than great riches. It also tells us that to be esteemed – to be highly respected – is better than silver or gold.
What exactly is a “good name”? It’s not just the name your parents gave you. It’s your reputation and your character. Your good name is the positive way people see you and remember you, if you live an honorable life.
Why is a good name so important? It reflects God’s character. God is holy, and he wants us as his children to live holy lives. When we do so, we reflect God’s character to the world and draw people to him. A good name also opens doors, because it builds trust. People are more likely to be friends with you and to do business with you if they know you’re a person who lives with integrity. Living with a good name helps you live with peace, as well. You don’t have to worry about your past catching up to you or your secrets being exposed. There’s a peaceful confidence that comes from knowing you’ve done your best to live honorably with God and other people.
Valuing your good name will help you leave an important and valuable legacy behind. Wealth can disappear quickly. Any kind of crisis can hit you with big bills you didn’t expect and wipe out your savings. If you have any financial investments, market crashes can drain your wealth. There are all sorts of ways you can lose money. But if you’ve built a good name for yourself because you’ve lived an honorable life, your legacy can inspire people for many generations to come. Just like the founding fathers and mothers whose character and contributions inspire me, your own good name can be a powerful legacy of faith in action to people in the future.
You don’t need to be perfect to build a good name. We all make mistakes. But if you do your best day by day to seek God’s will for your decisions and follow through on those decisions with integrity, you’ll develop a good reputation – with God, and with the people who know you. It won’t be easy. Sometimes, you’ll have to make sacrifices in order to do what’s right. But the reward of enjoying a good name is far more valuable than any amount of silver or gold. It’s a treasure that truly lasts.
So, focus on living an honorable life that shows people some of the holiness of the God you serve. Let your reputation direct people’s attention to God’s goodness in your life!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how important it is to live an honorable life, reflect on these questions:
- What does “a good name” mean to you personally? How would you describe someone who has a good name?
- When was a time when someone’s good reputation influenced your decision to trust them or work with them?
- Have you ever witnessed someone sacrifice their integrity for money or personal gain? What happened as a result?
- What are some ways you can work on building or maintaining a good name in your daily life?
- How does knowing that “a good name is more desirable than great riches” change your perspective on wealth and success?
Further Reading
Ecclesiastes 7:1
Proverbs 10:9
Proverbs 22:4
1 Peter 2:12
Psalm 15:1-2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Feeling overlooked or pushed aside?
Keri Eichberger shares a powerful reminder that being passed over by people doesn’t mean you’re passed over by God. Drawing from the story of Mordecai and insights from Kelly Minter, this devotional reveals how God’s perfect plan uses even the painful, unseen moments in our lives for His ultimate glory.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why feeling overlooked isn’t God’s final word on your story
- How God’s timing and plan work behind the scenes—even when we don’t see it
- The powerful example of Mordecai waiting for his moment of honor
- How God redeems our pain for His greater glory
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you ever felt pushed aside, only to see God’s plan unfold later? What helped you trust His timing? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #GodsGreaterGlory and share your story of hope and patience.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Pushed Aside for God’s Greater Glory
By Keri Eichberger
For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)
I dealt with a disappointment alongside one of my teenage kids last night. It wasn’t the first time we’d mulled over a similar circumstance. And to be honest, I don’t even need to mention which kid and what the exact situation was. Because on most days, at least one of the few is confessing a struggle with feeling overlooked by a coach, teacher, fellow student, or even a good friend. And as you may very well know, it can be painful to walk through such insecure moments with a child or someone you love. We want so much for them to be seen for the genuine potential that we see. Bottom line, we hurt deeply when our people hurt. And what makes it hit even harder is that we also know exactly how it feels to feel slighted. How much it hurts when we appear to be underappreciated and pushed aside.
You know this exact feeling don’t you? You’ve walked beside someone who has endured this rough road, and you yourself have had many first hand accounts of the sting of rejection too. Maybe there’s a situation in your midst at this very moment that seems unfair and you’re not quite receiving the treatment and attention you believe your intentions and efforts deserve. I’m there. As I navigate my own sense of questioning why something I’ve poured into has been pushed aside, while others’ seeming parrelled efforts are paying off.
It wasn’t until this morning that conversation opened about the disappointment with said child. Allowing time for the ache of the wound to subside. But when the confession of exclusion finally surfaced this morning, I was ready to offer consoling words of apology for the letdown that must have been. And once I’d offered space for my comforts to sink in, I knew truth needed to be spoken to truly redeem some damage done. A truth I was not so coincidentally studying that prior morning about God’s authority and good plan for the overlooked moments of our lives. A truth we all need to hold on to.
While listening to a video teaching by bible teacher Kelly Minter, she stated, “Don’t mistake being passed over by a person for being passed over by God.” Kelly was working through the book of Esther and recounting the story of Mordecai being honored for saving the King’s life. But here’s the thing, Mordecai had actually saved the King’s life two years prior, without so much as a hint to his rescuer that entire duration. Can you imagine saving the literal life of a prominent person and no one noticing. I don’t know about you, but saving someone’s life doesn’t even compare to the things I’ve felt overlooked for. But eventually, after two years of probably thinking he’d take his deed to the grave—the King was divinely informed. And then celebrated and honored Mordecai in such an extravagant way that made the whole Kingdom aware. You see, what may have seemed pushed aside and passed over, was never actually passed over by God. He just had a bigger and better plan. The truth we need to take with us is this: God has ultimate authority always, and he is always interested in a redemption story that gives him the greatest glory.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
God’s goal of glory tells me that when you, I, or someone we love feels slighted and overlooked—when maybe it doesn’t even seem fair or deserved—there is purpose in each pain point in the process. Yes, in each less-than-ideal instance in our lives, God could have allowed a different scenario that may have been more pleasing to us in the moment. But the way whatever happened has happened, is part of a perfect plan for the best outcome. For his good and more favorable outcome.
For God’s good reason, he has allowed things to go down just as they have. And I hope we can be encouraged today that this is actually a good thing. He sees what we don’t. He sees the radical redemption in the works. He sees his glory that has already come and his glory that he is orchestrating that will continue to come. And the way he is writing the beginning and middle of each and every one of our stories is preparing the greatest ending for his greatest glory.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever wonder what true faith really looks like?
Kyle Norman explores how faith isn’t just something we hold—it’s something we do. Meeting the risen Jesus transforms lives radically, like it did for Saul, Ananias, and Peter. Through their stories, we see Jesus calling each of us to a new way of living marked by grace, change, and bold love.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why faith is an active, life-changing relationship, not just a belief
- How encounters with Jesus transform attitudes, actions, and purpose
- The stories of Saul, Ananias, and Peter as examples of radical change
- How Jesus meets us where we are—no one is beyond His grace
💬 Join the Conversation:
Where has Jesus transformed your life? What change is He calling you to now? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #ChangedByJesus and share your story or favorite Scripture about transformation.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
When Jesus changes lives.
Written and read by Kyle Norman
“Immediately Saul began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:20)
We often use the language of “having faith”, but that makes it seem like faith is a possession we hold. Or maybe faith is a tool that we keep in our spiritual utility belts, only to be used when we need to solve some spiritual problem. But faith, biblically, is a verb – it is an action, a way of life. This is why the followers of Jesus were initially called “Followers of The Way.” Meeting the risen Jesus naturally changes us. Jesus changes our habits, our behaviors, our attitudes, the very way in which we live.
Here’s the thing, scripture continually tells the same story. When people meet the risen Jesus, people meet a Lord who changes their life. There are many examples of this. Take Saul for example. Acts 9 begins by stating that Saul was breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples (Acts 9:1). But if you jump just 20 verses later, we hear that he is in the synagogues proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. That’s quite the change isn’t it! Those two bookend verses highlight that something big must have happened to change this man so dramatically. Of course, there was. Saul had an encounter with the risen Jesus.
The same thing happens to Ananias. As Saul is praying and fasting on Strait Street, trying to make sense of his experience on the road to Damascus, the Lord appears to Ananias. Jesus calls him to go to Saul and pray for him. But Ananias initially expresses some hesitation. He’s heard of Saul, he knows his reputation, he responds to the Lord, questioning if this is really the person he was to go see. But Jesus calls Ananias to step out in bold faith, and to witness and pray for someone he never thought he would.
And then of course there is Peter. Who can forget Peter, lovable, somewhat dim-witted Peter? Not only does Peter deny knowing Jesus, not once, but three times, he does this immediately after he tells Jesus I will never do that! And not only does he deny his Lord, but he also curses himself while doing so. And yet when he meets the risen Lord, affirming his love for him, Peter is called to a new life of ministry and leadership.
All these people have their lives changed because they meet the risen Jesus. Jesus calls them to embrace a different way of life. Saul to accepting the risen Jesus, preaching what he once denied. Ananias, to reach out to someone he never thought he would, and Peter to become the head of this rag-tag movement called “Followers of The Way”. In each person, in ways unique to what Jesus wanted to do in them and through them, Jesus works a transformation.
So, if Jesus changed the lives of all these people, don’t you think that he might come to us and change our lives to?
Intersecting Faith and Life
Isn’t it great that nobody ever works theirs way out of the graceful acceptance of Jesus? There is no one who is deemed unworthy, there is no one for whom Jesus will not come and meet in his grace. At times, it may be tempting to think that Jesus doesn’t want to work in us or through us. We may even fear that a sin, or some insufficiency in our life, may cause Jesus to refuse us.
But, let’s be honest, if Jesus would refuse anyone, wouldn’t he refuse the person breathing murderous threats against his followers? Or if not Saul, surely it would be Peter, right? If there is anyone who would have done something to remove themselves from the blessings of Jesus, it’s that the one who denied him so boldly.
If Jesus does not reject Saul, or Peter, or any of the disciples who turned their backs and ran away, why would Jesus ever refuse us?
Where do you think that Jesus wants to work a change in your life? What might Jesus want to address? Like Saul, is there an action that Jesus might want you to move away from? is there a new direction that Jesus wants you to pursue. Or, like Ananias, is there a person that Jesus wants you to embrace? Or maybe you feel more like Peter. If so, is there a sin that Jesus wants to cover in his love?
Meeting the risen Jesus means meeting the one who transforms our lives. In every case, in every case, Jesus comes and calls us to embrace new life. But we must embrace the voice of Jesus. We must be open to Him and follow Him. So how might you accept the change that Jesus wants to make in you? True, it might involve a process, an about face, and maybe a time of prayer and wrestling, but on the other end of Christ’s work, is a life lived in the grace, forgiveness, and power of the Living God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Cindi McMenamin reminds us that Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him—and find rest. With wisdom from Matthew 11:28-30, she reveals how God’s “burden” isn’t about endless tasks but a call to love Him passionately, freeing us from anxiety and exhaustion.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why Jesus offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light
- How loving God is the greatest “task” and the source of true rest
- The difference between God’s invitation and the heavy burdens we place on ourselves
- How to replace stress and striving with peace through faith and grace
💬 Join the Conversation:
When have you felt weighed down by life’s demands? How do you find rest in God’s love? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #BurdenIsLight and share your story or a favorite Scripture that helped you find peace amid the chaos.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
When There’s Too Much to Do
By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Are you feeling today that there is just too much to do?
I remember a time in my life when I felt like I was drowning under the pressures of my job, in addition to being a pastor’s wife, mother, director of women’s ministries, friend, sister, and daughter. There was so much to do to keep up with family relationships, to keep up the house, to keep up with my job, and to keep up in my walk with God. I literally felt I was drowning in obligations, and continually coming up short.
Today I know that when I begin to feel like that, I’ve taken on more than I was intended to bear. And certainly more than God wants me to bear.
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus told His people to come to Him and find rest because they were carrying burdens too heavy to bear. They were frustrated and failing under the religious system of their day that put heavy burdens on them to live perfectly and obey every letter of the law. Jesus offered them His burden instead—a burden He said was light. What is the burden He offered them and the one God places on us today? What is the one thing He requires of us more than anything else?
One man asked Jesus that same question. And Jesus’ response was: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).
Matthew 11:28-30 in The Message reads like this:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Intersecting Faith and Life
God’s greatest requirement of us is not to do things for Him. It is to love Him. And not to just love Him, but to love Him passionately, desperately, above any other person or thing.
God’s “burden” on us is not a heavy one. In fact, it isn’t a burden at all. It’s a privilege to love the God who sent His Son to die for us. The heavy burdens are the ones we place on ourselves:
- Trying to work out everyone else’s problems when God simply calls us to pray for others and do what we can, and leave the rest to Him.
- Working harder for the church, thinking we must earn His love and grace, when He has already saved us by our faith and His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Seeking to make amends for our past when God has told us He has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12)
When I consider loving Him as my highest obligation and my heaviest burden, it makes all the other things I think I have to do pale in comparison. My to-do list, my project at work, my financial situation—none of those things is as important as loving my God. And therefore, I truly can take His yoke upon me and find rest. There is anxiety and stress in striving to carry my own burdens. There is peace and rest in simply loving Him.
O Lord, for all the times we start to feel weary and weighted down, help us to remember Your invitation to come to You, lay our burdens at Your feet, and find true rest.
Further Reading: Mark 12:28-34
For more on growing closer to the God of rest, see my book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Keri Eichberger invites us to pause and fix our eyes on the steadfast truths of God—even when all we see is cloudiness ahead. Drawing from Psalm 23:6, she reminds us that God’s goodness and love follow us through every shadowed step, offering a future filled with hope beyond what we can imagine.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- How to respond when life feels uncertain and the path ahead is unclear
- Why focusing on God’s unfailing goodness helps clear the fog of doubt
- What it means to “set up camp” on God’s promises amid restrictions and unknowns
- The assurance of God’s presence and blessings no matter how dim the view ahead
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you ever faced a season where your future felt clouded or confusing? How did you hold onto God’s promises? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #PathAheadIsCloudy and share a verse or story that helped you trust God’s goodness through uncertain time.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
When The Path Ahead is Cloudy
By Keri Eichberger
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6)
The other morning I woke with more fog in front of me than usual. I sat in my recliner, peered out the window, and stared at the heavy layer of low clouds blocking every speck of sunshine. Shielding my view of what lay in the distance. And that was exactly the sense that had been settling in my mind and heart. An obstruction of what might be happening beyond my present moments and current focus—a strange swelling sensation of cloudiness within. I couldn’t quite see what God was doing and where he might be leading me. The path ahead seemed cloudier than ever and left me with a sense of shadowed entrapment. And I couldn’t put my finger on why. All I knew is that it felt extremely uncomfortable. And I longed for God's clear vision and sight of a paved path to hope and joy.
I shared my confusion with my husband and suggested to him that maybe I was feeling this way because my current circumstances were so limiting, causing my future to feel more uncertain than ever. Thus, I couldn’t even guess what tomorrow would look like, much less what next week, a few months ahead, or the year’s end might bring.
Do your current surroundings look a little foggy? Is your view ahead clouded with restrictions. limitations. or tons of unknowns? You might not necessarily feel super confined in your present moments, but even if you do have freedom to plot out the points toward your next desired destination, no one really knows what’s next. All we can truly be sure of is what we see right now. That, and the steadfast truths of God.
And this is precisely where I knew I needed to set up camp. Not staring at the thick layer of clouds dimming my uncertain circumstances. But at the truths of God. God’s unfailing, redeeming goodness. And it’s in that laser focus—eyes locked in on him—that we begin to see again. Staring at his perfect love, we start to see the light, gain clearer vision, and see beyond the present. And not the perfect worldly future we may have prior dreamt up—but a bright future nonetheless. Because here is what we can be sure of for our future. With the good Lord as our hearts’ and minds’ delight and desire, our future will be full of goodness.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
When we choose to follow Jesus, and when we fix our eyes on him, we know our Lord will show up with so much goodness and boundless blessings. We know our good God will redeem all things that are hard and hurting right now. Because the Bible promises… his goodness and love will follow us all the days of our life, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this challenging devotional, we’re invited to look beyond the familiar, graceful images of the cross and confront its raw, uncomfortable reality. Drawing from Hebrews 12:1-2, the author reveals how Jesus endured the shame, mockery, and cruelty of the cross — not as a symbol of beauty, but as a testament to His love and faithfulness. This is faith in its most extreme, honest form.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why the cross was the ugliest form of execution — and why Jesus chose it
- How enduring shame and derision reveals Jesus as the pioneer and perfecter of our faith
- Why the cross challenges us to embrace discomfort in our faith journey
- How Jesus meets us in our shame and brokenness, not just in our victories
💬 Join the Conversation:
How has confronting the difficult truths of the cross impacted your faith? What does “enduring the cross” mean in your life today? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #UglinessOfTheCross and share your thoughts or a favorite hymn that helps you meditate on this truth.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The ugliness of the Cross.
“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
How many crosses do you own? Where are they, and in what style? Writing and recording this today, I can see several crosses around me. There is the gold cross I wear on my finger and the silver one around my neck; I also have a wonderfully hand-crafted cross of nails hanging on my wall. These crosses are all artistic, and beautiful.
Such majestic representations of the cross pair well with the regal language we use to describe the cross. We may speak about the victory we receive, or how the cross testifies to salvation, love, and forgiveness. We might sing about the Old Rugged Cross, and how we will cherish it deeply. A favorite hymn of my church growing up was described the cross as erected on “some green hill far away outside the city wall”; It all seems quite regal, quaint, and nostalgic, doesn’t it?
Don’t get me wrong, there is truth in all of this. The cross is a moment of victory and truly love and forgiveness comes our way because of the Cross. But there is a deeper truth that we always must remember: The cross of Jesus was ugly.
Jesus did not die upon some majestic religious symbol. In the ancient world, the cross was a tool of execution, reserved for those deemed unworthy of any respect or dignity. In fact, written in Roman law was the decree than no Roman citizen could be killed on the cross. The cross was reserved for the worst of the worst, declaring them less than nothing. The reason why Jesus died on the “green hill far away outside the city wall” wasn’t because this was a place of scenic beauty; no, it was a place wherein the crucified could be mocked. It was the place of the skull, signifying how cut off the crucified was from all life, love, and provision.
When Jesus hung upon the cross, those standing by Jesus didn’t muse about the love of God, they mocked him. They derided him. They insulted him. “You who could save others, save yourself!” they jeer. “Come down from the cross, if you can,” they cry. And that grand sign above Jesus “This is the King of the Jews” was not written as some statement of faith. This was Pilate declaring defeat over any would be Israelite King.
No. Jesus didn’t take on that which was beautiful or majestic, as if it was something easy and dignified. He endured the cross, taking on its shame. On the cross, Jesus took upon himself, everything that makes us squirm, everything that makes us recoil, everything that makes us uncomfortable.
But it was this that testifies to who Jesus is.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Jesus shows his true nature, he reveals the fullness of himself as the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord of all, not because he escapes the cross, nor transforms it to some easy symbol. No, He proves who he is, and the salvation he brings, by hanging there, and by taking upon himself not an easy or beautiful cross, but one of derision, mockery, and shame. Jesus scorns all that the cross represents; he shows that he is the pioneer and perfector of our faith precisely because he endures the cross, because he takes it on and does not forsake it.
The cross, therefore, is the symbol of faith precisely because it is ugly, because it is extreme, because it is a symbol of shame, abandonment, and derision. The cross is the symbol of faith, it represents everything that is not beautiful, or majestic, or surrounded by pleasantry and Ease. It is a symbol of faith because it is into that place that Jesus entered.
So, today, as you think about the cross, dare to take a moment and be uncomfortable. Dare be affected. Dare to recognize the very scorn and derision that Jesus felt as he hung dying on the cross for you. And allow that fact to teach you that Jesus doesn’t wait for you to feel comfortable and victorious. Jesus doesn’t stand on the sidelines of life trying to avoid the mess. He comes to you in the very place where you might feel the harshest derision, the deepest guilt, and the worst shame. The ugliness of the cross means that Jesus embraces you in all the places where you feel ugly.
So, look to Jesus. Embrace the cross and uncover how the love of Jesus meets us. Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this comforting and deeply personal devotional, Alexis A. Goring draws inspiration from a NOOMA teaching by Rob Bell to remind us that even when we feel forgotten or afraid, God is holding us close. Using Psalm 34:18 and a father’s love as the backdrop, she paints a powerful picture of how God shelters us—even when the thunder is loud and the way home feels far.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why your brokenness is not a barrier, but a bridge to God’s heart
- How Scripture shows God’s nearness in life’s hardest moments
- A moving analogy of God’s love through the eyes of a father carrying his son through a storm
- The reassurance that you’re not just seen by God—you’re held
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you ever sensed God holding you through a storm? What reminders help you trust Him as your guide? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #HeldByGod and share your story—or a worship song that brought you peace.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
When God Holds You Close
By: Alexis A. Goring
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”—Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
Have you ever felt like you were going through hard times alone? Do you ever feel like God is far away and doesn’t care about what you’re facing? Did you ever think that God abandoned you, leaving you to face the storms of life by yourself without adequate shelter and proper care?
If so, then this devotional inspired by a teaching by Rob Bell, is for you. Bell, an American author, once shared a real-life story illustration for NOOMA Small Group Bible Study titled, “Rain”. The story features a father holding his young son close to shelter him as they walk through a violent rainstorm in the woods.
Bell sets the scene: Hewas with his family as they were spending time in a cabin in the woods on the edge of a remote lake that was deep in the middle of nowhere. One morning, he and his son Trace set out to take a walk around the lake at a point of the day where there were clear blue skies, sunshine and birds chirping. At the time, Trace was a little over one year old and he seemed happy and content. Bell was carrying his son in one of those hiking backpacks strapped to Bell’s back.
They set out through the woods to walk around the lake. As they reached the other side of the lake, they were the farthest possible point from the cabin. As they rounded the bend to head back to the cabin, Bell looked up and noticed clouds. Then, it started to rain. At first, only a few drops of rain fell. But soon after, the raindrops grew big and began to fall fast, leading to a downpour. Bell said it was the kind of rain that soaks you to the core, plasters your hair against your head and drenches your clothing.
At first, Trace was okay but as the downpour increased and it started thundering, Trace became more agitated. Soon, he went from whimpering to shrieking as the trees and leaves are no longer provided adequate shelter. The trees started to shake. Trace began to scream loudly with terror in his voice.
Bell then shares what Scripture says about our cries. God says that He listens to us when we cry out to Him. He never ignores the cries of people who feel afflicted. God even says that when you cry, He’s close to the brokenhearted. He’s close to those who cry out. He listens. God never ignores our cries.
Bell continues teaching saying, “There is this false, twisted idea out there among religious people that somehow, you’ve got have it all together to have a relationship with God. Like somehow, God’s only looking for people who have no problems and have it all nailed down and can put on the happy face all the time. Yet, the Scriptures speak directly against this kind of thinking. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden.” The essence of salvation is crying out to God and admitting, “I don’t have it all together.” Bell makes it clear that a key part of our Christian faith walk is about asking God to fix things and step in and rescue us. God invites us to let Him into our problems and trust Him to take care of it.
Finally, Bell challenges his students to think about the storm from Trace’s perspective. He said, “For Trace, the storm is his reality. He sees nothing else! The lightning and the thunder and the trees swaying and the raindrops and the water just dripping off him, it’s all he knows. He sees no reality beyond the storm. What Trace doesn’t realize is that as his dad, I would do anything to get him home.”
Bell goes on to say that when the storm grew more intense, he took his son out of his backpack carrier and wrapped his arms around Trace, pulling him close to his chest and holding him close for the last mile of their walk through the storm. The entire time, Bell whispered into his son’s ear, “I love you, buddy. We’re going to make it. Dad knows the way home. We’re going to make it. I love you, buddy.”
As I listened to this part of Bell’s story, I thought of how our Heavenly Father (God) responds to us much like Bell responded to his son in that situation. God wants us to know that no matter how fierce the storm we’re in, He is with us. The more scared we are, the closer He is to us. God loves us with all His Heart so He holds us close to His Heart and gently reminds us that He will lead us home to safety. The important part to remember is that we’re not just safe when we reach our destination; we are safe in the storm because God is with us through it all.
As Bell wraps up his lesson point, he moves the timeline forward and asks his students to imagine if years later, his son is in therapy and this repressed memory of “the walk” resurfaces. Trace goes to his dad and asks, “Why did you let me go through that for? I thought you loved me. How could you expose me to that storm? Why didn’t you protect me?” Bell said he would feel crushed by this and explain to his son that the walk was one of the most intimate memories of his life with him. It was an experience that he wouldn’t trade for anything.
Bell closes his teaching by reminding us that if we’re bitter or angry because of some things we’ve been through, some storms in our life that we were traumatized by, and we’re wondering that if God really loved us and is there for us then why did He let us go through that, we should know that God held us close through those tough times and assured us gently that He will help us arrive home.
May we be encouraged by the fact that God holds us close to His Heart during times of trouble. May we remember that the scarier the storm, the closer God holds us. He loves us and He will help us arrive home safely because He knows the way. God is our Trusted Guide through this life. We can trust Him with all our heart.
In closing, I’d like for you to listen to and be encouraged by these four songs that support my message and Bell’s story today:
Song of Reflection #1: “Promises” (feat. Joe L Barnes & Naomi Raine) by Maverick City | TRIBL. Listen to it here:https://youtu.be/q5m09rqOoxE?si=_jJx1oG-GjgCmo7h
Song of Reflection #2: “Sometimes He Calms the Storm” by Scott Krippayne. Listen to it here: https://youtu.be/xf-LYslTJWI?si=jyyPkcg7Qw5kjxve
Song of Reflection #3: “My Help” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here: https://youtu.be/DWydssGbUBc?si=XHZVNqoR5NeuOMyD
Song of Reflection #4: “Hold Me Still” by ForeverJones. Listen to it here:
https://youtu.be/atoc53QO7w4?si=4t9_JqZkLZydEUIM
Intersecting Faith and Life: How does it feel to know that you have a Trusted Guide (God) who loves you and will help you survive the storms of life?
Further Reading:
Isaiah 41:10
Psalm 46:1
Psalm 9:9
Psalm 121
Philippians 4:6-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When the world feels broken and your soul is weary, how do you hold on to hope? In this moving devotional, Vivian Bricker reflects on the promise of Revelation 21:5 and shares how slowing down in the midst of personal illness opened her eyes to God’s presence—and His promise to renew all things. With raw honesty and eternal perspective, she offers encouragement for anyone walking through hard seasons.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why noticing God’s beauty in creation can shift your outlook
- How suffering reminds us that this world is not our forever home
- The biblical promise of complete restoration in the New Heaven and New Earth
- An invitation to trust God in the waiting, knowing He’s making all things new
💬 Join the Conversation:
Where have you seen glimpses of God’s renewal in your life lately? What gives you hope when life feels heavy? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #AllThingsNewDevotional and share a moment that reminded you of God’s faithfulness.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God Is Making All Things New
By Vivian Bricker
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Revelation 21:5).
Whenever we spend time outdoors, we are reminded of God’s beauty. This is why I enjoy spending time outdoors. The beautiful blue sky, the shining sun, and the singing birds help me to remember that there is still hope in the world. Since my days are often spent in doctor's offices and clinics, it is a nice break to step outside and enjoy God’s craftsmanship.
However, if we do not pay careful attention to this beauty, we will miss it. I have noticed many times in my life that I have had a habit of rushing and missing out on these beautiful things. Rather than slowing down and fully absorbing the sky or the clouds, I'm just rushing from one place to the next. Ever since I was diagnosed with an autoimmune illness, I have slowed down and started to take note of these parts of God’s creation.
One of my symptoms during a flare-up is extreme lethargy. I cannot move as fast as I would like, so I must take it slowly. This has been a blessing in disguise because it helps me notice all the little things in life: the blooming of the flowers, a few storm clouds in the distance, or the happy face of a stranger as they pass by.
If we slow down enough, we will be able to notice all of these things. However, you don’t have to undergo a traumatic diagnosis to start appreciating all of the things God has placed in the world. Taking time to notice these things will help us have a healthier outlook on life. Even when things are not going upward, God is still good, and He is still in control.
On the other hand, sometimes we can notice all of the bad things in life. It doesn’t take much to notice this, such as seeing our loved ones in pain, being diagnosed with an incurable illness, struggling with mental health issues, or witnessing the death of someone we love. There is hate, bullying, and mass killings going on every day. When we look at these things, we see the world has come a long way from the way God created it.
God created the world perfect, but sin changed everything (Genesis 3:1-24). Illness, sickness, evil, and death sprang into being. This is why terrible things happen in the world. It is not because of God, but rather, it is because of sin in the world. The world has fallen, and it is filled with all of us who are fallen sinners. We get hurt by others, and we hurt others too.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
In the future, God will make all things new. The Bible tells us, “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Revelation 21:5). This is a wonderful promise given to us by God. The fallen world we are living in will be destroyed and created new.
The evil and pain we see today won’t continue for all eternity. There will come a day when light finally reigns. No longer will we see anyone get sick or die. Instead, we will be living with the Lord in perfect harmony. He has blessed us by dying for us, and for all those who place faith in Him, we will be able to see the beautiful creation that is to come.
Therefore, as you slow down and notice these things, trust in God. He is there through the good and the bad. We can appreciate the good while also being aware of sin in the world. Both the good and the bad can help us be encouraged and yearn for better days. One day, all things will be made new, and we will live in the New Heaven and New Earth with God.
We can all lift our heavy hearts in praise for this truth. Regardless of what you are facing today, things will get better. Maybe they won’t get better today, but they will be healed and restored at the end of all things. Lean into the Lord, cultivate your relationship with Him, and focus on Him above anything else.
Have you taken time to slow down and look at the beauty of the Lord around you? In the same way, have you noticed the sin that is so prevalent in the world? How can you appreciate the good while also acknowledging the bad things in the world? How does it feel to know God is going to make all things new?
Further Reading:
- Isaiah 65:17-19
- 2 Peter 3:1-13
- Revelation 21:1-27
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Where do you go looking for joy? In this heartfelt devotional, Whitney Hopler shares a personal story of travel disappointment that led to a powerful revelation: true joy isn’t found in plans or places—it’s found in God’s presence. Based on Psalm 16:11, this episode dives into how joy differs from happiness and why the world can never offer the kind of lasting joy our souls crave.
💡 Key Takeaways:
- Happiness fades. Joy is rooted in relationship, not circumstance.
- Psalm 16:11 reveals three truths: God guides your path, His presence fills you with joy, and His pleasures last forever.
- When everything else disappoints, God remains the source of deep, soul-anchoring joy.
Join The Conversation:
What’s one place you’ve looked for joy that didn’t deliver? How might your week change if you prioritized simply being in God’s presence? Share your reflections and tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #FindingJoy
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Where to Find Joy
By: Whitney Hopler
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” – Psalm 16:11, NIV
I love to travel, and it’s a blessing whenever I have an opportunity to take a new trip. But I’ll always remember the time when I discovered that I couldn’t count on finding joy from a trip. I’d planned lots of fun activities for my family in Amsterdam that didn’t work out. For many months, I’d imagined us enjoying those activities together, only to have some of them fall through. We couldn’t even enjoy the activity we had looked forward to the most – riding bikes together along Amsterdam’s famous canals – because we hadn’t made advance reservations for bikes and they were all rented out from nearby bike shops. On top of that, my phone was stolen on a busy tram. I was so upset that I left my family in our rented townhouse and wandered the streets by myself to cry and pray. As I poured out my disappointment to God, I sensed God leading me to sit down on a bench and just focus on his presence with me. It only took a short time of paying attention to God’s presence to start feeling better. Soon, my sadness evaporated and an incredible amount of joy washed over me. It was just being in God’s presence – not anything else – that brought me the joy I was searching for.
Everyone I know wants to enjoy their lives. But some haven’t found joy yet, because they’re looking for it in the wrong places, like I did when I thought I could find joy by planning a dream vacation. We can chase after achievements, relationships, vacations, and more while hoping that they’ll finally give us the joy we long for. They might make us happy temporarily. But after those happy feelings fade, we’re back to chasing something else.
That’s because happiness and joy are not the same. Happiness happens when our circumstances are good. Joy, however, comes from a deeper source than temporarily good circumstances. Joy is a gift that comes from being connected to God. It’s a deep sense of gladness that comes from knowing God loves us completely and unconditionally. We can experience joy in any kind of circumstances, no matter what.
Psalm 16:11 describes where to find joy. It starts by reminding us that God shows us the path we should walk. Even when we feel uncertain, God promises to lead us on a path that’s full of life – not just existence, but real life, where we live to the fullest. Then it points out that God will fill us with joy in his presence. God himself is the source of our joy! When we draw near to God by communicating with him in prayer and meditation, God meets us with his joy. That joy is strong enough for us to experience in any situation. Finally, Psalm 16:11 says that God gives us “eternal pleasures at your right hand.” The joy God gives us lasts for eternity! It never runs out. We can enjoy pleasures from God forever, because they’re the pleasures of being loved by our eternally loving God.
Looking for joy in this fallen world is bound to disappoint us. But searching for joy in God’s presence will reliably lead us to experiencing it. God gives us real joy, which is something that the world can’t offer and can’t take away. Even in suffering, we can rejoice, because God’s presence is with us in all circumstances. So, we don’t need to worry when we don’t find joy in other places. We can always find joy when we look for it in God’s presence!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider where to find joy, reflect on these questions:
- When have you recently felt happy in good circumstances, but lost that happiness when your circumstances changed?
- Where do you sometimes find yourself looking for joy, instead of through your relationship with God?
- How can you spend more time in God’s presence this week?
- What does it mean to you that God promises “eternal pleasures” at his right hand?
Further Reading
Nehemiah 8:10
John 15:11
Romans 15:13
Philippians 4:4
Isaiah 61:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When everything feels like it’s falling apart, where do you turn? In this powerful devotional, Cindi McMenamin encourages us to place our hope not in answers or outcomes—but in the God who holds all things together. With Scripture, personal insight, and a look at sobering mental health trends, she makes a compelling case for anchoring our hearts in the “God of hope” (Romans 15:13).
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why hope is as essential to the human soul as food and water
- The difference between hoping for answers and hoping in God
- How Romans 15:13 offers a framework for emotional and spiritual resilience
- A call to deepen trust in the One who sustains you, even in the unknown
💬 Join the Conversation:
Where have you found hope lately? What Scripture has helped you stay grounded in tough times? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #SourceOfOurHope and share a verse or story to encourage others.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Source of Our Hope
By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NASB)
When life seems to fall apart, we can begin to wonder why we’re here and if there truly is Someone controlling the grand scheme of things.Where is God? we might wonder. And can He really hold this together?
Research says humans cannot live without food, water, and shelter. It usually takes 40 days or less without any of those elements for the body to die. But scientists and medical experts have now concluded there is one thing humans cannot live without for an even shorter amount of time and that is hope. Without hope, the spirit gives up far earlier.
We need hope—for the future, for a sense of purpose, for the assurance that there is a divine design to life and things really do happen for a reason in the grander scheme of things. We need hope that help will arrive soon for whatever is ailing us.
I’ve heard many believers say they hope that when they get to heaven that God will reveal to them why a loss or difficulty occurred. That sounds like hope in one day gaining answers to the questions we have, or hope in the assurance that there was a reason for our suffering. Yet what you and I really need is hope in the One who holds all things together, including us.
Romans 15:13 tells us He is “the God of hope.” And Colossians 1:17 tells us, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
Intersecting Faith and Life
Because you and I know God in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, we should be the most hopeful people on the planet. And yet studies show that anxiety, depression, and a sense of despondency is at an increasingly high rate today—even among believers. According to Barna Research Group, the top two things U.S. adults are looking for spiritually are inner peace and hope, and that statistic is among believers, as well as unbelievers. (https://www.barna.com/research/year-in-review-2023/)
That tells me there’s a disconnect between believing in God and knowing Him and His character and realizing He is the God of all hope.
Scripture defines faith, in Hebrews 11:1 as “the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen” (NASB1995). If faith is believing what we hope for exists, then clearly having faith in the One who can do all things should make a tangible difference in our lives and our anxiety levels. It should give us hope.
The opposite of hope is doubt, pessimism, or despair. That last condition is one of the leading reasons behind suicide, which is now one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., represented by one death every 11 minutes. (The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher.) In 2021, an estimated 12.3 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.7 million attempted suicide. And this statistic is no longer represented primarily by seniors and veterans. In 2021, suicide was among the top nine leading causes of death for people ages 10-64, and it was the second leading cause of death for children ages 10-14 and adults ages 20-34! (https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html)
Shouldn’t knowing the God who is in control of all things give us the hope and peace we need to survive this world, or at least one more day? Not unless we really trust this God we claim to know. When we truly get to know Him, through His Word, we can trust Him and realize our suffering is for a reason—it is shaping us into the likeness of Jesus.
Don’t give up, my friend. The God of hope, whom Scripture says does not disappoint, can “fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of His Holy Spirit.” And the God of hope holds all things together—including you.
Further Reading: Romans 5:1-5
For more on growing closer to the God of hope, see my books: The New Loneliness: Nurturing Meaningful Connections When You Feel Isolated, andThe New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this heartfelt devotional, Lynette Kittle reflects on the power and purpose of honoring fathers—and how doing so honors God. Through Scripture and personal stories, she reminds us that God designed fatherhood as a reflection of His own love and authority. Even when our relationships with earthly fathers are difficult or broken, God invites us to healing, respect, and honor in ways that please Him.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why honoring your father isn’t just a cultural suggestion—it’s a command with a promise
- How honoring your father connects directly to your relationship with God
- What Scripture says about the cost of dishonor and the reward of respect
- Encouragement for those who have experienced father wounds and need healing
💬 Join the Conversation:
What’s one way you’ve been able to honor your father—either in presence or in memory? Share your thoughts and tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #HonorYourFather as we reflect together on the importance of fatherhood and faith.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
How Honoring Fathers Honors God
By Lynette Kittle
“Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth”--Ephesians 6:2-3
Every few years or so, my birthday falls on Father’s Day, which is especially meaningful to me because it’s a reminder of my being born on my Father’s birthday.
As a child growing up, I loved sharing my birthdays with him. Memories include my Dad and me splurging at Dairy Queen on our birthdays, being able to pick out whatever ice cream treats our hearts desired, whereas we usually just bought a chocolate covered ice cream cone.
As an adult, often living miles apart, we spent fewer birthdays together, but even so, my Dad would send a special birthday card just from him, writing once again like he did every year, how I was the best birthday gift he ever received.
Having a loving relationship with my Dad taught me how to have a loving relationship with God as my Father.
Honoring Fathers Is Not to Be Taken Lightly
Sadly, countless individuals in the world don’t grow up having a loving father, but instead experience very different relationships with their earthly fathers, hindering many from receiving and having a loving relationship with God their Father.
It’s heartbreaking to hear and understandable why some believe it’s okay to kick fathers to the curbside, seeing them as unnecessary and of no importance in their lives. Yet, in honoring fathers, we honor God by honoring His word.
Scripture doesn’t brush over or take dishonoring fathers lightly. Rather, it comes with a heavy cost, as Proverbs 30:11-13 explains. “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; the eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.”
Honoring Fathers Reveres God
Fatherhood has definitely taken a hit over the years, with many individuals seeing men’s position and place in the family, and our culture, as non-essential.
Unfortunately, social media has created platforms where it is way too easy for individuals to say and write whatever they wish about their fathers, and men overall to the world, disrespecting and dishonoring being taken to new levels.
But even though some men may fail as fathers, God doesn’t support disrespecting them because it is dishonoring to Him. As Proverbs 20:20 warns, “If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.”
The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:7 reminds us that man is the glory of God, and that even how we treat men old enough to be our fathers matters to God, as noted in 1 Timothy 5:1.“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers.”
Likewise, as Leviticus 19:32 reminds us, “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.”
Honoring Fathers Honors God
Although society may say it’s okay to dishonor fathers, God’s word does not, and He is still saying, “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old”—Proverbs 23.22
God created the family structure, setting fathers in a place of honor, calling us to honor Him by honoring them. “Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!” (Hebrews 12:9)
Intersecting Faith & Life: If you’re finding it difficult to honor your father, or any father, because of your own experiences with your earthly father, ask your Heavenly Father to heal your heart from the wounds and hurt you may be carrying around in life. Ask Him to show you how to honor fathers in a way that pleases Him.
Further Reading: Why It Is So Important to Honor our Parents?
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/ibelieve-truth-a-devotional-for-women/why-is-it-so-important-to-honor-our-parents.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Where do you find your worth? In today’s devotional, Vivian Bricker shares her personal story of searching for identity in sports, achievement, and relationships—only to discover that true, unshakable worth can only be found in the love of Christ. Rooted in 1 John 4:16, this episode reminds us that God is love, and He alone defines our value. If you’ve ever struggled with self-worth, this is your invitation to rest in the One whose love never fails.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why earthly accomplishments will never satisfy our need for true worth
- How understanding God's love transforms how we see ourselves
- The difference between conditional love and the unchanging love of Jesus
- How to recognize signs of God’s love in your everyday life
💬 Join the Conversation:
What’s one way God has shown His love for you this week? Share your thoughts and tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #WorthInChrist — your story might be just what someone else needs to hear today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Finding Your Worth in God’s Love
By Vivian Bricker
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4:16).
I didn’t come to know Jesus until I was eighteen years old. Prior to this time, I knew of Jesus, but I didn’t actually know Him. He was an abstract idea that didn’t make much sense to me. While my mom would talk about Jesus, I never really understood what she said about Him. In other words, I didn’t understand that He is God or that we can receive salvation through believing in Him.
Therefore, I spent the first seventeen years of my life not knowing about Jesus, the Father, or the Holy Spirit. As one could imagine, this negatively impacted my life in many ways. I wonder sometimes what my life would have looked like if I had known Jesus earlier in life. Maybe I would not have tried to find my worth in the things of this world.
As a kid and a teen, I found much of my identity in sports and music. When I was a kid, I prided myself in being a soccer player and gymnast. Since this worth was found in things I could do, I knew I could lose my worth. If I wasn’t good at these sports anymore, I would lose my worth—and this used to keep me up at night. I feared that if I wasn’t the “best,” all of my teammates wouldn’t like me anymore and that they would stop being my friends.
Now that I know Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I no longer find my worth in other things. Instead, I find my worth in Him. Since my worth is in Him, my worth doesn’t change or waver. It is firm and steadfast in the Lord. Anyone who is still living in a state of finding their worth in other things needs to turn back to the Lord.
Your worth is only found in Him. Trying to find your worth in other things will leave you feeling drained and empty. Similar to how I found my worth in certain sports, maybe you found your worth in being a good student or a good artist. Rather than setting your worth in things that can change, find your worth in Jesus.
Understanding His love helped me understand my worth in Jesus. Without knowing about His love, I would never have known He desired a personal relationship with me. If we are struggling with our worth, we need to turn to Jesus’ love. His love will help us understand our worth and value in His eyes.
Unlike human beings, Jesus’ love for us is not based on outside factors. Instead, it is solely based on Him. The love Jesus has for us is not based on what we do or what we don’t do. It is only based on His sure, steadfast, and perfect love. This is the type of love we can depend on and find comfort in.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Apostle John tells us, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4:16). When John wrote this truth, he wrote it to us. It wasn’t only for the Christian readers who were alive after the death and resurrection of the Lord. Through John’s words, we can rely on God’s love because He is entirely trustworthy, and His love never changes.
The focus of this passage is found when John says, “God is love.” As believers, we need to take this to heart. God is the exact being of love. Without God, there would not be any love. He is the Author of love, and He is also the Author of our lives. Therefore, as believers, we need to find comfort in His love and find our worth in Him. Take hold of the love He has for you; in doing so, you will also take hold of your worth in Him.
Have you ever tried to find your worth in anything besides God in the past? What did this look like? What might change in your life if you accepted God’s love for you? Would it help you accept your worth in Him? Challenge yourself to think of three things that show God’s love for you this past week. What are these three things?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a world that often feels unjust, how do we keep trusting a God who promises to be both just and loving? In today’s devotional, we turn to Psalm 17—David’s heartfelt prayer in the face of betrayal and injustice—and uncover a blueprint for trusting God even when life feels unfair. Whether you're facing false accusations, broken promises, or just the weight of injustice around you, this episode offers hope and healing in the hands of a just God.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why going to God in prayer is our first—not last—response to injustice
- How to pray boldly when you’ve been wronged, just like David did
- The power of declaring God’s character when everything feels out of control
- Why ultimate justice belongs to God—and why that’s a relief
💬 Join the Conversation:
How has God shown you His justice in a difficult season? What does it look like to rest in His timing? Share your story and tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #TrustingGodInInjustice to encourage someone else walking through a hard season.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Trusting God When We Face Injustice
By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!” Psalm 17:1 (ESV)
Devotional
The world is filled with injustice. Just turn on the news or scroll through social media. It doesn’t take long to see all of the problems everyone faces. Everyone is going through something. Most of it is unfair.
Even as Christians, we are not immune to times when people have acted unfairly towards us. In fact, the Bible says in the New Testament we should sometimes expect to be treated unfairly because we believe in Jesus as Savior. How do we trust God, who we believe is all-powerful, when we face injustice?
I believe Psalm 17 helps teach us how to trust God when we have been hurt by others. David is the author of Psalm 17 and this chapter is described as a prayer of David. A brief look at David’s life paints a very clear picture of injustice.
David was told he would be king by God, anointed by the prophet Samual, and for a time loved by King Saul. Over the course of the first part of David’s life, Saul changed his view of David. Saul began slandering, pursuing, and attacking David. In all of this, David had every reason to doubt God’s hand in his life.
Yet in Psalm 17 we read a prayer from a man who obviously still trusted God. In this psalm we can see clearly that prayer is the key. David doesn’t go to his friends, or the people in charge, or even an army. David was wronged, but he goes directly to God. Not only does David cry out to God, he calls on God to act.
How many of us hesitate to call out to God? Maybe we struggle to believe that God is all-powerful. If God was all-powerful, couldn’t he have stopped the injustice? Or if he allowed it, doesn’t he have the power to make it right? Maybe it is because we believe that God doesn’t care. Do you believe that the reason God hasn’t stepped in to make your situation fairis because maybe God doesn’t love you? We might be guilty of believing both things about God, but not David.
David’s prayer cuts right to the chase. David says in verse 2, “Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.” (NKJV) He is saying:“God, I know you care about me and you know what they did was wrong, so do something!”
David recognized that vengeance would not come from himself, but God would make things right! God would avenge the wrongs. Only God has the power to do so and David truly believed God loved him.
David also tells God that he hasn’t done anything wrong. I think we are quick to just pray for forgiveness and we forget we are innocent in some situations. Being treated unjustly means that a wrong was done to us, without it being our fault. It is not prideful to tell God, “I didn’t do anything wrong!” God knows, of course, but reminding ourselves and saying it aloud to God helps to keep our hearts pure. To be able to pray this David must have examined his heart, and after doing so, he declared his innocence.
The rest of the psalm is focused on David declaring who God is and what God will do and has done. This is so important when we pray! It is easy to tell God, “This is what is wrong.” We also like to tell God how we think He should punish the wicked people. But David doesn’t focus on this. Instead, David declares to God, “You will hear me, you will save, you will keep me safe from my enemies.” These are things that reflect God’s character but also His actions.
Focusing our prayers on God’s character and His past and future actions helps us have peace in the present moment. David tells God to punish those who have acted wickedly against him, but then David settles in his heart that eventuallyeverything will be made right. The last verse says, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” (Psalm 17:15 NKJV)
Many scholars believe that David is talking about when he dies, everything will be made right. Others think he is talking about simply going to sleep at night and waking up knowing God would take care of things. Both can be true.
When we pass from this life to the next, God will make all things right. All evil will be punished and God will be the judge. Although it is hard and we want to judge or take matters into our own hands, we can trust God. Ultimately we can rest in the fact that God loves us and He will will punish the.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
David says in Psalm 17:6-7, “I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You.” Pray to God today, telling Him of your innocence and how you have been wronged. Call upon God to act and then rest, knowing He will execute perfect justice.
Further Reading:
Deuteronomy 32:4
Isaiah 30:18
Romans 12:19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We’re all familiar with wanting more—but what if peace came not from getting what we want, but learning to be content with what we have? In this episode, we unpack Philippians 4:11–13 to discover what Paul meant when he said he had “learned the secret of being content.” Whether you’re in a season of plenty or in a season of want, this conversation points you toward the kind of soul-deep contentment that only Christ can provide.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why contentment is not the same as giving up on your desires
- How Paul found peace in both abundance and need
- Three practical steps to cultivate contentment: Remember the season, Practice gratitude, and Trust God
- Why Jesus—not circumstances—is the real source of lasting satisfaction
💬 Join the Conversation:
Where do you find contentment? How has Christ helped you through a season of want or abundance? Share your thoughts using #InSearchOfContentment and tag us at @LifeaudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
In Search of Contentment
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13, CSB)
If there’s one undeniable truth about the human condition, that truth would be that each of us always wants something. That something could be major or insignificant, like a new book, some fresh clothes, a relationship, more money, or a better job. There’s no way to produce an exhaustive list because of our unique desires, but also because our hearts never stop longing for more. We want as children, and we want as adults.
All of this wanting is normal, but normal isn’t always moral or productive. In this case, normal means not being very content in life. Chances are, this describes you or many of the people that you know.
However, this need not always be true. How do we become more content, and what exactly is it? Based on the aforementioned passage from Paul, contentment denotes a mindset of peace that is not contingent upon circumstances. Paul learned how to find peace when having much and with having a little. Based on this testimony, we can tell that to be content does not mean that you don’t want anything at all. Rather, contentment is finding peace with what you have. That can be true of us even while still desiring something else, something more.
Paul also reveals to us the source of his contentment. Certainly, he has worked to attain his mindset, but the basis for this change is his belief that Christ will strengthen him. Contentment is possible because of Christ. Not because of himself or his possessions. That is something we need to recall today.
So often, we find ourselves wanting, but how often do we find ourselves content? If that’s where you want to be, know that, as Paul’s words reveal, we, too, can be strengthened by Christ in this way. We can find peace wherever and with whatever we have in life.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Regarding contentment, we know that we can be like Paul, but what practical steps can we take? Here are three:
Remember the Season
Remember the abundance when you have a little, and remember the little when you have abundance. When you do, you can manage your perspective. Naturally, we all go through various seasons of life. Don’t expect your money to always be the same, nor the condition of your relationships. We gain, we lose, sometimes we try again. Change in life is inevitable. Sometimes those changes are not good, or at least, not what we wanted. When that happens, remember it’s just a season.
Practice Gratitude
You might consider yourself a grateful person, but chances are you can be an even more grateful person. Take some time to consider what you take for granted in life. Maybe you’re grateful to be married, or dating, or have a home or family. However, do you take time to thank God for running water, clean air, shoes to wear, owning a phone, or your ability to use the bathroom? The more reasons we find to be thankful, the fewer reasons we have to be discontent.
Trust God
Trusting God is easier said than done, but nonetheless possible. Paul grew in his faith and learned to believe that whatever ordeal he faced, he could overcome it when Christ strengthened him. That’s the kind of relationship we ourselves can find with Christ. Whether we have a lot or a little, Jesus knows our hearts. He knows what we need, and He’ll provide. If we turn to Him, He can help us overcome anything. More importantly, even if the situation doesn’t change at all, or when we want, Christ can strengthen us to be content.
As humans we are always wanting, but despite our ongoing desires, we can also always be content. With a shift in perspective, we can make Jesus the end result of our search for contentment.
Further Reading (and Listening):
- Hebrews 13:5
- Matthew 6:33
- 2 Corinthians 12:10
- “All I Need” by Forrest Frank & Hulvey
- “Standing In The Need” by The New Life Community Choir
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Grief can feel like being trapped in a dark cave—isolated, disoriented, and overwhelmed. But just as Jesus called Lazarus out of his tomb, He calls you to step out of your own cave of sorrow and into the light of hope. This episode explores how Jesus understands your pain, walks with you through it, and gently leads you toward healing and new life.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why grief can feel like being swallowed by darkness and isolation
- How Jesus compassionately meets us in our pain without dismissing it
- The powerful story of Lazarus and what it teaches about hope after loss
- Why stepping forward in healing often requires help and patience
- Practical ways to begin moving out of grief and into life again
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you experienced grief that felt like a cave you couldn’t escape? How has Jesus helped you take steps toward healing? Share your story with #ComeOutOfYourCave and tag @LifeaudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Come Out of Your Cave
By: Whitney Hopler
“Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.” – John 11:38, NIV
Inside a cave at Mammoth Cave National Park, a park ranger warned our tour group that we would become disoriented when she turned off her flashlight. Then, when we said we were ready, she turned it off and complete darkness descended on us. It was disorienting! The darkness inside the cave was so strong that we couldn’t see anything else. Even our own hands in front of our faces seemed like they weren’t really there, because we didn’t have any light to see them. Darkness seemed like it was swallowing us, until the ranger turned her flashlight back on, and we all breathed sighs of relief.
Grief is like a cave. In this fallen world, we all lose someone or something important to us – through death, the end of a relationship, a job loss, a dream that doesn’t come true, or another kind of painful loss. Grieving can make us feel like we’re trapped in darkness. We may feel like there’s no way out of our caves, because it seems like hope has been buried with what we lost. But Jesus, the Light of the World, never wants us to stay in darkness. Jesus understands our pain, but he also offers us the help we need to move forward from it.
If you’re grieving, Jesus calls you to come out of your spiritual cave, just as he raised his friend Lazarus to come out of a physical cave into a new life of hope.
In John chapter 11, Jesus arrives at Lazarus’ tomb. The people around him are crying. Even Jesus is crying. Jesus understands the pain of loss, and he doesn’t dismiss your grief. But Jesus also doesn’t leave you there. As Jesus is moved with deep compassion, he calls for the stone to be removed from the cave's entrance. Then Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb and back to life!
This wonderful story shows that Jesus meets you in your grief, but he doesn’t want you to remain stuck in it. Jesus cries along with you, but he also speaks life into your darkness. If grief is leading you to withdraw from living your life fully, to close yourself off from other people, or to lose hope for the future, you need to come out of your cave. Jesus stands outside your cave, calling you forward.
Jesus isn’t asking you to ignore your pain and pretend that everything is fine in your life. But he is asking you to trust that God still has more for you beyond your suffering. Jesus calls Lazarus to step out of the tomb, but notice that Lazarus doesn’t walk out fully restored on his own. He’s still wrapped in grave clothes that he needs help taking off. Sometimes, even after you step forward, you need help removing something that binds you, like sadness or anxiety that clings to you. When you feel stuck in your grief, you can turn to Jesus for the help you need to heal. Jesus will help you remove your grave clothes, so you won’t be bound by grief any longer.
So, if you’re grieving, you can rest assured that Jesus understands. Jesus cares about you and is moved by your pain, just as he was at Lazarus’ tomb. But Jesus also has the power to help you walk out of darkness and into the light of hope. He calls you to step forward and to trust him. Jesus is patient, and he stands outside your cave, waiting for you to take steps toward him. One of those steps can be simply saying a prayer, asking Jesus to help you heal. Then Jesus will lead you to take other steps in your healing journey, such as talking to a friend or counselor about your grief and opening your heart to hope again. Jesus won’t rush your healing, but he does call you forward. Will you trust Jesus to roll away the stone from your cave? Will you come out and start walking out of the darkness of despair and into the light of hope? Jesus is waiting to help you.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how to find hope when you’re grieving, reflect on these questions:
- In what ways does grief feel like a cave in your life?
- How does knowing that Jesus cried with grief at Lazarus’s tomb bring you comfort?
- What are some “stones” – some heavy burdens – that might be keeping you stuck in grief?
- How can you give your burdens to Jesus and trust him to help you move forward in hope?
- What is one step you can take today to come out of your cave and embrace life again?
Further Reading
Psalm 34:18
Isaiah 41:10
Matthew 11:28
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Revelation 21:4
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever felt like one of those stubborn sheep—stuck, confused, and not quite sure which way to go? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into the comfort and power of Psalm 23 and what it truly means that Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Even when we resist or wander, His love pursues us, protects us, and reminds us: in Him, we lack nothing.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why Scripture often compares us to sheep—and what that reveals about our nature
- How Jesus leads, protects, and provides as our Good Shepherd
- What Psalm 23 teaches us about God’s presence in both peace and hardship
- How to release control and rest in the safety of God’s guidance
- Why we can confidently say we lack nothing when we belong to Christ
💬 Join the Conversation:
Can you relate to feeling like a wandering sheep? How has Jesus shown up as your Shepherd in difficult moments? Share your thoughts using #GoodShepherdGrace and tag @LifeaudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Jesus Is Our Good Shepherd
By Vivian Bricker
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1).
I went on a mission internship during college for my Intercultural Studies minor, and while I was there, I learned much about the culture, people, and beliefs of the country I was now calling my temporary home. However, one thing that stuck out to me the most in the United Kingdom was the sheep. Anywhere we would go, there would be sheep. Beside the highway, at parks, and randomly roaming along the hills, I would spot sheep—and they were not very smart.
One of the couples from the church I was staying with took me to Dartmoor Park, where sheep were everywhere. After hiking for a few hours and learning about Dartmoor, I was fascinated with the entire area. It was beautiful, so green, and so calming. That was until it was time to go. When we were driving out of the park, a few sheep blocked the exit.
After blowing the horn a few times and motioning for the sheep to move, we were met with a “baa.” After a few more minutes of this, with the car horn alternating with “baa” from the sheep, I started thinking to myself, “How can they be so dumb? Why don’t they just move?” We could have run the sheep over, but they were stubborn and were not moving anywhere soon.
Whenever I reflect on this story, I think about how many times God refers to us as sheep (Psalm 95:7, 100:3). Are we really as bad as the sheep I saw in England? The answer is yes. We are stubborn and don’t want to change our ways, even if that means we might get run over. However, God doesn’t leave us in our stubbornness, unrepentance, and rebellion.
Instead, He picks us up, stands beside us, and meets us where we are. He won’t allow the car to come run us over. He is our Good Shepherd and will protect us from all harm. If a human shepherd cares so much about their sheep, how much more will Jesus care about us? His love is unconditional and never-changing, which means He will always be there for us, keep us strong, and keep us safe.
At times, we may feel that we are far from His protection and goodness, but He is always with us. Even when we feel alone, He is right beside us. Despite our stubborn and unwilling hearts, Jesus still loves us. This love is so great that He left Heaven to be born into the world, live a sinless life, and die for the world's sins (John 3:16-17). We never need to doubt Jesus’ love for us or His protection, goodness, or kindness.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Psalm 23 is the classical psalm that highlights Jesus as our Good Shepherd. Psalm 23:1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” While this psalm contains many other important teachings, we are focusing on how Jesus is our Shepherd, and this truth means we lack nothing. Having Jesus as our Shepherd means we have the greatest protection from our Savior and Lord.
Similar to how a shepherd fights back against wolves and other creatures to protect his sheep, Jesus will protect us from evil. Maybe this won’t be physical wolves or other predators, but He will protect us from every evil attack (2 Timothy 4:18). We can trust in the Lord and find solace in His goodness. Times can feel difficult right now, but Jesus is still in control and will forever be the true King.
All our anxiety, worry, and trouble must be given to Him. We lack nothing because we belong to Jesus. Whatever is bringing our hearts trouble today, we can give it all to Jesus, who will uphold us. Even when we feel we lack something physical or spiritual, we need to remember that in Christ, we lack nothing. He has blessed us with everything we need.
Do you currently relate to sheep? Have you been stubborn or unwilling to listen to God? The Lord is our Good Shepherd. How did this help you see the world in a different light? Because of Jesus, we lack nothing. What does this mean to you?
Further Reading:
- Proverbs 3:5-6
- Isaiah 41:10
- Colossians 2:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When the morning darkness weighs heavy and your soul feels distant from joy, Psalm 42 offers a sacred strategy: remember. In this episode, we dive into what it means to stir up your soul with truth when your heart feels downcast. From spiritual amnesia to determined hope, you'll discover how recalling God's past faithfulness can ignite light in your present darkness—and anchor you in unshakeable peace.
What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why spiritual discouragement often greets us in the morning—and how to face it
- How to follow the psalmist’s example of confronting feelings with truth
- The power of remembering God's past faithfulness in dark moments
- Practical ways to stir your soul toward praise and hope
- Why praising God in advance shifts your mindset and renews your strength
💬 Join the Conversation:
Do you ever wake up feeling spiritually heavy or stuck in darkness? How do you remind yourself of God’s truth in those moments? Share your strategies using #StirUpYourSoul and tag @LifeaudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Stir Up Your Soul
By Megan J. Conner
Each morning, I stumble out of bed in total darkness. I am an early riser so most mornings I am up well before sunrise. This routine is not a natural tendency, rather, it is a proactive choice to rouse my soul out of darkness and into the light. Even when I fall asleep the night before with peaceful assurance and confidence of faith, somehow, my heart greets the new day with apprehension and even dread. It’s almost as if the natural darkness shrouds my spirit and snuffs out my ability to recall the light.
Why is that? Why is darkness so much easier to accept than the promise of light? Why are our minds and hearts so easily consumed by negative projections of bleakness rather than a fixation on optimistic anticipation? When we read through today’s scripture in Psalm 42, we can see this is not a new experience for believers.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?”
Here, the author is clearly dealing with spiritual angst and questions why there is such a disconnect between the mind and the heart. Why must they be at conflict with one another? He knows the truth of God’s goodness, but his heart struggles to follow suit. Though at war with one another, the psalmist doesn’t crumble in defeat. He does not allow his feelings to dictate truth. Instead, he boldly places his confidence in what is unseen rather than what is seen.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God,” (Ps. 42:5, NIV).
Perhaps you find yourself greeting the day with this same apprehension. How can you press through the fog of angst and beckon your soul to look beyond the darkness? You make a choice - an intentional, determined choice to believe the truth over your emotions and circumstances. Like the psalmist, we can force ourselves to remember that which night has caused us to forget.
“These things I remember,as I pour out my soul:how I would go with the throngand lead them in procession to the house of Godwith glad shouts and songs of praise,a multitude keeping festival.” v. 4 (ESV)
Though his soul is weary and downcast at this specific moment, the author recalls seasons when God’s nearness and goodness were evident and joy came easily. He also reminds himself of the Lord’s presence and work.
“My soul is cast down within me;therefore I remember youfrom the land of Jordan and of Hermon,from Mount Mizar.” v. 6 (ESV)
With each recollection, the battle for peace, assurance, and hope is won.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
If you find yourself greeting today in darkness, join me as we declare what we know to be true rather than what we see before us. Before we know it, that first glimmer of sunrise will break through the darkness. We will see light. We will feel light. Then, we will take that first deep breath and our souls will soar.
We will yet praise Him!
This is the day the Lord has made.
We WILL rejoice and be glad in it
(Ps. 118:24)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you greet the day with joy or apprehension? Are there times when you feel as if you are surrounded by darkness and cannot see the light? If so, are you able to identify why your soul is downcast? Perhaps there are hurts or hardships that are weighing you down with doubt or confusion.
Like the psalmist in our passage today, look back through your life and recall moments where you clearly saw God’s goodness and provision at work. Write down each one in a journal or in your notes on your phone. Then, find a few key scriptures that remind you of God’s truths and promises to combat the doubts, fears, or worries you are facing. The Bible says:
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart,” (Heb. 4:12, NIV).
The truth of God’s Word, and the evidence of His work in your life are the keys to peace and freedom from the lies of darkness. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). Intentionally choose to step into His light today. Choose to praise Him.
Further Reading:
Ps. 42
John 8:12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Stillness can feel counterintuitive in a world that glorifies hustle, urgency, and doing more. But in this episode, we explore what it really means to be still before God—and why it’s not about inactivity but about intentional trust. When the world shakes, when life feels loud, Psalm 46:10 invites us to pause and remember who's really in control. Learn how stillness can become your superpower in chaos.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why “being still” isn’t passive but a powerful act of trust
- What Psalm 46 reveals about God’s strength and presence
- The difference between helping and trying to fix everything
- Practical ways to create moments of stillness in daily life
- How knowing God more deeply makes it easier to rest in Him
💬 Join the Conversation:
What does being still before God look like in your life right now? How have you seen Him show up in the quiet moments? Share your thoughts using #StillBeforeGod and tag @LifeaudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Importance of “Being Still” Before God
By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)
Devotional
Be still! Stop moving! The wiggling toddler had a hard time keeping her body from sliding out of the pew into the floor. The pastor’s voice echoed from the pulpit, but it was hard to concentrate because of the ball of energy next to me. Five kids and several years later, I think back on those times when I had my children in church before they could sit still.
It took time, patience, consistency, and maybe a few hundred packs of fruit snacks, but eventually they learned to be still in church. Now, I look down the pew and see all of my sweet children all but grown, sitting quietly, a few even taking notes.
In front of me is a mom of a toddler and as she whispers into his ear and offers a sucker and some coloring pages, I’m reminded that being still is hard for a toddler. But then, it is hard for us as adults to sometimes be still as well.
In Psalm 46 we read some startling and unnerving circumstances surrounding the author. Phrases like “waters roar…mountains shake…nations rage…” certainly relate to the times we are in today. I don’t know about you, but when things are chaotic, I don’t want to just stand there - I want to do something.
Every time my children would fight, I would jump in to intervene. If I saw a need at church, I was the first to put my name on the list to help. If someone was in a crisis, I would lay awake trying to think of ways to serve them.
Psalm 46 reminds me that it isn’t my job to fix everything, but also, it is important that I don’t forget who is ultimately in charge. There are times we should step in and help, or rush to fix a crisis. God has called us to be the “hands and feet” of Jesus, love one another, and bear each other’s burdens.
Being still before God is more than just not acting, it is recognizing and resting in who God is. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know…” Knowing is remembering and learning. What do you know about God? What do you remember God doing in the past? In the first part of the psalm we see the author remembering and calling out truth about God. God is our refuge, strength, and help. God has never stopped being on the throne, even if our world feels out of control and unsettling.
Practically speaking, what does this look like to “be still” before God? I think it means we spend time in prayer and reading His Word. Learning and studying about God helps us to know and trust Him. The more we know about God the easier it is to trust Him. The more we pray and read God’s Word the more our hearts learn how to be still before God.
The psalmist has one phrase in this chapter that highlights a beautiful truth about God. He repeats this phrase, so we know it is a key to the theme of the chapter. The phrase is found in verse seven and verse ten. “The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah”
The last word, “Selah” means to pause and reflect, again a reminder that this verse is so important! How is the author of Psalm 46 able to “be still” before God? He recognizes that God is both personal and powerful.
Look at the words in Psalm 46:7 and 10. God is described as a “Lord of Hosts” and “the God of Jacob.” The first description of God reveals a powerful God who is able to control and dispatch an army of angels. The second is a personal God of a man who really lived - Jacob!
God is both a refuge and He is with us. The first action shows God’s strength while the other a declaration of God’s intimacy with us. As we ponder how God is in control and very personal at the same time our hearts can know true rest.
As we meditate on God’s word in both prayer and reading His word, we will find so much comfort and peace. This is how we rest our hearts and minds on God. This is the importance of being still before God. When we stop striving, working, and worrying, we are able to have peace. We can go to bed* knowing God has the ultimately power to keep us safe and He deeply loves and cares for us.
*(I was wondering if we could link to my podcast here: sarahefrazer.com/podcast)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What keeps you awake at night? What do you have that lays heavy on your heart? How can you go to God in prayer and read His word in order to have peace today
Further Reading:
Psalm 46
Romans 8
Hebrews 12:1-2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever miss something right in front of you—like your keys… or God's hand at work? In today’s devotional, Whitney Hopler challenges us to slow down, tune in, and truly notice the presence of God in our daily lives. Whether it’s a squirrel in the woods or a verse that lands differently, God is constantly speaking—we just need to pay attention. If you’re feeling spiritually distracted or disconnected, this is your reminder to re-engage your senses and your soul.
📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why spiritual awareness takes more than just physical sight or sound
- How daily distractions might be blocking your view of God's work
- Simple habits to help you notice God’s presence (hello, “wonder walks”!)
- The importance of being fully present in a fast-paced world
- Practical steps to tune into the wonder God is already showing you
💬 Join the Conversation:
Can you remember a time when God was at work in your life and you didn’t realize it until later? What helped you finally see it? What is something simple you saw or heard today that reminded you of God’s presence? Share with us @LifeaudioNetwork
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Are You Paying Attention?
By: Whitney Hopler
“Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?...” – Mark 8:18, NIV
In Mammoth Cave National Park, I was looking forward to seeing some wildlife. So, while hiking with a park ranger and a group, I stayed alert to what was happening in the woods around me. After about an hour on the trail, I finally noticed an animal nearby: a squirrel. It was the same type of squirrel I often saw in my own backyard at home. When a squirrel appeared in my backyard, I usually barely noticed it. But when I spotted that squirrel in the park, I was thrilled! Reflecting on my wildlife encounter, I wondered why I’d been so excited by something so familiar to me. It was simply that I had decided to pay close attention to what I was experiencing.
Have you ever looked at something and still missed it? Maybe you walked into a room to pick up your keys and couldn’t find them, even though they were right in front of you in a pile of stuff on a table. Or maybe someone was talking to you, but your mind was somewhere else. So, you heard them, but you weren’t really listening and couldn’t repeat what they told you.
In Mark 8:18, Jesus asks his disciples: “Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?” Jesus wasn’t just talking about physical sight and sound; he was talking about spiritual awareness. The disciples had just witnessed Jesus perform miracles, such as feeding thousands of people with just a few fish and loaves of bread. Yet still, they were missing something important that Jesus was trying to teach them. They were watching, but not seeing. They were hearing, but not understanding.
We can be like that too.
We live in a world that’s full of glimpses of God’s wonderful work around us. God shows us evidence of his wonder every day, through answered prayers, acts of kindness that show his love in action, nature that reflects his creativity, and much more. But how often do we rush through the day without noticing? If we rush from one task to another without really paying attention, we can miss out on God’s wonder, even though it’s all around us.
Just as Jesus points out in Mark 8:18, we have eyes that are meant for seeing and ears that are meant for hearing. We can only do so well when we’re paying attention. That involves being fully present. When we’re paying full attention, we start to notice all sorts of wonder we could otherwise overlook, such as a child’s laughter, a moving piece of music, or a Bible verse that suddenly speaks directly to our situation.
Jesus wants you to discover and fully enjoy the wonder he is constantly bringing into your life. Here are some practical ways you can pay better attention and not miss out on what God is doing:
- Start your day with silent prayer. Before checking your phone or jumping into your to-do list, sit quietly for a few minutes and communicate with God. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see and hear him clearly throughout your day.
- Take “wonder walks.” Go outside without any devices, and take a walk where you intentionally search for something around you that inspires you with awe. If you’re really paying attention, you’re sure to find something that shows you God’s wonder.
- Take wonder breaks during each day to ask God to show you something new. This simple question helps keep your heart and mind open. Pursue lifelong learning as much as you can. As you learn something new, reflect on what it teaches you about God’s love and wisdom.
Our world is full of wonder waiting to be discovered. You won’t miss it if you see with fresh eyes and listen with careful attention.
So, right now, are you paying attention?
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how important it is to pay attention to the wonder of God’s work in your life, reflect on these questions:
- Can you remember a time when God was at work in your life and you didn’t realize it until later? What helped you finally see it?
- What are some distractions that often keep you from noticing God’s presence?
- How can you practice being more present in your daily routine?
- What is something simple you saw or heard today that reminded you of God’s presence?
- How can you create space in your day to listen more closely to what God might be saying?
Further Reading
Matthew 13:16
Proverbs 20:12
Romans 1:20
Psalm 65:8
Psalm 46:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a world that idolizes youth, success, and status, this episode reminds us that God sees far beyond appearances—He looks at the heart. Whether you're feeling overlooked due to age, forgotten in your circumstances, or unseen in your efforts, take comfort in this truth: God values what the world often ignores. Discover how to align your view of others—and yourself—with God’s heart-first perspective.
What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why age, appearance, and accomplishments don’t influence God’s love
- Biblical examples of how God used people powerfully at every stage of life
- What Scripture says about favoritism and how to avoid it
- How to cultivate a heart that God sees as fully committed to Him
- The freedom that comes from living for God’s approval, not the world’s applause
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you ever felt defined by your appearance, age, or status? How has God reminded you that He sees your heart? Share your experience using #HeartOverHype and tag @LifeaudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
It’s A Heart Matter
By Lynette Kittle
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”--1 Samuel 16:7
Sometimes we might believe God’s love is like worldly love, where He loves the young and strong more than the older and weaker. But God doesn’t love like the world loves, or love us more in the prime of life, than when we advance in age.
He doesn’t practice ageism, but loves us as we grow, and even seems to celebrate and enjoy us as we age, like Proverbs 16:31 describes, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.”
As well, Proverbs 20:29, explains how, “The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.”
Unlike some in society discard individuals as they age, God promises in Isaiah 64:4, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
In looking at individuals in the Bible, we see it is true, as God moved miraculously through those well past their 30s,40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and even older, men and women like Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna to name a few.
God Looks Deeper
Just as age doesn’t determine God’s love for us, neither do our accomplishments, status in life, weight, height, or ethnicity.
He doesn’t look at individuals like the masses do, favoring those who excel in sports, entertainment, music, beauty, intellect, fitness, and more, or looking down on those who seemingly have nothing to offer, but rather, God looks past our accomplishments and public accolades, or lack of them, and our family history, to see our hearts.
Luke writes in Acts 10:34-35 “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.’”
Likewise, the Apostle Paul explains in Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Again, in Romans 10:12, Paul says, “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him.”
God Isn’t Partial
Scripture makes it clear that God doesn’t favor young over old, nor does He show partiality to the rich and famous over the homeless person on the side of the road, because God looks at each person’s heart.
Unlike humans, Romans 2:11 clearly spells it out, “For God does not show favoritism.”
He isn’t tempted, like we are, to give in to favoritism. “To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread” (Proverbs 28:21).
James 2:9 takes it even further, letting us know it’s not okay to practice. “But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
God Looks At Our Hearts
God, too, isn’t just casually checking heart conditions; He searches, as 2 Chronicles 16:9 explains, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
He looks at our hearts, because that’s what matters to Him most. When Jesus was asked what is the greatest of the commandments, “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’” (Matthew 22:37).
When we do, He assures us in Psalm 91:14, “’Because he loves me,’ says the Lord ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name.’”
Intersecting Faith & Life: How do you look at people? Do you outwardly, considering their ages, accomplishments, and family history, or do you look deeper at their hearts? If you struggle with seeing others from a worldly viewpoint, ask God to help you look at them the way He does.
Further Reading: “10 Sins that Clutter the Heart and How to Remove Them”
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/10-sins-that-clutter-the-heart-and-how-to-remove-them.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Unity in the body of Christ doesn’t happen by accident—it takes humility, honesty, and the willingness to address sin with grace. In this episode, we unpack the biblical process for reconciliation, based on Matthew 18, and why it's crucial for maintaining purity and unity within the church. Learn how godly confrontation, led by the Spirit, fosters healing and glorifies God.
What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why Matthew 18 is a biblical guide for addressing sin—not just personal offense
- How private, Spirit-led conversations can lead to repentance and restoration
- The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, and why both matter
- Practical steps for apologizing, seeking forgiveness, and restoring unity
- How church unity reflects the beauty of Christ’s bride—spotless and ready
💬 Join the Conversation:
Is there someone you need to reconcile with today? How have you seen God work through moments of humility and forgiveness? Share your story and tag us @LifeaudioNetwork with #UnityInChrist
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Be Unified
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” Matthew18:15
A friend had come into my husband's office to talk. She experienced hurt feelings over things she had perceived were said in a recent conversation. However, what was said and what she perceived were two different things. She sat down in his chair and began to speak. “I forgive you,” she began. She then began to rattle off some things that she felt. She was upset with some decisions that had been made, which made her feel devalued and unappreciated in the church. My husband apologized and told her he was sorry for her feelings. They agreed on ways in which she could be more valued and use her gifts that didn't tax her, but also made her feel appreciated. He walked away from the meeting happy about its resolution.
However, a few months later, we were informed that she had been talking to elders about this issue. The elders felt the matter was settled and were uncomfortable continuing this conversation. The person continued to feel slighted. The leadership ignored her demands, and she left the church.
Every Christian should follow the process outlined in Matthew 18 regarding matters in the church. First, if a person sins against you, you must go directly to them and point out that fault. The point is not to express hurt feelings but rather a particular sin that has been committed. Matthew 18 does not have to be followed if no sin has been committed. It’s essential to meet privately between you to give the Holy Spirit a chance to convict the offender.
It is also important not to bring shame or condemnation to the offended person. Because there's no condemnation under Christ Jesus, we know we can fully accept his forgiveness through Christ. Sometimes, however, we are blinded by those issues in our lives that we don't see. Sometimes we need someone to go and point those things out to us to let us know we have wronged them. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of that sin, it allows us to confess, repent, and enjoy the complete forgiveness that Christ gives us.
Matthew 18 is not used for conflict resolution. It is used to point out sin so that the purity and unity of the church can remain intact. However, it is a good starting point for two people who have difficulty expressing their emotions or having hard conversations. Beginning the process by pointing out someone else's fault gives them a chance to apologize, repent, and continue with the reconciliation process.
Think about someone whom you have wronged. Did that person come to you and let you know about your fault? Was there sin associated with it? If so, it is essential to be convicted of that sin, confess it, and repent of it. If your pride has not allowed you to apologize to that person, do so. It is never too late to begin the process of reconciliation with a brother or sister in Christ. God is glorified when we humble ourselves, apologize, repent, and move toward reconciliation.
God wants his church to be unified. The church is the reflection of God's glory. It is to be a spotless bride waiting for the bridegroom, Jesus, to return to be united in heaven. However, with our sinful natures, that's not always the case. Sins, hard feelings, and harsh words get exchanged, allowing the body of Christ to be divided rather than united. God wants us to be united with him and each other. However, our sinful issues don't always make that possible.
Do what you can to be reconciled with a brother or sister in Christ today. If you have someone with whom you have an issue, especially within your church, it is never too late to apologize to them. If you're too embarrassed to do so, write a letter expressing your remorse over the issue. Give God glory by humbling yourself and apologizing. If a person has wronged you and has not come to apologize, do the work of forgiveness.
Please don't blow it off or sweep it under the rug. Instead, ask the Holy Spirit to remove the pain, hurt, and anger sin has caused. Treat that brother or sister like they've never sinned against you. These things glorify God.
Father, let us be people who humble ourselves and achieve unity. Let us go to a brother or sister in Christ and reconcile relationships today. It is never too late to observe humility and apologize for our wrongdoings. Help us to achieve unity by reconciling with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Is there a person to whom you need to be reconciled? What can you do to do that today?
Further reading
Matthew 5:23-24
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a world obsessed with planning and productivity, it’s easy to assume we’ve got tomorrow under control. But what happens when life reminds us how fragile and uncertain the future really is? In this episode, Whitney Hopler shares a sobering yet hope-filled reflection on how surrendering our plans to God’s will can lead to deeper peace, trust, and joy—no matter what tomorrow brings.
What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):
- Why our lives are more fragile than we often admit—and how that reality invites us to trust God
- The difference between planning with pride and planning with purpose
- How to replace anxiety about the future with peace from God’s presence
- Practical mindset shifts to invite God into everyday decisions
- Why flexibility in faith is key to discovering God's greater plans for us
💬 Join the Conversation:
How have you seen God's plans override your own—in good or unexpected ways? Share your story and tag us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork. We'd love to hear how you're trusting God for tomorrow. #TrustGodWithTomorrow
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Only God Knows What Will Happen Tomorrow
By: Whitney Hopler
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” – James 4:13-15, NIV
Recently, while driving on an interstate road, I saw a car accident up ahead. A driver hit a construction barrier and the car burst into flames. I passed the car as it was completely engulfed in flames, with what looked like the burnt remains of people’s bodies inside. I saw a police car arrive to start blocking traffic. It parked some distance away to stay safe, since the car was ready to explode at any moment. An ambulance was coming, but as I passed the burning car, I felt a deep sense of sadness for the people it was on the way to rescue. It was too late. There were no survivors. All I could do was pray for the people who had started that day expecting to live but ended up dying in that accident.
Life is unpredictable. We make plans, set goals, and dream about the future. But in reality, we don’t have control over what will happen tomorrow. James 4:13-15 warns against making plans with the assumption that we can control our own destiny. These verses remind us that our lives are like a mist – here for a short time and then gone. Keeping that fact in mind can help us trust God, who does have control over the future.
Only God knows what will happen tomorrow.
Many of us like to feel in control. We plan our schedules, organize our work, and set goals for the future. However, life often brings unexpected changes our way. We may encounter good changes (like opportunities we never anticipated) or bad changes (like challenges with our health or jobs). We may even face the end of our earthly lives unexpectedly, like the people in the car accident I saw. No matter how carefully we plan, we still never know what tomorrow holds. But God does!
Does this mean we shouldn’t make plans? No, but it does mean we should hold our plans loosely. Instead of saying: “I will do this,” we should say: “If it’s the Lord’s will, I will do this.” This simple change in mindset shows God that we’re really trusting his good plans for us.
While it’s wise to make plans, we must remember that God has the final say. God’s wisdom is far greater than ours, and he sees the whole picture while we see only a small part of it.
We should seek God’s guidance before making important decisions. Then, we should live with gratitude for each day. Since we don’t know what tomorrow holds, we should cherish the present time. Each day is a gift from God, so we should use it wisely – to love God and others, and to enjoy life to the fullest. Finally, we need to be flexible and trust that God’s plans for us are better than our own. Sometimes, the doors we want to walk through remain closed, and we wonder why. But in time, we often see that God was protecting us from something that was not meant for us. At other times, God redirects us toward something even greater than we could have imagined on our own. If we truly believe that God is good, we can trust that every change God makes to our plans will be good for us.
So, we don’t have to worry about the uncertainty we face in this fallen world. We can choose to let uncertainty motivate us to trust God in deeper ways. When we live this way, we can experience true peace, no matter what happens in the future!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how to trust God for your future, reflect on these questions:
- Do you make some plans without considering God’s will? If so, how can you involve God more in the decisions you make?
- How do you respond when your plans don’t go as expected? How can you trust more that God is in control when you face unexpected changes?
- What are some areas in your life where you need to surrender control to God?
- How can you develop an attitude of gratitude each day?
Further Reading
Proverbs 16:9
Matthew 6:34
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalm 37:5
Romans 8:28
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever started something with fire in your soul—only to find that same fire dimming over time? Today’s devotional explores what it means to press on in our faith journey even when the road gets rough, the passion fades, and everything in us wants to give up. Whether you're in a spiritual slump or simply tired, this episode reminds you: your race isn't over. Jesus is worth every step.
🏃♀️ What You'll Learn:
- Why passion fades—and what to do when it does
- How to guard your heart from spiritual burnout
- Why remembering God's past faithfulness fuels future perseverance
- How Scripture calls us to run with endurance, not perfection
💬 Join the Conversation:
What helps you press on when your passion wanes? We want to hear how God is sustaining you in this season. Tag us @LifeaudioNetwork and share your journey with the hashtag #PressingOnWithChrist.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Pressing On
By Megan J. Conner
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:12-14 (NIV)
Have you ever set an ambitious goal for yourself? One you knew from the start would be a significant undertaking, maybe even life-changing? Perhaps you were inspired by a book you read, a film you watched, or maybe even the passionate pursuit of another as they chased after their dreams. Spurred on by this catalyst, you determined, no matter the cost, you were going to do the thing!
You create a plan and put it in motion, adjusting your lifestyle, attitude, and even interactions with others to prioritize your aspiration. Every day, you rise early or stay up late, you make the necessary sacrifices, and you chase hard after your new objective. But after a time, the struggle begins to get real. The new wears off, and what began as an exciting pursuit now feels like drudgery. You are doing what you’ve done from the start, so what has changed? Your perspective.
Many of us experience this as we grow and mature in our walks with the Lord. We come to faith with great fervor. Zealous for the Lord and His Kingdom, we give it all in those early days of salvation. Like a young couple during their engagement and the honeymoon period, our spiritual lives are brimming with anticipation and promise. We fully believe anything is possible! There is nothing but good ahead of us. And we can’t even fathom a moment where we would feel any different than we do during this season – where passions run high and we would never doubt our purpose or our ability to press on towards our final destination, eternity with Him.
But the truth is, time and the realities of disappointment and hardship in this world wear all of us down. Relationships are hard. Spiritual discipline can feel more like a chore than a blessing. And before we know it, we can become disillusioned. Perspective changes everything. When we lose sight of the finish line, we can easily become weary in well-doing. The Word of God says:
“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Gal. 6:8-9 (NIV).
When we become tired or the daily struggle to maintain our goals feels burdensome, our minds and bodies will provide us every excuse to sit down, take the easy road, or even walk away. The tug of mediocrity invites us to “rest” and focus on the now – what is right in front of us and forsake what we once desired ahead. However, this is the exact moment when we must remind our minds and hearts, militantly if necessary, to look up and out towards our reward – Christ Jesus. Let us not be lulled to sleep but instead fix our eyes on Him. For He is our prize, and when we finish the race and enter into our eternity with Him, the discipline and sacrifice we made will have all been worth it!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:1-2 (NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you passionately pursuing the Lord during this season of life? Or have you lost sight of the goal set before you? Take some time today to recollect those early days of your salvation when intimacy with the Lord was so sweet. Just as it is important to remind ourselves of our love for our spouse when life overshadows romance, so too, is it important to recall God’s profound love in your life. Remember moments where you have sensed His nearness and provision. With renewed perspective, commit again today to press onward to the prize which is Christ Jesus.
Further Reading:
Phil. 3
Heb. 12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What if scrubbing toilets and vacuuming floors could become acts of worship? This episode invites us into a new mindset—one that transforms the mundane into the meaningful. With honesty, humor, and a reminder of God’s generous gifts, you’ll discover how everyday tasks can become sacred when done with the right heart.
🛠️ What You'll Learn:
- Why stewardship is about more than finances—it’s about faithfulness
- How shifting from “I have to” to “I get to” can change your daily life
- What it looks like to clean your home (or do any dreaded task) for God’s glory
- Practical tips for tackling chores with joy and intention
💬 Join the Conversation:
What’s the one chore you usually dread—but are willing to tackle with a new mindset? Snap a pic of your progress or drop a comment about how you're shifting your perspective today. Tag us @LifeaudioNetwork and let’s cheer each other on as we do it all for God’s glory!
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Doing it for God’s Glory
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
At the end of a long work week, the last thing I want to do is clean my house. However, after leaving it untouched for several weeks, it was clear it needed a good cleaning. The floors were dirty and full of crumbs and dog hair. The bathrooms needed a good wipe. All the dishes needed to be done, the appliances needed to be cleaned, and the counters needed to be cleared of crumbs or debris. I knew this needed to be done.
Frankly, I have been putting it off. While I understand that every person is responsible for stewarding the things God has given them. It made me feel like a slave whenever I cleaned up after my husband and children, especially when they came home, made a mess, and did not attempt to help clean or assist in these duties.
One day, the Lord whispered the above verse to my heart. At first, the conviction that this first verse brought stung my soul. However, as I read and meditated on this verse, it became apparent to me: I didn't have to clean; I got to clean. God has blessed us with many wonderful possessions. This included two cars that, although used, were completely paid off, a medium-sized home in a lovely area of an up-and-coming town in Pennsylvania. I must be a good steward of what God has given me. But I hated the fact that I had to do it alone. No matter how much I proclaimed my dissatisfaction, no one stood up to help.
But God was trying to tell me in this verse that he had freely given all these things to me. It was my job to take good care of them. It was not my job to judge whether other people were doing their work. I needed to do what God was calling me to do. I put in my earbuds, played great 80s music, and got to work. I set the timer for 60 minutes. If I did a small chunk of time each day rather than waiting for it to pile up, I'd get through it more quickly and more thoroughly.
Before I knew it, the timer had gone off and I had only gotten to two rooms. It wasn't because I was lazy or procrastinating. Instead, it was because I was enjoying what I was doing. Soon, this chore that I dreaded became something that I stewarded. Because of this switch in my perspective, I could see that even cleaning toilets or wiping down counters full of toothpaste stains meant I was worshipping the Lord.
Because I enjoyed the music in my ears, it made the chores fun. Because I realized that this was all for God's glory and not mine, the time went by much more quickly, and I enjoyed the chore much more thoroughly.
Think about the things you must do in life. Are there tasks that you must do that you put off simply because you hate doing them? How would this switch in perspective change your worldview on that task? When we choose to see that we do everything for God's glory, even the most menial task, we understand that it's not about us but about God. In these things, God is glorified, and we are blessed because we get to have them. A switch in perspective from what we have to do to what we get to do changes the way we see things in life. Many people would be more than happy to have my home. I needed to start being grateful and stop taking things for granted.
God owes us nothing. However, he gives us everything freely through the riches afforded us by Christ Jesus. When we understand and stop taking for granted the things that God has given us and steward them well by working hard on even the most menial tasks, we are blessed and we get to bless God in the process.
Father, let us be people who steward our possessions well. Let us see even the most mundane tasks from the perspective that they are all for your glory. Help us not to become discouraged and frustrated, but happy and full of joy, because we know that ultimately, through this task, you get the glory, and we do not. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Is there a task you hate to do? How would this change in perspective help you do this chore with joy?
Further Reading
Proverbs 3:5-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Today’s devotional takes us deep into the compassionate heart of Jesus. In a world loud with noise and performance, Christ shows us a love that is deeply personal, quietly powerful, and beautifully intentional. Jennifer Slattery unpacks the healing of a deaf man in Mark 7 to reveal how Jesus doesn’t just care for the crowd—He cherishes the individual. This story is a powerful reminder that God sees you, values you, and offers healing not as a show, but as an intimate act of love.
What You'll Learn:
- Why Jesus may have taken the deaf man aside before healing him
- How Christ’s actions protect dignity and demonstrate personal compassion
- The difference between public miracles and private moments of grace
- What this tells us about how God views you—not as a project, but as a person
💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you ever experienced a quiet, personal moment with God that changed everything? Share how Jesus has shown you His tenderness and love—and tag someone who could use a reminder that they are seen, known, and deeply loved by the Savior.
Tell us about it with #LifeaudioNetwork. Your story might just be the hope someone else needs today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Christ’s Tender Love for the Wounded
by Jennifer Slattery
31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.
33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.
36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. - Mark 7:31-36 NIV
The more I study Scripture, the more I’m touched by the tenderness Christ often displayed. In Matthew 19, He stopped, in the middle of teaching important truths to adults, to draw children close. In Mark 5, we read about how He healed a bleeding woman who’d spent twelve years living in shame, and called her daughter in front of the watching crowd. He touched lepers, defended the oppressed, and, it seems, protected a newly healed deaf man from becoming a spectacle before the curious masses.
Granted my assumption is, well, assumption, but do you find it intriguing that Jesus asked this man and his friends, or family, not to tell others about this healing? While this wasn’t the only time Jesus gave such instructions, He didn’t always do so. In fact, I’m only aware of a handful of times. During one, scholars suggest He wanted to keep the crowds from making Him king by force and the Pharisee’s hostility from turning homicidal before His final earthly Passover. In another, He silenced demons—that makes sense, right, and provides a great example for how we should deal with the devil and his minions—by refusing to listen to anything they have to say.
But those circumstances don’t appear to apply to today’s passage. Consider, after healing a royal official’s son from a terminal illness in John 4, we don’t read any indication that Jesus wanted the parents to keep the miracle to themselves. Nor did He give such instructions to any of the five thousand men and an unnamed number of women and children fed from one boy’s lunch in John 6. That was quite a public event the news of which would’ve spread throughout the region.
Notice also what we read in Matthew 8. According to verses 16,
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
Obviously, He didn’t do this in secret, nor, do we read Him telling any of them to keep their healing quiet.
So, again, why did He do so when it came to the deaf man in Mark 7? While Scripture doesn’t reveal this directly, the text seems to provide some clues.
First, we read that this event occurred in the predominantly Gentile area known as the Decapolis. It seems unlikely, then, that He worried about increasing Pharisee hostility. I also doubt He feared these people, who didn’t experience the same level of oppression as the Jews, would try and make Him their king.
Notice, also, verse 33 told us that He took the man aside, away from the crowd.
This demonstrates He didn’t use the man, or the miracle, to wow the masses. This was a human being, not a circus act or popularity contest.
Could it be, as some scholars suggest, that the Lord wanted to preserve the man’s privacy, and therefore, dignity, and to clearly convey His love? What if Jesus wanted the man to know that He healed him for no other reason than concern for him? And, perhaps Jesus wanted to protect Him from the overstimulation of going from deaf to hearing in the middle of a large, and noisy, crowd.
Intersecting Life and Faith
This theory, while just a theory, remains consistent with the heart of Christ Scripture reveals. Yes, He wanted the masses to know that He was the Son of God. He also wanted people to know the truth that could set them free. Just as He wants the people of our day to come to saving faith in Him. Yet, He cares for each of us uniquely, personally, and tenderly, and He longs to see us living, firmly anchored in His love.
In a world in which many of us can feel, at times, used and discarded, our Lord looks on us with tender, affectionate compassion. To Him, we will always be more than the means to an end.
Further Reading:
Psalm 103:13-18
Psalm 147:3
Isaiah 49:13-16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When was the last time you were truly awe-struck by God—not because of what He’s done for you, but simply because of who He is? In today’s episode, Megan J. Conner invites us to pause, look up, and soak in the wonder of our Creator. From nature’s beauty to God’s unshakable character, this is your reminder that praise isn’t just a reaction—it’s a decision. And our God? He’s more than worthy.
🛠️ What You'll Learn:
- How the natural world reflects the majesty and character of God
- Why everyday distractions can dull our sense of wonder—and how to reverse that
- Specific attributes of God that anchor our praise, straight from Psalm 145
- Practical ways to intentionally refocus your heart on worship
💬 Join the Conversation:
When was the last time you praised God just for who He is? What do you see in creation that points you back to His greatness? Share how you’re looking up and looking out today—and tag a friend who needs to be reminded that God’s glory is never far from view.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Worthy of Praise
By Megan J. Conner
“Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!No one can measure his greatness…
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;I will proclaim your greatness…
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.You rule throughout all generations.The LORD always keeps his promises;he is gracious in all he does…
I will praise the LORD,and may everyone on earth bless his holy nameforever and ever.”
Ps. 145:3, 6, 13, 21 (NLT)
Have you ever seen the sunrise crest over the horizon and been truly stunned by its brilliance? Or perhaps stood on a coastal shoreline and wondered at the boundaries placed on the powerful waves? What about when you witness the first blossoms of early spring that tangibly remind us of the power of resurrection – life after death?
Scripture tells us, creation itself declares the majesty of our God. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands,” (Ps. 19:1, NIV). It is nearly impossible not to be stirred by the divine attributes of our Lord displayed in nature. Conversely, they can somehow be easy to overlook. Worries, disappointments, and the cares of this world dull our sight, and that which is resplendent becomes opaque and mundane.
The evidence of our Maker and His kingdom is all around us. We only have to look up and look out. As simple as that sounds, it takes intentional effort. We must quiet our racing thoughts long enough to appreciate the glory around us. When we enter into this reflective state, we not only remember the powerful deity of our universe-creating God, we recall His character and attributes. We remember:
“The LORD is merciful and compassionate,slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love…
The LORD is good to everyone.He showers compassion on all his creation.
The LORD always keeps his promises;he is gracious in all he does.
The LORD helps the fallenand lifts those bent beneath their loads.
The LORD is close to all who call on him…
He grants the desires of those who fear him;he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
The LORD protects all those who love him,but he destroys the wicked.”
In light of such truths, how can we refrain from praising Him? He truly is worthy of our praise. No matter what burdens or distractions are weighing down your heart today, I encourage you, “Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in,” (Ps. 24:7, NIV). Sometimes, what we need more than anything is to simply look up and remind our hearts that there is an eternal, divine Creator who truly does hold the whole world in His hands. Not only is He fully able to meet every one of your needs, but He is worthy of our praise and admiration.
Will you join me today, as we boldly declare together, “Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When was the last time you praised the Lord simply for who He is rather than what He can do for you? Are there cares and concerns weighing down your heart or dulling your senses? If so, I encourage you to proactively search for God’s divine majesty and attributes today.
Instead of getting up and immediately turning on the radio or the TV, crack open a window and simply sit in the silence. A symphony of birdsong will immediately overtake the perceived hush. Listen closer, can you hear the wind rustling through the leaves, or perhaps squirrels bounding from branch to branch?
Now, look up, what do you see? Has the sun risen? If so, take a moment and marvel at the element itself. The sun, and its light, is the lifeblood of all creation. Its existence is beyond anything our humanity could create.
We live every day with all of this glory around us, yet we so easily take it for granted. He truly is worthy of our praise!
How can you take time to look up and look out today?
Further Reading:
Gen. 1
Psalm 145
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you ever feel like fear is hiding in plain sight—disguised as perfectionism, control, or a constant buzz of worry? In today’s devotional, Keri Eichberger gets real about her lifelong battle with anxiety and the freedom she’s discovered in trusting a sovereign, loving God. This isn’t just a pep talk—it’s a call to honest reflection and a practical reset for anxious hearts. Because when God is near, fear doesn’t stand a chance.
What You'll Learn:
- Why fear often hides in everyday thought patterns (and how to spot it).
- How to recognize the connection between control, anxiety, and misplaced trust.
- Two core truths that disarm fear: God is in control and God loves you deeply.
- The difference between knowing you “shouldn’t worry” and actually living in peace.
💬 Join the Conversation:
What sneaky forms does fear take in your life—control, overthinking, perfectionism? How do you shift your trust back to God when anxiety creeps in? Share your story or encouragement with us in the comments or on IG @LifeaudioNetwork We don’t have to live in fear, because we never live alone.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Have No Fear, God is Near.
By Keri Eichberger
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. (Psalm 56:3–4)
I have battled with worry, anxiety, and fear since before I can remember. In fact, I wrote a book about these hot topics. And I’ve often wondered if people knew how much I still struggle in this arena, if they would think I had no business weighing in on such weighty issues. If so, my comeback defense would be—if only they knew how much more I used to be consumed by anxiety and constant unease. Because the truth is, my considerable progress might suggest some serious gained wisdom. And, something else that perplexed me as I began to bring this message into the world, was the volume of people who actually believed worry wasn’t one of their personal primary problems.
Well, I have two things to say to my contemplations. One, God truly has helped me win more and more over my worry. And two, no matter how much someone thinks they don’t worry, they actually do much more than they realize. Which brings me to the conclusion: We all need God‘s constant reminders that we don’t have to fear—because our good and sovereign God can be trusted.
How about you? Do you struggle with worry and fear? What about your thoughts? Do you find yourself consumed with an idea, a plan, or circumstance? And do you try to control outcomes, or tend to frequently strive for perfection? If we got really honest, I bet we could say yes to these questions more than we’d like to admit. I’ve become convinced that worry is wrapped up in all of those things. And ultimately fear as at the root. Unresolved fear that is soaked in misplaced faith and misguided trust.
You might be very well aware that you have unresolved fear and worry. Or maybe the enemy has been sneaky with you and you can hardly see it. Either way, we all have it. So for the sake of helping us win this war over worry, I have some reminders for both of us. Truths that I know I need to continue to place deeper and deeper within. Again and again.
In the face of any thought that stirs up unease and swells with uncertainty, or in the midst of any situation that starts to overwhelm, there are a couple truths we need to reclaim. That God is in control, and that God loves us. And if these two statements are true—which they are—we have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.
Easier said than done, I know. But God has every single detail of your life under his authority. And God loves and cares for you perfectly and unconditionally. You, me, all your people, and all of his people. So, that means we can all relax. We can slow down. We can let go a little more. We can enjoy life a whole lot more. And we can breathe a bit deeper and move much more freely.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
As you consider whatever has you worked up, about whatever, will you reclaim and replace your faith and trust in God with me? Friend, we can trust him. And we can live with less fear because our good, sovereign God is always near
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What do you do when your world feels like it’s caving in? Jennifer Slattery brings us face-to-face with a powerful moment in David’s life where everything was falling apart—and yet, he found strength not in strategy, but in God. In today’s devotional, we explore what it means to “strengthen ourselves in the Lord,” and how to follow David’s example in our own moments of fear, anxiety, and deep distress.
🛠️ What You'll Learn:
- The biblical blueprint for handling emotional overwhelm.
- Why expressing raw emotions to God isn’t weakness—it’s spiritual wisdom.
- How praising God’s character shifts our perspective and calms our storm.
- That supernatural strength doesn’t always change the circumstance—but it always changes us.
Everyone has default responses to crisis—some healthy, some not so much. This episode invites you to consider your own “patterns” and how they compare to David’s spiritual reflexes. Are you leaning on your own strength or anchoring yourself in the Lord? Reflect, journal, or pray through a time you experienced God’s sustaining power right when you needed it most.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Supernatural strength for times of crisis
By Jennifer Slattery
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God. –1 Samuel 30:6 NIV
As someone with a long history of anxiety, in my ongoing pursuit of peace, I’m inspired by David’s response during a time of crisis. When he found his life threatened by angry and, likely, highly fearful soldiers, he didn’t panic, try to come up with some life-preserving strategy, or even try to talk his men down from their overwhelm and upset. Instead, he “strengthened himself in the Lord.”
While Scripture doesn’t describe how he did so in this instance, it does record numerous prayers that show a predictable pattern. When afraid, David routinely turned to God, to whom he expressed the depths of his emotions, holding nothing back. He sought God’s help, protection, and provision, and he reminded himself of the Lord’s unchanging character, power, and promises.
We all have “predictable patterns,” some helpful, and others, not so much. Most of us have spent a lifetime of relying on ourselves and seeking temporary comfort in insufficient coping methods. But as we grow closer to Christ, He increases our trust in Him and teaches us to turn to Him in times of crisis, as David did in 1 Samuel 30.
This occurred after God, through His prophet, anointed him as king but prior to him taking the throne. In that stretch of time between receiving and living out his calling, he spent at least a decade fleeing from Saul, a homicidal, mentally disturbed leader who forfeited his legacy when he chose to follow his will rather than the Lord’s. And spent the rest of his life obsessively pursuing David to kill him.
But God protected David again and again, and with each divine rescue, his faith grew. Although a mighty warrior who, as a teenager, defeated a massive, highly trained and experienced Philistine soldier, and numerous other battle victories, he didn’t rely on his wisdom or military might. Instead, he sought strength in the Lord.
We catch a glimpse of how in his many songs and prayers recorded in the Psalms.
Like I said earlier, he often began crying out to God with unfiltered emotion. In Psalm 3:1-2, he wrote:
Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him” (NIV).
And in Psalm 13:1-4:
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
And in Psalm 22:1-2:
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.
Notice, David didn’t deny or suppress his feelings, nor did he rush past them. Instead, he expressed his anguish to the One who could comfort, sustain, and guide him.
He also routinely reminded himself of God’s character. In Psalm 4:3, he proclaimed the Lord’s faithful attentiveness, writing:
Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
And in Psalm 7:11 we read:
For the Lord is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face (NIV).
In Psalm 9:7, he praised God for His sovereignty when he wrote,
The Lord reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment (NIV).
When frightened or overwhelmed, David reminded himself of the truth of God’s love and care, declaring, in Psalm 3:3-5:
But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me (NIV).
In Psalm 18:2, 28-36 we read:
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. …
You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
29 With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
30 As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.
36 You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way (NIV).
Intersecting Life and Faith
God recorded each of these passages, and numerous others like them, to show us how to respond to our seasons of overwhelm. Like David, we can turn to Him in our fear, remind ourselves of His nature and His heart, and reflect upon His unchanging truth. Not only does this decrease our anxiety and fear, but it also helps to rewire our brains to experience ever-increasing peace.
Further Reading:
2 Corinthians 10:5
Romans 8:26-39
1 Peter 5:6-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a culture obsessed with independence, grit, and getting it all done, the idea that surrender leads to strength feels... wrong. And yet, Scripture says it's the secret weapon. When life unravels and your strength runs dry, it’s not the end of your story—it’s the beginning of God’s power showing up.
Key Takeaways
- Surrender Isn’t Quitting—It’s Trading Up
Paul didn’t just survive his suffering—he thrived because he stopped striving. He let God fill the gap. Real strength begins when our grip loosens. - Weakness is a Holy Invitation
It’s not just okay to be weak—it’s spiritually strategic. That place of limitation? That’s the landing pad for divine power. - Control is a Mirage, Trust is a Fortress
Megan’s story hits home: when nothing on the outside changed, everything on the inside did. Why? Because she shifted from self-reliance to God-dependence. - You Don’t Need More Strength. You Need More Surrender.
The peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:7) doesn’t come from more willpower—it comes from more willingness to let Christ carry you.
Join the Conversation
Ever experienced the moment where you hit your limit—and God met you there with supernatural strength? Tell us about it with #LifeaudioNetwork. Your story might just be the hope someone else needs today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Exchanging Weakness for Strength
By Megan J. Conner
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Cor. 12:9 (NIV)
I was totally and completely overwhelmed by my circumstances. It felt like everything in my life was spinning out of control. It was as if the storms of chaos were attacking from every side all at once, and I could not find my footing. Both my husband and my daughter were facing significant health issues, our business was facing unprecedented challenges, and my anxiety was at an all-time high. I struggled to sleep. I struggled to eat. Even the most mundane, simple tasks felt immensely burdensome and unmanageable. I was weak in body and spirit.
I prayed time and time again for the Lord to relieve me of my burdens. Despite my desperate pleas, nothing tangibly changed. It was all completely out of my control. There was nothing I could do to alter my unwelcome dilemmas, and it appeared God wasn’t all that interested in offering me a way out.
We see a similar example of this from the apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian church.
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:8-10, NIV).
We aren’t sure what specific ailment Paul considered as the thorn in his flesh, but it is clear that whether it was mental or physical, the apostle wrestled with it and longed for his circumstances to be different. However, God allowed the unwelcome assailant to remain for Paul’s good. It never feels good when we suffer pain, disappointment, limitations, illnesses, or injuries. Yet, we live in a fallen world where the consequences of sin rest on all humanity, where mortality is reality, and troubles are guaranteed (John 16:33). While undesirable to our flesh, it is actually through these challenges that we learn a dependence upon the Lord that would not be possible if we always had it all together.
As Paul is weakened in his humanity as a result of his condition, he actually gains strength. It is a lasting, supernatural strength that stretches far beyond his human ability to endure the unendurable. Why? Because it is not Paul’s inner strength that continues to propel him forward, it is Christ in him. What a paradox! To obtain power and strength, we must first become frail and weak. Yet it is exactly in this place of weakness that we discover not only a resilience we never thought possible, but we are also consumed with immense peace. A peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7).
Like Paul, I have experienced the glory of exchanging weakness for strength. Did any of the circumstances I described earlier change to promote this newfound peace? No. Instead, my heart and mind found rest as I trusted Him who was giving me the strength. It all truly is out of my control, and any attempt I make to try to navigate my own way through only results in increased anxiety and fear. Yet, when I lean on His strength, I not only have the endurance to continue forging forward, I can rest and trust in Him. For when I am weak, He is strong.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you feel weak or strong today? Is your weakness or strength evident physically or spiritually? Are you someone who longs for control or prides themselves on their own strength? How does Paul’s declaration that he not only understands how God uses his weakness to teach him strength, but actually boasts in his own weaknesses, alter your perspective? Take some time today to reflect and journal about one or two past or present situations where you have encountered weakness exchanged for strength.
Further Reading:
2 Cor. 12:1-10
Phil 4:4-9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
There are times when joy feels like a distant memory—when your soul is sluggish and your spirit flat. The truth? Praise isn’t just a feeling; it’s a decision. A powerful, soul-shifting act of spiritual discipline. And it might be exactly what your heart needs right now.
Key Takeaways
- Praise Breaks the Fog – When life feels heavy or your spirit seems dim, praising God shifts your perspective. It realigns your soul with His joy.
- Joy Follows Focus – When you focus on God’s unchanging nature instead of your fluctuating circumstances, you create space for joy to return. (Psalm 21:6)
- Praise Clears the Clutter – When life feels crowded with confusion, praise acts like a clearing wind. It sweeps out the fog and ushers in clarity, hope, and peace.
- Start Where You Are – No need to fake it—just start with a simple truth: “God, You are good.” Let the Holy Spirit build from there.
Join the Conversation
What if we treated praise as our go-to move in every circumstance? This week, let’s flip the script. Don’t wait for your heart to catch up—lead it with praise. Share what you're praising God for with #LifeaudioNetwork, and let’s turn ordinary moments into altars of gratitude.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Blessing of Praise
By Keri Eichberger
Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. (Psalm 21:6)
It wasn't too long ago. I was approaching Easter weekend, and my attitude and the posture of my heart didn’t match the praise I knew should be filling my soul—considering I was preparing to honor the most honorable moment in history. The most honorable man in history. And truth be told, the more I became aware of the dimness of my spirit, the more it became shadowed by self-disappointment for not feeling more uplifted in light of such a praiseworthy celebration.
Have you ever felt something similar? Can you remember a time you weren’t feeling as joyful as you felt you should’ve been? Or found yourself sad for no reason? Or maybe you did have a good reason to be down, but knew you really had even more reason to smile and be thankful. I get it. Some days I’m a bit blue and can’t quite put my finger on why. Sometimes it seems to stem from something silly. And then there are moments, like I felt leading up to Easter, when I was getting ready to have a big surgery and had been struggling through lots of disappointment, but still knew in my heart that God was immensely good and deserving of so much praise.
Praise. That is the key. I’ve been down dark roads before, and it has been offering up praise to my good God that was always the way out. I just needed that reminder. I needed it then, I need it now, and I’m guessing you might need this reminder too—time and again. There really is so much blessing wrapped up in our praise of the one who deserves it all.
Life is hard, no doubt. Some seasons don’t make sense. Certain situations find us sad and sorrowful. But there is something constant that we constantly forget. God is still good. And God’s goodness abounds everywhere and every moment. Even when things don’t feel good, God is good. And we will see it when we open our eyes and mouths of praise.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
I made a decision that weekend, I’m making it now again, and I’d like to ask you to join me. Think of something to praise God for. There truly is so incredibly much. You can praise him for the details of his beautifully-creative creation, you can pour out praise for the promise of eternity, you can offer up praise for his word that reveals his ever-present love, comfort, and care. And you extend your unending praise for his perfectly sufficient provision over your life. We can all praise him for all of that today and every day.
And I believe, as we return to a heart of praise, and continue to pour out words and reflections of thanks and gratitude, the shadows will lift from our souls, and we will find more and more songs to sing. We will continue to receive boundless blessings as we continue to offer our praise… to him.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever had a spiritual faceplant you wish you could undo? You’re not alone. Abraham—yep, the father of our faith—blew it in a big way. But grace didn’t give up on him, and it won’t give up on you either.
Key Takeaways
- Grace Offers Do-Overs – Even when we fail, God’s mercy meets us with a fresh start (Lamentations 3:22-23).
- Abraham Messed Up Too – He let fear rule and threw his wife under the proverbial camel. Still, God didn’t cancel him—He called him back.
- Return to the Altar – After failing in Egypt, Abraham went back to where he first encountered God (Genesis 13:4). Returning to God is always the right next step.
- Failure Isn’t Final – Your spiritual missteps don’t have to define your story. In Christ, shame doesn’t stick—redemption does.
Join the Conversation
What “altar” do you need to return to? What would it look like for you to start over today with God's grace in view? Share your thoughts with us using #LifeaudioNetwork and let others be encouraged by your journey. You’re not too far gone. God’s mercy says, “Let’s try again—together.”
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Starting Over After a Spiritual Fail
By Jennifer Slattery
So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.
3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord. - Genesis 13:1-4 NIV
Sometimes, I struggle to live anchored in grace. I’ve done a lot of things I regret and, sadly, wounded those I love. While I’ve confessed and apologized for those things, sadly, I can’t unspeak words spoken or go back in time to handle situations differently. But, thanks to God’s grace, each day, I do receive a do over—a chance to stop in the middle of an argument, selfish act, or whatever dysfunctional behavior I’ve slipped back into to live more consistently aligned with Jesus.
When I’m battling fear of failure or shame related to my past, I’m encouraged by biblical accounts of godly men and women who messed up big time, but then, turned around, got back on track, and began again.
Abraham, called Abram in today’s passage, the patriarch of our faith, messed up big time. When we first meet him in Genesis 11 and 12, he obediently leaves his pagan homeland in Ur, taking his wife and nephew with him, to embark on a journey to an unknown land. As a woman who’s followed her husband from one state to another, and who, at times, was a reluctant (and, on occasion, anxious and tearful) participant, I can’t help but wonder what his wife felt or thought regarding this major life transition.
She left her home, her biological family, her neighbors and friends, and whatever sense of security those support systems provided.
Did she even have a say in the matter? Based on the culture in which she lived, I suspect she might not have.
While Scripture doesn’t tell us how long she and her husband had been married at this point, the depth or strength of their relationship, or how safe she felt in it, it does record an instance that must’ve shattered any trust they’d built. To paraphrase, when he and Sarai, later called Sarah, arrived in Canaan, they hit two significant challenges. First, other people occupied the land, and, second, they soon found themselves in a famine, which would’ve been life threating. Then, instead of seeking God’s guidance regarding how to navigate this crisis, Abraham decided to head, with his clan, to Egypt.
In Genesis 12:11-13, we read:
11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you” (NIV).
In other words, “This isn’t a safe place. We’re going to encounter men so consumed with lust, they’ll kill me to get to you.”
His plan? To abandon his wife to protect himself.
When we allow our fear, rather than God, to lead us, we tend to behave in hurtful ways, as Abraham did. Because of his “brilliant” solution, Sarah soon found herself taken to the palace by the most powerful man in the nation.
Pause to consider how you might feel, in a similar situation. Would you feel betrayed and afraid?
I would.
Keep in mind, the Pharaoh wasn’t inviting her over for conversation and tea. Genesis 12:19 tells us he took her “to be his wife.”
Thankfully, God came to her rescue before she was violated. What relief she must’ve felt when Pharaoh released her, untouched, and told her and Abraham—called Abram at this point in the story—to take their belongings and leave.
But, oh, the pain they both must’ve carried with them. For Sarah, the sting of betrayal, and for Abraham the sting of regret.
Intersecting Life and Faith
Do you see the beautiful truth tucked within today’s passage? Scripture tells us, after Abraham’s colossal failure as a husband and man of God, he returned to where he first built an altar to commemorate his encounter with the Creator, and there “he called on the name of the Lord.” This is a biblical idiom denoting faith and connection. Abraham returned to the Lord and His ways.
Thanks to Jesus, and the price He paid for our salvation, we always have the opportunity to do the same. Regardless of how far we’ve wondered, or the mistakes we’ve made along the way, each day we can begin again and again, and again. As Scripture promises, God’s mercies are new every morning. So long as we continually turn to Him, He will teach us to break free from our shame to live more consistently in His grace, and more fully aligned with His will.
Further reading:
Psalm 32:1-5
Romans 5:15-20
John 3:16-21
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever felt like you were called… but stuck in a season of “not yet”? You’re not alone. Whether it’s King David or King Jesus, even God’s greatest waited between their anointing and appointing. But take heart—your “in-between” is never wasted.
Key Takeaways
- You’re Sealed and Claimed – God put His Spirit in you as a guarantee of what’s to come (2 Cor 1:21-22).
- Anointed ≠ Immediately Appointed – David waited decades; Jesus waited years. Waiting doesn’t mean forgotten.
- God Doesn’t Rush – He moves in perfect timing (Isaiah 60:22). You’re not behind schedule—you’re being prepared.
- Your Wait Has a Purpose – David gathered strength and support; Jesus discipled and taught. Your delay is part of your development.
Join the Conversation
How are you holding onto faith in your waiting season? What has God been refining in you while you wait? Share your reflections using #LifeaudioNetwork. And remember: if He’s anointed you, He will appoint you—right on time.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered
by Deidre Braley
2 Corinthians 1:21-22: Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Have you ever experienced the tension of knowing that God has set you apart for a certain role, calling, or assignment in your life—only to have to wait for an extended period of time for it to happen?
It can be confusing, frustrating, and even maddening to stand by while you wait for the moment when God will finally say, “Now!” But if you’re currently in an in-between season such as this, know that you’re in good company. In Scripture, we see multiple examples of people who were anointed by God for a specific purpose long before they were actually appointed to that role.
Two that immediately come to mind are King David and King Jesus.
David was first anointed to become king of Israel when he was just a teenager; the prophet Samuel set him apart for this work in private (1 Samuel 16:1-13) long before he would be publicly appointed king by the people of Israel in his thirties (2 Samuel 5:3).
And though Jesus was anointed by God when he was baptized by John (Matthew 3:17), it would be another 2-3 years before he was crucified and then resurrected from the dead—accomplishing the mission that he’d been set apart by God to complete.
The truth is that sometimes the anointing comes longs before the appointment. While we wait, it can be easy to become restless and even to despair. We might begin to wonder whether God has forgotten about his promise, worry that he’s changed his mind, or doubt that we ever even heard him in the first place. But when we look back at the way God has moved in Scripture and also
examine what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about God’s actions and character, we can find solid footing to reassure our restless hearts while we stand in the interlude.
Intersecting Faith & Life
The stories of David’s and Jesus’ own periods of interlude (along with so many other biblical giants) supports the 3 following truths about God’s character and providence:
- God does not rush.
Isaiah 60:22 says, “I am the Lord; in its time I will hasten it.” David experienced incredible tumult in the years between his anointing and public appointing as the king of
Israel. There were likely times when he thought, “When will God make me king, already?” But God orchestrates the timing of events outside of our human demands. And though he often does not move as quickly as we would like him to move, when he does decide it’s time, he puts it into action with perfect precision.
- God has had a plan from the beginning.
God sees how everything will play out. While our purview is limited to what we can see, experience, and imagine of our own lives, God is able to see how all things work together—a complex system within a single organism. We see a hint of this when Jesus says to his pleading mother at the wedding in Cana, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). Although it was well within his power to turn water to wine, Jesus’ words imply that once this miracle occurred, a new string of interconnected events would be set into motion.
- In the time between anointing and appointing, God is still at work. The in-between time is never wasted; while David waited to become publicly acknowledged as king, Saul’s power and influence began to crumble and David gathered more supporters. This had to happen before he sat on the throne of Israel. And between the time of Jesus’ baptism and crucifixion/resurrection, he taught the disciples, the Jews, and the Gentiles about himself, establishing leaders and acting as a catalyst for what would become the early church. This period of time was essential.
As we meditate on God’s character in our own in-between seasons, we can also return to Paul’s words to the Corinthians, which remind us that God has not left us alone in the time between our anointing and what is to come. Rather, he says that God has “set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit…” (2 Corinthians 1:22). In other words, he has claimed us as his own, and he has put his own Spirit inside us as a down payment; this is our assurance that he has set us aside for good and that he intends to use us for good purposes, as well. He has linked himself to us in ways that cannot be revoked as a sign that he is good for his word.
Knowing this, we can surrender ourselves to his work even in the interludes of our lives; though we may not understand the purpose of every season nor the length of time we’ll be asked to remain there, we can trust that he’s using these moments to prepare the appropriate circumstances for us to be able to fulfill whatever it is that he’s set apart for us since the beginning of time.
Further Reading
- Genesis 12-21
- 1 Samuel 16:1-13
- Acts 7:23-8:1
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Still labeling yourself by past mistakes or family baggage? In Christ, “the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). You are not “just that way” anymore—God rewrote your story the moment you trusted Him.
Key Reflections
- New Creation, New Identity – Gal 2:20 says your old self was crucified; Christ now lives in you.
- Let God Define You – Scripture, not your past, assigns your worth. (See Eph 1.)
- Capture Toxic Thoughts – Take every thought captive (2 Cor 10:5) and replace lies with truth.
- Progress Requires Renewal – Daily renew your mind (Rom 12:2) to walk in who you already are.
Join the Conversation
What negative label do you need to lock up today? How are you choosing to see yourself through God’s Word instead of past mistakes? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram using #LifeaudioNetwork—let’s encourage one another to live as new creations!
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Stop Believing You Can’t Change
by Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer
If anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB)
Are you letting your past mistakes define you? And are you believing that you will always be a certain way?
I will admit it that I’ve found myself saying, at times, “That’s just the way I am.” But I realize now how pathetic that sounds. It’s another way I let this culture’s message to “Do you” and “Express your individuality” excuse my failure to grow spiritually.
Maybe, like me, you’ve found yourself saying things like:
- "I have control issues. That's just the way I am."
- "I am an adult child of an alcoholic and I struggle with certain dysfunctional behavior. That’s just the way I am."
- "Because of what I’ve been through in my past, I’ll always be insecure. I'm just that way."
- "I will never trust another person. That’s just the way I am.”
- “Sorry I got so defensive. You should know I’m just that way.”
A sure sign that we are stuck from pain in our past is when we excuse our behavior by saying “That’s just the way I am.” Or, when we continue to believe that we can never grow beyond a certain place, emotionally or spiritually.
A crucial step to healing and wholeness is to renew your mind to think differently. If you have a relationship with God, the old you that was “just that way” is gone. And the new you is now “just like Him.”
In Galatians 2:20, the apostle Paul gave us a goal, perspective, and motto for our old selves. He wrote: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” And the song of our new identity is found in Second Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
Intersecting Faith and Life
So why are we not living like new, regenerated creatures? In my experience, I've found that it's easy to go back to the old way of thinking if I'm not making a conscious effort to remember who I really am (because of my regeneration in Christ), and to redirect my thoughts.
You can renew your mind and receive your new identity—the one that is just like Him—when you do these two things:
- Let God define who you are. This happens when you read and begin to understand the Scriptures. Let God define who you are—not your parents, your past, a teacher from long ago, a friend who used to criticize you, a boyfriend or husband who walked out on you, a therapist’s diagnosis, or a boss who thought you weren’t capable of much. The more you read in the Bible of God's heart for you, the more you will begin to see yourself as a regenerated, transformed child of His and act like it. Discover in God’s Word not only howHe sees you, but how to start living like His child.
- Lock up the negative thoughts. In order to let God—and not the voices in your head—define you, you must learn to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). When you hear negative thoughts from your head defining you, capture them instead of letting them run loose. Be determined to only hear the thoughts that are obedient to God, the thoughts that are consistent with His Word’s description of you. Tune your ear to hear the thoughts of God's that say “I have loved you with an everlasting love…” (Jeremiah 31:3); “I have called you friends” (John 15:15); and "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).
Who are you really when you are in Christ? Renew your mind—and receive your new identity—with the beautiful descriptions of you found in God’s Word. And walk with your head higher, focused on the fact that you are not just that way. You are, instead, just like your Heavenly Father.
Lord, my own labels–and those that others have given me—are much harsher and critical than the loving labels You have given me in Your trustworthy Word. Help me to see myself as You see me—redeemed and renewed.
Further Reading: Ephesians 1
For more on living according to your true identity, see Cindi’s book, When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever feel like you’re stuck in a cycle of “I know better, but I still mess up”? You’re not alone. Even the Apostle Paul wrestled with doing the very things he didn’t want to do. This devotional reminds us that the Christian walk isn’t about flawless performance—it’s about daily surrender and steady growth.
📖 “So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”
– Romans 7:14-15 (NLT)
Key Reflections:
- You’re not alone in your struggle—Paul felt the exact same way.
- Being in Christ frees us from sin’s penalty, but not its presence.
- Perfection isn’t the goal—progress is.
- God’s grace isn’t an excuse to stay stuck, it’s the fuel to keep going.
- Each new day is a fresh opportunity to start again—His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).
💬 Join the Conversation:
What’s one area where you feel stuck right now? Instead of focusing on failure, write down one small step you can take today to grow in that area.
And remember: You’re not defined by one moment of weakness. You’re being refined by a lifetime of grace.
Let us know what “progress over perfection” looks like in your life today. Use the hashtag #LifeaudioNetwork to share your story.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Progress Over Perfection
By: Laura Bailey
“So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Romans 7:14-15 NLT
Reluctantly, I stepped on the scale. I already knew the number would be higher than I’d hoped. Sighing, I shuffled towards the kitchen, poured my coffee, and scanned the pantry. Last week, I failed miserably at making good food choices. Does it matter what I choose now? Even if I make the right choice now, I will likely slip up later and have to start over again.
A few weeks prior, my doctor suggested that I try a low-inflammation diet since I was experiencing a great deal of joint pain. If you aren’t familiar with this diet, it means avoiding sugar. And while I don’t have an overly sweet tooth, I enjoy ice cream after a long day, a bowl of cereal as a midnight snack, or a freshly baked pastry with my morning cup of Joe. For the most part, after the first few days, I found that it wasn’t challenging for me to avoid sugar, especially since my cravings were almost non-existent.
It had been almost a month without anything sweet when I saw my daughter munching on my favorite candy. I thought, “It wouldn't hurt just to have one; you deserve it; you’ve done so well.” Reaching for the bag, I knew it wasn’t a good idea, yet I proceeded, and before I knew it, I’d polished off the remaining candy. I immediately felt physically and mentally sick. “ Why did I do that? Why didn’t I just stop after one? I am failing at so many things,” I chided myself.
If only the battle with sugar was the only one I fight regularly.
I want to read my Bible more, so I set my alarm 30 minutes earlier every day. However, I more often than not hit the snooze button, choosing sleep over time with the Lord.
I want to spend more quality time with my girls, but I gravitate towards unanswered emails and text messages, prioritizing things that could wait over them.
I want to give more money to missions and be more generous, but I often buy things I don’t need because “it was on sale.”
Yes, I struggle to do the things I do not want to do daily, yet I still do them! Have you ever felt that way? The Apostel Paul most certainly did.
Paul shares in the letter to the Romans that he is frustrated that he continues doing the things he doesn’t want to do. Why does this keep happening? For those of Christ, we are freed from the penalty of sin but still live in the presence of sin. He openly shares his ongoing struggle with sin, the internal battle within him. The same battle that we all fight.
Many believe that once they accept Christ, all their problems and struggles will disappear. The reality is that the battle has just begun. Later in Ephesians, Paul describes how we prepare for the spiritual battle that wages war against our hearts and minds by putting on the whole armor of God ( Ephesians 6: 13-17). We must suit up as we fight sin, but there will be times when we lose that battle. That’s where God’s grace and mercy meet us.
While we have the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we are still humans. Our fleshly desires, spiritual attacks, and longing for Godly obedience coexist. God’s grace is not a license to sin but a reminder of how much we need a savior. Our goal is not perfection but progress, looking more like Jesus today than yesterday.
Back to my earlier story: I couldn’t erase the consequences of the last few days of poor care, but I did have an opportunity to hit the refresh button and start again. Today was new; therefore, my choice to do the right thing for my body mattered. The same for us as believers. God’s mercies are new every morning ( Lamentations 3:22-23). Let’s celebrate the good news of the Gospel; we aren’t just redeemed and restored for salvation, but every day. Amen
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Can you think of an area where you are experiencing a sin struggle? Instead of feeling defeated, write down some goals and focus on your progress, not perfection.
For Further Reading:
Romans 7
Why Do I Do What I Hate?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Let’s be honest—most of us have questions we’re holding close to the chest. Why am I struggling? Why didn’t God intervene? Why now? The beauty of faith isn’t in pretending we don’t have questions—it’s in knowing exactly where to take them.
📖 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt...”
– James 1:5-6 (NIV)
Key Reflections:
- God welcomes your questions—none are too big, too messy, or too complicated.
- Asking God for wisdom acknowledges that we need His help, not our own understanding.
- Doubt can toss us like waves in the sea—but faith anchors us.
- You may not get your answers today, but they will come—if not here, then in Heaven.
- Trusting God means giving Him your why’s just as much as your worship.
💬 Join the Conversation:
What questions have you been holding back from God? Then let us know what helps you turn your questions into deeper trust?
Drop a comment or tag us with #LifeaudioNetwork.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Turning to God with Questions
By Vivian Bricker
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6).
Similar to many people, I have many questions for God. Questions such as “Why did this have to happen?” and “Why do I have to struggle so much?” are always scratching at my heart. Maybe you also have many questions for God. All of these questions are valid and will be answered one day. Although you might not have these questions answered right away, they will be answered in the future.
When we are troubled with questions, we do not need to keep silent. Instead of remaining quiet, we need to speak up and bring these questions to God. Think about the questions you have in your heart today. Ask God these questions today. Don’t hesitate to ask God whatever is on your mind.
No question is too hard for God. Often, we feel as though asking questions of God is not right. This is not true, as God wants us to bring all of our questions to His feet. As you are thinking over your questions, remember the truth that no question is off-limits. God already knows what is on your mind, including the questions upon your heart.
Acknowledge your dependence on God by asking these questions. You might be surprised as to how fast God will give you an answer. Even if your question is not answered right away, it will be answered in time. If it is never answered during your earthly life, know that all answers will be given in Heaven. We might not understand the pain right now, but one day, we will understand and see God’s work through our situation.
Finding Answers in God
James 1:5-6 instructs us to turn to God. The half-brother of the Lord tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). If we are not having our questions answered, we can turn to God for wisdom. As James tells us, we need to ask God for wisdom. Once we ask God for wisdom, He will give it to us generously.
James also tells us, “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6). The second half of this passage shows that it is vital for us to believe and not doubt when we go to God in prayer. Whether we are praying for deliverance, healing, or bringing our questions before God, we need to believe and not doubt.
The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, always being blown and tossed by the wind. If we doubt God and His ability to answer our prayers, our doubt will drown out our faith. This is why we need to have faith, truly believe, and not doubt God. Once we truly believe that God will answer our prayers and answer our questions, we will receive our answers, both for prayer and for our questions.
Bring all of your questions, concerns, and thoughts to God today. Give Him all of these worries and trust Him with the outcome. God will answer your questions and bring relief to your troubles. For the time being, have faith and believe. Don’t doubt—choose to believe in God. Just as you trust God with your salvation, trust Him with your questions and concerns.
“Dear God, I have many questions for you. I was once afraid to ask questions, but now I know it is good to bring my questions to You. I give you all my questions today and I trust You with their answers. I have faith in You, and I believe. I do not doubt You at all. Thank You for always hearing my prayers and my questions. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is causing you to hold your questions back from God today? Are you willing to let go of these causes in order to give these questions over to God?
It is impossible to present our prayers and questions before God without believing in Him and His abilities. How can you overcome doubt today?
What questions will you bring to God today?
Further Reading:
- Philippians 4:6-7
- 1 Corinthians 2:16
- Habakkuk 1:2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Psalms have this unique way of speaking directly to the soul. Whether we’re celebrating or stumbling, they give us language for every spiritual season. Psalm 139, in particular, reminds us just how intimately God knows us—especially when anxiety threatens to take over our thoughts.
📖 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” – Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
Key Reflections:
- God knows us better than we know ourselves—every thought, fear, and worry.
- Anxiety doesn't surprise God. He’s already aware of what’s weighing you down.
- Like David, we can invite God to search our hearts and bring peace to our anxious places.
- We’re not hiding from God—we’re hiding in plain sight. He sees and loves us anyway.
- Trusting God with our burdens is an act of faith—and freedom.
- Releasing our worries back “on the vine” (John 15) is a powerful daily habit of surrender.
💬 Join the Conversation:
What anxious thoughts are you carrying today?
Try writing them down, just like Megan does, and releasing them to God with the words:“Lord, I place this back on the vine.” Let us know what that process feels like for you. You’re not alone—and your heart is safe in His hands. 💙
Use the hashtag #LifeaudioNetwork or share in the comments.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Know Me and My Anxious Heart
By Megan J. Conner
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139:23-24 (NIV)
There really is something so special about the Book of Psalms. They offer balm to a blistered heart or a chorus of celebration when joy overflows. No matter what you are encountering today, there is likely a psalm that speaks directly to your current state. Are you feeling burdened and afraid? You will find great comfort in the famous Psalm 23. Feeling overwhelmed, possibly even attacked by voices of accusation? Take a look at Psalm 27. What about when you clearly see the fingerprints of God offering miraculous provision? Psalm 100 will help you offer thanks.
What about when you long for connection and intimacy with the Lord? Allow David, a man after God’s own heart, to remind you how there is nowhere you can go where God is not with you, through the words he penned in Psalm 139. In this beautiful passage, David recalls how the Lord knows our thoughts and our ways. There is no place where we can go from His Spirit or flee His presence.
Also included in this psalm is the often-referenced scripture, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Ps. 139:13-14, NIV). That is how intimately the Lord is acquainted with us. He literally knit each one of us together in our mothers’ wombs. Like an artist creating a masterpiece, He thread each fiber of your being into existence.
With this understanding, we can not only trust our anxious hearts to the Lord, we can be assured He is already aware of our struggle. Jesus reminded the disciples in Matt. 6:8 that “…your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him,” (NKJV). The Word also says, “all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be,” (Ps. 139:16, NIV). God is aware of all of your yesterdays, He discerns what will happen today, and sees what the future holds. He knows you – truly KNOWS you in a manner far beyond our human comprehension. You are His treasure. His precious child. God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to pay the penalty for your sin (John 3:16). You can trust Him with your deepest cares and your darkest secrets.
Though He knows every facet of our beings, our Lord does not barge in and force His way into our hearts. Instead, He awaits our invitation. David understood this when he invited the Lord to search his will and his ways.
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139:23-24 (NIV)
Could we, like David, vulnerably and transparently open ourselves up to the Lord?
Even if you feel like you are hiding those wounds, worries, or shame from the Heavenly Father, the truth is you are hiding in plain sight. If there is nowhere we can wander from His presence, and He knows what we need before we even bring our cares to Him, how can we not entrust our anxious hearts and thoughts to the Lord? He already knows our concerns, because he so intimately KNOWS us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What worries are bombarding your mind and stealing your peace today? Can you trust Him with your concerns? Why or why not?
One of the practices that has brought me immense freedom from anxiety has been “releasing” my cares to the Lord. I do this by writing down my worry over a particular situation, my fear of an unknown outcome, or a wound I feel is still unhealed, and I “place it back on the vine.” The Bible says, He is the vine and we are the branches. If we abide in Him, He will abide in us (John 15:5-7).
Every morning, I look over my catalog of concerns (or add new ones to the list). As I share them with God, I declare, “Lord, I place this back on the vine. I trust You will do with it what You know is best. I trust in You, and I release it to You.”
What cares can you place back on the vine today?
Further Reading:
Psalm 139
John 15:1-8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Sometimes we walk through seasons that feel like barren wilderness—dry, uncertain, and painful. When a close friend was diagnosed with a life-threatening autoimmune disease, I found myself struggling with the very question faithful believers often hesitate to ask: “Why, Lord?”
But in the middle of it all, God showed up—not just with provision, but with peace. The kind that doesn’t always make sense but anchors us in the chaos. The kind wrapped up in the powerful words of Numbers 6:24-26.
Key Reflections:
- God’s peace isn’t the absence of pain—it’s His presence in the middle of it.
- The blessing in Numbers 6 is more than poetic—it’s a promise of God’s grace, protection, and peace.
- “Shalom” means wholeness, contentment, and joy—even in the wilderness.
- Faith doesn’t always mean clarity—but it does mean confidence in God’s character.
- Just like with the Israelites, God doesn’t abandon us in hard seasons—He walks with us through them.
- Even unanswered prayers can strengthen shaky faith.
📖 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26
💬 Join the Conversation:
Are you in a wilderness season? Have you seen God’s peace show up when life didn’t make sense?
We’d love to hear how He’s meeting you in the middle of your story. Share your thoughts in the comments or tag us online with #LifeAudioNetwork.
God’s blessing isn’t just a benediction—it’s a declaration of His unshakable presence. Even when we’re asking “Why?”, He’s already walking with us.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Peace in the Wilderness
By: Laura Bailey
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you;the Lord turn his face toward you, and give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26
A dear friend recently discovered that she had an auto-immune disease and soon would need to have a liver transplant. As she shared the news with our group of friends over coffee and croissants, we struggled to hold back tears.
We were a group of firm believers, prayer warriors, and seasoned saints. We wholeheartedly trusted that God was faithful and in control of the situation, but we couldn’t help but ask, “Why, Lord?” Why choose this young mother active in her church and community to endure this painful experience? She is a woman of tremendous faith, a loyal friend, and a faithful servant. We knew that God had a plan and would ultimately use this situation for His glory, but we felt the weight of sadness and uncertainty.
As our friend’s health declined and it became abundantly clear she would not be able to live without a liver transplant, we began to pray that God would deliver a miracle. Walking alongside my friend in the past six months, I have seen God work in ways I have never experienced. To be honest, I struggle with my faith. I want to see God clearly at work. As I watched all the ways the Lord stepped in and provided, answered prayers–maybe not as expected, but still answered nonetheless– and gave my friend a sense of peace and calm amid chaos, it strengthened my often shaky faith.
The week before her surgery, we gathered together; I was asked to give a devotion before our prayer time. I prayed and asked God to guide me toward a piece of Scripture that expressed what I knew I would struggle to communicate. A few days passed, and I was still unsure of the verse I would speak on, but riding around in my car, the song “The Blessing” played through the speakers. The song comes from Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you;the Lord turn his face toward you, and give you peace.” I knew immediately this was what I should share.
God tells Moses to give this blessing to his brother, Aaron, Isreael’s high priest. Aaron, in return, was to share the blessing with the Israelites. The lines in this poem remind us that God’s provision extends to our physical and spiritual needs. The heart of this blessing is the reminder that God’s presence was with the Israelites and us today. The Lord pursues His people; He desires to bless them and pour out his grace and mercy.
The word peace comes from the Hebrew word, Shalom, which means an overall sense of joy and contentment. The last line reminds us that as God's Children, we represent Him in the world, and we can find comfort in knowing that we belong to Him; nothing can separate us from His love. This blessing serves as a covenant reminder that God is faithful and can be trusted in all things. Remember, the Israelites were enslaved for over 400 years in Egypt and were currently wandering around in the wilderness. I am sure they asked God on more than one occasion, “Why?” But, just like the Israelites, God is still with us, giving us His grace and peace even in our darkest moments.
We don’t know yet how my friend’s story will end; we are still crying out to God for complete healing as she recovers over the next few weeks. But what we do know is that God never left her. He has been with her through the diagnosis, surgery, and recovery process, and He will be with her till the end.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Are you currently experiencing a difficult season that has you tempted to ask God, “Why?” How does knowing God's desire to give His children grace and peace comfort you?
For Further Reading:
Leviticus 9:22-24
5 Truths about God’s Blessing Over You
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Nature isn’t just pretty scenery—it’s a living sermon. In the rustle of leaves, the rhythm of seasons, and the chirping of birds, God reveals His love, creativity, and sovereignty. Luke 12:24 reminds us that if God feeds the ravens, how much more will He care for us?
We often miss these lessons because our eyes are glued to screens. But if we just look up and around, creation starts to preach a powerful truth: God is near, involved, and intentional.
Key Reflections:
- Nature reminds us God is Provider—He feeds the birds and cares for squirrels. You matter even more.
- His love is written into creation—each flower, sunset, and animal speaks of His intentional design.
- God’s creativity is unmatched—from platypuses to parrots, His imagination knows no bounds.
- Even in the wild, He’s sovereign—animals adapt, migrate, survive—none of it escapes His plan.
- Getting outside resets our faith—walk, pause, breathe. Creation points our hearts back to the Creator.
- Peace is possible—when we step away from noise and into God’s natural world, we find clarity.
📖 “Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?” – Luke 12:24
🌱 Join the Conversation:
When’s the last time you saw God in nature? How has a walk outside, a sunset, or a quiet moment reminded you of His presence?
We’d love to hear your story—leave a comment on today’s episode, or share with us on Instagram using #LifeAudioNetwork.
Let’s open our eyes to God’s handiwork and be reminded: if He cares for creation, He surely cares for us.
Drop a comment on today’s episode or tag your thoughts on Instagram with #LifeAudioNetwork.
Let’s grow together in grace—lifting our heads as children of a holy and loving God.
Full Transcript Below:
What Nature Tells Us about God
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?” (Luke 12:24)
If someone were to tell you nature says a lot about God, you probably wouldn’t disagree. At face value, the claim seems true. Though, if someone were to ask you what exactly nature says about the Creator, that answer would require greater reflection. We spend so much of our days with our eyes embedded in our phones or some other device. We often neglect the beauty of all that is around us. The verdant trees, soft dirt, gentle breeze, and pretty animals. If we were to take notice of those things we would start to see God in a different light.
Not just as our Creator, but the Creator. Not just as our Provider, but the Provider.
There are times in a believer’s life when God appears to be far away. Meanwhile, our troubles feel so near. In those moments, we need to remind ourselves of who God is. Studying God’s Word is one way, but observing His creations is another. We don’t always see Him at work in our own lives, but when we look at nature, not seeing Him is much harder.
How do the birds find sustenance day to day? How does the grass survive? Why does the Earth continue to live on?
There are a few different lessons we can learn from nature.
Nature reflects God’s love.
Psalm 139 makes clear that God took intricate care to craft us in our mother’s womb. He knows the length of our days and the number of hairs on our heads. Every moment of our lives has been planned out before we live a single day. While we can find those truths in Scripture, they don’t always seem believable. God’s provision and care don’t always feel real, but if He can take care of the neighborhood squirrel, why would he not take care of us?
Bad things certainly happen from time to time, and animals are not exempt from that. However, if we look closely, God’s love can be seen even in the worst of times.
Nature reveals God’s creativity.
No matter where you fall on the evolution vs creationism debate, we can all agree that nature exemplifies God’s creativity. There is a mammal that lays eggs, animals that shed their skin, and primates that can imitate the actions of humans. Wherever you look, there are many different biomes that feature many different types of creatures. High and low we can witness the creative genius of the Lord.
Nature proves God’s sovereignty.
Animals are born and die every day. There are beasts who work to survive by migrating, hunting, and living in groups. Their lives are much more eventful in terms of life or death than ours. Nonetheless, God has programmed each and every one of them for survival. He has equipped them for their environment, and made some adaptable to new environments. He oversees their populations and the weather. God is in charge of it all. Why would that not apply also to us?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Now that we better understand what nature says about God, we should figure out how to incorporate that knowledge into our daily lives. Here are a few ways to get outside and see more of God.
Go for walks outside.
The best way to see nature is to be in nature. Go for a walk in the woods, a local park, or even just in your neighborhood. You’re bound to come across an animal or some shape or size. Think about how God provides for that creature. Then remind yourself that He loves you so much more.
Draw inspiration from nature.
The trees, the rocks, the animals, everything outside has the capacity to serve as a muse. Not just artistic inspiration, but spiritual inspiration too. Let God’s love for creation remind you of His love for humanity. He sent His son to die for people just like you.
Find peace.
You may not know this yet, but there’s much peace of mind to find when we ditch the screens, even temporarily. If you want to connect with God, spend time with him in solitude, and with that solitude, in nature. Think of how Adam and Eve could walk so effortlessly in the presence of God while in the garden. You can imagine how much peace they found walking in creation with the Creator.
Further Reading:
- Psalm 139:13-14
- Genesis 1:27
- Colossians 1:16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Humility isn’t thinking less of ourselves—it’s thinking of ourselves rightly in light of who God is.
As James 4:10 says:
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (ESV)
We’re not called to grovel or shrink—we’re called to come confidently, as children of the King, with hearts shaped by grace.
*Key Reflections:*
- Humility isn’t self-deprecation—it’s seeing ourselves as God sees us.
- God is holy and personal—King on the throne, yet close like a Shepherd.
- Pride pushes God away, but humility invites His grace (James 4:6).
- We’re not just forgiven—we’re family: co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
- Humility draws us near—we approach God confidently, not fearfully (Hebrews 4:16).
- A balanced view of self honors God more than false modesty ever could.
Join the Conversation:
How do you practice humility without falling into false modesty?
Has your view of God’s grace helped you stand tall in His presence?
Drop a comment on today’s episode or tag your thoughts on Instagram with #LifeAudioNetwork.
Let’s grow together in grace—lifting our heads as children of a holy and loving God.
Full Transcript Below:
Humility Is the Way to God
By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” James 4:10 (ESV)
When I think about a humble person I sometimes imagine a great king on his throne. One of the king’s subjects comes into the room. He bows before the king and voices his request. Is this humility? According to the dictionary a person who is humble doesn’t think too highly of themselves. Humility is not weakness or self deprecation. Although some definitions have taken humility to mean that we lower ourselves, humility really means we have a honest view of ourselves and of God.
One of the things I love about God is He is both all-powerful and holy. We have a God who sits on the throne of Heaven, orchestrating the entire universe. Colossians says He keeps everything going by the power of His hands. Nothing escapes God’s notice, control, and wisdom. God is perfect in all His ways and only those who are also holy are allowed to enter into His presence.
Another aspect of God’s character that is evidence throughout the entire Bible is God’s closeness to us. Our God has also made himself known to us in a way we can understand and find Him. God is described as our Shepherd, Father, and Teacher. Having a relationship with us is a priority for our all-powerful God. God demonstrated through Jesus and He willingness to humble Himself for our sakes.
As we we approach God we tend to fall on one side or the other. Either we think we need to only see ourselves as disgraced, unlovable beings before a holy, perfect God. We call ourselves “worms” or “enemies” of God, even after we become Christians. Sometimes we don’t speak up, or speak out because we have a false sense of humility. Thinking low of ourselves is not humility.
We do this because we are afraid of the other side of the coin: pride. The Bible warns us over and over again about pride, which is thinking too highly of ourselves. It was pride that caused Satan to fall and sin to enter the world. In our attempts to avoid pride, as we should, we have a false sense of humility.
A correct, Biblical view of humility, actually falls in the middle of both of these views. Although we recognize that we came to God from a state of utter helplessness and God is beyond our ability to reach on our own, God humbled Himself so that we now stand with Jesus as co-heirs and children of God.
As Christians, we come to God through a humble heart. Proverbs 3:34 says, “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.” (ESV) And Proverbs 15:33 says, “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” (ESV) In the book of James we also see humility mentioned several times. James is said to be the proverbs of the New Testament.
James 4:6-10 says: But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (ESV)
Notice that God invites us to draw near to Him, but we do so with pure hearts and this is found through grace. If we are to receive grace from God in order to be able to draw near to God, we must have a balanced view of ourselves.
Yes, we are sinners in need of grace. But as Christians, we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and understand that we are now no longer enemies, but friends of God. Our standing before God changes the instant we accept Christ as our Savior. Because our standing before God changes we now can humbly come before God in the proper way.
We do not exalt ourselves above God, but we do not degrade ourselves either. Humility means we let God lift us up and no matter what our standing is before the world, we are one of God’s children.
God is the King on the throne and we are His. We enter this throne room with confidence, bowing before Him, but then lifting our head to look Him in the face because we are not just a subject, but a child.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Hebrews 4:14-16 says, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (ESV)
How does knowing Jesus stands beside God, advocating for you, give you confidence to come to God with a humble, but also confident heart?
Further Reading:
Micah 6:8
Philippians 2:3
Colossians 3:12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Instead of asking, “Am I past my prime?” we should be asking:
“Am I living this stage of life with purpose and perspective?”
Ecclesiastes invites us to live in light of eternity—not to despair over what we’ve lost, but to rejoice in how much time we still have to glorify God.
Whether your “second act” looks like a new calling, a slower pace, or mentoring others—you’re still in the story God is writing. Think of Sarah, Paul, Noah—some of their most meaningful work happened later in life.
“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13
That’s your calling, whether you’re 18 or 80.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! How are you embracing your current season of life? Have you discovered a new purpose in your “second act”? Leave a comment on today’s episode, or share your story on Instagram using #Lifeaudionetwork. Let’s encourage one another to live well—no matter what chapter we’re in.
Full Transcript Below:
Looking Forward to the Second Act
By: Laura Bailey
“Anyone who is among the living has hope —even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!” Ecclesiastes 9:4 NIV
Turning my head from side to side, lifting my eyebrows, and pulling back the skin around my chin, I wondered if it was time for me to start an anti-aging routine. I turn 40 in six months, and truthfully, until a few weeks ago, the approaching descent into middle age didn’t bother me.
Most of my friends are in their forties and fifties, and their lives seem to be thriving; they didn’t take going over the hill as their life was over. Instead, it was almost as if they started living. Most were experiencing the perks of older children or an empty nest, reaping the benefits of a successful career, or embracing a slower pace where they could finally stop and smell the roses. And yet, I couldn’t shake the persistent accusing voice that dominated my thoughts, “the best years are behind you.”
We live in a society that elevates youth over maturity, but God’s word says the opposite. Proverbs 16:1 tells us that gray hair is a crown of glory, and Job 12:12 shows that more trips around the sun bring more profound knowledge and rich experiences to our lives. Scripture tells us to honor our elders, to respect them, and to glean wisdom from their lifetime of lessons.
The “second act” of our lives can be even better than the first half, especially if we live with the proper perspective. The book of Ecclesiastes invites readers to experience the benefits of a life in light of eternity. One of the book's central themes is the reality of our mortality, which shouldn’t drive us to despair but encourage us to ask, “Am I using my time on earth well?” What does it mean to live life well? Solomon, Ecclesiastes's author, tells us in verse 12:13, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
God created humanity with a purpose to glorify Him and make Him known. As the author of our lives, God divinely appoints the days, when we will be born and depart from this earth. Every stage, season, decade, or year serves a purpose, as Ecclesiastes 9:4 tells us that while we have breath in our lungs, we have hope! Not only that, but our lives have a purpose, no matter how many candles are on the cake. We don’t have to fight the signs of aging, cling to the memories of yesterday, or long for youth. Instead, we can embrace God’s plan and purpose for a new life stage.
Perhaps, like Sarah, in our second act, the Lord grants a request we’ve been praying about for decades ( Genesis 21:1-7).
Maybe God will call us to a completely different career path, project, or passion, like Paul ( Acts 9).
Or, potentially, God will make room for you to rest, shedding the weight of the responsibilities of your younger years and having time to invest in the next generation before you go to glory like Noah ( Genesis 6-9).
I don’t know what the Lord has planned for me next. Truthfully, my life is not what my 18-year-old self would have envisioned for my forties. But it is beautiful, and I am assured that it will be infinitely better than I had planned because of God’s providence.
I am learning that God is more interested in my heart’s posture than my productivity. This allows me freedom and grace to age well, knowing that I am fulfilling my purpose as long as I bring God glory and honor. And well, that looks different in different seasons of life. I pray that as the years tick by, I grow in spiritual maturity and biblical wisdom and that my life always looks more like Christ today than it did yesterday.
The best is yet to come, if not in this life; those of us in Christ have the promise of eternity. The end of earthly existence is not the end but only the beginning. May we use the time the Lord grants us well, making the most of every season as we live in light of eternity.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
A friend once encouraged me to stop asking, “What does God want me to do?” and instead think, “Who does God want me to serve?” This season, take some time to consider your current circumstances. Who can you serve, show God’s love, or pray over?
For Further Reading:
Hope if You Aren’t Living Your Best Life Now
The Aging Process: Life is Seasonal
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever felt like you were walking around as one giant, exposed nerve? Like just being in the world is too much? In today’s devotional, we reflect on that aching, raw feeling—and how God meets us there.
Vivian Bricker shares how a lyric from Taylor Swift’s “this is me trying” perfectly captured the feeling:
“It’s hard to be at a party when I feel like an open wound.”
We’ve all had those seasons—where we’d rather hide than engage, where even kindness stings, where the pain is just too close to the surface.
But God doesn’t leave us there. He meets us, gently and powerfully, in our most fragile state.
Join the Conversation:
When have you felt like an “open wound”? How did you find comfort—or where are you seeking it now? Share with us @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. You’re not alone in this journey.
🎧 Discover more daily encouragements — subscribe to Your Nightly Prayer wherever you listen to podcasts.
Full Transcript Below:
Feeling Like an Open Wound
By Vivian Bricker
“‘But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares’” (Jeremiah 30:17).
I have loved Taylor Swift’s music since I was eight years old. While many people have different views about her, I think most of us can agree that her music contains beautiful storytelling. When her album Folklore came out, I instantly fell in love with every song.
The song this is me trying particularly stood out to me upon first listen because of the following lyrics, “And it's hard to be at a party when I feel like an open wound.” How often have you felt like an open wound? I certainly have felt this way throughout my life, but I never was able to put it into words until I heard this song. Similar to other songs by Taylor Swift, this is me trying helped me articulate my feelings in a way that makes sense to myself as well as to others.
When we feel like an open wound, we feel easily hurt by others. Rather than wanting to go places and see other people, we want to stay at home and hide from the world. Anything and everything can feel like salt in the wound. When we find ourselves in this place, we don’t need to allow ourselves to fall into despair. Where God is, there is always hope (Romans 15:13).
During periods of feeling like an open wound, we need to turn to God. He can provide us with lasting healing. While He might not take all of the pain away, He can help us to recover and feel comfort. It is important to remember that God didn’t cause the pain we are going through. We live in a fallen world, and bad things can happen in this world. People can hurt us, we can fall on hard times, and we can experience illnesses.
Despite all of these terrible things happening around us and in our own lives, we can still have hope in God. The open wound in our hearts can be filled with hope if we allow God to comfort us. The comfort He provides for us is found in the Bible and in prayer. If we want to start the process of healing, we need to take up Bible reading and prayer.
Prayer can help us connect with God on a deeper level. Telling Him our struggles, problems, and emotions will give us relief like nothing else can. You might be surprised at how much comfort comes over you once you tell God about your feelings. He is your loving Father, and He will equip your heart with love, encouragement, and hope.
Bible reading helps us learn more about God and His goodness. Reflecting on accounts of God in the Bible can help us feel more comforted by Him. Two great Books of the Bible to start reading today are Psalms and the Gospel of John. Both of these Books will help you learn more about God and His comfort and love.
Learning more about His love and leaning into it can help our hearts heal from any wound.
God Cares about Us
From the Bible, we learn this beautiful truth, “‘But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares’” (Jeremiah 30:17). The Lord tells us in this passage that He will restore our health and heal our wounds. This passage is referring to Israel; however, it also applies to us as believers. There is no reason to believe that God would withhold healing and restoration from our lives.
Give the wounds that are on your heart today over to God. There might still be times when you feel like an open wound, but God can help you. He is already restoring your health and healing your wounds as you read these words. God cares about you and loves you. Never doubt these truths.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you ever felt like an open wound? What did this feel like for you?
Healing from God will come in His timing. How might you reach out to Him today?
Is it encouraging to know God can heal your wounds? Why or why not?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When heartbreak hits and the tears just won’t stop, it can feel like God is far away. But in today’s devotional, we’re reminded of a profound truth: God draws closer in our sorrow, not further.
After attending a funeral, the author expected her grieving friend to be falling apart—but instead, she found a woman sustained by prayer, clinging to God’s strength hour by hour. That’s the power of God’s presence in grief. That’s the promise of Psalm 34:18:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.”
Whether you're facing loss, loneliness, or just the ache of unspoken pain, this verse is your reminder—you are never alone.
Join the Conversation:
Have you experienced God’s closeness during a painful season? What helped you draw near to Him instead of drifting away? Let us know @LifeaudioNetwork or by email. Your story may be just what someone else needs to hear.
🎙💬 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Explore more Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Draw Close to God
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
Standing in line at a funeral home, waiting to give condolences to a family who had just lost a loved one to a tragic loss, I admired all the pictures of the deceased and well wishes from people ahead of me. Many family members had come to express their sentiments as well. About 20 minutes later, we were able to reach my friend.
Although she attended church for a long time, she sometimes had questions and doubts (as we all do) about God and his ways. When I got to the line and saw her there, I expected her to be a mess. I expected her to express her doubts and questions about God.
However, she said the opposite. As we hugged, she told me she had been praying and asking God for supernatural help to sustain her through the long days and weeks. She told me that was the first day she had not cried and could stand firm as each hour passed. She and her family remembered their loved one on their special day. They chose to use it as a day of great remembrance and to take comfort in believing that he was in heaven and having all his questions answered.
A few days later, I sent her the above verse to comfort her as she continued to move on from their loss. Like my friend, the above verse is often used for people going through difficult trials or tragic losses. It reminds us of God's great love for his people.
God never allows us to walk alone. He is always with us, even during unspeakable loss and tragedy. When we feel he has forgotten us, and we can't understand why we are going through such times of trial, this verse can be of great comfort to all of us. It serves as a great reminder that God is with us every step of the way.
He is with us when we are in bed crying into our tear-stained pillows. He is with us when we shake hands and hug loved ones who have come to pay their respects. He is also with us when we celebrate family during the holidays when we miss our loved ones the most. It is as if Jesus is there, sitting in the empty chair, with us in our time of trial.
If you are going through a difficult time right now, ask yourself: do I feel God is close to or distant from me? Your answer reveals more about your view of God than you realize. When we are going through a difficult time, it is tempting to push God away, believing the enemy’s lie that God does not care about our true well-being, rather than accepting the truth of God's promises, as stated in his word. As the above verse reminds us, he is with us always.
He knows our spirits when they are strong and when they are weak. God promises to get vengeance on those who hurt his people. He is the one who gets the ultimate revenge. But we must be patient and wait for his timing. God is the one who knows the bigger picture of our situation.
We only see a finite piece of a much larger puzzle. We are only given one puzzle piece at a time. However, it's difficult to see the bigger picture. We must trust that God is the ultimate creator of the puzzle, the only one who can make all the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly.
Draw close to God. Do not allow a time of trial to be a time where you drift away from God. If you find yourself resisting the urge to read the word, hiding your big emotions from God, or distracting yourself from being alone with him, chances are you are trying to push him away rather than come close. But Jesus is waiting for us. He is close to us and walks with us every step of the way. We must take his hand and allow him to lead us as we walk through our time of trial.
Father, let us draw near to you in times of trial. Let us know that you are closest to us during our most profound grief. Remind us that you are there, extending your hand, waiting for us to take it. Help us to let you lead us with your comforting words and steadfast actions. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
When you are facing a tough time, do you turn towards God or drift away from Him? Why?
Further Reading
Proverbs 3:5-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever wish you could be unbothered—the kind of person who doesn’t spiral when things go sideways? In today’s devotional, Laura Bailey shares a heartfelt story about her friend’s tough day, a voicemail full of frustration, and a powerful moment of conviction from the Holy Spirit.
What started as venting turned into a moment of humility—and a reminder that being “unbothered” doesn’t mean we ignore hurt. It means we choose grace over pride.
As Romans 12:3 tells us:
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, by the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (NIV)
Let this be your reminder:
Being unbothered doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you care more about the person than the problem.
Join the Conversation:
Have you ever caught yourself in a moment of venting—only to feel convicted later? What helps you respond with grace instead of reacting with frustration? Let us know @LifeaudioNetwork or by email. We’d love to hear your story.
🎙💬 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Explore more Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Becoming Unbothered
By: Laura Bailey
“For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, by the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Romans 12:3 NIV
“Petty Patty is coming at you live. " Tears of laughter rolled down my cheeks as I listened to my friend’s voicemail. She shared about a situation she was dealing with, airing her frustrations, pointing out the hypocrisy of the problem, and expressing her general annoyance with this particular group of people.
My friend is one of the kindest people I know. She will give the shirt off her back and bring you a home-cooked meal at the hint of oncoming sickness. She is always the first to sign up and the last to leave, and she is one of the most generous people I’ve ever met. She is not one to complain; typically, that’s my role in our friendship. So, I knew she was upset, not just from her three-minute-long voicemail.
“Oh my word, I am so sorry. Did you just get my voicemail?” my friend quickly spouted as she answered my call. “I did. Whew, tell me about your day. It sounds like it was a doozy,” I teased. “Laura, I am sorry. Yes, I had a bad day and am incredibly frustrated, but I shouldn’t have said those things about my co-workers. Please forgive me.”
She expanded upon why she was upset and then shared how the Holy Spirit immediately convicted her after she left the voicemail. “I want to be unbothered. You know, the person who just lets things go, realizing it's not a big deal in the grand scheme. And honestly, my irritation stems more from hurt pride than anything else,” she confided.
As she spoke, I recalled numerous times when I’d flown off the handle, vented to anyone who would listen, and critically shared about people who drove me crazy. How would my response to a perceived slight, purposeful hurt, or a potential oversight be if I took a more unbothered approach? I am not suggesting that we ignore when people cause us harm, but we don’t allow our feelings and emotions to run wild. We root our responses in humility and not pride.
Paul, in writing to the church of Romans, who was having a difficult time getting along, shares, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, by the faith God has distributed to each of you ( Romans 12:3) Look at Paul’s opening statement, he says that it by the grace given to him he shares this hard truth. Grace is getting something we don’t deserve, and in this case, Paul is talking about God’s grace on humanity by sending His son, Jesus.
When we realize that we need grace, and God gives it abundantly, we can grant grace to others. Paul shares the not-so-secret tip for fostering good relationships: think of others over yourself. It’s the golden rule: " Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Would you want someone to tarnish your name before you are allowed to explain? How often are our words and actions misunderstood, taken incorrectly, or simply miscommunicated? When dealing with others, we must acknowledge and accept that we can unintentionally cause harm and desire grace, mercy, and love when you do.
Letting go isn’t easy or even a natural response, but as Paul points out, we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us in our weakness and display the fruits of the Spirit through our faith. Being unbothered doesn’t mean you don’t care; you simply value the person more than the problem.
My friend could have easily elaborated on all the ways she felt wronged, yet she used that opportunity to ask where she was potentially at fault and chose to grant grace and forgiveness instead. As my pastor shared in his sermon recently, “You’ll never forget doing the right thing.” My friend doesn’t, and I hope to do the same.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Can you think of a time when you let your feelings get out of control? How did that affect your relationship? Jot down ways you can become “unbothered” in your relationships.
For Further Reading:
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Prayers to Pray for Difficult Family Relationships
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Anxiety has a way of whispering lies that feel louder than truth. In today’s devotional, Aaron D’Anthony Brown shares how even after seeing God show up time and again—in his own life and in the lives of others—those anxious voices still try to take center stage.
Whether it’s fear of failure, rejection, or just not being enough, anxiety loves to hijack our thoughts. But Scripture reminds us of a different reality:
“Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.” —Proverbs 12:25 (CSB)
God’s Word is that good word. When anxiety lies, truth restores. It reminds us we are not unloved, not forgotten, not beyond hope. The truth is—we are known, chosen, and secure in Christ.
Join the Conversation:
What lie has anxiety tried to sell you recently, and how has God’s Word helped you push back? Share your thoughts @LifeaudioNetwork or send us an email. We’d love to hear how God’s truth is transforming your thinking.
🎙 🙏 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Discover more Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Lies Anxiety Tells
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.” (Proverbs 12:25, CSB)
Working part-time as a writing consultant affords me many opportunities to converse with college students. Unsurprisingly, these youth, fresh out of high school, are still finding out who they are and discovering their way in the world. As they have reminded me, there’s plenty of uncertainty to experience, and with uncertainty, fear.
Countless times, they express worry over failing a particular class or assignment. And countless times, they come back to me, recounting how well they actually performed. Even after they are able to contrast fear with reality, they often end up in the same place when uncertainty rolls back around again. They fear.
I could look at these students and wonder, “Why don’t they get it?” However, I was a student just like them. At times, as an adult, my anxiety still lies to me, and I still listen.
As believers today, we often look back on the Israelites and wonder why they constantly strayed from God. We question how fear could lead them to worship false idols and lack faith when God pulled them through hard times again and again. We may have even wondered the same about ourselves. God shows His hand, but we still forget His works. That’s because of the lies anxiety tells, or more accurately, the lies we choose to believe.
We hear them, we believe them, we internalize them.
Our inner monologue looks something like, “You are unloved,” “You are unworthy,” “You don’t belong,” “You’re not good enough,” and much more. Whatever that voice is speaking to you in whatever area of your life, know that the only way to counteract a lie permanently is with the truth.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Overcoming your worries means grounding yourself in truth. Only then will the lies that anxiety tells become less potent. Here are two steps to follow and make into a daily habit.
Discover truth.
One way to discover truth is through God’s Word. Anxiety and other forms of fear tell you things about your character and worth, things that aren’t true. God’s Word also speaks to who you are and who you can become. If you had to choose between the two, which would you pick?
We might say God is the obvious answer, but when anxiety is pelting our brains, we often don’t think about God’s truth. We aren’t recounting verses about our worth or God designing us with purpose. However, we should. The more we know the Word of God, the more we will know what He thinks of us. Not only that, but we will also discover what He wants us to think of ourselves.
Another way to find out what is true is through experience. If you find yourself constantly worried about money, but your finances always work out, take note of that. If you think everyone is out to get you, when in reality, no one bothers you at all, take note. Perhaps you’re holding on to some past offense and living in fear, rather than reality.
The more self-aware you become, the better off you will be. Spotting lies will be easier, as will believing what’s actually true.
Remember truth.
While becoming aware of the truth is important, we humans and sinners naturally forget. Therefore, if we don’t want to forget, we need to create reminders for ourselves. These could come in the form of sticky notes, a journal, encouragement from peers, or some other daily or weekly habit.
If God has provided for you in the past, don’t allow yourself to forget. Take note of your blessings. Literally, take notes. Write down why you’re grateful, your strengths, or why you have worth.
The fears are going to keep coming. We are flawed people living in a flawed world, but they don’t have to possess so much power. The lies we believe become lies we ignore when we have something else to believe in. The Truth.
Further Reading:
- Exodus 16:3
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
- Isaiah 41:10
- 2 Timothy 1:7
- Psalm 34:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Motherhood may be one of the most sacred roles God has given—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood in today’s culture. In today’s devotional, Lynette Kittle invites us to take a closer look at what the Bible really says about motherhood and how God designed it with both purpose and power.
Despite society's mixed messages—telling women to prioritize success, beauty, or convenience—Scripture reminds us that life itself begins in the womb, shaped by the hands of God:
“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” —Psalm 139:13
While childbirth comes with pain—a result of the fall in Genesis 3—God still calls it a blessing, a sacred invitation to partner with Him in the miracle of life. Even Jesus came through a mother, because that’s how God designed humanity to flourish.
We encourage you to pray:
“Lord, thank You for the gift of life. Help me honor the role of motherhood—whether I’m a mom, have one, or am still healing from what motherhood has meant in my life. Remind me that You are the Giver of every life, and that no person is here by accident.”
In a world that often minimizes motherhood, God elevates it. He sees, honors, and blesses the mothers, the births, and every life created in love.
Let this be your reminder: Whether you were born through natural means, technology, or adoption—God formed you. He knows you. He chose you.
Join the Conversation:
How has your view of motherhood been shaped by culture or by Scripture? What gives you hope when thinking about life, legacy, and God’s design? Let us know @LifeaudioNetwork or by email—we’d love to hear your story and walk with you in faith.
🎙 💬 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Explore more Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Taking a Closer Look at Motherhood
(719 words)
By Lynette Kittle
“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world”--John 16:21
Motherhood has taken a hit over the years with women’s careers and educational pursuits taking the forefront, along with abortion, convincing women that being a mother isn’t worth the time, effort, or cost it takes to carry, birth, and care for a child.
But without mothers, of course, none of us would experience life, except Adam and Eve, who were the only people in the history of the earth to enter life without one.
Genesis 1:27 explains how they came to life. “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”
Since then, even if babies are created in a Petri dish or test tube, they’ve needed a woman to make it possible. Even Jesus came to earth through a mother, because that’s how God designed humanity to multiply.
Motherhood’s Curse
Because of the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, sin brought with it a curse affecting childbirth. As Genesis 3:16 describes, “To the woman He said, ‘I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Because of the pain and suffering attached to giving birth, some women opt out of carrying a child, afraid to experience the pain and discomfort associated with it, some fearful of the bodily changes that occur with new life growing within one’s body brings with it.
More and more mothers today are finding surrogates to bear the brunt of childbirth risks for them, some for health and infertility reasons and concerns, others so carrying a child doesn’t interfere with their careers or affect their physical appearance.
Motherhood’s Gift
Even though motherhood comes with a curse, it also comes as a gift, too. 1 Timothy 2:15 explains, “But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.”
God, the Giver of all life, created motherhood, entrusting women with both the pain and joy of bearing children and placing His blessing upon the process. As Genesis 1:28 explains, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”
Although humanity has found various ways around the natural process of baby making, still, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him” (Psalm 127:3).
No matter how humans attempt to create new life, God is still the Giver of Life. It is He who knows and forms babies, giving them life, regardless of how humans discover how to orchestrate their beginnings.
God told the prophet Jeremiah that, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).
He is the only life-source for humanity. “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).
However babies are conceived, God is still the one forming them and breathing life into their tiny human bodies. As Psalm 139:13 describes, “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Science and technology, as powerful as they may seem, cannot bring life into this world without God because it isn’t possible without His hand and His design for the creation of life.
Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you struggling with the idea of motherhood and how life is created? If so, look to God’s word for clarification. Or, if you came into this world in an unconventional way, don’t let it deter you from the fact that God created you, not science or technology. He is the one who formed you and gave you life.
Further Reading: A Prayer to Treasure the Sanctity of Life
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-prayer/a-prayer-to-treasure-the-sanctity-of-life.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What’s keeping you in chains today—sin, fear, or something else? Vivian Bricker reminds us that Jesus has already won our freedom, but too often we live as if we’re still locked in a self-made prison. It’s time to step into the light, leave behind old patterns, and walk confidently in the freedom Christ provides.
🔑 3 Key Takeaways
✅ Jesus’ freedom is eternal and unshakeable.
Christ died to free us from sin, fear, and bondage.
✅ We build our own prisons when we stay in sin or fear.
Even when we think we’re in control, sin controls us.
✅ Freedom means walking in obedience and confidence.
Let go of fear and sin, and embrace the abundant life God offers.
🛠️ Intersecting Faith & Life
- Are you walking in the freedom Jesus offers—or stuck in a prison of sin or fear?
- What steps can you take today to walk away from what’s holding you back?
- Pray and ask Jesus to help you live in the full freedom He’s already given you.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Christ Has Set Us Free
By Vivian Bricker
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
When we think of freedom, we normally think of America gaining independence from Britain. In America, this is what we celebrate on the Fourth of July—our independence. It is common for us to celebrate our independence and freedom on this day, yet most of us are still living in a prison we have constructed for ourselves. Despite the Lord having already set us free by blessing us with salvation, we are still living in a manmade prison.
Whenever we are actively living in sin, we are building a prison around ourselves. Even if we might think we have everything “covered” or “controlled,” we really do not. We are never in control of sin—it is controlling us. This is why we must not become calloused to sin. Sin is sin, no matter what sin it might be.
Many people think certain sins are more severe than others, but all sins are equal. If we commit one sin, it is just as bad as committing all of them. This is because God does not treat sin lightly. There are consequences for our sins that will prevail in our lives. We might think we have everything under control, yet when things start turning sour, we can only blame ourselves.
Sin is not good, and as Christians, we don't need to promote it. I have seen too many people turn away from God by engaging in a life of sin, and it only eats away at their hearts. Rather than continuing to live in a state of slavery to sin, we need to step out of the chains. The Lord has already set us free, and we need to continue to walk in this freedom.
Jesus’ Freedom
The Apostle Paul tells us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). As Paul says in this passage, Jesus has set us free. With this freedom, we need to stand firm and not allow ourselves to be burdened again by the yoke of slavery. The freedom the Lord has given us is eternal, constant, and steadfast.
Instead of locking ourselves away in our own prisons, we need to step out into the light. In this light, we see Jesus and the freedom He died for us to possess. Freedom is never given for nothing. Rather, Jesus had to die for our sins in order for this freedom to come to us. With this in mind, we need to take hold of this freedom, turn away from sin, and bring glory to the Lord. Praise Him, thank Him, and walk in obedience to His Word.
The more we do this, the more we will begin truly living in the freedom of Christ. Maybe we are not struggling with a specific sin right now, but we are dealing with fear. We don't need to let fear keeps us in prison, either. With the Lord’s freedom, we can step out of our prison of fear and walk in the confidence of the Lord. Jesus is always protecting us, and there is no reason to fear.
No matter what you are being held a slave to today, give it over to Jesus. He has already given you freedom, and it is time to take it. The Lord loves us and wants us to live in the freedom of the abundant life He has given us. There is no time to continue to be a slave to sin, fear, or anything else. Jesus has set us free,, and this freedom will never be taken away.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you currently walking in the freedom of Jesus? Why or why not?
Does the prison of sin, fear, or something else cause you to feel safer? If so, explain.
What would it look like to remove yourself from your self-made prison?
“Dear Jesus, I've been living in a prison for too long. You have set me free, and I'm taking hold of it today. Whenever I start drifting back to my prison, please pull me toward You. Thank You for Your freedom, Lord. I know You went to great lengths to set me free. I praise You, Amen.”
Further Reading:
- John 10:10
- 2 Peter 2:19
- John 8:36
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever felt like God is distant or silent in your struggles? Megan J. Conner reminds us of the powerful truth from Romans 8: absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love. Whether you’ve drifted through busyness, pain, or doubt, God’s presence remains constant and faithful.
🔑 3 Key Takeaways
✅ God’s love is constant—even when we can’t feel it.
His nearness doesn’t depend on our emotions or circumstances.
✅ Distractions and pain can cloud our awareness of God.
We may drift away, but He never leaves.
✅ Nothing in all creation can sever God’s love.
Not sin, failure, hardship, or even death can break His commitment to us.
🛠️ Intersecting Faith & Life
- Have you been distracted or discouraged, feeling far from God?
- How does Romans 8 reshape your view of God’s nearness and faithfulness?
- Take time today to reflect and invite God back into every corner of your heart.
📚 Further Reading
- Romans 8
- Psalm 145
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Inseparable
By Megan J. Conner
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword...? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:35-39 (NIV)
Have you ever felt like God was nowhere to be found? Chaos and confusion seem to be your constant companions, yet it appears you are battling through it all alone. Despite your best efforts, you fail to recognize the presence of the Lord in it with you. The silence and His apparent absence leave you discouraged and disappointed. Where is the Lord?
The Word of God assures us that “…the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you, (Deut. 31:6, NIV).” Even when we can’t see it, He is with us. His Holy Spirit remains within us. His Word also promises, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” If these promises are true, why then do we feel so distant from our Heavenly Father?
The perceived chasm between us and the Lord is likely the result of our own choices and actions. Often, our disappointment, hurt, or confusion about circumstances in our lives cause us to retreat from our true source of comfort. We may be fully aware of this withdrawal if there is clear resentment or frustration present. Perhaps we are questioning God’s goodness and justice when faced with unwelcome and sometimes shocking dilemmas. In other seasons, we find ourselves far from the Lord and have no idea how we got there. We believe God has abandoned us but the truth is, we allowed distraction, the busyness of life, and the things of this world to consume our thoughts. Before we know it, our hearts have waxed cold, and we struggle to feel a sense of intimacy with the One we love.
Regardless of how or why we may have wandered away from the source of Living Water, there is less distance than we imagine in between us of the Lord. Our scripture today from Romans chapter eight boldly declares there is NOTHING that can separate us from the love of God. Not hardship, not persecution; not famine or sword, not height or depth, not even death or life… There is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of God. Isn’t that so incredibly powerful? There is nothing you can or cannot do that would cause the Lord to abandon you. There are no circumstances that would compel Him to distance Himself from you. No failures, no sin… not even the finality of death itself can disconnect you from your Heavenly Father.
This kind of constancy is unfathomable to us. In a world where divorce rates are high, loved ones are lost to disease, and everything here on earth comes to an end, an eternal, unconditional commitment to love us and remain with us is almost beyond our comprehension. Yet, this is the height and the depth of God’s love for us. No matter where you find yourself today, He is near. He has not left you, or abandoned you. Turn to Him today and remember… His love for you is inseparable.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you felt like God was distant in your life? If so, how does today’s devotional shift your perspective? Can you see how scripture clearly illustrates God’s faithfulness and nearness to you? Do you believe that the Lord would never abandon or forsake you? Why or why not?
Take some time today to ask the Lord the show you areas of your heart where you have wandered from Him. Have you been distracted, preferring and prioritizing the things of this world and the busyness of life instead of spending time with Him? Or have there been painful experiences that have caused you the question God’s goodness in the midst of your hardships? No matter where you find yourself today, know that the Lord is there and patiently waiting for you to crack open the door of your heart and once again invite Him in.
Further Reading:
Romans 8
Psalm 145
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Are you stuck in a cycle of working hard but feeling empty? Deidre Braley unpacks Haggai’s powerful message to the Israelites—and to us: when we neglect God’s presence, our efforts fall flat. This episode reveals why shifting your priorities to build the Lord’s house first can break cycles of frustration and lead to true fruitfulness.
3 Key Takeaways
✅ Misplaced priorities drain your life.
Busyness without God leads to frustration and burnout.
✅ Making space for God invites His blessing.
When we shift focus to God—through rest, prayer, and obedience—He promises to be with us.
✅ Fruitfulness flows from God, not just effort.
Only God can make our work truly thrive and satisfy.
Intersecting Faith & Life
- Are you busy building your own “house” while neglecting God’s?
- How can you intentionally make space for God this week—through rest, prayer, or obedience?
- What’s one step today to reorder your priorities toward Him?
Further Reading
- John 15:1-8
- Ecclesiastes 4:6
- Isaiah 55
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Build the Lord’s House First
by Deidre Braley
Haggai 1:7-9: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.
In 586 BCE, the nation of Israel officially fell to the Babylonian Empire. King Nebuchadnezzar and his cronies sacked the temple and carried many of Judah’s inhabitants back to Babylon, where they lived as exiles for nearly fifty years. But in 539 BCE something interesting happened: the power shifted to King Cyrus of the Persian Empire, and under this new ruler, the Israelite exiles were allowed—even encouraged—to return to Jerusalem and rebuild God’s temple.
At first, the returned exiles got right down to business with rebuilding. But before long, they began to experience threats from surrounding people groups. Under the weight of this opposition, work on the temple ceased, and for sixteen years, it continued to lay in ruins.
In 520 BCE, however, a prophet named Haggai began to rouse the spirits of the returned Israelites again. Through Haggai, the Lord gave the Jewish people a very clear message: it was time to start building his house again.
During their sixteen-year hiatus from reconstruction, it seems that the Jews had concerned themselves with seeking all the ordinary essentials for living: growing food, eating, drinking, dressing, working, and building homes for themselves. But as the Lord pointed out through Haggai, none of these pursuits had been as fruitful as they could have been. He said, “Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes” (1:5-7).
Have you felt like no matter how hard you work, it feels like your wages are going into a bag with holes? Or that no matter how earnestly you plant, you just seem to keep pulling up weeds? In my life, I’ve certainly experienced this type of fruitlessness—and it’s exhausting. Though it seems like we’re doing all the right things, at the end of the day we come up feeling empty and spent.
Now, this is where the world might hand us self-help books, or coach us on how to be more effective, or tell us to just work harder. But through Haggai, we learn that the answer to our fruitlessness is not to double down and do even more; rather, it is to shift our priorities.
According to the Lord, his people’s frustrated efforts were a direct result of their misplaced priorities. Through Haggai, he said, “...my house…lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house” (1:9). While they had focused on providing for themselves, they had neglected to create a space for the Provider himself to dwell alongside them. They got so focused on the fruit that they forgot about the one who makes fruit grow in the first place. As a result, their efforts came to little.
Intersecting Faith & Life
Are you experiencing a sense of fruitlessness in your life? Do you feel that your efforts are constantly being frustrated, like you’re running in place while someone holds the back of your shirt? If so—is it possible that you, like the returned exiles, have gotten so focused on producing the fruits of a good life that you’ve forgotten to prioritize the One who actually makes them grow?
If the answer is ‘yes,’ then the next step is to ask God what type of space he would like you to make for him in your life.
God’s instruction for the Jewish people in response to their misaligned priorities was this: “Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified…” (Haggai 1:8). And when they had obeyed the Lord in this manner? He told them, “I am with you…” (Haggai 1:13). For you, making space for God might look less like creating a physical temple and more like entering in Sabbath rest, or setting aside time for intentional prayer each day, or being obedient to something that he’s been asking you to do.
It is seemingly ingrained in our human nature to forget that—above all things—the sustenance we need most is neither food nor drink, but rather God’s presence. Haggai reminds us that it is only when we prioritize making space for God in our lives that we will experience the satisfaction we so desire.
Further Reading
- John 15:1-8
- Ecclesiastes 4:6
- Isaiah 55
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever tossed and turned at 4 a.m., stuck between two decisions or weighed down by life’s seemingly unchanging routine? You’re not alone—and more importantly, you’re not stuck without purpose.
In today’s devotional, Sarah Frazer beautifully reframes those “stuck” seasons we all experience. Drawing wisdom from Psalm 25, she reminds us that even when we feel like we’re not moving forward, God is at work. He’s teaching, loving, leading, befriending, and ultimately saving us in ways we often can’t see at the time.
What if this pause in your life isn’t punishment—but preparation?
✨ Key Takeaways
⏸️ “Stuck” doesn’t mean God has stopped working in you
📖 God uses still seasons to teach us new or deeper truths
💛 His love and forgiveness are steady—even when we feel like we’re failing
🧭 Waiting can be God’s way of guiding us to the next step
👥 God draws near as a friend when we need Him most
🔁 Intersecting Faith and Life
- How can you reach out to God right now and make Him your refuge in this waiting season?
- What would change if you stopped measuring your worth by productivity and started resting in God’s faithfulness?
- How have you seen God’s guidance in past seasons when you felt “stuck”?
💬 Let’s Reflect
God’s faithfulness isn’t dependent on your performance, your progress, or your pace. Wherever you are right now—moving, waiting, or wondering—you are seen, loved, and led by a God who never gets stuck.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Faithfulness When We Are Stuck
By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” Psalm 25:1 (ESV)
Devotional
My eyes were wide open but I couldn’t see in the dark. As I lay in bed, I glanced at the clock. 4am. With a sigh, I rolled over. Making a decision always keeps me awake at night. For hours my husband and I talked through the decision, looking at it from one angle and then another. We decided to pray about it and sleep on it. Praying was easy, sleeping was not.
I listened to my husband snore softly and envied his ability to just put off the thoughts for the morning. My heart struggled to find peace because I could see both sides and didn’t know which path to take.
Whether the decision is a big one or a small one, feeling stuck is not a good feeling. Sometimes we are forced to wait because life needs us to stay the course, even if we want to make a decision to move. When my children were very little my days felt like a constant repeat of the same day over and over. I felt like I wasn’t making “progress” at all.
My dream to write, create, and publish books was on hold. My spiritual life felt non-existent because time with God was put on the back burner. I didn’t have many friends and rarely left the house. In all areas of my life I felt stuck. If you have found yourself in that position, it might be time to sit down, stop striving, and “be still,” as Psalm 46:10 says.
God often leads us to a place where we might feel “stuck” but actually, it is a place we need to be so that He can show us something about Himself. Over and over again, during seasons of my life where I didn’t feel like I was moving forward, God has remained faithful. It is actually God’s faithfulness that is brought into deeper clarity during times when we feel stuck.
Looking at Psalm 25 we see many areas where God is faithful and this faithfulness fuels us when we feel stuck. First of all, God is faithful to teach us His truth. In verses 4-5 the psalmist rejoices in the fact that even though he feels stuck, God is teaching him. Maybe our time of feeling “unproductive” or the fact that we aren’t really moving forward is actually a time where we learn new truths or are reminded of old truths pertaining to God. God is always faithful to teach us, no matter what season we find ourselves in.
God is also faithful to love and forgive us. The psalmist says that God’s faithful mercy and steadfast love are “from of old.” (Psalm 25:6-7) God’s love for us goes back to even before the foundation of the earth. (Ephesians 1:4) Although our lives feel like God might have left us, we can know that He has always and will always forgive us faithfully. 1 John 1:9 says that God is faithful to forgive.
Our God is also faithful to lead us. Sometimes that means to wait, but as you wait, be ready to move. God will tell you when and how to move. As we wait, we can know and rest in the fact that God is faithful to guide us through every season, even the waiting ones. (Psalm 25:8-10)
In Psalm 25:14 we read that God is faithful to be our friend. While we might feel stuck, we can get to know God. Our relationship with God can grow and mature as we learn more about who God is. He is faithful to us!
Finally, God is faithful to save us from our seasoning of waiting. God sees, and hears our sorrow. (Psalm 25:16-21) God is our comfort, our salvation, and hears us when we cry out to Him. No matter how much you feel stuck, you are not away from God and His plan for your life.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The end of Psalm 25 says, “I take refuge in you.” If you are in a season that feels like you aren’t moving forward, how can you reach out to God in prayer and seek Him as a refuge?
Although you might look at your life and feel as if you have failed God, how does knowing His faithfulness isn’t based on your merits give you comfort today?
Further Reading:
Lamenations 3:22-23
2 Thessalonians 3:3
Psalm 36:5
1 John 1:9
Hebrews 10:23
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever faced something new—whether a trip, job, or big decision—and felt both excited and a little afraid? In today’s devotional, we’re reminded that no matter where we go or what we face, we’re never alone. God isn’t just sending us out—He’s going with us.
Drawing from Psalm 139 and a personal story about traveling through the Middle East, Whitney Hopler unpacks how God’s presence is unshakable, even in unfamiliar places. Whether your next journey is physical, emotional, or spiritual, you can walk boldly into it knowing that the Creator of the universe is not just beside you—He’s already ahead of you.
✨ Key Takeaways
🗺️ God is already where you're going — and He’s not leaving your side
🧳 New opportunities can feel uncertain, but His presence makes them possible
🕊️ Whether you're in a foreign land or facing a new role, God travels with you
👐 You are never out of reach from His hand—He holds you fast
🚶 Courage grows when you trust that God walks every step with you
🔁 Intersecting Faith and Life
- What new thing is God nudging you toward?
- Are fear or uncertainty holding you back from stepping into it?
- How can you daily remind yourself that God is already present in the places you fear most?
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God Goes with You
By: Whitney Hopler
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” – Psalm 139:7-10, NIV
Before our family took a trip I’d planned to the Middle East, a family member told me she was worried that we would be in danger there. She asked me to consider canceling the trip because of ongoing conflicts in that part of the world. But we went ahead with the trip. It was a pilgrimage I believed God was leading us to take. While we were there, we saw soldiers with guns in the streets, and we even saw smoke rising in the distance from an active conflict across a border. But we never worried that we weren't safe, because God had led us there – and even more importantly, God was with us there.
Have you ever stood on the edge of a new opportunity, and felt a mix of excitement and fear? The unknown has a way of stirring up uncertainty. You may wonder if you’re truly ready to step into that opportunity. Maybe you sense God leading you to take a leap of faith, but you wonder if something will go wrong because you’re alone and unable to manage a situation on your own.
Psalm 139:7-10 encourages you with a powerful truth: You are never alone!
King David, who wrote Psalm 139, described noticing God’s presence in awe-inspiring ways. No matter where David thought of going, he knew God was already there. If he soared to the heavens, God was there. If he found himself in the deepest abyss, God was there. Even if he traveled to the farthest reaches of the sea, he knew God would still be there with him, as well.
God’s presence isn’t limited by space or time. There is no place too far, no environment too foreign, and no situation too overwhelming for God. Whether you find yourself in a busy city or in a remote wilderness, God will be there. If you visit a foreign country, someone who knows you well – your Heavenly Father – will be there. When you’re not traveling to a new physical place but are simply stepping into a new opportunity at work, church, or home, God will be there. God has already gone before you, preparing the way, and he will be with you in every step you take. You can count on the fact that God goes with you, anywhere and anytime!
So, if you want to explore a new opportunity God is making possible – either far away on a trip, or locally through a new challenge at home, work, or church – don’t be afraid to go for it! When you travel, you won’t be alone. God’s Holy Spirit will be with you on the plane, in the car, on the train, and wherever you go. When you take on a new challenge nearby like a new project or role, God will be right beside you as you step into that opportunity. God doesn’t send you anywhere alone. He walks beside you, ahead of you, and even behind you, covering you in his love!
Even if you encounter unexpected challenges – like delays or obstacles – God will still be there. He is always available, ready to listen to your prayers and respond by giving you what you need in any situation. Just like Psalm 139 says, God’s hands will guide you and hold you fast. You’re in God’s hands, and there’s no better place to be.
So, what’s holding you back? Don’t let fear of the unknown prevent you from taking the journey God wants you to take. Step forward with the confidence that wherever you go, God goes with you!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how God goes with you wherever you go, reflect on these questions:
- What new opportunity do you sense God may be leading you to move into? Are you excited, afraid, or a mix of both emotions?
- When was a time that you experienced God’s presence in an unfamiliar or challenging place? How did that give you confidence and help you trust God there?
- How can you remind yourself daily that God goes with you wherever you go?
Further Reading
Deuteronomy 31:8
Joshua 1:9
Matthew 28:20
Romans 8:38-39
Isaiah 41:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Sometimes what we think we see clearly is actually being filtered through a distorted lens — whether it’s our perspective on life, suffering, or even God. In this episode, we reflect on spiritual blindness, drawing from a powerful story about a child’s first experience seeing trees clearly — and how it mirrors our own journey from blurry spiritual sight to eternal clarity.
With Jesus as our healer and restorer, we’re reminded that it’s not just our eyes that need correction — it’s our hearts. Through Scripture and real-life parallels, today’s devotional invites you to shift your gaze from what is temporary to what truly lasts: the unseen and eternal promises of God.
✨ Key Takeaways
👓 Spiritual blindness often goes unnoticed — until we truly “see”
🌲 Our perception is shaped by what we focus on — and that can be distorted by the world
💡 Jesus restores sight both physically and spiritually
🕊️ Shifting our eyes from the temporal to the eternal brings peace, perspective, and hope
⏳ Today is a gift — how would you live differently if you saw it through eternity’s lens?
🔁 Intersecting Faith and Life
- What in your life are you seeing through a blurry lens right now?
- Are you focusing more on what’s fading or on what’s everlasting?
- How would your choices shift if you saw today as a stepping stone toward eternity?
📚 Further Reading
- 2 Corinthians 4
- John 9:35–41
- Mark 8:22–25
- Matthew 6:22–23
- Hebrews 12:2
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
What Do You See?
By Megan J. Conner
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18 (NIV)
One day, while riding in the car with my mother-in-law, she shared a story with me from her younger parenting years, when she unexpectedly discovered her only daughter needed glasses. Apparently, at the time, my sister-in-law was so accustomed to the vision she was born with that it took years for anyone to recognize her eyesight was rather poor. It was all she had known, so she compensated for her unrealized lack of clarity without much notice. Once her challenges were revealed, she was taken to an eye doctor and properly diagnosed. Glasses were ordered, and they waited anxiously for the frames to come in. After the fitting was complete, my mother-in-law buckled her young daughter back into the car, and they headed home. As they were driving, she heard from the backseat, “Mommy… is that what trees look like?!” All this time, her vision had been so blurred, she had no idea trees were comprised of individual leaves.
Sometimes, it can be exactly the same for us. What we believe is seen with clarity is actually viewed through a distorted lens. The Bible is full of literal and metaphorical references to blindness. There are countless stories where individuals are plagued with this physical limitation. One example can be found in the gospel of Mark.
“They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, ‘Do you see anything?’ He looked up and said, ‘I see people; they look like trees walking around.’ Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.”
Mark 8:22-25 (NIV)
Through this miraculous work, Jesus grants the blind man the gift of literal sight, demonstrating His restorative power in this world. However, there are also several biblical examples referencing those who are spiritually sightless. John shares another version of this same healing account in his gospel, followed by an investigation conducted by the Pharisees. During His interaction with the religious leaders of the day, Jesus declared their souls were darkened and lacked sight.
“Jesus said, ’For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.’ Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, ‘What? Are we blind too?’ Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”
John 9:35-41 (NIV)
Though invisible to the naked eye, spiritual blindness can be more detrimental than the complete loss of physical eyesight. When faced with the severity of sin’s effects, Jesus challenged listeners to gouge out their own eyes if their vision was drawing them into spiritual darkness during his Sermon on the Mount in Matt. 5:29. Sounds a bit overdramatic to our modern-day senses, right? But Jesus is highlighting the value of the eternal versus the temporal. We all have mortal bodies. One day, they will pass away. So, while we may struggle with aging, illness, or other limitations on earth, ultimately, our physical beings will pass away. There is nothing any of us can do to prevent that outcome. However, our spirits will endure. They are eternally precious. They will never pass away. Doesn’t that truth shift our perspectives?
When Paul shares our key scripture in today’s devotional from 2 Corinthians, he calls his readers to patiently endure and hold on to courage while encountering worldly suffering. He exhorts them to look beyond their “light and momentary afflictions” towards that which endures beyond time – to look towards eternity. When we lift up our eyes to heaven, a new light shines upon our difficult or undesirable circumstances.
For there is where we find hope. It is there we see a promised home and future. Let us “…fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18 (NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you been struggling to see the forest through the trees in your life circumstances? How does shifting your focus from the temporal to the eternal inspire hope or offer peace?
One of the practices that dramatically changed my fixation on that which is fading away was considering how I would handle today if I knew it was my final day on this planet. Would I spend it obsessing and worrying about all of the things I cannot control or wallowing in my perceived lack instead of recognizing my blessings? No, I would treasure moments with the ones I love most and celebrate the gift of the present while focusing on an eternity spent with the Lord in the future.
How will you change the way you see the gift of today?
Further Reading:
2 Cor. 4
John 9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
we dive into a direct and deeply reflective question Jesus asked a man who had been unwell for 38 years: “Do you want to get well?” This isn’t just about physical healing — it’s about soul healing too. Many of us know what needs to change in our spiritual lives, but instead of action, we offer excuses. Like the man at the pool, we may have valid challenges — but that doesn't mean we're powerless.
✨ Key Takeaways
✅ Excuses feel safe, but they keep us stuck
✅ Jesus meets us in our stuck places — but He invites us to move
✅ Spiritual growth isn’t passive — it takes intention, repetition, and surrender
✅ Time with God is never wasted — it's what fuels real transformation
✅ Intimacy with God requires space, silence, and a commitment to be present
🔁 Intersecting Faith and Life
- What excuses have you been making that are stunting your spiritual growth?
- Are there rhythms in your day you can repurpose for time with God (your commute, morning routine, evening wind-down)?
- Who can walk alongside you and help keep you spiritually accountable?
📚 Further Reading
- Proverbs 16:9
- James 4:8
- Matthew 6:33
- Psalm 46:10
- Romans 12:1–2
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Do You Want to Be Well?
“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” John 5:6
“You should go to the doctor.”
I urged a friend to go to the doctor since he hadn't had any blood work or a wellness checkup. He needed to maintain his physical health, including having an annual checkup and blood work. When the blood work returned that he had some areas he needed to improve, he made excuses.
He didn't have time to make a healthy dinner.
His job didn't allow him to have a break to go to the gym.
He didn't need medication; he could fix his issues on his own.
Excuse after excuse abounded. Although he did tweak his diet, it wasn't enough to significantly improve his numbers. After one try, he gave up.
Unfortunately, this is quite common among people. Jesus saw this in his day. A man who had hung out at the pool for a long time made every excuse for not getting well. Because he was blind, it was difficult for him to get to the pool alone.
But he could have easily asked someone else for help. He could have someone bring the water to him. Someone could have created a way to carry him to the pool. This is why Jesus asked him this poignant question. So many of us know what to do during spiritual growth, but few do the work required to grow in that area.
We often fuel our prayer time with excuses rather than the hard work and dedication it takes to grow in the Lord truly.
Excuses can sound like:
I have a stressful job, so I don't have time to read my Bible.
I get home too late from work to cook a healthy dinner.
The Lord can heal me instantaneously; I don't have to care for my body.
I prayed while I was on my ride to work. That's all I have time for.
It's these excuses that keep us from actual spiritual growth. Jesus went to the man. He didn't allow his excuses to prevent him from healing him completely.
While it is true that Jesus comes to us in our time of need, we must work to grow spiritually. And we must read the Bible more than once a week. Weekly church attendance is not enough to supplement our spiritual walk. We not only need to pray, but we also need to stay silent and be ready to hear his still, small voice.
Do you make excuses when it comes to your spiritual walk? Do you justify why you don't read the Bible often? Do you tell yourself you don't have time to pray and hear God's voice?
We are all motivated by certain desires. If we're not careful, these desires for money, power, fame, possessions, or anything else will quickly rule our lives. Soon, the necessary spiritual work to increase our growth will fall by the wayside as we aim to chase after all the worldly things of life.
Analyze your spiritual walk. Where can you cut precious time to spend with the Lord in your schedule? Can you turn off the television at the end of the night? Can you pray when you first get up in the morning? When you arise, dedicate your day to the Lord. Ask him to go before you in every area. Ask him not to allow you to get too distracted by life. Allow him to keep you focused on the work you are equipped to do.
The more you practice prayer with God, the more intimate you'll become. If you want to be intimate with God, you must make space for it. Stop making excuses and dedicate your time to the Lord. Let him guide and direct your steps.
You may be surprised that you are more productive during the day than you thought, but you are busy doing things you never would have anticipated because God is directing your steps.
Father, help us stop making excuses about our spiritual growth. Allow your Holy Spirit to penetrate our hearts, transform us physically, emotionally, and mentally, and allow the spiritual growth that results to allow us to exemplify more of Christ. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
What is one step you can take today to increase your intimacy with God? Are there people who can help move you further in your walk with God?
Further Reading
Proverbs 16:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
we’re reminded through Psalm 147:1-5 that God sees the brokenhearted, binds their wounds, and lovingly gathers the outcast. His love doesn't discard — it restores. Healing might take time, but you’re never walking through the process alone.
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 God gathers the outcast — you are never beyond His reach or concern
💡 He binds up wounds that others can't see and that you may carry silently
💡 Jesus moves toward the rejected, never away from them (John 9:35)
💡 Healing from deep relational hurt often takes time, but God walks with you each step
💡 God's love and faithfulness are rooted in His character, not your past
🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life
Have past wounds distorted how you view God’s love for you?
What truths from Scripture can you speak over your emotions when feelings of rejection or shame rise up?
Could journaling through key verses about God's love and pursuit help reshape how you see yourself in His eyes?
What would it look like to let God into those places you’ve long kept closed?
📖 Further Reading
Jeremiah 31:1–14 | Romans 8:1–4, 31–39 | Isaiah 61:1–3 | John 9:1–38 | 2 Corinthians 5:17
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you experienced God’s healing in a season of emotional or relational pain? Your story can be a lifeline for someone else. Share with us @LifeAudioNetwork or on Crosswalk.com — and let’s keep encouraging each other to trust the God who gathers, heals, and restores.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant and praise is beautiful.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their [e]wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars;
He [f]gives names to all of them.
5 Great is our Lord and abundant in strength;
His understanding is [g]infinite (Psalm 147:1-5, NAS).
When I first read this passage, particularly verse two, it hit deep and brought me to tears. After an intensely painful year that revealed some significant cracks in some of my closest relationships, exacerbated some of my unhealed wounds, and intensified remnants of dysfunction with me, I sought help from a therapist. With her help, I came to recognize ways in which I became the scapegoat in my family of origin. That role, and circumstances it created, caused me to feel perpetually rejected and abandoned. I felt like the unwanted, discarded child left to navigate life alone.
In times of pain and stress, those old wounds, and the lies attached to them, pushed to the surface. This used to cause me to react from a place of brokenness, rather than empowered by grace.
But I’m no longer the throw away kid because I belong to the God who gathers the outcast. While the Psalmist was likely referring to God’s people, once exiled to Babylon, his words reveal a powerful truth regarding our Savior’s heart. He sees when others treat us poorly and as if we lack worth. He sees the shame lurking in our souls and that holds us captive. He knows precisely how deep every cruel statement and every hurtful act cut. And He moves toward us in our pain.
He seeks us out and draws us close.
I’m reminded of an event recorded in John 9. To paraphrase, one day, Jesus encountered and healed a man born blind. This miracle left everyone amazed. Astounded, they brought him to the religious leaders who questioned him as to how he’d received his sight. After a tense conversation that probably felt more like an inquisition, the Pharisees declared, “You were steeped in sin at birth …” (John 9:34a, NIV). They basically called him cursed by God, implying that he had deserved his blindness.
But notice verse 35: “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (NIV).
Jesus sought the rejected man out and invited him into an intimate, life-giving relationship with the perfectly loving, always present, eternally faithful Savior.
Because again, the Lord gathers the outcasts. Then, as we rest in His strong yet tender embrace, His Spirit within us heals and binds up our wounds. His love makes us whole. Granted, this rarely occurs instantly, or quickly for that matter. Often, His reparation work takes a lifetime. But today’s passage assures us that we don’t have to remain stuck in our brokenness. We don’t have to walk through life feeling like an outcast. We can receive the healing we need to become all God created us to be and to do all He’s called us to do.
Intersecting Life and Faith
Those of us who grew up feeling unvalued, unseen, and unwanted can unknowingly project those states into our present relationships, including with God. The unhealed places within us can distort our perception, making it hard to trust and receive God’s steadfast love. When we land in that lonely place, may we prayerfully reflect upon passages like today’s. Not so that we can deny or suppress our feelings but rather, so that we can inform our emotions with truth.
Regardless of how we feel, this is truth:
God loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
God’s faithfulness toward us is not dependent on our faithfulness toward Him. Rather, it’s rooted in His unchanging character (Romans 5:8, 20).
The Lord pursues us, always and forever (Ezekiel 34:11; Isaiah 65:1-3).
Our Father longs to heal our most wounded places, and does so as we yield to Him (2 Corinthians 5:17; Isaiah 61:1-2).
Our Redeemer can rebuild what sin has shattered and replace the ashes in our lives with beauty (Isaiah 61:3)
If you’re struggling with a fear of abandonment or shame that causes you to feel distant from God and doubt His constant and unconditional love, consider journaling on the verses just referenced. Ask God to help your soul to receive those words and to use them to heal your most wounded places.
Further Reading:
Jeremiah 31:1-14
Romans 8:1-4, 31-39
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Aaron D’Anthony Brown challenges us to reflect honestly on how well we really know God. True intimacy with Him isn’t just about worship on Sundays — it’s about staying close when life feels upside down. Knowing God deeply means choosing Him in every season, especially the hard ones.
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 Saying we know God is different than truly trusting Him in trials
💡 Our faith can grow cold if we stop praying, reading, and staying connected to God
💡 Knowing God requires consistent relationship — not just when life feels good
💡 Scripture helps us learn God’s heart and equips us for seasons of doubt
💡 Reminders of truth (verses, prayers, routines) help us return to God when we wander
🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life
When was the last time you felt close to God? What was different about that season?
How can you build rhythms into your life — like daily prayer or scripture reading — that keep your relationship with God strong?
What truths do you need to write down or post somewhere to keep your mind focused on who God is?
How might preparing spiritually during “good times” help you stand firm when hard times come?
📖 Further Reading
Psalm 27:4 | Romans 5:8 | Jeremiah 29:11 | Hebrews 10:23 | John 15:4
💬 Join the Conversation
What’s one way you’ve learned to stay connected to God when life feels heavy? Share your experience with us @LifeAudioNetwork or on Crosswalk.com — your story might encourage someone walking through their own valley.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Knowing God
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:30-31, CSB)
How well do you know God? Your immediate answer might be something approving but give the question some thoughtful consideration. There’s a young woman I know, a college student, who grew up in church. Her father was a preacher, and her mother was the church’s librarian. She read plenty and sang plenty. If you asked her at the time, she would have told you that she knew God. Not only that, but her relationship with Him was also seemingly tight. Then time passed. She applied for college and did not get into the music school she wanted. Other things started to happen. Other bad things. Suddenly, she was on a path she never requested. Ever since, the woman who once knew God now often only mentions His name as an exclamation or joke.
Time after time, I’ve witnessed believers much like her who see themselves as having a profoundly deep relationship with God, and then something terrible happens, and that faith vanishes. I’ve noticed this trend even within myself. We claim we know God, but when crap hits the fan, we forget who He is. We stop trusting, stop praying, stop hoping in the one who gives peace. From there, we turn to our vices, idols, and fellow sinners.
While we may like to say we know God well, a more apt answer would be not well enough. If we knew God well, why wouldn’t we always trust Him? He’s always good, isn’t He?
Thankfully, there are sure ways to amend this flawed mindset.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Finding intimacy with God means knowing Him both when life is great and when life feels terrible. Let’s devise some practical steps to put that idea into practice.
Pray Without Ceasing
Scripture tells us to pray always. If nothing can separate us from God’s love and He always wants a relationship with us, then there is no good reason to ever stop praying. Prayer is how we communicate, give thanks, make petitions, and in essence, draw closer to Him. Think about your relationships with other people. When you stop talking to friends regularly, there’s a chance that you will grow apart and, at the very least, you won’t think about them as often. We’re not on this Earth to think about God a little or only when convenient. Knowing God is a full-time activity, and prayer helps establish the routine.
Read Scripture
Taking time to read your Bible will not only make you wiser but will teach you God’s character. From the beginning of the book to the end, we are given insight into what God loves and what He hates, what He expects us to do, and what He wants us to avoid. What we also discover are truths about what knowing God actually means. Truths that help us commit to the act and remind us of the benefits.
Remind Yourself
If you’re a believer, then the idea of knowing God will seem appealing at face value, and most of the time, that may be the case. However, one way to prepare for those seasons of adversity is to have a game plan in place. During those times, knowing God won’t seem as appealing. Neither will prayer nor reading the Bible. That’s when we forget how good God is, and we stray away from our callings. While not good, that’s certainly normal. We’re humans and sinful. Yet, regardless of how or why we forget, the solution is the same. Remember. We can remind ourselves of truth by studying God’s Word and committing verses to memory. Write them down. Post them somewhere. Set alerts on your phone. Read the Bible with someone and quiz one another.
The more we consistently know, the less we will forget. Think back to being in school. When you’re going through the motions of homework and quizzes, the information is ingrained. When education stops, and you’re no longer putting things into practice, that’s when concepts start to fade. Let’s not allow that to happen in our relationship with God. Instead, let’s strive to know Him daily and throughout every season. We won’t regret that decision.
Further Reading:
- Psalm 27:4
- Romans 5:8
- Jeremiah 29:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever feel overwhelmed by what’s ahead and unsure how you’ll manage it all? In today’s devotional, Keri Eichberger reflects on John 14:5–6 and reminds us that Jesus doesn’t just show us the way — He is the way. When we stay close to Him, we don’t have to figure it all out alone. He’ll guide us, strengthen us, and walk with us every step of the way.
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 Jesus isn’t simply giving you directions — He is the path through your challenges
💡 God doesn’t open doors without also providing what you need to walk through them
💡 Your inner doubts don’t cancel out your divine calling
💡 Even when you feel underqualified, God’s presence qualifies you
💡 Faith means trusting that where God leads, He also equips
🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life
Are you facing a new opportunity or responsibility that feels like too much?
What would it look like to rely on God’s strength rather than your own today?
In what areas have you seen God make a way for you in the past — and how can that encourage your next steps?
What small prayer or reminder could help ground you when doubts rise up?
📖 Further Reading
Isaiah 30:21 | Proverbs 16:9 | Psalm 32:8 | Philippians 4:13 | Romans 8:14
💬 Join the Conversation
Where has God shown up for you when you didn’t see a way forward? Share your story with us @LifeAudioNetwork or on Crosswalk.com. Let’s keep encouraging each other to trust Jesus — the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God Will Make a Way Because He is the Way
By Keri Eichberger
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:5-6)
I feel something brewing. Some fresh glimmers of hope and encouraging change on the horizon. And following a slow stretched out season of what has felt like the same ole, same ole, laced with increased chronic pain, dwindling energy, and swelling isolation, any potential change is welcome. And I give God all the glory for the prospective opportunities that have arisen, including promising pain relief. But even still, there’s this thick thorn that remains in my side. A raging roadblock in my spirit, weighing me down and instilling doubt. It’s the narrative in my inner being. Words of insufficiency and incompetence and flat out inability. I’ve been praying relentlessly for God to work in me and through me—to show me his way. And he has certainly opened some sun-shiny doors. But if I’m being honest, I just can’t see how I can carry out and work through all the things he seems to be calling me to.
Do you ever wonder how you will conquer the quests in front of you? How you’ll take on the commitments you’ve committed to. How you’ll take the steps toward the dream opportunities stirring up desire within you? Or just wonder how you'll do it all well?
I do. I asked myself, Where will I find the time, the energy, and the mental and emotional capacity? I bet you’ve had similar thoughts.
But, I think we are neglecting a truth amidst these circumstances and contemplations. If God truly is the one leading us to these things, won’t he also lead us through these things? I read a familiar verse the other morning in my devotion time, and it spoke truth directly to my wondering wearying heart. In verse five of Chapter 14, in the book of John, the disciple Thomas says to Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Which is a sentiment many of us feel when we’ve come to a confusing crossroads of potential choices, tasks, or opportunities, joined with what seems to be a lack of ability, margin, and resources. We might ask God, What is all this, and how am I supposed to handle it?
But as I kept reading, it was my fresh perspective to the first statement of the following verse—that is so very familiar to us as Christians—that fueled my confidence in the answer to the “how will I manage” thoughts. Verse six reads, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’”
Jesus is the way.
When we don’t know, or can’t see, the way forward and through. Jesus is the way forward and through.
To me, this means that as long as I remain in him and with him, and he is thus also in me and with me, I don’t have to fear my faithful steps and choices. Because the way through will be with me. He will make a way, because he is the way. And he is in me. Just like he is in you.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Friend, the Lord led you to where you are. He opened the perfect doors, and he carved the precise path. So keep following him closely, and remain in him always. He will sufficiently strengthen you, steer you, and supply for you all that you need. All the way. Because our sovereign loving Lord is… the way.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Elijah’s story reminds us that God’s provision often shows up in the most unexpected places—and through the most unlikely people. Whether it’s ravens delivering meals or a desperate widow offering her last meal, the message is the same: God is faithful, even when the method doesn’t make sense.
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 Obedience opens the door to provision. Elijah didn’t question God’s instructions—he obeyed, even when the command defied logic.
💡 God prepares us in private before stretching us in public. Time spent in quiet reliance (like Elijah at the brook) builds faith for bold obedience later.
💡 God meets others’ needs through our obedience. Elijah’s faith not only sustained him but revived hope in a grieving, starving mother.
💡 Provision isn’t always comfortable. God sent Elijah to a hostile region, into the home of a Gentile, yet there—His provision waited.
💡 God specializes in showing up in our lack. When the widow had nothing left, that’s when God showed up and multiplied her resources.
🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life
- Have you ever felt like God was calling you to something that didn’t make sense on paper?
- Where in your life are you relying more on logic than obedience?
- How might your step of faith spark hope or provision in someone else’s life?
📖 Further Reading
Philippians 4:19 | Psalm 23:1-6 | Luke 12:24
🎙️ Don’t miss an episode of The Crosswalk Devotional — your daily encouragement to trust, obey, and lean into God’s goodness, no matter the season.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
2 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”
7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 1 Kings 17:2-8
Imagine losing your job and all of your savings in a nonexistent job market and sensing God say, “Go to an empty warehouse in west Las Vegas, an area notorious for gangs and drug users, and ask a woman sleeping in a back corner on the floor for food.”
Would you obey, or would you question your ability to hear the Lord’s voice? And what if reaching that place required a long, solitary walk, during which you had ample time to feed your doubts, questions, and anxiety, or to practice a sacred silence in which to draw closer to God and receive His assurance and much needed confirmation for your journey.
I wonder how Elijah, the Old Testament prophet introduced in 1 Kings 17, used his 75-90 mile trek, which likely took several days, on foot, from the Kerith Ravine to Zarephath, in the pagan land of Sidon. Did he wrestle with doubt? He had ample reason to do so. First, this occurred during a drought severe enough to cause the brook where he’d been resting to dry up, and God had instructed him to embark on a physically demanding journey that would’ve burned at least 75,000 calories and made him quite thirsty. Third, God told him to go to Queen Jezebel’s hometown. She was a wicked woman married to the equally wicked Ahab, king of Israel. Fourth, the people of Sidon considered Baal, a false god believed to govern the sky and weather the most important deity. And lastly, a widow would’ve been the least likely person to support a hungry man, at any time, let alone during a drought-induced famine!
Based on what we read in Scripture, however, Elijah appears to obey God without hesitation or question. No doubt, his time at the brook during which the Lord fed him, miraculously, through ravens, prepared him for the faith-filled journey that followed. I find it equally intriguing that God used a bird He’d previously declared unclean. Did He do so to prepare Elijah to enter a pagan land, accept food from a, presumably, pagan woman, and, later, reside within a pagan home?
I don’t know the related cultural practices during Elijah’s day, but by the time of Jesus, no respected Jew would enter a Gentile’s residence, nor would they eat their food or from their dishes for fear both had been connected to idol worship. Regardless, Elijah must’ve felt some level of discomfort. But he’d learned, and was learning, to trust and obey God, even when it didn’t seem to make sense or evoked some level of distress.
Here's what I find beautiful. Because Elijah did as God asked, not only did he receive the nourishment he needed to survive the two-and-a-half-year drought—a deadly situation in that day. But consider as well, prior to encountering Elijah, this poor widow was out of hope. This is what Scripture records, directly following the prophet’s request for a piece of bread: “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die” (1 Kings 17:12, NIV).
Pause to consider the weight of this moment and the grief that must’ve consumed her. Experiencing starvation and facing death herself would’ve been hard. But to believe your child would soon starve, knowing there was nothing you could do to save him? I can’t imagine that type of pain.
This is what I find most beautiful in this story. The Lord met her in her pain, in her lack and used what felt like a hopeless situation to reveal Himself as Provider. He demonstrated to her, and anyone else aware of her circumstances, that He alone was the One true God who was, and is, able to provide all we need from next to nothing.
Intersecting Life and Faith
Our Lord doesn’t change. The same God who fed Elijah first from ravens then from the meager supplies of a lowly widow from Sidon promises to provide for all our needs as well. Sometimes, that provision comes during what feels like times of plenty, like when we’re employed by a well-paying company and earn enough to pay for our bills. Other times, He allows us to hit a season of need, not because He’s oblivious to or unaffected by our pain, but because He’s laying the ground work for a beautiful, soul-sustaining miracle that will ignite not just our faith but the faith of those around us as well.
This account of His provision in the middle of an extreme and far-reaching drought assures us that no situation is so dire or hopeless that our Father’s mercy can’t break through. We belong to a God of abundance who can take our little and make it more than enough. And, as we trust Him to do so, we can experience the joy of watching our faith become contagious to others who find themselves in a seemingly hopeless situation.
Further Reading
Philippians 4:19
Psalm 23:1-6
Luke 12:24
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In today’s world of endless to-do lists, notifications, and responsibilities, it’s easy to miss the awe-inspiring work God is doing all around us. This devotional invites you to slow down, open your heart, and notice the countless ways God reveals His wonder in your everyday life.
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 Wonder isn’t lost — it’s often overlooked. Make room in your heart and schedule to notice God’s handiwork.
💡 Luke 5:26 reminds us: God’s extraordinary power is active and present today, just as it was when Jesus healed the paralyzed man.
💡 God’s awe-inspiring work can be seen in nature, relationships, answered prayers, and quiet moments.
💡 Simple, intentional practices like “wonder walks,” mindful prayer, and rediscovering childlike joy can reawaken a sense of amazement.
💡 Gratitude shifts your perspective from scarcity to abundance, helping you recognize God’s continuous blessings.
🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life
- When was the last time you truly felt awe in God’s presence? What sparked it?
- What would it look like to schedule time each day to slow down and seek out God’s wonder?
- How can you intentionally encourage those around you to pause and notice the incredible things God is doing?
📖 Further Reading
Job 37:14 | Psalm 65:8 | Psalm 104:24 | Psalm 111:2 | Romans 1:20
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Let God Amaze You
By: Whitney Hopler
“And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen extraordinary things today.’” – Luke 5:26, ESV
How often do you take breaks from your busy activities to think about how incredible God’s work is? It’s easy to shrink each day God gives you down to the level of your to-do list, allowing your time to be consumed by your responsibilities and causing you to miss out on experiencing wonder. In this fallen, stressful world, you can also become desensitized to wonder. The constant flow of messages competing for your attention can constantly distract you, dulling your awareness of what God is doing.
In order to discover glimpses of God’s wonderful work around you, though, you need to intentionally make room in your life to look for it. The experience of noticing God at work is awe-inspiring!
In Luke 5:26, the people who witnessed Jesus heal a paralyzed man responded with amazement and awe. They glorified God because they recognized his wonderful power on display before their eyes. That same power is still active today, working in your life and shaping the world around you. The question is: are you paying attention?
Maybe you catch a glimpse of God’s work in the beauty of the sky, such as while you’re watching a colorful sunrise or sunset, or on a clear night when you can see the stars. You may see God at work through the love in your relationships with family and friends. Maybe you recognize God providing for you through an answered prayer. There are countless ways God works in your life – some of which you can see, and much more that God is doing behind the scenes.
You can find wonderful evidence of God at work everywhere, but you must be willing to see it. When you intentionally open your heart to let God amaze you, you can experience awe anywhere and anytime, since God is constantly doing something wonderful!
Here are some practices to help you experience God’s wonder around you every day:
- Enjoy “wonder walks” in nature: Taking regular walks outdoors in nature helps you discover God’s wonder because every part of God’s creation shows you something about the Creator. Wonder walks are walks you take to intentionally look for something inspiring on your way. As you walk, engage your senses fully. You can see the intricate patterns of leaves on the trees, listen to the music of birds singing, inhale the fresh scent of the grass, and feel the wind blowing. Pay attention to how what you’re experiencing inspires you, and what it can show you about God, who designed it all.
- Include prayerful mindfulness in your daily activities: Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment so you can appreciate the here and now. Since God is always present with you, you can become more aware of God by focusing your full attention on whatever you’re doing – even ordinary activities like eating, sipping tea, or doing chores at home – with a prayerful attitude, asking the Holy Spirit to help you uncover layers of meaning that you might otherwise overlook.
- Rediscover childlike wonder: Children view the world with pure wonder. That helps them find joy in the simplest discoveries. You can reignite this sense of awe in yourself as an adult by enjoying activities you loved as a child, such as playing with a pet, drawing, or exploring new places. Make time in your schedule regularly to have fun in some of the same ways you did during your childhood.
- Learn something new: God regularly brings new opportunities into your life to learn something new. Take advantage of those opportunities as often as you can. Take a class, visit museums, try cooking a new recipe or building something, or even start a new hobby. In the process, you can experience a lot of wonder as God guides you to new discoveries.
- Practice gratitude: Practicing gratitude changes your focus from what’s lacking in your life to the blessings God is pouring into your life. Develop a habit of thanking God for his blessings – both big and small blessings – and then you’ll become more aware of God’s continuous and amazing work in your life.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how God is always doing something amazing that you can discover, reflect on these questions:
- When was the last time you felt genuine awe, and what happened that inspired you to feel that way?
- How can you change your daily schedule to include more time to pursue God’s wonder?
- What steps can you take today to become more mindful of God’s wonderful work around you?
- How can you encourage other people in your life to pay more attention to God’s amazing work?
Further Reading
Job 37:14
Psalm 65:8
Psalm 104:24
Psalm 111:2
Romans 1:20
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life hits hard — through mental health battles, illness, or deep loneliness — it’s easy to wonder if God’s against us. Today’s devotional is a powerful reminder that God is never our enemy. He is always for us, and His love is constant, even in our darkest moments.
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 Mental health struggles are not rooted in sin — they are real health issues that deserve compassion, care, and proper treatment
💡 God’s Word promises: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
💡 Our emotions are valid, but God’s truth is steady — He has never and will never abandon us
💡 God showed His immense love by giving up His Son for us; how could He not also graciously give us what we need for this life and eternity?
💡 Problems arise because we live in a broken world, not because God is punishing us
🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life
- Have you ever struggled with the feeling that God was against you? What helped shift your perspective?
- Are you navigating a difficult season — mental health, illness, loss — and need a reminder that God is on your side?
- How might reflecting on Romans 8:31-32 reshape the way you face today’s challenges?
📖 Further Reading
Romans 8:37-39 | Hebrews 13:5-6 | Psalm 46:1 | Isaiah 41:10
💬 Join the Conversation
We’d love to hear how you’ve experienced God’s presence in difficult seasons. Share your story @LifeAudioNetwork or at Crosswalk.com — your journey could encourage someone else today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
God Is for Us
By Vivian Bricker
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32).
A few years ago, I hit rock bottom. I felt alone in life and I was struggling immensely with my mental health. I had just started recovery for my eating disorder and it was a difficult road ahead. What I didn’t know was that when you enter recovery, you have to cope with your feelings in different ways, rather than restricting your food intake, not eating, or excessively exercising. Due to the self-hate I had, it was hard for me to make this change at first.
If you have also gone through recovery for an eating disorder, you know how difficult it can be. It can make you feel alone, isolated, and scared. Eating disorders are often based out of a source of control and once that control is gone, it can be very frightening. Through God’s help, I have been able to continue to do recovery and I don’t struggle as much as I used to. However, this trust didn’t happen overnight.
At first, I was extremely mad at God. I came to the conclusion that He hated me and didn’t want what was best for me. I also thought that He might be turning a deaf ear to my prayers because I was a bad person for struggling with an eating disorder for so long. Due to unhelpful comments from other Christians, I was convinced that I was struggling with a sin problem rather than a real mental health disorder.
Eating disorders, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and all other mental health disorders are not rooted in sin. They are all mental health disorders that deserve proper treatment and care. If everyone started seeing mental health disorders for what they are—mental health disorders—then we could start moving forward in helping others who are struggling. It only brings harm upon others when they are told their struggles are the result of sin in their life.
If anyone has ever said that to you, know they are wrong. Statements such as these show their lack of biblical knowledge and their lack of relationship with the Lord. Don’t take these things to heart as these individuals are not knowledgeable about mental health disorders. Choose to reflect on the truth: yes, we can struggle with mental health disorders, but they are not because of sin. It wasn’t your fault for getting a mental health disorder.
Similar to how it’s nobody’s fault that they develop heart disease, diabetes, or cancer, it is not your fault for developing a mental health disorder. We all have our own struggles and each of them are valid. During your struggles, you might have felt as though God is not with you or He is causing your suffering. I have been in the same place before. Your feelings are valid, but don’t believe for a second that God is not with you or He is the one causing your suffering.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Apostle Paul tells us, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32). As Paul says, God is for us. He is never against us. Just as He did not spare His own Son, but rather gave Him up for us, how will He not also give us all things? This is something to reflect upon as it will help us to know that God is forever on our side.
Even though there are times when we feel as though God has abandoned us or is against us, it is not true. God loves us immeasurably (Romans 8:37-39). With His immeasurable love, He will graciously give us all things. Since God didn’t even spare His own Son, how can we question His love? The very fact that God gave up His Son in order to die for our sins shows the great love He has for us.
As you walk through today, choose to reflect on what you know—God is for you. He is never against you and He will never bring problems into your life. Problems will arise, such as mental health disorders, but they are not curses brought upon us by God. Rather, they are part of living in the fallen world.
God will help us as we face any diagnosis or any situation. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). With this promise in our hearts, we can confidently walk into each day, knowing that He is with us and He is for us.
Have you ever struggled with the thought that God is against you? What was this like?
Are you currently struggling with a mental health disorder or a physical illness? If so, have you ever felt God caused your suffering?
How can you embrace the truth that God is always for you?
“Dear God, I have often struggled with the thought that You don’t want good things for my life. I know now that You are always for me and only want the best for me. Forgive me for thinking differently in the past. Please help me to walk confidently each day because I know You are with me and You are on my side. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.”
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever felt stuck waiting on God’s direction, wrestling with decisions, or worrying you might be missing His voice? You’re not alone. Today’s devotional reminds us that discovering God’s will isn’t about striving harder — it’s about surrendering deeper.
Did you know that today's host, Jennifer Slattery, has a podcast of her own? Check out Faith Over Fear, where Jennifer helps us see different areas of life where fear has a foothold, and how our identity as children of God can help us move from fear to faithful, bold living.
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 A pure, surrendered heart hears God more clearly than one tangled in pride, fear, or self-reliance
💡 Whole-self worship means offering our time, emotions, resources, and decisions to God in view of His mercy
💡 Trust grows when we reflect on God’s radical love revealed through the cross — the more we remember, the more freely we surrender
💡 There’s a cause-and-effect relationship: when we offer ourselves fully to God, we position ourselves to discern His good, pleasing, and perfect will
💡 It’s not about perfect trust, but about moving closer to Jesus daily, letting His love quiet our fears and guide our hearts
🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life
- Is there an area of your life you’re holding back from God’s direction out of fear or uncertainty?
- How might remembering Christ’s sacrifice help you surrender that area with greater trust?
- What practices can help you keep your heart pure and receptive to God’s voice this week?
📖 Further Reading
Matthew 5:6-8 | Psalm 51:10 | Psalm 19:12-14 | Psalm 29
💬 Join the Conversation
How has God’s mercy transformed your ability to trust and surrender to His will? Share your story with us @LifeAudioNetwork or at Crosswalk.com — we’d love to hear how you’re walking this out.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).
We’ve probably all had times when we felt stuck in indecision, waiting for God’s leading. We’ve probably also felt the angst that comes from fretting that we’ve missed His guidance, that we’re maybe unable to hear His voice, or that we’ve heard Him incorrectly. I’m currently seeking His direction for a decision that could drastically affect my life for the foreseeable future. I know the stress, anxiety, and futility of living misaligned with Christ and the joy and fruitfulness that comes from anchoring ourselves in Him and yielding however He leads. Frankly, that is the only way to experience the thriving life He promised in John 10:10—a life characterized by love, joy, peace, kindness, and eternal impact.
A life of ever-increasing intimacy with our Lord.
Therefore, if we want to fully receive all the blessings He died to give us, it’s imperative we live the life He assigned.
But what if we don’t what that is? What if we’re not certain whether He wants us to pursue additional training to prepare for a promotion that might allow more career autonomy, or to step away from a demanding position to free up more time to spend with teenaged children? Or maybe we’re working through a really difficult, painful and confusing relationship not knowing whether to speak hard truths or offer grace, to step back and initiate some firm boundaries, or to simply wait.
When I find myself in those types of situations, I’m challenged and encouraged by today’s passage. First, it reminds me that a pure heart “hears” God more clearly than one consumed with pride, selfishness, and fear.
Romans 12:1 invites me to offer my entire self—my time, resources, agenda, emotions—all that I am, to the Lord. That is perhaps the hardest act of obedience we will ever choose, especially if our trust feels a big wonky. Put simply, our ability to yield to Christ is directly tied to our trust in Him.
I don’t say this from a place of condemnation. We can’t “will” ourselves to trust Him, nor is our wobbly trust an act of rebellion. Rather, it’s an indication that we need to get to know Christ, His ways and His heart, better. And we never see Him more clearly than when He hung upon the cross. This is why I find the first part of Romans 12:1 so helpful.
“In view of God’s mercy …” In view of all He’s done for me and in me. In view of His radical sacrifice, offered in the most extreme display of love known to humanity and all that I have received through His death and resurrection, I offer myself back to Him.
Earlier in Romans, prior to issuing this really challenging and freeing invitation, Paul, the first century church planter who wrote this letter, stated, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32, NIV).
That, and the verses that follow, recorded in one of the most beautiful and profound passages in Scripture, inform and ignite our ability to offer whole-self worship.
Intersecting Life and Faith
When we recognize how much Jesus loves us, the vivid and horrifically painful way He revealed this, and all we have in Him, our ability to rest in Him increases. The fear and anxiety that otherwise lead to self-reliance and survivalist behavior quiet in His loving embrace, allowing us to respond more freely to the gentle nudge of His Spirit within us.
Reflecting upon the cross also helps us turn from the sin that otherwise clouds His voice and hardens our hearts against Him. According to Scripture, whenever we’re operating in pride, we are placing ourselves in direct opposition to God and His will (James 4:6).
But like a said previously, a pure soul remains receptive to, and easily moved by, the Lord.
This brings me to the most encouraging part of today’s passage. Notice the cause-and-effect relationship revealed. When we offer ourselves to Christ, approaching Him with open and pliable hearts, we will know God’s will, which is good, pleasing and perfect.
Because again, will not the One who, in love, gave us His precious Son, give us everything we need to thrive?
Further Reading:
Matthew 5:6-8
Psalm 51:10
Psalm 19:12-14
Psalm 29
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever felt totally lost — physically or spiritually? In today’s devotional, Alexis Goring shares a memorable story of getting lost in another state before smartphones and GPS, and how that real-life navigation mishap mirrors our spiritual journey. Just like she needed a trustworthy guide to get home safely, we need to follow Jesus closely through the twists and turns of life.
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 Life is a journey — and we’re pilgrims passing through, with Heaven as our final destination
💡 Jesus is our trustworthy guide, leading us safely if we stay close and refuse to let distractions get in the way
💡 Prioritize your relationship with Christ through daily quiet time, Bible study, and prayer
💡 Use worship, gratitude, and reflection as tools to stay spiritually grounded
💡 God promises protection, peace, and guidance for those who actively seek Him
🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life
- How does it change your outlook to know you have a Heavenly Guide leading you through life’s unfamiliar territory?
- What practices can you put in place to stay spiritually close to Jesus, even when life gets hectic?
- Is there anything you’ve allowed to come between you and your relationship with Jesus? How can you realign
- 📖 Further Reading Proverbs 3:5-6 | Psalm 32:8 | Isaiah 58:11 | Psalm 25:9-10 | Psalm 119:105
💬 Join the Conversation Have you ever had a “lost without a guide” moment in life — and how did God lead you through it? Share your story with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or at Crosswalk.com. Let’s encourage one another to keep following Jesus closely.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Following Jesus
By Alexis A. Goring
“I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map—and your commands are my chart and guide.I long for your instructions more than I can tell.”
— Psalm 119:19-20 TLB
It was a dark Saturday night when I left my house, settled into the driver’s seat of my car, gathered my printed map with directions to my destination and pulled out of my driveway onto the road.
I was driving to a friend’s birthday party. According to my map, it was about an hour and a half drive from my house to their apartment in another state. I hadn’t visited their home state before nor had I spent time in their abode. But I wasn’t worried…until I got lost in their state. Nothing looked familiar to me. I tried talking to a taxi driver at a stoplight but he couldn’t help me. At one point I ended up on the wrong side of the road but by a miracle of God, I returned to the right side of the road without being in an accident. Somehow, I ended up in the parking lot of a coffee shop. It was then that I called my friend and said I was lost.
She sent her brother to meet me in the parking lot of the coffee shop. I then followed his car to their apartment. I wished her a happy birthday and spent time with the other guests but when our mutual friend (we’ll call her Tiana), prepared to leave, I asked her if I could follow her home since we lived near each other in the same state. She agreed and we left the party together.
From the moment I settled into my car, I aligned my vehicle directly behind Tiana’s car, I zeroed in on her car’s features and memorized the license plate so I 2would know who I was following then I drove close behind her car, never taking my eyes off it. I didn’t let any other car get in between me and the car I was following closely. I matched Tiana’s driving pace and drove like my life depended on it because it did. I was in such unfamiliar territory that far from home, but I knew if I stayed close to the driver who knew the way home then I would get to my destination.
This experience happened when I did not have GPS and the printed map I had failed me. But gratefully, God led me to follow this friend back into familiar territory in my home state and I arrived safely to my house that night. I don’t want to think about what could have happened if I didn’t leave the party early so I could follow a trusted guide (Tiana in this case) home. But I am grateful God saw me through that ordeal and kept me safe on the road.
All of this makes me think about a spiritual lesson. The Bible says that we as believers in God are pilgrims passing through this world (1 Chronicles 29:15). Our final destination is Heaven and our trusted guide is Jesus Christ. He wants us to follow Him through the twists and turns as we journey through this world, and He promises to help us arrive safely at our ultimate destination.
The Bible says that no eye has seen and no ear has heard, nor can we ever imagine what God has planned for us in Heaven (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). It’s going to be glorious and worth the wait. God loves us so much. That is why He gave us His Son as Savior our travel guide (John 3:16-17). Just like I followed my friend Tiana closely on the road to make sure I arrived home safely, Jesus wants us to follow Him closely. Just like I made sure nobody would get in between me and my friend whose car I was following, Jesus wants us to not let anyone or anything get in between us and Him.
We need to make our relationship with Christ our first priority every day of our life by spending quiet time with Him in Bible study and prayer. We need to praise Him for all He does for us and worship Him (playing Christian/Gospel music helps and sets the atmosphere for an encounter with Jesus). We can trust Him to guide us and send His Angels to protect us as we travel through this dangerous world. The Bible says that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). While this world is not a safe place, Jesus Christ is our safe place available to us everywhere in the world. He will keep us safe when we seek refuge in Him (Psalm 91).
In closing, I’d like for you to listen to three songs that support my devotional message today. See the songs listed below.
Song of Reflection #1: “Trust in God” by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here:
https://youtu.be/QS04WbSnxok?si=hnCtRBzQUJgNLC6Z
Song of Reflection #2: “I Will Go” by Steve Green. Listen to it here:
https://youtu.be/7_hmGbbqmxA?si=znX8LkeYN0FUMlfJ
Song of Reflection #3: “I Will Follow” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here:
https://youtu.be/mFna4pEF7M8?si=mPxu-VgU_uE1MpWy
Intersecting Faith and Life: How does it feel to know that we have a Heavenly Guide who we can trust to help us navigate this life on Earth and arrive safely in our Forever Home (Heaven)?
Further Reading:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalm 32:8
Isaiah 58:11
Psalm 25:9-10
Psalm 119:105
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever feel like you’ve only scratched the surface of what God’s doing in your life? In today’s devotional, Whitney Hopler reflects on John 21:25 and reminds us that Jesus is constantly at work — in ways we can see and in countless ways we can’t. The beauty of following Christ is that the story isn’t finished, and there’s always more to discover, learn, and experience with Him.
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 Jesus’ work didn’t stop when His earthly ministry ended — it continues every day in your life
💡 The Bible is an endless well of wisdom, but Jesus is also writing His story through your life experiences
💡 Pay attention to the “small miracles” — the peace, the encouragement, and those perfectly timed answers to prayer
💡 Journaling God’s faithfulness can help you track His hand in your daily life
💡 Faith is an ongoing, lifelong journey of discovery, growth, and awe
🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life
- Recall a moment when God answered a prayer in an unexpected way — how did that shift your faith perspective?
- What simple habits could help you notice Jesus’ work in your life more consistently?
- Could you carve out a weekly check-in with yourself and God to reflect on what He’s doing in your heart and circumstances?
- How might you intentionally keep learning and growing in your faith, year after year?
📖 Further Reading
Psalm 40:5 | Job 5:9 | Romans 11:33 | Ecclesiastes 3:11 | Ephesians 3:20
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
There is Always More to Discover with Jesus
By: Whitney Hopler
“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” – John 21:25, NIV
This is one of my favorite Bible verses, because it sparks my curiosity so much! I love how it points out that there’s much more for us to discover about Jesus. Not only did Jesus do so much during his earthly life that the world wouldn’t have room for all the books to tell us about it, but Jesus is constantly working now. Our wonderful Savior is doing so much, all the time, that we always have something more we can learn about it. That means we can be lifelong learners who are constantly going on exciting learning journeys with Jesus!
Day by day, we see Jesus’ work in various ways, such as through his guidance, inspiration, and love. But how much more is happening behind the scenes? How many prayers is Jesus answering in ways we won’t fully understand until we get to heaven? How many times is Jesus protecting us from danger we don’t even know is near? Jesus is always working to accomplish good purposes in our lives – and often, he does so in mysterious ways.
When you realize that you only see a fraction of the work Jesus is doing, an important question to consider is: Are you paying attention?
Since Jesus’ work is so vast, you should never stop seeking to know him more. No matter how much you grow in your faith, there will always be more to discover about Jesus – and with Jesus, as you walk with him through each day of your life.
Think about it this way: If there were books upon books filled with Jesus’ works, wouldn’t you want to keep reading them? Wouldn’t you want to keep exploring to learn more about Jesus’ wonderful wisdom? The Bible itself is filled with stories and teachings that you can study for a lifetime and still discover fresh insights. But beyond the Bible, Jesus is writing a record of inspiring work in your life, and it’s important for you to read it.
The key to experiencing the daily wonders of God’s work in your life is to pay attention to the ways Jesus moves on a regular basis. Jesus’ miracles weren’t just occasional dramatic healings or supernatural events. They were also small yet significant experiences of positive change that happened regularly – enlightening conversations with people, acts of love, and more. Jesus still moves in these ways today!
So, to start discovering more with Jesus, start paying attention to the little glimpses you notice of his work in your life – like the peace you feel during prayer, the encouragement that comes just when you need it, and the way a Bible verse speaks directly to your situation. Consider keeping a journal of Jesus’ faithfulness. Write down the ways he answers your prayers, the lessons he teaches you, and the experiences when you notice his presence with you. Over time, you’ll begin to see just how much Jesus is at work in your life.
John 21:25 should inspire you to live with a sense of awe. If Jesus has done so much that the world itself couldn’t contain it all, then imagine how much wonderful work he is doing in your life! You should never become complacent in your faith. There is always more to discover with Jesus and more ways to grow in your relationship with him.
As you continue to walk with Jesus, make a commitment to be a lifelong learner – always paying attention to the wonder of Jesus’ work in your daily life. The story of Jesus isn’t finished. Jesus is still writing it, in and through you and other people, every single day!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how there is always more to discover with Jesus, reflect on these questions:
- Think about a time when you were surprised by how Jesus answered one of your prayers. How did that affect your faith?
- What are some ways you can become more aware of Jesus’ wonderful work in your everyday experiences?
- How can you plan regular times in your schedule to reflect on what Jesus is doing in your life, and enjoy being inspired with awe?
- In what ways can you commit to lifelong learning in your walk with Jesus?
Further Reading
Psalm 40:5
Job 5:9
Romans 11:33
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Ephesians 3:20
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Family — it’s a gift, a challenge, and sometimes a complicated mix of both. In today’s devotional, Aaron D’Anthony Brown reflects on the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 37:3-4, unpacking how even the most dysfunctional family situations can be met with grace, wisdom, and faith.
If you’ve ever wrestled with family tension, painful words, or unresolved conflict, this episode offers perspective, encouragement, and biblical wisdom to help you navigate those tough relationships.
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 God values the family unit — even when it’s messy
💡 Joseph’s story reminds us that betrayal and brokenness don’t have to be the end of the story
💡 Prayer keeps us anchored when family drama threatens to overwhelm us
💡 Open, honest communication is a brave and essential step toward healing
💡 True reconciliation begins with listening well and extending forgiveness
💡 No matter how unreliable people may be, God remains steadfast, loving, and good
🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life
- Who in your family might you need to have an honest conversation with?
- Are there hurts you’ve held onto that it’s time to forgive?
- How does Joseph’s story encourage you to keep trusting God, even in tough family dynamics?
- Is there someone you’ve overlooked that God might be prompting you to reconcile with today?
📖 Further Reading
Exodus 20:12 | Psalm 27:10 | Ephesians 6:4 | 1 Timothy 5:8 | Matthew 5:38-39 | Matthew 10:35-37 | Matthew 18:15-17
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
When Family Weighs You Down
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because Joseph was a son born to him in his old age, and he made a long-sleeved robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not bring themselves to speak peaceably to him.” (Genesis 37:3-4, CSB)
“We’re supposed to get along,” Dad used to say a lot to my sisters and me growing up. That was his reminder to prioritize our family bond over any reason for strife. Whenever I asked “Why?” with childish curiosity, my father’s answer was simple: “We’re family.”
Since those youthful days, at times I’ve still wondered why we should remain committed to family despite all odds. I’ve wondered while observing the ways family members turn on each other, gossip, and all sorts of drama they cause.
Today, however, the answer to my question is much clearer. We should value our households because God esteems the family unit. One great example that makes the case is the story of Joseph and his brothers.
In Genesis 37, Scripture introduces us to Joseph as a boy who receives prophetic dreams. After sharing these visions with his brothers, his own flesh and blood turns on him. First, they consider killing him before settling on just selling him into slavery. Not only did Joseph’s siblings commit the initial atrocity, but as later passages reveal, they also kept up the ruse for years to avoid any consequences. They only came clean when a famine hit the land, and circumstances forced them to come to terms with their sin. By then, Joseph was a young man whom Pharoah placed in charge of all of Egypt. The story concludes with reconciliation, forgiveness, and a bond between brothers that is surprisingly rekindled.
Like Joseph, we don’t get to pick our families, and thus, we often don’t get to choose what kind of problems they drag us into. While prophecies may not be the reason family weighs you down, other circumstances are to blame. Some trivial, some quite significant. If we are to learn from Joseph, how exactly do we stay afloat when family weighs us down?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
There are several takeaways from the story of Joseph that we can implement into our own familial relations.
Talk to God
Hearing prayer as a response to your circumstances probably sounds like a cliché, but the cliché rings true. Joseph never lost his relationship with God throughout the hardships. His faith kept him in line with God’s will and proved that what the Lord showed him through dreams came to fruition. That’s a reminder to us to trust God. Whatever the situation, God promises His presence and peace if we seek Him. God knows that family can be difficult, but His power is greater than any difficulty.
Communicate
As you seek God for direction, consider also talking to your family. Sometimes people don’t realize their behavior or words are negatively impacting you. Avoiding confrontation may feel comfortable in the moment, but this does nothing but exacerbate the issue. Instead, talk to your parents, child, sibling, whoever, and find a solution. The beauty of communication is that even if you don’t come up with something, at the very least, you understand one another better.
Listen Well
When you reach out to family to share what’s troubling you, don’t see communication simply as an opportunity to voice your own concerns. Relationships function when two people work together. Therefore, take the time to not just give feedback but also receive some as well. More than likely, you are not as blameless in the situation as you may have thought.
Seek Forgiveness
As experience teaches, families can say or do things that leave indelible marks on us. Trauma that we end up sorting out through counseling and prayer. Even if this is your situation, know that healing is possible. When we forgive those who have hurt us, we stop giving them permission to live in our minds. We also stop ourselves from dwelling on negative emotions. God forgives those who forgive, so be sure you do your part in moving forward as best you can.
Trust God
Family relations can be absolutely beautiful or downright disparaging. We don’t always know what we’re going to get each day, especially if we come from tumultuous families. Yet, even when relatives prove unreliable, God shows Himself to be consistent. He proves Himself to be good, reliable, and always loving. Like Joseph, trust Him to get you through your ordeal, relying on your connection to Him and other relationships that He sends you.
Further Reading:
- Exodus 20:12
- Psalm 27:10
- Ephesians 6:4
- 1 Timothy 5:8
- Matthew 5:38-39
- Matthew 10:35-37
- Matthew 18:15-17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ever find yourself sensing a nudge from God to do something that feels… well, a little off-the-wall? Maybe you’ve prayed, waited, and still felt unsure. In today’s devotional, Keri Eichberger shares a personal story of unexpected promptings, hesitant obedience, and the comforting truth found in Psalm 33:10-11 — that God’s good plan for us is firm, unshaken by our uncertainty or decisions.
If you’re facing a big decision, wrestling with mixed emotions, or waiting for a clear answer, this message will meet you right where you are.
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 God’s plans stand firm — no matter our uncertainty
💡 When we genuinely seek God’s will, we can move forward in faith knowing He’ll direct or redirect our steps
💡 Psalm 33:10-11 reminds us that God can foil or thwart any plan not aligned with His purposes — and that’s a good thing
💡 We can live with peace, taking faithful steps, because God’s ultimate plan for our good will always prevail
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever wrestled with a decision and sensed God nudging you forward in faith? Or maybe you’ve watched Him thwart a plan that wasn’t His best for you. We’d love to hear your story! Connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a message on Crosswalk.com. Let’s encourage one another with how God’s faithful hand has guided us through life’s twists and turns.
🎙️ Be sure to follow The Crosswalk Devotional podcast on your favorite app — new episodes every Monday through Friday. Don’t miss a single word of encouragement and truth rooted in God’s Word.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Your Choice Won’t Change God’s Good Plan
By Keri Eichberger
The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:10-11)
I wasn't necessarily even looking for a job. But for some odd reason the opportunity kept randomly bursting into my thoughts. It seemed so bizarre that I never spoke a word of it to anyone. My husband would have been my first friend to share the strange promptings, but I was certain he would simply look at me sideways, laugh it off, and say how super off the wall the notion was. But nonetheless, about an hour after my regular morning prayer time of seeking God's will for my day and life, it popped up again. And I had to let it spill. I told Mike I almost didn't say a word about this absurd idea, except that in some strange way this crazy thought reminded me of my initial series of promptings before God called me to have my last baby-turned-twins. And considering the divine way that worked out, it was the resemblance of stirrings and signals that got my attention. The crazier part was what followed my confession. Mike didn't think I’d lost my mind—like he may have when I first announced God's call to a baby—but he was intrigued instead. And before I knew it, he was encouraging me to inquire.
I knew the drill from here—lots of prayer would have to follow. But in the end, though the promptings were still strong, I just wasn't sure. Determining whether or not to have a baby I had as much time as I wanted to discern and decide. But in this case, the job opening would close in a couple of days, so I had to apply ASAP. I begged God to be clear with what to do. On one hand, this undertaking didn't seem to fit in my plans and current conditions. But on the other hand, the desire to do it anyway remained.
Have you ever noticed a nudge or strong desire to do something that in many ways made no sense? Or have you asked God to be clear if you should or shouldn't, and the desire neither deepened nor dimmed? And maybe like me, you felt you didn't have time to sit and wait for more cues and clues.
I have to say, it's in these difficult decisions that I am so thankful for God's word. My husband told me the other day he’d recently heard a speaker say, “If you want to hear the audible voice of God, open your Bible and read it out loud.” And I absolutely loved this, because I was certainly in need of God’s prompt audible instruction.
In light of that suggestion, if you need confirmation from God on a decision, here is a verse you may need to read out loud with me that came straight from my devotion the following morning. Psalm 33:10 says, “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.” Now, truth be told, before I actually applied this specifically to my situation, I had to look up the exact definition of foil and thwart. Google tells me that “foil” means to prevent something (considered wrong or undesirable) from succeeding, and similarly “thwart” means to prevent someone from accomplishing something. Relating these definitions to the verse, God is telling me that if I am truly unsure, it’s really not necessary to stress and mull over my choice for long, because if whatever I decide is not in line with God's plan, he won't allow it to happen anyway. He will foil and thwart my plan. So I can move forward following the promptings—and in peace. And so, I applied for the job. I obediently took a step in faith. And so can you.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
If you are wholeheartedly asking God what he wants, and wholeheartedly ultimately wanting what he wants, you can follow where he's steering your spirit. And with confidence. Because of the verse in Psalm 33 that follows. Which says, “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” You may have no idea where your choice will take you, just like I’m unsure where my recent decision will lead me. But what I do know, is that we can and should act in obedience toward where God is calling, because our choices–as Christians who remain in him–won’t change God’s ultimate plan or move us outside of his purpose. Because friend, God's good and prosperous plan for your life, and all those who love him, will always prevail.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Did you know that today's host, Jennifer Slattery, has a podcast of her own? Check out Faith Over Fear, where Jennifer helps us see different areas of life where fear has a foothold, and how our identity as children of God can help us move from fear to faithful, bold living.
In John 2:18-25, we witness a revealing moment early in Jesus’ ministry — a moment filled with admiration, opposition, belief, and rejection. While the crowds clamored for signs and the religious leaders challenged His authority, Jesus remained steady, anchored not in human praise or criticism, but in His unshakable union with the Father.
Today’s devotional invites us to reflect on how often we attach our identity and worth to the opinions of others — and how Jesus models a better way. He loved deeply, yet He didn’t entrust Himself to the crowds because He knew the fickleness of human hearts. Instead, He remained secure in the Father’s constant love and presence.
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 Learn how Jesus responded to both praise and rejection without letting either define Him
💡 Discover how our own attachment to human approval can keep us in bondage
💡 Be encouraged to entrust yourself fully to God, finding your identity and security in Him alone
💡 Reflect on the freedom that comes from resting in God’s unchanging love
💬 Join the Conversation
What is one burden of shame you’ve surrendered to Jesus? How has God reminded you of His grace and freedom? Share your story — we’d love to hear from you! Connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a message on Crosswalk.com. Let’s encourage one another with the hope and mercy we’ve found in Christ.
🎙️ Don’t miss a single episode of The Crosswalk Devotional!
Follow our audio podcast on your favorite podcast app and join us every weekday for fresh, faith-building encouragement rooted in Scripture.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. John 2:18-25 (NIV)
The more someone else’s praise can lift you up, the more their criticism can tear you down. If you grew up in a critical home, you probably know the truth of that statement from experience. Perhaps you’ve felt the emotional high of feeling like you made an often emotionally unavailable parent proud, and the grief that flooded your soul when they suddenly, without clear provocation, rejected you through harsh words or relational withdrawal. Or you’re enduring a lonely and unstable marriage where you find your longing for love and connection has caused you to grasp at the slightest display of affection. Or you frequently feel excluded in your social circle, judged in your faith community, or belittled in a toxic work environment.
Those circumstances can exacerbate our unhealed wounds and the lies our enemy the devil often attaches to them. In my long-standing battle against shame and the fear of rejection it triggered, I found today’s passage intriguing.
This occurred at the beginning of Jesus ministry and directly following His first recorded miracle at a wedding in Cana. Directly following, Jesus went to Jerusalem for Passover. At the Temple, He saw merchant and money changers clogging the one area permitted to Gentiles. In other words, they were limiting non-Jews’ access to God. In response, Jesus cleared the courts and overturned the tables.
And the Jews responded to Him by demanding a sign, in essence, saying, “Who do You think You are?”
And thus, opposition between Him and the religious power-players of His day began. But He also drew the admiration of the crowd.
Here, we see adoration and animosity, respect and disdain, belief and rejection. And it is following this important contrast that we read, in verses 24-25, “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person” (NIV).
Notice, Scripture doesn’t say He wouldn’t love these people. Nor is this passage speaking of relationship. He knew what was in the heart of each of His disciples, as well, and that they’d abandon Him in His darkest hour, yet He intentionally built a deep connection with them.
He loved deeply, freely, and unconditionally, those who accepted His message and those who relentlessly sought to discredit Him and trip Him up. But He didn’t entrust Himself to them. Instead, He entrusted Himself to the Father Who He knew would never leave (John 16:32).
His constant and unbreakable union with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit enabled Him to love others well, from a place of wholeness, of confidence, not insecurity or fear.
Jesus recognized the brokenness people carry. He saw every wounded, prideful, selfish, and deceived heart and humanity’s tendency to choose self-preservation, or elevation, over love. However, this supernatural, soul-deep knowledge didn’t provoke Him to judgment. Instead, it initiated a mercy and compassion that, ultimately, drew Him to the cross.
I’m reminded of His words to the disciples in Matthew 26:41, when He said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Consider also His prayer for His executioners and the hateful crowd who’d previously chanted for His death. As He hung on the cross, He said, ““Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Again, Jesus loved everyone, including those who proclaimed His praises on Palm Sunday and chanted for His death less than a week later. He was able to do so because of His relationship with the Father and the fact that He didn’t entrust Himself to His flawed creation. In other words, He didn’t base His worth or identity on their subjective and obviously fickle opinions.
Intersecting Life and Faith
That is the soul-state the Lord longs for us each to experience. He wants us to live so anchored in His love and grace, so secure in who we are to in Him and to Him, that we cease attaching our worth to the perspectives and behaviors of others.
For many of us, this inner transformation and strength won’t come easily. But as we grow in our relationship with Christ and follow His lead moment by moment, day by day, and hurt by hurt, He frees us from those things, like fear of rejection, that holds us in bondage.
Further reading:
Ephesians 1
Romans 8:37-39
Hebrews 13:5
Jeremiah 31:3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In our hectic, pressure-filled lives, it’s easy to get tangled up in worry — about finances, relationships, health, and the future. But Jesus offers a gentle, beautiful reminder: look at the wildflowers. In Luke 12:27-28, He invites us to notice how God cares for even the most fleeting parts of creation and promises that His care for us is even greater.
In today’s devotional, Whitney Hopler reflects on the peaceful, unhurried life of flowers — and how their effortless trust in God’s provision challenges us to release our worries and rest in His faithful care. If God so carefully clothes the grass of the field, how much more will He clothe and care for you?
Key Takeaways:
🌸 Learn how observing flowers can offer practical lessons in trusting God’s provision
🌸 Discover why Jesus calls us to live free from worry by His faithful care.
🌸 Be encouraged to recognize the details God tends to in your life, big and small
🌸 Reflect on ways to cultivate peace and gratitude through simple moments in nature
💬 Join the Conversation
What is one burden of shame you’ve surrendered to Jesus? How has God reminded you of His grace and freedom? Share your story — we’d love to hear from you. Connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a message on Crosswalk.com. Let’s encourage one another with the hope and mercy we’ve found in Christ.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Consider How the Flowers Grow
By: Whitney Hopler
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith!” – Luke 12:27-28, NIV
During May, I love to visit gardens to see flowers. It’s one of my favorite ways to relax. Flowers become so beautiful just by doing what they were made to do, without any stress. When I look at them, I’m reminded that I can trust God to take care of me, too.
In our busy lives, we can get overwhelmed with everything we have to do. We might even start worrying about the future. But Jesus tells us not to worry and look at the simple beauty of nature to inspire us to make a different choice. He tells us to think about how wildflowers grow, as a reminder of how God cares for everything he made – including us. These verses remind us that God loves and cares for even the smallest parts of his creation. The flowers grow naturally, depending on God for everything they need. They don’t worry about whether they’ll have enough. They just trust what God provides for them – and in the process, they become beautiful. We may catch ourselves worrying about what we need for our health, our money, our relationships, and much more. But Jesus says to just look at the flowers and learn from them. They grow well under God’s care without worrying – just by being what God made them to be.
If God cares so much for these short-lived flowers, how much more will God care for us, his children? Our worries can make us forget to trust God’s provision. Jesus asks us to have more faith. He challenges us to trust that God knows what we need and will provide it at the right time. Just like the flowers rely on God for everything, Jesus invites us to rely on God for everything we need. This means really believing that God knows our needs and is working to meet them in the best way for us.
Beautiful flowers also show us how amazing God’s work is in our lives. God’s care for us includes paying attention to every little detail. If God puts so much care into making flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow look beautiful, how much more does God care about the details of our lives? This should make us feel grateful and give us peace, knowing that our lives are in the hands of a loving God.
Just as flowers grow without effort, trusting God to provide, we can rest assured that God will meet our needs. We should still work hard on what God has given us to do. But we never need to worry about our needs being met, because we can always trust our loving Heavenly Father to provide what we need. So, let’s enjoy the simple beauty of flowers and let their beauty remind us of God’s beautiful care for us. May we grow in faith, knowing that the God who clothes the flowers so well will definitely take care of us!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how flowers can inspire you to trust God more, reflect on these questions:
- When you feel overwhelmed by worries, how can enjoying flowers help you relieve stress and find a fresh perspective?
- What specific needs do you find most challenging to trust God to help you with? What steps can you take to practice trusting God more to meet those needs?
- How does the idea that God cares for all the details of your life give you a sense of security?
- Think of a time when God met a need for you in a surprising way. How can remembering that experience strengthen your faith?
- How can you create more moments in your daily life to appreciate the simple beauty of God’s creation, and use those moments to connect with God?
Further Reading
Matthew 6:33-34
Philippians 4:6-7
Psalm 23:1
1 Peter 5:7
Isaiah 40:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Today’s devotional reminds us of a liberating truth: shame was never meant to be part of a believer’s identity. While guilt can lead us to repentance, shame clings like a heavy weight, making us believe we’re unworthy of God’s love. But the Word of God is clear — what Jesus has forgiven, He has forgiven forever.
Isaiah 50:7 says, “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” You are not your past. You are not your mistakes. You are not the voice of the enemy whispering old regrets into your mind. You are a new creation, loved and accepted by your Savior.
As followers of Christ, we can boldly trade shame for grace, heaviness for hope, and regret for peace. Jesus has given us the freedom to move forward unburdened — we just have to hand over the weight.
Join the Conversation:
What is one burden of shame you’ve surrendered to Jesus? How has God reminded you of His grace and freedom? Share your story — we’d love to hear from you. Connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a message on Crosswalk.com. Let’s encourage one another with the hope and mercy we’ve found in Christ.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Shame Has No Place in a Christian’s Life
By Vivian Bricker
“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame” (Isaiah 50:7).
I have often struggled with feelings of shame because of past actions and decisions. The hurtful words I have said in the past have caused me to develop deep shame about myself. Shame causes me to feel unworthy and extremely guilty. In other words, I feel like a terrible person, and I begin hating myself. “I shouldn’t have said that. I shouldn’t have done that.” These thoughts swim around in my head and eventually drown me.
Shame knocks at our door each day. However, instead of letting it in, we have the choice to turn it away. Although shame creeps into our hearts, we don’t have to feed into it. The devil has a way of bringing past sins back into our minds, which will cause us to feel shame, but we don't need to listen to him. Satan wants us to fall in any way possible, and this includes making us feel ashamed.
We don’t need to feel shame for past sins, as they have already been forgiven by the Lord. What Jesus has forgiven is forgiven forever. This means that all of our sins have been forgiven on account of the Lord’s blood. We never have to fear these past sins because they are completely forgiven. Since they are forgiven, we do not need to dwell on them.
The past is in the past, and we need to strive forward. Shame does not need to take up occupancy in our hearts or minds. Whether we are feeling shame over a past sin or a present sin, we can bring it before Jesus. Jesus wants us to release these feelings to Him and allow Him to carry them for us. In no way does the Lord expect us to carry this weight alone.
Give all of your feelings of shame over to the Lord today. Trust Him with these feelings and allow Him to lift this shame from your shoulders. In truth, the shame can only be placed there by us. Since Jesus has forgiven us of our past sins, there is no reason to continue to feel guilty. We have been given forgiveness and freedom from our past.
No longer are we defined by our past. We are defined by Jesus.
Isaiah 50:7 says, “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” As this passage of Scripture tells us, we do not need to be disgraced or put to shame. Since the Lord is our help, He has caused our feet to stand on level ground. Our faces have been set like flint, and we will never be put to shame.
The Bible tells us clearly in this passage that we don’t need to be disgraced or ashamed anymore. We can give all of these feelings over to Jesus. He is our sovereign help and our firm foundation of hope. As we reflect on this truth, we need to remember Jesus’ goodness and mercy. By reflecting on these things, we will slowly see the truth that since Jesus doesn’t define us by our past actions, neither should we.
Since shame has been eradicated in our lives, we can move forward with our future. Jesus has given us an abundant life, and we don’t need to trade this away for a life of shame. All of us would be wise to give these feelings over to Jesus and trust them with Him. Whenever feelings of shame rise again, we can continually turn them over to the Lord. With time, Jesus will help us to fully let go of shame once and for all.
“Dear Jesus, please help me to give all of my feelings of shame over to You. I don’t want to be held in the bondage of shame anymore. Shame has no place in my life. Instead, my life is meant to be lived in the forgiveness, mercy, and love of You. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me grace every day. Amen.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is causing you to feel shame today?
How can you let go of this shame today and give it to Jesus?
Upon reflecting on Isaiah 50:7, does it give you a new perspective of God’s love and grace? Why or why not?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Today’s devotional reminds us of one of the most beautiful truths of our faith: Jesus understands what it means to be human. He experienced hunger, thirst, exhaustion, and yes — even anguish so deep that He sweat drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Luke 22:44)
No matter what you're facing — heartbreak, fear, anxiety, or loss — Jesus isn’t distant from your pain. He’s felt it, carried it, and overcome it. This Easter and every day, we can be assured that the One who conquered death understands every burden we bear. And just as God sent strength to Jesus in His moment of need, He promises to send help to us too — whether through His Word, His people, or His angels.
We encourage you to pray:
“Lord, thank You for knowing what it’s like to hurt, to grieve, and to feel overwhelmed. Help me to follow Your example of surrender and trust, and to lean on You for strength in my hardest moments.”
Join the Conversation:
When was a time you felt God’s strength in a season of deep distress? How do you find peace in knowing Jesus understands what you’re walking through? We’d love to hear your story — connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a comment on Crosswalk.com. Your testimony might be the encouragement someone else is praying for today.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
At Easter and Every Day, Jesus Understands
By Lynette Kittle
And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground--Luke 22:44
Sweat: most of us experience it repeatedly in life, whether from high temperatures in weather or during illness, recreational activities or exercise, or because of stress and anxiety; it’s a gritty, real aspect of life.
Still, some of us don’t think of Jesus ever sweating like we do at times, but being fully human as well as fully God, we can be assured He sweated. As a physician, Luke added details in his writing that help us know Jesus experienced human conditions like us.
Jesus Knows What It’s Like to Be Human
From various biblical passages, we also know that Jesus hungered for food, like we do. How He thirsted for drink, like us. Likewise, how He grew tired and needed rest and solitude at times, away from the crowds of people who followed Him, just like many of us do, too.
Most likely, though, no matter what immense pressure we’ve been under at times, most of us have not had such an intense prayer time as Jesus did, where we sweat drops of blood.
Mark 14:32 describes the setting where it occurred. “They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’”
Yet, still in this peaceful, quite beautiful place, “He took Peter, James and John along with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ He said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch’” (Mark 14:33-34).
Jesus Felt the Pressure
Sometimes we might feel embarrassed in our reactions to distress and trouble, but we can take comfort in knowing even Jesus has felt it, understanding and knowing how being under pressure can feel. “Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him. “’Abba, Father,’ He said, ‘everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.’”(Mark 14:35-36).
Jesus understands what it’s like to feel like something is too hard and too much for us to bear. He leads the way by showing us how to surrender and submit to our Heavenly Father’s will over our own will, even when we believe it’s too much for us to handle.
Jesus Received Strength
Still, a garden setting sounds lovely and peaceful, yet Jesus sweat drops of blood while praying as He faced the future and the reality of the cross to come. Luke 22:43 describes how during Jesus’ prayer, “An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.”
Some of us are experiencing Easter this year while walking through distressful, sad, and life-changing events, a time where our whole world seems to be turned upside down, possibly dealing with life and death issues, facing devastating losses we didn’t anticipate in our lives.
Maybe we’re not to the point of sweating drops of blood, but feeling the intensity of experiencing things we don’t feel the strength to endure going through. If so, we can follow Jesus’ example of spending time in prayer, of taking our concerns to God, and relying on Him to send help to get us through whatever we’re facing.
But we may think it’s farfetched to think God will send us help, like He did for Jesus; that He doesn’t send angels to help us. However, throughout the Bible, there are stories of angels ministering to and helping people, including Elijah, Daniel, Gideon, Zechariah, Samson’s mother, and more.
As well, Psalm 91:11 assures us that angels are available to help us: “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
God lets us know that He doesn’t leave us alone in our troubles but sends help, as Psalm 34:7 describes, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: If you’re dealing with distressful situations and need strengthening this Easter, ask God to send help to encourage and uplift you. Be open and willing to receive His love, compassion, comfort, and more.
Further Reading: A Prayer to Celebrate Your Salvation this Easter
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-prayer/a-prayer-to-celebrate-your-salvation-this-easter-sunday.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In today’s devotional, Alexis A. Goring reminds us of a powerful, comforting truth: God is not a distant observer, watching humanity from afar. Instead, Scripture promises He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18 NIV).
Using the classic song “From a Distance” as a launching point, Alexis explores the misconception that God simply set the world in motion and then stepped away. This worldview, known as Deism, paints God as a cosmic clockmaker who lets creation run on its own. But the Bible tells a different story — one of a God who is deeply involved in the details of our lives.
From the mountaintop moments to the darkest valleys, God walks with us, comforts us, and intervenes in ways both miraculous and tender. He hasn’t abandoned His creation, and He certainly hasn’t abandoned you. His presence is a steady promise we can cling to in every season.
Today’s Key Scripture:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 NIV
Join the Conversation:
When was a time you felt God’s presence in a powerful, undeniable way? How do you remind yourself that He is near in difficult seasons? We’d love to hear your story — connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or send us a message. Let’s uplift one another with stories of God’s faithful presence!
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below
God is Here
By Alexis A. Goring
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”— Psalm 34:18 NIV
A famous song titled “From a Distance” performed by Bette Midler is the focal point for this devotional message today.
The song romanticizes life on Earth in poetic words, saying how beautiful our experiences here on this planet are, from a distance. The lyrics paint a hopeful and optimistic view of the good in our world and inspires the listener to dream of a better state of affairs, and human relations that are harmonious. No war, no sickness, no disease and no people who are starving to eat food. Just beautiful views of nature from the oceans to the mountains and the trees. It is the kind of harmony that most humans desire. Then the lyrics say that from a distance God is watching us. And that is the concept I want to address in this devotional today.
The song has a beautiful melody but the lyrics are not theologically true because the Bible says God is with us even until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). God didn’t create our world then return to Heaven to safely watch us wreck it. No! He is very involved in human affairs and pays attention to every detail of our life. This school of thought has a name: Deism.
According Alyssa Roat in an article titled, “What is Deism and Is It Influencing Your Faith?” published on the website for Bible Study Tools, “Deism teaches that there is a God, and that He created the world, but created things do not need His presence and the exercise of His power in order to continue in existence and fulfill their functions. The material world is placed under immutable law; while man, the rational and moral free agent, is left to do as he wills. God sustains, according to deism, very much the same relation to the universe that the clock-maker does to his timepiece. Having made his clock, and wound it up, he does not interfere with it, and the longer it can run without the maker's intervention the greater the evidence of wisdom and skill on the part of the maker. God according to deism has never wrought a miracle nor made a supernatural revelation to man.”
I’d like to challenge that belief with a note of hope: God did create this beautiful world, but He didn’t leave it to run by itself nor has He left us without any help from Heaven. God is ever-present in our world today. Just because we cannot see
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a world where headlines feel heavy and darkness seems to close in, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. But John 1:5 reminds us of a powerful truth:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Even when chaos rages, God’s light is never extinguished. As believers, we are called to fix our eyes not on the circumstances around us—but on the One who reigns above them. It’s time to return to the heart of Scripture, to reflect Christ’s love, grace, and truth in our actions, and to trust in His ultimate victory.
We encourage you to pray:
“Lord, help me walk in Your light when the world feels dark. Give me hope in You when my heart feels heavy.”
No matter what you’re facing today—personal anxiety, political unrest, or spiritual fatigue—remember this: darkness does not win. It never has, and it never will. God is greater, and His light will reign.
Join the Conversation:
What’s been weighing heavy on your heart lately? How have you seen God’s light break through darkness in your life? Share with us @LifeaudioNetwork or email us. Let’s encourage each other to keep our eyes on the Light that never fades.
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Light Will Reign Over Darkness
By Vivian Bricker
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
A few weeks ago, I was feeling overwhelmed by the news. Day after day, things have been getting worse, and all we can do is watch as the world seemingly burns. Fear and anger have been present in my heart to a degree I haven’t experienced before. Knowing that we cannot control the present situations in the world today can cause us to feel hopeless.
The political climate has changed, and as believers, we need to be discerning, understand the Bible, and be cautious of the present. Regardless of your political affiliation, remember that your allegiance lies with God. If you would rather follow a president or a political leader over God, then you might need to reassess your faith.
Believers need to return to the Bible and truly walk as the Lord did. Rather than building our beliefs on American ideals, we must ground ourselves in the timeless truths of the Bible. As believers, we should recall that the biblical Jesus helps the sick, injured, and impoverished.
He loves all people and mercifully extends His grace to all of us (Psalm 107:1, 145:9). If Christians truly desire to follow Christ, then we need to return to the Lord with our whole hearts. We need to repent, submit to God, and make the necessary changes in our lives to reflect His love and grace. As Christians, it’s our role to endorse and promote the Bible, Jesus, and a proper understanding of theology so that others may see the light that we see.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible tells us, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). When everything is in shambles around us, we need to remember God is still good and He is still at work. Even when it seems like evil prevails, God still reigns on the throne.
Darkness will never overcome the light.
Though everything feels dark right now, it will not endure forever. We should do our best to educate others, pray, and wait on the Lord. The Lord will bring deliverance for His people and restore our weary hearts. Darkness can feel bleak and daunting, yet it will never be more powerful than God. God is greater than all things, including disasters, problems, and evil.
Evil will always be at work in the world until the very end, but we must stay strong. Everyone has free will, and we cannot discount the evil nature of humans (Romans 3:23). As believers, we need to be aware of this and bring our hearts back to the only one who is truly perfect and good: God. God is the antithesis of evil, as He is full of love, grace, and compassion (Psalm 116:5).
His light will shine out of darkness, and we will be given relief. It might not happen overnight, but it will come. We need to continue to be patient, trust in Him, and know that He will prevail.
What is causing darkness to reign over you today?
How can you find hope in God despite the despair in the world today?
What are some things you can do today to bring your heart peace?
Further Reading:
Romans 16:17-20
2 Corinthians 11:12-15
1 John 5:19-20
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
At Easter, we often celebrate with joyful traditions—colorful eggs, chocolate bunnies, and family dinners. But at the heart of it all is a deeper truth: Easter is also a time for planting.
Not just tulips or gardens, but seeds of eternal life.
In John 12:23-24, Jesus speaks of His death as a seed falling to the ground. Through His sacrifice, a harvest of souls is made possible. He models what it means to lay down your life so that others may live—and calls us to do the same.
This Easter, we encourage you to pray:
“Lord, help me be willing to plant seeds of faith—even when it costs me something. Use my life to lead others to Yours.”
Whether it's through daily sacrifice, loss, or even stories of loved ones who’ve gone before us in faith, God uses these “planted seeds” to bring about new life in others. And while we may never see the full harvest, we can trust Him with the growth.
Join the Conversation:
Have you ever seen God bring spiritual growth through the life or passing of someone you loved? How has a seed of faith in your own life impacted others? Share your story @LifeaudioNetwork or send us an email. Let’s encourage one another to plant with purpose.
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Easter: A Time for Planting
By Lynette Kittle
“Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds’”--John 12:23-24
When we think of Easter, what comes to our minds? Many of us think of cultural and family traditions like Easter egg hunts, colorful baskets, chocolate bunnies, and family gatherings.
Of course, as Christians, we recognize and understand the importance of the death and resurrection of Jesus, of His shed blood atoning for our sins, and giving us new, eternal life in Him.
But do we also consider how Easter is a time to plant seeds, ones that bring others to Salvation? Jesus understood much more than we do how His death would produce many seeds and how vital it is to our world being reconciled to God.
Losing Our Lives to Keep Them Eternally
In John 12:25-26, Jesus tells us, “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.”
Still, it’s hard for countless individuals who don’t want to pay the price for serving Christ in this world by dying to themselves and giving up their lives so that others may live. It’s too high of a cost for some, and where many individuals decide to go another way.
Some think it was easy for Jesus to go to the cross, but in speaking of His coming death, He said,
“’Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save Me from this hour”? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name!’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.’ The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to Him” (John 12:27-28).
Even though Jesus was troubled by what was to come, His suffering and death on the cross, He submitted to the Father’s will, laying down His life so that others may live.
Seeds Lead to Life Eternal
Jesus knew that the dying of one seed releases many seeds that bring forth a harvest. Just like in nature, when a seed falls to the ground and dies, producing many seeds, so do spiritual seeds that die.
As a hospice chaplain, my husband knows too well that funerals are a time where many people consider their lives, how they’re living, and where they will go for eternity.
Growing up, there was a tragic accident that occurred in our church family, where a girl in our youth group lost her life. It struck the hearts of our youth group deeply, and I still vividly remember sitting in the crowded, overflowing church balcony during her funeral.
As heart-wrenching as it was, we knew she was with Jesus now, alive and living everlasting with Him. Her death and testimony of faith in Jesus touched many hearts that day, softening them and leading them to Salvation in Christ.
Like Jesus taught, her single seed dying, as sad and tragic as it was, produced and planted many seeds in the lives of those who knew, loved, and heard of her faith in Christ.
Seeds Need Watering
As Jesus emphasized, seeds dying and being planted in the lives of others is vital for the spreading of the Good News of Jesus Christ, and we all play a part in helping those seeds to grow and flourish in the lives of those where they are planted.
Like the Apostle Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 3:7-9:
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. We are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: Has your life or the lives of people you know been spiritually influenced by the passing away of a loved one, friend, co-worker, or neighbor? If so, you have an understanding of what Jesus was teaching, of how the faith of one person who dies can impact and bring life to countless lives.
Further Reading: Patient in the Work
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/harvestdaily/greg-laurie-devotion-july-24-2021.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When anxious thoughts flood your mind and you feel like you're living in a fog—disconnected from the moment and overwhelmed by “what ifs”—you’re not alone. In today’s devotional, Kelly Balarie vulnerably shares how anxiety hijacked her thoughts even in the middle of everyday moments with her kids.
But instead of staying stuck in the spiral of fear, she turned to Psalm 27:1 and found refuge in God's Word:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?”
We encourage you to pray: “Lord, help me to release what I’m holding onto so tightly. Let me trust that You are my stronghold, my refuge, and my salvation—even when I feel like I’m falling apart.”
When our grip on life feels weak, God reminds us: He’s the one holding on tight.
Let this be your permission to stop rehearsing worst-case scenarios and instead rest in the truth that God is your Light, your Refuge, and your Stronghold. When we move out of the way, we make way for the Way Maker.
Join the Conversation:
Have you ever been so anxious that you struggled to be present? What verse has helped anchor you in those moments? Let us know @LifeaudioNetwork or by email. We’d love to hear your story and stand with you in faith.
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
When Your Mind is Somewhere Else
By Kelly Balarie
“The Lord is my Light and My Salvation – whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid.” – Psalm 27:1 NLT
For days, I was internally screaming inside, while pretending to be there for my kids. I was internally agonizing, while trying to calmly answer questions about stop lights, and what’s for lunch and playdates with friends. Half the words they spoke would fly over my head, lest I pay attention and ignore the tight clenching pain of anxiety thumping in my chest. I tried to call myself to attention.
“Mommy, what do you think we will do for Valentine’s Day?” My kids asked me.
Who in the world knows?! My world is combusting! How will I handle what I am facing?! How can I disaster plan? If the worst-case scenario happens, how do I rise up?
Going somewhere else, in the car, while my kids chatted away, I could see all the dominoes falling. I could see all the marbles rolling everywhere, unable to be contained. I could envision my agony as I couldn’t handle the future.
Ever been there? Ever been in the place you never wanted to arrive to? Ever seen the darkness you didn’t want to see? Ever confronted a monster that you only hoped and prayed would pass you by?
And what do you do when you can’t stop thinking of worst-case scenarios?! When you keep considering all the ways you’ll be hurt? When you’re already experiencing the shame that hasn’t even yet come?
These are viable questions. Ones I was contending with for days. . . God knows, I didn’t want to be anxious or worried, yet I kept on confessing to God – that I was.
So here I am. Distracted.
And I’d be a liar to tell you I have everything all worked out at this point. I don’t. There seem to be a handful of problems I can’t fix on my own, but I can tell you, I found a couple verses that have really encouraged me. Here they are:
“The Lord is my Light and My Salvation – whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid. When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise against me, (even then) in this I will be confident.” (Ps. 27:1-4)
In these verses, I have safety.
The Lord is my Light. Light brings clarity, it brings direction on the best paths to walk and it, like a spotlight, can even be a weapon to blind opposition.
The Lord is my salvation. Salvation brings salvation. I will be saved. The Savior is faithful to save. I can rest in Him to do the saving work. I can turn to Him for salvation and trust Him. He may not only save me; He may save those who come in contact with me during this hard time. No one can come against the saving power of God. In this, there is no fear.
The Lord is my refuge. In Christ, I am in the biggest, most secure, steel-reinforced refuge. No one is as safe as Jesus. I am hidden in Christ and Christ is invincible in battle. I am protected, not a sitting duck. Enemy forces have a hard time penetrating that safety. I can trust Him to protect me.
The Lord is The Stronghold of My Life. When I feel like I have no hold on life, I can trust that God has a strong hold of my life. He knows everything going on. He sees every issue. He knows the way. He has a strong hold on my problem.
In this, I can cast my care on the Lord and trust Him with it. Full release is the only way. If I get in His way, I block the way. If I move out of the way – by releasing worry and fear, I make way for the Way Maker. It’s that simple.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What would happen if you tried to help a friend with their groceries, but they wouldn’t let go of their grip of the grocery bag? Would you effectively be able to assist them with the load they are carrying? The same happens when we don’t release our load to the Lord. Scripture encourages us to cast our cares, but if we won’t let them go, we will still carry their heavy load. What load might you need to cast on the Lord?
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Taxes are temporary. God’s provision, peace, and promises are eternal. When we get tangled in financial worry or frustration, Jesus gently shifts our focus upward — reminding us that no matter what we owe the government, we owe our lives to the One who paid our ultimate debt on the cross.
Join the Conversation:
How do you navigate stressful seasons like tax time while keeping your focus on God? Have you seen His provision show up when you needed it most? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or by email. Let’s encourage one another to rest in God’s care — even when the numbers don’t add up.
🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
There are moments when the weight of the world feels too heavy to carry—especially for those who are natural caregivers, helpers, and encouragers. In today's devotional, Alexis A. Goring explores compassion fatigue—a very real emotional exhaustion that can happen when you’re constantly giving of yourself to help others.
Drawing from Psalm 145:9, “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made,” we’re reminded that while we may reach the end of our emotional strength, God never does. He never tires, never grows weary, and always has time for your burdens.
We encourage you to pause and pray: “Lord, help me cast my cares on You and remind me that I don’t need to carry it all. Thank You for your limitless compassion.”
Whether you're in ministry, caregiving, or just the “strong friend” who everyone leans on, today is your invitation to unplug, rest, and reconnect with the One who never sleeps. God is the only one truly capable of caring for everyone—and that includes you.
Join the Conversation:
When was the last time you experienced compassion fatigue? What helped you get through it? Share with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or send us an email. Let’s support each other in remembering that it’s okay to step back—and to lean into God’s everlasting care.
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
When Compassion Fatigue Hits HardBy Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”— Psalm 145:9 NIV
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?
I remember when a minister friend of mine told me that when she feels overwhelmed by people’s issues, she unplugs from social media, turns off her phone, and shuts down her computer to take a break.
Soon after, I realized that she was describing compassion fatigue. According to Psychology Today, “People whose professions lead to prolonged exposure to other people’s trauma can be vulnerable to compassion fatigue, also known as secondary or vicarious trauma; they can experience acute symptoms that put their physical and mental health at risk, making them wary of giving and caring.”
When you are a minister or professional counselor, compassion fatigue might be a common experience. However, anybody who cares about people and wants to help fix problems can experience this kind of fatigue. Let’s face it: There are a lot of problems in our world, and many people need help solving issues and surviving the curveballs that life throws at them. God has gifted us with healthcare professionals to go to when we need help. But these talented people—as wonderful and effective as they may be—are only human. So that means even the most helpful professional has their limits.
As the type of person known to be the “strong” friend and often treated by people—even strangers—as a counselor, I understand how compassion fatigue feels. I want to be there for everyone and follow through on my promises to pray for people who need prayer support. But sometimes, I feel stretched thin and overloaded with requests for help. So, like my minister friend, I also unplug from social media, turn off my computer, don’t touch the television or my phone, and try to take a break from the world's problems.
When you feel overwhelmed, you are reminded that you’re only human and cannot always help everyone. Compassion fatigue is real. But gratefully, we serve a God who never experiences this kind of fatigue, nor will He ever because, unlike us mere mortals, our Immortal God has no limits. His love for us endures forever, and He always plans to save us. He is always available to listen to our pain and solve our problems 24/7/365 because the Bible says He never sleeps (Psalm 121:4)!
Aren’t you glad we have this kind of help? Not only does God never feel fatigued, but He never grows weary of hearing about our needs. In Hebrews 4:16 (NLT), the Bible says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy and find grace to help us when we need it most.” Whatever is on our hearts, God wants to hear it. Whatever is negatively affecting us, He wants to help. When the world's troubles overwhelm us, there is a solution for that, too, because the Bible says in 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV), “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
When we feel compassion fatigue, it is time to have a heart-to-heart with Jesus Christ—practice casting your cares on Him as He tells you to do. There have been times when I didn’t cast my cares on Jesus. Instead, I worried and ruminated over all the problems and thought deeply about how I could fix everything. That approach only led to my problems being magnified, my anxiety heightened, and I felt powerless to do anything about any of it. However, in times when I remembered what the Bible says to do when you’re worried, and I applied that Biblical advice to my life, it was then that I finally felt free because I learned to trust Jesus and believe He will work everything out for my good just like He promises to in Romans 8:28.
Compassion fatigue is real, but so is God. Next time we feel overwhelmed by the problems in our world, let’s go to Him and trust Him to take care of everything that concerns us. Only God can fix everything and help everyone.
I’d like you to listen to Phil Wickham's song “It’s Always Been You.” The lyrics remind us that God is always with us and here to help us.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? How does knowing you can trust God to solve your problems help you?
Further Reading:
Psalm 103:13
Psalm 86:15
2 Corinthians 1:3
Isaiah 41:10
Matthew 28:20
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:6
When faced with a health scare, the author Michelle Lazurek found themselves in a place many of us know too well: praying out of desperation, but doubting deep down. Even though the words were spoken, the heart quietly assumed the worst. And yet, God still moved.
This powerful reflection reminds us that God welcomes our prayers, even when our faith feels fragile. He wants us to ask—not just for small things, but for everything—and to ask with belief, not hesitation. God is not a genie to grant our wishes, but a loving Father who listens and responds in His perfect timing, for our ultimate good.
When we choose to ask boldly and trust deeply, even in uncertain outcomes, our faith grows. And through that faith, we learn to see God not just as a helper in times of crisis, but as our true source of strength, peace, and satisfaction.
🙏 Prayer Prompt:
“Lord, help me come to You with every need—big or small. Teach me to ask without doubting and to trust Your plan, even when the outcome isn't what I expected. Grow my faith and make me confident in Your goodness.”
💬 Join the Conversation:
Do you take everything to God in prayer? What holds you back from asking Him for your deepest needs?
Share with us on social @LifeAudioNetwork or email us—we’d love to hear from you and encourage you!
🎙 SUBSCRIBE to Our New Show – YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
🌟 Don’t Miss Other Crosswalk Favorites – Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
📜 Full Transcript Below:
Ask God for Everything
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6
“Lord, please heal my body from this illness.” Because of some health issues that had required me to get blood drawn every month and see a doctor regularly, I was concerned about the state of my health. Because I took supplements, didn't smoke, didn't drink alcohol, and generally took care of myself, I believed the lie that I would live for a long time. After all, since I'd cared for my body so well, isn't that what I deserved?
It wasn't until the doctor asked me to go for an ultrasound to screen for possible cancer that my whole world came to a screeching halt. I made the drive to the hospital to have the scan, and a myriad of thoughts flooded my mind. I began to picture my life with only limited time left. I started to think about everything I still wanted to do during my time on earth.
As I drove to the hospital, I uttered the above prayer. It was my Hail Mary prayer to ask God to turn things around. In my mind, I went to God for his help. But deep down in my heart, I doubted God could turn this around. I had already expected the worst test result. In my mind, I already expected the worst.
Even though I didn't voice this to anyone, my doubts spoke extensively about my lack of faith in God. I trusted God for many things in life, but for my health, that was something else. Because I had just encountered several godly people who were struggling with their cancer journeys, I expected to be the next one in line. After all, if these godly people were struggling with cancer, what would make me think I would be off the hook?
The test results came back negative. I was elated. For the next few weeks, I spent every day praising the Lord. In my prayer time, I thanked him for allowing me not to have to deal with the trial of cancer. But I also praised him for moving on my behalf despite my lack of faith. Because in my mind, I prayed that prayer. But in my heart, I already assumed the worst.
The above verse guides us on how to pray genuinely. Not only should we ask God for the big and the small things in life, but we must ask without any doubt. We must pray and believe that God will deliver on what he promised. We also must declare and believe that God’s plan is good regardless of the outcome. In our finite understanding of God, we often minimize God to a genie in a bottle.
If he doesn't do things our way, he isn't real. But when we cling to God in desperation, God still wants us to pray and believe he will deliver. When we pray and not doubt, he increases our faith. It allows us to declare that God is good and that he will work out everything in his timing, not ours.
Although it is not appropriate to demand from God luxuries like a fancy car or house, it is suitable for us to ask for anything in our hearts. Even if our desires are fleshly, God still chooses to respond. He wants us to come to him with unabashed faith. He wants us to ask and not doubt. When we doubt, it is like the above verse suggests. We are like waves tossed back and forth by the wind with no direction or real purpose. However, asking God for everything and declaring that he is good even with a bad result solidifies our faith.
God cares more about our character and our faith than our comfort zones. However, part of how we grow in our faith is to ask for even the impossible things in our minds. God wants us to be people who run to him whenever we have a need or want. He wants to be our everything. He doesn't want us to run to the world's resources but drink from the everlasting water that will allow us never to thirst again and give us all the satisfaction we could ever need.
Father, let us be firm in our faith. Let us ask for big and small things in life. Let us ask and declare without doubt. Please help us grow in our faith and not be like the waves of the sea tossed back and forth by the wind. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Do you go to God with all your needs and wants? Why or why not?
Further Reading
Psalm 4:1
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We all have days where we feel like we’ve hit a wall—emotionally, physically, or spiritually. In today’s devotional, Keri Eichberger opens up about those moments of exhaustion and inner conflict: when your soul wants to move, but your body and heart just can’t keep up.
Is God calling us to push forward? Or is He inviting us to rest? The good news is—either way, He’s with us. Whether you’re taking a break on the bench or stepping back onto the field, God isn’t disappointed in your weakness. In fact, His power is made perfect in it.
So let go of the guilt. Lay down the pressure. And lean into the truth that God loves you just the same, no matter what pace you’re moving at today.
🙏 Prayer Prompt:
“Lord, help me recognize your grace in my weakness. Whether I need rest or motivation today, let me move forward in peace knowing You are with me—always.”
💬 Join the Conversation:
When have you felt the weight of weakness—and how did God show up in that moment?
Share with us on social @LifeAudioNetwork or email us—we’d love to walk alongside you!
🎙 SUBSCRIBE to our New Show – YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
🌟 Explore More Crosswalk Podcasts – Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
📜 Full Transcript Below
This is the first one: Feeling the Weight of Weakness By Keri Eichberger But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9) I feel so weak today. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve journaled those exact words. I hate it though. There’s so much in my mind and heart to be done. But lately my body can’t seem to measure up to the expectations of my soul. Which has instigated a spiral of exhaustion and defeat. I want to move, and need to move—I think. But my lack of motivation and the dwindling of my energy is almost nauseating at times. A swelling sadness from disappointment that I can’t seem to rise to the occasion. I wonder how often you feel weak? Or if you’re feeling it today too? If you’re burned out from working too hard, exhausted from emotional overload, or worn down from stress or waiting for a change of circumstances. Whether it’s physical, emotional, mental, or even spiritual, an array of elements can drain us to debilitation. And what do you suppose God thinks about this? About the weakness we feel or are consumed by? I was wondering that this morning in contemplation of my struggle for strength. Questioning if he is looking down on me like a coach from the sidelines when a player falls down. Yelling, “Get up, you can do it! I’ve trained you for this. You can rest when the game is over. There’s help all around you.” Or on the flipside he could be saying, “You need to come out of the game. It’s time to rest. I’ve got this.” Honestly, sometimes I don’t know which it is, or what I should do. If I need to lay down, or gather myself and go. Well, what if either way, it’s okay? What if the coach would love and adore you no matter what? What if you fell, and he said, “Listen, you can stand up and get back in the game, or, you can sit on the bench as long as you need. Either way, I’m right beside you. Either way I’m always cheering you on, always your biggest fan, and always here to help you. Regardless, we will get the win. The outcome will be good.” It occurred to me that this is exactly what God thinks about my lack of motivation and energy. And yours, too. If we think we need to rest, we probably should. If we have the prompting to take certain steps forward, we probably should do that. No matter what we do or choose, God is with us, still loving us just the same, still loving us just as much. Regardless. Personally, this truth offers me so much relief in itself, and I desperately need to remember it. Especially when I feel the weight of weakness or even worry about my weakness. And if that’s you too, if you feel weak and then more weighed down by the weight of worry. Worry of the implications of your weakness. Worry about letting the world down or of letting God down—you can let that go. The world will keep moving. God keeps moving. And truly, only God’s opinion matters. And his acceptance of you is unconditional. Intersecting Faith and Life: 2 Corinthians 12:9 says that God’s grace is sufficient and that his power is made perfect in our weakness. When we are weak, he sufficiently supplies for us. Whether it is rest or a pep in our step he determines we need, it is perfect. He is perfect in our weakness. So today, whether you really need to rest, or you feel ready to move forward, whatever you prayerfully decide… It’s okay. God always supplies sufficiently. He has control of everything, and he loves you more than anything. I pray that knowing these truths, soaking in these truths, will free a slight burden from your soul today. Empowering you to either move forward in joy and grace, or to rest in peace and refreshing stillness with the Lord. The Lord who loves you… no matter what.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Philippians 4:6-7, which encourages us to be anxious for nothing and to present our requests to God through prayer and thanksgiving. We discuss the significance of choosing peace over worry, emphasizing that true tranquility comes from trusting God with our circumstances.
Drawing from personal experiences, we reflect on how life's challenges can trigger anxiety, but through prayer and gratitude, we can access a peace that surpasses understanding. We’ll explore the practical steps to combat worry and how embracing God's promises can lead to a more fulfilling life.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you manage anxiety in your life? What role does prayer play in your journey toward peace? Share your thoughts with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s encourage one another as we seek to live in God’s peace!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
An Alternative to Worry
By Kelly Balarie
“Be anxious for nothing. But, in everything, with prayer and petition, and thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then, perfect peace which transcends understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
As I pulled into the airport, a sign caught my eye: “Terminal.” My heart sank. I was on my way to confront a challenging situation that felt overwhelmingly daunting—one of my greatest fears. That moment made me think, “Oh no, my situation is terminal.”
I wondered if others felt the same way. Perhaps someone facing cancer treatment saw that sign and felt their heart drop. Or a parent visiting a child in rehab felt the weight of despair. Did they think, "This is it; everything is going wrong"?
The sign seemed to herald panic and worry. Suddenly, I shifted into planning mode: how I would tackle the problem, what steps I would take to gain control. But I realized that my meticulous planning didn’t change the situation. God was reminding me that even when I think I’m in control, I truly am not.
We often believe we can manage our lives, but sometimes life manages us. As Mike Tyson famously said, “Everyone has a plan until life punches them in the face.”
Are you facing a terminal situation in your life—financially, emotionally, or professionally? What do you do when you don’t know what to do?
I’ve thought a lot about this, and I’ve come to see that God offers us a clear action plan:
- Choose Not to Be Anxious: Make a decisive choice to let go of worry. Repent and change your course the moment anxiety arises.
- Pray and Ask God: Bring your needs to Him. He invites us to share our requests.
- Express Gratitude: Thank God for hearing you, for knowing the best path, and for guiding you toward hope.
When we do this, God steps in. He offers us perfect peace that transcends understanding. This peace shows us that we don’t need to grasp every detail of our problems. Worry is rooted in our limited understanding, while peace is a divine assurance that God is in control.
We have a choice: we can worry and fret without Him, or we can pray and petition Him. One path leads to anxiety; the other leads to peace.
Which will you choose?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Peace is not something we have to fight for; it’s a gift from Jesus. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV) How can you release the world's pressures and embrace the peace that Jesus offers?
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith and encouragement. You can follow her blog and discover more about her work on the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast. Kelly is also the author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Her insights have been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, and more.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The powerful story from 2 Kings 6:15-17, where Elisha’s servant feels overwhelmed and vulnerable, surrounded by an enemy army. Elisha reassures him, saying, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” When Elisha prays for the servant’s eyes to be opened, he sees God’s army of horses and chariots of fire surrounding them.
We encourage you to pray, “Lord, please open my eyes and let me see,” asking God to reveal the ways He is providing for and protecting you. By recognizing this spiritual truth, we can find comfort and strength in our daily lives.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! When have you felt God’s protection in your life? How can you remind yourself of His presence during difficult times? Share your thoughts with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support each other in recognizing God’s unwavering protection!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
The Reality of Invisible Protection
by Deidre Braley
2 Kings 6:15-17:
When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
There are times when I feel terribly vulnerable in this world, as though I’m walking about like a turtle without her shell. I feel alone and unprotected—and it feels like I could succumb to any number of bad circumstances. Perhaps you sometimes feel this way too. It doesn’t take much to inspire a sense of total panic these days; all we have to do is turn on the news and feel as though all of society is tailspinning.
The servant of Elisha felt exactly this way when he woke up one morning only to find that the city where he and his master were staying—Dothan—was surrounded by horses, chariots, and a massive army. Elisha responded, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” I’m sure the servant thought Elisha was crazy—they were visibly outnumbered.
But his perspective changed the moment Elisha prayed. “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see,” he said, and in that moment, the servant looked around to discover that their surroundings were filled with horses and chariots of fire (presumably from God’s army).
This story is a stunning reminder that the spiritual world is an active reality—just as real as the floor at our feet or the mug in our hands. Much like Elisha’s servant, we often go about our days without seeing this spiritual world at play, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not there.
Today—and whenever we feel particularly afraid or alone—may we remember to pray Elisha’s bold prayer over ourselves: “Lord, please open my eyes and let me see.” And then, may we discover all the ways in which God’s protection and provision are surrounding us now—and always have been.
Further Reading:
- Daniel 10
- Ephesians 6:12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ephesians 4:1-2, which urges us to live a life worthy of our calling. We discuss the importance of humility, patience, and love, as well as the necessity of shedding bitterness and anger. Drawing from personal experiences, we reflect on the journey of healing from anxiety and the transformative power of aligning our lives with biblical principles.
We’ll delve into the process of understanding our emotions and reactions in light of Christ’s love and redemption. By recognizing our identity as chosen daughters and sons of God, we learn to respond to challenges with grace and strength rather than succumbing to negative feelings.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you process your emotions in a way that aligns with your faith? What practices help you maintain peace and joy in difficult situations? Share your thoughts with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another as we strive to live in the freedom Christ offers!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." — Ephesians 4:1-2, 31
After decades of living with frequent and intense anxiety, I’ve embarked on an equally intense healing journey that has deepened my appreciation for passages like today’s. I’ve long understood the spiritual importance of aligning my life with biblical principles like those listed in Ephesians 4. But I’ve only recently focused on the impact my obedience, or lack thereof, has on my peace and joy.
In the past, when I read passages like today’s and compared them to my typical responses, I realized how short I fell from God’s desire. I’d then determine how I’d behave differently the next day, only to find myself pulled into anger or bitterness over some offense.
I still recognize my need for growth. However, I now approach that growth differently. I’m learning to resist surface-level behavior modification and to seek Christ’s insights regarding why I reacted a certain way. What in my soul doesn’t align with His heart?
More specifically, I’m learning how to process my emotions, thoughts, and experiences with God. I usually begin by reflecting upon the calling I’ve received—not just in terms of my role as a Christ-follower, but also as His chosen and empowered daughter. This inevitably leads my thoughts to the price Jesus paid for my redemption, which assures me of His inconceivable love for me despite my weaknesses and sin.
While I sit in His presence, He reminds me who I am, soothing the lies and insecurities aggravated by the “offense” I received. This was often how Paul, the first-century church planter who wrote today’s passage, approached sin. He’d begin by reminding whomever he was addressing of who they were to Christ and in Christ.
Through faith, Christ had broken every chain that previously held them bound. In his letter, Paul was teaching them how to live free.
I’m learning that same lesson. The more I yield my soul to Christ, the less power others have over me and my emotions. When hurt, slighted, or mistreated, before we respond in kind, may we turn to Christ and sit in His presence, receive His comfort, seek His perspective, and draw from His strength.
Further Reading:
- Psalm 119:143
- Philippians 4:5-9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Psalm 33:8, which calls us to fear the Lord and stand in awe of Him. Whitney Hopler shares insights on the “overview effect” experienced by astronauts who see Earth from space, highlighting how it deepens their appreciation for God’s creation. This shift in perspective reminds us of the interconnectedness of humanity and the beauty of our planet.
Whitney emphasizes that awe can shrink our worries and grow our faith. By intentionally seeking out experiences in nature—like watching a sunrise or hiking with friends—we can cultivate a deeper relationship with God. Sharing these experiences and stories of God’s work in our lives with others enriches our faith community and enhances our sense of awe.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! When was the last time you felt awe toward God? How do you seek out experiences that highlight His wonder? Share your thoughts with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s celebrate and worship our wonderful God together!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews
Full Transcript Below:
Stand in Awe of God
By Whitney Hopler
“Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!” (Psalm 33:8, ESV)
Many astronauts who have spent time aboard the International Space Station describe a profound change in perspective when they look down on the earth. Suspended in the vastness of space, they see our planet as a stunning, interconnected home – a place where all of humanity lives together, sharing the same air, water, and sky. From that vantage point, national borders disappear, conflicts seem small, and the beauty of God’s creation takes center stage.
What they describe is something that scientists call the “overview effect.” It’s a shift in focus that happens when someone sees the earth from space. They can see the awe-inspiring beauty of this world God has created. They notice how the vast stretches of land and water are connected. This feeling of awe has led some astronauts to spiritual experiences that have helped them connect with God.
Even though most of us will never travel to space, we can experience a similar sense of awe. The same God who made the stars and galaxies also designed the intricate details of our daily surroundings. When we take the time to recognize this, we naturally feel a sense of awe.
Psalm 33:8 encourages everyone to fear God and to stand in awe of Him. God has filled this world with glimpses of His glory, from the night sky to the delicate details of a butterfly’s wings. God invites us to slow down and be amazed by who He is.
Awe is a powerful emotion. It reminds us that we’re small yet deeply loved by a big God who is infinitely greater than we can understand. When we stand in awe of God, we can notice His wonderful presence, which shrinks our worries and grows our faith.
We can feel more awe by intentionally pursuing God’s wonder in our daily lives. One way is to step outside and immerse ourselves in His creation. Go for a walk at sunrise, marvel at a towering tree, or stargaze with family. Sharing these experiences with others enhances our sense of wonder and helps us reflect on God’s work in our lives.
God is always revealing His wonder. Let’s pause, notice, and respond with awe that motivates us to celebrate and worship our wonderful God!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
- When was the last time you felt a deep sense of awe toward God? What experience led you to feel that?
- How can you intentionally seek out experiences that help you recognize God’s wonder around you?
- Who in your life can you invite to join you in experiencing and talking about God’s wonder?
- What stories of God’s wonder have you experienced recently that you can share with others?
- How does standing in awe of God affect your perspective on your life each day?
Further Reading:
- Habakkuk 3:2
- Proverbs 9:10
- Psalm 65:8
- Psalm 111:10
- Job 37:14
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Proverbs 3:5, which encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not rely on our own understanding. Kelly Balarie shares her personal journey of prayer and the challenges that arise when we feel overwhelmed or confused during spiritual moments.
We discuss the powerful truth that God’s ways surpass our comprehension, emphasizing that His goodness remains unchanged, even when we struggle to understand our circumstances. Kelly reflects on a transformative prayer experience with friends that revealed how often we misattribute our struggles to God, instead of recognizing the enemy's schemes.
Through the story of Job, we learn that God allows trials not as punishment but as opportunities for growth and strength. In every situation, God’s plans are ultimately for our good.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What have you blamed on God that may have been a scheme of the devil? How has this affected your faith? Share your thoughts with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support each other as we navigate our faith journeys!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Full Transcript Below:
God is Good
By Kelly Balarie
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5 NLT)
My friends were praying for me...
And here’s the funny thing: as they were praying, I couldn’t quite figure out how to be. In times of deep prayer, I aim to open my heart and believe with my soul, as if I have something to do with what’s happening. So, that’s what I did in this instance.
However, I couldn’t help but notice all the gold-weighted words in this prayer; they were substantial. Would I remember everything? Was I grasping it all? I wasn’t so sure; they were speaking fast. I tried to command myself to remember. I wanted to process their words. I wanted to write it down. Could I tell them to slow down?
Have you ever experienced pressure amid powerful prayers?
Now, in retrospect, and with some distance between that prayer-time and this moment, I see things more clearly. I realize that prayer led by the Holy Spirit sometimes absolutely will surpass our natural mind. The truth is — we don’t have to conceive everything to receive everything. God’s ways are not our ways. Neither should we expect to lean on our own understanding.
God’s Spirit is good and effective even if our mind feels confused or out of order.
It doesn’t matter so much if we understand or not; God is still God and God is still good!
God is good to work, even when our mind doesn’t work. God is good and faithful, even when we can’t perfectly dissect or understand all His work. God is good to help us, even when we can’t help ourselves. God is good to provide grace even when we can’t figure out how we are remotely worthy of receiving it.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5 NLT)
So, in that moment with my friends, I abandoned my understanding and opened my heart to receive what God was doing via the Holy Spirit.
“Kelly,” my friends addressed me during this prayer time, “The devil had a plan to attack and devour you all throughout your life, but God had a plan to save you and keep you!”
God won.
Suddenly a light bulb went off in my head. Oh. My!
Something hit me: I have been blaming God for what were premeditated attacks of the enemy on my life. As if God was the punisher. As if God was doing all this to me. As if God set up hit jobs and sinkholes for me to fall into.
God is good.
Just because I can’t understand those things, doesn’t mean that negates God’s goodness.
In the book of Job, the devil goes to the throne of God and God suggests His son Job for trial. Does this mean that God isn’t good? No. It means that God believes in Job to stand firm and to stand strong even under attack. In the end, God more than blessed Job.
God’s plans are not for evil; they are always for good. Even when we can’t understand.
Intersecting Faith & Life: What have you blamed on God that may have been a scheme of the devil? How has it created bitterness or anger at God? How has it prevented you from believing that God really loves you? Perhaps, ask God to forgive you for the bitter root that you have allowed to form in your heart.
Further Reading:
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. Her work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant, and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Luke 11:8, where Jesus teaches us about the power of persistent prayer and the importance of approaching God with shameless audacity. Reflecting on personal experiences, we discuss how our early prayer lives can sometimes feel transactional—like using God as a vending machine.
As we grow in faith, we learn that God desires a deeper relationship with us, encouraging us to ask not only for our needs but also for the big desires hidden in our hearts. We share a testimony of how boldly asking God for a writing opportunity led to unexpected blessings, illustrating His goodness and generosity.
We’ll also touch on the balance between desire and contentment, reminding ourselves that while God wants us to ask for good gifts, we must trust in His sovereign will, even when the answer is no.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What is one thing you want to ask God for but are too afraid to? How can you take a step to increase your faith in asking? Share your thoughts with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s encourage each other as we grow in our prayer lives!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Full Transcript Below:
Shameless Audacity
“I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity, he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.” (Luke 11:8)
“God, help me get a good grade on my test.” When I was young, I prayed very little. I often only talked to the Lord when I needed something. I would sometimes test God, not study for a test, and then see if he would help me pull through. Sometimes he did; sometimes he didn't. I used God like a genie in a bottle. Like a vending machine, I put in my 2 quarters of prayer, pulled the lever, and hoped to get a prize.
Once I became a born-again Christian and yielded to the Lord, I quickly realized that my prayer life was shallow. If I wanted to have a deeper relationship with the Lord, I couldn't pray only for what I wanted. In my early years of Christianity, I avoided asking God for anything. I lived in fear that I would treat him again like I had when I was a little kid. I only prayed for other people and their needs, neglecting my own.
In my quiet time, God whispered to my heart. He challenged me to stop putting him in a box. He reminded me of the above verse, where the person who asked his friend for a loaf of bread kept knocking and asking until the man got out of bed and gave him what he wanted. God does not intentionally withdraw his good gifts from his children. But he does want us to ask. Not only does God want us to ask for little things, but he also wants us to ask for the big things.
Recently, I asked God to move in my writing career. I asked him to allow his favor to grant me a contract with a publisher. It was a long shot. Because I had no working relationship with this publisher, the chances were not in my favor that they would grant me a contract. Then I asked anyway. I've seen God work in my life too often to ignore that He is a miracle worker.
Just when I had given up hope that this would come to pass, I received an email with an offer from that publisher. I was elated. No longer had I treated God like a genie in a bottle. I asked him for big things, but I was also content if he chose not to give them to me. Because it was a selfish desire, I was afraid to ask because I didn't want to only use God for selfish desires. However, God, in his goodness, still gives us good gifts even if we've become distant from him or have sin that blocks us from knowing Him intimately.
God wants to give good gifts to his children. But he wants us to pray earnestly, balancing desire and contentment. It's normal to have desires and enjoy things in life. We must also be content and trust that God's will is sovereign. If God wants us to have it, he will grant it. But there are times when we ask for things where God says no. In these moments, we must remain content that God's will is sufficient for us even when we don't understand. He chose not to grant that selfish desire.
Reflect on your prayer life. Do you come to God only when you need him? Do you take time to praise him for who he is? Do you have time to thank him for all the wonderful blessings in your life? Do you bask in God’s presence and sovereignty? Do you see your relationship with God as a gift, or do you see him as a vending machine?
Take a bold risk. Ask God faithfully for his provision. In faith, ask him for the big things in life that lie hidden in your heart. Let the Lord decide if your desire is one he wants to grant. You may be surprised that he grants more in your life than you realize.
Father, let us approach you with shameless audacity. Let us ask not only about the small things but also about the big things in life. When we get what we ask for, let us bask in your glory. Let us also remain content when you choose not to grant our request. Let our prayer life not be predicated upon needs but rather upon relationships. Amen.
Further Reading: James 1:6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Proverbs 9:10, emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We discuss the distinction between knowledge and wisdom, highlighting how true understanding comes from applying our knowledge through godly choices. Drawing from personal experiences, we reflect on the journey of a passionate young believer eager to deepen his biblical knowledge for the sake of evangelism.
We’ll explore why wisdom matters in our daily lives and how it enables us to make choices that honor God, leading to fulfillment and purpose. By soaking our minds in Scripture and our hearts in prayer, we can trust our instincts as they align with God’s guidance.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you differentiate between knowledge and wisdom in your life? What practices help you cultivate wisdom? Share your thoughts with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another as we strive to live wisely!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: Listen Here
Full Transcript Below:
Knowing the Wise Choice and Living Wisely
By Keri Eichberger
The [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight. (Proverbs 9:10 AMP)
I’ve been undeservingly blessed with a Jesus loving son. And I’ll gratefully admit, this is the greatest gift a parent could ask for. In fact, all five of my kids claim to truly love the Lord. But my son specifically has been going on and on lately about his passion to gain biblical knowledge. Claiming he wants to know more, so he can share more. To disciple the lost. To evangelize and save souls. And what an admirable desire no doubt. But something started to strike me along his mission for knowledge, that I couldn’t help but ever so tenderly approach him with my observation. It was this: knowledge is necessary, but it is wisdom that gives understanding and life to the information we consume. Wisdom means so much more. Wisdom helps us make choices with what we know. Knowledge without wise choice and action may get us nowhere.
Not so coincidentally, our church began a sermon series on wisdom at the introduction of Will’s newfound passion. Of course he was beyond excited, under the assumption that wisdom equals knowledge, while I was excited for his opportunity to begin understanding the difference allowing him to better live out his calling. I was also looking forward to growing in my own understanding, so before the series took off, a quick Google search landed me on a helpful perspective of differences. Crossway.com shared: “‘knowledge’ tends to focus on correct understanding of the world and oneself as creatures of the magnificent and loving God, while ‘wisdom’ is the acquired skill of applying that knowledge rightly, or ‘skill in the art of godly living’.”
I found this very insightful. And considering I’ve valued wisdom more and more as I’ve grown in faith, and the Bible devotes an entire book to the subject in the book of Proverbs, I suppose we should probably all have our ears perked and eager to dive into the importance of wisdom.
But why should wisdom really matter so much?
In general, I believe as christians we want to gain wisdom, apply “godly” knowledge rightly, and make wise “godly” choices, because this is how we honor and glorify God. But on a personal level I’ve noticed, making wise godly choices, choices in line with God’s plan for our lives, opens the door to fruitfulness and fulfillment. And don’t we all deeply desire the purpose that comes from fruitfulness and fulfillment in our lives? I sure do.
Well, how exactly do we walk in wisdom? How can we be confident we are making wise choices that lead to glorifying God, to fruitfulness, and fulfillment?
I bet you’ve wondered what choice to make or path to take at some point. Yes? We might be all filled up on facts and knowledge, but sometimes we question how to apply it to our specific seasons or situations.
In between the two sermons on wisdom, our pastor released a podcast to dive into some specifics of what wisdom looks like when lived out. And there was something said in regards to our ability to make wise choices that sat with me. It was along these lines: “You should know the wise choice to make when your mind is soaked in scripture and your heart is soaked in prayer. In which case, follow your gut, because it is God who has formed your gut.”
I absolutely love this. Keep in mind this is not just a worldly instruction to follow your gut. But, when God’s word is filling our head, and when we have connection and communion with him in our hearts, we can trust the choices the spirit lays on us.
Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Mind soaked in scripture. Heart soaked in prayer and the presence of Jesus. And we will know the path of life—know the wise choices. And it will bring joy, purpose, fruitfulness, fulfillment, and eternal pleasures.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Let’s remember that growing in wisdom matters. And let’s remember today to stay close to God’s word and his presence, which enables us to live wise godly lives. Which allows us to make wise choices that align with God’s plan for our life. And in this wise living we will fulfill our purpose to glorify and honor God. We will find a path to increases of fruitfulness, an even greater sense of joy and purpose, and a more fulfilling future.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode, we explore Hebrews 13:5, which reminds us to keep our lives free from the love of money and to find contentment in God's unwavering presence. We discuss how challenging it can be to feel secure and content during turbulent times, especially when unexpected financial pressures arise. Drawing from the experiences of early Christians facing persecution, we reflect on the importance of trusting in God's promises and how His presence brings power, provision, and peace.
We'll also look at Old Testament examples that illustrate God’s faithfulness, and share practical steps for deepening our relationship with Him during difficult seasons. Learn how to overcome feelings of doubt and anxiety by focusing on the truths of God’s character and past faithfulness.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! How do you cultivate contentment in your life? What strategies help you remember God’s faithfulness during tough times? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s encourage each other as we navigate our faith journeys together!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: Listen Here
Full Transcript Below:
Transcript:
Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (NIV)
For me, it’s easiest to feel content when I’m in a financially secure place. I find this much more challenging when my life feels topsy-turvy, upside down, and unexpected bills flood my mailbox. That’s when I most need to remember, and hold tight to, the second half of today’s verse. God Almighty, my ever-present help in times of need and victorious Savior, remains with me, always.
This was an important truth the author of Hebrews knew first-century Christ followers needed to read. Scholars believe this letter was written sometime between 64-69 AD, during the reign of Emperor Nero, a horrifically cruel and insane leader who used a fire in Rome to launch a violent, government-led persecution against Christians. Meaning, these men and women weren’t just losing jobs and property, and therefore experiencing intense financial insecurity, but also feared imprisonment and death.
Those are not circumstances in which one expects to experience contentment—especially if they feel abandoned and alone. It’s easy to feel that way when we land in a crisis, and those seasons are also when the devil, the enemy of our souls, attacks us with his lies.
We fend off his attacks by turning to God, recognizing and resting in His presence, and thinking deeply on His truth. For me, this means reading passages that have strengthened my soul, journaling on them, and reflecting upon what those passages reveal regarding God’s heart, power, unchanging character, and past faithfulness—in Scripture and my life personally.
The men and women reading the letter our Bibles call Hebrews had a thorough knowledge of Old Testament history. They knew how the Lord had rescued their people from 400 years of slavery and oppression in Egypt. They remembered how He’d led their ancestors through the wilderness for forty years, and how He’d revealed His presence through a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. They also knew about all the miraculous ways He’d provided for them during that time, by raining sweet wafers called manna from the sky, sending them enough quail to feed all 2 million-plus of them, and causing water to gush from a rock—again, enough for all of them and their animals.
Granted, their overwhelming circumstances might have caused them to temporarily lose sight of these events. Even so, I’m certain the words in today’s verse would’ve immediately turned their thoughts to that pivotal period in their nation’s history. You see, the person writing the letter quoted from Deuteronomy 31, which recorded the time when Moses, the man God used to liberate His people and lead them from Egypt to the land He promised, handed off leadership to his prodigy, Joshua.
At that point, the emerging nation had spent 40 years wandering through the near eastern desert due to their parents’ stubborn lack of faith, and the children, now adults, were about to enter the land first promised to a patriarch named Abraham. Moses, who’d long functioned as the mediator between God and the people, would soon die.
They had reached the very place in the journey where their parents became paralyzed in fear and refused the abundant gift God planned for them. This would’ve been an exciting, anxiety-producing, and hope-igniting time for the ancient Hebrews.
Listen to how the Lord prepared them for the massive step of faith ahead of them. In Deuteronomy 31:6, He said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
In the original Hebrew, one could read this as, “He will never relax His grip on your life, stop caring for you, or turn His back on you.”
Intersecting Life and Faith
According to Hebrews 13:5, it is our understanding of Almighty God’s presence, and all that entails, that leads to contentment. Did you catch that? Listen to the verse again:
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (NIV, emphasis mine).
To which I’d add, with God’s presence comes power, provision, and peace.
This suggests the depth of our contentment, whatever the circumstance, reflects the depth of our trust. The solution, then, is to focus on building our relationship with Christ, asking Him to help us see and remember His faithful care, and to help us receive His love, which coexists with all of His other qualities, like His power, wisdom, and sovereignty.
Here’s what I find beautiful and inspiring. A big way we strengthen our relationship with God is by turning to Him in times of uncertainty and fear, seeing how He comes through for us in our times of need, which helps us anticipate His care in the future.
Further Reading
- Philippians 4:11-13
- 1 Timothy 6:6-18
- Matthew 6:25-34
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode, we address the challenging emotions that come with doubt and uncertainty in our faith journeys. Using the biblical story of Jeroboam from 1 Kings 13, we explore how God offers restoration even when we stray from His path. It's natural to question and seek understanding during difficult times. We'll discuss practical steps for navigating these feelings, how to find hope and reassurance in God's promises, and the incredible truth that He desires to heal and restore us, no matter our past.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! How do you handle moments of doubt in your faith? What helps you regain confidence in God? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another as we seek answers and strengthen our faith together!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: Listen Here
Full Transcript Below:
Transcript: The God Who Restores Withered Things
by Deidre Braley
1 Kings 13:6: “Then the king responded to the man of God, ‘Plead for the favor of the Lord your God and pray for me so that my hand may be restored to me.’ So the man of God pleaded for the favor of the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored to him and became as it had been at first.”
On the day that the prophet Ahijah anointed a man named Jeroboam as the future king of Israel, he gave him this promise from the Lord: “...if you obey all I command you, walk in my ways, and do what is right in my sight in order to keep my statutes and commands as my servant David did, I will be with you. I will build you a lasting dynasty just as I built for David, and I will give you Israel” (1 Kings 11:38).
But Jeroboam—much like most of Israel’s poorly behaved and ill-fated monarchy—did not walk in God’s ways. He committed idolatry by setting up new places to worship aside from the temple in Jerusalem, and he appointed people who were not Levites (God’s chosen priesthood) to be priests over the high places, instead (1 Kings 12:25-31).
One day, another prophet came to Jeroboam while he was burning incense at one of his altars. The man said, “Altar, altar, this is what the Lord says, ‘A son will be born to the house of David, named Josiah, and he will sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who are burning incense on you” (1 Kings 13:1-2). Incensed by this judgment, Jeroboam reached out his hand and cried, “Arrest him” (1 Kings 13:4)! But when he did, his hand became withered, and he couldn’t move it (1 Kings 13:4).
Horrified, he asked the prophet to plead with God for his hand to be restored. The prophet did, and Jeroboam’s hand was immediately restored to its former state (1 Kings 13:6).
This narrative is so much more than a simple Bible story stating the facts. No—what happened with Jeroboam’s hand was an intentional message from the Lord himself. By restoring Jeroboam’s withered hand immediately upon his turning to him, it was as though God was extending an amazing invitation: Turn back to me, and I will restore things back to wholeness. Though you’ve messed everything up, I will fix it all.
Intersecting Faith & Life
How often do we mess things up and then—either because we think God is angry with us or because we think we’re too far gone—we don’t turn back for God to heal us? God had promised Jeroboam everything that a king could desire: his presence, a kingdom, and a lasting dynasty. All that he asked in return was for Jeroboam’s obedience. And while Jeroboam couldn’t even give him that, God sent him a message through the healing of his withered hand that said, There’s still time for you to obey. I still want to heal you—just come back. See, our God isn’t a God who just tosses us out after we’ve made a mistake. Rather, he’s a God who pursues us, again and again, and urges us to come home, obey his good directions, and be healed and whole.
So today, if you’re feeling as though you’ve wandered away from God—either intentionally or unintentionally—and you want to be healed and whole, don’t turn away from him in shame. Rather, turn towards his arms and run—and watch how he’ll heal you.
Further Reading
- Luke 15:11-32
- Isaiah 57:14-19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode, we explore the urgency of fulfilling God’s mission for your life, reflecting on Job 14:5 and the call to live each day to its fullest. Lynette Kittle emphasizes how our time is limited, urging us to share the Gospel with those around us. Drawing inspiration from Jesus' example and the film The Blues Brothers, we discuss what it means to be on a divine mission. Discover how to recognize and embrace your calling as a fragrant aroma of Christ in the world.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! Have you considered that God has a mission for your life? How can you be a light to those around you? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s encourage one another to live purposefully!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Fulfilling God’s Mission for Your Life
By Lynette Kittle
“A person’s days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed”-- Job 14:5
How many messages do we receive each day through the media, texts, online, and in emails telling us that “Time is running out” on the latest offer or opportunity? There’s an urgency attached to it, along with the fear of it being too late to receive.
Immediately upon taking office, the United States’ 47th President, Donald Trump, hit the floor running in his presidency, signing executive orders and working to right wrongs as he saw it, at a very fast pace.
After surviving an assassination attempt, he doesn’t seem to be wasting any time, seemingly understanding like never before that every day and every minute count. It seems like he is on a mission, trying to right as many wrongs as he can and accomplish it as quickly as possible before time runs out.
As well, with our country recently witnessing the sudden, horrific aircraft crashes, we see the reality of how quickly lives can be lost bringing the reality that today is the time for each of us, and God calls us to live each day, each moment, to the fullest, whether it’s caring for our families, serving in a ministry, or being a light in our workplace or community.
Like the President’s rush to action, along with the tragic air crashes, it’s a reminder to Christians to reevaluate how we look at the immediacy of presenting the Gospel to those around us. None of us know how much time anyone has left on earth and how long we’ll have the opportunity to share the love of God before leaving this earth.
Because we don’t know, 2 Timothy 4:2 urges, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
Daily Fulfilling His Calling
Jesus demonstrated what it means to live each day to the fullest knowing His death on the cross was imminent. He knew His days would end in walking the earth and that He needed to accomplish all that God had called Him to do within the time He had given. In John 17:4, Jesus said, “I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do.”
Unlike Jesus, there is often a lack of urgency on Christians’ behalf, thinking there is plenty of time to tell others up the road when they have more time, but do they consider, do we consider, how all our missions on earth have time limits? Jesus knew His did and we are wise to consider ours do, too.
No Time to Waste
In the classic musical action film, “The Blues Brothers,” the lead characters, brothers Elwood and Jake, believed they were on a mission for God. Because they believed God had called them to save the orphanage they grew up in, and time was short, nothing could deter them from accomplishing their goal.
What would happen if each of us, as a believer in Jesus Christ, believed as sincerely as they did, that we, too, are each on a mission for God? Although we don’t want to follow their example in breaking the law to accomplish it, their commitment and determination to not be stopped is inspiring; of not letting the roadblocks in life and the opposition keep us from fulfilling God’s call in our lives.
Jesus fulfilled His mission on earth, and whether we realize it or not, we have been given a mission, too: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
What Is Our Mission?
How do we know what our mission is and how to accomplish it?
Jesus explained in Mark 16:15, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”
Whether we travel across the oceans to a foreign land or stay in our hometown, God calls us to be a fragrant reminder of Him wherever we go. As 2 Corinthians 2:14 describes, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place."
If we think we’re just surviving or routinely going through our daily schedule, we need to remember, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?” (2 Corinthians 15-16)
Intersecting Faith & Life: Have you ever considered that God has a mission for your life? If not, ask God to show you ways you can be a light and fragrant aroma to those around you.
Further Reading: How Do We Tell Others About Christ?
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/ibelieve-truth-a-devotional-for-women/how-do-we-tell-others-about-christ.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode, we dive into John 20:11-16, where Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Jesus. Overwhelmed by grief and confusion, she initially fails to recognize Him. We reflect on our own struggles with loss and the longing for answers, and how Jesus gently calls us by name, transforming our sorrow into joy and despair into hope. Discover the profound truth that Jesus knows you personally and is always present, waiting for you to recognize Him.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! When have you felt like Mary, overwhelmed and searching for answers? Have you ever missed God's presence in your life? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another as we seek to recognize Jesus in our lives!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: Listen Here
Full Transcript Below:
Jesus Calls Your Name
By Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’).” — John 20:11-16, NIV
This scene after Jesus’ resurrection shows Mary Magdalene overwhelmed by sadness, confused by circumstances, and searching for answers. How often have you found yourself feeling the same way in a painful situation? You pour out your heart to God, and maybe even direct your frustration at Him. Just like Mary, you can also feel lost and abandoned, wondering where God is in the middle of your suffering.
Mary is focused on her loss. She’s looking for a body – a tangible reminder of someone she loved. She’s so consumed by her grief that she misses the most extraordinary truth standing right in front of her. She sees Jesus, but fails to recognize Him. She mistakes Him for the gardener of the area near His tomb. When have you looked for God but not found Him in the way you expected? When have you been surprised to find God’s presence close to you, in a way you didn’t expect?
Jesus doesn’t reveal His identity in a dramatic flash of glory. He doesn’t rebuke Mary for her lack of recognition, either. Jesus simply speaks her name: “Mary.” When Jesus says that single word, everything changes. It’s the voice Mary knows – the voice that spoke life into her soul, the voice that called her out of darkness into light. It’s the voice of hope!
That single word has tremendous power. It cuts through the fog of grief and misunderstanding as it reminds Mary that her Creator knows her personally and loves her completely. She turns with this new perspective and cries out, “Rabboni!” Mary’s cry of recognition is full of love and joy. As she hears Jesus call her, and as she calls back to Him, the reality of the resurrection crashes over her. Jesus is alive, and He is right there with her, personally!
This passage isn’t just about Mary. It’s about each of us – including you. Jesus knows your name. He knows your hopes, your dreams, and your joys. He also knows your struggles, your sorrows, and your fears. He sees you in all of life’s ups and downs. He knows every detail of your life at all times. He knows what you’re thinking and feeling – and He cares. Jesus constantly calls you by name, speaking words of loving hope over your life. He calls you to turn to Him, to recognize Him, and to experience the wonder of connecting with Him.
Just as Mary’s perception was changed by the sound of Jesus’ voice, yours can be, as well. When you hear Jesus call your name – when you recognize that Jesus is right there with you in all circumstances – your confusion can turn into understanding, your sadness can change into joy, and your despair can be replaced by hope. Jesus calls you to move away from the tomb of your distance from Him and embrace the reality that He is right there with you personally, ready to give you hope!
Intersecting Faith and Life:
- When have you felt like Mary, overwhelmed by grief and searching for answers?
- Have you ever missed noticing God’s presence in your life because you were looking for Him in the wrong places?
- How does the knowledge that Jesus knows your name personally affect your relationship with Him?
- What are some ways you can pay more attention to hear Jesus calling your name in your daily life?
Further Reading:
- Isaiah 43:1
- John 10:3
- Galatians 4:6
- Revelation 3:20
- Romans 8:28
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In today’s devotional, we explore Matthew 7:11, which reminds us of God’s incredible generosity. We reflect on personal experiences of growing up with a mindset of earning everything and how that can shape our understanding of God’s gifts. We discuss the importance of accepting God’s good gifts without feeling the need to earn them, recognizing that He delights in blessing us simply because we are His children. Learn to increase your faith and trust that God wants to shower you with blessings!
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! Do you try to earn good gifts from God? How can you accept God’s good gifts without feeling like you need to work for them? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another in embracing God’s generosity!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: Listen Here
Full Transcript Below:
Ask for Good Gifts
Bible Reading:
“If you, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” — Matthew 7:11
Growing up, I worked for everything I had. Rarely did my parents give me something for free. When I reached my teen years and was old enough to get a job, I'd pay for anything I wanted out of pocket. My parents didn't just give me luxuries in life; I had to earn them. I paid out of pocket for every prom dress and every Driver's Ed course.
When I became a born-again Christian at 18, this affected how I saw God and His generosity. Because I didn't have parents who just handed me money, I often felt I had to work to gain God's approval and good gifts. In one of our first churches, we led a small group. One day, before the holidays, we discussed some of our childhood gifts that we never received but wanted. I remarked that I always wanted an Easy Bake Oven.
Although my parents were generous during Christmas, there were some gifts I never received. The Easy Bake Oven was one of them. After we resumed the group after the holidays, the group handed me a gift. When I unwrapped it, it was the Easy Bake Oven! It made me feel incredibly loved, and I was glad my group went out of its way to present me with a gift I had always wanted. In that moment, I understood God's generosity a little better.
Although I work for luxuries in life, this is something I still struggle with today. I still hesitate to ask Him for the big requests in life. One day, in my quiet time, God whispered to my heart: “You wait for the other shoe to drop.” That convicted me deep down in my soul. It was true. When I received something good, I always waited for the subsequent lousy thing to happen. I never realized how much this skewed my worldview of God, but it did. I was trying to earn those good gifts in life yet again.
The above verse speaks to God's generosity. As a parent, I love watching my kids open gifts on Christmas, or the look on their faces when we give them a gift simply because of who they are. My heart leaps with joy when I watch my children enjoy a good gift. It’s the same with the Lord. He delights in giving His children good gifts. He does not expect us to earn them, as there's nothing we can do to earn God's love, approval, or salvation. God delights in watching us get something we always wanted.
God’s generosity knows no bounds. We cannot outgive God. What we give out of obedience to others, God can triple, quadruple, or even provide a hundredfold more than we can ever give. Furthermore, He already gave His ultimate sacrifice: His life for our sins. I'll never be able to match that level of generosity.
Do you try to work for the good gifts in life as well? Do you tend to minimize your prayer requests simply because you fear the other shoe dropping? Increase your faith today and trust that God wants to give you good gifts simply because you are His child. There's nothing you can do to earn those good gifts. Accept God's good gifts (including salvation), knowing that God delights in giving these good gifts to you. God delights in giving good gifts to His children. Because you are His child, you are one of His greatest gifts. God delights in you, too.
Prayer:
Father, allow us to accept Your good gifts every day. Let us not try to earn our way to Your good gifts. Let us instead accept those good gifts, knowing that You delight in giving them. Let us pay forward Your generosity as we give sacrificially to others. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
- Do you try to earn good gifts from God?
- How can you accept God’s good gifts without earning them?
Further Reading:
- James 1:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this uplifting devotional, we explore the powerful truth that when people walk out of our lives, God walks in. Using Deuteronomy 31:8 as a foundation, we reflect on how God is always present, offering support, love, and healing even in our darkest moments. We discuss how Jesus empathizes with our struggles and invites us to maintain an open line of communication with Him. Experience the transformative power of God’s presence in your life, and discover how He can turn your brokenness into beauty.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! How does it feel to know that when people walk out of your life, God walks in and rescues you? Will you trust Jesus Christ to be your light in the darkness? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another as we grow in faith!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: Listen Here
Full Transcript Below:
When God Walks into Your Life
A devotional by Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” — Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Years ago, I heard someone say, “When people walk out, God walks in!” I have found that statement to be true because I’ve seen how sometimes, you may be too much for people, but you’re never too much for God! He never tires of hearing from you and is always willing to help.
The song “God You Are” by We Are Messengers speaks about how God steps into our dark places in life to help us. He’s not afraid of what intimidates and devastates us and repels others. Not at all! The Bible says Jesus Christ is always with us (Matthew 28:20) and He has overcome the world (John 16:33). This means that absolutely nothing, human-made or supernatural, frightens our Savior. He’s fearless! And He’s able to save us from anything and everything. Jesus understands the human condition. That’s why He left the perfection of Heaven and stepped into our imperfect world darkened by sin (John 3:16-17).
The Bible says He’s acquainted with our grief and pain (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus knows and empathizes deeply with everything we go through because He became human and walked on this Earth for 33 years. The last three years of His life were spent in public ministry to the masses. People sought Him out for healing and hope. And Jesus faithfully, compassionately, and effectively met their every need.
Our Savior is living forever, serving as our High Priest in Heaven (Hebrews 4:14-16), and He still heals us on Earth today! We can go to Jesus in prayer and ask Him for anything and everything we need. He’s also here to listen to our heartache. He loves it when we keep an open line of communication with Him, day-in and day-out, talking to Him like our Best Friend about everything on our hearts. Nothing is too big or too small to bring to God in prayer. He loves you with all His heart and wants to hear from you and be there for you.
I learned this Biblical truth firsthand because God was with me in one of the darkest seasons of my life. When I experienced a major health crisis that pushed people away because they were afraid of what I was going through, God stepped into my dark time and shone the Light of Jesus Christ into my soul. Just like the Bible says in Psalm 40:1-2 (NIRV), God heard my cry for help. I was sliding down into the pit of death, and He pulled me out. He brought me up out of mud and dirt and set my feet on a rock, giving me a firm place to stand.
God didn’t just rescue and restore me; He secured my position in His Kingdom and gave me strength to make it through my trials. When people walked out of my life, God walked in, transforming me from the inside out and renewing Christ’s place in my heart. Now the light of Jesus Christ that shines through me draws people, replacing the darkness that once repelled them. That’s the beauty of what happens when you give your life to Christ and let Him into your heart. He transforms you and reaches the people around you with the good news that He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life (John 14:6).
When people can see Jesus in you, it makes them want to know Him for themselves. God can take the broken pieces that Satan left behind when he tried to destroy you and make masterpieces out of your brokenness. Fern Bernstein, an author, said, “Only God can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victor.” I have found that saying to be completely true because that’s what God did for me, and I see how He’s done it for so many others—people who I don’t know who are famous and those who I do know personally in everyday life away from the spotlight and world stage.
I hope today’s message has encouraged your heart and reminded you that no matter how dark the night, you can invite Jesus in to be your light that dispels darkness. In closing, I would like for you to listen to these two songs below (“God You Are” and “You’re Gonna Be Okay”) then pause to reflect. Remember, God loves you and He’ll always be there for you.
Song of Reflection #1: “God You Are” by We Are Messengers (feat. Josh Baldwin). Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #2: “You're Gonna Be Okay” (Lyric Video) - Brian & Jenn Johnson. Listen to it here.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does it feel to know that when people walk out of your life, God walks in and rescues you? Will you trust Jesus Christ to be your light in the darkness?
Further Reading:
- Psalm 16:8
- Psalm 27:1
- Psalm 118:6
- Isaiah 41:10
- Isaiah 52:12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, we address the challenging emotions that come with doubt and uncertainty in our faith journeys. It’s natural to question and seek understanding, especially during difficult times. We’ll explore biblical examples of doubt, practical steps for navigating these feelings, and how to find hope and reassurance in God’s promises even when our faith feels shaky.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! How do you handle moments of doubt in your faith? What helps you regain confidence in God? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another as we seek answers and strengthen our faith together!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: Listen Here
Full Transcript Below:
Believing, Even When We Are Afflicted
By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
"I believed, even when I said, 'I am severely afflicted.'" — Psalm 116:10 (HCSB)
One day, when my son was only eight years old, he was walking our dog down the street. Usually, the dog is pretty calm and doesn’t pull the leash. That day, my son wasn’t even gone for five minutes before I heard a scream. When I looked out the window, I saw him running back toward the house. The dog was pulling frantically on the leash to go back down the street.
After my son entered the house, I bent down and examined him. He was bleeding on his knee and his t-shirt was ripped. He was crying and holding his arm as well. As I cared for his cuts and bruises, he told me that the normally calm dog had seen a squirrel. I knew then what had caused the fall. Although a quiet and sweet dog, she had made it her life mission to rid the world of squirrels.
That day we decided that he might be too young to walk the dog until she either calmed down or he was stronger. Through all of the confusion, I realized something. My son had come to me right away after falling. He wasn’t angry with me; in fact, after taking that horrible spill, he ran directly to me.
As I thought about that simple act from my son, I couldn’t help but think about God. Throughout scripture, we see God reference Himself as “father” to us. In Psalm 116 today, we see the psalmist run to God, even when he is afflicted. Psalm 116 starts out with, “I love the Lord because He has heard my appeal for mercy.”
God’s ear is turned toward us. Just as my ears heard right away the scream from outside, I knew the sound of my son’s cries and immediately went toward him. You and I face devastating trials and afflictions year after year. Maybe you are in a season right now where one affliction after another seems to be piling up. It would be easy to avoid God during these times or even be angry with Him. What if, instead, we ran to God?
Over the years, I’ve learned that running to God is actually the best thing I can do. Why? Because His ears are listening for our prayers and cries to Him. The next verses in Psalm 116 detail how the psalmist suffered, even facing death, but God was his helper. I love verse ten because it seems to be the pinnacle of the psalm. He says, “I believed, even when I said, ‘I am severely afflicted.’”
What the psalmist is saying is that he did not shy away from telling God all about his afflictions. The pain did not keep him from crying out to God. And the heartache didn’t keep him from believing in God either. There are truths here that the psalmist hung onto, even when he was afflicted.
The truths we see here are God’s grace, righteousness, and compassion (Psalm 116:5). Where do we see those characteristics of God in our lives today? Jesus! Jesus was God’s righteousness for us. He lived a perfect life because we could not. He allowed His life to take our place so that when God sees you and me, He sees Jesus’ righteousness.
Jesus is also God’s grace to us. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” Jesus brought grace because He died on the cross, taking our place and punishment for us. Now, we are saved and brought into God’s family through grace once we accept Him as Savior.
God’s compassion is also evident in Jesus’ life. Jesus healed the sick, cured the lame, and even raised people from the dead. It says in Matthew 20:34, “Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they could see, and they followed Him.”
Even today, Jesus sits on the throne beside God interceding for us. Romans 8:34 says, “Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.” What compassion to think that Christ is always praying and speaking to God the Father about you and me!
The troubles and hardships we all face can sometimes cause us to doubt these truths about God. Does He love me? Does He care? Is He really in control? Those questions can lead us to look to the Bible.
This psalm is a great comfort to us because it does not deny that hard things happen. But Psalm 116 points us to the truth that God is loving, righteous, compassionate, and full of grace. In prayer, we can come to God and remember these things.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
After reading some verses about Jesus, how does this give you confidence to go to God with your cries for help? Knowing God listens to you and hears your prayers, does this cause you to pray more or less? Psalm 116 also talks about death. As Christians, what hope do we have that death is not our enemy anymore?
Further Reading:
- Psalm 116
- Matthew 20:29-34
- Romans 8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We address the challenging emotions that come with doubt and uncertainty in our faith journeys. It’s natural to question and seek understanding, especially during difficult times. We’ll explore biblical examples of doubt, practical steps for navigating these feelings, and how to find hope and reassurance in God’s promises even when our faith feels shaky.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! How do you handle moments of doubt in your faith? What helps you regain confidence in God? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another as we seek answers and strengthen our faith together!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
What to Do When You Doubt God
By Vivian Bricker
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” - Hebrews 11:6
Although many Christians will adamantly deny they have ever doubted God, most of us have. If we are being realistic and transparent, we can acknowledge that all of us have doubted God at some point in our lives. Rather than trying to promote the idea that all “faithful and strong” Christians never doubt God, we need to be honest with ourselves as well as others. Doubting God is common, but we cannot move forward if we never acknowledge this has happened to us.
I have doubted God many times in my Christian walk. Most of the time, this was when I was going through a depressive episode or a health scare. I doubted Him because I was afraid. Maybe you also doubted God because you were afraid. Doubt comes in many forms, yet most of us doubt God when we are afraid about something, someone, or the future. Scary times should bring us closer to God, yet sometimes they leave us feeling doubtful of God’s goodness and protection.
When we doubt, the first step is to accept our feelings. Rather than running from them, we need to acknowledge their presence and accept that this is how we are feeling. God knows we will doubt, but He doesn’t love us any less. His love is not dependent on our actions, thoughts, or behaviors. He loves us because love is His very being (1 John 4:8).
After we have accepted our feelings, we need to turn our hearts to God. Yes, we might feel doubtful right now, but we need to look at His past faithfulness. When I doubt God, I remember His love and faithfulness in past situations where I was afraid. Once I can get myself in this mindset, the doubt quickly flees as darkness does when someone shines a light. The doubt dissipates because I have been reminded of God’s goodness, protection, and love.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” As the writer of Hebrews tells us, we cannot please God without faith. When we doubt Him, we are not expressing faith in Him. Having faith in God is not blind faith; rather, it is a faith we can rely on.
The faith we have in God is built firmly upon the Bible, history, and what we have personally experienced in life. When we are doubting, we need to remember these things. We have to let go of doubt and hold onto faith. As the writer of Hebrews tells us, we have to come to Him in faith, believe that He exists, and rest in the promise that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Letting go of doubt will also give us true freedom. As mentioned, doubt is often rooted in fear. Once we are able to let go of doubt, we can let go of fear. At this point, we will be able to walk in faith and trust God in every area of our lives. Hard times will come around again and try to make us doubt, but we can choose to remember God's faithfulness rather than feed into doubt and fear.
Faith can be hard to find at times, yet we never need to doubt God. He is worthy of all of our trust (Psalm 20:7). We only have faith in the people and things that we trust. Therefore, we need to learn to trust God more in our lives. Trusting God can take time, but we can start taking the steps today. We will quickly find that trusting in God will never leave us alone or without hope.
We can trust God because He is faithful (Isaiah 25:1; Lamentations 3:23).
“Dear God, I’m sorry I have doubted You in the past. Please help me have faith and fully trust in You. Times are hard, and they can make me fearful. Equip my heart with faith and trust in You, God. I don’t want to live in a state of doubt anymore. Thank You for hearing my prayers. Amen.”
Have you recently doubted God? What was happening? How can you let go of doubt today and hold onto faith? Without faith, it is impossible to please God. How does this change your view of having faith in God?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Prayer is not just a ritual; it's a way of life that can deepen our relationship with Him and guide us through life's challenges. We’ll discuss practical tips for integrating prayer into our daily routines, the significance of maintaining a prayerful heart, and how to cultivate a lifestyle of continuous connection with God.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! How do you incorporate prayer into your daily life? What are your favorite prayer practices? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s uplift one another as we commit to a life of prayer!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Pray Without Ceasing
“Pray without Ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Lord, help me.” This is what I recited to myself as I waited in the lab to have my blood drawn. This was part of the doctor's orders for some health challenges that I had been dealing with since the summer. I prayed again once I got my blood drawn and went home to work.
“Lord, I can't do this without you. I'm asking for complete and total healing for my body. Help my thyroid levels to raise to appropriate levels. Let my lab work come back normal. Allow me another day to serve you. Amen.”
I went about my day, checking items off my to-do list. As I sat down to dinner, I said grace. “Lord, thank you for this food. Thank you for this day. Thank you for another productive day. Let us be grateful for your provision. Amen.”
As I laid my head down on the pillow to go to sleep. Many thoughts went through my head. “Lord, help me to calm my racing thoughts. Please help me to put away the cares of the day. Please give me the rest I need to wake up refreshed tomorrow. Thank you for another day to serve you. Amen.”
I admit I never understood what praying without ceasing meant. Because my mind often wandered toward work and other responsibilities of raising children and being a wife, in addition to serving in my local church, my mind didn't always think about praying. I often went through the day starting my day off in prayer, only to lay my head down at the end of a long day and fall fast asleep.
Though I've matured over the years, I realized that praying without ceasing means stopping and asking the Lord for his presence in all aspects of my life. Whether it's my morning prayer time, praying for the requests of friends and family, saying grace, or asking God to give me restorative sleep to get me through the next day, it's all part of praying without ceasing.
If we're honest, we all need help in this area. Like me, we often skate through our days without a thought about the Lord. Many of us live our lives inviting God into what we're doing. However, praying without ceasing involves asking the Lord what he wants from our days. As we pray and ask God for his guidance, presence, and provision, we may find divine interruptions throughout our day.
For example, we may be focused on our lives, only to find a phone call from a frantic friend that makes us stop and pray for them and with them. We may deal with financial or health crises, needing God's guidance throughout the day, sometimes every hour, or even every minute.
When we must cling to Jesus because our only hope is in him, it may find us praying like never before. We may find our thoughts drifting toward crying out to the Lord throughout the day. This gives new meaning to what it means to pray without ceasing.
Analyze your thought life. Do you find you go throughout your day, skating through each activity, giving little or no thought to the Lord? Do you often invite God into your actions rather than ask him for guidance? When we yield our lives entirely to him, we may find he has a different agenda for us than our lofty to-do list. We may find we must cross off an important task to address God's agenda for the day.
These divine interruptions accomplish God's agenda: to glorify God and to live out our purpose and mission to serve him. When we shift our perspective from a selfish invitation into our lives to a complete yielding of our lives to the Lord, we may find our lives easier. We may not only have the time to help a needy friend but also have time to complete our to-do list in record time.
God promises that he will be faithful in bearing them when we cast our cares on him. Even if we must put off unimportant tasks that feel important to us, we know God is in control. When we live believing that God is our story's author, we pray without ceasing and cling to the hope with him every minute of every hour.
Father, let us be people who pray without ceasing. Let us invite you into our lives, rather than simply inviting you to care for us as we fulfill our agendas. In our efforts to make you Lord of our lives, let us not stop communicating with you throughout our days. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
How do you practice praying without ceasing?
How can you focus your mind more on God throughout the day?
Further Reading
Matthew 7:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this thought-provoking episode of What Withholding Forgiveness Reveals About Our Hearts, we delve into the deeper implications of holding onto grudges and the impact it has on our spiritual and emotional well-being. We’ll explore the biblical principles of forgiveness, how our unwillingness to forgive can reveal hidden wounds, and the freedom that comes from extending grace to others. Join us as we reflect on the transformative power of forgiveness and its essential role in our relationship with God and others.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! What has your journey with forgiveness taught you about your heart? Share your insights and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another in understanding and embracing the power of forgiveness!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
What Withholding Forgiveness Reveals About Our Hearts
(813 words)
By Lynette Kittle
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy time seven times’”—Matthew 18:21-22
In watching rerun episodes of the classic hit television show “I Love Lucy,” the Church could learn a few lessons in how to forgive one another, seeing how over and over again, the characters forgive each other.
If unfamiliar with the show, the lead characters, who are also neighbors and best friends, Ricky and Lucy Ricardo and Fred and Ethel Mertz, repeatedly go through misunderstandings, quarrels, disagreements, and even knock-down, drag-out fights, exchanging hurtful words and actions, but eventually working through them, ending each show by making up and declaring their love for one another, vowing to be lifelong friends.
It’s a picture of what relationships are supposed to be, not the hurtful words and actions, but the forgiving, making up, and loving one another regardless of past hurts.
Sadly Lacking in Forgiveness
Sadly, even Christians today are lacking in knowing how to forgive and reconcile with each other, following secular counsel more than God’s counsel concerning forgiving one another.
Colossians 3:13 urges, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you,”
But instead of following God’s direction and repeatedly forgiving someone, some are setting up their own rules by dropping people right and left from their lives, canceling them out, unwilling to forgive the 70 x 7 that Jesus instructs us to follow.
But still, God is the author of forgiveness, not us. Yet, some are skipping over Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Counter to Jesus’ words, some churches are even encouraging and supporting individuals casting people aside who they deem “toxic,” rather than bringing them to redemption and reconciliation.
But what if the people who refuse to forgive others are actually more toxic than those who need to be forgiven? What if their hearts are filled with pride, setting their standard for forgiveness above God’s requirement for forgiveness?
We’re All Born Toxic
God’s way is to forgive toxic people; if it wasn’t, then He wouldn’t have given Jesus to the world as John 3:16 explains. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Since Adam’s fall in the garden, humans are born toxic, contaminated by sin. Romans 5:12 describes, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”
It’s not until we receive God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that we become detoxified. As Romans 5:19 explains, “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”
Sadly, some believers are falling terribly short these days, not understanding how unforgiveness is extremely toxic in the life of a believer, not considering that unforgiveness is sin, as well as an indicator and evidence of unbelief.
The Forgiveness Meter
God doesn’t ever approve of our being unforgiving. It’s unacceptable because we have been forgiven by Him. By receiving His forgiveness, we surrender our right to be unforgiving towards others, and God will not ever justify us withholding forgiveness from each other.
Christians who withhold forgiveness do not understand that forgiveness is a meter of sorts, revealing how much we’ve received God’s forgiveness for ourselves. It’s very telling, exposing our heart and how little or much we’ve truly received His forgiveness.
Pride is behind unforgiveness, convincing us we have a higher standard of forgiveness than God does, rejecting His instruction to forgive, believing we know better.
“The Sky Is the Limit” with God’s Forgiveness
With God, we’re given an unending source of forgiveness for ourselves and for each other, surrendering our right to hold an unforgiving heart towards anyone else after we receive God’s forgiveness for ourselves.
Although as humans, we may limit the times we are willing to forgive others, God does not. If we were to see a list of how many times God has already forgiven us to this point in our lives, it would be countless. Still, He continues to forgive us through the end of our lives on earth.
Intersecting Faith & Life: Have you considered how many times God forgives you in a day, a week, a year, or a lifetime? If not, ask Him to remind you of all the times He’s forgiven you and if there is anyone you need to forgive.
Further Reading: Is Unforgiveness Evidence of Unbelief?
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/is-unforgiveness-evidence-of-unbelief-the-crosswalk-devotional.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Many of us struggle with the desire to control our circumstances, but true peace and freedom come when we release our grip and trust in His plan. We’ll discuss practical strategies for surrendering control in our lives, the importance of faith, and how this process can lead to deeper spiritual growth.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! What areas of your life are you learning to release control over? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s encourage one another as we embrace the freedom that comes with surrendering to God!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Releasing Control
by Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” Isaiah 26:3 ESV)
It took me awhile, but I’ve finally come to the conclusion that you and I are not in control of our lives, as much as we’d like to think we are.
I learned this lesson during 2020, after experiencing a series of losses. Thankfully, I didn’t lose anyone close to me during the pandemic. But I did lose other things that hurt deeply. I lost the opportunity to be with and hug my little nephews. I lost a speaking opportunity at a prestigious writers conference for which I had waited more than a decade to be on the faculty. And I lost the ability to visit some favorite places of mine where I felt near to God and His blessings.
While the loss of opportunities and daily routine was difficult, why did it take a pandemic –and the fear it arouses, the mandates it included, and the restrictions put in place—to make me feel I had no control of my life and circumstances?
What I really lost during that time was the belief that I was in control—as if I ever really was.
We thrive today on the notion that we make our own reality. If you can dream it, you can do it. We think and therefore we are. And yet, how much peace–and how much less striving—we would experience if we daily acknowledged that there is really only One who is in control…and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, God’s own Son, we have the assurance that when it looks like things are out of control, when were convinced we have no control, He is still very much in control. And all His ways are good. Through Jesus, we can experience peace, not the endless striving to control, and the resulting frustration of not being able to control.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Loss and frustration impacts every one of us at some time in our lives, even when we’re trusting in God. Loss happens because we’re living in a fallen world. In the midst of a relationship with God, loss threatens our happiness, it tries to kill our joy, and in some extreme cases, it makes us believe we’ll have unending heartache.
Because you and I were created to live eternally in a sinless world, and experience life with others who will live eternally, we weren’t created with a mental and emotional capacity for loss and death. Yet because we now live in a world of sin and death, we must rely on God for an otherworldly ability to cope with loss. And that happens as we release our sense of control and acknowledge that God is in charge and He is still good,
In the New Living Translation, Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” In other words, as you keep your heart and mind fixed on Jesus, regardless of your circumstances, regardless of your losses, you will experience what Scripture calls “perfect peace”—not momentary peace, not worldly peace, not a mystical self-confidence type of peace, but a perfect, incomprehensible, only-from-the-presence-of-God peace as you trust in Him.
That kind of peace is not a blanket promise to all who simply believe God exists. It’s a guarantee to those who are steadfast, unmoving in their faith in who God is, His absolute control over all things, and His ability to govern, regardless of our circumstances.
For me, exercising that steadfast immovable faith consists of saying aloud the words “God, this did not take You by surprise. You are still in control. You are still good. And all your ways are perfect” (Psalm 18:30).
We can rob ourselves of peace when our minds are fixed on our emotions, or the outcomes we are trying to achieve, or on all the options we must investigate. Yet fixing our eyes on Jesus, and trusting that He is still on the throne, and He is still capable of doing all things, and doing them perfectly, can keep us in a place of perfect peace.
As I’ve trusted Him and fixed my mind on Him, I’ve seen my Heavenly Father come through in amazingly gentle and perfect ways. Only God can ease the pain of loss, and the sting of death, and make the timing of one’s passing perfect. God truly is the author of peace, not the author of panic. He’s the author of calm, not confusion, and the author of rest, not stress.
He will keep you and me in perfect peace, whose minds are steadfast, and whose trust is in Him.
Further reading: Psalm 145.
For more on growing in your relationship with God, see Cindi’s book: The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We invite you to embark on a spiritual decluttering journey. Just as we tidy up our homes in the spring, it’s time to refresh our hearts and minds. We’ll discuss practical steps to let go of emotional baggage, nurture our spiritual health, and invite new growth into our lives. Discover how spiritual renewal can lead to a deeper connection with God and a more vibrant life.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! What areas of your life are you seeking to refresh this season? Share your spring cleaning tips and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another in creating space for spiritual growth and renewal!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Spring Clean Your Soul
By: Whitney Hopler
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32, NIV
On a sunny spring day, a beam of sunlight shone into the front hallway of my home, revealing lots of dirt I hadn’t realized was there. Yuck! I thought. It had been easy to ignore my dirty home when I didn’t see what was really there. But now, I took a fresh look around and noticed other parts of my home that needed attention, such as my cluttered living room. Soon after that, I started spring cleaning, but I felt bored while I cleaned – so I let my thoughts wander. It wasn’t long before I found myself ruminating on a situation that made me angry. A family member had mistreated me, and I replayed her behavior over in my mind with bitterness. Then it hit me that I needed to clean more than just my home. I needed to spring clean my soul, as well. Letting anger and bitterness remain in my soul was even more dangerous than allowing dirt and clutter to stay in my home. So, I set my floor mop aside and said a prayer, forgiving my family member and asking the Holy Spirit to renew me.
When we clean our physical spaces, how often do we consider the state of our spiritual spaces? Cleaning our souls is even more important than cleaning our homes, because doing so affects not only our own well-being, but also our relationships with God and others.
Ephesians 4:31-32 urges us to get rid of all the dirty attitudes that are lurking in our minds and instead make healthy choices like being kind to each other and pursuing and practicing forgiveness. These verses are a vital call to action. Just as we need to clean our homes to be healthy physically, we need to clean our souls to be healthy spiritually.
Think about it: a dirty, cluttered home can make us feel stressed and uncomfortable. But an unclean soul creates a much deeper level of stress for us. Bitterness can lead to isolation and loneliness. Uncontrolled anger can destroy families and friendships. Slander can ruin reputations and break relationships. Malice can prevent us from embracing and spreading God’s love. When we allow negative emotions to stay stuck in our souls rather than dealing with them and then clearing them out, that blocks our spiritual growth. Just as physical clutter can prevent us from finding what we need, spiritual clutter interferes with our connection to God. That makes it hard to notice God’s presence with us, which blocks us from experiencing peace and joy.
So, how can you start spring cleaning your soul? First, you need to acknowledge the clutter. Take an honest inventory of your inner life. Are there areas where bitterness lingers in your mind? Do you struggle with anger or resentment? Have you spread gossip or slander?
Next, bring these issues to God in prayer. Confess your struggles and ask for God’s help to clear out unhealthy attitudes and actions from your life. God is the ultimate cleanser, capable of washing away the stains of sin and healing you from pain. Ask God’s Holy Spirit to reveal the root causes of the dirt and clutter in your soul, and to heal you.
Then, make a conscious decision to let go of all the unhealthy stuff that has accumulated in your soul. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to do whatever you need to do to clean your soul: forgiving people who have hurt you, releasing your anger, choosing to speak kindly instead of gossiping or slandering, and choosing love over malice. Pray for help to grow in holiness, relying on the Holy Spirit to help you develop the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These qualities are like air fresheners for your soul, bringing a refreshing fragrance of God’s presence into your life.
Cleaning your soul is not a one-time event in the spring; it’s an ongoing process for every season. Just as you need to regularly clean your home, you also need to regularly examine your heart and mind, allowing God to cleanse you from sin and bring revival and renewal into your life. As you do, you’ll enjoy the freedom that comes from living without unnecessary stress!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how you can clean your soul, reflect on these questions:
- What areas of your inner life need the most attention this spring?
- Are there any specific relationships where you need to practice more kindness or forgiveness?
- What does it mean to you that Christ forgave you, and how does that motivate you to forgive others?
- What practical steps can you take to replace negative emotions with the fruits of the Spirit?
Further Reading
Psalm 51:10
Proverbs 4:23
1 John 1:9
Matthew 6:14-15
Colossians 3:13
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth. We’ll explore what it means to embrace our true identities in Christ and the steps we can take to cultivate a life that reflects our best selves. From overcoming self-doubt to setting intentional goals, this conversation will empower you to pursue a fulfilling and purpose-driven life.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! What steps are you taking to become your best self? Share your insights, experiences, and favorite resources with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s motivate one another as we strive for personal growth and deeper connections with God!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We explore the profound power of prayer and worship in our spiritual journeys. Just as the psalmists called out in their times of need, we are invited to bring our deepest cries and praises to God. We’ll delve into the biblical foundations of crying out to God, how it fosters intimacy in our relationship with Him, and the transformative impact it can have on our lives.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! How do you express your heart to God in prayer? What verses or experiences inspire you to cry out in worship? Share your thoughts and stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s encourage each other as we deepen our connection with God through heartfelt prayer!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Cry Out to God
“I lift my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
“Your job has been cut due to budget cuts.” This is what an e-mail said to me a week before Christmas. As a writer, writing jobs are hard to come by. We often get article contracts, but they are frequently not consistent income. We must scour the Internet for other opportunities to make sure we get the opportunities we need. A writer usually scrapes by in terms of income. Yet, this is the calling God has placed on my life.
Because of skyrocketing costs and an unstable economy, this was a mountain of a problem. It was one thing to have my job cut, but quite another to find another writing opportunity. Because writing opportunities are so few, it is difficult for many writers to get jobs within their field. I knew this would be difficult for me to recover. Although the income was not much, it was substantial enough to help pay for some monthly bills. I worried about the problem. I searched the Internet for additional writing jobs and asked friends to be on the lookout for opportunities.
When nothing happened, I finally bowed my head. “Lord, I need your help. I can't do this without you. Please help me find a new job to cover my missing income. God, you have been so good with our provision. I pray you will again provide in miraculous ways. Amen.”
Instead of running to God first, I took matters into my own hands. I thought I could fix the problem by merely using my tools and resources. However, God wants me to run to him. Even if I could fix the issue alone, God wants me to express my emotions. Even though the job required writing many articles throughout the month, it was income I could count on. Without it, I wasn't sure I'd be able to pay our mortgage.
When we have problems that look like mountains in our lives, it's easy for us to take matters into our own hands. We may try to resolve the issue independently, talking to friends, utilizing tools and resources, and doing anything without going to God. But sometimes, the best thing we can do is cry out to God.
In the above verse, the psalmist understands having problems that look like mountains. But he cries out to God because he knows his help can only come from him. God is in the business of working miracles in our lives. Even when we don't feel him working, he's still working on our behalf. God will never let us down. He's fully present with us. When we have problems that look like mountains in our lives, we can lift our eyes to the one who created the mountains in the first place.
There is no situation in our lives that God can't resolve. Even in the most challenging situations where we feel a positive result is impossible, God can turn any situation around. He can soften hearts, open doors no one can shut, and change people's lives. Even when we are tempted to take matters into our own hands and resolve problems ourselves, God wants us to come to him.
Because he created the heavens and the earth, he already knows our issues before we even experience them. In our pain, we can cry out to God, who is faithful in hearing our prayers and working on our behalf. But we must cry out to him. God does not force himself in places where he is not wanted. Our cries are a sign to him that he is welcome to work in our lives.
When you are in trouble, where do you lift your eyes? Do you take matters into your own hands and try to resolve the problem yourself? Do you cry out to God, the creator of the heavens and the earth? Yield your life fully to him. Let him work on your behalf. You may be surprised to see the miraculous and wonderous works he does on your behalf.
Father, let us constantly cry out to you in our distress. Let us lift our eyes to you when we have problems that look like mountains. Remember that as you created the heavens and the earth, you also made us. You can handle our issues and are faithful in resolving them in your time. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
In what ways have you failed to cry out to God in your distress?
What is one thing you can do today to turn your heart entirely to him?
Further Reading
Romans 8:28
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In times of struggle and adversity, it's essential to remember that we are not alone. We’ll explore how God stands with us in our battles, providing strength, courage, and protection as we navigate life’s challenges.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! How have you experienced God fighting for you in difficult times? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses encourage you to trust in God’s power during struggles? Let’s come together to support one another in faith!
🎙 ⚔️ SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Just as nature awakens with joy in the spring, our hearts are called to express gratitude and praise through song. We’ll discuss the biblical significance of singing in worship and how music can transform our spiritual lives and strengthen our connection to God.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! What songs or hymns resonate with your heart in this season? Share your favorites and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How does music enhance your worship experience? Let’s uplift one another as we embrace this joyful season of singing!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We tackle the sensitive and important topic of "Is It Unchristian to Struggle with Depression?" Mental health struggles can often feel isolating, especially within faith communities. We’ll explore the biblical perspective on mental health, addressing the misconception that struggling with depression reflects a lack of faith, and how God meets us in our pain.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! Have you ever felt conflicted about your mental health struggles in your faith journey? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How can we better support one another in our mental health journeys? Let’s create a safe space for discussion and encouragement!
🎙 💬 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Understanding our unique gifts is essential for fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives and contributing to the body of Christ. We’ll discuss how to identify, cultivate, and use our spiritual gifts to serve others and glorify God.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! What spiritual gifts have you discovered in your life? Share your experiences and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How do you use your gifts to make a difference in your community? Let’s encourage one another as we journey together in faith!
🎙 🌟 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life can often feel unstable and uncertain, much like walking on shifting ground. We’ll discuss the significance of building our lives on the solid foundation of faith in Christ, exploring how to recognize and navigate the unstable areas of our lives with God’s guidance.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! Have you ever felt like you were walking on shifting sands? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What practices help you find stability in your faith? Let’s support one another as we seek to stand firm on the foundation of God’s truth!
🎙 ⛰️ SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Our hearts are the wellspring of our thoughts, words, and actions, and what fills our hearts will ultimately shape our lives. We’ll explore the importance of cultivating a heart aligned with God’s love and truth, and how this overflow can impact those around us.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! What do you find fills your heart the most? Share your insights and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How do you ensure your heart overflows with love and gratitude? Let’s encourage one another to nurture our hearts in faith!
🎙 ❤️ SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life often takes us down unforeseen paths, and just as God called ordinary individuals for extraordinary tasks, He may be inviting us to step into roles we never anticipated. We’ll discuss the importance of being open to God’s leading and how these divine assignments can shape our faith journey.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! Have you ever received an unexpected assignment from God? Share your experiences and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What lessons did you learn from stepping out of your comfort zone? Let’s support each other as we embrace God’s surprising plans!
🎙 ✨ SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the invigorating theme of "Running for Christ." Just as a race requires dedication, perseverance, and focus, our spiritual journey calls us to run with purpose and intention. We’ll discuss what it means to live our lives as an expression of our faith, striving to embody Christ's teachings in every step we take.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you stay motivated in your spiritual race? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses encourage you to run for Christ with passion and purpose? Let’s support one another as we strive to finish the race strong!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we celebrate the awe-inspiring theme of "Our God Is Uniquely Powerful and Personal." We often marvel at God's immense power in the universe, but it’s equally important to recognize His intimate involvement in our individual lives. We’ll explore how these two attributes coexist, showing us a God who is not only capable of great wonders but also deeply concerned about our personal stories.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you experienced God’s power in your life while feeling His personal touch? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses remind you of His power and intimacy? Let’s encourage one another as we deepen our understanding of the God who is both powerful and personal!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the reassuring theme of "You Will Never Face Anything Alone." Life often brings challenges that can feel overwhelming, but the promise of God’s presence provides comfort and strength in every situation. We’ll discuss the biblical foundation for trusting that we are never abandoned and how this truth can transform our fears into faith.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How has God’s presence made a difference in your life during difficult times? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses remind you of His constant companionship? Let’s uplift one another as we embrace the truth that we are never alone in our journey!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we tackle the thought-provoking theme of "A God That Keeps Score." Many of us grapple with the idea of accountability in our faith, questioning how God measures our actions, intentions, and growth. We’ll explore the biblical perspective on God’s awareness of our lives and how His grace and mercy shape our understanding of “scoring” in our relationship with Him.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you interpret the concept of God keeping score in your own life? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses offer you comfort and clarity regarding accountability in your faith? Let’s support one another as we deepen our understanding of God’s heart toward us!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the uplifting theme of "How Joy Helps Us Thrive in Painful Seasons." While pain and hardship are inevitable parts of life, joy can be a powerful force that enables us to not only endure but also flourish during tough times. We’ll explore the biblical understanding of joy and how it can serve as a beacon of hope when we face life's challenges.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How has joy empowered you during difficult times? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses remind you to choose joy in adversity? Let’s encourage one another as we embrace the healing and thriving power of joy in our lives!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we dive into the profound theme of "The Holy Spirit Is Moving in Our Lives." Understanding the active role of the Holy Spirit is essential for deepening our faith and experiencing spiritual growth. We’ll explore how the Holy Spirit guides, comforts, and empowers us in our daily walk with God.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you experienced the Holy Spirit working in your life? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses remind you of the Holy Spirit’s guidance? Let’s encourage one another as we seek to grow in our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the powerful theme of "Prisoners of Hope." In challenging times, holding onto hope can be transformative, providing strength and resilience when life feels overwhelming. We’ll discuss how to cultivate a hopeful mindset rooted in God’s promises, reminding ourselves that hope is not just a feeling but a steadfast anchor for our souls. Through engaging scripture and uplifting personal testimonies, we’ll uncover practical ways to embrace hope in our daily lives. You’ll learn how being a "prisoner of hope" can empower you to face adversity with faith and courage, knowing that God is always working for your good.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How has hope played a role in your life during tough times? Share your inspiring stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What Bible verses encourage you to remain hopeful? Let’s support each other as we navigate life’s challenges and celebrate the unyielding power of hope together!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the theme of When You’re Waiting for God’s Answers. Waiting can be one of the most challenging aspects of our faith journey, filled with uncertainty and doubt. We’ll discuss how to navigate these seasons of waiting, emphasizing the importance of patience and trust in God’s perfect timing. Through scripture and personal testimonies, we’ll uncover the growth and understanding that can emerge during these waiting periods, reminding us that God is always listening and working on our behalf.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! How have you learned to wait for God’s answers in your life? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses encourage you during times of waiting? Let’s support one another as we embrace the lessons and blessings found in these waiting seasons!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we discuss the call to Be Sober and Alert. In a world filled with distractions and challenges, it’s crucial for us as believers to stay spiritually vigilant and grounded. We’ll explore what it means to be sober-minded, drawing from scripture and real-life examples that illustrate the importance of discernment and focus in our faith journey. Together, we’ll learn how staying alert can help us navigate life’s trials and resist temptations, ultimately strengthening our relationship with God.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you practice sobriety and alertness in your spiritual life? Share your insights and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What scriptures encourage you to remain vigilant? Let’s inspire one another as we strive to live with purpose and awareness in our faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we encourage you to Expect the Best from God. Life can be full of uncertainties, but as believers, we are called to anticipate God’s goodness and faithfulness in every situation. We’ll explore what it means to have a hopeful expectation, rooted in scripture and personal testimonies of God’s blessings. Together, we’ll discover how cultivating a mindset of hope can transform our outlook and deepen our trust in God’s perfect plan for our lives.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! How do you practice expecting the best from God in your daily life? Share your experiences and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses inspire you to maintain hope and trust? Let’s uplift one another as we embrace the abundant life God has for us!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we tackle the important topic of Breaking Free from a Works-Based Faith. Many of us struggle with the pressure to earn God’s love and approval through our actions. Together, we’ll explore the transformative truth of grace and how it liberates us from the bondage of performance. Through scripture and personal testimonies, we’ll uncover the beauty of resting in God’s finished work, emphasizing that our worth is found in Him, not in our efforts.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you experienced freedom from a works-based mindset in your faith journey? Share your insights and stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses remind you of God’s grace and love? Let’s support one another as we embrace the fullness of our identity in Christ!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we ponder the question: Who Will Eat Bread in God's Kingdom? This thought-provoking topic invites us to consider the nature of God’s kingdom and the invitation extended to all believers. We’ll explore what it means to partake in the blessings of God’s kingdom, drawing from scripture and personal reflections that highlight the grace and inclusion found in Christ. Together, we’ll discuss how our relationship with Jesus opens the door to a vibrant life filled with purpose and community.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts! What does it mean to you to be invited to God’s table? Share your insights and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What scriptures inspire you to reflect on your place in God’s kingdom? Let’s connect and encourage one another as we embrace the fullness of His grace!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the theme of God’s Perfect Ways. Life often presents us with challenges and detours that can leave us questioning His plan. Together, we’ll reflect on the assurance that God’s ways are higher than our ways and that His timing is always perfect. Through scripture and inspiring testimonies, we’ll discover how trusting in God’s perfect plan can bring peace and clarity amidst uncertainty, reminding us that His love and wisdom guide our paths.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you seen God’s perfect ways at work in your life? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses remind you to trust in His plan? Let’s come together to encourage one another as we navigate our journeys of faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the profound truth that we are children of the Light. As believers, we are called to reflect God’s light in a world that often feels dark and chaotic. We’ll explore what it means to live as children of the Light, drawing from scripture and personal stories that illuminate our journey of faith. Together, we’ll discuss how embracing our identity as children of the Light empowers us to shine brightly, spread hope, and make a difference in the lives of those around us.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts! How do you embody the light of Christ in your daily life? Share your experiences and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What scriptures inspire you to walk in the light? Let’s uplift and encourage one another as we embrace our calling as children of the Light!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on the often-challenging experience of waiting and how it can lead to profound growth and understanding. While waiting can be frustrating and filled with uncertainty, we’ll explore how God uses these moments to shape our character and deepen our faith. Through scripture and personal testimonies, we’ll uncover the beauty and purpose that can be found in seasons of waiting, reminding us that God is always working behind the scenes.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you found purpose in your waiting seasons? Share your insights and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses encourage you during times of waiting? Let’s inspire one another as we navigate these important moments in faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on the comforting truth that God is the glue that holds us together in times of uncertainty and struggle. Life can often feel chaotic, but we can find peace and stability in His presence. We’ll explore scripture and personal testimonies that highlight how God’s love and support unite us, providing strength in our relationships and communities. Discover how to lean on Him and share that support with others.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you experienced God holding you together during challenging times? Share your insights and stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses remind you of His unwavering support? Let’s encourage one another in faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the inevitable moments of disappointment we all face in life. Whether it’s unmet expectations or unforeseen challenges, disappointment can shake our faith and leave us questioning. We’ll dive into scripture and share personal stories that illustrate how God meets us in our struggles, offering hope and renewal. Discover how to process your feelings of disappointment and find strength in God’s promises, reminding us that He is still at work even in our lowest moments.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you navigated disappointment in your life? Share your stories and reflections with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses have helped you find peace during tough times? Let’s uplift and encourage one another in faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we examine how times of adversity can draw us closer to God. While challenges and hardships can feel overwhelming, they often serve as catalysts for spiritual growth and deeper faith. We’ll explore scripture and personal testimonies that reveal how God uses our struggles to lead us into a more profound relationship with Him. Discover how adversity can be a turning point, guiding us to trust in His plans and find hope amidst trials.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How has adversity led you to God in your own life? Share your experiences and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses have provided you strength during tough times? Let’s encourage one another on this journey of faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we invite you to consider the significance of opening the door to God in your life. Just as He knocks patiently at our hearts, we’ll explore the transformative power of welcoming Him in. Through scripture and personal stories, we’ll discuss what it means to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, allowing Him to guide, heal, and empower us. Discover how opening the door to His presence can lead to profound changes in our hearts and lives.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you experienced God’s invitation in your life? Share your thoughts and stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What changes have you seen when you opened the door to Him? Let’s inspire each other to embrace His presence!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the transformative power of God’s Word in our lives. Scripture is not just a collection of ancient texts; it’s a living force that can bring healing, guidance, and strength. We’ll discuss how immersing ourselves in the Bible equips us to face life’s challenges and empowers us to impact the world around us. Through inspiring testimonies and key verses, discover how God’s Word can unlock potential within us and inspire action in our faith journey.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How has Scripture impacted your life? Share your stories and reflections with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What passages have unleashed God’s power in your circumstances? Let’s encourage and uplift one another through His Word!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the profound truth that when others let us down, we can rely on God’s unwavering presence. Life’s disappointments and challenges can leave us feeling isolated, but through scripture and personal stories, we’ll uncover how God remains our steadfast anchor. We’ll explore how His love sustains us, encouraging us to find strength in our faith even when human relationships falter.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you relied on God during times when others have failed you? Share your experiences and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses inspire you to trust in God’s faithfulness? Let’s uplift one another in faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on the comforting truth that God is the glue that holds us together in times of uncertainty and struggle. Life can often feel chaotic, but we can find peace and stability in His presence. We’ll explore scripture and personal testimonies that highlight how God’s love and support unite us, providing strength in our relationships and communities. Discover how to lean on Him and share that support with others.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you experienced God holding you together during challenging times? Share your insights and stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses remind you of His unwavering support? Let’s encourage one another in faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the profound yet challenging journey of forgiveness. While forgiving others can bring healing and freedom, it often comes with a high emotional and spiritual cost. We’ll discuss what it truly means to forgive from a biblical perspective, the struggles involved, and the incredible peace that follows. Join us as we reflect on personal stories and scriptural insights that illuminate the path to genuine forgiveness.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What challenges have you faced in your journey toward forgiveness? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses inspire you to embrace forgiveness? Let’s support one another on this important journey of faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we address the challenge of maintaining composure in the face of verbal attacks. Whether in personal relationships or public discourse, responding with grace can be difficult yet essential. We’ll explore biblical principles and practical strategies for staying calm, protecting your peace, and reflecting Christ’s love, even in heated situations. Discover how to navigate conflict with wisdom and integrity.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you stay calm when faced with verbal challenges? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What scriptures encourage you to respond with grace? Let’s uplift each other on this journey of faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the profound journey of discovering your purpose in life. Understanding why we are here can bring clarity, motivation, and fulfillment. We’ll discuss how to seek God’s guidance in uncovering your unique calling, drawing inspiration from scripture and personal testimonies. Learn practical steps to align your life with His plan and embrace the joy that comes from living purposefully.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you discovered your purpose in life? Share your insights and stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses inspire you to seek and fulfill your calling? Let’s support one another in this meaningful journey of faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we share three essential tips for becoming a better listener. Active listening is a powerful tool that can transform our relationships and deepen our understanding of others. We’ll explore practical strategies to enhance your listening skills, rooted in biblical principles and personal insights. Learn how being fully present can foster stronger connections and reflect Christ’s love in your interactions.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What strategies do you use to improve your listening skills? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What scriptures guide you in cultivating a listening heart? Let’s encourage one another on this journey of faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we tackle the challenging topic of dealing with people in our lives who resist change. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we cannot alter others’ behaviors or beliefs. We’ll explore how to find peace and acceptance in these situations, drawing inspiration from scripture and personal experiences. Learn how to shift your focus from changing others to nurturing your own spiritual growth and embracing God’s purpose for your relationships.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you cope when you can’t change someone? Share your insights and stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses help you find peace in acceptance? Let’s encourage one another on this journey of faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the essential call to live out love through our actions. Love is a powerful expression of our faith, and we’ll reflect on how we can manifest it in our daily lives. Drawing from scripture and heartfelt testimonies, we’ll discuss what it means to demonstrate love, kindness, and compassion to those around us. Discover practical ways to embody love in your relationships and interactions, becoming a beacon of hope and encouragement in your community.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you actively live out love in your life? Share your thoughts and stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses inspire you to put love into action? Let’s uplift one another in this journey of faith!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer
Full Transcript Below:
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on the powerful truth that a friend loves at all times. True friendship is a gift that can uplift and sustain us through life’s challenges. We’ll explore what it means to embody unwavering love and support, drawing inspiration from scripture and personal stories. Discover practical ways to be that steadfast friend for others while also allowing yourself to receive love and encouragement from those around you.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you demonstrate steadfast love in your friendships? Share your experiences and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses inspire you to be a loyal friend?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the concept of a love that lasts. In a world where relationships often face challenges, understanding the foundations of enduring love can provide hope and strength. We’ll discuss how God's unconditional love serves as the ultimate model for our relationships, guiding us to love others with patience, forgiveness, and commitment. Through scripture and personal stories, we’ll highlight practical ways to cultivate lasting love in our lives and encourage deeper connections with those around us.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you nurture lasting love in your relationships? Share your insights and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What biblical principles have helped you build strong, enduring connections?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we focus on practical ways to deepen your love for Jesus. In our busy lives, nurturing our relationship with Him can sometimes take a backseat. We’ll explore scripture and heartfelt practices that can help you grow in your devotion and affection for Christ. From prayer and worship to acts of service, discover how these steps can transform your faith journey and draw you closer to His heart.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What are your favorite ways to express your love for Jesus? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What scriptures inspire you to love Him more deeply?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the profound truth that love comes from God. In a world often confused about the meaning of love, understanding its divine source can transform our relationships and perspectives. We’ll discuss how God’s unconditional love shapes our identity and empowers us to love others authentically. Through scripture and personal stories, we’ll highlight the importance of experiencing His love in our lives and how it inspires us to share that love with the world around us.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you experienced God’s love in your life? Share your insights and stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses remind you of the power of divine love?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we focus on the powerful act of praying for others who are far from the Lord. It can be heartbreaking to see loved ones struggle in their faith, but prayer can be a transformative lifeline. We’ll explore the importance of intercession and how our prayers can invite God’s love and grace into their lives. Through scripture and personal testimonies, we’ll share practical strategies for effective prayer and how to remain hopeful in the journey of bringing others closer to God.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you pray for those who are distant from their faith? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What scriptures or prayers have encouraged you during these times?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the vital question of how to truly hear and discern God’s voice. In a world filled with distractions and noise, understanding His guidance can often feel challenging. We’ll discuss what it means to cultivate a heart that is receptive to His words and highlight practical steps to deepen our connection with God. Through scripture and personal stories, we’ll encourage one another to seek His wisdom and embrace the transformative power of His voice in our lives.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you tune in to hear the Lord in your life? Share your experiences and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What practices have helped you discern His guidance amid the chaos?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the profound truth of God’s Great Love. In a world often filled with loneliness and uncertainty, it's easy to forget the depth of God's love for us. We’ll explore how His love is an unwavering source of hope and comfort, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. Through inspiring stories and biblical insights, we’ll highlight how God actively reaches out to us in our struggles and joys. Together, we’ll discuss how to recognize and respond to His love in our daily lives, fostering a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you experienced God's love in your life? Share your stories and reflections with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What scripture has reminded you of His great love during challenging times?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we focus on the comforting promise of "He Will Give You Rest." In a fast-paced world filled with constant demands and pressures, finding true rest can seem impossible. We’ll explore what biblical rest means and how God invites us to find peace and rejuvenation in Him. Through personal testimonies and scriptural wisdom, we’ll highlight the importance of surrendering our burdens and embracing God’s presence as a source of refreshment. Together, we’ll discuss practical steps to incorporate rest into our lives, fostering a deeper relationship with God and rejuvenating our spirits.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you find rest in your busy life? Share your thoughts and practices with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What biblical truths have helped you experience God’s rest during stressful times?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we examine the quiet yet powerful impact of subtle sin on our spiritual lives. Often, it's the small compromises we make that can lead us away from God's intended path. We’ll discuss how these hidden struggles can drain our strength and disrupt our relationship with Him. By sharing personal stories and biblical wisdom, we’ll highlight the importance of self-reflection and vigilance in our faith. Together, we’ll explore practical ways to recognize and confront these subtle temptations, helping us to regain our spiritual momentum.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! Have you faced subtle sins that have impacted your journey? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What steps have you taken to strengthen your faith in the face of distractions?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we address the vital topic of "How to Endure the Worst of Trials." Life is filled with challenges that test our faith and resilience, and it's during these tough times that we often seek God's strength the most. We’ll explore practical strategies for enduring hardships, drawing from biblical examples and personal testimonies of perseverance. Together, we’ll discuss the power of prayer, community support, and the importance of maintaining hope when faced with adversity. By focusing on God’s promises, we can find courage and encouragement to navigate even the darkest valleys.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you endured your toughest trials? Share your insights and stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What lessons have you learned that could inspire others facing their own challenges?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the thought-provoking question, "Do You Anticipate Heaven?" As believers, the promise of eternal life is a cornerstone of our faith, yet many of us struggle to truly grasp its significance in our daily lives. We’ll discuss the biblical foundations of heaven, the hope it brings, and how anticipating our eternal home can transform our earthly experiences. Through personal stories and scriptural insights, we’ll highlight the importance of living with an eternal perspective and cultivating a longing for the place God has prepared for us. Together, we’ll discover practical ways to deepen our anticipation for heaven and share that hope with others.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How does the promise of heaven influence your daily life? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What practices help you keep your focus on the eternal amidst life’s challenges?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we discuss "Overcoming the Monday Morning Blues." Many of us struggle with a sense of dread as the weekend comes to an end and the workweek begins. We’ll delve into the root causes of these feelings and explore practical strategies for finding joy and purpose at the start of each week. By sharing personal experiences and biblical wisdom, we’ll highlight the importance of setting intentions, embracing gratitude, and seeking God’s guidance in our daily tasks. Together, we’ll discover how to transform Monday mornings into opportunities for renewal and growth.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you combat the Monday morning blues in your life? Share your tips and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What practices have helped you find motivation and joy as you begin your week?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we tackle the challenging topic of "When God Doesn't Answer Prayers As We Expected." Many of us have faced moments when our heartfelt prayers seem to go unanswered or take unexpected turns. We’ll explore the reasons behind these divine delays and the lessons they can teach us about trust and perseverance. Through personal stories and biblical insights, we’ll discuss how these experiences can deepen our faith and reshape our understanding of God’s timing. Together, we’ll uncover practical strategies for finding peace and hope in the waiting, reminding ourselves that God’s plans are often far greater than our own.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! Have you navigated times when God’s answers didn’t align with your expectations? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How have these experiences transformed your prayer life and your relationship with God?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, it's easy to lose sight of God's active presence in our lives. We’ll reflect on the ways God orchestrates events, answers prayers, and performs miracles—often in ways we least expect. Through personal testimonies and scriptural examples, we'll encourage you to remain hopeful and attentive to the signs of His handiwork, even amid trials. Together, we’ll explore how faith can help us recognize and celebrate God’s movements in our everyday lives, reminding us that He is always at work behind the scenes.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! Have you experienced moments where you witnessed God's work in your life? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How has your faith helped you see His presence during challenging times?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we examine the quiet yet powerful impact of subtle sin on our spiritual lives. Often, it's the small compromises we make that can lead us away from God's intended path. We’ll discuss how these hidden struggles can drain our strength and disrupt our relationship with Him. By sharing personal stories and biblical wisdom, we’ll highlight the importance of self-reflection and vigilance in our faith. Together, we’ll explore practical ways to recognize and confront these subtle temptations, helping us to regain our spiritual momentum.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! Have you faced subtle sins that have impacted your journey? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What steps have you taken to strengthen your faith in the face of distractions?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Subtle Sin Steals Our Strength and Sets us Back
By Keri Eichberger
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)
There’s a bible verse I keep getting tripped up on. Though, I’ve continued to feel flames of encouragement when I read a certain portion of these well-known words in Hebrews Chapter 12. It’s the ones about running the race marked out for us with perseverance. It seems many like to isolate that snippet, which is really a section of a longer scripture. And I’ve at times wondered why that is. I love this part of the verse for the desire it stirs up in me to embrace perseverance. But when I look to the preceding words to clue in on how we might tap into such resilience, it puzzles me. Because it talks about sin. Saying we should throw it off and that it hinders us.
Well, what does sin really have to do with perseverance? I’d definitely like to know if it’s what sets us back and squashes our ability to persevere. Because I’ve felt the weighing and wearing down of the world lately, and I sure need perseverance to keep moving on the road God has marked out for me.
Do you need swells of strength and stamina to plow through too? Sure you do. Life wears us all down sometimes.
I opened my bible, sat, and stared at the entirety of the verse yesterday. Specifically the words “sin” and “easily entangles.” And simultaneously considering the words that followed about running with perseverance, I pictured myself on a road getting tangled and tripped up. Acknowledging there would have to be something specific in my path in order to hold me back or down. I was seeing this verse telling me that sin does that. The NLT version says “let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” The bible is clearly saying sin sets us back. Which means if we can rid ourselves of sin, we might experience an opposite effect, a releasing of resistance allowing us to move forward. With more strength.
We know that sin separates us from God. And that God is our strength. Therefore, because he is our source of strength, the more we stay in sin, the more we’re separated from our ability to persevere. And as I kept leaning in, I began to wonder if that had anything to do with my weariness. I want to persevere, and have been praying for this reinforcement. But am I being held back because of my own sin? I never thought of myself as a blatant sinner, but I also think this is the way the enemy is sneaky with us. Because actually, we are all guilty—myself included. But it’s the subtle sins woven through our everydays that we easily become blind to.
I kept digging deeper into what God wanted to reveal. I wanted to expose every sin Satan was trying to hide from me, to throw off every hindrance, and run my race. So I did a quick search on biblical sin. And there it was. There they were. Many of my struggles staring me square in the face. Pride, comparison, and greed name a few that convicted my heart. Just as ugly and guilty as the seemingly worst of them. Little weights and trip ups holding me down and setting me back.
What subtle sins can you confess that might be causing weight and weariness in the marathon of your life? Consider the not so obvious. Comparison that strives to the point of crash and burnout. Envy that constantly covets what others have. Greed that hungers for more and knocks you down with discontentment. Pride that drives you harder to be the best and slaves you to success and people-pleasing. Or anger, laziness, lack of forgiveness. You name it, every subtle sin weighs us down and steals our strength.
It became clear. All sin drives us away from God and away from his strength that allows us to sail more smoothly through. This verse tells us that. And it tells us to get rid of it. Then what I also saw was the relevance of the very beginning of the verse, reading, “since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses.” This intro tells me God’s people are part of his perseverance plan. His plan to expose our sin, and eradicate it. We all have sin, but we can’t receive the benefits of its removal if it stays. If we don’t identify it, confess it to God and others, and release it in repentance and strides to step away from it.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
For the sake of the perseverance we all long for, let’s reflect on the subtle sins surrounding our lives. I want to encourage us both today to investigate and identify all our tendencies toward the sins tripping us up, and to ask God to help us run from them. Because when we do, we will find our way closer to the Lord. We will find increased strength. And we will find perseverance to keep running along the purpose-filled path he has planned just for us.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we celebrate the invaluable gift of friendship and the profound impact it has on our spiritual journey. Friends are not only companions but also sources of encouragement, accountability, and joy. We’ll discuss the biblical foundations of friendship, exploring how God intended for us to support one another through life’s challenges. Through heartfelt stories and scripture, we’ll highlight the qualities of true friendship and how cultivating these relationships can enrich our lives and strengthen our faith.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! What role do friends play in your faith journey? Share your stories and appreciation for your friends with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How have your friendships impacted your relationship with God?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
In Praise of Friends
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, CSB)
The Making of a Friend
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of reconciliation, especially when that reconciliation involves two friends. There’s a certain euphoria that happens when misunderstandings get resolved, and you’re suddenly on the same page again. These moments bring us closer. Not only that, but they put life into perspective. The friend that we thought meant something means so much more. And that prior conflict so much less.
There’s no sure way to find a friend, even in church or through tireless prayers and countless attempts. Yet, even without a precise formula, we know a friend when we find one. We know that friends are made through hard times and tough conversations. We know that they are present when we need them the most and even when we don’t need them at all. Not every time, but definitely when it counts.
These great people enrich our lives in more ways than one. We ought to thank God for the opportunity to receive them. Moreover, if Scripture is any indication, we ought to show them praise for being who they are.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If we reflect long enough, why we ought to appreciate our friends is clear, but what’s not always so obvious is how we can show them our appreciation. Here are some practical ways you can shower your friends with praise today:
One important thing to do is spend time together. When life gets busy, sometimes relationships unintentionally fall by the wayside. Texts we once exchanged with friends become less frequent. As do our phone calls. When there’s less communication, chances are, you’re not hanging out as much. This doesn’t mean the relationship is over, and you’re no longer friends, but there’s value in continuing to invest in one another, no matter the stage of life. Why? Quality time is a sign of gratitude, importance, and a way of serving others. Friends benefit from receiving that the same as we do.
Today, give your friend a call and spend five minutes, or longer, talking on the phone. If you’re feeling really ambitious, bust out the planner and find a day to get together. Go for a walk in the park, dine in at a restaurant, or just schedule a visit.
Another way to show praise is to tell your friend what he or she means to you. For some, actions are more than enough to say I see you, and I love you. For others, words of affirmation go a long way. They like to hear about your love, not just see it. If you want to tell someone what they mean to you, consider calling them up to tell them over the phone or in person. If you have a creative bone in you, you could write something out in a letter or song.
Don’t forget to also thank God for your friends. He blesses us with these relationships, comforts us when we’re in need of them, and guides us when we want to restore them. Whether you have one, two, or more, in a culture where everyone foolishly calls everyone friend, it is a blessing from on high to just have one.
Pray for your friends too. They do so much for us. Advice, encouragement, accountability, keeping us company, the list goes on and on. We should thank God for them, but we should also pray that He would bless them. We can give them good gifts, but what God can give them is so much better. Pray for them and their families, their health, their goals, and even their friends.
Do right by them. Or, in other words, be for them what they have been for us. Just as we hope that our friends will keep us on the straight and narrow, we ought to do the same for them. Doing so ensures that we will have a relationship that stands the test of every trial and even time itself.
Further Reading (and Listening):
- Proverbs 17:17
- 1 Corinthians 15:33
- Proverbs 13:20
- Proverbs 27:6
- Psalm 27:17
- “Friends” by Marvin Winans & The Perfected Praise Choir
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the beautiful and transformative journey of pursuing God's presence in our daily lives. Our relationship with God is not just about rituals or routines; it’s about cultivating a deep, personal connection with Him. We’ll discuss the significance of seeking His presence through prayer, worship, and reflection, and how these practices can enrich our spiritual walk. Through inspiring stories and biblical examples, we’ll discover the joy and peace that comes from being fully present with God, and how His presence can guide us through life’s ups and downs.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you pursue God’s presence in your life? Share your experiences and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What moments have you felt closest to God, and how has that impacted your faith journey?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. Exodus 33:12-15
While at an event intended to encourage and inspire women in ministry, I sensed God asking me to step down from mine. This was both difficult and welcomed. I grieved as I reflected upon all the ways the Lord had grown the organization from four local speakers to a team of 30 with global impact. But I knew it was time to walk away. I’d been rushing from one event and project to the next for so long, I’d lost my joy and my vision.
Worse, obligation had clouded God’s voice. I needed space to simply rest in Him, and so I relinquished my position and my team to someone else and spent the next year rediscovering the beauty and goodness of God.
While the Lord never asked Moses, the man called to lead His newly freed people, to abdicate his role, today’s passage indicates he would’ve done so without hesitation. If you’re familiar with Scripture, you might remember the circumstances surrounding his and God’s conversation. Shortly prior, God summoned Moses to Mt. Sinaia to give him and the ancient Hebrews instructions regarding how to love Him and one another well. Moses remained on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. In his absence, the people regressed to their old ways, talked Moses’s brother into making them a calf idol, and worshiped it in shamefully sinful ways.
God was not pleased! He told Moses that He would do everything He’d said. He would bring the Israelites to the agriculturally rich land He’d long promised them and their forefathers, and He would drive out all of its occupants. Only, He would do this through an angel. He Himself wouldn’t accompany them.
In other words, Moses could receive all of the blessings—achievement, respect, and prestige—without God.
Moses determined such success came at too high a cost. He prioritized God’s presence above everything else, and was willing to relinquish all else to retain it. I used to think this was because he recognized he couldn’t complete his assignment without the Lord. But remember, God had already assured him of the outcome. It seems, then, that Moses valued his relationship with the Lord more than anything God could or would do for him or through him.
Moses had experienced the truth later recorded in Psalm 16:11, which reads, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (NIV, emphasis mine).
Intersecting Life and Faith
Many, if not most of us, recognize our desperate need for God. We’ve experienced the sweetness of praising Him in a sanctuary filled with His Spirit and His people. We know the peace of privately, silently, kneeling before Him. We’ve benefited from His supernatural strength replacing our weakness, and we’ve relished the comfort of His tender embrace.
Those are moments we wish would never end, while we’re in them. But then, we get busy and distracted by our calendars and agendas. And suddenly, we forget. At least, I do. I lose sight of how beautiful life is, when lived in close connection with my Savior, until my soul becomes depleted. Then, I remember how much I not only need Him, but crave Him. Thankfully, He remains with us, even when we forget Him, gently, but steadily, drawing us back.
But I’d rather turn to Him before I land in that spiritual desert. One of the best ways to avoid that harsh and discouraging space is to make spiritual disciplines, like prayer and Bible reading, a habit. The more they become a regular part of our lives, the more Jesus becomes a consistent part of our lives as well.
Further Reading:
John 15:1-11
Luke 10:38-42
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we tackle the important topic of financial stewardship and the dangers of allowing money to dictate our lives. While financial resources are essential for daily living, Scripture warns us against letting wealth become our master. We’ll discuss how to cultivate a healthy perspective on money, emphasizing generosity, contentment, and trust in God’s provision. Through biblical insights and real-life stories, we’ll explore practical steps to ensure that our relationship with money honors God and enriches our lives rather than controls them.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! How do you keep money from becoming your master? Share your stories and strategies with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What lessons have you learned about financial stewardship that you wish you had known earlier?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Forbid Money to Be Your Master
By Kelly Balarie
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matthew 6:24
Sharing coffee, my friend revealed a deep struggle with me.
“Kelly,” they essentially conveyed, “I fear when I only have a little money. When I see only a couple hundred dollars in my bank account, I get stressed and afraid. Money rules my countenance. Yet, now I am seeing that I have made money more of a lord, than the Lord. Money rules over how I feel, act, react and it causes me tangible stress.”
My friend feared money. And my friend was right – what we fear, lords over us. Fear makes it seem like -- what we fear -- has the greatest dominion. It gets right up in our face. Then, because this overwhelming feeling seems so real, fear makes us serve that fear – more than the Lord.
Instead of asking, “God, what do you will me to do today,” a person in these shoes may say, “What can I do to be okay? How do I save my life?” Their mind gets preoccupied with the problem.
Fear makes self-preservation a top priority. Fear makes itself master. Fear sends its subjects into endless ruminations on how they can make everything okay.
How is fear lording over you? Is money being raised up as your master?
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matthew 6:24
With prices going up and with the cost of living increasing, for many, money is tighter than ever. But, still, money is not lord; the Lord is Lord of all. He is Lord of of heaven and earth just as much as He is Lord of all finance.
We never serve money – neither the lack or abundance of it. Instead, our money serves Him and His cause. All the money we have is from Him and by Him. He owns it all. In this, we can give thanks. God knows exactly what we need, when we need it, and money is a tool for His glory.When we lack finances the best thing to do is to surrender all our finances to God, and to put our trust in God. Here, we get back on track. We remember it is not money that is in charge, because God is always in charge.
God knows exactly what we need; His nature is Provider.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What are you fearing? How might money be lording over your life? Are you trusting your bank account more than God? What might it look like to surrender afresh to God? What would it look like for you to really trust Him?
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the transformative power of Scripture in guiding our lives. The Bible serves as a lamp for our feet and a light for our path, illuminating our journey through the challenges and uncertainties we face. We’ll discuss how engaging with God’s Word can provide clarity, direction, and comfort, especially in moments of doubt or confusion. Through personal testimonies and biblical insights, we’ll uncover practical ways to deepen our relationship with Scripture, allowing it to shape our decisions and illuminate our daily lives.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! How has the Word of God guided you in your life? Share your stories and favorite verses with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What impact has Scripture had on your journey?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Let the Word Light Your Path
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105
“Should I take this new job or not?”
This was a difficult decision for me to make. Taking on more responsibility meant less time for me to be available for my family, and I wanted to take it seriously. I prayed about it, but I received nothing but silence from God. I didn't know what to do, so I searched Scripture.
As I searched scripture, I read John 6:27, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that gives you eternal life…” I realized that I was taking the job because I was finding my worth and value in how much I made. I was working to earn money, which quickly faded away, disregarding the eternal impact God cares about. I quickly realized my identity was forged from how much money was in my pocket.
If I made less money than I felt I was worth, my identity was in cash, not God. I'd forgotten that God is Lord of all. He's the one who gives us our daily bread. He's the one who provides for us and gives us everything we need. Our worth and value are not formed in what we do but rather who he is.
That's the type of identity God wants for all of us. Whether we make a lot less money for the work we do or make a lot of money for the work we do, our identity will never be formed through cash. Money comes and goes.
Money does not define us. Once I realized the more profound issue behind why I was struggling with taking the job, I realized that by taking the job, I would forge my identity in my career and not in God. By consulting the Lord in scripture, the scripture illuminated my mind to the deeper issue that was going on.
Often, we have deeper issues that fuel the decisions we make in life. If we have problems unprocessed within our soul: unforgiveness, resentment, rage, anger, and unforgiveness, we will allow those deep issues to skew how we see the world. It will become a hindrance between knowing God and living each day as a child of the king.
Scripture is not something to merely check off a to-do list. Its purpose is to illuminate our life. It is to illuminate our past to see how to get where we want to go. God calls us to proclaim the gospel to the masses. But we can't do that when we have unprocessed issues in our soul.
When our greed for money and deep feelings of worth and value are rooted in things other than God, the Scriptures cannot illuminate our path. However, when we effectively deal with the issues in our soul, process our hurt, forgive others, and embrace our identity as God's children, the word of God can genuinely illuminate our path.
Take a moment and analyze your life. Are there any issues in your soul that you have not fully processed? Do you have unforgiveness toward others? Do you have unprocessed trauma that you have stuffed rather than dealing with effectively? Have you allowed bitterness, rage, or anger to rule your life? Carve out sometime within the next week to spend some quiet time with God. Take your time with him. Spend extended times simply praying.
Ask the Lord to recall anything hindering you from having a relationship with him. When these issues come to mind, deal with them. Cry if you must. Pour out your heart to God. Tell him everything that's going on in your life. You may be surprised to find how cathartic it is. At worst, you'll leave your time feeling lighter because God has carried your burdens. At best, you will have given your issues to the one who can turn any situation around for his good.
Father, let us be people whose word illuminates our path. Please help us understand the deeper reasons we do what we do. Let us allow scripture to penetrate our hearts, transform our minds, and lead us to repentance. Let us be different people because we read your word and allowed it to transform our hearts. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Are there areas in your soul that have gone unprocessed? In what ways can you process that trauma today?
Further Reading
Proverbs 3:5-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the empowering theme of strength and courage in the face of adversity. Life can often present challenges that leave us feeling weak or afraid, but God calls us to rise up with confidence and faith. We’ll explore what it means to be strong and courageous, drawing inspiration from biblical figures who exemplified these qualities in their own trials. Through their stories and our reflections, we’ll uncover practical steps to cultivate strength and courage in our daily lives, reminding ourselves that God is with us every step of the way.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you found strength and courage during tough times? Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What verses or prayers have inspired you to be brave in challenging situations?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Be Strong and Courageous
By Megan Conner
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9, NIV)
With the turn of the calendar, comes a new year. For most of us, this is a time to reflect on what has been and look forward with anticipation towards what will come. Perhaps you are someone who loves the new year. A fresh start, a blank page – it is all so inspiring. The sky is the limit. Or maybe, you are on the other side of the coin and feel a bit overwhelmed or apprehensive about what the unknown future might bring. I think I probably land somewhere in the middle. As a writer, a metaphorical blank page excites me, but it can also terrify me. What about you?
I know for many; the new year incites an eagerness for what is ahead. These same individuals often ponder and pray over a “word of the year” that they sense God is speaking to their hearts. Once discovered, they raise this word or phrase like a banner over their lives for the next twelve months. I had not attempted this practice myself until two years ago. During that gray, nebulous week between Christmas and New Year’s, I struggled with what was ahead. I really did not want to “take on” a new year. I felt like I had barely survived the last one and had very little interest in reliving the experience. But as I was praying one afternoon, I heard a gentle whisper; a single word – courage.
I have never considered myself courageous in any way. I learned resilience through the hardships that had come my way, but strength does not always equal courage. So, when I unintentionally stumbled across this unexpected “word of the year,” I was sure I had misunderstood that still small voice. This could not be for me. I was not a brave woman. Despite my hesitation, I could not shake the sense that this declaration really was for me. With very little confidence that I could ever embody the true meaning of the word, I surrendered to the Lord and humbly prayed, “If you really want me to have courage – then YOU will need to give it to me.”
I knew I was not someone who was naturally fearless, but I also recognized I was not alone. The Bible is FULL of followers who struggled to face their own fears. There is also an abundance of commands and exhortations directed to God’s people saying “fear not” and “be courageous.” One passage in particular stood out to me from Joshua chapter one. In this short chapter, the phrase “be strong and courageous” is repeated four times. Four – in only 18 verses!
In this passage, Joshua receives his formal commission from the Lord to go and claim the Promised Land. This moment was extremely significant for Joshua and the whole Israelite community. The last time their people faced this same opportunity, their parents and grandparents allowed fear to dictate action and they ended up wandering in the desert for forty years instead of believing in God’s deliverance and provision. So here they were… again, four decades later, and the mandate is repeated four times: “Be strong and courageous.” I don’t think this is a coincidence. Perhaps it needed to be declared four times as a symbolic reminder of each decade spent in the wilderness. Much like Peter repeating “You know I love you” three times (one for each denial) when he spoke with Jesus in John chapter 21. God knew they would need this repetitious reminder, just like He knew I would need it as well.
What about you? Do you need to be reminded of God’s call to forge ahead with courage? If so, like the Israelites of old, let’s recall the bravery of Joshua who led the people to the Promised Land, and the second Joshua, our Savior Jesus Christ, who leads us all to the eternal Promised Land. Let’s us heed the command of the Lord and press onward in faith. He will be with us wherever we go.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9, NIV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Is there something you have sensed the Lord is leading you to do that you have been too worried or scared to act upon? What do you think is holding you back? How can you look to scripture to gain confidence and encouragement to take those first small steps of faith? Read through the additional passages offered and notate any specific scriptures that might serve as reminders the next time you need to be strong and courageous.
Further Reading:
Joshua 1
Duet. 31:6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the powerful theme of persevering in prayer. Life's challenges can sometimes make us feel like giving up, but God calls us to persist in our conversations with Him. We’ll discuss the importance of maintaining a consistent prayer life, even when answers seem delayed or circumstances feel discouraging. Through biblical examples and inspiring stories of faith, we’ll discover how perseverance in prayer can deepen our relationship with God and strengthen our resolve. Join us as we encourage one another to keep praying, trusting that God hears us and is at work, even when we can’t see it.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! How have you persevered in prayer during difficult times? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What breakthroughs or lessons have you experienced through your commitment to prayer?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we emphasize the vital importance of prioritizing time with Jesus in our busy lives. Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily responsibilities, it can be easy to push our spiritual connection to the sidelines. We'll discuss practical ways to cultivate a meaningful relationship with Christ, exploring how intentional time spent with Him can transform our hearts and minds. Through personal testimonies and scriptural insights, we’ll uncover the blessings that flow from making Jesus our top priority. Join us as we encourage one another to carve out sacred moments in our day, reminding ourselves that intimacy with God is the foundation of a fulfilling life.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! How do you prioritize time with Jesus in your daily routine? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What impact has spending time with Him had on your life?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Mark 1:35-38
Burnout is brutal, y’all, especially coming out of the crazy holiday season where many of us found our already full schedules overloaded. We know we need a break but can’t figure out how to take one without causing our lives to implode. Maybe you’re a working parent tending to little ones, a ministry leader trying to meet significant needs in your congregation, or a manager attempting to coral challenging employees.
If that’s you, I wonder how today’s passage hits. Does it stir within you inspiration or frustration? When my daughter was young, my husband often worked over seventy hours each week and frequently traveled. Because we’d recently moved, without family nearby, I hadn’t developed a support system to help alleviate my load.
I prayed for help in the form of an affordable babysitter. God provided by encouraging me to form reciprocal relationships with other parents. I also sensed Him telling me to slow down. Initially, that felt impossible. But as I continually brought my needs and concerns to Him, He helped me find ways to simplify some of my most time-consuming tasks, eliminate others, and prioritize the care of my soul.
He also helped me realize the message my actions conveyed to my daughter. I could model, and thereby train, a lifestyle of hurry, stress, irritability and exhaustion. Or I could show her what it looked like to make the most important thing, my relationship with Christ, the most important thing. I didn’t do this perfectly, nor did my spiritual practices remain the same each season. But I tried to follow the Spirit’s leading each day and to train her to do the same.
This was how Jesus consistently lived. Considering today’s passage, pause to imagine the impact of His behavior on His disciples. Although this was early in His ministry, He had gathered quite a crowd of desperate, hurting people. The hungry who worried about having enough food for their children. The paralyzed, the terminally ill, those enslaved to demons, and isolated by leprosy.
The disciples hadn’t been following Him for long, nor did they have any ministry experience prior. Suddenly, they were thrust into the equivalent of a Billy Graham crusade multiplied by ten. Except, in this case, anguished cries replaced the sound of songs and praise. The emotional weight of it all, to be confronted with such suffering, must have felt overwhelming.
The disciples appeared to respond like many of us might—with a panicked desire to get busy. More accurately, they wanted Jesus, the One with supernatural powers able to revive the dying (John 4:46-54) and free the oppressed. Only, they couldn’t find Him. The disciples awoke one morning confronted a throng of anguished people outside their door, the hungry, sick, demon-possessed, and lame, but no Jesus.
I don’t know how long they searched for Him, but I can easily sense the exasperation in Mark 1:37 when they said, “Everyone is looking for you!”
In other words, “Where have you been, Jesus? Don’t you know how much these people need you?”
I love Jesus’ response in the following verse. He didn’t feel compelled to explain Himself. He simply, and presumably, calmly, replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”
Intersecting Life and Faith
This biblical account teaches us a few things. First, we might always encounter more needs than we are able to meet. There will always be people clamoring for our attention or help. And God wants us to love our people well. But in order to do so, we also need to take time to spiritually refuel—even if that means leaving our loved ones or friends exasperated.
Jesus’ behavior also reminds us that we don’t need to become defensive when someone questions how or when we connect with God. We don’t have to explain ourselves to others. Granted, the Holy Spirit might invite us to do so, as He did with Jesus on other occasions. But may we do so by His leading and with the quiet confidence of one who knows they are indeed following God.
I also find it intriguing that Scripture doesn’t define how much time we should spend connecting with God. In fact, much of Jesus’ ministry was inviting people to break free from adherence to rules to embrace a gentle, relational encounter with Him where we learn to recognize and follow to His voice.
And finally, this account also shows us that we can’t remain in our figurative prayer closets forever. We sit with Jesus, through prayer, worship and Bible reading, so that we can love well our friends, family, and whomever the Lord brings our way.
Further Reading:
Psalm 63:1-8
Psalm 16:2-11
Colossians 4:2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the inspiring call to give God our best work, no matter where we find ourselves. Life can often feel overwhelming, with distractions and demands pulling us in every direction. But what does it truly mean to offer our best to God? We'll explore biblical teachings and practical insights that encourage us to approach our tasks with excellence and intention. Through stories of individuals who transformed their work into acts of worship, we’ll discover how dedicating our efforts to God not only glorifies Him but also brings fulfillment and purpose to our lives. Join us as we challenge each other to strive for excellence and remember that our work is an extension of our faith.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! In what ways have you dedicated your work to God? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How has giving your best work changed your perspective on your daily tasks?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Give God Your Best Work
By: Whitney Hopler
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24, NIV
The Strasbourg Cathedral in France stands as a monument that shows devotion to God from many people over many years. Construction of this architectural masterpiece began in 1015, and wasn’t completed until 1439 – more than 400 years later. Generations of people gave their best work to build an awe-inspiring place of worship that honored God, knowing they would never live to see the finished cathedral themselves. One striking feature is the Pillar of Angels – a massive pillar built in the 1200s that supports the cathedral’s ceiling and features many angels carved into its stone sides. Right across from the Pillar of Angels, stonemasons carved a man with a watchful expression on his face as he looks at the pillar. The story goes that the man was carved to keep watching the pillar over the years, to make sure that it doesn’t fall. The masons did such excellent work building the pillar that the man is still watching it more than 800 years later. The people who worked on the cathedral gave their best – not for their own fame, but to glorify God. They gave God their best work, as an offering to the Lord.
In our world today, it’s easy to lose sight of why we work hard. Too often, our efforts are driven only by a desire for money or personal recognition. But God invites us to see our work differently. No matter what kind of work we do from day to day, our work is meant to be part of our worship. As Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us, God wants our best work, given wholeheartedly.
Your own work matters to God – even when it may seem insignificant or routine to you – because you’re an important part of the greater work God is doing in the world. When you give God your best work, you’re honoring God and participating in something good that has eternal value.
Working with all your heart means to put your best efforts into what you do, because you’re working for God, and God is watching. You don’t need to be perfect; you only have to do the best you can with the resources and abilities God has given you. Jesus himself modeled this during his earthly life. As a carpenter, Jesus worked with his hands, likely making things like tables, chairs, or construction beams with care and precision. As a teacher and healer doing ministry work, Jesus worked hard to give his best, as well.
One of the hardest parts of working “for the Lord” is letting go of the need for immediate results or recognition. Not every task will have a visible impact. Some efforts may go unnoticed by other people. But just as the workers of Strasbourg Cathedral trusted that their personal contributions were part of a greater masterpiece, you can trust God to bring beauty out of your work in the best timing.
God can use your faithfulness in ways you can’t imagine now. The attention you give to a mundane task can inspire someone else to do the same and ultimately lead to great goals being accomplished over time. The care you pour into raising your children can ripple through future generations. The creative project you work on with dedication can improve many people’s lives when it’s ready. Nothing done for God is ever wasted.
So, while you work, remember that you are really serving Christ, not human masters. This truth frees you from striving to please people or worry about temporary goals. Your inheritance is not a paycheck or a promotion – it’s the eternal joy of knowing you’re pleasing God and that God will bring good results out of your work.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how it’s important to give God your best work, reflect on these questions:
- How can you change your perspective to see your daily work as an act of worship?
- What does it mean to “work with all your heart” in the specific types of work you do?
- Are there areas of your work where you’ve been tempted to hold back instead of giving your best? How can you change that?
- How does trusting God with the results of your work bring you peace?
Further Reading
Ephesians 6:7
1 Corinthians 10:31
Proverbs 16:3
Matthew 5:16
Galatians 6:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we embark on an inspiring journey titled "The Yes Trip." We’ll explore the transformative power of saying "yes" to God’s calling and the adventures that await when we step out in faith. Life is full of opportunities that challenge us to trust God and embrace new experiences, and saying yes can lead to unexpected blessings and growth. Through biblical stories and personal reflections, we’ll discuss how obedience and openness can shape our lives and deepen our relationship with God. Join us as we encourage one another to take bold steps and respond to His invitations with a heart full of trust.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! Have you ever said yes to God in a way that changed your life? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How has embracing God’s calling led you on your own unique journey?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
The Yes Trip: How Saying Yes to God Can Result in Unexpected Blessings
By Megan Conner
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isa. 6:8 (NIV)
Have you ever heard of the concept of a “Yes Trip?” It is a trip or vacation you decide to take where every time you ask a question the response is automatically - yes. “Oh, look! There’s a sign for the world’s biggest pie, should we stop there and check it out?” YES! “Scenic route available. Should we take it?” YES! “Should we splurge on the hotel with a view?” YES! And the list goes on and on.
My husband and I tried this over ten years ago when we were not able to plan anything special for our anniversary due to work and other obligations. It ended up being one of, if not possibly, the best anniversary we have ever celebrated. We literally tossed a coin when we got into the car to determine if we would drive north or south, then said yes to every other question that arose during our journey. Including a random rest stop which sold “Turkish Delight,” the famous treat in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe from the Chronicles of Narnia series written by C.S. Lewis. “Should we try Turkish Delight?” YES! If there was one question that might have deserved a no, it was that one… How in the world was this the dessert that Edmund sold out for with the White Witch? Apologies to anyone who loves Turkish Delight…
What made this this trip so special was not just the spontaneity, but all of the unexpected experiences and memories made that would never have happened otherwise. If we had planned out an itinerary, which is traditionally my preferred way to travel, we would have missed out on moments we still treasure over a decade later.
What would it look like if we applied this same practice to our walk with the Lord? Some of the most poignant and significant stories in the Bible stem from those who said yes to God with little to no understanding of what they were agreeing to. Mary said yes when asked if she was willing to divinely conceive and carry the Son of God. Abraham agreed to leave everything and relocate his family to an unknown land. Peter, Andrew, James, and John all left their boats and livelihoods to follow Jesus without any idea of what was ahead or how they would continue to provide for their lives. Moses said yes to God when asked to travel back to Egypt, confront Pharoah, and free his enslaved people. Noah built an ark when no one had ever heard of rain falling from the sky.
Each of these believers chose to say yes to God, without reservation. Look at the impact their choices have had on generations of people. Millions have learned of the love of God because of their willingness to say a three-letter word – yes. What if, instead of attempting to outline our own destinies, we viewed our lives as a journey, even further, an adventure?
We are taking a trip from the temporal to the eternal. We know our final destination but we do not know the roads that we will take to get there. Instead of incessantly worrying, planning, and stressing over every detail, what if we shifted our perspective and decided this life will be our “Yes Trip,” with the Lord? If all of the followers listed above made such a significant impact for the kingdom with a simple yes, what could God do in and through you? If it is anything like my special anniversary so many years ago, I can imagine you will be blessed beyond imagination.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does the idea of viewing our Christian walk as a “Yes Trip” change your perspective on unplanned or maybe even unwanted circumstances in your life? Do you consider yourself more of a planner or are you naturally spontaneous? Either way, how can you step out with blind faith and follow without any assurances of the outcomes ahead? Are there things you sense God has been leading you to that you have been unwilling to surrender and agree to step out in faith? Take some time today to look through the recommended readings and allow the faith demonstrated by those who have gone before us to encourage you.
Further Reading:
Isa. 6:1-8
Ex. 3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we tackle the challenging moments when prayer feels difficult and you’re tempted to give up. Life can throw daunting obstacles our way, and it’s not uncommon to feel discouraged in our conversations with God. We’ll discuss the importance of persistence in prayer and how Scripture encourages us to keep seeking, asking, and knocking, even when the answers seem far away. Through inspiring biblical examples and personal testimonies, we’ll explore how to reignite our faith and trust in God’s timing. Join us as we remind one another that prayer is a powerful tool, and even in our weariness, God is listening and working on our behalf.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! Have you ever felt like giving up in prayer? How did you find the strength to keep going? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What practices have helped you stay committed to prayer during tough times?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
When You Feel Like Giving Up In Prayer
By Lynette Kittle
“Pray continually”--1 Thessalonians 5:17
Have you ever faced a situation that looked hopeless, like things just weren’t going to change or work out, yet against all the odds you kept praying? Despite the critics and obstacles faced, did you believe the impossible to happen?
Let’s face it, it’s easy to get tired, weary, and worn out praying for the same situation and people to change, to keep praying past discouragement, hopelessness, and the reality of what is happening. Most of us have heard the stories of people praying the same prayers over decades.
It’s true, though, that Galatians 6:9 encourages us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
As well, the enemy of our soul is at work to telling us that our prayers are misdirected and powerless and to convince us to stop praying altogether.
But the truth is, more so than most of us, He knows our prayers move the heart of God to accomplish His will on earth. He knows our prayers are powerful and is why he goes to great lengths to thwart them by tripping us up and urging us to believe they are to no avail.
Keep Praying
Still, 1 Corinthians 13:8 reminds us that “love never fails,” and following is a true story of just that, a real-life example of not giving up and reaping a harvest.
In hearing of a dear friend’s daughter and son-in-law separating, God put it on our family’s hearts to pray a simple prayer for them. “Dear God, please don’t let them get divorced.”
It’s not that we discussed how to pray or what to say; it just came out of our mouths in a passionate, heartfelt way and continued to be our prayer for over a decade.
While our friend was still living, we would hear periodical updates, which at the time didn’t sound promising, yet we kept praying our simple prayer. For over a decade, we continued praying, not knowing what was happening in their marriage.
Although somewhat separated from the situation after the passing of our friend, we kept praying for her daughter’s marriage, even though we didn’t have any updated, inside information of what was happening in their lives, which, looking back, worked to help keep us from backing down on our prayer.
Love Takes Time
Not until over a decade later, through listening to an online interview with her husband, did we finally discover what had taken place all those years we were praying.
As he told the listeners, for almost 12 years they were separated, during which time he was dating, she was not. During all those years, they didn’t divorce. For most of the time, they talked every day and remained best friends until the end of their separation, where they were at odds and not speaking.
Then one day out in public, just like in a movie, he pulled up beside her car in his SUV, not realizing it was her, seeing her through her vehicle’s sunroof—this gorgeous girl talking so animatedly and endearingly.
Seeing her that moment in a new light, his heart was moved by her beauty, and he realized it was her, and the rest is history. They began dating again and are now reunited as a couple, as a family, spared from divorce.
Jesus Is the Light of the World
In John 12:46, Jesus explained that “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should stay in darkness.”
In hearing our friend’s story, my heart leaped, knowing the new light he saw his wife in came from God, answering our over decade of prayer.
If you’re praying for someone and not seeing progress, don’t give up. Keep praying. God is at work in their hearts, and it often takes time.
Not that we’re taking credit for their marriage being saved; that belongs to God. But we believe God moved us to pray for them in the way we did. We also believe He listened, heard our prayers, and answered us.
Psalm 66:19 assures us, “But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.”
Would they still be married if we hadn’t prayed that prayer? In our hearts, we believe God urged us to pray for His will to be done in their situation, and we believe it was.
Intersecting Faith & Life: Are there prayers God has put on your heart years ago? If so, have you felt discouraged and tempted to give up? If so, ask God to renew you and strengthen you to keep praying.
Further Reading: How to Hang on in Prayer; How to Push through the Weariness of Prayer
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/how-to-hang-on-in-prayer-the-crosswalk-devotional.html
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/how-to-push-through-the-weariness-of-prayer-the-crosswalk-devotional.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the profound impact that what we hear has on our thoughts and beliefs. Our minds are shaped by the messages we absorb, and it’s crucial to fill them with truth and wisdom. We’ll discuss how Scripture encourages us to be discerning about the voices we listen to, emphasizing the importance of grounding our thoughts in God’s Word. Through biblical insights and personal experiences, we’ll uncover the transformative power of hearing God’s promises and how they can inspire a renewed mindset. Join us as we encourage one another to cultivate a sound and hopeful perspective rooted in faith.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! In what ways have you noticed the influence of what you hear on your thinking? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How has tuning into God's voice helped you reshape your thoughts and beliefs?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Hearing Births your Thinking
By Kelly Balarie
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” – 2 Timothy 3:2-5 NIV
I opened Facebook on my phone...and, there it is – front and center -- a juicy, salacious problem that a woman in my town was facing...
It reads something like this: “I found out my daughter’s best friend has been gossiping about my daughter behind her back. She wrote horrible things about me and my daughter on social media. I am best friends with this girl’s mom and have talked to her various times about her gossiping daughter. The mom doesn’t seem to care. What do I do?”
Below the post follow hundreds of comments... Comments filled with accusations, comments that blame the moms, comments that offer advice of every variety, comments that include an infinite number of ways to retaliate.
I scroll through it all…
Worldly advice, ungodly comments, and attack statements fill my eyes. I scroll and scroll and scroll…People say things like… Who raises a girl like this?!
Why didn’t that mom…? She should take that girl and…
Later in the day, another post from that group page pops up. I can’t help but think, What’s happening now?
There are a variety of posts…
A mom is furious because a teacher is saying her preschooler hits.
A lady is offended that her neighbor wants the truth about Santa kept hidden. She is upset that this woman wants to restrict what her own kids can or cannot say.
A business lady knows she’s getting ripped off because she’s not getting the same pay as a co-worker.
These posts – and the thought processes of a million other offended people fill my mind.
For some reason, this has become a daily routine: After time with God and getting the kids ready, I check Facebook group pages.
Yet, this morning, as I headed down the stairs after waking, a question occurred to me: Is filling my mind with these posts and the world’s comments good for me?
The truth is, if I fill my mind with hate, I train my mind to think thoughts of hate, and, because I think thoughts of hate – I will act out with hate. If I fill my mind with offense, I will feel offended and react with offense. If I conform to the thoughts of Facebook, my mind will be transformed to think like the world.
Is this God’s heart for me?
How I think and the actions I take are largely fed by what my eyes read and what my ears hear.
Even more, scripture talks about how people will be at the end days.
It says, “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3:2-5 NIV)
To read worldly comments is to fill my mind with worldly mentalities, that are often contrary to God. Reading fosters thinking which forms our actions and reactions.
In this, what if I was to replace the words of man with the Word of God? What if I allocated the time I spent on those social media pages with time in prayer, time memorizing bible verses or time thanking God for what He has done for me?
How powerful might that be in my life? How might my mind think in ways that are less offended, less judgmental, less annoyed – and more like Christ?
It is hard to be transformed when we are renewing our mind in the ways of the world, but it is easy to be transformed when we renew our mind in godly ways.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Is there anything you are seeing or hearing that isn’t benefiting you? Is there anything that is filling you with the world? What would it look like for you to exchange that thing for a new godly habit? How can you make room to read the Word of God more? How might you pray or praise instead?
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the beautiful promise that God's goodness and love will follow us all the days of our lives. In a world often filled with challenges and trials, it’s easy to overlook the relentless pursuit of God’s grace. We’ll discuss how recognizing His goodness in our daily lives can transform our perspective and strengthen our faith. Through inspiring biblical narratives and heartfelt personal stories, we’ll explore practical ways to acknowledge and embrace the love that God extends to us, no matter where we find ourselves. Join us as we remind one another that His goodness is not just a fleeting moment, but a constant companion on our journey.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! In what ways have you experienced God's goodness and love following you in your life? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How has recognizing His presence changed your perspective during difficult times?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Goodness and Love Will Follow You
By: Whitney Hopler
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” – Psalm 23:6, NIV
As the calendar turns to January, new beginnings and fresh opportunities come to mind. It’s a natural time to look forward to the year ahead. Yet the uncertainty of what lies ahead can also tempt you to worry. What will this year hold? How will your challenges be met? Will blessings outweigh the burdens?
While you wrestle with questions like those, Psalm 23:6 says something powerfully reassuring: God’s goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life.
Psalm 23 uses the imagery of a shepherd and his sheep to describe God’s care. Just as a shepherd faithfully leads his flock, God’s loving presence is a constant reality in your life. The word “follow” in this verse has the sense of pursuit. God seeks you out, day after day. God isn’t distant or passive; he intentionally and actively pursues you with goodness and love.
The truth of this verse becomes even more profound when you choose to look for the evidence of God’s goodness and love around you. While God’s work in your life is constant, your awareness of it often depends on your focus. When you intentionally look for the wonder of God’s work in your life each day, you will begin to notice God’s care in both small and significant ways, such as:
- In the beauty of a sunrise that reminds you of God’s creativity.
- In the kind words of a friend that reflect God’s love.
- In the strength God gives you in a difficult situation.
- In the unexpected blessings that seem to arrive at just the right time.
The more you open your heart and mind to see the wonder of God’s work in your daily life, the more you will recognize God’s faithfulness.
Every day God gives you is a precious gift – a new opportunity to experience God’s goodness, share God’s love, and walk in God’s purposes. It can be easy to take the ordinary moments of life for granted, but each sunrise is a reminder of God’s sustaining grace, and every breath you take is evidence of God’s mercy.
You can embrace each day fully, even in difficult circumstances. When life feels overwhelming, take a break to slow down and turn your attention to the simple yet significant gift of being alive. Ask God to show you the wonder of his work in your daily life, and intentionally look for it. A moment of peace, an act of kindness, or the ability to experience the beauty of nature can all remind you that every day is a gift from God to you. Even the most challenging days of your life are still valuable gifts that God has given you – and God is right there with you, ready to help you deal with your challenges. The more you reach out to God, the more you can notice God’s presence with you in every day and in every moment.
The second part of Psalm 23:6 shifts your focus beyond temporary earthly concerns to eternity in heaven: “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” This promise reminds you that God’s goodness and love are not limited to your earthly life; they will also be available to you in heaven. This eternal perspective can give you the strength to face each day with confidence. No matter what happens in the coming year, you will be fine, because you have access to God’s goodness and love anytime and anywhere.
So, as you move forward into the new year, let the assurance of God’s goodness and love following you every day shape the way you live. Expect the best from your loving Heavenly Father during all the days of your life!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how you can count on God’s goodness and love every day, reflect on these questions:
- In what ways have you seen God’s goodness and love in your life over the past year?
- How does the promise of Psalm 23:6 bring you hope and confidence as you enter the new year?
- What practical steps can you take to recognize and celebrate God’s goodness and love each day?
- How does the assurance of dwelling in the house of the LORD forever encourage you now in your earthly life?
- What challenges or uncertainties can you surrender to God to trust him more deeply in this new year?
Further Reading
Lamentations 3:22–23
Romans 8:28
John 10:27–28
Isaiah 41:10
Hebrews 13:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the reassuring truth that we can find security even when life feels like shifting sand. In a world filled with uncertainty and change, it’s easy to feel unstable. We’ll discuss how our faith in Christ provides a firm foundation, no matter the circumstances around us. Through biblical examples and personal testimonies, we’ll discover how to anchor ourselves in God’s promises and navigate life’s challenges with confidence. Join us as we encourage one another to stand strong, reminding ourselves that our true security is found in Him.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! In what ways have you found security in God during uncertain times? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How has your faith helped you navigate the shifting sands of life?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Secure in Shifting Sand
By Megan Conner
“For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done.”
Isa. 46:9-10 (NKJV)
Anyone else feel like the only thing certain in this world is the uncertainty of change? Every time you think your feet are firmly planted with expectations and plans solidified; you suddenly find yourself in shifting sand. It can be frustrating and downright exhausting to lose what appeared to be firm footing and, once again, trudge through the unknown. Especially in today’s unpredictable and constantly evolving world, we wonder… is there no solid assurance we can cling to? Where is the predictability? Where is the security?
I don’t know about you, but I long for predictability and security – like, all the time. If I could have it my way, very little would change. It’s not that I am completely opposed to the new and the next, progress has brought much good in my own life and in our world. The issue is… change equals the unknown. And there is no guarantee of “safety” in the unknown. Perhaps change and uncertainty are challenging for you as well. Even if you are more naturally adventurous, navigating a shift can still be difficult, especially if it feels like you are walking onward without a roadmap.
So much of what we hear or read today challenges our ability to believe wholeheartedly in the concept of absolute truth. Ideas and doctrines swirl around inciting doubt and mistrust of the One constant that remains immutable in the midst of all of the temporal. At times we can feel like we are stumbling through the darkness with arms outstretched grasping for light and direction. On what can we truly depend?
While the winds of change may blow, we can remain tethered to our unchanging, eternal God. He is “the Alpha and the Omega (the beginning and the end)… who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty,” (Rev. 1:8, NIV). He “is the same yesterday and today and forever,” (Heb. 13:8, NIV). No matter what goes on in our lives or in this world, he does not change. Period. He is not a man that he should lie. He does not change his mind (Num. 23:19). He, and he alone, is God. Though confusion in our world threatens to tear down any sense of certainty, we can trust that truth will prevail; truth that is outlined for us in the Word of God. Through this text, we believe not only in words written on a page, but in he who penned them.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5, NIV.
There is nothing in all of creation that was made without him. He is our beacon of light that shines through the shadows. He has been here since the beginning and he will be here through the end. From ancient times to things yet to come, he will forever remain our unchanging God. With this assurance, I pray you can know that while uncertainty and change will remain this side of heaven, there is One who will never change. He is our firm foundation. He sees you. He cares for you. You can be secure in shifting sand.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you ever find yourself struggling through unexpected changes or shifting sand? When you feel lost and confused, where do you go for clarity and understanding? After reading today’s devotional, can you see how often our God reveals his character to us? Why do you think there are so many statements about God’s nature and attributes in the Bible? What is he trying to tell us? How does understanding his promise to remain unchanging, grant you assurance of his faithfulness in this life? Take some time today to write down a few scriptures that declare the truth of who God is so when unexpected transitions occur, or doubts arise, you can remember he is your firm foundation.
Further Reading:
John 1:1-18
Rev. 1:4-8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we discuss the importance of using the unique gifts God has given each of us. Whether it’s a talent, a skill, or a passion, every gift has a purpose in building up the body of Christ and serving others. We’ll explore biblical examples of faithful stewardship, the joy of serving, and how to identify and cultivate your gifts. Join us as we encourage one another to embrace our individual contributions, making a meaningful impact in our communities and beyond.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! What gifts have you discovered in your life, and how are you using them for God’s glory? Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What challenges have you faced in using your gifts?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Standing in Faith When War Is All Around Us
(723 words)
By Lynette Kittle
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand”—Ephesians 6:13
Amidst a wartime backdrop, I began reading Facebook posts written by a Ukrainian pastor’s wife, mother, writer, and fellow believer in Jesus Christ.
Connected through mutual friends, her personal stories moved my heart, as I related to her asking God to watch over and protect her family from the advancing, brutal, invading enemy.
Even though we’re not living in a physical war zone as she is, all of us are born into a spiritual battlefield, where we’re called to keep alert and on guard of a destructive invading enemy, one who wants to rob us of our homes and kill all that is precious to us, where day in and day out, we face ongoing battles of good versus evil.
1 Peter 5:8 urges, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Likewise Jesus in John 10:10 warned, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Identifying the Enemy
Although it seems at times our enemies are in human flesh and blood, Ephesians 6:12 describes who we’re really at war with in this world. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Whereas we can usually see worldly enemies physically approaching us, spiritual enemies aren’t so easy for most of us to identify. One rare glimpse of the spiritual battles taking place in the heavenlies comes from Daniel while he was struggling to understand why God hadn’t answered his prayers yet.
He received a heavenly visitor who described to him what was causing the delay, “But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia” (Daniel 10:13).
Gathering Up Our Spiritual Weapons
Likewise, whereas physical weapons destroy and deconstruct things seen, our spiritual weapons demolish things unseen. As 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 explains:
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.”
Suiting Up for Standing Firm
As Ephesians 6:10 encourages us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
Like soldiers put on helmets, bullet proof vests, and combat boots, God hands us armor to wear for facing spiritual battles on earth. As Ephesians 6:11 describes.”Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
But it’s up to us to put it on, as Ephesians 6:14-17 goes onto describe what this armor consists of how we should wear it.“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
As well, the Apostle Paul urges, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).
Intersecting Faith & Life: Has it felt like life is knocking you down? If so, ask God to help you back up, stay alert, and suit up with His full armor so that you’re able to stand firm for Him.
Further Reading: Facing Earthly Struggles
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/facing-earthly-struggles-the-crosswalk-devotional.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we tackle the powerful question: “But did you die?” This thought-provoking phrase challenges us to consider the depth of our commitment to following Christ and what it means to live a life fully surrendered to Him. We’ll explore the biblical concept of dying to self, the call to embrace our identity in Christ, and the transformative impact of putting our old selves aside. Join us as we reflect on the joy and freedom found in a life that prioritizes Christ above all else, encouraging one another to fully embrace our new life in Him.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! How have you experienced the call to die to self in your own life? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What challenges have you faced in living out this commitment?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
But Did you Die?
By Kelly Balarie
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
On the way to the grocery store, I instructed the Lord that I really needed Him to speak to me. I needed Him to speak to me about why things have been so hard and on what to do…
Franky, it’s been a beyond-hard season. I wasn’t trying to be demanding of the Lord, but I’d gone through such a deep “stripping back”, now I was calling out. Asking Him to speak to me was one way I was doing this. The other ways, tended to be griping and complaining so I figured this was a better avenue than those. Truth is, I am still working my faith out, with fear on some days and trembling on others. It’s not always easy.
Anyway, I asked this small request of God, and hoped He would come through. In the meantime, I went into the grocery store, maneuvered around other aisle-abandoned carts down the vegetable lane, got my goods and headed back to my car. As I carted my goods towards the white vehicle, though, I spotted a bumper sticker.
It said, “But did you die?”
Frankly, the sticker felt a little unempathetic, in-my-face, and kind of rude, but, still, I felt it tugging on my heart.
Everything has gone wrong. But did you die?
People are not agreeing with me. But did you die?
Everything is not going my way. But did you die?
I’m not catching a break. But did you die?
I have done so much wrong. But did you die?
Those people aren’t acting how I want them to. But did you die?
The question, “But did you die” highlighted the fact that I am alive and that there is still room for thanks.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18)
Wow. I didn’t die. I am not dying. God kept me alive. I am at a grocery store buying food. I have food. Thank you, God. There is good in all this. Thank you, God. I rejoice in your safe keeping. I am thankful for the groceries going in my cart. I am alive! I rejoice because I may not have all the answers, or all that I think I need, but you have all that and you are keeping my life. Thank you,God.
It is not as much about me knowing everything as much as it is about me trusting God in everything, giving thanks, and doing His will. Eve, in the garden, thought she needed to know everything, and learned the knowledge of good and evil, and how did that work out for her?
We don’t always have to know -- to rejoice. We don’t have to have it be the best day – to pray. We don’t have to see everything go our way -- to praise. God’s will is not dependent on our circumstances, but if we do God’s will, I believe, it will work right into our circumstances.
God’s will is simple and it works.
God’s will is that we rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. We can do this! This is solid direction for the searching.
What is getting us down today? But did we die? For that, we can give thanks. There is always good reason to thank the Lord. He gives us, even, our beating heart – and He sustains our life. All of this is a reminder: God is constantly faithful.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How might your praise change the face of the prison you find yourself in? What might it do to you emotionally to start thanking God for the small grain of goodness you see in your life? What can you give thanks for today? What might you need to pray about? What praise can you offer to the One who loves you and who has good plans for you?
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on the profound truth that Jesus is the one who holds all things together. In a world often filled with chaos and uncertainty, it’s comforting to know that Christ is our anchor and source of stability. We’ll explore scriptural insights that highlight His sovereignty, the importance of relying on Him in every aspect of our lives, and how His presence can bring peace amidst turmoil. Join us as we discuss the ways Jesus binds our lives, relationships, and purpose together, encouraging one another to trust in His steadfast love.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! In what areas of your life have you experienced Jesus holding things together for you? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How has your faith in Him provided stability during challenging times?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Jesus Holds All Things Together
By: Whitney Hopler
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” – Colossians 1:15-17, NIV
In one of the world’s great cathedrals – Strasbourg Cathedral in France – a famous astronomical clock not only tells the time but also points toward eternity. Towering over observers, this masterpiece of engineering features complex mechanical components that constantly calculate the current positions of the Earth, the sun, the moon, and various stars and other planets. The clock also features figures that represent each of Jesus’ 12 apostles. Every day at solar noon, these figures move with graceful precision in a procession before a central image of Jesus, bowing before Jesus in reverence. They are choreographed to give thanks for the gift of creation and acknowledge how it all belongs to Jesus, who holds all things together.
Just as Jesus orders the cycles of time, he sustains the cosmos in ways that go beyond our limited understanding. Colossians 1:15-17 calls us to recognize Jesus’ central place in creation and in our lives.
Let’s break down this passage:
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (verse. 15): In Jesus, the “invisible” God is made visible to us. Jesus is God incarnate, making the unknowable known in a way we can see and understand. When we look at Jesus, we see God’s character, mercy, love, and power.
“For in him all things were created” (verse 16): This part of the passage reveals Jesus as the Creator, not just of visible things – like oceans, mountains, and galaxies – but of the unseen world as well: all of the forces that work behind the scenes, such as angels.
“All things have been created through him and for him” (verse 16): The purpose of creation is bound up in Jesus. Every part of our world reflects a part of Jesus’ glory and design. The stars in the sky, the atoms that make up our bodies, the seasons that cycle through in nature, and much more were created with Jesus in mind. They are “for him,” meaning that they are part of Jesus’ purpose.
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (verse 17): Here, the Bible paints a picture of Jesus not only as the Creator but as the Sustainer. Jesus doesn’t just set the world in motion from a distance and then walk away. Instead, Jesus is closely involved with all creation, holding everything together – right now, in this moment. Jesus’ presence and power keep the stars in place and keep our hearts beating. Jesus holds the entire universe, down to the smallest detail.
Jesus’ birth is the point at which eternity entered time, and the Creator came to dwell among creation. This same Jesus – God incarnate, who lived among us – is the One who sustains us today and every day.
Since Jesus is the One who holds all things together, we can turn to Jesus to hold the pieces of our lives that sometimes feel chaotic. In this fallen world, we experience many challenges and uncertainties that cause us stress. But this Bible passage assures us that Jesus is holding every part of our lives together.
Just as the figures on the Strasbourg astronomical clock bow to acknowledge Jesus’ sovereignty over time and creation, we can bow before Jesus ourselves. We can overcome anxiety when we remember that Jesus has the ultimate loving control over our days, our struggles, and our loved ones. When things feel chaotic or stressful, we can trust that Jesus holds us in his hands, guiding and sustaining us even in ways we can’t see.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how all things hold together in Jesus, reflect on these questions:
- How does viewing Jesus as both the Creator and Sustainer of the universe change your perspective on your daily challenges?
- In what areas of your life do you most need Jesus to “hold things together” right now?
- What steps can you take to discover more of the wonder of Jesus’ work in your life day by day?
- When you think about Jesus as the image of the invisible God, what qualities of God become clearer to you?
Further Reading
John 1:1-3
Hebrews 1:3
Ephesians 1:10
Romans 11:36
Revelation 4:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you ever feel tempted to compare the way you live out your faith to the way others are living out theirs? How do we battle this temptation to comparison? In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the concept of a simple call and how it can transform our lives and the lives of those around us. Each of us receives unique prompts from God, inviting us to step into our purpose and serve others. We’ll discuss how these calls may manifest in our daily lives, the significance of responding to them, and the impact they can have on our faith journey. Join us as we share inspiring stories and biblical insights that encourage us to answer the call, no matter how simple it may seem.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! What simple call have you answered in your life, and how has it shaped your faith? Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What challenges have you faced in responding to God’s call?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
A Simple Call
By Megan Conner
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thes. 5:16-19 (ESV)
Does walking out this Christian faith ever feel overwhelming, possibly even daunting? In today’s communication-overload culture it is easy to feel like you need to read it all, listen or watch it all, do it all, and be it all. Countless books, podcasts, Bible studies, and recorded speakers and preachers offer you guidance on how to pray, how to study the Bible, and how best to connect with God and others. These are all worthy and beautiful efforts to encourage us in the faith and to fulfill the great commission of spreading the gospel to our world. Yet at times, the abundance of ALL the choices attempting to direct us in the best way to live out our faith, can actually prompt comparison and confusion.
Perhaps you find yourself measuring what others are doing, reading, or studying and then you doubt your own choices and contributions. Questions inevitably arise and you may start asking yourself if you need to reevaluate and revamp. Maybe I should switch up my Bible study reading plan? That new devotional comes out next month and everyone else is reading it, maybe I should change out the one I previously felt led to read? Everyone is listening to this trending podcast series. I’m already struggling to keep up with the five others I subscribe to, but perhaps I should add just this one more? I noticed others started serving with a local ministry. Should I volunteer as well even though my plate already feels overly full?
Sound familiar? If so, it does for me as well. I am personally connected to all these same resources not only as a consumer, but also a creator, and even I can feel exhausted by the sheer effort of it all. Combing through one resource after another trying to figure out “the perfect option;” that one singular tool or form of service that is guaranteed to deepen my relationship with the Lord, can be baffling to say the least. One of the reasons all this effort stirs up so much unrest in our souls is because in many ways, we are overcomplicating what God intended. Sometimes less really can be more. There is a simplicity in our faith if we quiet our hearts and minds enough to recall the clear exhortations and instructions outlined for us in the Word of God.
The primary focus of our faith is shared by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 22. It is here that we are reminded of the greatest commandment: to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. Sounds simple enough, right? But it is the HOW that can actually cause us to get bound up with the need to do it all and be it all. How do we actively and practically love God daily?
When the apostle Paul concludes his first letter to the Thessalonians, he leaves them with a summarized exhortation of how they are to live out their faith. He offers a short instruction on how to interact with others in the body of Christ and then wraps up the entire missive with a concise directive:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thes. 5:16-19 (ESV)
We can connect with our Heavenly Father through three simple steps: rejoice, pray, and give thanks. It really is that straightforward. Regardless of where you find yourself today, there is a simple call to grow in relationship with the Lord. Whether you are facing hardship or are filled with peace, you have a reason to give thanks and rejoice. For our God is good and his steadfast love endures forever (Ps. 136:1). As we follow this daily practice of praying, rejoicing, and offering thanks, we can grow in our faith and deepen our bond with our Creator. It really can be that simple.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by comparison and confusion? Has the Christian faith felt overly complicated to you? If so, how does understanding this simple call change your perspective? Do you feel pressure to live up to expectations put on you by others or that you have put on yourself? How can you quiet those external and internal voices and focus on the daily practice of praying, rejoicing, and offering thanks?
Take some time today and pray. Ask the Lord if there are any commitments in your life that have gone beyond what he is asking of you in this season. If so, ask the Lord to show you how you can practically simplify your walk with him.
Further Reading:
Ps. 136
1 Thes. 5:12-28
Matt. 22:34-40
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we address the common struggle of seeking answers when life’s challenges leave us questioning God’s plan. We’ve all had moments when we want to understand the “why” behind our circumstances. Together, we’ll explore biblical perspectives on doubt, the importance of trusting God even when we don’t have clarity, and how to find peace amidst uncertainty. Join us as we share stories of faith, encourage each other in our questions, and discover the transformative power of surrendering our need for answers to God.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! What questions have you brought to God in your life, and how have you found peace in the unknown? Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What challenges have you faced in trusting God without having all the answers?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
When You Want to Know Why
By: Alexis A. Goring
“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud.”
—Job 23:2 NLT
Have you ever considered that knowing God is better than knowing the answers to your questions?
There have been situations in my life where I asked God why He let something bad and hurtful happen to me. I also wanted to know why He allows so much pain and suffering in this world. I was growing discouraged by this oppressive pain until one day, God answered me through the lyrics of the Christian song by Crystal Lewis titled “Why.”
The opening lyrics state that Lewis is experiencing overwhelming thoughts and deep pain that is causing her mental distress. She desires understanding and peace, so she asks God, “Why?”
The song continues with Lewis expressing a bitter complaint then receiving a sweet reply from the Lord. After those brief encouraging words from God, Lewis tells Him that she still has lingering questions. However, in the midst of her heart wrenching pain, Lewis acknowledges that God’s ways are not humankind’s ways of life (Isaiah 55:8-9). She knows that no matter what happens, God loves her and cares for all humankind. Therefore, she chooses to rest in God and trust that His promises found in The Bible are true.
By the end of her song, Lewis chooses to trust God and allow His strength to carry her through tough times. She realizes that knowing God is better than knowing why. Her message rings true today as it did also before we were born. Let’s look at a relatable story in the Bible that illustrates this lesson point.
There is a story in the Bible about a wealthy man named Job who feared God and led a blessed life with his wife and children. The Bible says that one time, Satan told God that Job only serves Him because He has blessed Job so abundantly and put a holy hedge of protection around him. Satan challenged God saying that if Job wasn’t so blessed and protected then he would stop being faithful to God (Job 1:8-11). It was then that God gave the devil permission to wreak havoc in Job’s life with one exception: He could not kill Job.
Satan took that permission slip and ran with it, bringing intense calamity in Job’s life. Within one day, all of Job’s children were killed while they were gathered together for a family feast, his sheep and servants died in a fire, his camels were stolen, and a few more disastrous events happened. Hearing all this bad news in rapid succession plunged Job into the pit of despair. The Bible says he tore his robe and shaved his head (Job 1:20). But then he did something remarkable: Job chose to praise the Lord and not charge him with any wrongdoing. Clearly, Job was a very wise man. It takes a lot to praise your way through your pain and keep trusting God when you have every reason to do the opposite. Even Job’s wife, appalled at his response to all that trauma and tragedy, told him to “Curse God and die” (Job 2:9). She told her husband this later in the story when God allowed Satan to attack Job’s health, striking him with painful sores all over his body. His wife couldn’t take it anymore, but Job stayed strong and true to God through it all.
This story ends with God rewarding Job’s faithfulness to Him by restoring his health and giving him double for his trouble. Job had more children and all the wealth in the world. The rest of his life was the best because he did not give up. Job didn’t know what had happened between God and Satan behind the scenes, but he knew our God is good all the time no matter what happens. Clearly, Job knew that knowing God is better than knowing the answer to his questions.
We who are in this modern era can learn from Job’s story in the Bible and be encouraged to respond with full faith in God no matter our dire circumstances. We can choose to praise God through our troubles and trust Him in our trials. But that is the key: We have a choice. God gives us free will. He never forces us to do anything for Him, but He delights in our obedience to Him. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 NIV, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
My prayer for us today is that God enables us to have faith in Him like Job did. May He inspire us to trust Him through our trials and praise Him through our pain. And as we do this, may our faith please God and may we hold onto hope that He is still writing our story and that it has a beautiful ending.
Intersecting Faith and Life: What will you do next time your pain overwhelms you? Will you choose to trust God when you don’t understand why you are in pain?
Further Reading:
Isaiah 41:10
Psalm 55:22
Romans 8:28
Jeremiah 29:11
Isaiah 26:3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we dive deep into the theme of how God uses brokenness as a pathway to renewal and growth. Life’s challenges can leave us feeling shattered, but through those experiences, God often shapes us into stronger, more resilient individuals. We’ll explore biblical stories of transformation through brokenness, the lessons we can learn during tough times, and how to find hope and purpose in our struggles. Join us as we reflect on the beauty of God’s restoration and encourage one another to embrace the journey of being made whole.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! How has brokenness led to growth in your life, and what have you learned through those experiences? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What challenges have you faced in trusting God during difficult times?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
When God Breaks You to Make You
By Kelly Balarie
““And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought…” - 1 Chronicles 28:9
I stopped and stared... This weird tropical plant, with deep hues of green and big circular leaves, seemed to represent me – and where I am in life. It was an odd plant for sure… Why? Because, I noticed, small broken roots at the soil-line. Rather than its roots staying underground, as most plants do -- this one, as it pushed higher and grew taller, its roots broke. I could see a myriad of them shooting all over.That’s odd. I thought roots should stay strong, intact, and underground, so the plant can remain nourished, stable, and secure. Yet this plant was an enigma.
I related to it.
Right now, it seems many of my solid roots are broken. In the new state I find myself in-- the friends I relied on are gone. Ownership of personal possessions I do not really have. Normal schedules have been exchanged for random and unknown patterns during the day. My free time is not the same. Certainty of what’s ahead is not there. Stability seems to be a distant place. Health of family members is rocky. I can’t readily fix these undergirding’s.
My old stabilizing roots are broken.
Has this happened to you? Maybe you used to rely on a relationship, a friendship, a large bank account, your job, your time alone with God, and that has been severed in a way… Maybe you had an old way of thinking that has been completely broken? Maybe the way you thought God works has been uprooted.
What do we do when old stabilizing roots, break?
For me? This plant seemed to be preaching a message: God didn’t make the roots break to kill you, Kelly; God made the roots to grow you up, stronger.
The breaking of the plants roots was to make the plant grow higher. The breaking was to help the plant to trust the roots that were really needed now – for this season. The breaking was about that little plant showing the world – it’s okay for things to change, for old roots to break and for elements to change. Even then, I will still stand tall!
If the plant could speak– it would be talking.
Even though God has broken roots, in my life, by removing friends, comfort zones, normal reliance, schedules, possessions – He is laying deeper roots and growing me up, in Him.
Removal is God’s remaking of a better root system. Removal remakes what, or Who, I put my trust in. Removal lays my heart bare – in the absence of other makers.
“…for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts…” (1 Chron. 28:9)
With everything else removed, I can see what has been “making me”, instead of the Maker Himself. I can see what I was really relying on – and the deep chasms only God can fill.
Sometimes, God allows things to make us; other times God removes those things to mature us. Then, in the gap the unknown, God reminds us – there is only one Maker of Heaven and Earth.
With all else stripped back – we see our loss of strength means we were not getting strength from God, but from other things. And, likewise, a huge opportunity exists for us to know His Almighty strength on new levels. This is exciting. We are about to grow up higher, into Him. We are growing up mature, strong and stable. Most of all, reliant on His deep roots, nothing will shake us and, like that plant, we will testify his glory to others. We will become the subject of other’s stories, just like that little green-hued tropical plant with broken roots.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is being stripped back in your life? Within the confines of that gap, what might He be adding in? What might He desire to do in you? Whether He caused it or not, we can be sure that He is allowing it and that He will use it for good. How can you stop looking what is bad and start praising Him for the small glimmers of good that you see today?
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we discuss the importance of using the unique gifts God has given each of us. Whether it’s a talent, a skill, or a passion, every gift has a purpose in building up the body of Christ and serving others. We’ll explore biblical examples of faithful stewardship, the joy of serving, and how to identify and cultivate your gifts. Join us as we encourage one another to embrace our individual contributions, making a meaningful impact in our communities and beyond.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! What gifts have you discovered in your life, and how are you using them for God’s glory? Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What challenges have you faced in using your gifts?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Use Whatever Gift You Have Received
By: Whitney Hopler
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10, NIV
Complex layers of tastes – from rich chocolate to sweet-tart cherry – mingled in my mouth as I enjoyed a slice of Black Forest Cake in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. Just as I took another bite of that baked masterpiece, I heard a cuckoo clock chime and looked over at an intricately carved wooden clock in the restaurant. A beautiful bird popped out of a door to make its distinctive call, surrounded by other expertly done wood carvings like evergreen trees and squirrels. I said a silent prayer of thanks to God that I could experience these wonderful traditions because people had kept them alive through the years. In Germany, ancient guilds for crafts and trades are still active, setting quality standards and offering apprenticeship training.
The work of these guilds points to an important biblical principle: God calls each of us to fully use the unique gifts we have been given. Just as apprentices in guilds must commit to their training, we are also called to develop and use the abilities God has entrusted to us. Whatever talents we have, they are not meant to be hidden. God wants us to develop our talents and use them as tools for serving others.
God has blessed every one of us with unique talents and abilities. Some are gifted in ways that are visible and celebrated – like speaking, artistic expression, or leadership. Others have quieter gifts, such as compassion, patience, or the ability to listen deeply. Every gift, no matter what it is, reflects God’s grace.
Too often, we fall into the trap of comparison, undervaluing our gifts because they don’t resemble someone else’s. However, the diversity of God’s creation shows us how each gift God gives has a unique and necessary purpose. Just as an apprentice baker must learn the intricacies of dough preparation or a carpenter must understand the details of woodworking, we need to embrace and develop the abilities God has entrusted to us.
The Bible’s words in 1 Peter 4:10 remind us that our gifts are not just for our own personal fulfillment. They are tools for service, and God wants to work through us when we use them to reach others. Imagine apprentices who, after years of training, finally become master bakers. Their purpose is not just to create beautiful pastries or cakes for their own enjoyment but to make special creations for their communities to enjoy. In the same way, we are called to channel our gifts toward others – strengthening, encouraging, and serving in love.
Using our gifts is not about seeking recognition, but about faithfulness to God’s purposes. God entrusts us with talents not for our glory but to bless others and build his kingdom. Whether we’re teaching a child to read, preparing a meal for a friend, or creating art that inspires worship, we are doing something that has eternal value.
Using our gifts faithfully requires intentionality. Like apprentices who spend years refining their crafts, we must also invest time and effort into developing our gifts. This might involve seeking mentors, committing to prayer, or stepping out in faith to try something new. Remember, we don’t have to be perfect. We simply have to be willing to grow and serve.
It’s also important to remain humble, reminding ourselves regularly that our abilities come from God, not from ourselves. The glory belongs to God alone. As we dedicate our gifts to God’s service, he multiplies their impact in ways we could never achieve on our own.
What gift has God placed in your hands? Are you actively nurturing it, or have you set it aside because of fear, busyness, or doubt? Imagine what could happen if you fully embraced the talents God has given you – not for your own gain but to glorify God and serve his people.
Let today be the day you take the next step. Get whatever training you need, ask God for wisdom and courage, and trust that God will use your efforts for good purposes. Like the apprentices in those ancient guilds, you are part of something much larger than yourself. You have important gifts, and the world is waiting for the unique gifts that only you can give!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider the gifts God has given you, reflect on these questions:
- What are some specific gifts you believe God has given you? How have you used them to serve others?
- Think about a time when someone used their gift to bless you. How did their faithfulness encourage or impact you?
- Are there any talents you’ve neglected or underestimated? What steps can you take to develop these gifts?
- What fears or obstacles might be holding you back from fully using your gifts? How can you rely on God’s help to overcome them?
Further Reading
Romans 12:6-8
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Matthew 25:14-30
Colossians 3:23-24
Ephesians 2:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the call to "look for the ancient paths" as we seek guidance and wisdom in our faith journey. Drawing from scripture, we’ll discuss the importance of returning to foundational truths and practices that have shaped believers throughout history. We’ll delve into how these ancient paths can provide direction, peace, and a deeper understanding of God’s character. Join us as we encourage one another to seek out these timeless practices in our modern lives.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts! What ancient paths have you found meaningful in your spiritual walk? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How have these practices enriched your relationship with God?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Look for the Ancient Paths
By Megan Conner
“Thus says the LORD:
‘Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.”
Jer. 6:16 (ESV)
Where should I live? Who should I marry? Should I change careers? Am I making the right choices for my kids? Should I put more effort into a particular friendship? Am I overly committed? Have I said yes to more than I should? Are we prioritizing enough family time or time with others? Should we plan a vacation? Can I justify the cost of these purchases? Is my life meaningful? Am I content?
These questions and more, plague our minds and inundate us with doubts. While some of these queries may appear inconsequential, every choice or action triggers some measure of reaction. Like a small stone tossed into a pond, ripple effects may gain momentum and expand farther than anticipated. In addition to these minor deliberations, there are also times when we encounter a true crossroads. Moments when we are faced with significant decisions that are guaranteed to redirect our lives and, possibly, those around us. Understanding there will always be consequences (either good or bad) connected to our choices, how then do we determine the best path forward when we face decisions, whether modest or vast?
Thankfully, our Good Father offers us guidance through the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit and through biblical truths outlined for us in the Word of God. Through scripture, we are repeatedly reminded of his divine care for us and the plans he has for our time here on earth.
“Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.” Ps. 139:16 (ESV)
Before we were even born, God foresaw every day of our lives from the moment we took our first breath until the unknown day ahead of us when we will breathe our last. He is fully aware of all we will do and be. His plans for us are good (Jer. 29:11). While he is aware of the plans he has for us, we are not always certain which direction to head. However, we have been given a roadmap through scripture. When we are not sure where to turn or what path to take, we can look for the ancient paths.
From Genesis to Revelation, God’s people looked to HIM as the roadmap. The Israelites followed the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13:21). Jesus reminded his followers, “I am the way and the truth and the life,” (John 14:6, NIV). If we long to follow his will and his way, we need only to open our eyes and search for the evidence of God’s design before us. The Bible promises us that his word is a lamp to unto our feet and a light unto our path (Ps. 119:105). It is not our Heavenly Father’s desire to keep us in the dark. If we truly long to follow him and his ways, we can turn to scripture for guidance.
Additionally, if we quiet our minds and soften our hearts, we can also hear the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit guiding and directing us in the way we should go. “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left,” (Isa. 30:21, ESV). If we allow our spirits to surrender to his plans over our own, we can sense the leading of the Lord. I have seen evidence of this in my own life. Perhaps, you have as well. Doors open that you would have never considered, opportunities or provision arise that seem impossible, and most significantly – there is PEACE. Your actions are not forced; your soul does not feel unsettled. When we walk along the paths he has designed for us, there is no angst. There is instead a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7).
The next time you find yourself faced with a decision whether big or small:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.”
Jer. 6:16 (ESV)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you found yourself struggling with decision making? Perhaps, you find yourself at a crossroads. How can you turn to scripture to help shed light on the path you are to take? Have you ever been in a situation where you were able to sense the leading of the Lord through peace or provision from the Holy Spirit? How does that give you confidence that you can step out in faith again in the future? Think about these questions today and how you can apply them for the future.
Further Reading:
Ex. 13:17-22
Phil. 4:6-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the profound calling of being "managers of the mysteries of God." As believers, we are entrusted with the sacred responsibility of sharing and living out the truths of our faith. We’ll explore what it means to steward God’s gifts, the importance of spiritual discernment, and how to remain faithful in our mission. Join us as we discuss practical ways to embrace this calling, encouraging one another to live authentically and boldly in the light of His mysteries.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you approach the responsibility of managing the mysteries of God in your life? Share your thoughts and stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What challenges and joys have you experienced in this journey?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Managers of the Mysteries of God
by Deidre Braley
1 Corinthians 4:1: A person should think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers ofthe mysteries of God.
This morning, as I sat in the darkness of dawn before anyone else arose, the railroad that runs across from our house began to rumble and—though still a way off—I heard a train blow its low, eerie sound, cutting through the black morning like a single loon calling across a midnight lake.
And there in the darkness, in response to that call, I felt a longing emerge. The child in me wanted to run right out in my stocking feet and grab a hold of one of the train’s cold iron sides and allow it to take me in, to whisk me away. I had an almost unbearable urge to surrender to the adventure—and maybe even experience a dose of magic along the way.
But the dog was sitting warm in my lap, and the oven had twelve minutes to go on a dish of baked oatmeal. The children would be up soon, and they’d be wanting their mother; who else could know where their favorite t-shirts would be hiding?
As adults, I fear that so many of us begin to believe that enchantment and adventure are naiveties, luxurious little flippancies that we can no longer afford, given the sobering stack of responsibilities that comes with being a grown-up. We can’t possibly give in to wonder and mystery with so many dishes still in the sink (and so many bills on the counter)!
But belief in the Living God is a supernatural one in itself: for those of us who believe in such miracles as the resurrected Son and a Holy Spirit who inhabits us so we can dwell with God in the shower, or the traffic jam, or that insufferable meeting after work, well—we can fall headlong into adventure and wonder whenever we please.
And we must. Our spirits leap at the prospect of magical fantasy worlds because we were made for them: Eden. Heaven. Zion. We are attuned and attracted to the otherworldly because we catch a whiff of home there. But so many people have grown up and moved on, thinking that these impulses to chase the unknown are childish, silly, and pointless. As followers of Christ, we have the phenomenal opportunity to point others toward eternity, to grab them by their hands and say, “Come, I have something to show you, and it’s nearly too wonderful to believe. It’s better than what you’ve ever dreamed.”
The apostle Paul wrote, “A person should think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1). This is a marvelous job description, and a
delightful one. It should make our inner children perk up their ears and say, “Well, this should be fun!”
Intersecting Faith and Life
Perhaps one of the greatest indicators of our intimacy with Christ is not how well we behave or even how well we can quote Scripture (those these both have value), but rather how attuned we are to the mysteries of God—and how open-handedly we share these with others.
Today, spend a little time getting in touch with your sense of wonder, of delight, of mystery and adventure. It’s not childish—it’s your natural inclination to tilt towards God. A posture of awe allows for us to experience connection with God in more intimate ways, because awe leads to worship.
Then, share that awe with someone else. Invite them into the mystery. Help them indulge their inner desire for something beyond this flesh-and-blood world. What fun and joyful work.
Further Reading
For reading that will inspire you to re-engage with your sense of wonder, I highly recommend these books:
● Recapturing the Wonder: Transcendent Faith in a Disenchanted World by Mike Cosper
● Miracle on 10th St. and Other Christmas Writings by Madeline L’Engle
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we focus on the vital practice of addressing others out of love. Communication is a powerful tool, and how we speak to one another can reflect Christ’s love or create division. We’ll discuss the importance of empathy, the role of kindness in our words, and how to approach difficult conversations with grace. Join us as we explore biblical principles for communicating effectively and lovingly, fostering relationships that build up rather than tear down.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your insights! How do you strive to address others with love in your life? Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What strategies have helped you communicate more compassionately? Let’s learn from each other as we seek to reflect Christ in our conversations!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Addressing Others out of Love
By: Laura Bailey
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5 NIV
My stomach was in knots, and my legs shook under the table as I anxiously waited for my friend to join me for coffee. For the last few weeks, I’d been putting off talking with her about something I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to address. The thought of her being offended or hurt had been the source of my delaying this conversation, yet I knew I needed to say something.
Unable to sleep the night before our meeting, I woke up early and began praying for God to confirm that I was doing what He desired, not just what I thought was best.
“Lord, did I hear you wrong? Should I just let this go? I am imperfect; what if she starts calling out my sin?” Maybe I should tell the pastor and let him deal with it?”
In hopes of preparing my heart and better equipping myself for the conversation that awaited me, I searched for verses that speak to judging others, delivering hard truths, and addressing sin in others' lives. The familiar text of Matthew 7:3-5 was one of the first Scriptures that appeared among the results. Growing up in church, I was familiar with this text; I’d heard numerous sermons, Sunday School lessons, and small group devotions on being careful not to judge others.
However, as I read over this familiar passage, the line, “First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye,” stood out. Countless times, I’d read these verses and missed the overall message of what Jesus was trying to say to his followers and us today. Jesus is not prohibiting all types of judging. Instead, He is encouraging us to take a look at our hearts' motives before we cast judgment on others.
Righteous judgment is beneficial to believers and a necessary tool to help expose sin, encourage confession, and draw God’s children closer to Him. Unfortunately, like most things, humans take good things and distort them. That’s why we must humbly submit our motives to the Lord before addressing sin in other people’s lives. First, we must confess our shortcomings and waywardness, and second, we must ask that He expose any pridefulness, arrogance, or malice in our desire to correct others. After we ask the Lord to check our motives, aligning our will with His, we can approach our brothers and sisters in Christ. Taking these steps doesn’t ensure our message will be well received, but it gives us confidence in knowing that we acted out of pure intentions, not ill will.
The conversation with my friend that day started tense, with a bit of back and forth followed by a healthy amount of tears. Graciously, the Lord had already been working on her heart, and while my message was unpleasant to receive, she knew she needed to hear it. As we parted that day, I let her know that I loved her; I hoped she could put this behind her and flourish in the way God desired.
Many years have passed since that day, and I am happy to report our friendship withstood the confrontation. I know, through experience, that not all tough conversations have the same outcome. There are broken relationships resulting from sharing something we felt the Holy Spirit lay on our hearts. Like the prophets of the Old Testament who often shared hard-to-hear truth, the message may not always be accepted, but we cling to the hope that it could be the reason someone turns to God.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Is there someone you feel God has placed on your heart to deliver a “hard truth?” Pray today that the Lord will guide you as you examine your heart’s motives and give you the strength to speak truth into their life.
For Further Reading:
Matthew 18:15-20
Galatians 6:1
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we invite you to join us in a heartfelt plea: "God, help me to change." Change can be daunting, but with God’s guidance, it becomes a powerful journey of transformation. We’ll explore the areas in our lives where we seek growth, the role of prayer in our process, and how to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength. Together, we’ll discuss practical steps to embrace change, overcome obstacles, and align our hearts with God’s will. Join us as we seek His help in becoming the people He created us to be.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! What changes are you asking God to help you with? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What has your journey of change looked like?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
God, Help Me to Change
By Kelly Balarie
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” – John 14:15 NASB
The first time the coffee mug fell, I didn’t think too much of it. I took some water and splashed it on the patio floor. Sure, it would have been smarter if I put the cup, initially, on the coffee table, rather than half-way propping it up on an outdoor patio couch where only a tap of my elbow or a readjustment on the couch would tumble it over, but I didn’t think of it at the time.
I propped the mug, it tumbled, and broke. I got the message not to do that again.
The next day, again, still feeling my cup would be too far out of reach on the table, I propped the coffee mug oddly on my lap. Then, I reached for something. Two seconds later, it oozed, burning hot down my legs. My nice pajamas were soiled. Not only that, but the stain of the coffee went all over my morning notes about fear of the Lord, specifically about how -- those who love me exhibit a changed nature that is obedient
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15 NASB)
Truth is, I often I say I will do something for God, and then I don’t. I promise to break a habit, then I don’t follow through. I give God my yes and then, after time, I slowly decide God’s probably ok, and it doesn’t matter much, if I don’t do it. I say I’m going to go all out for Him, then I get lazy. What I wondered on those notes was -- how do I change and follow through?
Yet, now my all-important scribbles had coffee all over them. Ick. My pretty white journal was doused coffee-brown.
Then, this morning, I woke up again and headed out to my back porch. I picked my all-time favorite coffee mug. I bought it on my birthday, six years ago; it’s my first pick of all the other mugs in the cabinet. I sat down.
Getting comfortable on the couch, I yet again thought -- it can’t hurt to keep my coffee close. We all know how important coffee is in the morning. I set up a journal next to me on the couch and placed the mug on top of it. I didn’t think twice; this thing must be kept easily reachable. I carried on. I journaled, asking God, “Father, what is the source of all my hard times? Is it a testing? Is it normal trial and tribulation? Is it an attack? Or, is it rebellion?”
No sooner did I write that, did I hear a, “BOOM!
The cup I knew I shouldn’t put on the couch slammed to the ground and the handle broke right off it. My favorite birthday cup was broken!
Oh no!!!!! What did I do?
Immediately, a message came through loud-and-clear. The first time this happened, God made me take notice. The second time, I wondered, why this happening again? And now this? God was implying to my heart -- Kelly, pay close attention…
The hard-hitting message was: You can't keep doing what is wrong and expect things to go right.
In my case, I kept doing what was wrong even though I knew what was right (see Ja. 4:17). Worst of all -- this sort of wrong wasn’t limited only to coffee mug decisions. I had compromised in areas across my life.
I’m sorry, God.
My compromise was called to attention by the mere fact it took me 3 times to come to attention and to change course.
To not heed God’s way, certainly causes us to pay a price. Throwing away the pieces of my birthday mug this morning, reminded me of that.
God doesn’t adjust to us; we adjust to Him. God’s will is God’s will. As much as we may try to run from it, excuse it, rationalize it away, run from a calling – we cannot will away God’s will. He is who He is. He will have his way. He is not a man that changes his mind on our whims or because we tire Him out. He does not pick favorites because we have a special personality.
I could not run from the fact that there was a right way to handle that coffee cup. I could not force God to have my way to work. Even if I tried 100,000 times, God would still have His way. I would be left with a broken cup and a calling to change my ways.
God was speaking to me about my life through my circumstance: In some ways, I have a broken life because I’ve chosen to go the wrong way. I have not gone about adjusting quickly to God.
The truth hurts, but it also sets free.
Running against God is like running against the wind. You can think, all day long it will get you somewhere, but still, you’ll always go back home at the end of the day tired, sore, and having gotten nearly nowhere. It’s better to run with God than against Him. He cares more about us being with Him than what we own or demand.Holding that broken handle this morning, I realized, “God is okay with letting something break if it draws us back to Him.”
When things break we pay attention.
He has every right to resist, what He wants to. This is discipline. God disciplines those He loves. We don’t have to wait until the third time to hear our wake-up call. Much better is it to change course than to keep on a collision course.
I am confident God is using this message to reach some of you, in a very powerful way. That is because – He loves you. He has the best for you. He wants you on His course. He desires you to walk in the joy of Him rather than the wages of sin and death.
Take heed, by God’s grace and through your heart to change course -- you will not fall! God has you.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How is God trying to grab your attention? What sin, habit or life change has He been encouraging you to change? What would it look like to do a new thing? How might that save you down the road?
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on the incredible grace and power of the Lord who saves. Amidst the busyness of life, it’s easy to lose sight of the awe and wonder that comes from our salvation. We’ll discuss how to cultivate a heart of gratitude, the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness, and practical ways to keep our focus on His transformative love. Join us as we explore how staying in awe of our Savior can deepen our faith and inspire us to share His love with others.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! What keeps you in awe of God’s saving grace? Share your thoughts and stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How do you cultivate a sense of wonder in your faith journey? Let’s encourage one another to remain grounded in the beauty of His salvation!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Staying in Awe of the Lord Who Saves
By Keri Eichberger
She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)
It happened again. It was mid-December, and with the entire congregation belting out holy songs of praise in the name of the blessed baby Jesus, we prepared our hearts for, and celebrated, the coming King. And once again, I desperately longed to feel fresh awe of the birth of our Messiah. Tears brimmed at the hope of harnessing the miracle and profound impact this magnificent moment in time had had on my life.
The following morning, I couldn’t help but sit a little longer and linger in my quiet time. I read and re-read my devotion, I thumbed to the scripture prompts at the end, I browsed all the surrounding verses and stories. I prayed and praised God for everything I could possibly think to be blessed by. I asked my heavenly Father to align my heart with his, to make my thoughts his thoughts. And I listened in stillness.
I knew it wouldn’t be long until the sparkle of the season would fade, the dullness of winter would set it, and the sparks of the Christmas story would start to dim. But how could I keep the flame alive?
When my soul had settled, I opened my eyes and glanced over at my husband—who by the way is always seated next to me during my devotion and prayer time. His stare met mine and he enchantedly asked, “Do you know what Jesus means?” Sifting through my slightly unsure memory bank of facts, I hesitantly responded, “Something about ‘Savior’...?”
“Yes. It means the Lord saves.” he confirmed with a comforted smile. Combined with the fact that my husband sitting beside me with his bible in his lap is quite possibly the sweetest song to my sight, tears stung my eyes at his overt discovery. The thing is, I knew Jesus is our Savior, that this is what we were in the midst of celebrating, and also what I was hungry to sink my heart deeper into in that season. But in that moment, the Holy Spirit pricked my soul to assertively say, Keri, ‘The Lord saves’ is an active, alive, every moment, ever-present truth. Yes, he should be boldly praised now, but just as much everyday. I was receiving the reminder that the Lord saved then, now, and actively saves still today. And he’ll never stop. And in that moment I was also reminded that his saving has been and is… everything. He saved me when I was lost in darkness, sin, and sadness, and he still saves me everyday from so much.
What did he save you from? What is he saving you from still today?
Maybe like me, outside of Christmas time you’ve too casually considered the Lord as Savior too. But, while he saved us from the ultimate consequences of sin. From destruction and death. He also saves us and offers an escape from everyday struggles like worry, weariness, and loneliness. Temptation, discouragement, and discontentment too. And in turn gives us peace, strength, and comfort. Guidance, encouragement, and light here on earth. And ultimately eternal life with him in our forever home in heaven.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Of course we should lay all things down at Christmas to celebrate our King. But now that the season has turned—the tree is down, the lights are back in storage, and most radio stations have returned to secular selections—we still have so much to celebrate. And I hope you’ll keep celebrating with me. Because there are souls being saved in the name of Jesus everyday. And he is still actively saving you and me each moment too. He always will. How wonderful is that?
The lyrics of “I thank God” washed over my soul that morning as I reflected on our living Savior…
He picked me up
He turned me around
He placed my feet on solid ground
I thank the Master
I thank the Savior.
Child of God, Jesus is the Lord who saves. He is your always active and alive savior. And he is mine. Let’s stay in awe and celebrate the Savior of the world today. And every day. Praise him for all he is, and all he does, and everything he will forever do.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we turn our attention to those who may be struggling with their New Year's resolutions. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to set and achieve lofty goals, but we’ll discuss how acknowledging our need for help can be a blessing. Together, we’ll explore the significance of community support, the role of prayer in our journey, and how God’s grace empowers us to grow. Join us as we encourage one another to embrace vulnerability and seek guidance, transforming our resolutions into shared commitments that lead us closer to God’s purpose.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts! How have you navigated the challenges of New Year’s resolutions? Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What support systems have you found helpful in achieving your goals? Let’s lift each other up as we pursue lasting change together!
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Blessed are Those Who Need Help With Their New-Year’s ResolutionsBy Deidre Braley
Joshua 6:2-5: Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands,along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Dothis for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When youhear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then thewall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”
How do you feel about New Year’s resolutions? I have always been pro-resolution myself; my bookshelf is littered with titles like Atomic Habits and 7 Habits of Highly Successful People. I live and die by my physical planner, in which I tend to write detailed lists and demanding deadlines. As a former teacher, I’ve held the belief that any goal can be met by a.) setting the expectation and then b.) working backwards to devise a plan.
This time of year, the rhetoric that we should be more successful, more productive, and just better all around is really flying, though, and I enter the season with dragging feet and a deep sense of weariness. Having just spent the entirety of last year trying to create a better version of my life, I am not ready now—in January—to ‘get after it’ again.
Maybe you feel the same way. Maybe our culture of self-sufficiency has brought you some modicum of success, even, but you’re hobbling at this point, feeling like you can only keep this up so long before you finally snap or collapse or give up entirely. If you’re at this point, then good: swipe your self-help books off your desk and listen up.
During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor, because the kingdom of God is yours” (Luke 6:20). He also said, “But woe to you who are rich, because you have received your comfort” (Luke 6:24). I have always understood this as an indictment of wealth but now, with the two of them side by side, I see: Those who are poor have room to be filled up by God, but those who consider themselves rich by their own making do not.
This teaching goes totally against what we’ve learned to do as
pull-ourselves-up-by-our-bootstraps type of people, yes? Jesus is telling us we should be…poor?
In terms of self-sufficiency—yes. See, if we spend all of our waking minutes maximizing our potential, doing everything in our power to get ahead, when we do experience goodness or success, we’ll naturally say to ourselves, “I worked hard for that, and I earned it.” But if we come from a place of need and God steps into our powerlessness and then acts, there can be no
denying that God made it happen in our lives. We get to see the kingdom of God at work, and on our behalf.
Just think of the Israelites at the city of Jericho. Conventional battle wisdom would have told Joshua and his men to muster all of their strength and strategy in order to take the city, and yet God commanded them to do something different: To walk in circles. To blow trumpets. To shout. Why? So God could do it for them, and so they would know that he was the One True God—and their One True God.
Intersecting Faith & Life
If you’ve already made New Year’s resolutions, take a prayerful look at them now. There is nothing wrong with having resolutions—it’s just important to remember that the Lord wants you to rely on him as you set goals, dream, and work. Ask yourself these questions about your resolutions:
-
Have I left room in my heart to be filled by God and see the kingdom at work in my life, or have I tried to make plans to do it all on my own?
-
Are there places where I’ve insisted on control where God has actually already asked me to surrender?
Further Reading
For other examples of God’s provision for the poor or completely dependant, read:
● 2 Kings 4
● Exodus 14
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the challenging yet transformative call to love those who are hard to love. Jesus commands us to love not just our friends but also our enemies, which can feel daunting. We’ll discuss practical ways to embody Christ-like love, even when faced with difficult relationships. Together, we’ll examine scriptural insights, the power of forgiveness, and the importance of seeing others through God’s eyes. Join us as we uncover how loving the unlovable can lead to profound spiritual growth and deeper connections with God.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How have you navigated relationships with those who challenge your capacity to love? Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What strategies have helped you cultivate love and understanding in tough situations?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:19-21.
The holidays can place us at the table with some of the people we find hardest to love. Maybe we fear our mother-in-law will spend Christmas dinner criticizing our parenting, career choices, or cooking. Perhaps we’ll spend time with a sibling who hurt us deeply and with whom we experience significant, ongoing conflict. Or, we might feel stuck in a lonely marriage with a spouse who seems oblivious to our pain.
We live in a relationally messy world, infiltrated by brokenness and sin. Sometimes it can feel confusing to know how to guard our hearts and love others well. For years, I assumed this meant suppressing my pain when others wounded me, but that created codependent behaviors and increased dysfunction. Discouraged and frustrated, I began to emotionally withdraw behind a self-protecting façade.
Perhaps you can relate. How can we demonstrate the love of Christ to the most the unloving people in our lives? While this is an area in which I’m still learning and growing, in my wrestling with God over this question, He’s taught me a few things.
Verse 19 reminds me that I cannot give what I don’t possess. In other words, the more I receive God’s love, in my most wounded places, the more it flows from me. Consider Jesus’ behavior on the night before His death. He humbly and tenderly washed His disciples’ feet, knowing they’d abandon Him and that Judas would betray Him.
Notice what Scripture reveals in John 13:3-4: “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist” (NIV, emphasis mine).
Jesus loved His disciples from a place of wholeness. He lived secure in His identity, remained focused on His mission, and confident of His eternal destination. He didn’t allow other people to set His agenda, hijack His emotions, or affect how He viewed Himself.
We see this in how He related to the masses, as well. In John 2:23-25, we read:
Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person (NIV).
I’m struck by the phrase: He didn’t entrust Himself to them. Jesus knew the very ones who praised Him on Palm Sunday would chant for His crucifixion come Good Friday. Yet, still He chose the cross, praying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (John 23:24, NIV).
He understood the pervasive effects of sin and therefore could separate the individual from their behavior. I began to experience healing when I started to do the same. I learned to shift my anger off the person who hurt me and onto the one responsible for our world’s darkness.
I hated the devil for the damage he inflicted rather than a fellow victim. This helped shift my anger for the person to compassion, which in turn stirred me to prayer. As I stepped more fully into God’s illuminating light, I came to realize the bitterness that once consumed me was merely a defense mechanism shielding me from pain. My soul needed space to grieve, and to receive the comfort of the Lord who sees me, knows me, and will always love me.
This didn’t mean I denied or accepted someone’s poor behavior, or that it necessitated relational closeness. There are some people in my life I must love from a distance. I’m also learning not to make their behavior about me. I see it instead as a reflection of their heart and their need for Jesus.
Intersecting Life and Faith
I don’t intend to imply that this has been easy or that I have complete clarity. It’s taken therapy, prayer, and listening for God’s gentle voice as I read Scripture and journaled to better understand how He is calling me to love each individual. I recognize I still have much room for growth. But I also know that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion. He will carry me to completion, to wholeness, as He gently yet consistently leads me to greater freedom.
I recognize how difficult today’s passage can feel, especially for those who’ve experienced inconceivably deep wounds. Jesus never exacerbates or diminishes our pain. To the contrary. At every moment, He is leading us toward thriving life (John 10:10). When we remember that He is always focused on our ultimate good, we gain the courage to yield to His transformative, healing hand.
Further Reading:
Romans 13:8
Matthew 5:43-48
John 13:34
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the concept of New Year’s resolutions and examine whether they truly serve us in our faith journey. Many set resolutions with good intentions, but how often do we find ourselves falling short? Together, we’ll discuss the importance of aligning our goals with God’s will, the role of grace in our efforts, and practical steps to make our resolutions more meaningful. Join us as we explore how to transform resolutions into intentional commitments that draw us closer to Christ.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear your thoughts on resolutions! Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email—Have you found success in your resolutions, or have they felt like failing propositions? What strategies have worked for you in pursuing lasting change?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Are Resolutions Failing Propositions?
By Kelly Balarie
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41 NIV
I set my specific goals to improve on January 1st, however somewhere between 3 days to 3 weeks later, my resolution was done, broke, and entirely over. I can’t say I’m proud of it. My spirit was willing, but flesh proved weak. And, in a spirit of confession, before you, fellow Christian, I must admit, this wasn’t an isolated incident either. I’ve broken resolution after resolution. I commit things and don’t always follow through. I sometimes hate myself for it too.
Ever been there?
It’s frustrating. The new year resolution that was supposed to bless, inspire, and make me better -- defeated, discouraged, and deflated me. Grr…So, here we are again…in the midst of the new year. The time of year when people are throwing up resolution-like things, like bullets, all over social media sites. A time when they say, “I am going to ____.” “I will stop ____.” “My word of the year is ___.”
Hearing all these bold declarations -- almost makes you feel like a lazy loser if you’re not participating.
But, at the same time, and I think it is a valid question to ask – do resolutions even work? And are they God’s best intent for us?
Research shows only 9% people keep their new year resolution. 23% give up by the first week. 43% give up by February.
Even the holy and saintly disciples broke a resolution.
In Jesus’ hour of intense agony and sorrow, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told them to sit nearby and to keep watch with him. I’m sure they determined, with great inner-resolution to accomplish this -- to obey and to pray, just like Jesus had said.
Yet, it wasn’t too long until Jesus returned and found them -- asleep. So much for that resolution!
“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mt. 26:41-42 NIV)
Ultimately, what it comes down to is – resolution without intercession is ineffective. Resolution without God’s accompanying grace is counterproductive. Resolution without keeping watch leads to falling into temptation.
In all this, I can’t help but think -- it is better not to say, “I am going to do this ___ this year,” but, instead, to pray, “God, give me grace and show how to do __ today. Reveal to me what to watch out for…”
One sets itself up for defeat; the other sets itself up to rely on God. Just as I want my kid to trust me as I teach them, verses being a know-it-all who can do it all – God wants our trust too.
In this, we can be encouraged! God has all the grace we need! Like fresh bread, with fresh daily-equipping power all packed inside – we can approach him day-by-day, moment-by-moment, for all the grace we need in our hour of need, without setting ourselves up for defeat.
What if, instead of declaring some massive resolution we get about daily intercession for the deep desires of our heart? Perhaps, then, we’ll see, even in the failings God is gleaning great learnings for us, as we go forward.
Our life change is not by our own power or might, but it all happens by the Spirit of God.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What do you want to see change in your life? What if, morning by morning, you ask God to help you, you seek His way and you keep knocking? How might God’s grace be more valuable than your own willpower? How have you seen God change you in the past? Ask Him to do it again.
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we celebrate the theme of hope as we step into the new year. As believers, we are reminded that each new beginning offers us a chance to renew our faith and trust in God’s promises. Together, we’ll explore Scripture that inspires hope, discuss how to let go of past disappointments, and embrace the future with a heart full of faith. Join us as we discover practical ways to cultivate hope in our daily lives and uplift those around us.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear how you’re finding hope as you enter the new year! Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email—What new hopes and dreams are you embracing this year, and how can we pray for you in that journey?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
Newfound Hope for the New Year. Three Ways to Find it.
By Keri Eichberger
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7)
Hope isn’t something I’ve felt a whole lot of lately. Well, for a while actually. In fact, I honestly can’t remember when I last felt it, or when I seemed to lose it. Maybe it was a year ago when my first book was released, and the results didn’t quite match my efforts and initial excitement. And maybe a little more hope left me with the death of a beloved family member a few months later. Then more through the fear of Dad’s open heart surgery that followed. And some more with his sudden stroke too shortly after that. But I likely lost my final spark when we found out a huge investment crashed, leaving my family in a financial nightmare the very next season of sorrow.
And I hate to highlight so much of the sad side of life, and neglect to share the good—because deep down I know there actually is always so much to be thankful for. But vulnerably speaking, sometimes our reality and human nature tend to bend a bit down in the dumps. The ugly truth is, I feel like I was on the verge of forgetting how to even feel truly hopeful altogether.
But I want to be. I want to feel hope and joy and fresh, vibrant life budding and blossoming within. And I know God wants that. For all of his children. Plus, the alternative is just dark, depressing, and dreadful. Now these sentiments I am well acquainted with these days. Ugh, how horrible is that to admit?
Do you feel like you are lacking some hope too? Or any hope? Are you tired of feeling this way?
I sure am. I miss feeling alive with anticipation of blessings in the works. I miss excitedly expecting better days just ahead. I want to watch in joyful hope for the Lord‘s goodness and gifts, that I really do know are ever-flowing.
You get it. Yes, we’ve all walked through some hard things. We’ve all cried out to God in our suffering more times than we’d like to be true. But here’s the thing. He has heard each and every cry. He has grieved and wept right with us. But he wants so much more for our lives. Because he loves us. He has better and bigger plans for our future. Because he loves us. He is pleased to share with us his glory and blessings right here on earth. Because he loves us.
I want this year to be different, don’t you? Yes, we all want to be filled with hope in the Lord.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Here’s what I’ve learned from God and his Word when it comes to hope. It starts with him. Hope begins by:
- Acknowledging him. Sitting silently in his presence. Sharing with Jesus what’s still causing you hurt and heartache. Releasing the disappointments of the past, your current season of sadness, your mistakes, mishaps, and misunderstandings. Acknowledging that he hears you and your cries. And then,
- Acknowledging him as savior. Accepting and professing that he is the sovereign one who loves you so much. Who wants good for you. And has all the power to bring your best to be. You can trust your life in his all-powerful hands. And because of this, you can practice,
- Waiting in hope for him. We wait because God is currently working out his plan. And we can do it with anticipation, patience, and hope because we know it will be nothing short of perfect. Because his love for you and me is nothing less than perfect.
Like Micah 7:7 says, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
Friend, let this be true of you too as we walk into the new year. Watch in hope for the Lord. Wait for our good, good God. The Almighty God who loves you. He is your savior. He has heard you, he hears you, and he always will. May we both not only be hopeful, but abounding with praise and joy today for the good things he is abundantly bringing our way.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we tackle the question that often arises as the new year begins: "Now what?" After the excitement of new resolutions fades, how do we maintain our momentum and purpose? Together, we’ll explore how to set realistic goals that align with our faith, the importance of prayer in our planning, and ways to stay accountable in our spiritual journey. Let’s discover how to embrace the opportunities this new year holds while remaining anchored in God’s Word.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear about your plans and aspirations for the new year! Share your thoughts with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email—What steps are you taking to grow in your faith this year, and how can we support you in that journey?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
New Year, Now What?
By Vivian Bricker
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” - Ephesians 4:22-24
Now that the New Year has arrived it is difficult to know where to go from here. The twinkling lights of Christmas have been packed up and we are sitting back at our work desk again. The dark, winter month of January has only begun and all we want to do is go back to Christmas Day. Most years I feel exactly like this, yet I know that I cannot return to the week prior.
I have to move on—and so do you.
When we leave the previous year behind, we need to see the new year as a new start. We are no longer bound to the events of the past year. Instead, we can start fresh. Maybe this means making New Year resolutions, but maybe this means something different this year. Personally, I don’t believe in New Year resolutions as it is impossible to uphold them throughout the year. Once we feel we have failed, we give up on them.
Therefore, it is more beneficial to look at the new year in a different way. We can either choose to deem this year already a “bad year” or we can try to make the most of it. This can be hard, especially when it is cold and dreary, but there are things we can do to make the cold winter months a bit more bearable. Most of us have jobs either in person or at home, therefore, we can decorate our work desks to be a bit more cheerful.
Letting in some natural light can do wonders or placing a flower vase on our desk can add a pop of color. Even these little things can make us see the new year in a different light. We don’t need to allow the darker days of January to make us think the rest of the year will be this hard. Instead, we can look forward to participating in winter activities, such as ice skating, skiing, or even staying at home under the covers reading a book.
With this new year, we need to fight against the urge to automatically dismiss it as going bad. It’s only the first month of the year and many beautiful things can happen this year that we don’t even know about yet. This calls us to trust in God and not to lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). January is not a defining tool for the rest of the year and we need to let go of any post-Christmas sadness.
Once we let go of this, we will be able to take hold of the new year. This is something that I’m learning to do, so we can do this together. Taking hold of this new year looks like letting the old year go and moving forward. We need to always be pushing forward in order not to fall back in our Christian walk with the Lord (Philippians 3:13-14).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Apostle Paul tells us, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). Our former year needs to be put away and we need to put on the new year with confidence.
With this new year, we can become more dedicated followers of the Lord. By putting away the evil desires we once had, we can be made new in the attitudes of our minds. This is all part of the transforming work of God. Maybe last year wasn’t a good year for Christian growth or for life in general. See this new year as a chance to start over.
This present year can be an opportunity to put on the new self, which is created to be like God in all of His righteousness and holiness. By pushing forward and continuing to fight the good fight, you will grow in your faith. Even though this new year starts with a dreary January, it might turn into your best year yet. Follow God faithfully and trust Him with the rest.
Further Reading:
Jeremiah 29:11
2 Corinthians 5:17
1 Timothy 6:12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we embrace the fresh start that a new year brings and discuss how to cultivate a positive attitude grounded in faith. As believers, it’s vital to approach each day with a heart of gratitude and a mindset aligned with God's promises. We’ll explore biblical principles that encourage us to renew our minds and set our intentions for the year ahead, focusing on hope, purpose, and resilience.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re setting your intentions for the new year! Share your thoughts with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email—What new attitudes or habits are you embracing to deepen your faith in the coming year?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
A New Year Attitude
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” - Psalm 90:12, CSB
Finding Your New Year Attitude
After the most wonderful time of the year, comes preparation for the year to come. Needless to say, we often anticipate the new year with excitement. We see the new as an opportunity to do away with the old. We replace diets, habits, relationships. Sometimes we’re not replacing anything, but starting something for the first time. Ideally, we move toward the new year looking forward to better things.
This sounds great, but the issue with the New Year attitude is that anything new eventually wears off. The new car smell fades away. We often lose our initial excitement and all the new we had previously replaced, sadly makes a comeback. There’s a reason so many people fall off of their workout regimens and start eating all the food they previously swore off. The change that we pretended to want was conditional and the results show. They always show.
However, chances are you have implemented change in your life that lasted for more than a season. You wanted something badly enough that you made some critical changes and the results are still visible today. You realized the need for change and the change became permanent. The truth is, we don’t actually have to wait until next year to improve ourselves. We shouldn’t. Jesus said that our life is, but a “mist,” here today and gone tomorrow (James 4:14). That means our time is limited.
Therefore, we should be asking ourselves an important question. Why wait for the new year to become better, when the chance to change is available today?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The New Year attitude is one we should strive to hold every day. Scripture tells us that we are called to do away with the “old self,” that the old has been crucified with Christ, and we have been raised to new life (Romans 6:6). With that in mind, here’s how you can start your new year before the new year.
Recognize the need for change.
The average life expectancy for men and women in America is around 80, yet, we all know someone who sadly passed before that time. The unexpected happens everyday. We also know people advancing in age who gave up on dreams and relationships, who have lived to regret their decisions. Why assume our lives are guaranteed to be long? Why assume that tomorrow is always available when we feel the desire to change today? Don’t wait. Some opportunities only come our way once. Not only that, but we only have one life to live.
Seek Wisdom
After you desire change, you’ll want to know what you should change. The world has plenty to say about what is morally correct or incorrect, but as believers, the one we should turn to is God. He wants to help us grow. The Bible says that He will grant wisdom to those who seek it (James 1:5). When we grow wiser we can become more like Christ and thus, we become better people. So if you’re not actively seeking wisdom, ask yourself why not. Even if you don’t realize it, we are always learning from either the people or things in our environment. Make sure God and His kingdom are a part of that learning.
Reward Yourself
Some say that growing is a reward in and of itself, and that’s true. However, giving yourself incentives to continue to make positive change is not unbiblical. Positive affirmation can encourage you to continue when you lose motivation, and if you’re like most people, you will lose motivation. Reward yourself with some material thing and if that doesn’t work, accountability will push you too.
When You Fail, Try Again
Change might be inevitable in life, but it’s also extremely difficult to manage when you’re in charge of it. The key is to not give up. God blesses us for our righteousness and becoming more like Christ is nothing but righteousness. There is not a certain time of year to aspire to be more like Jesus. God wants us to start today, so don’t wait. Start the new year you before you enter the new year.
Further Reading:
Psalm 51:10-11
Jeremiah 29:11
Romans 8:28
James 4:14
Romans 6:6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode, we dive into the theme of "What New Mercies Mean for the New Year," reflecting on the profound concept of God’s mercies being renewed each day. We’ll explore how these fresh mercies empower us to let go of past burdens and embrace new beginnings with hope and resilience. Discover practical ways to recognize and celebrate God’s faithfulness as you step into the new year.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear how you interpret the idea of new mercies in your life. What does it mean for you as you enter this new year? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How can we encourage each other to fully embrace the new mercies God offers us?
🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:
https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/
Full Transcript Below:
By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV
One of my favorite times in the morning is before the sun rises. I get up while it is still dark, grab my journal and Bible and head downstairs. I turn on the coffee and go sit on the couch while I wait for it to brew. Those are the moments when the house is quiet and I get to sit and just breathe and relax.
Although I am still a little sleepy, I open my journal or my Bible and start with prayer. Over the past thirty years of walking with God I have met with God in a variety of ways and times during the day. But there is something special about getting up and watching the sun rise while meditating on His Word.
The sun reminds us that God is faithful. Everyday we do not doubt the the sun will rise. We believe, no matter what is going on in our world, the sun will shine. It might be cloudy and stormy, but the sun eventually comes out. Every morning we have this physical reminder of a powerful truth from God’s Word.
In the book of Lamentations the author mourns and cries out to God because horror and destruction surround him on a daily basis. He wakes up each morning and hears more bad news. We can surely relate to that! In the middle of this book we see a shift in His perspective. Instead of waking up and focusing on all of the bad news, the author of Lamentations says he wakes up and thinks about the faithfulness of God.
Each morning we have a reminder in the sun that God will be faithful but when I think about a New Year I am also encouraged with the thought that “new mercies” are waiting for me as well. Yes, we have God with us each day, but each year, at beginning as we feel that fresh new start we can take moment and think about what new mercies mean for the new year.
First, we see that God’s compassion and mercy are linked together. The word for “compassion” can also mean tender love, like a mother has for the child growing in her womb. God loves us so deeply, so tenderly, so intimately and this should give us reason to trust Him in the coming year. Maybe this past year has been hard when it comes to love. People tend to disappoint us and cannot love us perfectly. This is not God. In this new year may we come to God freely knowing that His compassion and tender love is waiting for us.
We also see God’s mercies are directly related to God’s faithfulness. Maybe you are like me and don’t make new year’s resolutions. I often have a general idea of what kind of goals I want to accomplish. As I’ve gotten older I feel more discouraged at the end of the year if I make to many goals. I’m not always faithful to do the things I set out to do in the new year. When it comes to my faithfulness I am always falling short. God is not like that. His faithfulness is never wavering. We can trust and believe that God is working. Maybe we can’t see how He is working or if it will work out, but these verses give us this hope that God is faithful, even if we are not.
Because of God’s tender love and faithfulness our response should be to wait and seek Him. Although this new year might mean we will face trouble or trials, we will not be out from under the hands of God. He is our salvation and He is good. No matter what bad news might be around the corner this year, we can rejoice in our faithful, merciful, and tender-loving God. May we allow Him to work this year in bringing us closer to Him!
Even though the circumstances hadn’t changed but the author of Lamentations, still declared: “It is good that one should hope…” God’s tender love, mercy, and faithfulness is reason to hope. It isn’t up to us and God will always come through. No matter the disappointments that have followed us into this new year, you and I can have hope. John Piper says,“biblical hope is a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future.”
Let’s enter this new year with that kind of hope - based on God’s new mercies. Each day the sun rises, hang on to the hope that we can expect good in our future!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how God’s faithfulness and mercy was a part of your life in the past year, reflect on these questions as they relate to the coming new year.
- In what ways did God show you His tender love in 2024?
- How did God reveal His faithfulness to you in 2024?
- What answer to prayers did you receive in 2024?
- What prayer(s) are you praying for 2025?
Further Reading:
Deuteronomy 7:9
2 Thessaliens 3:3
Hebrews 13:8
Revelation 19:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode, we focus on the theme of "Beginning Again This New Year," exploring the concept of renewal and the fresh opportunities that come with a new year. We’ll discuss practical steps for letting go of the past and embracing new possibilities, drawing inspiration from Scripture. Learn how to set intentions that align with your faith, cultivate a spirit of gratitude, and trust in God’s guidance as you embark on this journey of transformation.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts on what it means to begin again this new year. How do you feel God is calling you to start fresh? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What steps are you taking to embrace new opportunities and experiences in the year ahead?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Beginning Again this New Year
By Lynette Kittle
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness”—Lamentations 3:22-23
How many of us have waited, planned, and began a new year with our hearts and minds set on a new attitude, outlook, and goal, only to lose steam a few weeks or even days or hours into the new calendar year?
Still, New Year’s Day offers individuals hopes of a fresh start, a new beginning, with the incentive of moving away from past disappointments and failures, a day that seems more than any other day of the year to encourage us to start anew and begin again with a clean slate.
Sadly, though, many of us, if not most, give up if we falter or slip up on this new lease on life, thinking we’ll just have to wait until the next calendar year to start over again.
Everyday With God Is A New Beginning
But a new beginning doesn’t have to wait for another year to begin because God understands our weaknesses and frailties and doesn’t set us up to only have one opportunity a year to start over.
As 2 Corinthians 5:17 explains, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
God is all for leaving the past behind us and starting anew, urging us in Isaiah 43:18 to “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
He is all about making things new again, as stated in Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Beginning Again Starts In Our Hearts
But how does this happen in our lives? Exodus 36:26 describes what God wants to do for each and everyone of us, when we seek to start anew with Him. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
It’s a new life process God begins within us that is fulfilled by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. As the Apostle Paul explains, “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4).
King David Knew How to Begin Anew
Starting anew involves being open to God’s instruction. As Psalm 25:5 reveals, King David knew how to ask God for His instruction. “Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”
For many, looking at David’s life is a mixed bag. Although it seemed he relied heavily on God to teach him to do His will, having a tender, teachable heart, as expressed through his passionate psalms. He seemed to be constantly asking God for guidance, understanding that he couldn’t do it on his own, relying on God to lead him.
Likewise, in Psalm 119:12, David understood the importance of praise in preparing him to receive God’s instruction. “Praise be to you, Lord; teach me Your decrees.”
Yet we also read of David’s weaknesses: of being led into temptation by worldly passions, committing adultery, stealing another man’s wife, and committing murder, giving in and following the lusts of his heart.
In no way did God condone David’s sin, and as Christians, it can be hard for us to understand how an individual who God placed in power could so easily fall into sin and yet still be .
called by God a man after His own heart.
Acts 13:22 describes God’s thoughts on him. “After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”
David’s life reveals how God truly gives us a way to begin anew each and every day, no matter the depth of our sins and weaknesses.
Intersecting Faith & Life: If you’re struggling today to begin anew after falling short, feeling like you don’t deserve or have a right to ask for God’s help, be like David and reach out to God, asking Him to teach you His ways and start beginning again today. And if you fall tomorrow, don’t hesitate to ask God to help you start over again because His compassions never fail and are new every morning.
Further Reading: Starting Over New Each Day
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/starting-over-new-each-day-the-crosswalk-devotional.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode, we explore the theme of "What Will Truly Transform Your Life In 2025" by examining the various ways God communicates His transformative power, particularly through the Nativity story. Learn how God uses angels, the Holy Spirit, dreams, and confirmation to guide us. We'll unpack what these forms of divine communication mean for our lives today and how embracing God’s promises can lead to profound change in the upcoming year.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts on what you believe will truly transform your life in 2025. What aspects of faith and spirituality are you focusing on for growth? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How do you plan to seek God’s guidance and embrace transformation in the new year?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
New Year, Old You? What will Truly Transform Your Life in 2025
Written By: Emma Danzey
Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
It is a new year again and you feel a little pessimistic about the new year’s resolutions, or doing that discounted gym trial, or breaking that bad habit once and for all. To be honest, the concept of a fresh start and a new year can be a wonderful motivator to evaluate the areas of our lives, but what is the heart behind our desire to change? Do we want to be more beautiful to the world’s eyes, do we desire to make more money this year, or do we have our hearts set on achieving a goal we’ve never quite met?
If you feel like it is a new year, but you are still the old you, then you are not alone. If resolutions and January challenges haven’t stuck yet in your life, maybe there is something deeper to “missing the mark” for your goals.
-
Ask yourself what does God want my goal to be this new year?
-
Think of the New Year as a time of confession and repentance from areas that are either struggles, due to living in this fallen world or sinful decisions. Ask the Holy Spirit to transform your heart to be in line with His own.
-
Keep your main goal as seeking God with your heart by daily reading the Bible. Did you know that your relationship with God has everything to do with whether you find true success? He reminds us that our goals should be eternal, not temporary. Anything temporary that we accomplish through Him is ultimately nothing in comparison to the treasures and eternally impactful decisions that we make on this earth. If you want a transformed life in 2025, seek Jesus and He will bless the eternal work and empower you by His Spirit to achieve the temporary goals too.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
The Bible, God’s Word, is alive and active. Its jobs is to divide what is true from what is false. It teaches us about our need for reconciliation to our Maker and the gospel of Jesus coming for the sins of the world for any who believe in Him. It reveals the sins and the attitudes of our hearts.
I can set a physical goal all day long, but without the help of the Lord, I cannot accomplish this goal from an eternal mindset. My motivations will be from my flesh and not from the Spirit. Sure, someone could meet their goals and stick with them who is not seeking Christ, but think about the heart transformation that a believer in Jesus will experience if the new years goals come out of a heart of humility, seeking the Lord at His Word. His Word changes us, we cannot help but be transformed into His likeness when we read it with a pure heart.
What if before we set our earthly goals, we make heavenly goals of the kind of son or daughter of God we hope to be this year, the ways we hope to grow in Spiritual maturity, or the daily choices we want His help to put into routine to mature in our faith through the Bible and prayer.
Anything that we are trying to accomplish will be tested by Him. What are our motives? Are we in line with His will in them? If so, how can we rely on Him and the help of other believers to use these goals as platforms for the gospel?
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Nothing is hidden from the Lord. We are accountable to Him ultimately for how we live our lives and how we honor Him with them. May we be bold enough to ask Him to search our hearts and reveal sinful ways and boldly ask Him to transform us and lead us into true repentance that brings glory to Him.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
How will seeking Christ in the Bible regularly transform you this year? How does putting Christ first in your goal setting effect your personal goals? Why do you believe that it is only truly the work of the Spirit who can change your life and have eternal impact?
Further Reading:
- Psalm 139:1-2
- Romans 8:6
- Galatians 5:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode, we explore the theme of "What God Promises to Provide for the New Year" by examining the various ways God communicates His plans and provisions, particularly through the Nativity story. Learn how God uses angels, the Holy Spirit, dreams, and confirmation to guide us. We'll unpack what these forms of divine communication mean for our lives today and how we can trust in His promises as we enter the new year.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts on how you anticipate God's provision in your life as you approach the new year. What promises from Scripture give you hope and encouragement? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How do you plan to lean into God’s promises in the coming year?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
What God Promises to Provide for the New Year (Matthew 6:26-34)
By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33, ESV
My children lay their cups on the counter and I always fill them. If they are thirsty, I am happy to replenish their cups with a drink. Every time I do I think of my Heavenly Father who always provides for me as well. If we are in need, He will provide.
You might be tempted to be think back to the pat year and wonder why God didn’t provide for you. Maybe there was no healing, or extra money, or closure. Maybe there are things in your l life that you think you need and they are not there. It is tempting to think that God’s provision is lacking.
Matthew 6:26-34 is a great reminder from Jesus that God will always provide. In this passage Jesus says that God provides for even the sparrows, which were the most insignificant birds. Why would God not provide for His children, whom He loves? Jesus makes the case that if we need it, God will provide it! He says, “For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”
Many times we need things from other people but they do not follow through or they fail to do the things we need them to do. God is not like that. He knows what we need. Not only that, He provides for it. What kinds of things does God provide for us? The Bible is filled with promises of God’s provision.
Isaiah 41:10 - God provides help and strength. When we fear the future it is hard to believe that we will be able to endure it. God promises that He will help us, no matter what.
John 16:33 & Isaiah 26:3 - God provides peace. When our minds are fixed and steady, thinking about God, God provides peace. We will have trouble, but Jesus has overcome the worst enemy: death, so we can have peace no matter what we face.
Psalm 32:8 - God provides instruction. God will teach us! As we study and read the Bible God promises to provide us with the guidance we need to live and obey Him.
Deuteronomy 31:8 & Hebrews 13:5 - God provides His presence. Over and over again, in the Old and New Testament God promises to be with us. He will never leave us.
Matthew 7:11 - God provides answers to prayers. In the very next chapter of Matthew Jesus is still talking about provision but this time it is how God answers prayers. God is giving us good gifts and prayer is one way to see those from God.
Philippians 4:19 - God provides contentment when we give. The context of this verse Paul telling the Philippines that God has always given him what he needed but God would do the same for them. Why? Because they were givers! In Philippians 4:10-18 Paul says that because of their gifts to him and the churches God would give them what they needed.
1 Corinthians 10:13 - God provides escape from temptation. When we are tempted to sin, we can trust that God will always provide a way out of the temptation. We are no longer slaves to sin.
2 Corinthians 9:8 - God provides grace. No matter what struggle or trial we face God provides the grace to help us. Whether we need forgiveness for sins, or comfort from pain, God provides the grace for us.
2 Peter 3:13 - God will provide a heavenly home. God has promised to take us to heaven and give us a place in His kingdom. We are promised that one day we will live with Him and worship Him forever.
James 5:15 - God provides forgiveness. God promises to provide forgiveness. No past sin is too big or too bad for God not to forgive. Jesus’ death on the cross is sufficient and we can trust God will forgive us.
John 14:26 - God provides the Holy Spirit. As Jesus was leaving this earth and getting ready to die on the cross, He promised that the “helper” would come. This is the Holy Spirit. We have this 3rd Person of the Trinity to guide us, teach us, and comfort us.
Matthew 11:29-30 - God provides rest. We might be weary and limping into this new year, but God says that when we come to Him He will give us rest.
In Matthew Jesus gives us something to do while we wait on God to fulfill His promises. He says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) All the things we need will be provided for us, all we need to do is seek God! Put God first in our lives because it is then we have contentment and are able to see God’s provision.
Read more of God’s promises here. https://sarahefrazer.com/2020/05/10-of-gods-promises-for-you/
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Which of the above promises speaks to your heart today? Write it on an index card and memorize that verse.
As we think about God’s promises we can take heart that they will indeed come true. How? Because of Jesus! For thousands of years Jesus was promised to come as the Messiah. Then He did. Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we know that God keeps His promises. How does knowing this help encourage you as you think about what God has promised to provide for you?
Further Reading:
Psalm 36:5
Psalm 119:116
Psalm 145:13
1 Corinthians 1:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode, we explore the theme of "Our Safe Place" by examining the various ways God communicates with His people, particularly through the Nativity story. Learn how God uses angels, the Holy Spirit, dreams, and confirmation to guide us. We'll unpack what these forms of divine communication mean for our lives today and how we can create space in our hearts for His voice.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts on how you find safety and comfort in God's presence, especially during the Christmas season. How does the truth that God is your safe place resonate with you? Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email. How do you celebrate this sense of security and peace in your life, particularly during the holidays?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Our Safe Place
By Alexis A. Goring
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
—Psalm 46:1 NIV
Safety. We all crave it, especially when our world feels like it is spinning out of control. There have been times in my life when I felt like there is no safe place for us here on Earth. But in recent years, God helped me see that He is our safe place.
I realize that no matter how unsafe our circumstances are and no matter where we live on this planet, we can go to God for safety. The Bible says that He is our refuge and strength. God is present when we face trouble. He can protect us and deliver us from evil. We just need to trust Him.
There is a song by Karen Clark Sheard called “A Secret Place”. The opening lyrics of this song touch on how cruel this world can be, filling you with pain that pierces your soul. But, Sheard sings, there is a secret place where we can go for refuge. It is a place filled with peace and safety that only God can provide. A place where God’s love for you surrounds and heals your hurting heart.
Sheard calls this place a “tabernacle”. It is not always a physical place on Earth like a literal modern-day church building, sanctuary or Biblical tabernacle. I believe Sheard is singing about having a place where you and God can meet in secret. Some call this their “prayer closet”. This can mean you walk into your actual closet where you hang your clothes and keep your shoes then make space to meet with God there.
After watching the Christian movie “War Room” many people were inspired to create a prayer closet like Miss Clara’s. For those of you who have not seen that movie, allow me to explain what I mean. In the movie, Miss Clara (played by Karen Abercrombie), is an elderly woman with a strong prayer life. During a tour of her house that she is trying to sell, she shows her real estate agent (Elizabeth Jordan, played by Priscilla Shirer) her closet. As Miss Clara opens the door to her closet that is located inside her bedroom, she tells Elizabeth that this is her “war room”. As Elizabeth enters the small but spacious closet, she sees how Miss Clara made room in it to post her handwritten prayer requests written on paper onto the previous empty walls inside her closet. There are years-worth of prayer requests and praise reports from the prayers God has answered. Miss Clara didn’t just pray for her husband when he was alive; she prayed for everyone God put on her heart. She didn’t allow her mind to ruminate over the pain and problems in the world; Miss Clara sought God in prayer for victories she knew only He could accomplish. This is how she fought and won all her battles over the years.
I would say that Miss Clara’s prayer closet “war room” was also her secret place that Sheard sings about because that was where she could shut the noisy world out and commune with God in a private, quiet, safe place. It probably is also where—outside of a Bible-believing church—she felt God’s presence strongest.
It is clear to me that God comforted Miss Clara’s troubled heart every time she sought His Presence in her prayer closet. Miss Clara is a fictional character but the concept about having a prayer closet in real life is Biblical. The Bible says in Matthew 6:6 (NIV), “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Now the Bible doesn’t say exactly how or when God will reward you for spending time in secret prayer with Him, but it does say that we are blessed when we take refuge in Him (Psalm 34:8). I believe those blessings can mean that we gain a closer relationship with our Creator. We get to know Him better as our Heavenly Father and we feel safe in His arms.
The Bible describes God as our “fortress” (Psalm 46:11). And the good news is we don’t need to have an actual closet to pray to Him in because God is literally everywhere in this world. We can seek refuge in Him anywhere we are on this planet. He is always with us. There is nowhere we can hide from God. He sees all and knows all (Hebrews 4:13). We can trust that He sees our pain that we experience when the world is cold and cruel. God wants us to come to Him for comfort and healing. The Bible says in Psalm 34:18 (NIV), “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
When we go to God for safety, we can trust that with Him on our side, we are going to be okay. In closing, listen a song that Tasha Layton sings called “Into the Sea”. I believe it will encourage your heart.
Intersecting Faith and Life: How does it feel to know that God is our safe place?
Further Reading:
Psalm 91:2
Psalm 9:9-10
Proverbs 18:10
Psalm 27:5
Psalm 107:28-31
"A Secret Place" by Karen Clark Sheard
https://youtu.be/Arpe-DdVY10?si=CGkyWblG9f-xt1R7
"Into the Sea" by Tasha Layton
https://youtu.be/8HznXBBCdBE?si=G0XDgGAMvEAt5WWu
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode, we explore the theme of "Make Room for Jesus" by examining the various ways God communicates with His people, particularly through the Nativity story. Learn how God uses angels, the Holy Spirit, dreams, and confirmation to guide us. We'll unpack what these forms of divine communication mean for our lives today and how we can create space in our hearts for His voice.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts on the meaning of Immanuel and how you experience God’s presence in your life, especially during Christmas. Share with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How has the truth that God is with you made a difference in your life, and how do you celebrate His presence this Christmas season?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Make Room for Jesus
By: Whitney Hopler
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” – Luke 2:6-7, NIV
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem for a census before Jesus was born, there was no room for them to stay. Despite centuries of prophecy, anticipation, and hope, no one made room for the newborn Jesus. Instead, Jesus was born in an animal stable, which was an unlikely beginning for the world’s Savior – yet one that reveals God’s loving humility.
This lack of space for Jesus in Bethlehem has a message for us today. The Savior, then and now, seeks a place in our lives. But we, too, can often neglect making room for him when we’re too busy and stressed. Distractions and demands can crowd out Jesus, despite the fact that he offers us ultimate peace. If we don’t intentionally make room for Jesus in our hearts, minds, and lives, we risk missing out on the blessings Jesus wants to give us.
Jesus wants to connect with us in our hearts. Yet emotions, attachments, ambitions, and even wounds can fill up our hearts and leave little room for receiving the love Jesus wants to give us. It’s easy to say we love Jesus, but are our hearts open to truly receive Jesus’ love day by day? Making room for Jesus in our hearts means allowing him to be our first love. It requires us to open our hearts vulnerably to Jesus, confessing and releasing the burdens, idols, and attachments that occupy valuable space. Only when we let go of these distractions can we experience the fullness of Jesus’ love.
Jesus longs to give us a mindset that leads to peace and joy. However, too much of our mental energy can be consumed by worry, doubt, and the noise of endless information. Without realizing it, we might fill our minds with anxieties, trivial topics, or negative thoughts that push Jesus’ truth aside. Making room for Jesus in our minds involves consciously choosing to set our minds on what has eternal value. It means praying regularly, meditating on Bible passages, and asking the Holy Spirit to renew our minds. When we let Jesus transform our minds, we begin to view life through the lens of God’s wisdom, which enables us to trust Jesus more deeply.
Finally, making room for Jesus in our lives means centering our daily decisions around our relationships with Jesus. It’s easy to keep Jesus in a “Sunday morning” or “quiet time” compartment, but true devotion calls us to integrate his presence into every part of our lives. What we fill our time and energy with speaks volumes about our priorities, and if our lives are full of lesser pursuits, it leaves little room for discovering the wonder of God’s work in our lives and joining that work by living with purpose. When we make room for Jesus, we become more aware of his guidance and more willing to follow where he leads – even if it takes us out of our comfort zone.
When we make room for Jesus, we open ourselves to awe-inspiring transformation for the better. Jesus longs to work in and through us, but we must be willing to clear away the clutter that hinders his work in our lives. The people who didn’t make room for Jesus in Bethlehem likely had no idea they were turning away the Savior of the world. In the same way, we might overlook the small but vital ways Jesus wants to meet us each day.
When we consciously invite Jesus into our hearts, minds, and lives, our spiritual growth accelerates. So, let’s make room for Jesus, and enjoy experiencing the blessings he wants to give us!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider the importance of making room for Jesus, reflect on these questions:
- Are there specific areas of your life that you have not yet fully surrendered to Jesus?
- What’s taking up room in your heart and mind right now that you’d like to let go of to make more room for Jesus?
- How can you rearrange your priorities and your schedule to get rid of unnecessary activities and allow more time to communicate with Jesus in prayer and meditation?
- In what ways has Jesus already shown you that he is present in your life, and how can you respond to him more fully?
Further Reading
Matthew 6:33
Revelation 3:20
Psalm 37:4
Romans 12:2
John 15:5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this special Christmas episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the profound truth behind the name Immanuel, meaning "God with us." The birth of Jesus marks the moment when God, in His love and grace, chose to dwell among us in human form. But what does it truly mean for us today that God is with us? How does the presence of Christ—Emmanuel—transform our lives, our faith, and our understanding of God’s closeness and care?
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the meaning of Immanuel and how you experience God’s presence in your life, especially during Christmas. Share with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email. How has the truth that God is with you made a difference in your life, and how do you celebrate His presence this Christmas season?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Immanuel: How God is With Us?
Written By: Emma Danzey
Matthew 1:23 says, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means "God with us”).
Did you know that when you woke up this morning God was with you? Did you know that when you received that horrible news God was with you? Did you know that when you reached that goal God was with you?
One of the most beautiful gifts to give a loved one is quality time. This is one of my top love languages. It does not matter what we are doing, but simply being with my husband makes my heart happy. Being with someone implies closeness, availability and being on a team. One of the most unique blessings that Jesus gave to us was not just coming to be with us physically and die for our sins (Although vital to our salvation), but He also explained that He needed to ascend to the Father so He could send the Holy Spirit (The Helper) to be with all believers.
When Jesus walked this earth, individuals sought after Him among crowds trying to be noticed or touch His robe or get just a moment of His time to talk with Him. Now that we have access to the Holy Spirit, we do not have to wait in line, get only a moment to speak or fly to Israel to connect with Jesus. We have His Spirit with us all of the time, no matter what. He is Immanuel, God with us.
John 16:7 says, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."
A Renewed Perspective on God’s Presence
When was the last time that you had gratitude in your heart for being able to have immediate, uninterrupted, and full time connection to God? This is something that I forget is a blessing every day. It is easy to live after Pentecost and believe that this is just the norm and it is what we know. However, this presence, this Spirit within us came at a great cost. God left His perfect world to enter our broken one, He took on the weight of our sins when He was perfect, and He blesses us with the opportunity to be redeemed children who always have His presence with us.
One of the most devastating moments in the garden of Eden was when God had to kick Adam and Eve out of His presence. They learned what it was like to miss Him. He used to walk among them and speak with them and they had perfect unity and safety in His created world. However, sin stole their ability and our ability to be in the presence of the perfect Lord. Jesus was the only way to be reunited with our Creator. We do not see Him yet, but He has given us the seal of His Holy Spirit as a deposit of His return.
What are some ways that God Promises He is With Us?
- He is with us always: Matthew 28:20
- His Spirit is sealed upon every believer. Ephesians 1:13
- He is with us in trials. Isaiah 41:10
- He is with us in our fears. Psalm 23:4
- He is with us when we are alone. Deuteronomy 31:16
- His Spirit is with us when we are gathered as believers. Matthew 18:20
As we approach this Christmas and we hear the name of Jesus read or sung as Immanuel, may it have an even deeper and richer meaning to us. He gave us Himself and now we have His full attention and love with us always. This is a beautiful gift of salvation that began at the little town of Bethlehem.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
How have you experienced God with you? How can you have peace that He fulfills this promise even when you are not physically seeing Him or feeling His presence? How can you ponder the beauty of Jesus, God coming in flesh to us as a baby this Christmas to be our Savior and give us His Spirit forever?
Further Reading:
- Isaiah 7:14
- John 1:14
- Matthew 28:19-20
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this special Christmas episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we take a moment to pause and reflect on the abundant blessings God has given us, especially during this holiday season. Christmas can often feel like a whirlwind of activities, shopping, and expectations, but it's essential to slow down and appreciate the many gifts God has already provided in our lives—His presence, His love, and the beauty of the relationships we share with others.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you take time to enjoy God’s blessings during the Christmas season. Share with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What blessings are you most grateful for this year, and how do you make space for joy and gratitude during the holidays?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Take time to Enjoy God's Blessings This Christmas
By: Laura Bailey
“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” Ecclesiastes 2: 24-25 NIV
“Are you getting my calendar invites?” I asked my husband over dinner.
“Which one? The one about the Christmas play at school? Or the Sunday School Holiday potluck? How could I miss the multiple invitations to celebrate Christmas with our families, friends, and people we barely know?” My husband’s voice was playful, but I still sensed his aggravation over our packed calendar.
It is a recurring disagreement in our household; I enjoy a calendar filled with activities, hosting people, and hustle and bustle, while my husband prefers a more relaxed schedule of events, i.e., sitting in his pajamas watching a Christmas movie with just our family. Both ways of celebrating Christmas have their drawbacks and perks.
My over-scheduling can lead our family to feelings of exhaustion and a desire to just “get through Christmas” so they can have a chance to relax. Yet, on the flip side, by hosting events at our home, we’ve had the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others and invite people to have a seat at the table who didn’t have anyone to share the holiday. If our family engaged in Christmas the way my husband prefers, we would often miss out on supporting our friends in their plays, attending church events, and celebrating time with family. However, it is nice to rest and simply enjoy the gift of each other’s presence without constantly thinking about the next event on the calendar.
This tension of knowing when to take action and when to rest is often addressed in the pages of Scripture. The Bible is replete with invitations to the weary to come to Jesus for rest ( Matthew 11:28) and to abide in Christ ( John 15:14). Conversely, Scripture charges us to go and make disciples ( Matthew 28:19) and to make the most of every opportunity because the days are short ( Ephesians 5:15-16). So then, what’s the answer? Do we go and do, or stay and linger this holiday season?
Solomon in Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 offers insight into how we should approach Christmas time. He writes, “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” For someone whose holiday plans involve a lot of eating, I am grateful that Solomon encourages us to enjoy our food! And all God’s children said, “Amen!”
All jokes aside, Solomon, in these verses, reminds us to enjoy life's blessings: food, fellowship, and a job well done. Even in a fallen world where the evidence of sin is prevalent, we still experience gifts from a most gracious and loving Father. I like to think of these blessings as “glimmers of Heaven,” glimpses of the abundant, extravagant life those in Christ will experience for all eternity.
Solomon does not encourage us to abandon our responsibilities, forgo our obligations, or even say no to things we enjoy doing. Instead, he draws our attention to the fact that God is sovereign over everything. Even our ability to find enjoyment in this life comes from the Lord.
So, however, you celebrate this season, cling to the truth that God’s grace and mercy enable us to experience eternity in the here and now. Might I suggest, as our family has come to practice, a mixture of participation in the holiday, ensuring we have ample time for rest and relaxation, and giving the Lord all the glory and honor because He alone is worthy.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Think about your holiday plans. Do you tend to lean more towards filling the calendar with “all the things?” Or perhaps you are more likely to keep a clear schedule? In light of Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, how might the Lord call you to adjust your plans this Christmas season so that you can fully enjoy and share the blessings from the Lord with others?
For Further Reading:
John 15:4
Ephesians 5:15-16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this special Christmas episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on the true meaning of giving and how the greatest gifts we receive are often the ones we give to others. While Christmas is a season filled with presents, festivities, and family, it also serves as a reminder of the ultimate gift God gave to the world—His Son, Jesus Christ. His life and message challenge us to live a life of generosity, kindness, and love toward others.
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts on the power of giving and how it shapes your Christmas experience. Share with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How do you prioritize giving during the holiday season? What have been some of the most meaningful gifts you’ve given or received, and how have they impacted your life?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
The Greatest Gifts You'll Get are the Ones You Give
By Keri Eichberger
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35) Have you ever felt a tender sweet feeling well and stir up deep in the pit of your core? That with rich smooth waves swells through your soul, and sneaks all the way up as a soft lump in your throat. Then attempting to squeeze tears to the brim of your sight. And not because you’re sad or scared or anything bad at all. But for the sake of pure joy.
I’ve cried several happy tears, and they are always a divine treat. Moments I see God’s blessings of compassion so clearly. And I had one of those encounters last week.
My Thursday morning bible study had just wrapped another session of leaning in to learn more about Jesus together. My favorite few hours of the week by the way. We had been discussing an opportunity to do something special to kick off the holiday season, when Michelle suggested we adopt a specific family to bless and shower with gifts. It was the beginning of such a beautiful conversation. One that enveloped every single one of us in the room with smiles and obvious excitement. You could hear and see the joy unfold and unleash as we went from talking over which few items we would fulfill on the list for the foster family of twelve, to asserting our uncontainable eagerness to cover every single want and need they’d referenced.
We couldn’t hold back. The ideas and generous hearts swirling around the room became contagious and overflowing. Emily, sitting right beside me and with a large grin, stated what we were all deeply feeling: how great of a blessing this big gesture would surely be to them.
And all of a sudden it struck me. I honestly had no idea how any of the receivers would react, or the impact our gifts would have. But I knew one thing for sure. This opportunity was changing me. Yes, we were all beaming with joy to bless, but the truer truth was: we were the ones undeniably being blessed.
What a joy. Something I bet you long for now and always too. Right?
I know the holidays can sometimes present a struggle to find the joy we hope for in the sweet season of supposed peace and good tidings. Because—whether we are entering this Christmas without a loved one for the first time, with a new shift in family dynamics, or experiencing some other form of suffering stealing our hope and joy—expectations can run high, and in typical fashion the world fails to measure up making joy difficult to muster up. I know this struggle. I’ve been navigating my own hard season. But in that moment, in a room filled with hearts looking outward in love to serve, I was profoundly reminded of the absolute joy found in giving. The remarkable blessing in the act of blessing.
Yes, we are responding in obedience when we love on, serve, and share our resources with others. And these are pleasing gifts to God. But make no mistake, he is ever so delighted to share back with you and me the sweet gift and blessing of joy too. An infectious fulfilling joy you’ll find when you offer generous blessings to his beloved children.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
In what ways are you giving and serving this season? Would it bless you to experience some increased doses of joy? It always does, friend.
Today or tomorrow, consider blessing someone. It can be a small token, a simple act, a community effort, or an anonymous encouragement. Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ And what better time of year to honor the Lord and give than Christmas time. When Christians all around the world come together to celebrate Jesus, our Savior. The greatest gift we were so generously given. The time of year—when in our overflow of praise to the Father for sending his son and every blessing he brings—we have the opportunity to reflect the light and hope many are longing and praying for. This precious time we have the honor of offering the light of hope we have in him. And find the privilege in return of refreshing our hope, light, and joy in him.
Let’s join him in being a gift and light to others. Allowing the light and joy to well up within our souls–just like it did for me last week–and thus begin to reflect, multiply, and magnify light all around us. And all throughout the world. For the sake of Jesus—the light and hope of all the world.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this special Christmas episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the deeper significance of Christ’s birth and the message He came to preach. Christmas is often associated with joy, gifts, and family celebrations, but at its heart, the season points to the life-changing message that Jesus brought to the world. Why did Jesus come to earth as a baby, and why does His preaching matter to us today?
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the true meaning of Christmas and how Christ’s message impacts your life. Share with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email. How do you keep Christ at the center of your Christmas celebrations? What part of His message do you find most meaningful during the holiday season?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Why Christ Preached At Christmas Matters Most
By Lynette Kittle
“But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice”-- Philippians 1:18
We may not like or approve of certain ways some Christian leaders, groups, organizations, and churches are proclaiming the Christmas story this year, yet we may want to take a step back and look at the whole picture.
Although it’s difficult to observe, as often we can see how some seem to have ulterior motives rather than being motivated by the beauty of God’s message. Yet, still, they may be reaching out to those who may not have heard it before. Even if we don’t like their tactics and methods, we want to recognize that God is able to save those who hear His truth despite how it is being presented to them.
It’s hard, too, for those of us who seek to handle God’s word with reverent fear and trembling and who understand the call and importance of handling it correctly to see others seeming to deal carelessly with it. Like 2 Timothy 2:15 instructs, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Understanding God holds us accountable for the words we speak, write, and present to the world; we know He will also hold those responsible who are not so concerned in how they handle it. Like Jesus warned in Matthew 12:36, we are to be cautious. “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
Praising God in the Midst of People’s Carelessness
Still, despite their careless handling of His word, God is able to save through it, and for this we want to be thankful and praise God—not for the people who are doing so with little regard for how they present His truth, but for how He is able to reach out in remarkable ways through the most haphazardly ways His truth is presented.
We want to keep in mind that the most important thing is that Christ is preached at Christmas, and that involves a broad spectrum of how it is accomplished. Like the Apostle Paul explained in Romans 10:14, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
In the grand scheme of life, isn’t it better for those to hear Christ than not to hear at all, even if it’s not done in a way or method we would present it?
God Has His Ways
Because God has His ways of speaking to individuals’ hearts, we don’t know how He might move a person’s heart in the most unexpected time and place when it seems like nothing good could come from the situation.
As a hospice chaplain, my husband shared what happened while he was leading a grief support group, and some of the members began saying why they don’t celebrate Christmas.
Still, in their argument, they quoted Scripture and actually told the Christmas story to the group while trying to make a point against it.
Thankfully, instead of attempting to shut the discussion down, God gave him insight and wisdom to recognize that in their attempt to discredit the story of God’s Christmas gift, they were actually spreading the truth of it to those in the group who may never have heard it before.
Although the disgruntled group members didn’t realize it that evening, they were preaching Christ and possibly unknowingly through it, God was stirring hearts with the Good News of His Christmas gift of Salvation.
Isaiah 55:8 describes how, “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: If troubled by how the Christmas story is being presented and represented in your community and the world at large, pray for God to reach through the carelessness and move individuals’ hearts to receive Him.
Further Reading: At Christmas and Always God’s Word Never Fails
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/at-christmas-and-always-gods-word-never-fails.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the powerful truth that God’s peace is not just a feeling—it’s a ruling force that can govern our hearts and minds. As Christians, we are called to let God’s peace guard us, especially in times of anxiety, worry, and uncertainty. But how do we allow His peace to rule our hearts when life is filled with stress and chaos?
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how God’s peace has ruled in your heart during difficult times. Share your stories with us on social media @Lifeaudionetwork or via email. How do you make room for God’s peace in your life? What Scriptures or practices help you to surrender your anxieties and trust in His peace?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:12-16
As someone prone to anxiety and who comes from a long line of worriers, I’m intrigued by the phrasing of verse 15. I find it interesting that Scripture doesn’t say, “gain” or “discover” the peace of Christ. Instead, it tells us to allow His peace to control, to reign over, and to direct our hearts, the seat of our emotions and intellect. This suggests, even in my angsty moments, that I possess His peace.
Scripture affirms this. Shortly before His death, knowing all His disciples would soon witness and experience, Jesus said He gave them His peace, indicating that it came not from their circumstances but instead, from Him. We’re also told, in Galatians 5:22 that the fruit, product, or result of the Spirit’s work in us is, among other things, peace.
When I combine these truths with the Bible’s directive to “let” God’s peace reign, I’m invited to consider ways in which I might be resisting this precious gift given me through my faith in Christ. Granted, I recognize there are numerous circumstances, from job loss to health challenges, that can cause us to worry and feel afraid. I don’t want to diminish that. Yet, God has also shown me, often during some of my most unsettling seasons, how much of my anxiety stemmed from the state of my heart. I can’t experience the peace of Christ while actively nursing a grudge, harboring bitterness, or strategizing how to get even with someone who wronged me. The more I ruminate on my offenses, the greater my angst.
I “let” Christ’s peace rule as I follow the guidance recorded in today’s passage. Verse 1 tells me to focus on and prioritize those things of eternal value, which helps place today’s frustrations in proper perspective. Verses 5-10 tell me to “put to death” or turn from, sinful cravings and self-destructive behaviors. As I do, these “urges” lose their grip over me, making me less apt to hurt others and plunge into the pit of regret.
Verse 12 reminds me of my secure standing as God’s child. Remembering that I’m His chosen and dearly loved daughter quiets the anxiety that leads to defensiveness. It also helps me rest in the knowledge that my Father has good planned for me and the power to bring His plans to pass. The more I receive His love and grace, the better I’m able to offer others, including those who have hurt me, these same transformative, healing gifts.
Intersecting Life and Faith
To summarize, based on the context surrounding Colossians 3:15, here are powerful ways we “let” the peace of Christ rule in our hearts: We intentionally and regularly focus on Christ, everything we have in Him, and all that awaits us in eternity. We don’t give in to or dwell on those things that pull our hearts from the thriving life for which we were created. We relate to others with honesty and integrity, living like the redeemed and empowered children of God we are. And we don’t hold on to and ruminate over past offenses.
Imagine the freedom we’d experience if we prayerfully read through Colossians 3 each night before we went to bed, inviting God to search and cleanse us of everything that steals our peace. And then ended our prayers speaking to ourselves as Colossians 3:16 instructs us to talk to one another—with hymns, songs, and thanksgiving.
Further Reading:
Philippians 4:4-9
Galatians 5:16-24
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore how to cultivate a merry heart, grounded in biblical truth and joy in the Lord. As believers, we are called to find joy in all circumstances, but how do we maintain a joyful and merry heart when life feels heavy? In this devotional, we dive into the Scriptures to uncover what it truly means to have a merry heart and how we can nourish this joy through faith, gratitude, and a deeper connection to Christ.
We’d love to hear how you keep a merry heart in the Lord. Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @Lifeaudionetwork or via email. How do you cultivate joy and peace in your daily walk with Christ? What biblical practices help you maintain a merry heart even during difficult times?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
How to Have a Merry Heart
By: Whitney Hopler
“A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22, MEV
Popular culture often depicts the Christmas season as a time of fun, happiness, and togetherness. Yet many people don’t experience that idea of a “Merry Christmas.” Instead, too often, people are dealing with sadness, loneliness, or even despair as Christmas approaches. Broken relationships, financial pressures, and the weight of unmet expectations can turn what is meant to be the most wonderful time of the year into a season of sorrow.
The Bible says that a merry heart is like medicine – something that heals and restores well-being. Just as medicine can relieve physical pain and suffering, a joyful heart can relieve the burdens of our souls.
During the Christmas season, we can find ourselves stressed by demands like the pressure to buy gifts, the strain of hosting gatherings, or the pain of celebrating without loved ones whose loss we’re grieving. However, the joy that God offers is not limited by circumstances like those. It’s a joy that is available to us even in the middle of our challenges. Joy is much different from happiness. Happiness is a temporary feeling that comes and goes, based on whether or not we like our current circumstances. But joy is possible to experience anytime – even in unhappy circumstances. That’s because joy comes from God himself. Psalm 16:11 says of God: “In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This means that joy is not something we manufacture on our own; it’s something we receive from being in God’s presence. When we connect with God’s presence, we tap into a powerful well of joy that sustains us, even when we’re facing challenges.
Joy is what gives us a “merry heart.” Consider the shepherds in the Christmas story. They were ordinary people going about their daily tasks when an angel appeared and announced “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10). This joy wasn’t based on their circumstances; it was based on the arrival of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Similarly, our joy today is rooted in the reality that God is with us and that his love for us is complete and unconditional.
If you’re struggling this Christmas season, here are a few ways you can develop a merry heart that will boost your well-being like medicine:
- Focus on God’s presence, not perfection. This Christmas, let go of unrealistic expectations and focus on the miracle of God’s presence in your life. Spend time reading God’s Word and communicating with him in prayer and meditation. Let the simple yet significant blessing of God’s presence fill your heart with joy.
- Practice gratitude. When you take time to thank God for his blessings, you shift your focus from what you lack to what you have. Make a list of things you’re thankful for each day, and watch how your perspective changes. Gratitude unlocks joy and can transform even the most difficult seasons.
- Practice kindness. Sometimes the best way to lift your own spirits is to lift someone else’s. Consider ways you can intentionally spread kindness to others – whether it’s through volunteering, sending a kind message, or simply being there for a friend in need.
- Connect and forgive. If you’re struggling with loneliness or the pain of broken relationships, reach out to someone caring and trustworthy for encouragement. Let go of bitterness by choosing to forgive the people who have hurt you and move on with the peace God will give you when you ask for it.
You can have a Merry Christmas and a merry heart authentically when you’re struggling, because joy can coexist with sorrow. Jesus is Immanuel – “God with us” – not only in your celebrations but also in your struggles. When you turn to God in your pain, you can find a joy that can carry you through any circumstances. May this Christmas season be one where you discover the true medicine of a merry heart, centered in the joy that comes from knowing Jesus.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how God will give you a merry heart in any kind of circumstances, reflect on these questions:
- In what areas of your life are you struggling to find joy this Christmas season? How can you invite God’s presence into those areas?
- How does the knowledge that God is Immanuel – “God with us” – affect your outlook on your current challenges?
Further Reading
Psalm 16:11
John 15:11
Nehemiah 8:10
Philippians 4:4
Romans 15:13
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the importance of having a role model in our Christian walk. As believers, we are called to reflect Christ’s character, and having someone to look up to can inspire us to live more like Him. Together, we’ll dive into Scripture to understand who the ultimate role model is and how we can follow His example in our daily lives—whether through faith, love, humility, or service.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear about the role models who have shaped your faith journey. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—Who has influenced your walk with Christ, and how has their example impacted the way you live and serve?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Who Is Your Role Model?
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.” - Titus 2:7-8
Who Is Your Role Model?
I’ve long been under the impression that we all worship something. People, money, ideas. If you’re wondering what you worship, then look at where you spend most of your time. As Christians, we’re called to worship God, and only God. Still, being the sinful humans that we are, there’s a natural inclination to stray away from Him sometimes. We leave God to worship other things that cast influence on us. In that influence, we should also make another realization, we’re not just always partaking in the act of worship, we are also always learning.
Think about it. When we worship God, we are learning from Him. Prayer, fellowship, reading the Bible, all of this teaches us how to live out His will. We mature and gain wisdom as we hopefully become more like Christ. Jesus is the role model.
However, if you don’t know the Lord or have grown idle in your faith, then who fills that space? Something has to if you want to derive purpose from life. Even if you are active in your faith, sin presents an ever ready disconnect between us and God. We too face the threat of losing sight of Him and propping someone or something else up, even if temporarily.
The simple truth that every Christian should heed is that without Christ as our role model, we start to resemble the world. Our culture is constantly talking to us through what we see on television or the music we listen to. Can you think of one recent example of a show or movie from Hollywood that portrayed Christianity in a positive way? Yet, how many shows or movies have you seen where our faith is shown as just the opposite?
The world wants us to believe that they have the answers, that their way is not just better, but right. If we’re not careful, not only will we forget who we ought to be following, but we will substitute Him for something lesser, something unrighteous.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Today, I’m willing to say that Jesus Christ is my role model. Though, if I’m being honest, I know that there are days when I don’t want to see Him. Days when I want to go my own way, do my own thing, pretending that I know better. Can you relate?
Once we snap back to reality, we need to ensure Jesus is our role model by doing the following:
Reexamine Your Life
Introspection is a must if you want to follow Christ. If we’re always learning, then we need to reflect on the lessons of old and new. Reflection is how we determine which ideas we hold are accurate, true, and which are not. Hopefully, the way you think today is more mature than how you thought five years ago or ten years ago. Continue to examine yourself for the purpose of finding truth. The closer to truth we are, the closer to Jesus we are.
Identify Any Idols
As we examine ourselves, naturally, we are going to spot sin, even idols. Once you’ve spotted them, weed them out. Replace the bad with God. How exactly do you do that? You turn to your role-model, Christ. Look at how He lived and seek to imitate that.
Pursue God
How foolish are we to ever think that God doesn’t want a relationship. He loved us before we loved Him, before we even loved ourselves (1 John 4:19). The world doesn’t love us unconditionally, if at all. Yet, the world is always trying to preach something to us. Telling us what’s right and what’s wrong. Well, God wants to do the same, only His love is unconditional. We ought to pursue Him to the best of our ability, knowing that when we do, we will look more and more like His son. Likewise, we resemble the world less and less, throwing away all evidence of unrighteousness that holds us back.
Further Reading:
1 Corinthians 11:1
Matthew 5:16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on the timeless message of the Christmas star and what it means to follow God's guidance in our lives. Just as the wise men were led to Jesus by the star, we too are called to follow the light of Christ in our daily walk of faith. Together, we’ll explore how Scripture invites us to seek Christ with intentionality, trust His direction, and let His light guide our hearts through every season.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how following the light of Christ has transformed your journey. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How has God's guidance shaped your life, and how are you responding to His call this season?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Follow the Star
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:9-10
My husband and I strolled in and out of the booths at a recent community fair in our town. There were homemade crafts, food and drinks. Local churches also gave out cards and invites to the church. But we were surprised to see the amount of New Age and occultic-derived materials there were as well. They were interwoven in between the other booths like it was normal. Many people visited both the New Age booths and the church booths as if they were equal in value. But we were careful not to purchase or interact with anything that might have been derived from an occultic source.
Those who did not have a religion would have interacted with any of these booths with ease. But Christians like us could discern the spiritual ramifications of interacting with those goods.
Everyone is looking for direction in life. But the Bible warns against consulting mediums, astrologers, and other practices that get their information from demonic sources. People go to these sources in a desperate attempt to get closure on their losses or see if there is hope for their future. Believers and nonbelievers need to ask God for their direction rather than a spiritual posing as someone with pertinent information about the future.
The religious leaders of Jesus’s day knew Jesus would be born, but they didn't know who he truly was or his ultimate role in the world. Born from an unwed young mother, the religious leaders believed Jesus was nothing more than the offspring of a lowly shepherd. They didn’t think a king would come as a baby or in that manner. The Magi were on a journey to worship a king who, although he didn't look anything like what they would expect, believed he was king of the Jews.
But they needed direction. Without the star of Bethlehem, they never would have been able to find him, much less worship him. The Magi knew they needed to consult the one true star. The star guided them to the miraculous birth and allowed them to be the first to worship him.
In a culture not much different from today's, astrologers use the stars to tell a person's future or direction for their life. Astrologers abounded during that time. Many people would consult an astrologer for information about the future. The star of Bethlehem also led people, except this one prompted the Magi to an ordinary child who, when grown, would provide salvation to the world.
Some people today need clarification about who Jesus is. They think astrologers or psychics are phony or not real. But that’s not true. While some pose as psychics, others consult Satan and receive his prophetic words that they then give to customers for money. But those who trust in the Lord will receive his direction because he is the only one who truly knows the future.
Even when we are confused about what God is doing, who he is, or his presence in our lives, God always directs those who want to find him. Whoever seeks him will always find him, even in times of great confusion.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us not to lean on our understanding but on God’s voice. He will always direct and guide us in our steps: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Take a moment to reflect on how you have taken Jesus for granted or been confused about who he is or his role in your life. Let God reveal how he guides and directs you toward his perfect purpose and plan.
Father, be faithful in finding us if we seek you. Please make yourself known to us in new ways, not only in the season of Advent, when we expect you to come, but even in times of confusion. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Where do you go for direction? Do you go to the Bible for its wisdom?
Further Reading
Romans 8:28
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the transformative power of living with a heart of gratitude. We’ll dive deep into how cultivating a thankful attitude can change our perspective, deepen our faith, and help us overcome life's challenges. Together, we’ll look at what Scripture says about gratitude and how embracing this practice can lead to a more joyful and fulfilling life in Christ.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how living with gratitude has impacted your life. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How has cultivating a thankful heart helped you in your faith journey, and what Scripture has inspired you to live with more gratitude?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Some days, thanksgiving comes easily. When life hits hard, however, and sorrow and grief flood our souls, it can feel nearly impossible to see anything good. In those seasons, passages like today’s can feel unrealistic, if not cruel. Does God really want us to rejoice always?
As someone with chronic pain, I know how challenging it can be to see past our current struggles. There was a time, in fact, that my situation felt so overwhelming, I found myself slipping into despair. God used Paul, the first century church planter who wrote today’s passage, to speak hope and encouragement into my bruised and weary soul.
If you’re familiar with Scripture, you might know some of his journey. Living during a period hostile to Christ-followers, he experienced a great deal of intense persecution.
He recounted some of his suffering to the church in ancient Corinth. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-28, he wrote:
24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches (NIV).
He endured a depth of hardship most of us never will. He also recognized the diverse difficulties faced by Christ-followers in Thessalonica. Early in his letter to them, he wrote:
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 1:6, NIV).
Pause to consider his phrasing. The man who’d been beaten, flogged, stoned, and thrown into the deepest area of an ancient dungeon referred to the Thessalonians’ suffering as “severe”. He acknowledged their pain, but he also called them to give thanks. Perhaps, in part, because he knew the power of praise to protect, comfort and strengthen the human heart. The more we reflect upon all we have, in and through Christ, the less prone we are to despair. We remember that we aren’t abandoned, forsaken, or alone.
According to Dr. Marcus Warner, gratitude also helps turn on the “relational circuits”—the area in our brains that help us connect with others, God included. This heightens our awareness of His presence, sensitivity to His voice, and ability to receive comfort and strength from His love.
But practicing gratitude does more than that. As I shared in an iBelieve article a few years ago, thankfulness increases our ability to recall positive memories and release toxic emotions. It also increases our dopamine and serotonin, two important mood-regulating neurotransmitters.
Intersecting Life and Faith
This reminds us that God truly has our best in mind, even when asking us to follow challenging guidelines, like His call to give thanks always and rejoice continually. The more we understand Him, His heart, and His ways, the more we realize everything He does stems from His perfect wisdom and love.
This doesn’t mean He wants us to deny or suppress our emotions with a forced halleluiah. To the contrary, the raw anguish revealed in the Psalms and Lamentations invites us to bring our unfiltered selves to the Lord. Our pain feels most manageable, however, when cushioned in the truth of who He is, all He’s done, and all He’s promised. He is our faithful, attentive, all-powerful Father who sent His Son that we might experiencing thriving life. He has promised to bring good from all we encounter today (Romans 8:28). When difficulties arise, may we follow Paul’s instructions in Philippians 4:6, which tells us to bring our requests to God “with thanksgiving”, trusting Him to guard our hearts and minds with His peace (Phil. 4:7).
Further Reading:
1 Peter 1:3-8
Colossians 4:2
Psalm 106:1-2
Psalm 100:1-5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s miracles are all around us—sometimes they’re the big, awe-inspiring moments we can clearly see, but often they’re the quiet, everyday blessings that go unnoticed. From the healing of bodies to the restoration of relationships, God’s hand is at work in ways we can’t always measure or even understand. These uncountable miracles remind us of His constant presence, His grace, and His love for us. Whether it’s the miracle of a answered prayer, a changed heart, or the gift of another day, His miracles are countless and His faithfulness is beyond our ability to number.
Join the Conversation:
What miracles have you witnessed in your life, both big and small? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How have God’s uncountable miracles encouraged your faith?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Miracles that Cannot Be Counted
By: Whitney Hopler
“But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” – Job 5:8-9, NIV.
This verse highlights God’s unlimited power. Our God is a God of miracles! When I see countless Christmas lights shining brightly on a dark night, I like to think about the fact that God is constantly up to something wonderful – much more often than I can count. God’s light is always overcoming the darkness in our world. We just have to pay attention to notice it.
God operates in ways that are far beyond our limited human understanding. God’s wonders are too great to fully grasp, and this is precisely what makes them miraculous. When we encounter situations in our lives that seem impossible, we must remember that nothing is too difficult for God to do.
This verse also speaks of God performing so many miracles that they can’t be counted. God’s miraculous power is not confined to a few select moments in history. Instead, God is constantly doing miraculous work in such abundance that we can’t even understand or count it all. From answering prayers to working through creation, God is performing miracles all the time – even if we don’t always recognize it.
When you think about it, how many times have you been protected, provided for, or blessed without even realizing that it was God at work? The breath in your lungs, the beating of your heart, and the peace that sustains you through difficult times are all evidence of God’s wonderful work in your life.
God is always ready and willing to do something wonderful for you, if you ask him to do so. God invites you to come to him with your needs and dreams. He wants you to pour out your thoughts and feelings honestly, and to seek his help. God is approachable, compassionate, and eager to intervene in your life. So, you don’t need to hesitate to ask God to perform a miracle when you need one.
God’s miracles are often linked to faith. While God is not limited by your faith, God loves to know that you trust him and his power to help you. When you come to God with faith, believing that he is really able to help you, you open doors for God to do miracles in your life.
One of the challenges you face is waiting for God’s miracles, especially when you’re going through difficult challenges. But just because you don’t see a miracle immediately doesn’t mean that God is not at work. Sometimes, God’s timing is different from yours because he sees the bigger picture. God’s delays are not denials. Instead, they’re divine setups for something greater than you can imagine.
Not all miracles are dramatic or spectacular. Some miracles are as simple as a timely word of encouragement, an unexpected provision, or a broken relationship healing. It’s important to learn to recognize and appreciate these everyday miracles because they’re just as significant as extraordinary miracles. God is constantly working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for your good.
So, live with the expectation that God is always ready to do something wonderful in your life. His wonders are beyond what you can understand, and his miracles are beyond counting. Approach God with faith, lay your causes before him, and wait expectantly for God to answer you.
No matter what you’re facing today – a financial burden, a health crisis, a broken relationship, or a season of uncertainty – know that God is able to perform miracles beyond what you can imagine. He is not only capable, but also willing to intervene on your behalf!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how God can do something wonderful and miraculous in your life, reflect on these questions:
- When was the last time you witnessed or experienced a miracle, big or small? How did it affect your faith?
- In what areas of your life do you need to appeal to God and lay your causes before him? What is holding you back?
- How can you start expecting God to work wonders in your life?
- Are there any “small” miracles in your life that you may have overlooked or taken for granted? How can you develop a greater sense of gratitude for God’s daily blessings?
- How can you encourage someone else who is struggling to see God’s miracles in his or her life? What testimony can you share to inspire faith?
Further Reading
Psalm 77:14
Jeremiah 32:27
Ephesians 3:20
Mark 11:24
Isaiah 43:19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a world that often feels uncertain and overwhelming, it's easy to lose sight of the hope we have in Christ. But no matter the trials or struggles we face, our hope in God is steadfast and unshakable. This hope is not based on circumstances, but on His unchanging love and faithfulness. When we anchor our hearts in His promises, we can take joy, knowing that He is working all things together for our good. Our hope in God is the source of true joy, a joy that transcends our circumstances and strengthens us in every season.
Join the Conversation:
How has your hope in God brought you joy, even in difficult times? Share your story with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—What Scriptures or moments have reminded you to rejoice in the hope we have in Christ?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Take Joy in Your Hope in God
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
2021 turned out to be a challenging year. My husband and I suffered through many difficulties: financial strain, health issues, and relational conflict. First, a litany of bills and repairs taxed our bank account. Then, I went through a health challenge that impacted my ability to work and forced me to take some time off to rest. Then, conflict with my husband’s job brought a looming black cloud into our home. No matter how hard we tried, the trials kept coming. It was quickly becoming too much to bear.
One day, during my prayer time, I cried out to God:
Why are you doing this to me?
Don't you care about me?
Can't anything be easy?
Although the tribulations kept coming, I noticed something: my reaction to them changed. I no longer came home complaining about how terrible my day ended. Instead, I went to the Lord. I journaled my feelings and read the bible more often. Soon, the Lord's love expressed through the Bible changed my heart. I read about the mercy and grace of Jesus. I saw him express His love to others in each book. I was inspired to become more like a disciple than a Pharisee.
As I read, I realized I was more like a Pharisee than I thought. I found that I complained rather than was grateful, and I didn’t believe that Jesus was who He said He was. But as God changed my heart, I began to feel God could turn things around. I started to see trials as a good thing rather than a bad thing. Soon, I looked forward to having my time with God. Eventually, the trials subsided, and my circumstances got a little easier. But the suffering brought me closer to God in prayer than I'd ever been.
Trials that I thought were a punishment were really a blessing in disguise. When we had financial concerns, my friends helped us. When I faced the health challenge, I had my church uphold me in prayer. When conflict arose, we used the best conflict resolution skills possible and resolved it as best we could.
Although I don’t want to go through those trials again, God didn’t waste my pain during those times. God used it to make me more grateful. I turned my tears into gratitude, transforming my thoughts and, ultimately, my heart. He drew me closer to him and improved my prayer life. I heard his voice when I listened as well. My relationship with God deepened like never before. Sometimes, the worst things in life turn out to be the best things after all.
Advent is a season of expectation and anticipation. While the people expected the Savior to be a king who would take away all their suffering, our king emerged in the most unusual circumstances. Jesus was far from what they expected their king to look like. What they thought they wanted turned out to be not what they expected. Life is like that sometimes.
Life may look far from what you expected it to be. You may feel disillusioned or jaded with how life has turned out. You may be complaining or confused as to what God is doing. If this is you, take joy in your hope in God. Come to God faithfully in prayer. Let Him turn your mourning into gratitude. Be grateful for what God has already done. Let God turn even the most challenging situation around for your good.
Count your blessings. Be content in this season of life. Take joy in the life God has given you. Be patient in your trials. Place your hope in God. Praise God for what he already has given. Put your hope into turning around even the most challenging situation. He always changes things around for our good and His glory.
Father, help us to be joyful as we hope in you. Rejoice in knowing that even when life looks far from what we think it should be or if we're dealing with relentless trials, we can still delight in having hope in you. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
In what ways can you exude patience, unconditional love or joy to others today?
Further reading
Philippians 4:13
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In the midst of life's struggles and uncertain seasons, we often find ourselves feeling lost, weary, and alone. But even in the wilderness, God speaks tenderly to our hearts. His words bring comfort, hope, and reassurance when we need them most. Just as He spoke to His people in the desert, offering encouragement and guidance, God continues to speak words of love and promise to us today. His gentle whispers remind us that we are never truly alone, and His presence is a refuge in every storm.
Join the Conversation:
Have you experienced God’s tender words in your own wilderness moments? Share your story with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—What Scriptures or prayers have brought you peace and hope during difficult times?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Tender Words in the Wilderness
by Deidre Braley
Hosea 2:14: Therefore, I am going to persuade her, lead her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.
In the book of Hosea, the Lord rebukes Israel for her idolatry—namely for chasing after other gods and forgetting her first love, and for forgetting that it was God who gave her every good thing she’d ever had. Her worship had been misplaced: she’d mistaken the worldly things around her as the source of goodness.
God says, “She does not recognize that it is I who gave her the grain, the new wine, and the fresh oil. I lavished gold and silver on her, which they used for Baal” (Hosea 2:8). As a consequence, he proclaims that he will take these gifts away, listing them one by one to show how forsaken Israel will be without her God. “I will punish her for the feast days of the Baals when she burned offerings to them and adorned herself with her ring and jewelry, and went after her lovers and forgot me, declares the Lord” (Hosea 2:13).
As the shadows grow long on this year, I can’t help but reflect on all the Baals I’ve worshiped these past months, all the worldly things I’ve wandered towards, misunderstanding them to be the source of the riches and joys that I have and that I want. And yet even as I’ve gotten my fingers around them, they’ve turnt and spoiled. Like a carton of milk that is fine one day and sour the next, I am holding something that I once thought was good, but now know will make me sick if I consume it.
What a terrible and frightening thing, to be left bowing and offering sacrifices to the fickle whims of man or chance. Here in the desert place, I repent of the lovers I’ve gone after this year, panting after praise or acclaim or worth or self. I long for my first love, here where I hold what I thought I wanted, only to discover it’s worth nothing at all without my Lord.
I imagine this is how Israel felt, too—and perhaps there was no other way for them or for me to realize that we don’t like to be in the hands of that which never loved us nor provided for us. We have to experience the full and crushing weight of life without God before we can know that this is our worst fear—and our greatest heartache.
But, hallelujah, God doesn’t leave us here. In Hosea, we see God’s mercy toward his people when he says, “Therefore, I am going to persuade her, lead her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her” (Hosea 2:14). He allows us to come to a place without him to understand that we were always meant to be with him, but then he doesn’t shake us or yell at us or slap us back into submission—no, it’s quite the opposite. He leads us into solitary places where he can speak
softly and tenderly to us, loving us as we’ve always longed to be loved until we remember that he is the Source and the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).
Intersecting Faith & Life
In this season of Advent, as we await the coming Christ, let’s each take an honest look at the Baals which we’ve worshiped and followed after this year—whether that’s the praise of man or financial gain or inflation of ego or the comfort of any substance. Let’s acknowledge the ways we’ve placed them before the Lord and then repent, turning around and allowing ourselves to be led back into the wilderness by our first love, by the One True Living God who is waiting to speak tenderly to us, to wash us in his mercy and grace.
In this season of Advent, let us return to the Source and let him press balm to our tired and wounded spirits. Let’s come to rest in the security of his hand, allowing it to cup us and protect us from this world we thought we wanted.
Further Reading
● Hosea (the entire book)
● Isaiah 1
● Acts 3:19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
It's never easy when others criticize, belittle, or misunderstand us. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are reminded that our worth isn't determined by the opinions of others, but by God's love and purpose for us. In times when people put us down, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus, too, was despised and rejected, yet He overcame it all. Through Him, we find our true identity, our strength, and our value. Remember, God's truth about you is far greater than any negative words spoken by others.
Join the Conversation:
How have you found strength and healing when others have put you down? Share your story with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—In what ways has God’s love helped you rise above hurtful words or criticism?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
When People Put You Down
By Kelly Balarie
““Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10 NIV
Every time I spoke, the woman would in one way or another slight me, saying things like:
“I told you this already…”
“You should know that…”
“No, that’s not what you should do; you should ____.”
The frown on her face said it all. Not knowing how to fully connect with her, I decided to engage in small talk. Maybe that would lighten her up.
“It’s such a cool morning.” I pronounced.
She snapped back, “I’m not focused on that at all; I am focused on getting to my destination on time.”
Okay, I thought, I’d better just keep my mouth shut. So, I did.
All the same, while we quietly walked together, I wondered, is it me? Am I the problem? Does she not like me?
Possibly. Not everyone will like me. She very well may not like my talkative personality. Or, my loud laugh. Or, my chipper attitude as it pertains to life. Yet, I am not responsible to make her like me, I am responsible to serve Jesus.
““Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10 NIV)
If I let what she thinks about me, define me, suddenly I serve the purpose of convincing her that I am likeable, wonderful, and worthy. In a sense, serving her only serves me and my ego. Getting my value from man can easily get me off-track with the Lord.
I cannot afford to serve man more than my Master.
Upon coming to this realization, I see this woman’s issue with me is her issue; it does not belong to me. My concern is to walk in love and not judgement, forgiveness and not bitterness. I haven’t walked a day in her shoes. What do I know about all her problems? What do I know about how to fix her? What can I do to ever please her?With all this settled in my heart, I realize that I must exert one of the most incredible superpowers I have in Christ Jesus, forgiveness. I choose to forgive her time and time again. She gives me a face – forgive. She responds irritably – forgive. She tells me that I should have known something – forgive. She responds with a contrarian opinion – forgive.
I am not powerless; I am powerful when I, by the grace of God, forgive much like Jesus forgave me. Forgiveness is a superpower for those willing to get over themselves in order to love like Jesus. I can’t say I always do it right, either. Sometimes, I lash out or criticize people in my mind. After, I feel upset with myself about how I acted. Have you ever noticed the hardest one to forgive – can often be ourselves?
Forgiveness is not solely given; it is often received. After we tell Jesus we are sorry, we can receive His love and grace and let go of all we hold against ourselves. For instance, I had to ask Jesus to forgive me for judging this woman. But, after that, by His grace, I received the free gift of a slate wiped-clean.
I am wholly loved and clean in Jesus’ eyes thanks to what He did on the cross. So are you, too, when you come to Jesus this way.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Who is annoying you? What would it look like for you to walk in constant forgiveness? How might you be holding anger towards yourself? Take a second to write down on a piece of paper everyone you are angry at, annoyed with or accusing in your mind. After writing that list, take a second to forgive each person. Perhaps, after completing that list, ask God to forgive you for whatever you have done, such as judging or gossiping. Then, receive His grace and forgiveness that makes you white as snow.
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God never intended for us to walk through life alone. In times of joy and in moments of struggle, having friends by our side brings strength, encouragement, and a glimpse of God's love. Through friendship, we experience the warmth of companionship, the wisdom of shared faith, and the reminder that God’s presence shines brighter when we come together. Life truly is richer, fuller, and more meaningful when we walk it with friends who point us to Christ.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how the friendships in your life have made a difference. Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—What role do your friends play in helping you grow in faith and walk in God’s light?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
it’s crucial to remember the powerful truth: Light is greater than darkness. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12), and through His light, we are given hope, guidance, and victory over the darkness we face. This Advent season, no matter how dark your circumstances may seem, God’s light shines brighter.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—What areas of your life or the world around you feel dark right now? How can you invite God’s light to shine into those areas?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
This episode encourages us to embrace the uncertainty, knowing that God is always with us, guiding us, and working all things for our good. No matter what the future holds, we can trust that He is in control and that we are never alone in the unknown.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—Share a verse or story that has helped you find peace in the midst of uncertainty.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In today’s fast-paced, always-connected world, it’s easy to become distracted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from what truly matters. In this episode, we’ll reflect on how we can keep our eyes on God in a world that demands our attention at every turn. Through Scripture, we’ll explore the importance of setting aside time for quiet reflection, prayer, and meditation on God’s Word.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—Share a practice or habit that helps you keep your focus on God in a fast-paced world.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Hospitality is more than just opening our homes to others; it’s about opening our hearts with unconditional love, kindness, and grace. In this episode, we explore the biblical call to show hospitality, not just to those who can repay us or those we are comfortable with, but to everyone, as Jesus did. From welcoming strangers to serving the least of these, the Bible teaches that hospitality is a powerful way to reflect God's love to the world.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How has someone shown you the gift of unconditional hospitality, and what impact did it have on you?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
explore the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the ultimate example of faithfulness and perseverance. Just as an athlete trains for the race ahead, we too are called to prepare ourselves spiritually—through prayer, the Word, and relying on God's strength. Though the race can be difficult, Paul reminds us that we are not running alone; God equips us to finish well and receive the prize He has promised (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—What “race” are you currently running in your life, and what keeps you motivated to press forward?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God is always with us. In this episode, we reflect on the powerful promise that God’s presence is not bound by time, space, or circumstance. Whether you're on a mountaintop or walking through a valley, God is right there with you.
We’ll explore stories from Scripture, like the journey of Jacob, who encountered God in the wilderness (Genesis 28:15), and how God reassured His people in Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you.”
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—Can you think of a time when you felt God's presence in a place or situation where you least expected it?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Rejection can feel like a deep wound, one that cuts to the core of our identity and worth. In this episode, we explore the painful yet transformative journey of overcoming deep rejection through the lens of God's love and grace. Using biblical examples of those who faced rejection—like David, Joseph, and Jesus—we discover how God uses these painful experiences to draw us closer to Him, shape our character, and strengthen our faith.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—Have you experienced a time of deep rejection in your life?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
It can be easy to lose sight of our true identity. In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we dive deep into what it means to find our identity in Christ alone. Together, we’ll explore how Scripture defines who we are as believers, and how this truth can transform the way we live, love, and serve.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How have you struggled with finding your identity in Christ, and how has the truth of who you are in Him changed the way you live?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life’s journey can feel long and sometimes uncertain. Whether you’re facing personal struggles, navigating the ups and downs of daily life, or simply feeling weary, it’s easy to lose your way. Join us as we explore how His presence brings clarity, hope, and direction, even in the midst of challenges. Discover the encouragement we find in knowing that Christ is our constant light on this long journey, offering us strength and peace along the way.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—What scriptures or practices have helped you stay focused on His guidance through life's journey?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In the midst of all the holiday cheer, it’s easy to lose focus on the true reason for the season. As we journey through Advent and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, let’s renew our focus on Him, allowing the joy, hope, and love of His presence to transform our holiday season.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—What are some specific ways you’re keeping Christ at the center of your holiday celebrations?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We tackle the heavy but hopeful subject of grief. Loss is an inevitable part of life, whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a season, or a personal hardship. As believers, we are not immune to grief, but we are called to grieve differently. Grief in Christ is not the end of the story; it is a part of a larger narrative filled with hope, redemption, and the promise of eternal life. This episode will explore how we can grieve with hope, the comfort that the Holy Spirit brings, and how we can hold onto God’s promises even in our deepest sorrow.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How can the Holy Spirit comfort you in this season of mourning, and what eternal promises can you hold on to?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We dive into the biblical story of the Israelites in the wilderness, where they were provided with manna from heaven by God but began to grumble for meat. Their complaint reveals a deeper spiritual struggle that many of us face today—contentment. Reflect on how God’s provision is often exactly what we need, even when it’s not what we expect or desire, and how we can learn to trust Him with our daily bread.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How can you shift your focus from what you feel you’re lacking to being grateful for what God has already given you?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
This Thanksgiving, let’s celebrate the ultimate do-over that only God can provide and reflect on how His grace transforms our lives. God offers us the ultimate “do-over.” In today’s episode, we explore the incredible grace of God that allows us to start anew, no matter our past mistakes or struggles. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we’re given the chance to be made new, restored, and set on a path of hope.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—share one thing you’re thankful for this Thanksgiving. How has God's grace given you a "do-over"?
Happy Thanksgiving from the Lifeaudio team!
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and reflection, but it can also bring out challenging conversations. In today’s episode, we discuss how to navigate potentially toxic or divisive discussions during the holiday season. Whether it’s family dynamics, politics, or past hurts, we share biblical wisdom on how to keep conversations uplifting, peaceful, and full of grace. We’ll explore how to set boundaries, encourage positive dialogue, and be a light in the midst of tension.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How might God be calling you to be a peacemaker during your holiday gatherings?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
we take a moment to reflect on the overwhelming goodness of God in our lives. As we approach times of thanksgiving, whether during the holiday season or simply as part of our daily walk with Christ, it’s important to pause and acknowledge the constant faithfulness of God. We explore biblical insights on gratitude, God's unchanging nature, and how giving thanks impacts our hearts and transforms our perspectives.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How can you incorporate gratitude into your daily routine to keep your heart aligned with His will?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Drawing from scripture and real-life stories, we’ll examine how gratitude can still flourish in seasons of disappointment, frustration, or uncertainty. We'll discuss practical steps to cultivate thankfulness in moments when life feels less than ideal, and explore how gratitude can shift our perspective, even in the midst of unmet expectations.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—If you're not where you want to be right now, how can you choose to be thankful for the present moment and trust that God is still at work in your life?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s easy to focus on the holiday traditions—gathering with family, sharing a meal, and reflecting on the good things in our lives. Let us explore what it means to live out thankfulness in practical ways, grounded in faith. How we can express thankfulness even in challenging times? plus hear how a thankful heart impacts our relationships with others and with God.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—As you reflect on what you’re thankful for this Thanksgiving, how can you carry that thankfulness into your daily life, beyond just the holiday season?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In the hustle of life, it’s easy to take these gifts for granted. We’ll discuss how to cultivate a heart of gratitude, not only in moments of abundance but also in times of difficulty. Learn how to recognize God’s gifts in your life, thank Him for them, and cultivate an attitude of gratefulness that draws you closer to His heart.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—What are some of the gifts from God that you may have overlooked or taken for granted in your life? How can you begin to notice them more regularly?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God's refuge can be hidden in plain sight, wrapped in the quiet comfort of His presence, or the small acts of grace we experience day by day. We’ll look at how to recognize these hidden places of refuge, even when life feels chaotic or overwhelming, and how giving thanks for them deepens our trust in God’s faithfulness.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How can you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for the hidden ways God provides shelter and rest in your life?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
From the trials of everyday life to the profound tests of faith, we look at how God prepares us for these moments and how we can pass them with grace and strength. Drawing from Scripture, we’ll explore the importance of staying rooted in God’s promises and relying on His strength when it matters most.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How has God prepared you in the past for a trial or test you’ve faced? What lessons can you apply today?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The truth is that God's love is frequently at work in ways we cannot see or understand. Through Scripture and personal stories, we’ll discuss how God’s love is woven into the fabric of our lives, even when we don’t recognize it or feel it in the moment.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—When you feel like God is distant or His love is unseen, how do you remind yourself of His faithfulness and presence?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Join us as we dive into God's grace, the challenge of forgiveness, and how we can begin to let go of the barriers we’ve built that might prevent us from embracing true peace in heaven.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How does the reality of heaven as a place of perfect peace and unity challenge the way you view your current relationships?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
From the Psalms to the teachings of Jesus, Scripture is clear: when we focus on God's greatness and goodness, it has a transformative effect on our hearts and minds. Join us as we discuss the spiritual and practical benefits of praising God and how it can help you navigate life’s toughest seasons with hope and confidence.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how praising God has helped you in your own challenges. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—how has worship been a source of strength for you in difficult seasons?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life is full of challenges—suffering, loss, and moments when it feels like God is distant or silent. But Scripture tells us that God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), and He has a purpose for everything, even in our darkest moments. We’ll reflect on how God uses struggle to shape our faith, draw us closer to Him, and reveal His deeper purposes in our lives.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
we dive into the powerful call that Christians have to live differently from the world around them. In a culture that often prioritizes materialism, individualism, and fleeting pleasures, how do we as believers remain rooted in the truth of God’s Word and live with purpose, peace, and eternal perspective?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The more we understand the transformation available through Christ, the more we long to see our loved ones accept His gift of grace. Our desire for their salvation is beautiful and holy. Problems come, however, when we lose sight of our role and forget our limitations. We can’t argue someone to faith. There is power in a gentle invitation. Listen here to find out why.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
John 1:43-46
Early in my faith journey, I created a lot of conflict in my desire to see loved ones develop a relationship with Christ. My pride also pulled me into numerous unproductive conversations where I attempted to debate people into belief. Inevitably, this pushed the other person further away and left me with regret and shame.
Sadly, in the years that followed, I erred in the opposite direction in which I largely remained silent. I told myself others would see Christ in the love and grace I displayed, but I failed to share the truth necessary for people to draw that connection. I’ve since learned the value of Philip’s approach, recorded in John 1. Upon encountering Jesus, he immediately sought out his brother, excited to share the news of the Messiah.
Nathanael responded as many people do today, with mocking disbelief. “Nazareth,” he said, “Can anything good come from there?”
Had Philip been me, in my early years, he probably would’ve tried to convince his brother of his discovery. Had he been me in my silent period that followed, he might’ve shrugged and simply walked away. Instead, Philip invited Nathanael to investigate Jesus for himself.
“Come and see,” he said.
Curiosity evoked, Nathanael got up and followed. The Lord took care of the rest. Verse 47 states, “When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit’” (NIV). “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked, to which Jesus replied, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree, before Philip called you.”
These words, ignited by the Holy Spirit, birthed within Nathanael life-changing faith. In verses 49-51, we read, 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
Did you catch the progression? Philip encouraged his brother to check out Jesus for himself. When he did, he encountered the Lord, who spoke a nugget of truth. Again, Nathanael responded, this time with faith, after which the Lord revealed deeper truth.
Intersecting Life and Faith
The more we understand the transformation available through Christ, the more we long to see our loved ones accept His gift of grace. Our desire for their salvation is beautiful and holy. Problems come, however, when we lose sight of our role and forget our limitations. We can’t argue someone to faith. Our attempts to do so will likely only push them further away.
But while God commands us to love others and live as radiant reflections of Him, kind actions alone don’t often lead to spiritual conversations. People need to see how we are different and understand why. They need for us to draw the connection and then invite them to experience the truth for themselves.
A missionary friend with Cru refers to believers as cojourners. We’re travelers who gently invite people to embark on a journey of spiritual discovery. Then we walk beside them, first as an explorer, then a guide, builder, and finally, mentor. This is what it looks like to, “meet people where they’re at,” while, through active listening and remaining compassionately present, lovingly nudging them forward.
In doing so, we are imitating our Savior who invited people to come closer and evoked their curiosity through questions and stories. When people, like Nathanael, responded positively, Jesus revealed more of Himself and His truth. When they rejected Him, He didn’t try to argue them into belief. Instead, He let them go, remaining available should they decide to return. We honor Him and experience the best results when we do our part to invite and walk beside and trust God to create life change.
Further Reading:
1 Peter 3:15
John 4:28-42
John 1:38-39
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Lord encourages us to depend on him daily. Just as he provided manna from heaven each day to the Israelites in the desert (Ex. 16), so too will he provide for us exactly what we need for the day and the hour we are living. May the Lord give us all fresh eyes to appreciate the richness of these legendary verses and its timeless application in our lives today.
Recite The Lord’s Prayer taking a moment to pause after each individual stanza. Allow yourself time to meditate on the separate components. Can you recognize the richness of these phrases?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Praying His Way
By Megan Conner
“Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Matt. 6:9-13 (NKJV)
Have you ever found yourself struggling to pray? We are told communing with God is the key to having a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Yet, at times, this concept of entreaty can trigger confusion or even doubt as it can appear as an intangible, one-sided conversation. Or, the recitation of memorized prayers can feel monotonous or even robotic – something we “force” ourselves to do. While many of us may wrestle with this spiritual discipline, the Lord continues to remind us, through the Word of God, of its immeasurable value and patiently prompts us through the Holy Spirit to draw closer to him through this conversation we call prayer.
Prayer truly is how we communicate and grow in relationship with the Lord. In our human relationships, intimacy of any kind can only be established through proximity and shared hearts through conversation. It is the same with God. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, he taught them one of the most memorized passages in history, The Lord’s Prayer. Many of us may have recited it since our youth, but have we ever really meditated on the meaning behind the words we pronounce?
Sadly, this prayer has become so common, so renowned, that without intentional focus on the words recited, we miss the richness embedded in the simplicity. First, the verses of this supplication came directly from the mouth of Jesus. He, who was the forerunner of our faith; who demonstrated not only how to pray, but exemplified the Father through his very life. If Jesus and the Father are one (John 14:11), then what we say when offer this petition is from the Father himself.
Additionally, there is a generational legacy in The Lord’s Prayer. Believers across the entire world have been reciting this same poetic expression for over 2,000 years! When we appeal to our Heavenly Father with this specific supplication, we are not only joining with the heart of the Lord, we are unifying with millions and millions of other saints; those who have gone before us, and fellow pilgrims journeying towards Heaven, our eternal home, even now.
Finally, this lyrical language addresses every component of our spiritual relationship with the Creator of the universe. First, it acknowledges the deity and omnipotence of God and ascribes the worship due his name. It also acknowledges submission to his will and kingdom, in our lives and upon the earth. A promise of divine provision for every need is offered to all who call upon his promises. As we continue on, we are allowed the opportunity to receive forgiveness for our misgivings and extend that same mercy towards others who have harmed us. Then, we recognize our need for his supernatural protection against our own sinful temptations as well as the ploys of the enemy seeking to beguile and overcome us. Finally, as we began, we end – in worship to the Alpha and Omega, he “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1:8, ESV).
My greater understanding and appreciation of this timeless entreaty, has impacted me so much that I literally offer up The Lord’s Prayer every morning before I begin my day. Though these verses have a sense of formality, as stated earlier, prayer, in its most basic sense, is just a conversation. We are simply communicating with our Heavenly Father – thanking him for all he has done and laying before him our requests. The Lord encourages us to depend on him daily. Just as he provided manna from heaven each day to the Israelites in the desert (Ex. 16), so too will he provide for us exactly what we need for the day and the hour we are living. May the Lord give us all fresh eyes to appreciate the richness of these legendary verses and its timeless application in our lives today.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Recite The Lord’s Prayer taking a moment to pause after each individual stanza. Allow yourself time to meditate on the separate components. Can you recognize the richness of these phrases? When combined together, can you see how this single prayer offers us everything we need to walk through whatever the day brings? Prayerfully consider adding The Lord’s Prayer into your daily quiet time with the Lord.
Further Reading:
Ex. 16
John 14
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we lift our voices in worship, we’re welcoming God’s power to shake the foundations of whatever holds us captive. Chains will fall, doors will open, and freedom will come when we praise God.
As you consider the power of praise, reflect on these questions:
- When you think about the circumstances Paul and Silas were in, what surprises you most about their decision to praise God in that moment?
- How does praising God in difficult times shift your perspective?
- Have you experienced a moment where praise helped you feel God’s presence with you? How did it affect you?
- In what areas of your life do you feel “imprisoned” right now, and how can you begin to use praise as a way to invite God’s power into those situations?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Praise Welcomes God’s Power into Your Life
By: Whitney Hopler
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” – Acts 16:25-26
I was struggling to sleep because of persistent pain from an injury. No matter how hard I tried to find a comfortable position to go to sleep, I couldn’t find any way to escape the pain or relax enough to sleep. Frustrated, I glanced at a nearby clock. It was already close to midnight, and I still didn’t know how much longer it would take me to go to sleep. Rather than ruminate on my problem any longer, I got up out of bed and did something I knew would always help me somehow – I sang a worship song to God. Even though I was singing softly (to avoid waking up my husband), it didn’t take long to feel a powerful sense of peace wash over me. God was with me even in my pain. I kept singing, and by the time I was done, my pain didn’t seem as distracting as before. Finally, I was able to drift off to sleep.
There’s something powerful about praise. It lifts our perspective beyond our problems and to the all-powerful God who can help us solve them. When Paul and Silas found themselves in prison, they could have chosen to give in to despair, or to question why God allowed them to endure such suffering. Instead, they lifted their voices in prayer and praise to God. Their decision to worship in the middle of suffering may seem surprising. But the miracle that happened when they did shows us that praise opens the door to God’s power.
In their darkest hour, at midnight, Paul and Silas began to sing hymns to God. The prison, which was often a place of defeat and silence, became a place of worship. As their praises rose, God’s power descended. The Bible passage tells us that suddenly there was an earthquake so violent that even the foundations of the prison were shaken. The result was that not only were Paul and Silas freed, but every prisoner in that place was unshackled. Praise brought liberation to everyone around them!
When we praise, we shift our focus from ourselves and our problems to God. Praise acknowledges God’s greatness and faithfulness, no matter what challenges we’re facing. By praising God in difficult times, we invite God into our circumstances. That is when transformation happens.
The prison couldn’t contain Paul and Silas because the power of God was greater than their chains. When we choose to praise God – despite how impossible or painful our circumstances may seem – we’re acknowledging that God’s power is greater than anything we face. We’re inviting God to step into our situation, trusting that God is more than able to deliver us.
Praise also acts as a weapon of faith in spiritual warfare. Just as it broke open the prison doors for Paul and Silas, praise has the power to break down spiritual strongholds. Evil wants to keep us imprisoned in fear, doubt, and despair. But when we lift up praise, we declare that God is in control, no matter how hopeless our situation may appear. Praise declares victory before it’s even visible. That welcomes God’s light into the darkness, dispelling it.
When we lift our voices in worship, we’re welcoming God’s power to shake the foundations of whatever holds us captive. Chains will fall, doors will open, and freedom will come when we praise God.
So, whatever you’re facing today, choose to praise. Trust that as you lift your voice to God, God will work powerfully in your life. The same power that set Paul and Silas free is available to you. Praise welcomes God’s power into your life, and nothing can stand against it.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider the power of praise, reflect on these questions:
- When you think about the circumstances Paul and Silas were in, what surprises you most about their decision to praise God in that moment?
- How does praising God in difficult times shift your perspective?
- Have you experienced a moment where praise helped you feel God’s presence with you? How did it affect you?
- In what areas of your life do you feel “imprisoned” right now, and how can you begin to use praise as a way to invite God’s power into those situations?
Further Reading
Psalm 22:3
2 Chronicles 20:22
Psalm 34:1
Isaiah 61:3
Hebrews 13:15
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God reveals Himself in ways we can understand, and He wants us to know His will even more than we do. When we seek Him, His wisdom, and His truth, we can trust Him to provide the answers we need to move forward in our faith, like He did with Nicodemus.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born! Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” John 3:1-5
Growing up, I watched a close caregiver get swept into one spiritual falsehood after another. At three separate points, this led to this individual joining cults. Their behavior felt particularly confusing because they claimed to know Jesus. Over time, I developed a strong fear of spiritual deception that hindered my confidence to accurately hear God’s voice.
Perhaps you’ve struggled with something similar and worry that you’ll miss, or misinterpret, God’s will and land outside of it. Reading some of Jesus’ conversations with people, like the one recorded in John 3, we might find His words cryptic and wonder why He didn’t speak more plainly. Was He using a theological puzzle to evoke Nicodemus’s curiosity, or was He, perhaps, pointing the scholar to truths he already knew?
As I consider this interaction, I’m intrigued by Nicodemus’s statement in verse two. He said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with Him” (NIV, emphasis mine).
While Scripture doesn’t state this specifically, I assume his use of “we” indicated other Pharisees. At this point in Jesus’ ministry, the religious leaders believed He was aligned with God. But as time progressed and Jesus called people, these men included, to a new way of life, they quickly discounted Him and His teaching.
This seems to indicate that they deliberately chose to deny the truth. I’m reminded of God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11-12a. Speaking to the Israelites when they were actively rejecting Him, He said, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.” Jesus made a similar promise in John 10 when He said, “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
These Scriptures indicate that God never withholds Himself from us. He makes His ways clear, and protects us from lies designed to lure us away. What’s more, Jesus’ words to Nicodemus demonstrate God’s ability to speak to us in ways we understand.
In John 3:6-8, Jesus said, Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
A precursory reading might lead us to view Jesus’ words as a confusing, almost poetic expression of truth. But consider Nicodemus’ background, and his in-depth knowledge of the Old Testament. Jesus was reminding the highly educated leader to prophesies of His coming. In other words, He was helping Nicodemus connect dots that would clarify Christ’s identity as the Messiah.
While some have equated His mention of water in John 3:5 with baptism, John Piper from Desiring God suggests He was pointing Nicodemus to Ezekiel 36, a section of Scripture he would’ve known well. In verses 25-28 God stated, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
When Nicodemus responded with confusion, Jesus said, “You are Israel’s teacher, and do you not understand these things?” (John 3:7, NIV). In other words, a man with such knowledge of the Old Testament should grasp what Jesus meant.
Intersecting Life and Faith
God reveals Himself in ways we can understand, and He wants us to know His will even more than we do. When we seek Him, His wisdom, and His truth, we can trust Him to provide the answers we need to move forward in our faith, like He did with Nicodemus. He is an attentive shepherd who assumes full responsibility to lead us to greater freedom and deeper intimacy with Him. We can also trust that the One who laid down His life that we might live will protect us from those things threatening to rob us of His most costly gift.
Further Reading:
John 10:3-5
John 16:13-14
Psalm 25:5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If you find yourself condemning yourself, remember that battle has already been won. Mercy triumphs over judgement because the judgement of God has already been executed upon all sin and unrighteousness. There is no more payment or retribution to be received. On the cross, Jesus took the Judgement of the Father. What is more, flowing out of the sacrifice is nothing but divine mercy.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
The Good word about Mercy
“Mercy triumphs over judgement” (James 2:13)
I once had a parishioner of mine who lived under the watchful eye of a condemning aunt. Whenever he stepped out of line, or caused some mishap, the aunt would glare in his direction and say, “God will get you for that.” It didn’t matter about the severity of action, or the intent (or non-intent) of the accident. Suffice it to say, this man grew up with deep-seeded picture of God as an angry enforcer. God was that being in the sky who longed to catch him his spiritual infractions. Thus, despite all the verses pertaining to God’s love, he could not shake the belief that God was out to get him. He lived with the agonizing thought that it was just a matter of time before he would be crushed under some act of divine judgement.
Do you ever feel like God is angry with you? Do you struggle with the assumption that, while God works in love and grace to everyone else, you receive nothing but wrath and vengeance? Why do you think that way?
Many of us find ourselves continually gripped with such a fear. We fear that God’s mercy will not be directed to us, and so we put upon ourselves the demands of ‘be better’ do more’ or ‘work harder’ in a vain attempt to placate an angry God. After all, this ethic of earning undergirds the world around us. The more we work the more we earn, the world tells us. But this locks us into and endless cycle of condemnation. What we do is always (or earn) is always betrayed by what we do not, and no matter how hard we try, we can always judge ourselves insufficient by the metric of our neighbors.
Yes, God is just and righteous, and scripture holds true that there will be a day where God will call all evil to account. A God who is not just is one who is not good. And yet, throughout the gamut of scripture, we also hear the truth of mercy. God continually speaks words of comfort and peace to each of us. In James 2, we read that mercy triumphs over judgement. This good news hearkens back to the promise God makes in Exodus 20, to show mercy to a thousand generations to those who love him. The truth is the Lord’s declaration of mercy speaks louder than any voice within us that speaks a word of judgement. In the battle of judgment versus mercy, mercy always wins. Mercy beats in the heart of God.
God is abundant in mercy and endless in love. In Christ, and through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can be assured of this reality for our lives. John writes that whenever our hearts condemn us, we can be assured that God is bigger than our hearts. When we struggle to hold faithfully to the promises of mercy, Jesus lovingly reaches out for us. And the Holy Spirit in our lives is an ongoing testimony of his loving hold over us. Because mercy triumphs over judgement, we live in the assurance of everlasting favor.
Intersecting faith and life.
Let me ask you again, do you feel that God is angry with you? Is there a voice that speaks condemnation over you? What might it look like for you to listen, instead, to the voice of Jesus. Can you dare to believe the promise that mercy triumphs over judgement, and hear that as a declaration about your life?
It does not matter what is in our past, what defines our present, or what mistakes we will inevitably make in the future, we can trust that the Lord’s presence over us is both merciful and loving. This blessed assurance is whispered into our hearts whenever we draw nearer in faith. This is the divine promise so eloquently displayed in the cross. Just think of it, as Jesus hung on the cross, he could have easily released a deluge of divine retribution upon those who crucified him. But instead, he chose to speak words of forgiveness and mercy. The cross beckons us to receive the divine love that overtakes all sin and shame.
If you find yourself condemning yourself, remember that battle has already been won. Mercy triumphs over judgement because the judgement of God has already been executed upon all sin and unrighteousness. There is no more payment or retribution to be received. On the cross, Jesus took the Judgement of the Father. What is more, flowing out of the sacrifice is nothing but divine mercy.
For Further Reading:
2nd Peter 3:9
What Christians need to understand about Mercyon Crosswalk.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
David knew how to stay in the seat and allow the Lord to meet his spiritual and physical needs. Could we learn this same dependence? With these eternal truths in mind, the next time you are faced with unexpected adversity, remember you can stay in the seat. Your Divine Protector will provide you everything you need.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Learning to Stay in the Seat
By Megan Conner
“The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.” Ps. 23 (NKJV)
How many of us have heard this famous passage read aloud at funerals or observed it printed over a picturesque scene illustrating green pastures and still waters? The imagery conveyed, channels what we consider the anticipated likeness of heaven. However, despite its common reference as soothing biblical poetry, this psalm was not written during a moment of serenity. It is believed David penned this poem while avoiding the pursuit of King Saul who was attempting to capture and kill the warrior who once slayed Goliath. It is here, where David had left everything behind, when he had zero assurance of safety, and had no idea where his next meal would come from that he inscribed these timeless truths.
When faced with our own seasons of adversity could we make these same bold declarations? Would we hammer our stake of faith in the ground and assert “I shall not want?” There have been countless times in my own life when I have stared down apparent want and responded with the complete opposite. Pain and fear can stimulate such strong feelings of doubt, and even resentment, when we are faced with undesirable dilemmas. However, our gracious God understands human frailty and weakness. Rather than abandon us for our faithlessness, he takes our hand and guides us to places of gentle rest and teaches us how we can trust in him.
If we study the Hebrew translation of Psalm 23, we can discover the entire passage is filled with action verbs. Everyone remember those early grammar lessons during our years of primary education? These parts of speech are often referred to as dynamic verbs and describe the action being performed in the sentence. This tranquil psalm does not outline a sedentary, passive response. Rather, our Lord actively leads us to places of much needed sustenance and reprieve. He makes us lie down in green pastures. He leads us by still waters. Like a parent making their child go to bed because it is what is best for them, our Heavenly Father sometimes allows circumstances in our lives that drive us into quieter, restricted places of separation. While unwanted, it is here, in these spaces of solitude, we learn how to receive from God.
Even further, the Lord invites us to remain seated at the table he prepares for us in the presence of our enemies. I don’t know about you, but when I am faced with deep worry or sadness I struggle to eat. My nerves turn my stomach into knots. I lose my appetite. Not to mention my inability to sit still. Whether I am physically running around or spinning in circles mentally, when I feel threatened, I plot, plan, devise, and fight for my own provision and deliverance. I know I need to trust the Lord but waiting patiently for it all to work out, especially when the results appear extremely delayed, is HARD. Have you ever found yourself feeling the same?
David comprehended God’s provision in a way I have misunderstood. He had absolute confidence that God would not only provide salvation but also sustenance. Even with the battle raging around him, and uncertainty before him, David knew how to stay in the seat and allow the Lord to meet his spiritual and physical needs. Could we learn this same dependence? While I am certainly not perfect, I have made significant progress surrendering my attempts to control outcomes. When the storms of this life start to swirl around, instead of rising up and striving for my own salvation, I remind myself to remain seated. The battle is not mine; it’s God’s (2 Chron. 20:15). I can follow the instructions of the psalmist. “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Ps. 27:14, NIV).
With these eternal truths in mind, the next time you are faced with unexpected adversity, remember you can stay in the seat. Your Divine Protector will provide you everything you need.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Reread Psalm 23 with the fresh perspective gained from today’s devotional. How has your understanding of this famous passage changed? Have you experienced times when you fought to control outcomes instead of resting and receiving from the Lord? Are you able to look back upon your life and discover moments when you could sense the Heavenly Father’s nearness in the restricted and quieter places of grief or hardship? How can you apply what we learned today the next time you are faced with an unwanted dilemma? How will you remind yourself to stay in the seat?
Further Reading:
2 Chron. Chapter 20
Psalm 27
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We are in a season where political tensions are high, yes. Our brains are in super-categorization mode, which is made all the easier by the signs on our lawns and the flags that fly in front of our homes. We are quick to put ourselves into categories—and even quicker to do the same for others.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Our Brains Like it Simple: Being Aware of the Way We Categorize
By Deidre Braley
Acts 9: 1-5 “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, wentto the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he foundany belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as hewent on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecutingme?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
The bell jingled as I stepped inside; my little dog Pablo leapt up to greet me, all shorn and shivering and desperate to leave. “How’d he do today?” I sighed as I scooped him into my arms. We had our usual exchange, the groomer and me: he’d been a nervous wreck (per usual), she’d done the oatmeal bath, we’d be coming back in six weeks. Pablo licked my face and begged me to go, but as the groomer handed me his next appointment card, she hesitated.
“There’s uh…well, um…could I get your professional opinion on something?” And from under the cushions on her couch, she extracted a notebook: this secret prize, this shimmering of possibility. Amidst the shampoos and shears and flea treatments, this woman held out a collection of poems she’d been working on in private. “Would you read one and tell me what you think?”
She began to ask me how you know when a poem is done, and how you know when it’s done well. We talked about the trickery of metaphor and the possibility of publication. Did we tear up at this recognition of kindred-ness—this realization that we were a little less alone in the world than we’d been before my dog’s haircut? It’s possible.
I share this with you because, before this interaction, I never would have known that our dog’s groomer was also a poet. Our exchanges until that point had been limited to conversations around sensitive skin, clipper settings, and Venmo payments. But when she pulled out that notebook filled with poetry, I realized she’d been kindred all along—I just hadn’t imagined or known it yet.
I’m afraid that I do this all the time, this designating of spaces and titles for other people. Apparently there’s a name for this—it’s called social identity theory. See, our brains like to make things as simple as possible, and for that reason, we subconsciously engage in this act of categorizing. We put people into groups so we can understand them better.1
While we can’t fault our brains for trying to make things easier, there are spiritual implications that we need to be aware of, here. Because if we aren’t aware of the categories we’re putting people into, we may begin to make assumptions about the state of their souls that simply aren’t true.
1 Saul McLeod, “Social Identity Theory in Psychology (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), Simply Psychology, October 5, 2023, https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-identity-theory.html
Think of Saul, for example. As someone who was “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1), the disciples easily categorized him as an enemy. It’s probably safe to say that none of them imagined that the Lord would ever be able to reach him—let alone use him—for the glory of the Kingdom. In fact, even after the Lord struck Saul blind and ordered the disciple Ananias to visit him and lay hands on him so he could regain his sight, Ananias said, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name” (Acts 9:13-14). In Ananias’ mind, Saul was firmly in the ‘enemy’ category.
But God did not relent, instead telling Ananias, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).
Intersecting Faith & Life
We are in a season where political tensions are high, yes. Our brains are in super-categorization mode, which is made all the easier by the signs on our lawns and the flags that fly in front of our homes. We are quick to put ourselves into categories—and even quicker to do the same for others. We may even be tempted to make assumptions about what God thinks about people based on the categories we’ve put them in.
But even outside of politics, we may tend to hang back from certain people, never looking them in the eyes and considering that they, too, are children of the Living God. Never considering telling them about Jesus or the hope we have because we don’t believe it will matter or make any difference to them.
If God could soften Saul’s heart and then totally revolutionize his actions, perspective, spirit, and life, though, what makes us think he can’t do the same for any single person he puts in our midst?
Today, let’s look up and around, and let’s catch ourselves in the act of categorizing the people we meet. Instead of putting them into neat and tidy boxes, let’s remember that groomers can be poets, that Pharisees can be chosen instruments of God, and that the very people before us can be hungry for and receptive to the same hope we’ve been given.
Further Reading:
Here are some stories of other people whose categories made them ‘unlikely’ to follow God—but they did. Be encouraged.
● Rahab: Joshua 2
● The woman at the well: John 4:1-42
● Zaccheus: Luke 19:1-10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If you’re human, then you’re a sinner, and if a sinner, there are undoubtedly multiple ways in which your value system can be realigned to better fit God’s. Allow the Lord to reveal Himself to us, teaching us what we don’t know, and reaffirming what we do.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
How Strong Are Your Values?
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27, CSB)
Building a House
You can tell how strong a house is based on its foundation. Even if the top crumbles and the walls come down, a strong house remains where it started. Firmly planted in place. Yet, while a strong foundation is able to resist the elements, a weak foundation succumbs. The walls and the roof collapse, and the foundation, too, breaks apart. Much like a house, you can tell how strong someone’s values are based on how those values hold up under pressure.
I remember entering college as a Christian who professed faith but couldn’t explain to you why I believed. Anytime someone asked me, even gently, why I didn’t attend church or read Scripture, I scrambled. My value was really in complacency, not in a chapel or reading. There was nervousness, sweat, and plenty of avoidance. If you challenged me, which a few Christians did, I’d be offended. I wanted to do my own thing, not be admonished. And though I was not combative, I was most certainly defensive.
Today, I see similar behavior from moral relativists who struggle to explain their ever-changing positions, the perpetually single who never want to self-examine, and even the woke who want everybody to think like them. They all believe the problem is everyone else and never themselves.
What we value and what we don’t reveal much about our hearts. In the same way, you can spot a weak value system, you can also pinpoint someone with well-thought-out beliefs. Their ideals stand up to pressure and are unwavering with time.
As believers, we want to be able to answer, as best we can, anyone who has a question about the faith. That’s especially true if they are trying to push us to be better. When we allow ourselves to grow, not only are our values strengthened, but we become people better equipped to encourage others, and lead people to Christ.
If then, like me, you want to know and continue to strengthen your values, then today presents the perfect opportunity.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Know God
If you want to know what you ought to value, then you have to know God. We do that through prayer and reading. Both allow the Lord to reveal Himself to us, teaching us what we don’t know, and reaffirming what we do.
Know the Word
Reading the Bible is especially relevant because it takes away the confusion we may experience through prayer. Sometimes we ask questions of God and don’t quite understand Him. However, if we read then we can potentially clear up that confusion right away.
Don’t Be Defensive
The Bible talks repeatedly about being humble. Humble people acknowledge when they don’t know when they mess up and how they can grow. If God calls on us to practice this virtue, then be open to having your values challenged. If you’re human, then you’re a sinner, and if a sinner, there are undoubtedly multiple ways in which your value system can be realigned to better fit God’s.
Keep Reading
The only way to know, without any doubt, what to value as a Christian is to read. Reading too helps you strengthen your values because you educate yourself on why you believe in the first place. Back in the day for me, reading the Bible was intimidating because I was so unfamiliar with it. I didn’t want to look dumb, but we all have to start of dumb before we become smart.
More importantly, we have to know what to value if we want to live lives centered on God. Don’t be fooled into thinking everything we value, He values too. Or that everything He values we naturally want for ourselves.
Instead, pursue God through reading and watch as your values fall into place, much like that house with a strong foundation.
Further Reading:
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Matthew 4:4
- Matthew 6:33
- 1 Timothy 6:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Take some time to see how God works. Can you recall a time where an unanswered prayer was actually a blessing? His light shines through intentionally and His work is always good.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Place your identity and self worth in the one who empowers you to do the impossible. In God alone, you are loved, you have a purpose.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Who is really in control? Even when we think we have to get everything done, we are wrong. He is in control. Take a step back, and trust Him. He calls us to action, but also to rest, remember that today.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ask yourself today. When you pray, are you asking God for things according to his will or yours? It's not wrong to pour your worries and concerns before the Lord, even Jesus did that!
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Life is pretty tough already but, is much more enjoyable when we celebrate each other!
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
You will shine like a star in the sky once you give up complaining and arguing. How can you turn your heart towards thankfulness and joy?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How does remembering that God sees you, help you regain your identity in him and your value? In what ways can tell or show others the Lord sees them too?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ask God to help you spread the truth of Salvation, that it comes as a gift from God through faith and not through anything we do ourselves to attain it.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below
Remembering Reformation Day
(700 words)
by Lynette Kittle
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”-- Ephesians 2:8
Some may wonder what Reformation Day is all about and why it is considered such a big deal in Church history. Commemorated on the same day as Halloween, why should we as Christians take time to remember it?
Who’s Behind the Reformation?
Born November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, Martin Luther grew up to be the catalyst for the Reformation. A thunderstorm is accredited to beginning his spiritual journey in 1505, while he was studying law at the University of Erfurt.
Some may call his experience a crisis of faith, where a bolt of lightning striking near him, terrified him to the point of making a deal with God for divine protection by promising St. Anne he would become a monk if she would graciously spare his life.
Even though Luther’s father, a hard working miner, strongly disapproved, Luther diligently pursued becoming a monk. Intense in his pursuit of holiness, Luther whipped himself raw in an attempt to appease the wrath of a holy God and feel worthy and deserving enough to go to heaven. As well, he regularly confessed his sins for up to six hours a day.
During Luther’s zealous studying of the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that the just shall live by faith and that none of his self-afflictions would justify him before God but only come through faith in Jesus Christ.
How Did the Reformation Begin?
With Luther’s revelation concerning Salvation, came his disillusionment with the errors in the Church’s teaching and practices, involving selling indulgences to raise money and convincing individuals that their giving of money for their deceased relatives could release them from purgatory.
With hopes of sparking an academic debate and reform, on October 31, 1517, Luther wrote 95 theses against this revenue-generating scheme, along with other abuses he discovered within the Church, nailing his document on the Wittenberg, Germany, Cathedral door for all to see, a common practice at the time.
But the Church didn’t approve of Luther spreading his findings via the newly invented printing press and wasn’t open to his corrections. Still his ideas spread throughout Germany, stirring up much controversy, which led to the Church Council in 1521 demanding Luther recant his thesis.
Luther Ushers in the Reformation
However, Luther refused to recant his thesis, writing, “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my bases: my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus, I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.”
Luther’s refusal to recant cost him dearly, leading to his being excommunicated from the Catholic Church in 1521 by Pope Leo X. His unwavering stand led him to be declared an outlaw and heretic, causing him to run for his life and find refuge with Fredrick the Wise at Wartburg Castle under an assumed name and disguise.
During his time there, Luther translated the Bible into German, which helped him to put the written word of God into the hands of the common people. His actions ushered in a new era referred to as the Reformation, of placing God’s Word in the hands of individuals and giving birth to the Protestant Churches.
Luther’s efforts gave individuals the opportunity to read the Bible for themselves, leading to many lives being transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He understood how people need to read and study God’s Word on their own, believing wholeheartedly what 2 Timothy 3:16, teaches: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: Ask God to help you spread the truth of Salvation, that it comes as a gift from God through faith and not through anything we do ourselves to attain it.
Further Reading: 6 Reasons Christians Should Celebrate Reformation Day
https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/reasons-christians-should-celebrate-reformation-day.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We can find hope in the promises of the Lord. He will reign as King over the earth, and we will never have to be afraid or worried again. Jesus is our faithful leader and we can look to Him with hope forevermore.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below
Our Future Hope in the Lord
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading
“He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace.” - Micah 5:4-5a
Prior to my mom passing away, she used to be very much into palm reading. I'm not sure how she got into this occultish practice, but she tended to read my sister and I’s palms at least once every few years. She would tell us our “lifeline” and our “heart line.” I remember my older sister having “several people” cross her heartline and my mom saying she would marry multiple people. Her lifeline was “very long,” according to my mom, and she would succeed in life.
This bothered my sister, and she never bought into it, and thankfully so. In the same way, my mom used to read my palm and say there was “not a heart line,” and my lifeline was “extremely short.” I do not believe in palm reading or anything concerning the occult because it goes against God, but what I have learned is that many things in the occult, including palm reading, are trying to “see the future” or trying to manipulate it in our favor. This is dangerous and something that Christians should not play a part in.
Trying to seek out our future through occultish means will get us nowhere. This is why all of us do not need to rely on the evil practices of the world when it comes to the future. While it is true we may feel stressed about the future, we can find lasting hope in the Lord. He is the One who holds the future in His hands.
Nonetheless, we cannot run from the fact that the future can be scary for many of us.
Present life worries have a way of getting us down. Never-ending bills, home-life stressors, and complex relationships can leave us feeling doubtful of the future. Rather than having hope for the future, we feel crushed, hopeless, and uncertain. This is understandable since we cannot know the future plans for our lives. However, as mentioned, we can know what the Bible says about the future.
Prior to going to Bible college, I knew nothing about the Bible and I certainly didn't know anything about eschatology. Eschatology is the study of the end times. Once I learned about eschatology, it made me more hopeful for the future. Although we cannot know our future day by day, we can learn God’s ultimate plan for humankind through studying the Bible.
Through studying eschatology, I learned about God’s plan for the future. For us as Christians, this plan is only for our good. We will be taken to be with the Lord in the rapture, spared from the seven year tribulation, receive our glorified bodies, enter the Millennial Kingdom, and spend eternity with the Lord in the New Heaven and New Earth. By knowing this knowledge, it gives us hope for the future.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Our Bible passage today also focuses on this hope. Micah 5:4-5a says, “He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace.” This passage refers to the return of the Lord and when He will finally reign over the world.
As the prophet Micah says, Jesus will shepherd his flock in the majesty of His Name. His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth and He will be our peace. Whenever we are worried or scared about the future, we can find hope in the promises of the Lord. He will reign as King over the earth, and we will never have to be afraid or worried again. Jesus is our faithful leader and we can look to Him with hope forevermore.
“Dear Lord, my hope is found in You. Help me to focus on You rather than my fears of the future. I know You have great plans for me, and I trust in You. Thank You, Lord. Amen.”
Challenge Questions:
- Do you have any fears of the future? How can you give these fears over to the Lord today?
- Have you ever consulted anything or anyone to try to know the future? How has this proved to be futile?
- Jesus is our peace and our good Shepherd. How does this bring your heart peace today?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
As you face new fearful challenges, recall his goodness, love, and faithfulness. Take time to grab his hand and walk forward with his peace.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below
Perfect Love
By: Amanda Idleman
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Have you experienced God’s perfect love in your life?
What did it feel like?
How did it change your situation or perspective?
God’s love is the one and only force powerful enough to truly change us. To redeem us. To rescue us from our own sin, fear, and confusion. His love makes us perfect.
The primary quality of perfect love is that with this kind of love present fear is banished. When fear enters a situation, that means we aren’t walking in God’s perfect love. With that in mind, it’s clear that we are not living in the full reality of God’s love so much of the time.
I know that I, for one, live with fear and anxiety as my default approach more often than not. When an unexpected expense pops up my gut reaction is anxiety over how the extra bill will be paid rather than a peace that the God who knows every hair on my head will provide exactly what I need. If my child is struggling I immediately hop into Mom action mode trying to control the situation for their benefit rather than pausing to pray for wisdom. If I experience conflict in my marriage or with others I love, I fret endlessly over how things played out, instead of going to God in repentance and seeking His gracious understanding.
I live with fear and anxiety because I live by my strength not by his grace.
That’s why we need to be reminded that this Christian life we have been gifted is not one about rules or measurements. It’s a grand love story. When we are tempted to fear we are invited to recall our first love and all the ways God has so graciously provided for us.
Remember how the last time you felt a financial pinch, God provided! How he has held your marriage together despite both of your imperfections. How he gifted you that child and loves them even more than you do. His love is deep, wide, and relentlessly pursuing us.
When we grab onto that perfect love the voice of fear grows quieter and quieter until it is silenced because God’s love casts out all fear. FEar and love cannot coexist.
This week I was convicted to practice what I preach. I felt anxiety well up in me as a child we know is at risk and I am not sure if or how I could be the one to help care for them. I am afraid of how my lack of action would impact the child and how my potential actions would impact my family. It feels like either way I’d be letting someone down or putting someone at risk. I am afraid.
Then I was reminded of this verse and how God loves this child that is being knit together in a womb and my first job is to pray for this child. His love and provision is big enough to give me wisdom and this child a hope and a future. I have to hold onto God's hand and rely on his peaceful guidance rather than fretting over the many unknowns that could unfold in this wild situation.
It amazes me that no matter how many times I have witnessed God’s miracle working power in my life I still so quickly forget and doubt his loving sovereign work in my life. I am like the Isrealites, wandering and so quickly looking to my own self-made gods to solve the problems of my own wilderness journey, rather than looking to the one that promises to deliver me to the promise of Heaven. Thankfully God’s love is patient and kind. He allows us to repent, to learn, and to return to Him over and over as we journey through life. For that amazing grace I am so thankful.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Have you truly experienced God’s life changing, fear banishing love? If not, take time to pray and ask God to show you how to fall in love with him. If you have, reflect on what God has done for you. As you face new fearful challenges, recall his goodness, love, and faithfulness. Take time to grab his hand and walk forward with his peace.
Listen to Do It Again by Elevation Worship this week as a way to remind your spirit that the God who did will for you will do it over and over again!
Further Reading
3 Dangers of Having a Controlling Spirit
Bible Verses about God's Love
How to Understand and Internalize God’s Deep Love for Us
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
During this election season, ask God to guard your heart, mind, and tongue with His peace. Commit to praying for our nation and for those who disagree with you, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s truth to them.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below
How to Stay Peaceful through Election Day and Beyond
(710 words)
By Lynette Kittle
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”--Romans 12:18
Political divisiveness in our nation is at blood boiling temperatures, where rather than just having differing viewpoints between people, there is a growing disdain towards those who disagree and don’t align with personal party choices.
Sadly, living at peace with everyone seems almost impossible to achieve in the current volatile political climate, especially during election season.
It’s challenging seeing opposing political posts on social media and reading of others’ support for candidates whose policies go against our Christian values, beliefs, and convictions.
But rather than duking it out with them, the Apostle Paul in Romans 14:19 urges, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
So how do we make it to and through Election Day in one piece, retaining our peace and being kind and tenderhearted to those around us while at the same time disagreeing with their political stances?
Avoiding Heated Political Conflicts with Our Neighbors and Family Members
United States 3rd President Thomas Jefferson said to William Hamilton, April 22, 1800, “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.”
Of course it’s more difficult to feel warm towards someone we strongly disagree with concerning politics. It’s much easier to feel love towards those who agree and support our beliefs.
Still God’s way is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39), even when our neighbor holds opposing political viewpoints.
So instead of jumping headfirst into heated political discussions, God calls us to resist the temptation. “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless” (Titus 3:9).
Especially true when it comes to our family and neighbors, God calls us to “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14).
Stand Firm in the Light
Yet as Christians, as children of the light, we are called to push back the darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 reminds us, “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”
It’s hard to see what’s happening in our culture and nation, where like Isaiah 5:20 describes, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”
Sinful practices that used to be hidden are now being voted on and made into laws and policies. As Ephesians 5:12 explains, “It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.”
Whereas John 3:20 discusses how evil hides in the darkness so its deeds aren’t exposed, we’re seeing more and more in America, how it’s pushing its way into the daylight, demanding to have a forefront place in our society.
Still, staying in peace doesn’t mean we don’t stand up for what is right in God’s eyes. It’s important we speak up for His truth, and it’s also critically important that when we do, we forgo name-calling and disrespecting those who disagree with us.
Where Peace Is Found
Staying peaceful throughout Election Day and beyond requires looking to and relying on the peace that only God can give us. Our pathway to peace is found in Philippians 4:6-7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Peace can only come from one source. As Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: During this election season, ask God to guard your heart, mind, and tongue with His peace. Commit to praying for our nation and for those who disagree with you, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s truth to them.
Further Reading: 7 Ways to Love Your Family When You Disagree on Politics
https://www.crosswalk.com/featured-plus-pdfs/7-ways-to-love-your-family-when-you-disagree-on-politics.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A tree with strong roots can endure any type of wind. No matter how tall the tree’s trunk is, the roots are what matters. Whether you are in the middle of a storm or not, seeking God and learning to trust Him in all things can begin now.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below
Storms Only Last a Season
By Sarah Frazer
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. Psalm 57:1 (ESV)
The storms that have blown through the eastern part of our beautiful country have devastated so much. People, buildings, animals, and nature all succumbed to the storms' power. As so many friends, neighbors, and family pick up the pieces of the physical storms that have come through, I can’t help but think about those storms in our lives that devastate us in other ways.
Things like cancer, heart attacks, grief, loss, depression, anxiety, and so much more have touched so many lives. These types of storms aren’t cleaned up in a few days, weeks, or even months. Sometimes, these storms leave us ragged and worn for a long time.
We often don’t have any warning for these types of storms either. In Psalm 57, David, the rightful king, runs away from King Saul. Saul wants to kill David, and, in a panic, David writes Psalm 57. In the middle of a cave, in the dark, with the storm of an angry king threatening his very life, David writes these words.
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. Psalm 57:1 (ESV)
David knows the storm is here, and he is seeking refuge. Instead of running to weapons, war, or his own strength, David runs to God. When the storms of life threaten to overturn our faith, do we run to God first? Do we see Him in our true refuge?
I admit sometimes I try to fix things on my own. I exhaust all of my own resources before coming to God. Let’s take a pause and speak to God in the midst of our storm:
“God! Be my refuge.”
What I love is that David acknowledges that he is in the middle of a storm but also reminds himself that storms will pass. He says, “Till the storms of destruction pass by.” The storms will pass by. The storm will not last forever. We get caught up in the moment and the aftermath of the destruction that we forget that the storms will soon be gone.
Just like the hurricanes pass by, the waters will recede, and the sun will reappear again, God will stay the storms of life and they won’t last forever. We can hang on to God because He is a safe refuge and strong enough to help us through. Each day we can come to God with our weaknesses and say, “I can’t do this.” And realize that is ok! God is more than able to hold us up.
What I love is that not only does David remind us that the storms of life will pass, but that the storms are there to serve God’s purpose for our lives. David says in the next verse:
I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. Psalm 57:2 (ESV)
God had a purpose for David’s life, and He has a purpose for us as well. Right now, the storm might be coming, or you might feel like you are in the middle of that storm. God has a purpose for this storm. No, He doesn’t wish or cause the hard things present in your life right now, but God can use even those things for His glory and our good. In all of this, God’s purpose is to make us more like Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
May we endure the storms in the shadow of God’s care, understanding that the storms will pass and everything - even this - is part of God’s plan.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Our faith is often most evident when the storms come. Will we rely on God, or will we trust our own abilities to just endure it? I think we so often see life as a choice to trust God or not. The key is to develop a heart of faith along the way. So many people failed when their faith was tested because they failed to walk with God even during the “sunny days.”
What you do between storms fortifies your life and gets you ready for the surge of what might be coming. We don’t live in dread or expect doom around every corner. Instead, we learn the daily habit of meeting with God in prayer and Bible reading while developing our faith muscles one little bit at a time.
A tree with strong roots can endure any type of wind. No matter how tall the tree’s trunk is, the roots are what matters. Whether you are in the middle of a storm or not, seeking God and learning to trust Him in all things can begin now. Storms won’t last forever, but our faith can!
What is one aspect of God’s character that can help anchor your heart in a storm?
Further Reading
Isaiah 4:6
Nahum 1:7
Psalm 107:29
Matthew 8:26
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you asked God to show you how you can partner with Him in pushing back the darkness in this world? How does it feel to know that God’s Light and love will win in the end?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below
Focus on Jesus
By Alexis A. Goring
“I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.”
— Psalm 123:1 (NIV)
Let’s face it: Our world is in complete chaos. But we do have hope! His name is Jesus Christ and He can help us survive this experience on Earth.
It’s easy to get caught up in all that is wrong with our world today: wars and rumors of wars, division in the Christian church, turmoil in our communities in the USA and throughout the world, bad weather wreaking havoc, political upheaval, as well as personal struggles and the trials we all endure as followers of Jesus Christ. Truthfully, it’s a lot and very overwhelming if that’s our focus.
But the moment we decide to turn our eyes upon Jesus, that is when our perspective begins to change. We remember that planet Earth is not our home. We realize that one day, Jesus will return and usher all His faithful followers into Heaven where there will be no more pain, sorrow, heartbreak, disappointment, or sin. Heaven is a perfect place, and when we arrive there, we too will be perfect. But for now, Earth is our temporary home. God does not expect us to ignore all the problems we have on this planet. Instead, He expects us to serve others as we serve Him. It’s our duty to make this world a better place.
We can do that by focusing on our faith walk with Jesus. When we ask Him to show us what He is doing in this world, we can learn what we can do to partner with Him in driving out the darkness. The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world (John 8:12) and as Christians, we are a light for Christ (Matthew 5:14). It is important to spend time with God and ask Him how we can share Christ’s light and love with our fellow humans—especially those who don’t know Jesus yet.
William J. Thoms, a British writer, said, “Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some person ever reads.” Therefore, let’s do our best to love God and all people. Our hope is that they will be drawn to Him and learn how much God loves them. When we share the love of Jesus, it helps to ease their pain as they learn how to look to Christ.
The lyrics to the hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” tell us that when we look to Jesus, all the problems in this world seem to fade away. Our perspective is renewed as we allow His goodness, grace, and mercy to flood our souls, bringing us close to Him and reminding us that this world is not our home.
Several years ago, I was pouring out my heart to Jesus about all the pain in this world and lamenting how it was affecting me. God responded by speaking these words to my heart: “Remember, Earth is temporary and that means your pain is temporary.” He helped me see that all the trials and tribulations, death and destruction, betrayal and pain … it all will be put to a permanent end by Jesus Christ. There is an expiration date to our pain and that date is known as the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Only God knows the exact date and time when He will send His Son to take us home (Matthew 24:36).
God wants everyone to know Him and be saved in His Kingdom. Let’s keep working to share His Light and His love with our world today and every day.
There are two songs that helped to inspire this devotional today: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Rachael Lampa and “Turn to Jesus” by Katy Nichole. I encourage you to listen to both, because the lyrics can help us focus on Jesus.
Let’s thank Jesus for being our safe place, our refuge and ever-present help in trouble. Let’s look to Jesus and focus on Him so that we are not consumed by all the pain and suffering in this world. Let’s thank the Lord for always being here for us and never leaving us to face life alone.
Intersecting Faith and Life: Have you asked God to show you how you can partner with Him in pushing back the darkness in this world? How does it feel to know that God’s Light and love will win in the end?
Further Reading:
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 13:14
James 1:2-4
Romans 5:1-5
Joshua 1:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
To receive, to give, to experience. With him and with others. Maybe we should shift our focus there for a deep breath from the tough stuff that is attempting to hold us down.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below
Finding Relief in the Focus of What Matters Most
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” - Matthew 22:37-39
It was a song I hadn’t heard in years. Until a recent quick drive across town when my phone connected to CarPlay, and somehow the shuffle function turned to an old familiar Carrie Underwood tune. The words I’d once sung without so much as a second thought, suddenly captivated me with an “aha” moment. It was this sweet line:
“When you figure out love is all that matters after all, it sure makes everything else seem so small.”
I had been facing some hard life challenges. An unforeseen financial downfall that had hit our circumstances like a freight train, causing all sorts of difficult decisions, suffocating setbacks, and loads of comfort-cuts so to speak. Yet, this whole mess followed a major close call of loss of a loved one, fell in the midst of others in my intimate circle dealing with devastating health declines, and all surrounded by a swelling sense of God‘s presence and loving hand over it all. So when these lyrics grazed my heart, it hit me. Comparatively half of what’s been holding me down in the dumps is vastly unimportant. But the loves of my life–love, is what really matters. People are what matter most. Our love for God and others–love from God and others–all of this is what actually matters. And as I become more aware and acknowledge this truth, everything else does seem much smaller.
Is there some stuff going on in your world right now, clogging up the joyful halls of your heart too? Cares that, if you’re being honest, have less to do with a focus on God‘s love, or love for his people, and more to do with worldly gain or a concern with the lack thereof. Maybe consumption with a job search, details of some project, our country's political state, or uncertainty of your financial future?
You know, the lines of Carrie’s song definitely aren’t directly out of the Bible, but I think we could agree that love might matter most to God too. Hence his greatest commandments mentioned in Matthew Chapter 22, to love God and others.
Not that he doesn’t care about all the other things you’re struggling through right now. Because quite the opposite is true—he most certainly sees and cares for it all. But, if you’re anything like me, you may gladly welcome this perspective shift for a moment. Because becoming consumed with anything of the world can absolutely start to drive us all crazy.
If you think about it—the other stuff we get all worked up over that starts to seem to matter so much. What is it that we are really wanting with, and from, it all? I think deep down we are wanting and reaching for relief. And we seek relief because we long for the comfort it brings. And how do we ultimately receive and experience true comfort? I think it’s from love. The fullness of love that only God can give.
And here’s what’s beautiful—something also reflected in the chorus of the same song, “What you’ve been out there searching for forever is in your hands.” God's love is in our very hands. We already have it. To receive, to give, to experience. With him and with others. Maybe we should shift our focus there for a deep breath from the tough stuff that is attempting to hold us down.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Think for a minute about the people in your life that you love. And those God has graced you with their love. You know they matter more than anything else the world wants to weigh you down with, don’t you? I pray you can find some precious relief you’ve been praying for at this very moment as you set your eyes and focus on them, on him, on what matters most. This, this love, is at your fingertips, in your hands, and in your heart. Always with you. God, God’s love, God’s people, and the blessing of being able to love them all back. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
He is in charge, He always has been and always will be. This will never change, and we can rest in His unchanging nature in the midst of an ever-changing world.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below
The God Over Rulers
By Emma Danzey
Daniel 2:21 says, “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
It is no surprise that election years bring a new level of tension and worry. We begin to wonder “What will the next four years look like if…” A lot can happen in four years and a president or a governing politician in the Senate or the House can make ungodly decisions that negatively effect our nation. However, Daniel lived in a time with a worldly king whom he did not agree with or bow to, but He reminds us that God removes and sets up kings. Today as we take time to break down this powerful verse, may it bring peace into our hearts that God is still the King of kings and Lord of lords.
“He changes times and seasons”
“America looks different now than it used to.” “We are running away from God as a nation.” “America is truly becoming a post-Christian society.” These are all statements that you might be hearing or wrestling through yourself. However, we know that just like God changes the times and the seasons, our days will be different from the past just like the future will be different from our current generation’s lives. This can be scary and unsettling if we allow it to be, or we can remember that the Lord is working everything together towards His return. We are told many times that there will be great trials and tribulations, that there will be war, famine, and evil taking place globally. However, we can easily reject the idea and just want heaven on earth now, but this is not the Lord’s perfect plan. Things are going to get worse before they get better.
I think about the large pile of laundry on the bed right now. It looks like a mountain of a mess, but I know that after I go deal with the laundry and put it away, my family will have such happiness in all of our things washed, dried and usable for the week ahead. We might be seeing a load of dirty laundry of sin piling up in our own nation, but this is not new to history. Many, if not all, have seen this in their lifetimes in one way or another. Sin has always been since the garden and it will always be until death or Jesus’ returns. As times and seasons literally change, may we remember who is still in charge no matter how big the mess appears.
“He removes kings and sets up kings;”
This statement alone should bring us great peace. God is in control. No king or president reigns without our sovereign Lord allowing it. Not even a local mayor is elected without the Lord allowing it. You might say, “But what about dishonesty or padding votes?” “What if there are schemes of mankind behind the scenes?” The beauty is that even if sinful acts take place, nothing is a surprise to God and ultimately He can take sinful decisions of humanity and turn them around for the good of His believers and for His glory.
We could live in “What ifs” every day, we could worry for weeks and months about politics, but what good does that do? Satan wants to distract us from the real battle going on. Yes, it is important to be properly informed and to vote. However, we are Christ followers have an eternal mindset. This is significant because our decisions and our goals should be heavenly focused. If we become consumed by the fear, anger, and goals of elections, then we forget our main mission to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19-20)
The Devil wants us to be distracted from the real work of a disciple of Jesus and he is not above using politics to cause the church to miss the mission and the hope that we have in our King Jesus. He is in charge, He always has been and always will be. This will never change, and we can rest in His unchanging nature in the midst of an ever-changing world.
“He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding”
We as voters and citizens need great wisdom and knowledge. God can lead us in our choices and our decisions. He is not beyond revealing His will with His Word. When we are confused or do not know what to do, let us not remain complacent, but let us search the Bible for our answers. His Word stands true forever. We can pray and ask His Spirit in us to lead us and help us to navigate conversations, the unknown fears we have, and pray through the sorrow over the sin of the world.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How are you feeling about the upcoming elections? Do you have fear, anger, indifference, or even hope? Whatever you are experiencing, remember that our King of kings is in control, and He removes and establishes leaders. In an ever-changing world, we can rest in our unchanging God.
Further Reading:
John 18:36
Hebrews 13:8
Revelation 17:14
Photo Credit:
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
His divine power, unleashed through our dependence upon and yielding to Him, provides everything we need to live as His called, chosen, and redeemed children.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below
Divinely Empowered to Love People Well
By Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:3-4, NIV).
After one particularly discouraging family reunion during which my faults appeared to have greatly outnumbered my positive qualities, my therapist helped me regain a balanced perspective. She encouraged me to journal separately on each day of the vacation, prayerfully considering what I felt I did well and what I wish I’d done differently. This activity helped me to recognize ways in which I’d allowed my inner critic’s voice to speak louder than God’s gentle and empowering grace.
This was important because focusing on my flaws only kept me stuck. Whereas reflecting upon all I had in Christ inspired me to soul-deep transformation. Yes, I have many areas within that need growth, but I also possess the power of God, working in and through me. As today’s passage states, He has given me everything I need to live as He desires and love my people well.
Peter, a leader in the first-century church, wrote the letter from which today’s passage comes while in Rome, knowing he would likely soon die. This was during the later years of Emperor Nero’s reign, a terrifying time for Christ-followers during which they experienced intense persecution. On top of this, the people to whom Peter wrote were also suffering from strife and dissention within their faith community—when they most needed one another’s support.
Frightening and uncertain circumstances can cause us to behave in ugly ways. When our stress levels increase, our gentleness and self-control tend to decrease, when we rely solely on ourselves. But when, in the middle of chaos, we pause to connect with Christ, He fills our souls with strength, speaks words of truth, and reignites our hope. He reminds us of His precious promises, sprinkled throughout Scripture, such as His pledge to never leave us or forsake us, to work all things for our good, and to bring us a glorious future.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
We cannot love like Jesus apart from Jesus. No amount of human effort will enable us to overcome our sinful tendencies and fear-based responses. Self-reliance only distances us from our Savior, the One who died to free us from everything that corrupts who He created us to be. His divine power, unleashed through our dependence upon and yielding to Him, provides everything we need to live as His called, chosen, and redeemed children. But notice, this godliness comes through our knowledge of Him, as well. As Chuck Swindoll from Insight for Living wrote, “Our knowledge of God through His Word is the first line of defense against the conflicts that threaten to tear us apart.”
In the New Testament, we often see two different words translated as knowledge. One, eido, refers to assenting to, or coming to realize a fact, such as that the earth is round, or that two plus two equals four. The word used in today’s passage, however, epignósis in the original Greek, has the connotation of knowledge gained through personal experience, and often, in relationship. Therefore, the more we come to know Jesus, by drawing near to Him in times of trouble, allowing His gentle whisper to calm and nourish us, and grasping the unfathomable vastness of His love, the greater our godliness.
We come to know, with ever-deepening intimacy, the God who, in Exodus 33, equated His glory with His goodness.
As I consider all involved in “our knowledge of him,” as today’s passage states, I’m reminded of Romans 12:2, which tells me I am transformed by the “renewing of my mind.” This involves unlearning old, unhealthy patterns of behavior and learning to live in my new reality as a loved, empowered, and victorious child of God.
I love what Paul Tripp wrote: “… because of my relationship with Christ, I have been given a warrior Spirit that lives inside me.” That is far from a statement of defeat. To the contrary. Scripture assures us, in all things, our triggers and deeply-ingrained sins included, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us (Rom. 8:37). I’m encouraged to know, the next family reunion, I will more consistently respond to my relatives, the most challenging included, like my Savior.
Further Reading:
Galatians 5:13-25
Ezekiel 3:26-28
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Photo Credit:
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If you’re struggling to feel worthy enough to come to Jesus, what about today’s verses in Matthew 11:28-29 encourage you to put aside your shame and run to Him in prayer right now?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below
How to Come to Jesus
By Sarah Frazer
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
Growing up in church, Jesus was a familiar name. I never remember a time when I didn’t know what the name of Jesus meant or who Jesus was. My heart is burdened to know that there are people in this world, even today, who don’t know the name of Jesus. Whether you have been reading the Bible for a long time or are new to the faith, Jesus is the central figure.
Although we might love studying our Bible to see who Jesus is and what He is doing, we might wonder, what does that have to do with us today? Other than knowing about Jesus’ life and His teaching, what more is there?
Jesus is more than just a real Man who lived thousands of years ago. Jesus is more than the One who took our place and paid the penalty for our sins. Jesus is God and sits on the throne in heaven and intercedes for us. Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, ascension, and work today are all relevant to each of us.
Knowing about all of this in the Bible is vital to our Christian growth. Pursuing more and more the knowledge of Christ surpasses all that we could strive to do in our faith. Paul said it was something he wanted to do more than anything else in this world (Philippians 2:8-10). Is knowledge enough, though? Knowledge of Christ, although valuable, is not all that Jesus offers you and me.
More than knowledge, we have been invited to have a relationship with Jesus. God uses the analogy of a family throughout the Bible to compare our relationship with God, the Father, and Jesus, the Son. We are called brothers and “heirs” (Romans 8:16-17). We are related to Jesus as siblings. This type of relationship is more than just a knowledge of Someone.
One time, while on a short-term mission trip, a native girl found out we were from the United States. She asked us if we knew Michael Jordan. We all laughed. Of course, we knew who Michael Jordan was, but she was asking if we knew him in the sense of having a relationship with him. We explained to her that we knew of him, but we didn’t really know him.
Can the same be said of us and Jesus? Do we know about Jesus but not truly know Him? Even if you feel as if you have a relationship with Jesus, maybe something is keeping you from deeper intimacy with Christ. Let’s look to Matthew 11:28-30 to see how Jesus invites all of us to come to Him.
First, we come to Jesus with heavy burdens. You might imagine that you have to get rid of the things that are within you before you come to Jesus. Maybe you carry the guilt of past sins or the shame of choices that you have made. That burden does not disqualify you when you come to Jesus. Come as you are, knowing that the person you are now is not the end of the story.
Next, we come to Jesus, knowing we will never be the same. Come as you are is a common phrase in our world today, but the beautiful thing about Jesus is when we come to Jesus as we are, we don’t stay that way. When we come as we are, we acknowledge our past and our sinful hearts, but we also come willing to be someone different. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden…” But then in Matthew 11:29, He says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me….” We must also come to Jesus willing to change. We come to Jesus knowing that our old selves have been destroyed and our new hearts are now inside of us! (1 Corinthian 5:17) We are a new creation, and we come to Jesus so He can clean, heal, and make us beautiful.
Finally, Jesus says we can come to Him expectantly. In Matthew 11:28-30, we see one word repeated twice. That word is “rest.” We can expect that Jesus will accept us and that we will find rest. I don’t know about you, but the worries and stress of this world can overwhelm my heart. Coming to Jesus means we lay down our burdens, learn from Him, and expect rest.
Come to Jesus, friend. He is waiting and willing to accept you. His heart is already turned toward you. No amount of sin can keep us away from Him. If you are His child, through grace, you are saved (Ephesians 2:10), and through grace, you are already accepted as a child of God. Jesus is waiting to have a relationship with you. Come.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If you’re struggling to feel worthy enough to come to Jesus, what about today’s verses in Matthew 11:28-29 encourage you to put aside your shame and run to Him in prayer right now?
Further Reading:
James 4:8
Jeremiah 29:13
Proverbs 8:17
Psalms 27:4
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Take a moment with me, pause, and consider what’s concerning you. What is troubling your heart and consuming the thoughts of your soul?
Now, give it to God. Surrender it. Release it.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Choosing God’s Peace Over Problems
By Keri Eichberger
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.(John 14:27)
This is a bit embarrassing to admit, but just when I thought my stress couldn’t get much worse, I recently became convinced I was pregnant. Listen, no disrespect to those currently praying for this incredible blessing (by the way, I’d love to join you in prayer), because born and unborn babies are absolute gifts. And if that were God’s will for me, I would surely find my way to embrace it with praise. But the honest truth is, “much worse,” was definitely what I felt in the face of that possibility last week. I mean, I’ll turn 45 next month and many days it seems I can hardly handle the five kids God gifted me. Plus, just before this possibility arose we’d unexpectedly found ourselves drowning in a huge financial hole. I was too tired, too old, too inadequate, too broke—so I thought. Not to mention, this was not part of my peaceful future plan. How in the world would I? I wondered.
I’ll tell you one thing I was convinced of—well two actually. One: What felt like a heavy inescapable pit last week, seemed super tolerable now, considering what I thought was literally growing within. And two: I needed God‘s peace and relief big time, regardless.
I now know that I’m not actually pregnant—and if I were, we’d be having quite a different chat about the miracles of God and his divine ability to define medical odds (if you know what I mean). But when I was so sure, days upon days, without a shadow of a doubt, that I was going to be adding a sixth child via a geriatric pregnancy, I became consumed with all the taxing implications. Then laser soul-focused on the emotional and spiritual adjustments I needed to make to prepare if this was to be God’s plan. And here is where I landed in the midst of my worries, fears, and troubled heart.
I have two choices every day—every moment really—in the face of the big unknowns of today and tomorrow. I can either allow the swirling scary thoughts to overwhelm me with worry and anxiety, like this started too. OR, I can hand them over to the One who actually has control of all the outcomes anyway. And here’s the kicker, only one of those choices can give me what I really want. Peace.
So, I chose peace.
How about you? Is there something that doesn’t seem to be going quite as you had planned? And is it disrupting your peace? Do you feel troubled, fearful even?
Oh boy was I feeling that big time when me and my apparently pre-menopausal hormones had to take consecutive days of pregnancy tests last week. The thing is, we can’t ultimately control a lick of what’s in store. And trust me, there’s going to be some tough stuff ahead, even if most of your plans do align with your hopes and expectations. But we can still have peace. And peace is most certainly part of God’s plan. Always.
Better yet, we can have God’s peace. Which is so much better, infinitely more rich, than what the world will offer in a variety of fleeting fixes and temporary comforts.
In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you.” He has left it, deposited it, in us, as his followers. To freely tap into, at any time via our advocate, the Holy Spirit. Just like he left it in the disciples before he completed his earthly mission.
Friend, you and I have the Lord‘s peace. We just have to choose it. And I hope you’ll choose it too.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Take a moment with me, pause, and consider what’s concerning you. What is troubling your heart and consuming the thoughts of your soul?
Now, give it to God. Surrender it. Release it.
In doing this you’re choosing more peace. And I know that’s what we both want. So, today, release and choose peace when you’re worried about what might happen. Release and choose God’s peace still when what you didn’t want does happen. Because sometimes his plans do look different than ours. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Because remember, his plan is always best. He knows and sees what you don’t. And no matter what, he has deposited in you, he always offers, and you can always have, his peace.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Seek to positively influence your spouses, children, and family's lives. You will not only help them and build them up, but it will also change your attitude and help you see life with gratitude and hope rather than despair and pessimism.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Use Your Tongue to Uplift Others
“With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse human beings who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” James 3:9-10
In our marriage, our routine is to ask each other how our days are when we come home at night. We talk about both the highs and lows of our day. Because my husband's a pastor, I often hear the good and the bad of church life. But as the months wore on, we quickly realized that we were talking more about life's lows than the highs.
Although we needed each other to talk to, the more we complained, the easier it became to complain. Soon, each day brought nothing but complaints. Finding the good in any situation we were involved in was difficult.
One day, we prayed together and asked God to change our hearts regarding our view of our days. We chose to see the good and the positive in people and our situations rather than the bad. Although we needed each other to process through pain and analyze situations from various perspectives, it was not good for our spiritual life or marriage to constantly complain to each other about our work.
We asked God to change our perspectives and see life through a positive rather than a negative lens. It was not easy at first since we had gotten into such a bad habit of complaining. But the more we chose to see the positive each day rather than the negative, the easier it became. Within a month, we came home and emphasized the positive rather than the negative.
Studies show that the more we complain, our brains are rewired to think negative thoughts. When those thoughts go unchecked, they change our hearts. Once full of hope and optimism, our hearts are soon clouded with negativity and malice. We soon start to change how we see the people around us. Seeing the people we once saw as positive becomes more negative because of our critical spirits.
Hypercritical people are often hypocritical people. This is because we are to be Christ's examples. Yet, when we spend time complaining rather than looking at the positive side of things, we view our world with pessimism and despair rather than optimism and hope. Although it is essential to see our world in a good way, we must emphasize the positive things in life.
Our words carry weight. When you speak to the people around you, are you the first to give a critical word? Are you someone people know is safe because they know you will give them a word of encouragement?
Although it is essential to speak the truth plainly to people and to help people in their lives by pointing out their sins so they can be better people, we don't want to be people who are only known for what we are against rather than what we are for. We need to strike a good balance between how much we complain and how much we encourage.
If we complain more than we encourage, we tend to use our tongues for cursing rather than building up our brothers and sisters. If we tend to criticize too much, we will be tuned out because we will be seen as overly critical people who only speak negative words rather than positive ones.
If you find you are using your tongue to curse rather than build up, there's hope. For the next seven days, seek only to say positive things to people. When you feel tempted to give a negative word, change it into a positive. If you have difficulty with this, pray and ask God to help tame your tongue.
Seek to positively influence your spouses, children, and family's lives. You will not only help them and build them up, but it will also change your attitude and help you see life with gratitude and hope rather than despair and pessimism.
Father, let us be people who choose to use our tongues for good rather than evil. Let us, God, not curse our brothers and sisters but build them up, saying what may benefit them. Please help us be people who reflect you by giving people the hope that's in you. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
In what way are you using your tongue to curse others? What steps can you take today to help you change negative words into positive ones?
Further Reading
Ephesians 4:29
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Peace comes when we remember that we’re travelers, passing through, and therefore, today’s pain won’t last forever. And, we are heading toward a beautiful, joyful, certain and secure paradise where we will no longer experience pain, sickness, persecution or heartache. A place where we will live with God, completely whole, for all of eternity.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Hope in Hard Seasons
By Jennifer Slattery
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:1-3
Imagine losing your job, many of your friends, maybe even experiencing rejection from your extended family. How might you feel, and how might your hardship and pain affect your faith? While I don’t know how I’d respond in such a situation, I do know how I reacted, decades ago, when a series of difficult events left my family and I in a three-year period of constant transition, loss, and uncertainty. Initially, I felt abandoned by God, not chosen and loved. But God used that dark season to deepen my faith and the bonds within our family.
That said, I’ve never experienced persecution like the Christ-followers addressed in 1 Peter. After turning to Christ for salvation, these mainly Gentile believers “suffer[ed] grief in all kinds of trials,” inflicted by their Greek and Jewish neighbors. If evaluating their standing from their circumstances alone, these precious men and women would not have felt chosen. Therefore, the opening of Peter’s letter must’ve felt like an assuring balm to their wounded souls.
“To God’s elect,” he wrote, “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God” (1 Peter 1a, 2a, NIV). How comforting to read the reminder of God’s perfect wisdom—of all things past, present, and future. He knew, before they even understood who Jesus was, precisely what they’d experience each day after they yielded their souls to Him. He chose them—not for destruction or defeat, but for victory and eternal joy.
In Christ, they’d received a living hope—a firm promise that no one and nothing could take away. They could know, with certainty, where they were heading and everything that awaited them when they arrived.
In the New International Version, quoted above, Peter refers to these men and women as exiles. The New American Standard Bible calls them aliens, and the New Living Translation refers to them as foreigners. The Greek word behind each of these translations indicates someone temporarily residing in an area that is not their permanent home.
Intersecting Life and Faith
According to Scripture, this applies to all of us. This present world is not our home. We are, essentially, passing through—steadily progressing toward our eternal destination and the inheritance secured for us by the death and resurrection of Christ. Today’s passage reminds me of Christ’s words in Matthew 6:19-21, when He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
That doesn’t mean God doesn’t want us to enjoy nice things, invest in a 401K, or take relaxing vacations. But He does warn us of the danger of allowing those temporary pleasures to capture our heart. When that happens, the hardships we experience feel all the more painful because we’re less anchored in Christ and overly attached to the things we’ve lost.
Peace comes when we remember that we’re travelers, passing through, and therefore, today’s pain won’t last forever. And, we are heading toward a beautiful, joyful, certain and secure paradise where we will no longer experience pain, sickness, persecution or heartache. A place where we will live with God, completely whole, for all of eternity.
Because we are chosen and called to a hope-filled future, held secure by the God of hope.
Additional Reading:
Romans 8:18-39
Revelations 21:1-5
Articles:
What Does the Bible Say About Rewards in Heaven?
10 Things All Christians Should Know About Heaven
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If your life feels too rushed and busy, how can you stop today and spend time just being still and listening to God’s voice? What are you waiting for God to do in your life? How can you hand that over to Him, trusting that He will do it in His timing and in His way?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
God Is Not in a Hurry
By Sarah Frazer
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:7 (ESV)
My oldest daughter does not like to be in a hurry. Over the past few months, I’ve had to wake her up a little earlier than everyone else on school days. I sneak into her room, turn off her sound machine, and whisper, “Good morning.” She takes longer to get ready, and I understand the need for a slow morning. I don’t like to feel like I’m in a hurry.
My favorite time of the day is the morning. But when we get to sleep in and enjoy the morning without being rushed, those are my absolute favorite times. My life feels like I’m in a hurry most of the time. One thing I have tried to implement lately, taken from my daughter, is to stop rushing through my days.
There is something about waiting and being still that doesn’t seem productive. I struggle with the need to feel like I’m working all of the time. But if there is a pocket of time I’m learning the beauty of sitting still and just being there. No agenda, no job, no need to be productive.
As I study the Bible, I’ve seen over and over again that our God is not in a hurry.
In Psalm 37, we see David, the author, providing us with a blueprint for the life of the one who loves God. There are several command words in this chapter. Words like “Fret not, trust, delight, commit, and be still.” David is reminding us that, yes, our world is filled with rush, hurry, and evil, but God’s ways are different.
Our God is never in a hurry because He is always on time. When Paul, in Acts 16:6, wanted to go to Asia to spread the Gospel, God forbade it. It wasn’t that the Gospel wasn’t supposed to go to Asia. It would eventually. The call to go the opposite direction was a matter of timing. God led Paul and his companions to Macedonia instead. God had a plan for you and me as well. As His children, can trust His plan.
We get impatient waiting for God to intervene, though, don’t we? We want to see our prayers answered in ways and in the timing we desire. Sometimes, God’s timing seems unnecessarily long. Psalm 37:7 reminds us to wait for God and be still. David says why we should wait.
“In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.” Psalm 37:10-11 (ESV)
The word meek here means “humble, poor, and needy.” God calls His children to be humble. It is humbling to wait. The rich get served first in fancy restaurants, and those with power seem to move ahead of the line. The evil in this world feels like it is never punished, but according to God’s word we need only wait “a little while.”
In God’s kingdom, God controls the events and the timing. We can trust and commit our hearts to God because we know, like David, “{God} is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing” (Psalm 37:26). God is providing for each of us generously, we need only be His child and hold His hand.
We often get in a hurry because we want things right away or feel as if we have waited long enough. Our prayers feel like they are not even making a difference because we don’t see any change in our lives. This is when we trust. like David did, in,
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24 (ESV)
God is a worthy provider and will not lead us astray. That also means that even though we might feel like we are waiting, we are still moving forward. Our mindsets can get stuck in this idea that we have to be busy and work hard. Although we do not neglect what God has entrusted us to do, we often mistake busyness with Christian duty.
Being productive is not one of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:23-24. God does not ask us to just get things done. God is asking us to be still throughout our day, too. God asks us to trust Him. Remember that God is not in a hurry, and so He is asking us not to be either.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If your life feels too rushed and busy, how can you stop today and spend time just being still and listening to God’s voice? What are you waiting for God to do in your life? How can you hand that over to Him, trusting that He will do it in His timing and in His way?
Further Reading:
Acts 16:6-10
John 11:1-6, 21-27
Galatians 6:9
Romans 12:12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Is there a situation where you feel God doesn't care? Be patient during this time of affliction. Be faithful and bring God your prayers every day. Don't waste this time running away from him. Run toward him and see what God will do even amid great trials.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Be Faithful
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
After receiving a new medication from my doctor, she warned me of potential side effects. Nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss were the most common side effects. The first couple of weeks, I did fine. The side effects were minimal, and I was able to tolerate them.
But by month two, everything had changed. I quickly got to the point where I was sick every day and became afraid to leave my home. My stomach would change in an instant, and I could be in the middle of nowhere feeling incredibly nauseous and uncomfortable. This is far from the health I had hoped for.
I prayed and asked God to take the side effects away. But they got worse rather than better. Week after week, I would pray fervently for God to hear my prayers. But nothing. Finally, my doctor took me off the medicine and gave me a month to reset before discussing a new brand of medication.
While this seems small in the large scheme of life, this wasn't the first time I had experienced loss this past year. Sudden job changes, loss of relationships, and an unsteady income are all issues I was dealing with daily.
Having a health challenge on top of it was the last thing I wanted to hear. It felt as if God didn't care and that he wanted me to suffer. After another day of unwanted side effects, I went to the grocery store to get some groceries. I entered my car and banged my head on the rearview mirror, causing a bump on my head. That sent me over the edge.
I cried in my car in the grocery store parking lot for over an hour. I poured out my heart to God, asking him to help me since I couldn't take another thing. I'd been dealing with so much loss over the past year it wasn't easy to deal with yet another challenge. It felt as if no area of my life was going right.
I felt compelled to continue praying and placing my hope in God. Eventually, the side effects did wear off after a change in medication, and I could enjoy the following weeks. But going through that season of turmoil felt endless. Yet, God wanted me to be patient in that affliction. He wanted me to go to him daily, giving him my days, minutes, and hours.
In the same way, God wants us to bring our pain to him. He wants us to be patient when we are afflicted with many trials. He doesn't want us to give up hope. Instead, he wants to see us have hope during those trials. He wants us to persevere and trust that he has us in this season for a reason.
God doesn't waste our pain. He wants us to endure every trial with patience, perseverance, and hope. When we do this, we become more like Christ than ever before. It is easy to love God when things are going well.
When things are not going well, and God feels absent or silent, we must trust him even when we can't see or feel him. He wants us to be faithful in praying to him and giving over our trials to him. When life feels endless, and we feel like there's no end to our trials, he wants us to pray to him, trusting that he will make way for our situation and turn it for his good.
Is there a situation where you feel God doesn't care? Be patient during this time of affliction. Be faithful and bring God your prayers every day. Don't waste this time running away from him. Run toward him and see what God will do even amid great trials.
Father, remind us that you are with us always. Please help us to be patient when we're afflicted with many trials. Help us to be faithful and give over our lives to you in prayer every day. Help us trust that you do everything for your good and that our pain is not wasted. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
What area of your life do you need to exercise patience during trial?
Further Reading
Romans 5:3-5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we express the depths of our souls, unfiltered to God, we receive in return what we most need, the Lord Himself. He alone is our Provider, Sustainer, Protector, Healer, and ever-present help in times of trouble. The more we recognize all we have in Him, the more we’re able to say, “Father, it is well with my soul.”
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
When God Upsets Us written
by Jennifer Slattery.
I will stand at my watch
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Habakkuk 2:1
Have you ever been in that place? Where you’ve launched your complaints, or maybe your questions, at God, and then stood, arms crossed, awaiting His reply?
I’ve been in a funk lately, and while I’ve still been reading my Bible every morning, spending time quieting my soul with praise music, and engaging with God through interactive journaling, the other day I stiff-armed God. I sensed Him drawing my attention to a wound I didn’t want to think about, let alone feel, as God was inviting me to do. And so, I shut Him out, closed my journal, and walked away.
This morning, I picked up my pen to journal, ruminating on a series of relational disappointments that, in many ways, led to my funk, and highlighted the wound God wanted to address. Internally I thought, “What do you have to say about all this, God?” And He met me in that place. Although He didn’t give me clarity on my immediate concerns, He pointed me to what I most needed in that moment—a reminder of His faithfulness and love.
In Habakkuk’s case, the Lord responded to his “complaint”, which happened to center on the seemingly unrestrained violence and injustice all around him, by assuring him that justice would indeed come and wicked nations, like Babylon, would eventually fall.
But that’s not what most strikes me about the interaction between God and Habakkuk. What most encourages me is that the prophet had the courage to lob a complaint at God in the first place—and that God not only allowed this, but responded to it.
If you grew up in a critical, authoritarian home where “children were to be seen, not heard” and where you weren’t allowed to express your emotions, let alone your “complaints”, you might expect God to respond the same way. You might, therefore, hide some of your most intense inner wrestling and doubts beneath a forced hallelujah. But while we must always remember God is holy, perfect, and worthy of all praise—whether we understand or agree with His actions, the book of Habakkuk assures me we can also come to Him authentically, unfiltered. I’m certain He’d much rather we do that than allow our doubts and spiritual struggles to distance us from Him.
Intersecting Life and Faith
Here's a beautiful truth I see in numerous places in the Bible, the section we’ve been discussing included. When we bring everything, including our inner gunk, our pain, anger, and disappointments, to God, He uses that to open a conversation that, ultimately, leads us to deeper faith and intimacy with Him.
He brings us to a place where we can say, like Habakkuk did,
“Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights (Hab. 3:17-19, NIV).
Here’s what I find significant in his response. Through his conversation with God, Habakkuk learned that life was going to become difficult for him and his countrymen. The land would become desolate. The Babylonians would conquer Judah, plunder their cities and homes, and exile its people. But the prophet reached a place of contentment, not in his circumstances but instead, in His sovereign, soul-fortifying God.
Pause to reflect on the words in verse 19 for a moment. No matter how chaotic and out of control our circumstances seem, our God retains full control. He provides strength to the weary and beaten down, and enables us to walk as swiftly, as nimbly, as a deer that escapes a predator by darting up a steep and rocky mountainside. In other words, He might not remove the threat, or within the timeframe we hope. But when it comes, He will give us the strength to overcome and tread on the heights.
To phrase it another way, when we express the depths of our souls, unfiltered to God, we receive in return what we most need, the Lord Himself. He alone is our Provider, Sustainer, Protector, Healer, and ever-present help in times of trouble. The more we recognize all we have in Him, the more we’re able to say, “Father, it is well with my soul.”
Additional Reading (biblical examples of wrestling with God):
Habakkuk 1-3
Genesis 32:22-32
Psalm 22
Genesis 18:16-33
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you been affected by a difficulty recently? If so, how can you look up and redirect your eyes on where your help comes from? How can you help others who are going through trials right now and share the love of Jesus?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Look Up Toward The Mountains: Where Will My Help Come From?
Written By: Emma Danzey
Psalm 121:1-2 says, “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
It was a normal Friday for the most part down the mountain in the foothills. We had a lot of rain and wind as to be expected when Hurricane Helene was coming through. After some gusty winds that gave whistles outside the windows, the storm passed. Little did I know, the true storm was just beginning up the mountains. Much of my small city lost power and large oak trees had fallen, but flooding was minimum. We began to hear reports and see pictures of the devastation in the mountains of North Carolina and surrounding areas. None of us were prepared for this, we did not see this coming.
Days went by when we tried to get ahold of loved ones in the areas hit hard to see if they were even alive. Many did not have ways to reach family and friends without power and service. Water had to be boiled (and still does in many places) and that was if families still had a house to have access to water. Survival mode set in, churches, organizations, and military stepped in. I have heard constant helicopters and airplanes at the local airport taking supplies and rescuing people in more remote places. It has sounded like I live in a time of war. As the death toll raises and the stories come out of how the mountain towns appear more like a Tsunami went through, they are living in a war torn land against the floods that overtook them. People are all asking, “Where will my help come from?”
“I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?”
This Psalm originally caused us to look at the beauty and the glory of the mountains. Mountains draw our eyes upwards and cause us to see how small we are in comparison. They remind us that God is bigger than our sin, our struggles, and the issues of this world. However, as I reflect on this Psalm, I lift my eyes toward the mountains that have been devastated by a hurricane, I am reminded that in the glory and greatness and in the suffering and trials, we can be reminded where our help comes from. We are also invited to ask where it comes from.
The point is that we are looking to God. We engage with Him and question what He is doing in the disaster and the pain. We hold on to Him knowing that He has never let us go, even when everything around us appears to be crumbling. We cry out to Him in authenticity, but we keep our gaze on Jesus in the storm.
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth”
The answer comes to us, that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. When we face unthinkable circumstances, when we feel small in life, or when we just want to understand Christ’s glory more, we remember to look up, that our help comes from Him always. He is the Maker of all things good. Heaven and earth are in His hands. When we are crying out to Him or feel overwhelmed at how great the need, but how little we can help, may we look to Him for help. When we forget to look up and want to look to anyone or anything else for help, may the Holy Spirit redirect our wayward hearts to look up to the mountains and to our Maker.
He offers perfect help. Not always in the ways that we would hope or imagine best, but He is trustworthy and has proven that He is and was and is to come. He is unchanging. He is Alpha and Omega. He is sovereign over all. He can work these hard things for good for those who love Him. He can take the gospel up the mountains to provide for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of communities. He can work even in the most seemingly broken places. Where does our help come from? It comes from our Lord.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Have you been affected by a difficulty recently? If so, how can you look up and redirect your eyes on where your help comes from? How can you help others who are going through trials right now and share the love of Jesus?
Further Reading:
- Psalm 54:4
- Isaiah 41:10
- Romans 8:28
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Look around. Ask God what work he has for you today as part of his holy priesthood, and thank him for choosing you to be part of the most important team in history.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Making the Cut
by Deidre Braley
1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into hiswonderful light.
At 6:00 PM we all poured out of our respective cars, running across the parking lot to meet at the agreed-upon door. There was a hint of smoke in the air, and the sweet decay of maples and oaks had already begun. I remember the way the cold air clung to my wet clothes—still damp from tryouts—as I ran too, with my eyes fixed on that door, that white piece of paper, that list that would determine whether I’d been chosen, whether I’d stood out, whether I would get to be part of something that meant something.
Girls who had gotten there first began to high five and congratulate each other. There was cheering and jostling and I tried to weave through them, knowing that if I could just get close enough I’d see my name in bold letters and I, too, would join my teammates in the celebration. People began to walk away, sweaty and relieved and laughing. I stayed in front of the door. The names were alphabetical—I knew I should see mine with the ‘Ds’—but it wasn’t there.
I hadn’t made the cut.
Is there anything more painful than not being chosen? Than wanting to belong—and being told no? Even now, as a fully grown adult, I can still remember every time I was left standing against the fence when the captains picked the teams, every time I stood outside a circle of girls whispering together at recess, and every time I longed for someone to see something special in me, but they didn’t.
These moments tend to become a part of us, to become strands in the fabric of our worldviews. When we experience rejection in our lives now, perhaps it hurts all the more because it brings us back to the day on the school bus when the popular kids talked about a party over the weekend—one we’d known nothing about. We remember thinking we’d see our name on that list after varsity soccer tryouts, and standing alone trying-hoping-wishing those bold letters would materialize, would prove we were worthy. We feel the painfully sharp spear of all the times that—in somebody’s eyes—we were not enough.
But there is evidence throughout the Bible that, despite all the rejections we may have experienced in our lives, we are chosen by God. I want to point out that this isn’t a half-hearted consolation prize (like when your sweet, well-meaning mom says, Well, I think you’re special).No, it’s a call to step onto the most important team doing the most important work with the most
important Leader in the world: bringing glory to God, reveling in his love, and pouring light into every dark corner we find here.
1 Peter says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (2:9). Now, it can be difficult to accept words like chosen, royal, holy, or special as descriptors for ourselves when we’ve felt anything-but in our experiences with other people, but God isn’t a person, and as he reminds us in Isaiah, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (55:9).
And God’s way is to give willing, humble, and obedient people responsibility in his Kingdom—not to mention delightful intimacy with him. When we throw up our hands and say, “Pick me!” or, “Put me in, Coach!” his qualifier is not whether we are wearing popular clothes or can handle a ball well or even (heaven forbid) we were born on the right side of town.
It’s the posture of our hearts.
1 Peter reminds us that the living Stone—that is, Jesus—was also rejected by humans. But he was chosen and special in God’s eyes, and his impact on this world has been the greatest we’ve ever seen. We are also called living stones here—ones that are being put together to build a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, set apart and chosen by God (1 Peter 2:4-5).
Intersecting Faith & Life
If you are experiencing that painful feeling of not being chosen today—you’ve been passed over for a promotion, you interacted with someone who treated you poorly, or you feel exhausted from waiting for God to use you in what feels like a ‘big’ way—remember that you’ve already been enlisted. Look around. Ask God what work he has for you today as part of his holy priesthood, and thank him for choosing you to be part of the most important team in history.
Further Reading
- 1 Peter 2
- Exodus 19: 1-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We don’t need to be consumed by fear when we can ask God to fill us with courage. When we feel afraid or uncertain, we can turn to Jesus, who reassures us: “It is I. Don't be afraid.” .
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
God is Greater than Ghosts
By: Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’” – Matthew 14:25-27, NIV
In October, the days grow shorter, the nights longer, and the world around us pays attention to spiritual mysteries. During the Halloween season, many of us may find ourselves intrigued by ghost stories and other paranormal tales. People have told ghost stories throughout history, across many cultures. Ghosts spark our curiosity and entertain our imagination. As we approach Halloween, our society amplifies this fascination with a strong focus on ghosts and other scary mysteries. While these stories can be fascinating, they also stir up fear.
The Bible describes how Jesus’ disciples thought they saw a ghost walking on water. It looked like something inexplicable and terrifying. Their fear was understandable, given the extraordinary nature of the event and the darkness of the night. When they saw the mysterious figure walking on the water, their first reaction was to be afraid. But it turned out to be not bad news, but good news. It was their Savior, Jesus, who immediately reassured them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” When Jesus spoke to them, he cleared up the mystery and encouraged them to choose courage over fear.
This passage reminds us that when we face the unknown, our first instinct might be fear, but God calls us to focus on him instead. The world may be full of mysteries, but God makes himself known through mysteries. God is our loving Heavenly Father, our anchor in the storm, and the one who holds the answers to all our questions about life, death, and eternity.
As we move through the Halloween season, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun of ghost stories and the thrill of the unknown. But let’s not forget that our curiosity about the afterlife and other scary mysteries can be better directed toward God, the Creator of all things seen and unseen. While ghost stories may capture our imagination, they can’t offer the peace, security, and truth that God provides.
So, rather than allowing fear to take hold of us, we can ask God to fill us with his courage and presence. When we feel afraid or uncertain, we can turn to Jesus, who reassures us just as he did the disciples, saying, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” When faced with the unknown, our first instinct might be fear, but God calls us to trust in him. The world may be filled with mysteries, but God is our constantly reliable Heavenly Father, our source of strength, and the one who holds the answers to all our questions.
So, let's remember that we can direct our curiosity about ghosts and other scary mysteries toward God, the Creator of all things. God will tell us the truth about the mysteries we encounter. While ghost stories may entertain us, our primary focus should be on God, not ghosts. The One who walked on water, who conquered death, and who promises to be with us always is far more powerful and important than any ghost story. This October, let’s allow our fascination with ghosts to draw us closer to God, who holds the keys to eternity and who promises to guide us through every fear with his perfect love. The thrill of discovering God’s wondrous work in our lives is much stronger than any excitement we can get from scary mysteries.
We don’t need to be consumed by fear when we can ask God to fill us with courage. When we feel afraid or uncertain, we can turn to Jesus, who reassures us: “It is I. Don't be afraid.”
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider the importance of overcoming fear when you face the unknown, reflect on these questions:
- What fears of the unknown are you currently facing that you need to surrender to God?
- In what ways can you focus more on God’s presence and promises rather than on the fear of the unknown?
- How can you use this Halloween season as an opportunity to draw closer to God and share God’s peace with others?
- What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God’s power when fear tries to creep in?
Further Reading
John 14:27
Isaiah 41:10
2 Timothy 1:7
Psalm 23:4
Philippians 4:6-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
With all the bills, relationships, and commitments here on Earth, we can naturally find ourselves distracted from what matters most. When that happens, we may find ourselves preoccupied with the world and forgetful of God. The solution is not to fill our heads with worldly things but instead, focus on the things above.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
In the World but Not of the World
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
What The World Says
Some people belittle the Christian faith by dumbing it down to a list of dos and don’ts. They find religion to be too restrictive and punitive. Funny how the world launches such a criticism of the faith when the world itself has a list of dos and don’ts.
Do be diverse, equitable, body-positive, and sex-positive. Don’t be against abortion, homosexuality, and transgenderism.
If you aren’t strong in your convictions, then being name-called or challenged by the world in any way will more than likely be intimidating. You’ll be left with a fear of cancellation, being ostracized, or something worse.
The truth is, much like our flesh is at war with the spirit, our faith is constantly at war with the world. That’s why in Scripture, we see time and time again how there is a contrast between God’s people and the surrounding cultures. God has called us to live in a certain way, and the world feels enmity toward that ideal. That’s always been true. And as always, the temptation we face as believers is neglecting what God wants and instead opting to fit in with the world.
That’s normal. We’re sinful by nature and likewise, we each desire to be a part of a community. Sometimes, fellowship with the world just looks more appealing.
However, we can’t call ourselves Christian and still live like those around us. We can’t choose to follow God only when convenient, in those moments when the world isn’t watching. Not if we’re a believer, because being a Christian means something specific.
But how exactly do we ensure that we ascribe to God and not the world? How can we be in the world, but not of the world?
To answer that, we turn to Scripture.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Within Scripture, we find a multitude of ways to separate ourselves from the surrounding culture, but here are three we can implement in our lives today.
Find the Right People
The Bible talks about being unequally yoked, a principle we often apply to marriage, but one that relates to all of our relationships. When we decide to follow Christ, we are explicitly agreeing to become like Him. That applies to the way we talk, dress, act, and think. Certain people will not appreciate this growth and will want us to be more like them, less like Christ.
This isn’t the right kind of company to keep. Ultimately, believers should not try to fit in with the culture, not if it calls for us to forfeit our values. Instead, choose to find a godly community that will not ask you to give up what’s good, but rather the things holding you back from God.
Focus on Heaven
With all the bills, relationships, and commitments here on Earth, we can naturally find ourselves distracted from what matters most. When that happens, we may find ourselves preoccupied with the world and forgetful of God. The solution is not to fill our heads with worldly things but instead, focus on the things above.
Know Your Worth
Another reason we find ourselves gravitating towards the world’s approval is that we falsely believe our worth comes from people. We tell ourselves that if we get married, then we’re worthy; if we have a ton of friends, then we’re worthy, and on and on. None of that is true. Our worth comes from God, and our worth has existed since He first created us. All of the relationships we have on this Earth will one day end, whether through conflict or death. The things we do for people and what they do for us will one day cease. What will never end is God’s love for His children.
Remember that the next time you think the world has your best interest at heart.
Further Reading:
- Romans 12:2
- John 15:19
- Deuteronomy 22:10
- Psalm 27:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Next time you are surrounded by believers of various ages, take a moment to soak in the wisdom of those who have walked with Jesus longer and the zeal of those who are just now beginning their journeys with the Lord. Remember that He is forever and His glory and kingdom know no end.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
The God of Every Generation
Written By: Emma Danzey
Ephesians 3:21 says, “To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
I recently heard a pastor share that people often question if the Bible has been held together for generations. His response was, “If the Living God raised Himself from the dead, I believe He can keep a book together throughout the generations.” I laughed, it is so true. If God is who He says that He is and He reigns over all of the universe. He is more than capable to keep His Word together and use it in the lives of every generation. Today we are going to take a moment to celebrate His faithfulness and gospel that is still going into the world today.
“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus”
Ultimately our lives are about the glory of Jesus. The church is truly just the people of God. We gather, serve, and love in His name to point to Him and celebrate the salvation that He brings to us. His glory is revealed in Christ Jesus. He is the Savior of the world. He is the only One worthy of our worship. There are no other gods but Him. Today and every day, it is good for us to pause and remember who our Savior is and always will be forever. In the most unstable and insecure times, we can be rooted and grounded in our confidence in Christ.
“Throughout all generations”
God is receiving glory throughout every generation. I don’t know if you have ever been tempted to believe something like: “The next generation is in trouble, I hope they don’t ruin God’s plan.” It can be easy to point out the sins and flaws in those younger who are coming next, however the truth is that the gospel is still moving and working in the lives of all people of all ages right now. Even in the most seemingly hopeless generations, Jesus gets His message out. We are invited to share the gospel with others, this includes those who came before us and those after us. Whether we believe those older will not listen or those younger will rebel, we are called to live by the Spirit and share the gospel regardless of our bias or doubts.
If you have young children, pray over them. If you have young people in your life, do not neglect sharing the gospel with them. The next generation needs to hear the truth of freedom in Jesus. Have you ever watched a relay race and a field day or a track and field event? The teammates each run a leg of the race, passing on the torch to the next runner. Someone is the final runner across the finish line, but it is team sport and a team victory. It is our role to run this race where God has intentionally placed us in His timeline. We are called to pass on the gospel to the next generation, not knowing when Jesus is returning and the final generation finishes the race for our victory as a whole in Christ.
“For ever and ever! Amen.”
The kingdom of God has no end. His glory and His salvation is available to every generation. We can celebrate that He has welcomed so many before us and is still welcoming new family members today. You may not have a name that is known in history or ever accomplished anything in a spotlight yourself, however many of the ways that we glorify God are done in secret and in the mundane. Did you read the Bible as a family? Have you prayed with your child today? Did you care for an elderly and lonely widow? Did you give generously to the poor?
It is great to remember to look back on our lives or on the lives of others who came before us. We can see that handiwork of Christ always.
Next time you are surrounded by believers of various ages, take a moment to soak in the wisdom of those who have walked with Jesus longer and the zeal of those who are just now beginning their journeys with the Lord. Remember that He is forever and His glory and kingdom know no end.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
How are you giving glory to God in your current season of life? How are you making Jesus known to this generation?
Further Reading:
- Isaiah 42:8
- Romans 11:36
- Philippians 2:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How do you display your faith? What are the practical ways that you shine Jesus’ love in the world? Does the presence of Jesus inform the words you say, or how you treat the people around you? Is Jesus so important to you, that you will even change how you drive? That may sound ridiculous, but these are the places where displaying our faith matters: this is what the intersection of faith and life is all about.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Displaying our Faith
“Someone will say, ‘You have faith, I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” (James 2:18)
Let me tell you a story. One Christmas my wife gave me a license plate surround. You know the kind. It’s a plastic cover that fits over your license plate. They usually have stickers or phrases on it. It’s a way to personalize your license plate without having a vanity plate. Well, I opened this present and found a license plate surround containing big white letters that read: “CLERGY”, A cross was on either side. And I must admit, my first thought was “oh dear.” See, now, I can’t drive like a maniac. I can’t yell at people, blast my horn, or shake my fist whenever someone cuts me off. I can’t weave in and out of traffic or rush through yellow lights. Now, I am no longer an anonymous driver on the road. Now, everyone knows that I am a priest – and they will judge my driving based upon what they read on my license plate.
So, I sat there for a second, holding this present, wondering if I really wanted to have this gift. Did I really want to put this on my car and make my faith so public?
That’s the point, isn’t it? People should know that we follow Jesus. The presence of Jesus, our reliance upon his Spirit, our expressions of his love and care, these things should be visible in our lives. Which is why the exhortation from James is so important for us.
The Book of James challenges us to think about how our connection with Jesus is lived out in our lives. James writes, what good is it brothers and siters if someone claims to have faith but no deeds? In other words, what good is it if our relationship with Jesus is just a matter of religious phrases we say in special services? Can such a faith save us? Show me faith, James says; display your faith by how you live.
We sometimes make an unfair distinction between faith and works. We are quick to quote Paul’s words in Ephesians 2 “We are saved by grace through faith, so that no-one can boast.” Paul seems to suggest that our deeds do not matter. We are saved by grace alone, as a gift from Jesus. So, to focus on righteous deeds (we think) is nothing but work-based righteousness. James, on the other hand, is perceived to be saying that it doesn’t matter what you believe, it is only our deeds that count towards salvation. If we are kind and generous, polite and affable, we can be spiritually confident. And so, we pit the words of Paul against the words of James.
Both readings, when understood in such stark contrast, betray the truth of scripture. Paul and James must go together. Even for Paul, a faith that is not lived out is a faith that fails to be alive or transformative. This is why his letters are filled with a myriad of practical instructions for believers. On the other side, James’ whole point is that it is our faith in Jesus that is lived out in practical ways. James says, “I will show you my faith by what I do.” For James, it’s not some generic politeness that is lived out, it is the one’s relationship with our Lord. There simply must be a connection between our faith, and our life.
Intersecting Faith and Life.
Faith can’t just be something we say. It’s not enough to rest upon private thoughts and prayers in the comfort of our prayer closets. My old youth group leader used to always ask “if being a Christian was illegal is there enough evidence to convict you?” The love of Jesus, received in faith, is to transform our lives. We live it out, not to prove our love, or earn the Lord’s favor, but as a natural byproduct of a life-giving connection with Jesus.
Of course, we are never going to be perfect at this. There’s going to be hiccups along the way. If we read the book of James as advocating for some sort of perfect execution of moral or spiritual life, then all we are going to do is heap condemnation upon ourselves. None of us are perfect, and none of us will live out our faith perfectly every single moment of our lives. But the moments when we don’t live our faith perfectly never discount the heartfelt desire to do so. What is more, James reminds us that in the times of failure or flaw, we can rest in the promise that God’s mercy will always have the final word.
How do you display your faith? What are the practical ways that you shine Jesus’ love in the world? Does the presence of Jesus inform the words you say, or how you treat the people around you? Is Jesus so important to you, that you will even change how you drive? That may sound ridiculous, but these are the places where displaying our faith matters: this is what the intersection of faith and life is all about.
For further reading:
James 2
“4 Simple and Authentic Ways to Share your Faith Today” on crosswalk.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you tend to be seasoned with grace and salt in your words with others or do you need help in this area? How can you be prayerful and Spirit-led in your discussions with unbelievers? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you up with peace as you share the love of Jesus with those who do not know Him.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Focus on God, Not on Fear
By: Whitney Hopler
“The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1, NIV
Every October, elaborate Halloween decorations begin popping up in my neighborhood. Some of them are whimsical, but a lot of them are designed to look as scary as possible. One yard features a goblin that zips down from a tree to surprise people as they walk by on a sidewalk. One house has a battery-operated witch on the porch, constantly babbling threats in a creepy voice. Then there’s the place that features a gigantic skeleton towering over a house and glaring with red lights in its eyes at people passing by. It amazes me that so many people spend so much money on those decorations, and so much time setting them up, simply to scare people.
Our world often glorifies fear during October. From haunted house decorations to scary movies, people celebrate fear in all its forms as Halloween approaches. It can seem entertaining to seek out experiences that make us feel afraid. But all the spooky darkness around us in this fallen world isn’t worth our attention. As believers, our focus should not be on fear but on God. God’s light is much more powerful than any darkness we encounter.
The world may try to draw us into a mindset of fear, but Psalm 27:1 offers a powerful reminder that we don’t need to fear anything or anyone, because God is our stronghold. King David, who wrote those words while inspired by the Holy Spirit, was no stranger to scary situations. He faced real dangers from enemies who sought to harm him, yet his response was not to dwell on those fears but to declare his confidence in God’s protection. David declared: “The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?” This declaration is a call to shift our focus from the things that frighten us to the One who is greater than all our fears.
During October, when our fallen world encourages us to be entertained by fear, we have the opportunity to choose a different path. Instead of allowing fear to take root in our hearts, we can focus on the truth that God is our stronghold. That means we can trust our all-powerful God to give us strength in all situations and to protect us from all that scares us – including the evil that surrounds us. The darkness that casts scary shadows of doubt and worry around us can’t overpower the light of God’s presence in our lives.
Fear is a powerful emotion, but it’s not stronger than the power of God. When we allow fear to dominate our thoughts, it can paralyze us and keep us from living the thriving lives God wants us to live. However, when we focus on God, we remember that God is in control, that God is with us, and that God is for us. No matter what circumstances we face, we can be confident in the assurance the Bible gives us in Psalm 27:1. God is our light, guiding us through even the darkest circumstances. God is our salvation, delivering us from all that threatens to harm us.
During October – and every day of the year – consider how you can shift your focus away from fear and toward God. Instead of getting caught up in the culture of fear, spend time with God in prayer and meditation regularly. The more time you spend with God, the more God will dispel any fear that tries to take hold of your heart. Remember, the Lord is your light and your salvation, so you never need to be afraid!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider the importance of focusing on God rather than on fear when you feel afraid, reflect on these questions:
- What fears have been weighing on your heart lately? How can you bring them before God in prayer?
- How does remembering God’s faithfulness in the past help you trust God in the present?
- In what practical ways can you shift your focus from fear to God throughout your day?
- How does meditating on God’s Word help you fight fear?
- What does it mean to you personally that God is your “light” and your “salvation”?
Further Reading
Isaiah 41:10
2 Timothy 1:7
Philippians 4:6-7
John 14:27
Romans 8:38-39
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to develop love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In all of these attributes, we see God and His love. By developing each of these fruits, we will be able to reflect the Lord’s love to the world. No longer will we struggle with these spiritual fruits. Instead, through our actions, others will see the Lord and be more interested in learning about Him.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Crosswalk Devotionals: Developing the Fruits of the Spirit by Vivian Bricker
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
When I first learned about the fruits of the Spirit, I was overwhelmed. Each of the fruits of the Spirit felt like a mountain to climb. While I reasoned I already had developed one or two, I actually didn’t have any. Thankfully at the time, I was in Bible college and I learned that the Holy Spirit is the One who develops the spiritual fruits in our lives. In other words, there is nothing we can do to develop these fruits by ourselves. Spiritual fruits are only developed by the work of the Spirit in our lives.
However, this does not mean we are called to sit idle and do nothing. In addition to praying for the Holy Spirit to help us develop these spiritual fruits, we also need to apply what the Bible says into our lives and try our best to walk in accordance with the Lord. All of this is easier said than done, but ultimately, relying on the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to work through our lives is the best way to go.
Upon looking at the spiritual fruits, we are going to have to take it day-by-day. Let’s focus on one at a time and take things slowly. The fruits of the Spirit include love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When selecting a spiritual fruit, we need to look over which ones we are lacking the most in our lives. For example, if we are finding ourselves short on patience, we need to work on the spiritual fruit of forbearance.
Once we have identified the spiritual fruit we need the most right now, we need to go to the Holy Spirit in prayer. By asking Him to help us develop this spiritual fruit, it will acknowledge our dependence on Him. We might notice there will be more opportunities to develop forbearance, such as getting stopped at a traffic light or waiting a long time in a line at the grocery store. These small acts could be placed there by the Holy Spirit in order to help us start developing forbearance.
Therefore, think about which spiritual fruit you need right now. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you develop this fruit and acknowledge your dependence on Him. He will be able to help you develop this fruit and maintain it. Maintenance of spiritual fruits is something that is often overlooked. It is not a one time thing but rather, a continuing process.
Even though we might have developed a spiritual fruit, it does not mean it will stay. Spiritual fruits can fade away if we don’t maintain them. This means we have to continue to cultivate the spiritual fruits in our lives even after we think we have achieved them. Once again, it is important to remember that spiritual fruits are only accomplished by the Holy Spirit. It is His Work in our lives—not our own. Rather than trying to take the credit ourselves, we need to give all praise and thanks to Him.
The Fruits of the Spirit
The Apostle Paul tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are the fruits of the Spirit. There is no law against these things as they are each holy and honorable. God wants us to cultivate each of these fruits in our lives and continue to maintain them.
As we are focusing on the spiritual fruits, we need to be open to the Spirit’s leading. He might lead us to a specific spiritual fruit or place in a situation where we will be challenged to develop a spiritual fruit. It can be difficult to develop the fruits of the Spirit, but we must remember that the Holy Spirit is the One working through us. We need to allow this information to give us comfort and hope. It can also give us peace because all the weight does not fall on us.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to develop love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In all of these attributes, we see God and His love. By developing each of these fruits, we will be able to reflect the Lord’s love to the world. No longer will we struggle with these spiritual fruits. Instead, through our actions, others will see the Lord and be more interested in learning about Him.
Challenge Questions:
- Which spiritual fruit do you need to develop? How might you depend on the Holy Spirit today to help you develop this fruit?
- Which fruit do you think will be the hardest to cultivate? Why?
- What do you think your life will look like after you start developing the fruits of the Spirit?
“Dear Holy Spirit, please help me to develop each of the spiritual fruits. I cannot develop any of these fruits without Your help. I acknowledge my dependence on You and I humbly ask for Your help today. I trust that You will help me develop each spiritual fruit. I praise You and I thank You, Amen.”
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by trying to meet everyone’s needs? Take some time today and pray that the Lord will give you strength and encouragement as you joyfully serve Him and His people.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Serving Joyfully
By: Laura Bailey
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28 NIV
"Do you ever feel weary, like you are trying to solve the world’s problems, and it’s just too much?” I inquired of my friend over coffee one morning. Smiling, she replied, “Sometimes, but I am sure you do because you feel everyone’s problem is yours.”
Earlier that month, I shared my ministry frustrations with my husband. I felt particularly disappointed after an event I helped host at the church, which, in my opinion, had flopped. Taking it personally, I shamefully informed the Lord, “I am exhausted from this, so it is someone else’s turn to step up to the plate because I am taking a break.”
Little did I know that the next week, within days of each other, we would learn that two close friends of ours passed away. To say that this sad news rocked my world was an understatement. I couldn’t help but wonder if I could have done more for them. I was reminded of the verse in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I prayed, “Lord, I am burdened and weary and do not see a time when I can rest. Please show me how I can rest in You and do Your work.”
I didn’t need a break from ministry and serving others; I needed a perspective shift.
Instead of seeing ministering as helpful or loving obedience to God, It was just another task on my spiritual to-do list. I wanted to give up on people after there was no evidence of changes in their behavior or lifestyle, and this is precisely what our greatest enemy wants us to do and believe: that our actions for God are meaningless and useless.
Satan wants us to give up, to cease fighting for souls around us, and especially to stop encouraging other Believers in Christ. Jesus called Satan the father of lies, one who seeks to devour us, to tear us down in mind, heart, and spirit, crippling all efforts to bring God glory.
True, we may never witness the lasting impressions a kind word, a note, or a meal leaves on people -- the smile directed to a woman in the grocery store who is in an abusive relationship, the money sent to a nearby family who struggles to pay bills or the hug given to a grieving parent. In a world of instant gratification, we want to know right then and there that our actions have meaning and produce results. I, indeed, am guilty of this.
One of the friends referenced above was a firm Believer, and I always knew what a blessing she was to others, but in days and weeks after her death, the stories of her never-ending compassion and love for others poured out. On the surface, her acts of kindness appear to be small and simple; she probably had no idea of their effect, but no doubt, they had a vast, eternal impact on the lives she touched. I remember distinctly the day she asked me to pray about her fostering a child. Astonished, I exclaimed, “Are you crazy? Why would you, a young, single, small business owner with many things going on, want to takeon that?” She just smiled, “Because there is a child out there who needs my help, and I feel God calling me to do more.”
This sister in Christ was not living for herself or man’s approval but for God. She put others first and her comfort second, a true testimony of Christ in her life. When I want to settle back to give someone else a go because I’m tired or discouraged, I will think about Christ’s love for me and my sorely missed friend, who, though weak and weary, faithfully lived this command.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by trying to meet everyone’s needs? Take some time today and pray that the Lord will give you strength and encouragement as you joyfully serve Him and His people.
For Further Reading:
Finding Joy in Thankless Work
Colossians 3:23-24
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you tend to be seasoned with grace and salt in your words with others or do you need help in this area? How can you be prayerful and Spirit-led in your discussions with unbelievers? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you up with peace as you share the love of Jesus with those who do not know Him.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Full of Grace, Seasoned with Salt
Written By: Emma Danzey
Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians is a beautiful letter in the Bible written by Paul while he was in prison to the church of Colossae. As he concludes his letter to the people, he makes a point to be devoted to prayer and make the most of every opportunity with outsiders. (unbelievers) His advice is found in verse 6. As we break it down today, may we do so remembering those around us on the outside of the kingdom of God.
“Let your Conversation be Always Full of Grace”
First of all, the fact that a conversation is being had with unbelievers should remind us that we are to be in relationship and regularly around those who do not know Jesus. This is part of God’s plan for us to shine in the darkness of the world for Him. We are not just to walk past those who do not love Jesus, we are to converse with them, get to know them, ask them questions, and genuinely care about them.
I confess this can be a challenge in my own life. I do not always want to, “make time” for people who do not know Jesus. It can be awkward and it can feel like a lot of pouring out compared to others relationships in my life. However, this is the call of a believer to go and share the gospel. Jesus spent a significant amount of time with people who did not know God, so He could reveal Himself to them. We are called and commanded to go and make disciples just like He did.
Paul teaches that we are to always be full of grace. This is huge because unbelievers will attack our faith in Christ, the world hates Jesus and His Word. However, as we live out grace in our conversations, it reveals the deep love that the Lord has for us and for them. We know that it is by grace we have been saved, so when we model that grace in our conversations with unbelievers, it gives them a view of the love of Jesus. No matter what they are saying to us, we can respond in ways that they do not deserve, grace is a gift from God that is significant in the witness of a follower of Christ.
“Seasoned with Salt,”
This is not the only time in the Bible when salt is mentioned in regard to the life of a Christian. Old Testament believers were to season their offerings to God with salt (Leviticus 2:13), King David had a covenant of salt with the Lord (2 Chronicles 13:5), we are told that we are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), and salt is referred to being at peace with others. (Mark 9:50)
As we reflect on all of these purposes of salt, we can remember that salt adds flavor, it preserves, and it is part of an offering of worship to God. We can add spiritual conversation that causes unbelievers to crave more of Jesus. We can speak in ways that preserve relationships with those who do not have relationships with Jesus. We can worship the Lord by the ways we speak to the people that He has created in His image.
“So that you May Know How to Answer Everyone”
It is difficult to know how to answer questions of unbelievers sometimes, but God has given us clarity in how we can answer everyone. When we focus on being full of grace and seasoned with salt through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can have confidence in our responses. There is peace in knowing that this is only possible with the help of God. One of the fruits of the Spirit is peace. We can be people who know how to answer in peaceful ways even if the answers are challenging or different from the world’s.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Do you tend to be seasoned with grace and salt in your words with others or do you need help in this area? How can you be prayerful and Spirit-led in your discussions with unbelievers? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you up with peace as you share the love of Jesus with those who do not know Him.
Further Reading:
- Matthew 5:13
- Mark 9:50
- Ephesians 2:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a fallen world that often emphasizes self-sufficiency and personal ambition, Proverbs 1:7 calls us to a different way of living. It invites us to begin with awe – a deep respect for God’s greatness, which motivates us to seek God’s wisdom for our decisions. This is the path to wisdom, which not only guides us but also transforms us for the better.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Wisdom Begins with Awe
By: Whitney Hopler
“Wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7, CEB
Sitting in the sanctuary of the Washington National Cathedral, I enjoyed a powerful experience of sound and light. Majestic organ music reverberated off the cathedral’s stone walls so strongly that I could feel the vibrations. Sunlight streamed in through the colorful stained-glass windows around me. As the sound and light washed over me and directed my attention to God, I felt a sense of awe. Everything that had distracted me earlier – such as my to-do list and stories I’d read in the news that day – cleared out of my mind so I could focus on God. I learned more of God’s wisdom that day, as awe helped me pay attention to the Creator of all sound and light. Awe enlarged my perspective, giving me reverence for God and inspiring me to seek God’s wisdom.
In Proverbs 1:7, the Bible reveals that wisdom starts with fearing God. In our modern context, the word “fear” often has negative connotations. It usually refers to something scary. However, in the biblical sense, fearing God isn’t about being afraid of him. Instead, it’s about feeling awe for God. It’s recognizing that God is perfectly loving, holy, and powerful – and letting that inspire a deep sense of reverence for God in our souls. “The fear of the LORD” refers to being in awe of who God is. It means recognizing God’s greatness and seeking God’s guidance for our lives because we know that God truly knows what’s best for us.
This awe of God is the foundation of wisdom because it reorients our entire perspective. When we live in awe of God, we understand that God is the source of all truth and knowledge. We realize that our human understanding is limited, and we need God’s guidance to make the best decisions in life. This humility before God is where true wisdom begins. It leads us to practice discernment, which helps us learn which choices are truly the best ones to make day by day.
The second part of Proverbs 1:7 contrasts the wise with those who are foolish: “but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Fools, according to the Bible, are people who reject God’s ways, believing they know better. They refuse to be taught, preferring their own ideas and desires over the wisdom that comes from God. In essence, they live without regard for God’s authority, and as a result, their lives are full of confusion and stress.
Seeking wisdom, on the other hand, is not just about intellectual knowledge. It’s about living in harmony with God’s will and purposes. When we fear the Lord, we begin to see life from God’s perspective. We start to value what God values and desire to live according to his ways. This kind of wisdom is practical, and comes from our relationships with God. We find the inspiration we need to seek wisdom by discovering and appreciating the wonder of God’s work in our lives. The more we experience God’s wonder and feel awe, the more inspired we become to grow closer to God and learn from his wisdom. We respect our Creator’s ultimate authority and recognize him as the source of all that is good and true. We trust God knows what’s best for us, even when we don’t fully understand his ways. This kind of trust requires us to let go of our pride and open ourselves up to God’s work in every part of our lives.
When we are in awe of the Lord, we welcome wisdom into our lives. This doesn’t mean we will never face challenges or make mistakes. But it does mean that our lives will be grounded in the truth of who God is. We will be guided by God’s wisdom, which will always lead us to what’s best.
In a fallen world that often emphasizes self-sufficiency and personal ambition, Proverbs 1:7 calls us to a different way of living. It invites us to begin with awe – a deep respect for God’s greatness, which motivates us to seek God’s wisdom for our decisions. This is the path to wisdom, which not only guides us but also transforms us for the better.
So, let’s embrace this reverent awe of the Lord every day. As we do, we will find that God’s wisdom is not only accessible but abundantly available to us!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how wisdom begins with awe, reflect on these questions:
- When have you recently felt a deep sense of reverent awe for God? How did that experience inspire you to seek God’s wisdom?
- In what ways does experiencing awe for God give you a fresh perspective so you can make important decisions with wisdom?
- What practical steps can you take to experience more of God’s wonder and develop more awe for God?
Further Reading
Proverbs 9:10
Psalm 111:10
James 1:5
Job 28:28
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Rather than doubting God, we need to trust Him. The more we trust in Him, the greater our hearts will fill with Him hope and peace. Our incurable diagnosis might look intimidating, but it will not endure forever. One day, this illness will be healed and we will be freed from it in Heaven. All of this is only because of God.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Finding Hope in God after a Distressing Diagnosis
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
Recently, I have been in and out of doctor’s appointments nonstop. Due to persistent pain and flu-like symptoms, I went to the doctor to try to get help and later had to go to the hospital. With all the symptoms I’m having and the tests that have been run, my doctors have come to the conclusion that I have an incurable diagnosis. What I first thought was a virus turned out to be my body attacking itself in a faulty autoimmune response.
Sadly, this diagnosis will stay with me for the rest of my life as there is no cure. Thankfully there are medicines to alleviate pain and symptoms. Throughout the course of this illness and the long process of my diagnosis, I have had periods where my trust in God deepens as well as I have had times where I question His goodness. Sometimes we have to experience both of these things before we emerge on the other side.
At first, my walk with God suffered due to my intense symptoms. I felt as though God had left me to the wolves and my lot in life was to suffer. During an intense episode of symptoms, I thought I might die of the pain and I reasoned with myself that I was ready to go. There have also been times where I prayed for God just to take my life because I was in so much pain and I wanted the pain to just end.
As time has progressed, I have seen God in my pain. While He did not cause the pain, I know He is helping me through it. My symptoms have gotten better at times and this shows me God is working through the situation. Through continued prayers and petitions, I have acknowledged my dependence on Him. Even though He will not take me out of this situation, He will walk with me through this valley of death (Psalm 23).
Most of the time we think about how much an incurable diagnosis has taken from us, but I try to think about the things it has given me. The things it has given me is a renewed love for things I once enjoyed and the opportunity to appreciate the little things in life. My incurable diagnosis has filled my life with new changes and sometimes I am too tired to even get to talk walks—something I once used to enjoy.
However, on the days I feel good, these little blessings are all the greater. Being able to take an hour walk and feel good is a true blessing. I used to see exercise as a punishment to my body, but now I see it as a gift. Feeling good enough to go out for a walk, go for a hike, or run through a field are all gifts from the Lord.
It is funny how we take these things for granted when we are feeling well, yet we crave them when we are ill. When we face an incurable diagnosis, we start being thankful for these little things and these mighty wonders. What might be an everyday task for someone could be a blessing in disguise for someone with an incurable diagnosis.
Each day is a gift, but sometimes our joy has to be taken away before we truly see its beauty.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Apostle Paul tells us, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). As Paul says here, God is the God of all hope, and He will fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him. All of this will ensure our hearts overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Whenever our incurable diagnosis has us feeling down, we need to turn to God. He can fill us with hope as we trust in Him. It can be hard to trust God with hard things, such as an incurable diagnosis, but we need to trust Him with all things. Although God doesn’t normally heal people supernaturally in the present day, there is no reason to believe that He won’t help us go into remission and fight our illnesses.
Rather than doubting God, we need to trust Him. The more we trust in Him, the greater our hearts will fill with Him hope and peace. Our incurable diagnosis might look intimidating, but it will not endure forever. One day, this illness will be healed and we will be freed from it in Heaven. All of this is only because of God.
Challenge Questions:
- Is it hard for you to find hope in God during difficult times?
- Are you facing an incurable diagnosis? How might you find hope in Him today?
- Whether you have an incurable diagnosis or not, you can still take time to thank God for the little things. What might you thank Him for today?
“Dear God, coping with this incurable diagnosis has been very hard. Looking ahead, I only see pain, tears, and bitterness. I’m giving all of these fears over to You. I don’t know what will happen to me, but I trust in You. Please heal me and give my soul lasting peace. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.”
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you want to be liked by people? Is it hard for you to say no or to speak truth? Do you want to be accepted by man more than you think upon how you are already accepted by God? What would it look like for you to dwell on the truth that God already accepts you and loves you? How can you remember this in the heat of hard situations and conversations?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
How to Stop People Pleasing
By Kelly Balarie
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10 NIV
Praying in agreement, I said, “Oh, yes, I completely agree.”
Yet, a nudge hit my heart. Did I really agree with everything this person was praying? Certainly, I was saying yes but, absolutely, I was feeling a red-flag no on the inside. Something was not right. I ignored it and kept praying with the lady anyway….
More details of what this person wanted -- was said after prayer. Something still didn’t feel right.
“Oh, ya, I see what you’re saying!” I replied to the person.
But, did I? Was I really seeing the way they did or was I just pretending I did? I didn’t fully agree with everything being said. Yet, I was afraid to say this truth. I also wasn’t so sure this was the time nor the place to get into a whole detailed, long conversation as to why I thought differently. I didn’t want conflict; I wanted to keep peace. I like peace. I like people liking me too.
Just let it go, Kelly.
So, I did. I let it go time and time again. Until the day came that this person made a decision that impacted me in a big way. Then, I flew off the handle at them. Why? Because I wasn’t sure I could trust their motives anymore. I wasn’t sure I could trust me anymore with them.
Yet, they never knew all of this. For a long time, I hid my truth. So, they never knew I had a single issue with them until that very day came. Why? Because I was never honest. I wasn’t honest with them nor myself. I kept excusing, rationalizing, and negating away the hard conversation. In this, I lied.
People pleasing and pandering to people is a form of dishonesty.
We may say, “Oh ya,” “That makes sense,” “Right,” and “I agree”, but do we really? We may nod our head, but what is God saying?
It hurts to write this, because often people pleasers, like me, are so used to doing these things that it doesn’t seem wrong. It seems nice and kind.
How does God see this behavior?
In Galatians 1:10, Paul says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
This verse strikes home. We cannot rightly love God when we are pleasing people. There are mixed motives involved here. There are competing loyalties. There are divided interests.
God wants all our heart.
With this, my people pleasing heart is convicted. So, I go through the process that releases and changes everything. I say, “God, I am sorry. I am guilty of lying, hiding, excusing, and not serving you, first and foremost. Will you forgive me?” Then, I forgive myself and receive His grace.
Moving forward, I remember:
- My job is to please God above pleasing man.
- I can pray and ask God for wisdom that He will supply for hard conversations.
- I want to keep my conscience clear, so truthfulness is of vital importance.
God has ample grace that will empower me in honesty. He will empower you too!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you want to be liked by people? Is it hard for you to say no or to speak truth? Do you want to be accepted by man more than you think upon how you are already accepted by God? What would it look like for you to dwell on the truth that God already accepts you and loves you? How can you remember this in the heat of hard situations and conversations?
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Shifting our family’s mindset from ownership to stewardship, from entitlement to gratitude, and promoting sacrifice and service will take consistency, commitment, and care. It is a process, but we are not alone. We partner with the Holy Spirit and prayerfully ask the Lord to guide and direct us as we seek to honor Him and all we say and do.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Shifting Our Family’s Mindset
By: Laura Bailey
“give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
“Why can’t we go to an ice cream place after school? It’s been over a week since we’ve gone!”
“Why can’t I buy those new shoes? I only have two pairs of sneakers; these are different!”
“ Why does it matter that I left my new jacket at school? If something happens to it, we will just get a new one.”
“Why can’t we get take-out? We never get to eat out!”
Over the last month, my girls complained often about my husband and me not meeting their expectations. I was beyond frustrated at their lack of appreciation; it didn’t matter what we did for them, they were still ungrateful.
I shared my frustration with a group of mom friends the next day with nodding heads; many others shared similar stories. “We want to provide for our children, give them opportunities, and make their lives enjoyable and comfortable. But how do we do that while preventing a sense of entitlement and fostering genuine gratitude?” one mom asked the group.
Even among the body of believers who strive to guard their hearts against excess consumerism and are dedicated to giving back to the Lord and sharing their wealth, the reality is that our resources are abundant for many. There’s nothing wrong with having a career that provides financial stability or providing our families with experiences and resources to make their lives easier and better. The problem is when our hearts and minds shift from stewardship to ownership.
What is the difference between stewardship and ownership?
Stewardship is when we are responsible for caring for something that belongs to someone else. Ownership is full possession; it is entirely ours to do what we wish. As Christians, we acknowledge that everything comes from God and are s simply stewards of His gifts ( John 3:27).
When we believe everything belongs to the Lord, it guides us as we decide how to spend our time and money. As stewards and not owners, we ask ourselves, “Is the best use of God’s resources?” While Scripture is not against wealth, having nice things, or even living a comfortable life, it does admonish us to be on guard against storing earthly treasures (Matthew 6:19-21). It places the responsibility of caring for those in need on us (Proverbs 22:9).
If we find that we are clinging tightly to financial security or personal comfort, if we lack an attitude of gratitude, then we have shifted from stewardship to ownership. Graciously, if we ask God to examine our hearts, He will help us as we move back towards His desires for our life ( Psalm 129:23-34).
Setting the Example
Have you heard the term, “It’s not what’s taught but what’s caught?” Our children are impacted more by how we live our lives than by the mini-sermons, lessons, and general advice we share. We shouldn’t neglect to speak Truth over them, but all will be lost if we don’t “practice what we preach.”
I often feel the tug to complain about making dinner at home when it would be so much easier to eat out and flop on the sofa afterward rather than having to make and clean up a meal. When I see the latest clothing trend I’d love to buy, I have to stop and think about whether it’s wise to purchase it.
We must be hyper-aware that our children are always watching us; they are taking it all in, and as parents, we must not only be hearers of the Word but also doers (James 1:22-25).
Creating a Mindset of Gratitude
When Paul writes to the Thessalonians, encouraging them to be thankful in all circumstances ( 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18), he is not ignoring the realities of life in a fallen world, yet reminding them that gratitude is a heart position. As believers, we can wake up daily with thanksgiving because we have the Gospel's good news. We were once in darkness, and now, through the gift of salvation, we can experience eternal life ( 1 Corinthians 5:17-21).
Shifting our family’s mindset from ownership to stewardship, from entitlement to gratitude, and promoting sacrifice and service will take consistency, commitment, and care. It is a process, but we are not alone. We partner with the Holy Spirit and prayerfully ask the Lord to guide and direct us as we seek to honor Him and all we say and do.
Intersecting Faith and Life:How can you teach your children to honor God with their resources? Today, read and study Scripture together, filling their hearts and minds with biblical Truths.
For Further Reading:
An Attitude of Gratitude
5 Things to Do to Have an Attitude of Gratitude
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Let go of your concerns and place them in God’s hands. Trust that God will sustain you, and rest assured that God will be working for the best in every single one of the situations that concerns you. Then enjoy the freedom that brings you! When you’re no longer weighed down by worry, you can experience the well-being and growth God wants for you in every season.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Let Go for Your Well-Being
By: Whitney Hopler
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” – Psalm 55:22, NIV
When I walk around my neighborhood in the fall, I love to see colorful leaves falling from the trees to the ground. They let go gracefully and fly free through the air until they gently land. It reminds me that it’s important to let go of the concerns I carry myself. If all the cares I carry in my heart and mind were each an individual leaf, there would certainly be enough to fill a large tree. They would catch my attention by looking beautiful, but then it would be time for me to let them go by praying about them and trusting God to handle them. Holding onto my concerns would only lead them to decay, and it would also hold the tree back from thriving. Letting them go, however, would set God’s plans in motion so well-being and growth could happen. Fall leaves remind me that the only way to prepare well for the next season is to let go and trust God.
The Bible encourages us to cast our cares on God, assuring us that he will sustain us. God will faithfully support us in all situations, working out what’s best for every single one of our concerns. But first, we have to trust God to do so. Just as a tree releases its leaves to make way for new growth, we too must release our worries to God to keep growing spiritually.
Letting go can be difficult. Our human nature often clings to control, trying to manage every detail of our lives. We worry about the future, our loved ones, our health, and so many other concerns. These cares can become heavy – like a tree full of leaves – if we refuse to release them. They can weigh us down, preventing us from experiencing the peace and joy that God wants us to experience.
However, when we choose to let go and place our trust in God, we make room for God’s sustaining power to work in our lives. God promises that he will never let the righteous be shaken. This doesn’t mean we won’t face challenges. But it does mean that we have a firm foundation in God that cannot be moved. He will carry us gracefully through every kind of circumstances – even the most difficult times we face.
So, imagine what it would look like to truly let go of your cares. Picture yourself standing beneath a tree in the fall, with your hands full of colorful leaves that represent your worries. Then, one by one, you release them into the air and watch as the wind carries them away. As you let go, you begin to feel lighter, more at peace, and more in tune with God’s presence.
God’s invitation to cast your cares on him is not just a suggestion. It’s a promise that God will care for them faithfully and work out the very best in each situation. By letting go, you aren’t abandoning your responsibilities or ignoring your problems. Instead, you’re acknowledging that God is greater than any challenge you face. You’re trusting God to sustain you, to guide you, and to bring about the best outcome according to his perfect will.
Whenever you feel burdened by the concerns in your heart and mind, remember the lesson of the falling leaves. Let go of your concerns and place them in God’s hands. Trust that God will sustain you, and rest assured that God will be working for the best in every single one of the situations that concerns you. Then enjoy the freedom that brings you! When you’re no longer weighed down by worry, you can experience the well-being and growth God wants for you in every season.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider why it’s important for your well-being to let God handle your concerns, reflect on these questions:
- What cares are you holding onto that you need to release to God?
- What steps can you take to practice letting go and trusting God more fully in your daily life?
- How have you experienced God’s sustaining power in your life when you’ve chosen to trust him?
- In what ways can you remind yourself of God’s promises when you’re tempted to hold onto your concerns?
Further Reading
1 Peter 5:7
Matthew 11:28-30
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalm 62:8
Isaiah 41:10
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever had a craving that only a relationship with Jesus Christ can satisfy? How does it feel to know that God can and will fulfill your deepest longings?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Taste of Eternity
By Alexis A. Goring
“For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.”—Hebrews 13:14 TLB
Did you know that it wasn’t God’s desire for humankind to taste death? We were supposed to live with Him forever in perfect harmony.
Unfortunately, our First Parents (Adam and Eve) sinned and were banished from the Garden of Eden, which was a place beyond our wildest dreams. Their choice separated them from God. They no longer had direct access to Him and were not able to continue seeing Him face-to-face.
However, God did not abandon Adam and Eve. He kept prayer as an open line of communication and sent His angels to protect them from the evil one. He also gave them His grace and mercy and implemented the plan He had put in place for when humankind sinned. Many centuries after Adam and Eve died, God sent His Son (Jesus Christ) to make a way for us to be reconciled with God through the plan of salvation (John 3:16). Because of this plan, we have the hope and promise of enjoying eternity with our Lord and Savior when He returns to take us home to Heaven. But until then, we exist on this Earth that is suffering from all the effects of sin. The Bible says that God has things beyond our greatest imagination prepared for us in Heaven (1 Corinthians 2:9), and one day we will receive it all when we are reunited with Him! But until then, do you find yourself having a longing for eternity?
The writer C.S. Lewis said, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” Lately, I’ve experienced this unsatiable craving for eternity spent in the presence of God. I’m eager to be in His Presence, meet His angels—especially the ones that were assigned to keep me safe—be reunited with loved ones who passed away, and be free from all the pain and suffering of life as we know it. The good news is that Jesus is coming again, so one day this will be possible for all who follow Him. But meanwhile, we are on a journey.
Have you ever traveled somewhere for something you wanted so badly that you didn’t care how much time it took to get it? I remember when my physical therapist told me that she wants to drive two hours from Maryland to Delaware so that she can enjoy her favorite French fries. She lamented that she was craving those fries from a popular place on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk but didn’t have time to make the trip. She told me that it is worth the drive.
I told her that whenever I travel to a far-away destination, I don’t eat certain foods. This is because I hear how delicious they taste and I don’t want to crave them when I return home, because I may never visit that place again. It would feel unbearable to want what I cannot have when it’s not available locally. My way of solving that potential problem is by not even tasting that food, no matter how mouthwatering delicious it might be. It would be hurtful to crave what I cannot satisfy without spending gas money or airfare.
Lately, I have been thinking that our spiritual experience as believers in God is similar. When we are born again and follow Jesus earnestly, we get a taste of eternity, and we have a craving for the pure perfection of Heaven. We want to receive the promise of an immortal body and being reconciled with God in real time. We long for all that God has in store for us and the good news is that eventually that craving will be satisfied when we go home with Jesus. But until then, we need to live for Him and focus on the fact that one day He will fulfill this currently insatiable desire to completely experience His Kingdom.
Just like my PT was willing to make the long drive out of state to eat her favorite fries, our God sent His only Son (Jesus Christ) on the long journey from Heaven to Earth and guided Him through His life. His plan of salvation was completed so that we could be reunited with Him and restored to life before sin. Eventually, our taste for eternity will be fully satisfied.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Have you ever had a craving that only a relationship with Jesus Christ can satisfy? How does it feel to know that God can and will fulfill your deepest longings?
Further Reading:
John 5:24
John 17:3
Romans 6:23
1 Timothy 6:12
1 John 2:25
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What is grabbing your attention? Is it distraction due to the world or are you giving attention to Jesus? Where your attention is so is your devotion? What you give your heart to, has you. Consider your day. How can you carve out time for God? Time for connection? What on your calendar might you need to remove? How can you use spare moments to carve out times of intentional prayer or connectedness with The Lord?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
When Distraction Steals Your Devotion for God
By Kelly Balarie
“’Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’” – Matthew 11:28 NIV
Scrolling is resting. That’s the lie I tell myself anyway, as I settle down with my phone for ten minutes. That’ll do the trick. Of course, we all know that ten minutes of scrolling easily turns to thirty.
The more I scroll, the more I see what people are upset with, what’s going wrong in the world, what looks like a perfect life for others and whatever else is mindless. Finally, hopping off the phone, am I better for it? Hardly. Did it eat up my time? Absolutely. Do I know what is going on in the world? I think so. Am I more stressed? One-hundred percent.
As the day goes on, life happens and I have to handle it all – bills, kids, a move, requests, need of others. Come evening, I seek rest again. A movie? That could do the trick.
I watch the movie and head to bed. In bed, conviction hits me. What happened to my time with God today? What happened to my time with God all this week? I spent so much time scrolling on the phone and watching tv that my time with the Lord evaporated. My time in His Word was measly. My time in prayer was non-existent.
In my pursuit of seeking worldly rest, I missed it entirely. In fact, before I even came to this realization, in bed, I had to repent of watching the movie I watched and all those icky parts in it. The dialogues of offense at some church scandal gripped my mind.What the world suggests is rest is not rest at all; it is time to sit down and to cultivate inner turbulence that we will have to work out later. It may feel good in the moment but we will pay for it down the road.Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’” – Matthew 11:28 NIV
Only when I come to Jesus do I come to know real rest. Only when I hear His words, are the words of my mind calmed by the Prince of Peace. Only when I step away to pray can I see His best way.
Distraction is a delusion that doesn’t serve us. Yet, our focus on Jesus is devotion that can’t be stolen from us. It is only godly devotion that leads to inner recuperation of spirit, body and mind. The world slimes us with sin, pressure, and problems, while Jesus heals us because He is The Way, The Life and The Truth.
I had to admit that I had, inadvertently, traveled far from God. Lying in bed, I realized that God was setting up my come-back!
“Come to me…” Jesus said.He is always saying that. Are we listening? Come to me, you who are weary? Come to me, you who are numbing yourself in alcohol. Come to me, you who are immersing yourself in a busy schedule because you can’t handle how you feel. Come to me, you who are hiding behind your phone. Come to me, you who are pretending you have it all together.
God still wants you, dear child of God. He wants you to come. This is your come-back party too. If you hear His voice, follow Him. If you feel worldly burdens, unload them on Him. If you are under too much pressure to survive, let Him take that load.
He is inviting you to come to Him.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is grabbing your attention? Is it distraction due to the world or are you giving attention to Jesus? Where your attention is so is your devotion? What you give your heart to, has you. Consider your day. How can you carve out time for God? Time for connection? What on your calendar might you need to remove? How can you use spare moments to carve out times of intentional prayer or connectedness with The Lord?
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Right now, will you pause and spend a few extra moments fueling your soul with the Lord? Friend, in him you will certainly find sufficient strength in his holy presence to face whatever he holds just ahead.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Finding the Strength to Do Hard Things
By Keri Eichberger
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. (Habakkuk 3:19)
For the past eight years I’ve wondered here and there why God allowed me to work so hard to hit a goal, only to fall slightly short. I mean, I believe there is purpose in all things he calls us to, so I’m always looking for ways to learn from the lessons he scatters along my life. But it’s not always apparent to me. Not immediately anyway.
I was in my mid-thirties and had never run the local mini marathon. I’d always wanted to when the time was right, and had been enjoying running. In fact, it had become quite therapeutic when my kids were young. My frazzled feet on the open road, pounding out the stress, noise, and chaos of those crazy years.
So, in 2016 I finally signed up, chose a finish goal of two hours, and got to training. When race day came, I was prepared and appropriately conditioned to complete the 13.1 miles in under two hours (based on my trial run pace of nine minutes per mile). But, twelve miles in, a steady rain began to flood the streets and my shoes. My calves locked up, my pace slowed to a jogging crawl, and I collapsed over the finish line at two hours… and 20 seconds.
I missed my mark.
It shouldn’t have mattered so much honestly. Which has definitely been one of my takeaways over the years. Along with the fact that I am not in control—God is. But out of seemingly nowhere this morning, I had a sort of revelation about the whole experience.
Fast-forward eight years, at the age of almost 45, I struggle to run a single mile under eleven minutes. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said to my running partner, and husband, Mike, “How in the world did I ever run thirteen miles at a nine minute pace when I can hardly run one now at such a turtle speed?” Then, we chuckle and chalk it up to our aging joints and tired bodies. But this morning, I gained clarity of the true source of my strength all those years ago that had allowed me to do this difficult thing. Something I know I never could’ve done on my own.
It was God all along.
Waking weary, and not sure I could finish my measly mile jog this morning, I felt prompted to dust off my old wired earbuds and search for the songs I’d saved back then that assisted my training runs. I pressed shuffle and within seconds I felt a familiar power surge from years ago as truths of God and lyrics of worship swept into my ears and threw my lungs and legs. Tears began to sting my eyes. I let the sunshine permeate the listless life within me and light up my soul with a renewed strength that felt inextinguishable. And I couldn’t stop at a mile. Fueled by God I kept running.
Yes, it was him all along.
Is there something you’ve been facing or considering that you’re not quite sure how you’ll manage or power through?
Remember, God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.
God powered me through my runs. He is the strength that is getting me through today. And when I wonder how I’ll do the next hard thing, I can remember that he is who will be my strength then. God is, was, and will be your strength too.
So maybe all along my falling short was just to keep me on the lookout for what God wanted to teach me. Because I think many times we learn more in life when we don’t get the reward we wanted, when we have to wait, and when we fall a little short.
Today I was assured once again that it is not me sustaining and strengthening the outputs of my life. God is. And when we are tapped into him, fueled up with his people, his word, his presence – reminders of his love and sovereign protection – we find his strength and power that can make anything he wills for our life possible.
Intersecting Life and Faith:
Right now, will you pause and spend a few extra moments fueling your soul with the Lord? Friend, in him you will certainly find sufficient strength in his holy presence to face whatever he holds just ahead.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When the enemy starts shooting his fiery darts at your heart and mind, reminding you of wounds from your past, or arranging circumstances to make you feel that you are defeated, don’t shrink from the attack. Don’t become a wounded one, who falls prey to his lies, accusations, and schemes. Instead, be a warrior. Know the truth of who you are and the power of Christ in you. Stand firm, clothed (abiding) in the character and identity of Jesus Christ.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Becoming Strong in Our Struggles
by Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.(Ephesians 6:10-11)
Are you struggling through some wounds right now? What if you were to think about it as a season of strengthening rather than a season of struggle?
I was thinking the other day about how easily we can be wounded.
Hurtful comments from others, disappointment in relationships, or a circumstance that seems unfair can make us cower in feelings of weakness and failure. In addition to these common everyday wounds, there are serious wounds that may impact us as well—deep hurts from our childhood, abuse in any form, abandonment or betrayal from someone we trusted, the sudden or premature loss of a loved one, chronic pain, rejection, and more. But those wounds don’t have to define us or dictate our character or our future.
The Scriptures say our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against "the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12 NIV).
That passage tells me two things: 1) Satan and the powers of darkness seek to wound and debilitate us, and 2) We are empowered to be warriors...not weaklings who remain wounded. Scripture exhorts us in Ephesians 6:10-11 to "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power" and to "put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes" (NIV). Then as we're given details in how to put on those pieces of armor, we're told to take the shield of faith "with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (verse 16 NIV).
I started thinking about how many of us fall prey to the flaming arrows or "fiery darts" of the enemy because we believe his lies, like…
No one will ever really love you, so just face it
You are a pathetic example of a parent.
Your spouse doesn’t really love you; they’re just going through the motions.
You call yourself a child of God? Just look at the way you behave!
You should be ashamed of all that is in your past.
Everyone knows what a fake and phony you are. Just give it up!
You can never live a life of meaning and purpose, so don't even try.
Those fiery darts pierce our hearts, they stab our minds, they condition our thinking. They convince us that God's words are lies and the Satan's words (which are sometimes our own thoughts or words spoken to us through other people) are true.
But Scripture tells us to put on the armor of God as a defense against these lies, accusations and fiery darts.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
For years, I wondered what the analogy meant and how to actually suit up in the armor of God. Then my husband, a pastor, explained it in a Bible study one evening. He pointed out that every piece of armor symbolizes Christ in some way. And therefore, putting on the armor of God is synonymous with clothing yourself in the character of Jesus Christ, or simply abiding in Him.
- We are to fasten the belt of truth around our waist, which means to know at the core of our being that Jesus is the truth. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
- We are to wear the breastplate of righteousness, meaning we are to cover our heart with Christ who is called "The Lord our Righteousness" in Jeremiah 23:6.
- We are to take up the shield of faith in order to extinguish those fiery darts from the enemy. Psalm 84:11 tells us "The Lord is a sun and shield..." and Christ is the object of our faith.
- We are to put on the helmet of salvation byguarding our heads and minds with Christ because Acts 4:12 says "Salvation is found in no one else.”
- We are to take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God—and John 1:14 tells us Jesus is the Word made flesh.
When the enemy starts shooting his fiery darts at your heart and mind, reminding you of wounds from your past, or arranging circumstances to make you feel that you are defeated, don’t shrink from the attack. Don’t become a wounded one, who falls prey to his lies, accusations, and schemes. Instead, be a warrior. Know the truth of who you are and the power of Christ in you. Stand firm, clothed (abiding) in the character and identity of Jesus Christ.
Suit up, my friend. Wield your sword like a warrior and tell the enemy to bring it on! You have all you need to be victorious in Him.
Lord, Jesus, thank You that You have already declared my victory when I fight in Your strength alone. Help me to clothe myself in Your character so I have all I need to overcome the enemy’s assault.
Further Reading: Galatians 5:22-23
For more on becoming a warrior woman, rather than a wounded one, see Cindi’s book, When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Has God spoken to you about something he wants you to do in your life? What steps can you take to obey him today?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Be Quick to Hear and Obey
“Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:36-37
Every year, I participate in a writer's conference where they award the year's best books. This year, I didn't have any books eligible for this award. But I watched expectantly as the live-streamed event gave out the awards of which many of my friends were recipients. Upon hearing a good friend's title of her book being called out to win the prize for best children's fiction book, I had a moment with the Lord. I heard the book's title with my ears, but it was as if my soul had heard it, too. Suddenly, I had an idea.
I called my friend a couple of days later. “What would you think if we did a devotional based on your picture book of the same title?” My friend thought about this for a while. After deciding she would not do any more devotional writing for a while, she put an idea like that out of her mind. But something stirred in her soul the same as in mine. “I like this idea,” she said. At the end of our phone call, we agreed to send an e-mail to the publisher of that book. We wanted to see if they were interested in the idea before we put the work into creating samples and writing a proposal. Within minutes of her writing an e-mail, the publisher got back and said they loved the idea. They wanted to see a proposal and samples.
Within a week and a half, we worked to create five sample devotions and a proposal. Although nothing is guaranteed, the fact that the publishers loved the idea before we sent the proposal and that her previous book has done well in sales bode well for us when it comes to them giving a green light on this new project. While it may get rejected by the publisher, I am called by God to be obedient to whatever he calls me to do, no matter the outcome. If the book gets rejected, it’s not that I misheard God; it wasn’t meant for that purpose or in that timeframe.
When I began to feel that stirring in my soul when I heard that title, I could have ignored it. I could have justified it by saying I misheard God. I could have justified not wanting to do all the hard work by neglecting God's call. However, because of my obedience, the Lord gave us favor and worked on our behalf. Within a week, we were able to create a high-quality proposal that might come out in publication someday. I heard from the Lord and was careful to obey it.
Peter had to obey God's word, too. Peter took a significant risk by proclaiming the gospel in the above passage. He told the people plainly who Jesus was and that they needed him for their salvation. Because of Peter's obedience, these words cut into the people's hearts. Their ears heard the words and allowed those words to pierce their souls. Because of the power of the word of God, many people were saved that day because of Peter's boldness in proclaiming the gospel. People were also saved because they were careful to obey it.
If I had not been obedient to what I heard and had neglected my part in proclaiming the gospel to all generations, my friend and I would not be able to partner in that way. Although I have yet to determine if the book will be published, I am proud that I can hear the Lord in that way, and when he calls me to do something, I'm quick to obey it.
Father, let us be quick to hear your word. When we read or hear the word of God, let us not only listen with our ears but also allow it to pierce our hearts. Allow the word of God to correct, encourage, and inspire us toward love and good deeds. Let us be people who hear your voice and quickly obey it. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Has God spoken to you about something he wants you to do in your life? What steps can you take to obey him today?
Further reading
Proverbs 3:5-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What feels so scary right now in your life? How can faith in God bring you courage? What do you need to do as a “next step” to push through the fear you hold?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
How Faith Is the Opposite of Fear
By Sarah Frazer
“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.” Hebrews 11:23 (ESV)
“Have courage every single day.” The plaque my mother had gifted me sat on the windowsill right in front of my kitchen sink. I looked at it every day and sometimes a tear would slide down my cheeks into the soapy water as I washed the dishes. I didn’t feel like having courage. Fear of the future and the unknown consumed my thoughts.
Going through a hard year with our family taught me many things, but one of the most powerful lessons I learned was that the opposite of fear wasn’t courage, but faith. Faith is where we find the courage to keep going. When I think about my own story, which includes adoption, I also think about the story of one of the great heroes of the Bible: Moses. Moses was adopted by the pharaoh’s daughter when he was a baby.
Moses is one of those men who will be always known for his amazing acts of bravery and courage. He faced the Pharaoh and miraculously led the people of Israel out of slavery from Egypt. He wrote the first five books of our Bible. Stories like the Red Sea parting, manna in the wilderness, and the Ten Commandments are accredited to Moses.
Those parts of his life, although amazing, are not what resonates these days in my heart. The part of Moses’ story I see in my own story isn’t about him, but his mother. The Bible says in Exodus 2:3, “When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank.”
Can you imagine how she felt when she gave her baby up? I think she felt afraid, but instead of being remembered for her fear, she is remembered for her faith. Hebrews 11:23 says, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.”
In Exodus 6:20 we find out that her name was Jochebed. There have been times in my life where I’ve prayed: “God, I don’t know what you have planned for my life. This situation feels so hard, painful, and filled with grief. But I want to trust you. So I will try and trust you.”
In Exodus 2:1-10 we read her story. I can imagine, as she placed her baby in the basket, she didn’t feel brave. But she put him in there. The author of Hebrews said she was not afraid of the king’s command to kill all of the male children. Why? Because of her faith. Each day, she chose to keep her baby alive. She chose faith.
When we face each day, even when we feel afraid, we can step forward. One step at a time, we can take our fear by the hand and go confidently in faith. Each day, we have a choice to give in to fear or to step forward in faith. We can choose faith, too.
Maybe you are thinking that your faith is too small. You might think that the fear is too big, but it isn’t about our faith at all. It is all about Who we have our faith in. The Object of our faith is God, the all-powerful, all-loving God of the universe! Jochebed knew that God was bigger than all the fears. God was bigger than the Pharaoh. God was bigger than the river. God was bigger than the uncertain future. She had faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
When Jochebed comes to the river, she doesn’t cast away her son. Instead of tossing away her child-like garbage, she intentionally and deliberately surrenders him to it. The basket was prepared ahead of time, carefully constructed with tar and a tight weave. It would not leak or sink. Jochebed prepared a place for Moses to be safe. In a sense, she obeyed the king’s edict as she put her son in the river. Instead of throwing him away, she gave him over to God. She surrendered her plans for herself, her son, and the future. Faith allows us to give our plans to God.
Choosing to have faith in God means we hand our fears over to God and He will meet us right there. The opposite of fear is not courage, but faith. Even a small faith placed in a big God allows us to move forward. Have confidence in the things that are “unseen,” knowing that God is very real and present in your life.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What feels so scary right now in your life? How can faith in God bring you courage? What do you need to do as a “next step” to push through the fear you hold?
Further Reading:
Isaiah 41:10
Psalm 27:1
John 14:27
Deuteronomy 31:6
Psalm 56:3-4
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Trust that he has abundance in store for tomorrow. Like Lamentations 3:22–23 says, “for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Through the Hurt and Hard Times, Hold On to Him
By Keri Eichberger
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
I was walking through what felt like the hardest financial hardship of my life. Yet in the midst, I noticed something sweet, and actually sort of surprising. It was how well I seemed to be handling the storm. I would have a brief emotional outburst at least daily, but then I’d move on and get to work reversing the setback or just keep treading in assurance of God‘s provision and goodness always with me. I felt the strength of the Lord keeping my head and eyes above the dark water.
Until the heaviness hit me. And all of a sudden, the reality of the black shadows that had steam rolled into my life like a tsunami of storm clouds, paralyzed me with grief. Sadness overtook me. I felt alone, on an island, where no one could reach me, see me, or help me.
The lyrics of Lauren Daigle’s “Hold On To Me” had been playing in the background of my soul for twelve days since the unexpected blow. And now I needed to grasp these words forefront, and more than ever. Beautiful reminders to hold on to the Lord through the very hard season and moments swelling in my midst.
You might be walking pretty well through a hard time like I was for a bit too. And if so, you’ll need to hang onto this message for when weariness does come for you. But, if you can relate more to an overwhelm of heaviness, you may just need to know right now that you are not alone in the hurt you are carrying.
You’re not, trust me. I’m with you.
But what we both really need to know more than that, is that our friend, Jesus, is with us too. Because even though there are hurting souls at every turn you take – yes everyone has something that weighs on them – no one is weathering your exact storm the exact way you are. No one totally gets it. But Jesus. He cries with you. Cries for you. Yes, he loves and adores you. And I need to remember how much he loves me too.
So, let’s hold on to him.
In him we will find comfort.
In him we will find peace.
In him we will find our strength.
In him we will be redeemed and find joy again.
I know how long the days drag on when sadness sweeps over your spirit and seems to dim all the lights within. But I also know that God‘s mercies are new each day. Today, the Lord just wants you to feel and receive his love. And to trust that he has abundance in store for tomorrow. Like Lamentations 3:22–23 says, “for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Intersecting Faith and Life:
I understand how hard it is to hold on when you feel weakened by discouragement or despair. But, I hope today you will find encouragement in the truth of God‘s constant compassion and presence. And that you will hold on just a little tighter to him. Let’s release the pressure of feeling we have to pull our own selves up out of the pit and into the world of expectation. Let’s just hold on to him. And let him hold us. Friend, let him heal your heart today with his unconditional love. In time he will lift you up to where he wants to lead you. For now, just know you are absolutely never alone, and keep clinging to the good Lord who loves you.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Are you struggling to feel forgiven? Look to Jesus. It can be hard sometimes, to turn off the voice inside us that says we haven’t earned our forgiveness. After all, we live in a world that tries to rank and file everything, and everyone. We live in a world of merit and earning, one that says, “what goes around comes around”, “you get what you deserve” But Jesus reminds us that God’s love isn’t based on worldly principles. Jesus offers us a vision of hope and grace. You need not question your forgiveness.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
What if I don’t feel forgiven?
“If you O Lord kept a record of our sins, O Lord who could stand. But with you there is forgiveness, so you are to be feared.” (Psalm 130.3-4)
Forgiveness is one of the benchmarks of Christian faith. The Christian life doesn’t make a whole lot of sense if we have a faulty or unbiblical understanding of forgiveness. Forgiveness is fundamental to our faith, and one of the prime characteristics of God’s nature. Yet according to a 2018 survey by the Barna Group – close to 40% of practicing Christians don’t believe they have ever felt forgiven.
There are two main reasons why someone might struggle to feel forgiven. First is they may have a faulty depiction of God. See, for a lot of people, even those who go to church, God is an angry cop in the sky who is out to catch us in our wrongs. Heaven contains a large filing cabinet containing our spiritual rap-sheet; if we step too far out of line, then the Lord will dole out some form of divine retribution. We may not even know we think that, until something unplanned or unwanted happens in our life, and our first thought is “is God punishing me?” Somewhere, there is a belief that mistakes and sins completely invalidate God’s love and grace.
But scripture speaks a better word. Psalm 130 verse 3 says, “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord who could stand.” You know, scripture depicts God keeping records of all sorts of things: God keeps the number of our days, God keeps a record of all our tears, God even records the number of hairs on our head; But God does not keep a record of our sins. There is no rap-sheet that we need to try to work our way out of. We do not live our lives under the peering eye of an angry cosmic enforcer.
With the Lord there is forgiveness. Forgiveness means that God radically reaches out to us in love and grace. Forgiveness means that when we come to God in faith, whatever spiritual burdens we carry, for whatever reason, are completely and eternally removed. This spiritual freedom isn’t because of anything we do, we don’t earn it or merit it, or work our way into forgiveness. Forgiveness is free, held out to us, because that is who God is.
But if that is who God is, why don’t we all recognize this reality? Well, the second obstacle to feeling forgiven is ourselves. Sometimes, we think that we aren’t worthy of that forgiveness. We make the record of our sins, and because that record is longer than we would like, we actively remove ourselves from the offer of forgiveness. We all know the adage; “Forgive and forget”, but because we can’t forget, we don’t feel forgiven.
Not only does the scripture make clear that it is God’s fundamental character to forgive our sins, Psalm 130 also speaks about the totality of that forgiveness. Psalm 130 concludes with ‘With the Lord there is unfailing love; and with the Lord, there is full redemption.” The forgiveness of God, rooted in God’s mercy and grace, is unfailing and full. It covers every spot or sin in our lives. And when our own hearts condemn us, we can remember that God is bigger than our hearts and will never revoke his love towards us.
Intersecting faith and life
The greatest examples of God’s radical and transforming forgiveness is Jesus on the cross. Jesus hung in front of the people who drove nails through his limbs, who spit upon him and mocked him. It would have been easy for Jesus to utter a word of condemnation or vengeance. But instead, in the face of all the world’s cruelty, as the world’s sin crushed him, Jesus voiced nothing but loving forgiveness. “Father forgives them.” In Jesus, fullness of forgiveness is always on display.
Are you struggling to feel forgiven? Look to Jesus. It can be hard sometimes, to turn off the voice inside us that says we haven’t earned our forgiveness. After all, we live in a world that tries to rank and file everything, and everyone. We live in a world of merit and earning, one that says, “what goes around comes around”, “you get what you deserve” But Jesus reminds us that God’s love isn’t based on worldly principles. Jesus offers us a vision of hope and grace. You need not question your forgiveness. Like a Sentinel looking toward the horizon in the eager anticipation that the dawn will come just as it always does, you we can live your lives in assurance of God’s forgiveness, love, and redemption. Because all those things are held in the crucified hands of Jesus. Amen.
For Further reading:
Psalm 130
“What does the Bible say about forgiveness” on Crosswalk.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Is God’s “gift” to you a difficulty, a loss, a frustration, or untreatable pain? We don't typically see those circumstances as gifts. They are more like disappointments, aggravations, or perceived rejection. But they may be gifts, nonetheless, given to grow us to a new level spiritually, or prepare us for something better to come, or even to help us see something extraordinary about God that we couldn't see before.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
The Gift in God's “No"
By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer
“No good thing will He withhold from those that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11 NASB)
Have you ever asked God for something and He didn’t deliver?
I know what that is like. And it hurts. But I've learned through the years that God's "no" often ends up being a gift greater than what I had originally asked for.
Whether I was trying to get my first book published, trying to have a second child, or trying to pry open a door of opportunity, every time I received a "no" it turned out God was really saying "Wait—I have something far better than what you’ve asked for." Yet all I could see in front of me at the time was a rejection letter, another month of what I thought was unanswered prayer, or another closed door. More waiting. More disappointment. Discouragement.
Hannah of the Old Testament knew that discouragement. She longed to have a baby. Yet we find twice in the first few lines of her story that the reason for Hannah's infertility was because “the Lord had closed her womb" (1 Samuel 1:5-6).
Ouch! I would feel so much better if that verse gave us a reason like: “because Hannah wasn’t emotionally prepared for a baby.” Or, “because having a child would have broken Hannah’s heart.” Or even, “because Hannah could not have survived the birth of the baby,” But that verse specifically tells us that the Lord was the One withholding from Hannah the one thing she wanted most in life. And it didn’t tell us why.
We'd like to think God is behind only the blessings we receive, and that He would never allow—or even arrange—difficulties to come our way. Yet that is one of the primary ways He awakens our need for Him and draws us closer to Himself.
Hannah became so desperate to have a son that she poured out her heart to God in prayer, promising to give her son back to God if He were to finally give her one. It was then, after Hannah came to that place of complete surrender, that we read God's gracious, yet timely response: "And the Lord remembered her. It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son…” (1 Samuel 1:19-20).
Hannah got her long-awaited son, but years later than she had anticipated. The no she had perceived from God earlier was really wait. And the wait turned out to be the best blessing of all. Hannah didn't have just any baby. She had a son named Samuel who became one of Israel's greatest prophets and priests. He not only anointed Israel's first two kings, but he helped turn the nation's heart back toward God.
Hannah simply asked God for a baby. But God wanted to give her—and her son—a legacy. Hannah had a dream. But God had for her a destiny. What Hannah earlier perceived as no was a gift in terms of God's timing. God wanted to give her so much more than she asked for. So, He waited and did it in His timing, not hers.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Scripture tells us in Job 42:2 that God can do "all things. No plan is impossible for [Him]” Scripture also tells us in James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (NIV). So, if every gift is from God, and you're praying for something that is not arriving, God is the One who, for some reason, is deciding to withhold that gift. And, I have learned through the years that some of God's best gifts to us are the very things He decides to withhold.
Is God’s “gift” to you a difficulty, a loss, a frustration, or untreatable pain? We don't typically see those circumstances as gifts. They are more like disappointments, aggravations, or perceived rejection. But they may be gifts, nonetheless, given to grow us to a new level spiritually, or prepare us for something better to come, or even to help us see something extraordinary about God that we couldn't see before.
If your idea of a good thing differs from God’s right now, can you trust the wisdom in His withholding and be assured that the all-knowing, all-loving God is much more capable of managing your life than you are?
God, thank You for the times You withhold Your blessings, out of a desire to bless me from another angle, or in a different way. Help me realize that the one thing I need the most—my one missing piece—is You.
Further Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-20
For more on God’s wisdom in His withholding, see Cindi’s book, When God Sees Your Tears.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The next time you feel triggered to store up food or supplies out of fear, panic, or worry, thank God for the daily bread He faithfully provides. Ask Him to calm your heart and mind in these situations and help you to turn daily to Him in faith, trusting His provision for your life.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Give Us This Day
By Lynette Kittle
“Give us today our daily bread”--Matthew 6:11
Y2K, COVID 2020, and end-of-the-world forecasts all invoke fearful, self-preservation, survivor thoughts, and feelings of needing to store up supplies in preparation of a coming, looming disaster.
During the great toilet paper shortage of 2020, when store shelves, warehouses, and online shops were empty, people had to come up with creative replacements for it. From wet wipes to tissues to napkins, individuals found a way to make do.
It was easy to get caught up in storing up more products than needed at the time just to be safe and prepared for the unexpected. But where does being prepared cross over to being fearful that leads to hoarding, greed, and selfishness?
Jesus Addresses Hoarding
In Luke 12:15-21, Jesus deals with this issue. “Then He said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions’”
“And He told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’”
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God’”
Receiving God’s Bread Daily
During the Israelites 40 years in the wilderness, God taught them how to receive their daily bread, one day at a time, giving us, too, an example of how to receive His bread daily.
Exodus 16:4 explains, “Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.”
Like the Israelites, we may not recognize God’s provision at first glance. Exodus 16:15 describes their first reactions to the new bread. “When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.’”
Exodus 16:31-32 describes what God’s heaven-sent bread looked like. “The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. Moses said, ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: “Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.’”
Don’t Worry, Have Faith!
Rather than compulsively store up supplies, Jesus tells us to not worry about our lives, what we’ll eat, or what we’ll wear, because life is more than food and our bodies more than clothes (Luke 12:22-23).
Jesus points out how birds don’t sow or reap and have no storeroom or barn, still, God meets their needs by feeding them. He tells us that we are much more valuable to God than them, assuring us that worrying doesn’t add a single hour to our day, so why even bother to spend any time worrying? (Luke 12:24-25).
Rather, Jesus said, “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you—you of little faith!” (Luke 12:27-28).
As followers of Jesus, He tells us to not focus our hearts on what we’ll eat or drink, and most importantly, to not worry about them because our Father in Heaven knows what we need .Rather, God calls us to seek His kingdom first, and when we do, all these things will be provided for us (Luke 12:29-31).
Intersecting Faith & Life: The next time you feel triggered to store up food or supplies out of fear, panic, or worry, thank God for the daily bread He faithfully provides. Ask Him to calm your heart and mind in these situations and help you to turn daily to Him in faith, trusting His provision for your life.
Further Reading: Why Should We Pray for Our Daily Bread?
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/why-should-we-pray-for-our-daily-bread.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God uses visions, dreams, and words to give people vision, direction, and hope for the future. What word may God be giving you to help you in your future?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
A Prophetic Dream
“In the last days, God says, I will pour my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17
“Can I talk to you?”
Our daughter came to my husband and me one day and said she wanted to talk to us after church. Expecting the worst, we thought she would say something like she was walking away from God or having difficulty with someone in the church. Instead, she told us about a vision God had given her during worship in the church service. She said she felt the Lord gave her a vision of a camp where she used to work.
She believed God told her to "remember the camp.” She'd previously worked at this camp as a counselor in training. She had not returned the year before because she was busy working and getting her driver's license. She felt strongly that the Lord was calling her back to become a counselor and minister to the kids at the camp over the summer.
We were ecstatic. We were glad to hear that the Lord was working in her life and that he had a specific plan for her for service during the summer. She did return to the camp and came back completely transformed. Not only was she able to speak life into the kids of the camp, but she also felt the Lord spoke to her many times and used her powerfully to give morning devotions and lead worship.
Although she was excited about the camp two years prior, she decided not to return to camp the year before. This decision to not return made her less enthusiastic about serving there. She would never have gone back if it hadn't been for the Lord speaking to her. Because of his vision, she went back and was used powerfully by the Lord, who was able to transform her life. After that year, she bought commentaries, studied the Word, and even started a small group with others to teach them about the Word, too.
Although the above verse is given in the Book of Acts, it is a prophecy from the prophet Joel. Joel tells his prophecy to the people to encourage them that God will use younger and older people through dreams and prophetic words to impact people to believe in the Lord. The Acts Church was on fire and had manifestations of the miraculous gifts in people. People received the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues, and gave prophetic words.
It was so abnormal they appeared to unbelievers like they were drunk. People of this church were accused of being intoxicated at 9:00 AM. But Peter gets up and corrects them. He reminds them that it's only 9:00 AM and that they are not drunk but that this is fulfilling the prophet Joel's words to his people.
God uses prophetic words, visions, and dreams to instruct, comfort, and encourage his people. Not only are prophetic words a foretelling of the future, but they can also be a word that gives people hope and direction. These prophetic words encouraged Peter, and he used them as a word of instruction to those who had trouble believing that the people were not drunk but instead receiving the Holy Spirit. In the same way, God used the prophetic vision to encourage my daughter to return to her camp.
Because of this, her life was forever changed. Not only this, but she could change other people's lives forever, too. It has been two years since that vision, and she has returned to camp. Both times, she has come back excited about what the Lord has for her in the future. At the time of this writing, she plans on going to college to begin her career in ministry.
God uses visions, dreams, and words to give people vision, direction, and hope for the future. What word may God be giving you to help you in your future?
God, let us take a moment to appreciate the profound way in which you communicate with us. Your words can pierce our hearts, provide correction, and offer encouragement when needed. Let us strive to listen and obey what we feel he is speaking to us. Amen.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The way we thirst for God more is to spend more time with Him. The more we drink from the well that is His love and goodness, the more we want of it!
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Are You Thirsty for God?
By Sarah Frazer
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you,as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (ESV)
When my children were little, they were always thirsty. No matter how many times I filled their sippy cups, they always needed more. On those hot summer days or after an intense workout, we’ve all experienced deep thirst. Every living thing needs water to survive, but do we recognize the thirst of our souls? I’m talking about the ache we feel when life is fine on the outside, but deep inside, without our souls, we feel empty.
The thirst we experience in our hearts is sometimes hard to recognize. There have been seasons in my life where I’ve been filled with so many activities, to-dos, and responsibilities that I don’t even recognize the thirst happening. My calendar fills up, and every week, I fill my days with good things like serving in church, caring for my family, and helping those in need.
Sometimes, my work for God takes away from my relationship with God. If we find ourselves too busy to spend time in prayer and reading His Word, we might be too busy to even notice the thirst we have in our souls. If those things, even the good activities, were taken away, would we feel satisfied?
The author of Psalm 63, David, understood that the true purpose in his life was to be filled with God. This psalm begins with this title: “A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.” Most commentaries believe this is either before David became king, (1 Samuel 23:14) or during the time later in his life when his son, Absalom, took over the kingdom. David had to flee for a brief period of time. (2 Samuel 15) Either way, David felt a thirst we often overlook in our own lives.
Being in the wilderness, fearing for your life, isn’t something you and I face, but we have faced times in our lives when it seems as if everyone is against us, and we are all alone. Have you ever felt so alone that even God felt distant? I think David was feeling that when he wrote Psalm 63. The first verse reminds us that when we are all alone, we should not be seeking anything but God.
David says, “earnestly I seek you…” In the King James Version, this Hebrew word is translated as “early will I seek you…” He is trying to convey the idea of seeking God first before turning to other sources of help. David says that when we face a wilderness season, it is easy to fill our lives with things, people, or activities. Instead, what our hearts should seek is God Himself.
Psalm 63 goes on to describe the things about God that cause us to want to seek Him. Power and glory belong to God (Psalm 63:2), and God’s steadfast love (Psalm 63:3) is better than life itself. Anything in this world we would gain is better than God’s steadfast love. God has been his help and protection all of his life. (Psalm 63:7-8) All of these things, glory, love, and protection, give us reason to seek after God.
David did not write Psalm 63 when life was easy. At the end of this chapter, we see that there were people who were seeking his life. (Psalm 63:9) They were lying about him (Psalm 63:11), but because David was seeking God, they would not triumph over him. We might not have people out to kill us, but we do have an enemy who would like to see us destroyed. (Ephesians 6:12) One of the ways he likes to attach us is to keep us busy. We cannot let our lives rush past us without being filled with God.
I’ll admit sometimes, when I am facing a crisis or a period of deep sorrow and grief, the easy choice is to run to other things. Our world holds many distractions that keep us from seeing the thirst in our hearts. David recognized that the real thing his soul needed was God. There is a beautiful prayer by A. W. Tozer that says:
“O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still….”
Do we long for God like that? I admit that I am not thirsty for God like I should be, but we can pray for our hearts to long for Him more. The more time and attention David spent with God, both in scripture reading and prayer, the more David longed for God. The same can be said of us. The way we thirst for God more is to spend more time with Him. The more we drink from the well that is His love and goodness, the more we want of it!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If your life feels too busy to hear from God, what can you remove that is unnecessary? How can you make room for God in your daily life?
Further Reading:
1 Chronicles 16:11
Hebrews 11:6
James 4:6
Psalm 9:10
Lamentations 3:25
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In what ways has pride gotten in the way of you embracing God’s generous grace in your life? How have you seen God use your weakness as a chance for him to display his power at work on your behalf? Is repentance a part of your daily life? Bring your failures to his feet and embrace the gracious power of forgiveness at work in your life today!
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Grace Upon Grace
By: Amanda Idleman
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The more time you spend on Earth the more aware you become of your great need for grace. We need grace upon grace to love God and love others as the Bible calls us to do. The beautiful thing about God’s kingdom is that he sees our weaknesses as an opportunity to show his great love for us. His power is made perfect when I fail! He is there for me when I am in need, when I don’t have the right answer to the problem, and the list goes on.
As a biological, foster, and adoptive Mom I am learning to embrace grace in a whole new way. I am not enough for the task in front of me everyday. I am weak, I am impatient, I get tired, cranky, and I can’t always give my kids everything they need from me. I’ll be honest this reality that I am weak, that I need Jesus, and that he’s called me to a work that is more than I can handle on my own has left me feeling very discouraged. There are many days that I do not want to embrace grace. I just choose to wallow, feeling like a failure, and not trusting that God provides all that I need.
My journey has highlighted one reality that when I live with pride I can’t grasp onto the grace that is always available to me through Christ. My pride says I can figure this out all on my own. It says I don’t deserve to be forgiven when I mess up. It keeps God at arms length rather than choosing to really trust that he is as good and capable as he says He is!
Thankfully God’s Spirit is at work in me and he corrects my pride by gently showing me that the Bible invites me to participate in a beautiful exchange. Romans 6:14 reports, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Grace is what covers our sins and we cannot be forgiven until we ask to be forgiven. We have to participate in the opportunity we have to receive grace. We must release our sin to Him and accept his promise of forgiveness.
In summary living a grace filled life starts with repentance. Many of us long-time-doing-good Christians forget that daily repentance is essential to our faith journey. I never outgrow my need for Jesus. As I mature in my faith what comes more clear is how dependent I am on his good gifts. How much my weakness is abundant and his grace makes something beautiful out of my brokenness.
As we embrace repentance that grace then leads us into a relationship with our Creator. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”God does not stop at just making right our wrongs he invites us near to his throne of grace the place we can find mercy and relationship with Him. It’s in the presence of the King that we find the fruits of the Spirit. We experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Then we through the power of the Holy Spirit can embody the character of God.
Grace upon grace is what we must cling to each day. When we realize this truth we can let go of some of the pressure we put on ourselves to ‘get things right.’ We can place that worry back onto Jesus and once again rely on his power to do what only he can do in our lives. I am so grateful for the great generosity of God at work in my life and your life everyday.
Intersecting Faith and Life
In what ways has pride gotten in the way of you embracing God’s generous grace in your life? How have you seen God use your weakness as a chance for him to display his power at work on your behalf? Is repentance a part of your daily life? Bring your failures to his feet and embrace the gracious power of forgiveness at work in your life today!
Further Reading
Grace Upon Grace
What Grace Means
This Is Amazing Grace
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
One reason fear is such a common theme in the Bible is that fear is so basic to the human experience. All the way from Adam hiding in the garden to the various things we hide from today. Yet, just as commonplace as the scary things seem to be, we can make finding godly confidence commonplace too.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Saying No to Fear and Yes to God
By: Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
The Fear That Binds Us
Have you ever wanted more for someone so much that you wish you could, through some superpower, control them and guide them toward something better? A better relationship, a better job, a better future. If that’s just me, then perhaps that’s my selfishness showing. Nonetheless, I do have a relative I care for dearly, one who didn’t go back to school in January because she said college wasn’t for her. Instead, she was going to work, but here she is, eight months later, doing nothing. She’s at home day in and day out. Why? She says social anxiety holds her back. Despite being young, capable, and very talented, a fear of the unknown holds her back from a job. And worse, from a future.
Whether she’s afraid of what people might say or do, I don’t know, but she doesn’t want me to criticize her. She doesn’t want criticism from anyone on the matter. I could easily look down on her behavior and the parents who enable it, and often I do, but her fear reminds me of what I encounter from others too. A fear I have experienced even within myself.
For one reason or another, we all find fears to justify. We tell ourselves not to apply for certain opportunities. We decide not to have important conversations. We keep ourselves from making what would ultimately be beneficial decisions.
The Bible mentions fear dozens of times from beginning to end. If you’re no stranger to Scripture, then you know that the Israelites often gave into this emotion. They thought God abandoned them, that they would succumb to their enemies, that the Lord would let them go hungry, and more. For each fear, they had what they felt were ostensibly valid reasons.
Like them, we too find reasons to doubt God in our own lives. What’s crazy is that our reasons seem so real and logical to us. Yet, those who hear about the fear often disagree. The same applies when the roles are reversed. We hear someone tell us why they are afraid and we can’t help but think their perspective is limited, that they just aren’t taking into account the omnipotence of God.
So, how exactly do we break free of the fear that binds us? Just as the Israelites provide an example of why we fear in the first place, we can also look at them and discover ways to break free from fear by finding confidence in God.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If fear is slavery, then confidence in God brings us freedom. Here are three ways we can defeat our fears today.
Defeat Fear through Prayer
When we’re afraid, complaining and grumbling against God aren’t too difficult to manage. The Israelites did their fair share of complaining, too, which greatly displeased God. But let’s be honest, how often do we do the same? Instead of dwelling on the negative thoughts, we benefit ourselves and bring honor to God by choosing to pray instead. Submit yourself to Him. Seek His strength. And watch as the fear eventually fades away.
Defeat Fear through Community
When the Israelites constructed a golden calf to replace God, they were sinning as a community. When they chose to honor God through song, sacrifice, and ceremony, they were honoring God as a community. When we link up with other people, we can find ourselves doing bad things, worse than we would otherwise, but when we link up and our hearts and centered on God, the opposite is true. We honor Him and strive for more virtue than would be possible alone. Moreover, we find the motivation and accountability to overcome the fear that so easily ensnares us.
Defeat Fear through Reminders
One reason fear is such a common theme in the Bible is that fear is so basic to the human experience. All the way from Adam hiding in the garden to the various things we hide from today. Yet, just as commonplace as the scary things seem to be, we can make finding godly confidence commonplace too. We do that by giving ourselves reminders of God’s work in our lives.
When the Israelites needed to be reminded of God, and when they wanted to pray, they could go to the tabernacle. We can view the church in a similar fashion, but we can also find for ourselves other reminders. Some people post Scriptures to their wall or mirror that help them overcome fears. Some people make a daily plan to read Scripture or journal
The what is not as important as the why. Whatever you do, do it to ultimately say no to fear and yes to God.
Further Reading:
2 Timothy 1:7
Psalm 34:4
Proverbs 29:25
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The King of Kings loved the world enough to perform demeaning tasks during His earthly ministry, serve a meal to impart spiritual truths, and ultimately sacrifice Himself. At the very least, can we not offer someone a cup of coffee or a glass of tea? Opened doors and shared meals will open hearts, lift burdens, and forge lasting friendships.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Trading Online for In-Person Relationships
By: Laura Bailey
“The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’ " Genesis 2:18 NIV
I recently listened to a talk by Sherry Turkle called Connected, But Alone, which made me think: Why do we hide behind our phones, texting instead of calling? Why do we meet people at Starbucks or Panera Bread instead of inviting them to our house? Why do we freely share opinions through our Facebook statuses but can barely manage a face-to-face conversation for more than five minutes?
We are more connected than ever, but study after study shows that we are the loneliest generation. Why is this? People lack meaningful relationships, which they desperately need. People need a personal relationship with God for ultimate wholeness, but humans also need relationships, real connections, with other human beings.
So if we know that God designed us to commune with others, especially to fellowship with other Believers, why do we neglect to open our hearts and homes to one another?
Admittedly, I suffer from the “Martha complex.” When the hostess wants everything to be perfect for guests, she fails to enjoy the guests themselves. Time after time, I’ve told myself that one day, when I have a bigger house, more excellent furniture, or even something as silly as a good-smelling hand soap (sadly, that is a true story, but for another day), I will then invite more people over.
Images of homes in magazines make me feel like my house is not “up to par,” not quite “guest-ready,” which is just a lie Satan uses to prevent us from practicing hospitality, one of the best ways to show God’s love to the lost and broken world all around us. For you, it may not be your home exactly; perhaps you are unsure about what to cook, or you fear no one will accept your invitation, or maybe you simply feel too tired to tidy up. But, friends, we have to stop making excuses because God’s Word is replete with verses that command us to be hospitable.
Being in sales for nine years, almost every day, I heard the mantra, “Relationships matter.” It is vital to build trust and to connect with clients from the very first meeting. One of the best ways to do this is by eating meals together. My manager told us “to break bread” with our clients. Often. That term reminded me of Jesus breaking loaves of bread with His hands to feed the thousands gathered around Him. He understood the importance of feeding His followers both spiritually and physically. His disciples wanted to send them away, but Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Matthew 14:16 Jesus wanted to show his disciples two truths: first, He was in control of the situation, and second, feeding the crowd under those extraordinary circumstances would make a lasting impression.
Reaching out to join someone for lunch or to invite someone into your home for a meal takes time, energy, and money. It’s much easier to order take-out, stream Netflix, and scroll through Facebook in your pajamas. Taking time to listen to others and be open with them reveals God's compassionate character. People see how much we care about them when we extend our arms to draw them close, ultimately demonstrating how much God values them and desires an intimate relationship with them.
Our enemy wants us to put off inviting that coworker to dinner or starting a Bible study in our homes because he knows that through the Holy Spirit working in us, lost souls will come to Jesus, and hurt hearts will be healed.
So, I encourage you to meet a friend for a cup of coffee, invite that new family at church over for lunch, or simply sit on your front porch (or back) with a neighbor, soaking in some rays and drinking iced tea while in good conversation. You may miss a few updates, but the time spent in one-on-one fellowship is well spent and will make you forget all about your #fomo (fear of missing out).
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Think for a minute. The King of Kings loved the world enough to perform demeaning tasks during His earthly ministry, serve a meal to impart spiritual truths, and ultimately sacrifice Himself. At the very least, can we not offer someone a cup of coffee or a glass of tea? Opened doors and shared meals will open hearts, lift burdens, and forge lasting friendships. Who can you invite to feel the love of Christ today?
For Further Reading:
6 Ways to Rethink Biblical Hospitality in a Busy World
1 Peter 4:7-11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If we are to be able to complete the good works that God has already prepared for us, we have to first walk in the understanding that we are the direct product of God’s irrefutable goodness. The Great Creator designed us. There is no question that we are valuable.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Worth More Than a Picasso
By Deidre Braley
Ephesians 2:10: For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I once bought a Picasso print at Ikea. It features a handful of his famous animal sketches—single lines formed into dogs, horses, flamingoes. I liked the print well enough, but it was the fact that Picasso had done it that made me want to buy it and hang it on my wall.
It’s interesting, yes? That the works of artists like Pablo Picasso are considered to be so inherently valuable—not for their content, necessarily, but rather for their creator. In truth, some of Picasso’s drawings are so simple they look like a child could have drawn them; I’m thinking now of such sketches as “Young Peasant Boy” and “Bull.” Still, they hang in museums and are universally applauded, pondered, and revered. At some point, Picasso became a household name; one with such indisputable merit that people would pay fortunes for his work. In fact, one of his paintings—“Femme à la montre”—even sold for $139 million at auction last year.
Just as anything that Picasso put his hand to is considered to have intrinsic worth, so it is with us—the workmanship of God. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork…” So it is of no consequence whether the world looks at us and deems us rich in color or interesting in subject matter or worthy of a bidding war. We have been created by the greatest artist in the entire universe, and because of this fact alone, we could be scribbled on a napkin and still be worth an entire fortune.
And not just that. We aren’t absent-minded doodles. The verse goes on to say that we are “...created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). We were formed with a purpose in mind. Long before this world could
examine and critique and experience us—long before we were put on display—God crafted us to carry out good works. He put us into the world to make it better. Our value is undeniable.
Intersecting Faith & Life
It’s one thing to say we are inherently valuable; it’s another thing altogether to believe it. Often, we become so inundated with feelings of shame, inadequacy, and fear that we can hardly convince ourselves that we could be considered anything akin to art.
At times like these, think back to Picasso. His art is considered valuable because it was his hand that created it—not necessarily because the content itself is perfect, stunning, or impressive. It is that way for us, too. We are God’s art, and whether we feel worthy of the acclaim or not, the fact
is that we are a product of the outpouring of God’s mind, hand, and genius. It is indisputable: we are precious.
And if we are to be able to complete the good works that God has already prepared for us, we have to first walk in the understanding that we are the direct product of God’s irrefutable goodness. The Great Creator designed us. There is no question that we are valuable.
It is also helpful to remember this when it feels difficult to love others. When you must interact with someone who challenges you, try looking them in the eye and telling yourself, “This person is God’s handiwork. They (even they!) have good work set before them. God loves them and made them with a purpose in mind.” Watch to see how your attitude towards them softens. It is impossible to remain entirely bitter-angry-exasperated-critical when you recognize the Artist behind the creation in front of you.
Further Reading
- Psalm 139
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
No matter what excuse we give ourselves, Jesus’ Great Commission includes His disciples today. You and I. As a pastor told me, where he sends us, He equips us. Choose to believe that.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Sharing the Gospel
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” – 1 Peter 3:14-15
The Fear to Share
I used to relish the fact that I didn’t even have to travel overseas to share the Gospel. That’s what a few different sermons taught me and I was grateful. In a way, I felt let off of the hook, but if I were to be honest about myself back then, I’d have to also admit that I didn’t want to share the Gospel at all. Not out of disrespect for my faith but because of a fear that sharing God’s Word would lead to problems. I grew up in a family who prayed together, but never talked about why we prayed. I’ve been around people who say that they are Christian but don’t read Scripture and are totally on board with non-Christian beliefs and values. In my mind, talking about what’s actually in the Gospel could only cause friction and who wants that?
Perhaps knowing that Jesus may not want you to travel overseas gives you a sense of relief, too. But do you feel let off the hook entirely with sharing the Gospel? Hopefully not, but if so, know that Jesus’ Great Commission extends to all of His followers, including us. The same fears we have about going to a foreign land and talking about God are the same fears we feel right here at home. A fear of conflict. A fear of being ill-equipped. A fear of the unknown.
The truth is we don’t know what will happen when we share and maybe we don’t know how best to share. Yet, what is just as true is that if we don’t share the Gospel at all, then the good that could have potentially occurred definitely will not.
So, how exactly do we work through these fearful insecurities?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Overcoming our fears isn’t easy, but the few steps we can take are simple.
Know Why You Believe
Ask yourself this question, “Why do I put my faith in God and His Word?” Chances are you have good reasons for believing. Some people come to the faith intellectually, others through family tradition, and some people simply have a life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit.
However you got to the faith, you have chosen to continue believing. Maybe you have witnessed God’s hand at work in your life or someone else’s. Maybe you experienced a miracle. Maybe you have been convicted by God’s presence. Whatever good the Christian faith has brought you, know that the same could happen for someone else if they got to know Christ.
Know What to Share
Once you understand the why behind your beliefs, then comes the question of what. If you had the opportunity, what exactly would you want somebody outside of the faith to know about God, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit? Maybe you would share how much God loves them, or that the void they sense in their life could be tied to them lacking a relationship with Him. However, you choose to go about it, know that you can and should pray to God for discernment. He’ll give you direction.
Get Uncomfortable
One way or another, when sharing the gospel, you have to get uncomfortable. There’s no sugarcoating that reality. If you don’t already have the personality, that’s what’s bound to happen, especially if the Holy Spirit moves you to share with someone you know to be resistant or with someone you’re not close to. Whatever the case may be, realize that discomfort is normal and productive.
Remember in Exodus when Moses was called by God and he felt ill-equipped because of his stutter and status? Or do you remember Paul being called to become an apostle after persecuting Christians? Imagine going from persecutor to disciple.
Maybe you have a speech impediment or a background that makes you feel ashamed and unworthy. No matter what excuse we give ourselves, Jesus’ Great Commission includes His disciples today. You and I. As a pastor told me, where he sends us, He equips us. Choose to believe that.
Further Reading (and Listening):
- Colossians 4:6
- Matthew 28:18-20
- “The Last Jesus” by Kirk Franklin
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Rather than looking to other people to encourage us today, let’s look to God by pursuing Him with our praise and worship, reading His word, and remembering His faithfulness.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
3 Ways to Encourage Yourself Today
By Lynette Kittle
“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word”--2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Many people have been conditioned in our culture to start their day looking at their phones and social media first thing in the morning. Sadly, the majority of postings are usually more discouraging than encouraging. Others, start their mornings reading and listening to national and international news, where the woes and chaos of the world are front-and-center, headlining the pages.
Both can leave us feeling discouraged before we even set foot on the floor or out the door. So what is the answer? Where do we turn to find encouragement to start our day?
1 Samuel 30:6 describes what David did when he needed encouragement. “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.”
Unlike David, too many of us are looking to others, dependent on their words, hoping and counting on them to constantly encourage us. But when encouragement doesn’t come and we feel alone, discouraged, and maybe even desperate, not knowing where to turn or what to do, we can encourage ourselves.
David understood in his darkest, deepest hours, he wasn’t alone because he relied on his relationship with the Lord, knowing “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1).
3 Ways to Encourage Yourself
Reading through 1 & 2 Samuel and Psalms, we see how David knew how to encourage himself through focusing on his relationship with God. Through his life and words, we can learn to do the same. Following are three ways to encourage yourself today.
- Spend time praising and worshipping God. David’s heart longed after God, and he made time to spend with Him. In Psalm 42:2, he writes, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”
David didn’t hold back when it came to expressing his love for God through worship. He is known for his over-the-top enthusiastic praise and worship of Him, 2 Samuel 6:14 describes. “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might.”
As Psalm 95:2 invites, “Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.”
- Read the Bible. David spent time mediating on God’s word, as Psalm 119:15 describes, “I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways.”
God’s word is alive and able to cut right through discouraging thoughts and feelings in our lives in a way that brings life to us. As Hebrews 4:12 explains, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Even though others’ encouraging words may come few and far between, we can rely on God’s word to refresh, renew, and restore our lives when we take it in on a daily basis.
- Remember God’s goodness and faithfulness. Remembering God’s faithfulness and goodness stirs our hearts to be encouraged for today and the days ahead. Psalm 27:13 reminds, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
David encouraged himself by remembering God’s goodness and faithfulness throughout the ages. “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago” (Psalm 77:11).
Like David, during discouraging times, we can turn to the pages of the Bible to recall His mighty acts. As Psalm 119:90 reminds us, “Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.”
As well, like Psalm 77:12 expresses, “I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: Rather than looking to other people to encourage us today, let’s look to God by pursuing Him with our praise and worship, reading His word, and remembering His faithfulness.
Further Reading: How to Give the Encouragement You Give Others to Yourself
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-give-the-encouragement-you-give-others-to-yourself.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you feel freedom and security to pray honestly and continuously in your prayers with God? What holds you back from pouring out your heart to Him or coming to Him again with the same request? How can you trust in Him even if the answer is no like it was for Jesus?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Pray Honestly and Continuously
Written By: Emma Danzey
Matthew 26:44 says, “So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.”
Sometimes we might ask the question, “Am I allowed to pray what I really feel and think?” The truth is that God already knows our hearts and so there is no point in hiding what we are really going through from Him. However, we should recognize that our God does deserve respect and honor. We can trust Him. Jesus modeled prayer for us in multiple ways in Scripture. One particularly beautiful example is His prayers in the garden of Gethsemane before He was arrested.
“So he left them and went away once more"
Jesus knew that he wanted the support of His friends, but He also realized that He needed to have intimacy and space as He prayed personally to the Father. Sometimes in life we need to pray with others, but other times we need to pray alone with our God and ask others to advocate and intercede on our behalf in their own times of prayer. There is still a communal aspect of prayer, but it is also very personal to Jesus and should be to us as well.
Do you try to “Get away” and pray? This might look like waking up before the kids or talking to God after they go to sleep. You might have a war room in your closet. You could have a special route you like to walk and talk to God on. You may love to pray while you commute to work. Whatever that looks like for you, or you hope it looks like in the future, keep fighting for that time to be focused in prayer.
“And prayed the third time”
Jesus was no stranger to the concept found in Luke 18:1-8 with the persistent widow or the concept found in Matthew 7:7-8 to keep asking and seeking. Jesus was not ashamed or afraid to go back to God and pray a third time. He knew the value in continuous intercession. Notice that we can pray consistently for others, but sometimes, we do this over our own lives. This is not selfish, this is good to put on the armor of God, to pray for direction, and to submit ourselves under Christ’s authority while sharing our greatest desires and needs.
“Saying the same thing"
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus repeated the same prayer to the Father. He went before Him and made His request three times and it was always the same. Matthew 26:36b says, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Why would Jesus, who knew His purpose and mission for coming to earth and knew that He had to die for our sins and would raise Himself back to life, pray this prayer? Do you also find it strange that He would be praying for the exact opposite of what He knew and had told His disciples was coming? Would that not be a waste of time? This makes us ponder our own prayers to God. Have you ever felt like what you were praying about was a waste of time? Or felt as if you were praying the same prayer over and over again? Did it seem like your words hit the ceiling instead of the ears of the Father in heaven?
I believe Jesus prayed this prayer to show us that even if our outcomes are not a “yes” from the Lord, that our time spent communicating our hearts to God are significant. Prayer bonds us to God, reaffirms our trust in Him, and allows us to have a place to share about our circumstances. Even if we feel like we keep going to the Lord with the same prayer requests and the same concerns, we can remember that Jesus did this. He did not shy away from telling His heart to His Father (and He knew the outcome). There is value in prayer.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Do you feel freedom and security to pray honestly and continuously in your prayers with God? What holds you back from pouring out your heart to Him or coming to Him again with the same request? How can you trust in Him even if the answer is no like it was for Jesus?
Further Reading:
- Mark 26:36-56
- Luke 22:39-53
- John 18:1-12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Taking regular breaks to focus on God’s presence is not a luxury. It’s a vital practice for your spiritual well-being. By taking breaks from your busyness, you can experience in that stillness that God is really with you right where you are!
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
How Breaks from Your Busyness Can Help You Find God
By: Whitney Hopler
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” – Psalm 46:10-11, NIV
In this fast-paced, constantly connected world, you can often find yourself engulfed in a whirlwind of tasks and distractions. Your schedule is packed, your to-do list is long, and finding time for rest can seem like an impossible luxury. Yet, in the middle of this busyness, God invites you to take regular breaks to focus on his presence with you. God urges you to “Be still, and know that I am God.” The command to “be still” is not just about physical rest. It’s also a call to mental and spiritual stillness. Being still involves creating moments in your day to pause, breathe, and shift your attention from your hectic schedule to notice God’s presence with you. This intentional stillness allows you to connect with God in ways that renew you spiritually.
When you’re busy, it’s easy to lose sight of God’s constant presence. Your mind can be preoccupied with the demands of work, family, and other responsibilities. However, taking regular breaks to be still before God helps you to refocus. It’s in these moments of quiet reflection that you can truly come to know and experience the reality of God’s closeness. Regardless of how busy or overwhelmed you may feel, God is always with you, ready to give you peace and guidance when you ask for it. Taking breaks to pay attention to God’s presence can transform your perspective – helping you to discover the wonder of God’s work in every situation.
So, imagine yourself pausing in the middle of a busy day to simply acknowledge God’s presence with you. This act of intentional focus can help you remember that you are not alone in your struggles and that God is actively involved in every part of your life. It’s a powerful reminder that God is not distant or disconnected, but intimately aware of your needs and concerns. In your moments of stillness, you can not only become more aware of God’s presence, but also of God’s protection and support. God is your fortress – your safe haven in stressful times. You can rely on God to be there for you, even in the middle of life’s chaos. Knowing that God is your fortress can give you the confidence to face your challenges with renewed courage and faith.
Here are some ways to incorporate breaks into your daily routine:
- Schedule regular times throughout your day to pause and focus on God. These could be short breaks in the morning, midday, and evening. During your breaks, take time to thank God for his blessings and for being with you throughout your day.
- Use everyday activities – such as a walk, a coffee break, or a commute – as opportunities to turn your attention toward God and enjoy God’s presence with you. Reflect on God’s promises and listen for his voice. Allow God’s presence to fill you with peace and guidance.
- Spend a few minutes reading a Bible verse or a devotional, and then pray, asking the Holy Spirit to help you apply that wisdom to your life.
Taking regular breaks to focus on God’s presence is not a luxury. It’s a vital practice for your spiritual well-being. By taking breaks from your busyness, you can experience in that stillness that God is really with you right where you are!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how breaks from your busyness can help you find God, reflect on these questions:
- How often do you take intentional breaks to focus on God during your day?
- What are some practical ways you can incorporate moments of stillness into your daily routine?
- How does recognizing God’s presence with you affect your approach to your daily responsibilities and challenges?
- What steps can you take to create a habit of pausing to enjoy God’s presence throughout your day?
- How does the assurance that God is your fortress give you confidence and peace when you’re busy?
Further Reading
Exodus 14:14
Isaiah 40:31
Matthew 11:28
Psalm 37:7
Philippians 4:6-7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God loves you and He’s with you, staying by your side, and fighting this battle for you and with you! So, when life hits hard and the enemy’s attacks are relentless, go to God because He promises to be there for you. Remember, Jesus Christ has already defeated the devil and with Him, we will ultimately win!
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Holding On When You Want to Give Up
By: Alexis A. Goring
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
— 1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
Life can be tough for everyone. Nobody has it completely easy. And if you’re a follower of Jesus Christ then you know that you’re also in a battle, because the devil doesn’t want you to have the eternal life that Jesus offers.
Often, the devil’s attacks are relentless. I know that we can become so worn down by the evil forces in this world that we feel like giving up. We might even allow ourselves to be attacked without fighting back. The Bible gives us weapons to use for this spiritual warfare and God hasn’t left us without help. But lately, I’ve realized that I haven’t been fighting as hard as I should. How often have I allowed the devil to beat me down while I stayed defenseless? It’s very easy to listen to negativity and throw yourself a pity party. But in recent years, God helped me realize that I am not defenseless; I can actively and effectively fight back!
We have the power that raised Christ from the dead inside of us (Romans 8:11). Let’s exercise our authority as a Child of God and fight back with the Word of God! Ephesians 6:10-18 teaches us how to be prepared for this daily battle and to win with God on our side. It’s called putting on and activating the Armor of God:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Isn’t that a powerful promise to cling to? God has given us everything we need to defeat the enemy and to be victorious in Jesus Christ. I’ve learned to pray the Armor of God verses in the Bible at the start of every day. I’ve also learned some additional and practical steps to take to overcome attacks from the enemy.
Step One: Go to God. He is our Heavenly Father and stronger than Satan (our ultimate enemy). Read John 16:33.
Step Two: Ask Jesus Christ, our Savior, to pray for you. Read John 17:6-26.
Step Three: Listen to Gospel music and worship God in song. Read 2 Chronicles 20:22.
Step Four: Read the Bible and apply Scripture to overcome your struggle. Read 1 John 4:4.
Step Five: Call a Bible-believing pastor, God-fearing friend, or Christ-following family member and ask them to pray for you. Read Ephesians 6:18.
Step Six: Invest in Christian faith-based counseling services.
Step Seven: Change your environment by going outdoors for a walk in nature.
One of my favorite Gospel music artists, Dr. Juanita Bynum, says sometimes you need to “praise your way through” dark times and spiritual attacks. Listen to her song “I Don’t Mind Waiting” for the encouragement your heart needs. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/_hEiGEfm2uE?si=q0oZLbIXGHxNqph6
Another song that illustrates my devotional points today is “Hold On, Don't Let Go” by Richard Smallwood & Vision. I encourage you to listen to it too. Here’s the link: (https://youtu.be/jmPhHNQGjK4?si=G6JBwslbssixvGu2)
Remember: God loves you and He’s with you, staying by your side, and fighting this battle for you and with you! So, when life hits hard and the enemy’s attacks are relentless, go to God because He promises to be there for you. Remember, Jesus Christ has already defeated the devil and with Him, we will ultimately win!
Intersecting Faith and Life: How does it feel to know that the Creator of the Universe fights for you and with you against attacks from the enemy?
Further Reading:
Proverbs 21:3
Psalm 119:160
1 Thessalonians 5:8
2 Corinthians 10:4
1 John 5:4
Also read:
“The Armor of God—What it Is and How to Use It” by Debbie McDaniel
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/praying-on-the-armor-of-god.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God used Joseph to execute integral parts of his much greater plan for humanity. And it was during the times of waiting and holding and longing for a change that he prepared Joseph to do the important work he had ahead. Joseph chose to do what he could, where he could, while he waited to see what God had for him next. He made good use of the time in between.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Working While We Wait
by Deidre Braley
Genesis 39:22-23: And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him.
I have been attached to my phone for the last ten days, refreshing my email at consistent intervals between all my daily tasks. Unload the dishwasher—check my email. Walk the dog—check my email. Kiss the kids goodnight—check my email. I’m in the querying process, which for a writer means the period of time when you send your heart and soul and life’s work into the world and then wait to see whether anyone cares or if you should go back to your day job.
When I left my career two years ago, I had my eyes set on one goal: to publish a book. I thought by now I’d be well on my way, would have something to show. But it turns out there have been a lot of slow-moving parts, like the gears on a clock moving at half-speed. How infuriating! I’ve been waiting for this email to let me know whether it’s time, finally time, to do the work I’ve been wanting to do for so long now.
This holding pattern is nothing compared to what Joseph experienced, though. The son of Israel (Jacob), Joseph was his father’s favorite. As if it wasn’t already enough that his dad had given him a beautifully colored cloak, Joseph also started having dreams that his brothers and family would one day bow down before him. Ouch. His brothers decided to kill him.
At the last minute, his brother Reuben stepped in with an alternate plan to try to spare his life—they’d just throw him in a pit and leave him. While Reuben was away, however, the brothers decided they might as well make some money from the whole ordeal, and sold Joseph to some Ishmaelites on their way to Egypt, instead.
This could read as an incredibly cruel and frustrating tale—one in which a promising young man’s life is needlessly upended. Being sold into slavery in a foreign land sounds like the kind of holding pattern you don’t escape from. But Scripture tells us otherwise. “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master,” Genesis 39:2 says. In fact, Joseph was so respected and things went so well under his care that his master, Potiphar, put him in charge of everything he had.
Later, when Potiphar’s wife wrongfully accuses Joseph of indecency, he is thrown into another holding pattern: this time, a jail cell. But just as he did after being sold to Potiphar, Joseph (with
God’s help) finds favor with the keeper of the prison, who puts him in charge over everything there. And Genesis 39:23 tells us, “...whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.”
Joseph is the embodiment of the old adage, “Bloom where you are planted.” It’s probably safe to assume that Joseph didn’t want to be sold to an Egyptian master, and would have preferred to spend that time otherwise. And it’s probably even safer to suggest he didn’t want to spend years of his life in a jail cell for a crime he didn’t commit. But what stands out about Joseph’s story is the way he used the time that others may consider ‘wasted.’ Rather than mope and wallow or wait for it to be over so he could just get on with his life, Joseph walked closely with God and worked at whatever was put before him with integrity and wisdom. It was his time served in Potiphar’s house and the jail cell that prepared him (though somewhat unconventionally) to eventually serve Pharoah as governor of all the land of Egypt.
God used Joseph to execute integral parts of his much greater plan for humanity. And it was during the times of waiting and holding and longing for a change that he prepared Joseph to do the important work he had ahead. Joseph chose to do what he could, where he could, while he waited to see what God had for him next. He made good use of the time in between.
When we find ourselves in our own holding patterns, we can look at how God was with Joseph in the waiting and be encouraged. Yes, it might be taking longer than we’d like and no, we might not understand how it’s going to result in anything of value, but our job isn’t to worry about all that. Our job is to put our hand to what’s before us with integrity and to walk with God while we do it.
Whether we’re longing for career-changing news or freedom from existing commitments or just for something fresh and exciting to happen in our lives, today let’s take a page from Joseph’s book and assess what we can do with where we are right now, at this very point in our lives. We might be surprised to see how God can use that humble obedience.
Intersecting Faith & Life
What areas of your life feel like holding patterns (or jail cells!) right now? Consider bringing them before the Lord and asking him:
- How can I use this time in a way that would be fruitful?
- What would it look like to walk with you and work with integrity in this area?● Will you please give me endurance to stay faithful in this season of waiting?● Would you give me a glimpse of how you might use this work as part of your granderplan for my life and the lives of others?
Further Reading
To read through Joseph’s entire story, look into: ● Genesis 37-50
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Lord recognizes how much we long to please Him and how grieved we feel when we mess up. He sees our ongoing struggle against sin and the wounded places in our souls that cause us to react in fear and self-protection. And while He’s given us everything, in Christ and Scripture, to stand firm, whatever we face, He also understands how easily we become deceived.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Unchanging Heart for His Profoundly Imperfect People
By Jennifer Slattery
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love (Psalm 103:8, NIV).
Many of us have heard people talk about the Lord’s complete forgiveness and unconditional love but can expect Him to withhold both when we mess up. Most often, this stems from times in which others responded to our mistakes with some degree of emotional distance. I can relate. I struggled, for decades, to fully receive God’s grace, and sometimes still do. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I find today’s verse so beautiful.
Written by David, ancient Israel’s second king, Psalm 103:8 reiterates the way God revealed Himself to a man named Moses around four hundred years prior. This occurred shortly after the Lord’s newly liberated people rebelled against Him to worship idols. Following, God told Moses that He wouldn’t accompany him and the Hebrews into the new land He’d promised them. But then He appeared to relent and in Exodus 33:15 stated, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Perhaps confused, or simply wanting to experience more of the God with whom he’d already come to converse with as a friend (Ex. 33:11), Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” One could phrase this as, “Reveal the essence of who You are.” God did, declaring Himself compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness.
David likely knew how the Lord described Himself to Moses and how consistently He lived out those traits with the often faithless and rebellious Hebrew people. In today’s verse, He praised God for those same qualities. While Scripture doesn’t reveal David’s circumstances when he wrote Psalm 103, we do know from other passages that He landed in numerous situations that plunged him into despair and overwhelming fear. We also know that God faithfully cared for, protected, and defended David throughout His life. And, the Lord showed David grace when he failed as a father, a king, and chief commander over the Israelite army.
In other words, David hadn’t simply learned of the Lord’s love, mercy and compassion from Scripture. He’d experienced those same traits when he’d desperately needed them. Likely reflecting on who God was and all He’d done, David began his prose with a praise that arose from his inmost being, the deepest and truest part of him. He then recounted numerous blessings God provided—forgiveness for even the worst of sins, emotional and physical healing, restoration of seemingly hopeless lives, provision, vitality, justice for the oppressed, and guidance for those who find themselves wandering about in desert places.
In verse 4, we read that the God who “redeems [our] life from the pit” also “crowns [us] with love and compassion.” One might phrase this as, “He rescued us in our weakest and most helpless state and enveloped us in grace.” When the devil tries to bury me in toxic shame, I’m reminded that God’s favor toward us stems from His goodness alone, and not from anything we have or haven’t done.
Because while He is the Almighty Creator of all that exists and the One who holds all authority in His powerful hands, that wasn’t how He most defined Himself to Moses, and therefore, to us. When we reflect upon who He is at His core, He doesn’t want us to think of His anger. Instead, He wants us to recognize, intellectually and from personal experience, that He is first and foremost a God of unfathomable love and grace.
Expanding on this, David then drew an analogy between the Lord and caring parents (Psalm 103:13). Our heavenly Father views us with more tenderness than an attentive mother with an over-tired two-year-old and a patient dad with an emotionally dysregulated middle schooler. Because, as verse 14 states, “he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust” (NIV). In other words, He remains cognizant of our humanity.
The Lord recognizes how much we long to please Him and how grieved we feel when we mess up. He sees our ongoing struggle against sin and the wounded places in our souls that cause us to react in fear and self-protection. And while He’s given us everything, in Christ and Scripture, to stand firm, whatever we face, He also understands how easily we become deceived.
He has compassion for who we truly are, in all our weaknesses and sins, and responds to our greatest failures with mercy and forgiveness, rather than anger and condemnation. Living in that reality helps us rise again when we fall, with our gaze fixed not on our past nor our shame but on the Savior who proved every word of today’s verse true when He died on the cross to quite literally redeem our lives from the pit of hell (verse 4).
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we are under attack, stuck in one of Satan’s strongholds, we can break free with the help of Jesus Christ! But, as we see in the following verses, it is vital that we continually guard our minds, bathing ourselves in truth to prevent and shut down spiritual strongholds before they overtake us.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Fighting Spiritual Strongholds
By: Laura Bailey
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV
“I think I am stuck,” wincing as the words came out of my mouth, I waited to hear my husband’s response. “I’ll be up there in a minute,” he quickly replied.
As my husband pulled up in his truck, assessing the situation, I could tell by the expression on his face that it wasn’t good. After a few minutes of trying to get the car out of the mud, he said, " You are going to need a tow truck.”
I knew he was trying to control his irritation, but the truth was, I deserved it. I knew I shouldn’t have gone down that road. For the last few months, my road has been under construction. The road was blocked off just a few hundred feet from my driveway, causing us to take a 10-minute detour whenever we wanted to leave the house. Countless times in the past few weeks, I have seen cars drive around the “ road closed” barriers, so I thought I could, too.
Except on this particular day, I didn’t consider that it had been raining all morning, making the clay dirt turn into a thick, gooey paste. To prevent washout, the construction team placed a large pile of gravel at the end of the path, making it impossible to get through. And the thing is, as I slowly inched my way around the barriers, I knew this wasn’t a good idea. Still, ignoring the quiet voice in my thoughts that encouraged me to turn back, I trudged ahead.
At first, it wasn’t that bad, my tires quickly making their way through the mud, but when I saw the gravel barrier, I knew I was in trouble. That wasn’t the first time I’d taken that path; I’d cut through the closed-off road numerous times. Time after time, I sailed smoothly through the construction zone, avoiding the long detour; I knew it wasn’t the best decision, yet I still did it.
Sitting there waiting for my husband, berating myself for my poor choices, I thought about a sermon I’d once heard about sin. The preacher said, “We dabble in sin; satan dominates.” We often convince ourselves that our sin isn’t that bad, especially compared to others.
If they can do it, why can’t we?
We didn’t get caught last time, so it must be okay.
We try to rationalize our rebellion against God, knowing in our hearts that what we are doing is wrong.
And that’s the thing about sin; typically, our little rebellion becomes more significant. The white lie morphs into a whopper. The occasional overspending leads to a snowball of debt. The innocent flirtation leads to an emotional affair. We have an enemy whose sole mission is to” kill, steal and destroy” ( John 10:10). He wants nothing more than to believe that we can control our sin, but instead, it often controls us.
In our key verse, Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are fighting a spiritual battle. But they don’t fight with the flesh; they have divine power to demolish strongholds. A stronghold is a barrier; our enemy erects numerous strongholds to destroy biblical truth. As believers, we put on the armor of God, knowing that we don’t fight alone; we have the power of the Holy Spirit.
When we are under attack, stuck in one of Satan’s strongholds, we can break free with the help of Jesus Christ! But, as we see in the following verses, it is vital that we continually guard our minds, bathing ourselves in truth to prevent and shut down spiritual strongholds before they overtake us.
Graciously, a sister in Christ and her husband came to my aid that day. They worked for almost an hour and nearly got stuck themselves to free my car. The Lord taught me numerous lessons that day. Sin can quickly overtake us, but when we call on the name of Jesus Christ, we have the power to fight the devil’s schemes. Our Heavenly Father also gives us the gift of the body of believers. We are meant to support, lift, and pull our brothers and sisters out of sin if needed.
The Lord granted me mercy that day; the situation could have been much worse. After a few days, I saw a car go around the barriers; as I quickly drove past, I prayed to the Lord for the lessons learned.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Thinking about this quotation, “We dabble in sin; satan dominates,” is there an area in your life where your sin started small but has begun to take over completely? Ask the Lord for forgiveness and the power to fight this attack. Take it further; reach out to your local church or godly friend to help you overcome this spiritual stronghold.
For Further Reading:
Overcoming Strongholds
1 Corinthians 10:13
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When the songwriter Asaph was going through a lonely time of feeling abandoned by God, he wrote this in Psalm 77:6 as the beginning of his mental process to convince himself God was still with him: “I remembered my songs in the night” (NIV).
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Comfort in His Songs
By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer
The Lord your God is in your midst—a warrior bringing victory.
He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 CEB
My daughter, Dana, was in college when she experienced her first real heartache from a relationship breakup. I had just finished speaking for a retreat out of state when I received her phone call from my hotel room. How it hurt my heart to hear her cry and to be so far away from her and unable to hug her or wipe away her tears.
Dana knew God was good and that He was close, but still her heart was broken. I prayed with her on the phone and then continued to pray for her throughout the night, waking every few hours and calling on the Lord to comfort her with His presence.
A couple nights later, after I was back home, she texted me from her college dorm room. She couldn’t sleep. Her heart was still hurting. In that moment, I remembered how music resonated with her like nothing else. Music had always been a huge part of her life and, at the time, she was studying to be a vocal performer. Music was often how she processed her thoughts. We all sense God’s presence in different ways. Perhaps she needed His songs. I texted her a few verses and told her to listen for her Heavenly Father singing over her.
Zephaniah 3:17 gives us a beautiful description in the Old Testament of how our warrior God, who fights for our hearts, will also tenderly comfort us in our time of need. The New English Translation reads: “The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.”
The New King James version translates those “shouts for joy” (which sound like a battle triumph) as a sweet love song of God’s for His beloved: “He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
“God sings over you, Dana,” I texted. “Listen for His songs.”
God not only sings over us, He puts songs in our hearts to deliver us. In Psalm 32:7 (NKJV) David sang, “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.” In the Contemporary English Version, that verse reads: “You are my hiding place! You protect me from trouble, and you put songs in my heart because you have saved me.”
In Job 35:10, we read God is the one who “provides us with songs in the night” (HCSB). Finally, I texted to my daughter Psalm 119:54: “No matter where I am, your teachings fill me with songs” (CEV) and Psalm 42:8: “The Lord will send His goodness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night.”
Dana texted back: “I like the verses about Him giving us songs.” And with His music close to her heart, she was able to sleep.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
God sings over you too. He knows your broken heart, your disappointments, your feelings of loneliness when they strike. He is closer than a whisper on the nights you can’t sleep, on those days that drag on forever, and in the quiet when you feel forgotten and alone.
When the songwriter Asaph was going through a lonely time of feeling abandoned by God, he wrote this in Psalm 77:6 as the beginning of his mental process to convince himself God was still with him: “I remembered my songs in the night” (NIV).
Get quiet, my friend. Hush the questions going through your mind and listen. Listen for His song in the night, and His whisper of love through the breeze in the day. My prayer is that you will soon be declaring as the psalmist did: “You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 63:7 CEV).
Lord, thank You for the gift of music that can comfort our souls. And thank You, too, for putting songs in our hearts—songs of comfort and songs of joy. On those days and nights when we need Your comforting presence, help us to sense You singing over us. And when those we love need Your songs, may You sing them clearly in their ears as well.
For Further Reading: Psalm 77
For more on God’s comfort and care, see Cindi’s devotional book, God’s Whispers to a Woman’s Heart.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Are there moments when your life feels small? Take note of any patterns. Do you feel less than great whenever you get together with that one friend who seems to have a glamorous, exciting life? Or do you feel discontentment bubbling whenever you spend time on social media?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
What to Remember When Your Life Feels Small
by Deidre Braley
Matthew 18:1-4: At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying,“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Does your life ever feel small?
Mine sometimes does. Just last weekend, in fact, I had the unsettling experience of smallness at a country concert that was featuring a major artist. As the sun sank below the edge of the stadium, the crowd’s anticipation mounted. When the singer finally ran onto the stage, donning his guitar and saluting the audience, the stadium erupted. Girls clutched each other and screamed. Phone flashlights turned into constellations amongst the pulsing galaxy of people. Tens of thousands of lips moved in unison to sing the opening song together.
Submerged in this world of smoke and lights and adrenaline, I had the unsettling feeling of being small. A longing began to stir deep in my belly—something like an exhilarating hunger. I suddenly wondered what it would feel like to live in this alternate reality called fame.
Back at home, I knew that laundry was piled on our bedroom floor, that our toddlers would be wanting pancakes in the morning, and that the dishes would be nearly toppling in the kitchen sink. My line of work, in comparison to rocking and selling out this stadium, seemed so humdrum and un-noteworthy that I could hardly stand it.
As it turns out, this hunger I was feeling—this longing to know what greatness feels like—came about long before electric guitars and jumbotrons. The disciples felt it too. One day, they even asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1)
Jesus didn’t name a rockstar. He didn’t list off kings, or bible heroes, or professionals revered in their fields. Instead, he beckoned for a child to come and stand among them. “‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me…’” (Matthew 18:2-5).
Earthside, we perceive greatness as notoriety and wealth, power and fanfare. It involves being or having more than someone else. But in the kingdom of heaven? Greatness looks like humility, trust, and inclusion. Greatness looks like a child, turning to the Father for everything.
If we align our life’s work to what the world deems ‘great,’ then our days will be filled with striving and discontentment. We’ll be ever subjected to the fickleness of humanity. But when we align ourselves with what Jesus values—when we humble our souls and trust in the only one that is truly great—we are able to bask in an eternal greatness that gives our souls rest and contentment.
So when we find ourselves caught in a pattern of discontentment, wondering when our time will come, or if anyone will ever notice us, or if our lives will ever possess that magnetic essence of greatness, let’s come back to that image of Jesus, pulling the child near and saying,“This. This is what greatness looks like in my kingdom.”
Intersecting Faith & Life
Are there moments when your life feels small? Take note of any patterns. Do you feel less than great whenever you get together with that one friend who seems to have a glamorous, exciting life? Or do you feel discontentment bubbling whenever you spend time on social media?
Once you are able to identify when, where, or what makes you feel “small,” you can develop strategies to help you fight the lie that greatness comes from what the world hails, like fame and wealth or power and position. These strategies could include:
- Limiting how often you expose yourself to these people or situations.● Memorizing Scripture to pray over yourself when you’re feeling overcome withdiscontentment or inferiority.
- Surround yourself with others whose lives model humility and surrender to the Lord.● Finding solitude, then stopping to ask the Holy Spirit to reorient your priorities andremind you who are—and who he is.
Further Reading
- Mark 10:35-45
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Jesus knows that on the inside, at the level of soul and spirit, we often hunger for something much deeper than physical bread. And that part of ourselves, that indescribable but ultimately recognizable part of who we are, can only be filled by a connection with the one who redeems us.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Finding The Bread of Life
[Jesus said] “I am the bread of life, those who come to me will never be hungry, those who believe in me will never thirst.” (John 6:35)
I once drove past a church with a large sign out front; you know the kind, the kind where you can type witty or inspiring messages for all to read. This church, however, chose a more aggressive tactic. One day the sign read “Jesus said ‘You either eat the bread of life or you’re toast!” Wait….is that, really what Jesus said? When Jesus calls himself the bread of life, was he setting up some divine criteria by which we get to judge who is right and wrong, in or out? There is a big difference between holding out an invitation to all and voicing a criterion of condemnation.
When Jesus calls himself the bread of life in John chapter 6, there is no hint of judgement. And even when he says, “unless you eat the flesh of the son of man you have no life in you”, Jesus is only reinforcing his gracious invitation to all. Jesus invites the crowds around him to receive from him the life and the grace that he so freely offers. Jesus reaches out lovingly, not judgmentally.
Of course, the crowds misunderstand what Jesus meant. They had previously been fed miraculously by five loaves and two fish, were hungry for more; they were hungry for miracles, and they were also physically hungry. Jesus knows this. Jesus says, “you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate and had your fill.” Simply put, Jesus proved he could give the crowd dinner, and now they want breakfast. Give us more bread, they say, and they would be satisfied.
See, they thought that Jesus could only provide physical bread, and physical nourishment. They were concerned with their appetite, their bodily satiation, and their earthly life. This happens a lot. In John 4 we read about the woman at the well, who believed that living water just meant and endless flowing stream.
Before we move on, let’s stop here and ask a question: is that how we treat the bread of life? Do we reduce the works of Jesus to simple actions designed to prop up our earthly existence. Do we think that the bread of life is given to us so that we can continue living our lives the way we want, pursuing what we want to pursue?
What Jesus does in this passage, what Jesus always does, is invite us to enter a deeper life. Yes, Jesus can provide for our physical needs, the feeding of the 5000 proved that – but Jesus offers us more than simply propping up our earthly life. In calling himself “the bread from heaven” Jesus was inviting the crowd to enter a deeper relationship with their Lord. Jesus wanted to them, and us, to find in him the life that truly is life. Because the life that Jesus talks about, the life that he holds out for us, isn’t the life of days and weeks, it is the life of spirit and soul. Jesus offers us true life in that part of us that can’t be satiated by physical things. It is life that is in touch with our desire for hope, for love, for joy, for peace, for forgiveness and redemption. If all those things could be filled by earthly nourishment – by the physical breads of existence, then the more you eat the happier we would be. But I think we all know that’s not the case.
Jesus knows that on the inside, at the level of soul and spirit, we often hunger for something much deeper than physical bread. And that part of ourselves, that indescribable but ultimately recognizable part of who we are, can only be filled by a connection with the one who redeems us. And so Jesus invites us to find in him everything our souls’ hunger for.
Intersecting Faith and Life.
The bread of God who comes down from heaven Jesus himself. The reason why the bread of life is eternal, the reason why we never hunger or thirst in the spiritual sense, isn’t because we have arrived at some heightened spiritual status, but because we are connected to the one who never leaves. We know that no matter what we face, the life of Jesus surrounds us and carries us. Jesus offers a love-filled invitation to come to him.
Ask yourself: Is Jesus the bread of your life? As you come to physical bread daily; do you come to Jesus on a regular basis? Do you receive from him the life he offers? Do you engage with Jesus in a deep way, digesting his presence and his word at the deepest level of spirit?
If we want to receive life he offers, the point is we need to take him deep -to allow Jesus to transform us into his likeness. Because Jesus is the only person who can fill our spiritual hunger. He is real food and real drink. Yes, Jesus is the bread of life, and all who come to him will be satisfied.
For further reading
John 6:24-34
“Are you feasting on the bread of life?” on crosswalk.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
By actively pursuing God’s wonder and praising God when you find it, you can rise above your immediate concerns and experience God’s awesome presence. So, let praise raise your perspective, and enjoy how that changes your life for the better.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Let Praise Raise Your Perspective
By: Whitney Hopler
“He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” – Deuteronomy 10:21, NIV
Life in this fallen world often feels stressful. As you manage all your different responsibilities, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Your perspective can shrink down to the level of your to-do list. If that happens, though, you can miss the bigger picture of God’s work in your life. Deuteronomy 10:21 reminds you that praising God can help you see a higher perspective. Praise can transform your perspective and bring you closer to experiencing God’s awe-inspiring presence.
Praising God is much more than a religious duty. It's a powerful practice that shifts your focus from your problems to God’s greatness. When you actively praise God, your attention moves from your immediate circumstances to the wonderful ways God is working in your life. Praising God is an act of worship that directs you away from earthly concerns and toward heavenly truths. It reminds you that God is in control, and his plans are far greater than what you can humanly understand. When you praise God, you remind yourself of God’s past faithfulness and present power, which helps you trust God with your future.
Awe is a profound feeling of reverence and wonder inspired by something majestic. It can transform your outlook on life, filling you with a sense of peace and purpose. When you take time to praise God, you open your heart to experience more of God’s majestic love and power.
You can experience awe anytime you’re intentionally looking for God’s wonderful work around you. For example, consider a time when you stood in awe of God’s creation. Maybe you experienced a stunning sunset or enjoyed the intricate beauty of a flower. Those moments of wonder are reflections of God’s glory, because every part of creation teaches you something about your Creator. Another powerful way to feel awe is to reflect on some of the specific ways God has recently answered your prayers. You’ll find that God answered in the best ways and at the best times, doing more than you ever imagined when you first asked him to help you. Meditating on Bible passages that describe God’s wonderful qualities can also help you feel awe. Letting these truths sink into your heart helps you learn more about God and why he is worthy of your worship.
Whenever you feel awe, don’t hesitate to praise God for who he is and what he is doing in your life!
Starting your day with praise is a powerful way to set a positive tone. So, try to start each morning by thanking God for something you appreciate about him, or for something he has done recently. Throughout your day, take brief breaks to pause and praise God. You can do so however you like, such as by saying a silent prayer of thanks or singing a worship song. It’s possible to praise God on the go, as well – so go ahead and take a break for praise anytime and anywhere you feel inspired to do so. Keeping a praise journal can also be helpful. Regularly write down specific ways you see God working in your life. Over time, this journal will become a tangible record of God’s faithfulness. It can encourage you whenever you read it. Listening to worship music is another powerful way to infuse your day with praise. Let the lyrics of worship songs remind you of God’s awe-inspiring greatness. Allow the music to lift your mood and motivate you emotionally to praise God.
By actively pursuing God’s wonder and praising God when you find it, you can rise above your immediate concerns and experience God’s awesome presence. So, let praise raise your perspective, and enjoy how that changes your life for the better.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how praising God goes raises your perspective, reflect on these questions:
- How has praising God in the past helped you gain a new perspective on a challenging situation?
- What is one situation you’re facing now that you could use a new perspective on?
- What is one way you’ve witnessed God’s wonderful work in your life recently that you can praise him for today?
- How can you plan to include more moments of praise in your daily routine?
Further Reading
Isaiah 25:1
Psalm 34:1
Psalm 150:6
Hebrews 13:15
Psalm 145:3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The richer we are toward God, the more filled we become with all the things, like joy, peace, and soul-deep fulfillment, the foolish man thought he’d gain through storehouses of grain.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Flourishing Through Living Richly Toward God
By Jennifer Slattery
So is the man who stores up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:21, NASB)
A few years ago, I endured a season so overwhelming, I temporarily lost hope things would get better. In my emotional gloom, I longed to quit all the activities through which I’d served Christ for nearly three decades. I wanted to find a job where I could show up, clock in and out, and perform tasks that didn’t require mental or emotional energy. But, I also strove to honor God, even in my pain, so I prayed.
He directed me to the passage surrounding today’s verse. Initially, I felt frustrated, assuming He was telling me to put on my “praise face” and return to serving Him. I’ve since discovered, while He does want me to share His love through my gifts, being rich toward God goes deeper than volunteering, giving, and speaking truth. It’s about allowing His Spirit to permeate our depths and letting Him direct our steps and mold our thoughts.
In short, God invited me to make much of Him, trusting Him to show me what that looked like in each moment. Trusting that He knew what I needed in each moment. Like the man who stockpiled wealth, I’d fallen into the trap of thinking I’d experience joy, security and fulfillment through our culture’s definition of life.
Jesus told this parable in response to someone’s request for help with an inheritance dispute. We know from God’s interaction with two sisters in the Old Testament that He cares about fairness in these matters. We also know from numerous verses in Proverbs that He encourages us to make wise financial choices. Therefore, we can assume, Jesus was addressing another matter.
Perhaps the man prioritized the family estate over relationships. Regardless, seeing his heart, Jesus told a story about someone with more wealth than he knew what to do with. After some thought, the man said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus of grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry’” (Vs. 18-19, NIV).
Verse 20 states, “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’” (NIV).
Jesus concluded the story with, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God” (V. 21, NIV).
In other words, the man’s wealth wasn’t the problem. His obsession with it, with himself, and his complete disregard for the Lord left him spiritually bankrupt and, apparently, alone. (Otherwise, I assume God would’ve stated, in verse 20, “Then your children will get what you have prepared for yourself.”)
The man stored up wealth, likely thinking this would bring him happiness, peace, security, and fulfillment. Then, he decided to mentally disengage and spend the rest of his days on a permanent vacation. He was deceived into believing he could find life in material things and momentary pleasure.
I’m reminded of the contrast Jesus described in John 10:10, when He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (NIV).
This tells me that whenever I move from Jesus and resist His guidance, I’m simultaneously moving toward increased dysfunction, spiritual depletion, and death. Death of relationships, of true and lasting peace and joy, of every good and perfect gift Christ died to give me, and eventually, an eternity spent separated from Him. The converse occurs as I grow closer to Him. Deepening our relationship through ongoing connection and trusting obedience, I experience “full” or as some translations phrase it, “abundant” life. In the original Greek, the word Jesus used has the connotation of something that has “excess all around,” is more than enough, and exceeds one’s expectations.
This is like when someone fills a glass with refreshing ice water on a hot day and keeps pouring, so the water overflows.
Intersecting Life and Faith
The richer we are toward God, the more filled we become with all the things, like joy, peace, and soul-deep fulfillment, the foolish man thought he’d gain through storehouses of grain.
When the devil says I’ll find happiness through an exotic vacation or expansive home, I’ll remember Jesus’ promise to give me a life that overflows. When I struggle to prioritize my relationship with God above my career or bank account, that demonstrates I don’t fully believe His promise or ability to fulfill it. I’ll then view this as an invitation to experience the Lord more deeply so I can indeed “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:18, NIV). I’ll recognize my faulty thinking as an opportunity for Him to remove my spiritual blinders so that I can see Him and life as they truly are.
That’s something Jesus loves to do. The One who died that we might live will lead us toward every spiritual blessing available through Him. That is our most precious inheritance.
Additional Reading:
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 10:1-18
Romans 8:31-39
1 Corinthians 2:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If you aren’t usually a morning person, consider exploring the act of waking with the Spirit for one week. It might take a few days to get into the habit, so be patient. While Christian culture might portray a certain set of circumstances/materials as “essentials” for time with God (cue the coffee, candles, journal, and fancy pen), the truth is that the only thing that’s essential for time with God is a willingness to listen and be in his presence.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Walking (and Waking) in the Spirit
by Deidre Braley
Galatians 5:16-17: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
In the middle of the book of Romans, we find Paul making the world’s most relatable confession: “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (7:18-19).
Poor guy. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was a parent, crying after bedtime and wishing he hadn’t lost his temper again. That’s always my shortcoming, at least. Maybe you have your own—that sin that keeps creeping into your days, hard as you try to kick it. Often referred to as a besetting sin, it’s the specific kind of brokenness that you’re especially prone to falling into—the kind that, as Hebrews 12 puts it, “clings so closely” (v.1).
When the Holy Spirit comes to reside within us, we are thrown into a rather peculiar state: Our spirits desire the Kingdom of God, but our flesh desires the stuff of this world. And it’s as though the Spirit and the flesh are each holding onto one end of the same rope and then walking in opposite directions. The two want different things—and we are caught in the center of that tension.
Is it any wonder that James gives such an ardent warning when he says, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” (4:4). We’re in the middle of a fleshly-spiritual battle. On any given day, the desires of the flesh could give a good hard tug on the rope and we’d go tumbling, once again, into the same brokenness Jesus came to free us from.
Intersecting Faith & Life
If there’s one thing I’ve discovered about this battle, it’s that my daily chances of walking with the Spirit are much better when I wake with the Spirit.
On the mornings when I oversleep, our children barge into the bedroom and bombard me with requests, complaints, and noise. When I get out of bed, I am my full-flesh self: under-caffeinated, combative, and short-fused. It’s not pretty. And unless I am able to reset and spend some intentional time with the Lord, my day progresses in that fashion. I give in to the desires of my flesh—and end the day feeling an awful lot like what Paul is talking about.
On my better mornings—the ones where I set my alarm and rise before everyone else—I brew a pot of coffee and tiptoe onto the back porch. I wrap up in a king-sized blanket and listen to the birds and to the crickets and to God. I feel a supernatural peace settle below my sternum, as though I have stepped into the Spirit and the Spirit has stepped into me. And when the kids wake, I am able to sing and laugh and smile. As the day goes on, I am drawn back, over and over again, into the conversation with God that began before the day did. The difference is immense.
See, there is power in starting the day with God, inviting the the Spirit into every moment ahead of us. When we do this, we join the side of the Spirit in the tug of war that’s happening over our souls. We set ourselves up to walk by the Spirit for the day, rather than the flesh. James puts it this way: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8).
If you aren’t usually a morning person, consider exploring the act of waking with the Spirit for one week. It might take a few days to get into the habit, so be patient. While Christian culture might portray a certain set of circumstances/materials as “essentials” for time with God (cue the coffee, candles, journal, and fancy pen), the truth is that the only thing that’s essential for time with God is a willingness to listen and be in his presence. So just allow yourself to go into this practice of “waking with the Spirit” with an openness toward experiencing him—perfectly curated environment, optional.
At the end of the week, reflect on any changes you’ve noticed in your:
- perspective
- intimacy with God
- mood
- mental health
- overall sense of wellbeing
- ability to walk by the Spirit when temptations arise (especially in the area of any besetting sins)
If you’ve noticed positive change from the practice of waking in the Spirit, incorporate it into your daily routine for the next week, and then possibly the next. You might find, over time, that you’ve made a lifestyle change that significantly impacts the trajectory of your days.
Further Reading:
- Romans 8:1-11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Continue to submit to Him, follow Him, and love Him. Choose to refrain from leaning on your own understanding and start leaning on God. Through studying the Bible, you will start seeing things as God sees them as well as you will understand His will better.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Is God Calling Me to Switch Careers?
By Vivian Bricker
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Many people have a good idea of what they want to be after college. College prepares us for the workforce and equips us with everything we need in order to get hired. However, sometimes later in life, we want to change our career. This could be due to a change in leadership at the company where we are working or simply losing interest in the career.
If you are finding yourself in a position where you feel God is calling you to switch careers, rest in the peace that this can happen. There are times when God calls us away from the field we are currently working in and wants us to move to a new career. If you feel God is leading you to switch careers, it would be wise to listen to His call.
God knows what is best for us and it is good to include Him in all of our decisions. Even if we might not understand God’s direction at the time, we can trust in His goodness. He will never lead us into a bad situation. If you are afraid of leaving your current job, leave space for this fear, but also allow yourself to think about the beautiful things God has in store for you.
If you are not sure God is calling you to change careers, go to Him in prayer. God hears and listens to every prayer. When you pray to Him, ask Him for His guidance and instructions. He will answer and make His paths known to you.
Be specific in your prayers and do not be afraid to pray big prayers. If you are specifically asking God about a career change, ask Him clearly. By praying to God, you will be acknowledging your dependence on Him. God is ultimately in control and the more we depend on Him, the safer and calmer we will feel. We can trust God because He is fully reliable, faithful, and trustworthy. Take your prayers to Him today and ask Him to reveal His plans for your life.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The best way to clearly understand God’s will and directions is by listening to Him through His Word. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
It is important for us to trust in God and lean on Him rather than our own understanding. In all our ways, we need to submit to Him and He will make our paths straight. These simple instructions from Proverbs 3:5-6 are applicable to us when we are looking for a change of career and feeling as though God is leading this desire. If we submit our ways to God and we follow His instructions, our paths will be made smooth.
Focus on this truth and allow it to give your heart joy. God is going to make His will known to you. Continue to submit to Him, follow Him, and love Him. Choose to refrain from leaning on your own understanding and start leaning on God. Through studying the Bible, you will start seeing things as God sees them as well as you will understand His will better.
In addition to seeking out God through prayer and Bible study, we also need to communicate and seek out confirmation from trusted believers in our life. Trusted believers will be able to help us in many ways. For one, they can pray for us and second, they can provide us with immeasurable advice, feedback, and suggestions. Schedule sometime this week to talk with a few trusted believers and listen to any thoughts they have about you changing careers.
It is good to look for trusted believers who will actually tell you their thoughts. You don't need to be surrounded by advisers who will only tell you what you want to hear. This is not helpful and it can actually be extremely detrimental. Instead, choose to enlist help from trusted believers who will be discerning and thoughtful as they help you navigate this major life change.
Some trusted believers might also feel God is leading you into a new career path; whereas, others might tell you this is not where God is leading. In other words, some might confirm your career change and others might tell you this is not a good move. Take special note of their thoughts and ponder each of them thoughtfully. Avoid starting arguments if they disagree with you.
Instead of arguing, ask them why they feel as though God is not calling you to a new career. They could provide you with needed advice from the Bible or recently revealed answered prayers in their own life. Listen to them and value their opinions even if they might be different from your own. Take their advice thoughtfully and allow it to form your final opinion.
“Dear Jesus, please give me guidance as to which career I should switch to. I want to glorify You through my career change and ensure the call to change comes from You. Since I trust You with my salvation, I know I can also trust You with my career. Please give me direction, Lord. Amen.”
Challenge Questions:
- Is God calling me to a career change? If He is, where do I go from here?
- Is there anything holding me back from obeying God?
- Who is a trusted Christian I can ask for advice and clarity in this matter?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ask God to open your eyes to the opportunities to serve and to give you the strength and wisdom to act on them. Pray earnestly for more laborers – including yourself – to be sent into God’s harvest. Your work will be worth it!
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Consumption or Contribution?
By: Whitney Hopler
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” – Matthew 9:37-38, ESV
In our materialistic world, we are constantly bombarded with opportunities for consumption. It’s easy to spend our valuable time on activities that bring us temporary entertainment but little lasting value – from scrolling on social media and binge-watching TV shows to shopping or eating too much. While moments of rest and recreation are important, we must guard against allowing these activities to dominate our lives and distract us from our higher calling.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 9:37-38 remind us of the vast opportunities for meaningful work in God’s kingdom. The harvest is plentiful. There are countless ways we can make a positive difference in our communities, churches, and beyond. Yet, the laborers are few. Many people are caught up in consumption, missing the chance to contribute to God’s work.
Just as farmers work diligently to gather their crops during harvest season before the cold sets in, we too must diligently make good use of the opportunities God places before us to reap a spiritual harvest. We have a limited window of time to plant seeds of faith, hope, and love that can help people grow spiritually. God calls us to be laborers in his harvest. This means prioritizing the work God has prepared for us over excessive consumption. When we focus on contributing rather than consuming, we fulfill God’s purposes for our lives. We become instruments of God’s love, shining God’s light into the darkness of a world in need.
Consider how you spend your valuable time. Are you investing it in ways that contribute to God’s kingdom, or are you caught up in consumption? Are you using your God-given talents, or neglecting them? Seek God’s guidance to discern how he wants you to use your time – and what opportunities there are to use the distinctive talents God has given you. You may serve in your church, start a volunteer project in your community, mentor someone, or simply be present and available to those around you. Every small act of service contributes to the larger harvest.
The harvest season is a time of hard work but also of great rewards and joy. As a laborer in God’s harvest, you are called to gather people into God’s kingdom and to help others grow in their faith. You can do so by sharing the Gospel and living a loving life that shows people the reality of God’s love in action. This work will not only fulfill you, but also will bring joy to your heart and to God’s heart.
Imagine a field ripe for harvest but left unattended because the laborers were distracted by lesser things. The crops would wither and spoil. It would be a tragic situation of valuable opportunities lost. Likewise, when if you allow yourself to be consumed by trivial pursuits, you miss the chance to make a lasting impact for God’s kingdom. Our world is in desperate need of hope, compassion, and truth. You can help people find those treasures when you choose to contribute rather than consume.
Remember that the call to be a laborer is not a burden but a privilege. God has uniquely equipped you with gifts and talents to make a difference. When you choose contribution over consumption, you step into a life of purpose and fulfillment. You become part of something much larger than yourself – God’s great plan of redemption and restoration.
As you see fields being harvested, let it be a visual reminder of the spiritual harvest around you. Ask God to open your eyes to the opportunities to serve and to give you the strength and wisdom to act on them. Pray earnestly for more laborers – including yourself – to be sent into God’s harvest. Your work will be worth it!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how much the world needs what you can contribute as one of God’s laborers, reflect on these questions:
- How much time do you spend on entertainment and consumption each day compared to contributing to God’s kingdom?
- What specific talents and gifts has God given you that you can use to serve others?
- In what areas of your life do you feel God calling you to be a laborer in his harvest?
- How can you create a balanced schedule that allows for rest and recreation while also prioritizing meaningful contribution?
- What steps can you take today to shift from a mindset of consumption to one of contribution?
Further Reading
Ephesians 2:10
Colossians 3:23-24
Galatians 6:9
1 Peter 4:10
Romans 12:11
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we live through the word of God, the way he intended us to live, for him.. through him. That is when we experience true joy, and can use that joy to spread the word to the world.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Are you taking time to listen well to others before responding? How can you respond more like Jesus? Are you quick to listen to the Holy Spirit or do you jump to respond in your flesh? Pray and ask God to help you live this out.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Who Are You Listening To?
Written By: Emma Danzey
James 1:19 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Listening has never come naturally to me. I have grown tremendously in this skill and calling as a believer over the past couple of years especially. You can truly only build deeper friendships and invest in the next generation if you listen to them. When I was a young girl in school we would always take the dreaded end of the school year tests. I never thrived at reading comprehension since I was a slower reader and dealt with the insecurity with that. I also never performed well at the listening portion. Basically the fact that I am a professional Christian writer is only an act of God today. He can take the unlikely and use them for His glory alone.
When the teacher would read the portions for us to listen and answer questions to afterwards, I would overthink, zone out and wonder what was the most important thing that I should have heard. I was so overly concerned with performing well that I missed the big picture and got hyper focused on often the wrong details. In life, we can easily do this in our walk with God. There are so many voices trying to speak into our lives and gain our attention that if we are not careful, we can turn our focus towards the wrong things and miss the voice of the Lord. Today as we break down James 1:19, may we remember that there are many opinions and thoughts in this world, but only one voice of God.
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this”
James begins this verse with an endearing message to his fellow believers. He calls them (and us today) brothers and sisters. His approach to the hard topic is kindness and humble care. He continues with the importance to take note of this. James wants his readers to know that what he is saying is important, so listen up!
“Everyone should be quick to listen,”
Everyone means all of us. James teaches us that by the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we should be quick to listen. I normally do not hear the adjective quick with listen. I feel like listening would pair more naturally with a word like patience, stop what you are doing and listen, or slow down and listen. Quick to listen reminds us that in a moment’s notice when we want to provide a knee-jerk response, we need to quickly listen. We need to be fast at doing what is unnatural to us in order to live by the Spirit and not our flesh.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to do this and we need to pray to Him in moments when we need to hear what others are truly saying and also in times when God is speaking to us. We do not need to wait, but we need to have open ears and a fast response to hear our Lord just like a soldier would quickly listen to the instructions from His commanding general. Do we take the voice of the Spirit this seriously? We need to be on our guard and ready to hear Him, especially when we are trying to actively listen to others who need to hear the gospel.
“Slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Where do we tend to go when we are not quick to listen? We speak too soon and often become angry. If we do not take the time to truly listen to others, we can be overly concerned with a response and an argument versus truly shepherding and caring for the other person’s heart. We see Jesus model this so many times with the Pharisees and religious leaders on this earth. He was quick to listen to them, even though often they were testing Him and questioning His authority.
He did speak back to them and respond, but He was always strategic and allowed them to question Him first. Then, sometimes he did become angry, however He was slow to anger. Jesus exhibited humility, kindness, compassion, and confidence in His Father’s will and kingdom. We too can live this out in being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Are you taking time to listen well to others before responding? How can you respond more like Jesus? Are you quick to listen to the Holy Spirit or do you jump to respond in your flesh? Pray and ask God to help you live this out.
Further Reading:
- Proverbs 18:13
- Matthew 26:41
- Galatians 5:17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
You may or may not go to church looking for God's presence. You may or may not feel like you need God to reveal God's self to you in some way, but God’s presence, and God’s power define the church. The church, amid all its flaws and humanness, is like a big neon sign from the God saying, “If you want to find me, you can find me here.” Even today, the church is the house of the Lord.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Longing for the Church
“My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Psalm 84:2
When you were young, did you ever find yourself giddy with excitement when going somewhere? Maybe it was a theme park, maybe it was grandma’s house, maybe it was a long trip, but internally you were fueled with joy and excitement. Like a kid before Christmas, you couldn’t fall asleep - and if you did, you dreamt of what you would do when you got there.
Have you ever had that experience on your way to church? Every block you pass on your way makes your heart leap into your throat; you are filled with excitement. I am willing to be not many of us have had that experience. But this is exactly what Psalm 84 calls us to.
Psalm 84 centers around a pilgrimage to the Temple. For the psalmist, there was no greater thing than approaching the house of the Lord. The joy that is felt is not because the temple was beautifully adorned. The psalmist has a divine longing to be in the temple because the temple was the dwelling place of God - and to be in the temple I was to be in God's presence. What is more, to be in God's presence was to experience the wonder of God's divine activity.
Do we have a similar understanding when we step through the front doors of our local churches today? Or do we view the church only in human terms, as a place to sing religious songs, to hear scripture read, to touch base with faithful friends? If we view the church only through the lens of what we do, we might fail to recognize what God does in our midst. Because the church is the place where we gather to meet the God who created, redeemed, and sustains us. And God is present in the church.
In many ways, contemporary society has lost an understanding of sacred space. Life with God has become so individualized, that we tend to downplay the importance of the church as a place of God. A common quip is 'I don't need to go to the church, I can worship God as much on the golf course as anywhere.' And that's true, but do you? Yes, God is everywhere, even the psalmists understood that, but scripture always holds that there is something special about God’s house. Psalm 84 begins 'How lovely is your dwelling place, O God;' how perfect, how wonderful, how magnificent is the place where God sets God's glory. See, for the psalmist, if God's presence was in the temple in some magnificent, unique, yet indescribable way – then there was no other place that he would rather be.
We come to church to be in God's presence and to open ourselves to divine activity. Because God is not just some passive observer. God never naps in church. God is always moving, always active. Whatever the denomination, whether you meet in a building with a spire or in someone’s home, whether the church is liturgical, charismatic, this is the nature of the church that we are invited to enjoy.
Intersecting faith and life
Psalm 84 declares that the Lord bestows favor and honor and does not withhold good things. Are you needing good things in your life, a good resolution, a good report, a healing? Are you needing a reinvigoration of life, or a sense of protection from whatever you may be going through? It may sound odd, and it may sound countercultural, but have you tried going to church? After all, what is the church, if it is not the place where we gather to meet God's loving and grace-filled presence, and to receive good things from God’s hand.
Of course, understanding God's presence and activity doesn't mean that things will turn around in a moment. Psalm 84 isn't a poem of prosperity declaring that God will make you healthy, wealthy, and glad all your days. No, life with God is a journey. The psalmist says “Blessed are the ones whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” The ones who receive God's activity are those who long to move closer to God, even when the path is ruff and the hill is steep, and even in those times that you think that the journey isn't worth it. We are called to keep reaching out to God. Because rough times never discount God's presence or activity. And through the church, God always invites us to God’s self.
You may or may not go to church looking for God's presence. You may or may not feel like you need God to reveal God's self to you in some way, but God’s presence, and God’s power define the church. The church, amid all its flaws and humanness, is like a big neon sign from the God saying, “If you want to find me, you can find me here.” Even today, the church is the house of the Lord.
For Further Reading:
Psalm 84
What is the church? On biblestudytools.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We can overcome the world and its struggles because Jesus already has. Rather than trying to take matters into our own hands, we need to trust in Him, allow Him to direct our steps, and apply His teachings into our lives. Whenever we feel without hope in our trouble or distress, we need to remember that the Lord has overcome the world and we can take heart in this promise.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Jesus Has Overcome the World
By Vivian Bricker
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
If there is one thing I’m familiar with, it’s trouble. Growing up, I often found myself in the vice principal’s office for a myriad of reasons. Due to having a speech impediment when I was younger, I would often say things incorrectly, which would then be taken the wrong way. I was also notorious for coming up with different names for teachers and people at the school because I was never good with names. For example, instead of remembering Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones, or Mr. Hanks, I would make up a name for them, based on what they looked like, such as “turtle man,” “Mr. Giraffe,” and “the alien.”
As one could imagine, the vice principal didn’t enjoy being called an alien. In addition to being sent to the vice principal’s office for mispronouncing words and referring to teachers by different names, I often had a hard time calming down if someone said something about my family. There was one specific girl who always tried to get me upset by saying something mean about my mom or my sister. One day, this girl made a very derogatory remark about my mother, to which I called her a few bad words that I had heard from my father. Yet again, this landed me in the vice principal’s office.
“Vivian, you’re a good student. Why are you always in my office?” This is what I was asked each time I was in the vice principal’s office. I explained the situation to him and while he understood why I was upset, he told me it was never right to say bad words or to call people mean names. He validated my feelings that what she did was wrong and he would talk to her about it, but that it didn’t make it right for me to be mean back. Rather than following after anger, he cautioned me to follow after peace.
I’m not sure if he knew how much his words affected me at 9-years-old, but it did change many of my future actions. When this girl would be mean to me, I would tell her that she was just mean. I didn’t go any further than that and I did my best to try to apply what the vice principal had told me. This girl was still mean to me, but I no longer fed into her cruelty. I chose to strive for peace.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Lord tells us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus tells us here that we will have trouble in this world, but we can take heart because He has overcome the world. Through the Lord, we can have peace. While we cannot fully obtain peace on our own, we can obtain peace through Jesus.
Troubles will abound in our life, but we can trust in the Lord. He has already overcome the world, therefore, there is nothing for us to fear. We might cause trouble or we might be the victim of trouble, but we can take heart because of the Lord. Due to living in a fallen world, sin is ever present and we will face many difficult times. We will hurt others and they will hurt us.
None of us want to hurt others, yet it is part of living in a sinful world. With this knowledge, we need to allow it to lead us to follow Jesus and strive for peace with all people. We can overcome the world and its struggles because Jesus already has. Rather than trying to take matters into our own hands, we need to trust in Him, allow Him to direct our steps, and apply His teachings into our lives. Whenever we feel without hope in our trouble or distress, we need to remember that the Lord has overcome the world and we can take heart in this promise.
Challenge Questions:
- What does taking heart look like in your life?
- Are there any troubles you are facing today? How can you bring them to Jesus today?
- When life feels overwhelming, remember that Jesus has overcome the world. How can you praise Him for this today?
“Dear Jesus, You have overcome the world! I praise You and I thank You. Please help me to remember this when trouble is at my door. I have often caused trouble for others and others have caused trouble for me. Help me to follow after Your example and to strive after peace. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.”
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When Joshua finally led the Israelites into the Promised Land, it was because of God’s powerful presence along the way. The new work you’re starting can also be successful when you trust God while you work. As you step out in faith, be encouraged that God is with you and will never leave nor forsake you. God’s presence is your strength, his promises are your hope, and his faithfulness is your assurance.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
God Goes with You
By: Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’” – Deuteronomy 31:7-8, NIV
September is a month of new beginnings. As summer fades into fall, many of us are considering taking on new projects and responsibilities at work, church, or community organizations. These transitions can bring a mix of excitement and apprehension, as we think about the important work God is leading us to start doing.
In Deuteronomy 31:7-8, an older leader – Moses – addresses a younger leader – Joshua – in front of all Israel. Joshua is about to take on the monumental task of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. Moses encourages Joshua that God goes with him as he sets out to do what God is leading him to do.
Just as Joshua faced the challenging task of leading a nation into uncharted territory, you too might be stepping into something new and unknown right now. Whether you’re starting a new job or new project at work, beginning a new volunteer role, or moving forward with another kind of new opportunity, uncertainty about the future can be stressful. However, the Bible’s assurance that God goes before you can bring you the encouragement you need. God is not only aware of your future, but he is actively involved in orchestrating every detail of it. God’s presence is not limited by time or space. God is already in your tomorrow, preparing the way and setting the stage for your success. By the time you get there, God will still be there, and God will be with you every step of the way as you do your new work.
When you remember that God goes before you and with you, it relieves your stress and gives you courage. Your journey may have unexpected twists and turns, but none of them catch God by surprise. God has already mapped out your path and equipped you with everything you need to navigate it well.
Moses’ encouragement to Joshua to “be strong and courageous” is a powerful reminder that your strength and courage come from your trust in God. You don’t need to worry about having what you need yourself. All you have to do is simply trust God. If you just trust God, you can be both strong and courageous. Joshua was stepping into Moses’ important yet challenging role, leading people to a vital destination while enduring complaints and rebellion. The task ahead was formidable. But Moses reminded Joshua that his confidence should be in the fact that God was going with them.
In your own life, you may face situations that seem beyond your capability. You might feel inadequate, unprepared, or afraid of failure. Yet, it’s precisely in those moments that God calls you to trust him more deeply. Your strength comes from recognizing that God is with you, empowering you to fulfill good purposes. Since God is with you, you can do whatever God is leading you to do – even if you feel afraid. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward in faith despite fear, trusting that God will provide what you need every step of the way.
As you step out in faith, remember that you are part of a larger story. The new beginnings you face are part of God’s larger plan for your life. Your journey may include some challenges, but God’s faithfulness ensures that God’s purposes for you will prevail. God is with you with every step you take – guiding, protecting, and providing for you.
When Joshua finally led the Israelites into the Promised Land, it was because of God’s powerful presence along the way. The new work you’re starting can also be successful when you trust God while you work. As you step out in faith, be encouraged that God is with you and will never leave nor forsake you. God’s presence is your strength, his promises are your hope, and his faithfulness is your assurance.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how God goes with you as you step out in faith to do what God is leading you to do, reflect on these questions:
- What new beginnings are you facing right now?
- How can you remind yourself daily that God goes before you in your new journey?
- In what areas of your life do you need to trust God more deeply for courage and strength?
Further Reading
Joshua 1:9
Isaiah 41:10
Matthew 28:20
Psalm 32:8
Proverbs 3:5-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The purpose of fostering a Christ-like community is to share the same love God has shown us. He called us to spread the Gospel and the only effective way to do that is through community. What we must remember is that our time on this Earth is limited and so many of us don’t realize just how limited.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
How to Foster Christian Community
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, CSB)
How We Neglect Community
A lot of us have thoughts on community. What it is, what it is not, but most of us don’t know how to create community. Not exactly.
We do know how to start or at least keep a few relationships. Namely our friends, close relatives. Yet, hardly ever do we venture out from within those oh-so-comfortable bubbles. Perhaps, that is why our country is more divided than during the Civil War. Perhaps that is why loneliness, especially for men, is at an all-time high. The church isn’t exactly the same as the culture, not yet, but we certainly do imitate society. And on the subject of sticking to our comfort zones, being afraid to meet new people, and avoiding those who don’t think like us, we fall right in line with the nonbelievers around us. Thus, we diminish our ability to foster community.
If we are to live up to Jesus’ example, then we must recognize that creating communities happens when we make relationships with people, those with similar values like our friends, those we are familiar with like family, but also those with much less common interests. Community as Jesus created was not just the people who thought exactly as He did. Jesus knew those who loved Him, but also those were rejected by society, even the people living deep in sin.
Now, to be clear, Jesus was not friends with everyone. He was clear about what was sinful and what was virtuous, and Scripture admonishes us not to be unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14). What we ought to take away then was that Jesus created community with those who were not opposed to community with Him. To be in community is to be in relationship with others. Relationships that may be deep or simplistic, but they are all intentional.
As Christians we have a tendency to get excited when talking about community in the abstract, but when the opportunity comes to talk to strangers, estranged family members, people with different beliefs than us, suddenly the idea of community becomes much more difficult. However, difficulty is no excuse for inaction.
Just as Jesus’ disciples learned how to interact with one another and carry on Jesus’ means of fostering community, we must do the same. Only after recognizing the ways in which we neglect community, we can then start finding ways to create it.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If you genuinely want to foster community, but have not developed the skills needed to do so, then here are several practical steps you and I can take today to move in that direction.
Start With Genuine Interest
Many people spend more time talking about themselves as opposed to listening to another because of where their interest lies, in themselves. We can counteract this and form community by being curious about other people. Genuinely curious. Authenticity gives people a positive behavior to emulate and makes them feel more comfortable being around you.
Asking Questions
After curiosity comes questions, questions that help us get to know one another better. We don’t need to understand other people completely, but we should want to understand them enough. Enough to honor them and honor God, enough to make them feel like a part of the Body of Christ.
Be sure to ask more than one question too. Listen to the information they provide and follow up based on the response.
Listen to Understand
Who can relate to the experience of sharing something personal only to be cut off by the very person who asked you the initial question? Some people listen to respond and not to understand. If we are genuinely curious about people, then we want to get to know them better. We already know our thoughts and values, but we don’t know the other person in the same detail.
Look for Interaction
Aside from asking questions and listening, you should aim to do stuff with people that offers other forms of engagement. Attend a social event where you will get a chance to interact with someone you know. Party games are another great way to get to know people with low stakes. Ask someone out for coffee or a walk or lunch, again, with the goal of community.
Making People Feel Seen
The purpose of fostering a Christ-like community is to share the same love God has shown us. He called us to spread the Gospel and the only effective way to do that is through community. What we must remember is that our time on this Earth is limited and so many of us don’t realize just how limited. Jesus described life as a “mist” (James 4:14). Redeeming the time we have well means loving God wholeheartedly. We can’t do that if we neglect community.
Further Reading:
Proverbs 27:17
Matthew 28:18-20
1 John 4:19
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Take a moment to analyze your life. Are there any areas you realize are out of control? Are there areas that you indulge in that have become idols in your life? It is easy to have these idols creep into our lives. With God, we always hope to push those idols aside and allow ourselves not to be mastered by anything.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
“Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
As a writer, I need specific technology and equipment, including my computer. One ordinary day, I was writing several article assignments, and suddenly, the computer screen went blank. Curiously clicking keys and starting and restarting the computer, I found it would only start up to shut down and restart repeatedly. The screen went blank at that moment, and I froze in fear. I had many thoughts: what if I couldn't get my files off my computer? What if I've lost everything? What if I can't get my laptop to work? I started feeling fearful, but that fear began to overtake me. Racing thoughts and overthinking situations sometimes get the best of me.
I talked it over with my husband, and he tried to reassure me that everything would be OK. He took the computer to the store, hoping to restore the files off my laptop. I had an extraordinary amount of peace. I had peace because even though I felt fear over what I had lost, I didn't want the fear to overtake me.
This feeling of peace was not usual for me. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I had every reason to be fearful. I was in the middle of a project when the computer screen went black. I wondered if my computer had backed up all my files. Without it, I would have lost two years' worth of articles, book proposals, and other important documents that I could never recover.
I prepared myself for the worst, thinking I had lost them all. But the computer store was able to get the computer started again, and when I checked my computer, all the files were there! I was so grateful. But I was still surprised at my unexplainable feeling of peace.
In this life, we will always encounter fear. Anxiety and fear are a natural part of life. But it's our reaction to it is what God honors. Even when I feel anxious, I don’t have to give in to that fear. I can do what I can to face my fears and experience life despite my fears.
When I run to God rather than run to my fear, God is glorified. In the above verse, we must understand that we have freedom in this life. We can do what we want because of Jesus’ death on the cross. However, we don't want anything to overtake us in life so much that we cannot worship God. Anything that takes over our thoughts, feelings, and actions more than it should become an idol in our lives.
This verse refers to gluttony and sexual immorality. We don't want to indulge in any sinful behavior that may overtake us in the end. For example, we can certainly eat and enjoy our food. In the same way, within the proper context, sex is made to be enjoyed. However, when it is distorted, with practices such as pornography, lust, or other behaviors, or if we find ourselves lusting over dessert, our flesh has taken over. We don't have God in the proper place.
When God is worshipped above all else, food and sex become behaviors that we can enjoy but don't overtake us. In this life, we hope that we cannot be mastered by anything. We can choose to do whatever we please. But when those things overtake our lives, they must be put in the proper perspective.
Take a moment to analyze your life. Are there any areas you realize are out of control? Are there areas that you indulge in that have become idols in your life? It is easy to have these idols creep into our lives. With God, we always hope to push those idols aside and allow ourselves not to be mastered by anything.
Father, help us not let simple behaviors overtake our thoughts, behaviors, or actions. Please help us know that you are to be first in every area of our lives. We always hope that even if everything seems out of control, you are a God who can heal and deliver us from sinful behaviors. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Do you struggle with fear? What steps can you take to trust God?
What can you do to rid yourself of idols in your life?
Further reading
2 Timothy 1:7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Next time you wonder how a good God could allow such sorrowful moments and seasons, will you consider the beautiful blessings they also hold? Notice how those divine presents make you feel in the midst of the treacherous-at-times storms? If you look for him, look for them, you will find his continual blessings. Radiant touches of joy, heart swelling doses of love, generous infusions of peace, and invaluable portions of purpose.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
The Blessed Life With Jesus
By Keri Eichberger
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. (Psalm 84:5)
Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t know how they do it,” when referring to someone who doesn’t seem to place their faith in Jesus through difficult times, while they’re going through their own strenuous struggle? I have. And I’ve said it. Recently in fact. On multiple occasions.
I 100% don’t think I could have survived the rough patches of my life without the Lord to lean on. Like last month, staring out the window as the paramedic lifted my dad on a stretcher into an ambulance while my family was on vacation. The site left me paralyzed with vicious waves of knock-your-breath-out fear. Weakened by the moment, I collapsed in the chair in our rental house, and all I felt I had was the Lord's name to call on, to beg for peace, mercy, and a miracle. I’m pretty sure I would’ve stopped breathing without his almighty calming hand to hold. And then there were the many days that followed – the unknowns, ups and downs, sleepless nights of worry and what ifs after Dad’s sudden stroke – that then slowly became sprinkled with blessings as I began to sturdy my gaze on the Lord. Without Jesus, the chaos of my heart, head, and surroundings would’ve missed the strength supplied through those around me, along with the peaceful reminders that my cares were being cared for. And regardless of me.
Blessings. I would’ve missed so many blessings without the rock solid foundation of our good God.
The Bible says, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you.” Blessed. Yes, I’m learning more and more what it means to have a blessed life. I’m learning it doesn’t necessarily mean we will live in a state of constant comfort, contentment, and happiness. Because I’m learning and understanding that quite the opposite is actually true. That this world is really hard, and it hurts. The more and more we live it, in fact.
Also true, and I’ve seen this time and again, that the compounding weights we weather have the capability to crush most people unless they have eyes that see Jesus. An awareness of blessings born with, and beaming through, the burdens, tragedies, and traumas.
Reflect with me for a minute. Consider some hard things you have endured or are enduring right now. Can you tie any blessings at all to those difficulties? Maybe an unpleasant, unexpected detour opened a door to a bit of goodness that would otherwise never have been. Possibly a relationship was formed or strengthened through the trial? Perhaps stronger bonds of intimacy were created with the Lord as you clung closer to him? Or you offered or received acts of service that blessed someone or gave you the sweet gift of purpose? These blessings are truly the greatest gifts. They are gifts that the world could never dare to give. This is the blessed life with Jesus.
When visiting the hospital recently over my dad’s five week stay, when trying to encourage him with the good shining through his hard season, I shared how I’ve grown closer to the Lord through this difficult storm. Which is priceless. And I’ll soon let him know, now that he’s just returned home, how I’ve grown in a closer relationship and connection to my mom too. Yet another precious and priceless gift from God.
Yes, God warned us of the trouble and trials to be in our time on earth, but he most certainly promised the good here, too. Aww, thank you, Lord.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Next time you wonder how a good God could allow such sorrowful moments and seasons, will you consider the beautiful blessings they also hold? Notice how those divine presents make you feel in the midst of the treacherous-at-times storms? If you look for him, look for them, you will find his continual blessings. Radiant touches of joy, heart swelling doses of love, generous infusions of peace, and invaluable portions of purpose. God’s never failing faithfulness and always available abundance. The blessed life. Which only comes from a life lived close with him.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Lord sees everything we do! As believers, we don’t live for today; we have an eternal hope. For those of us alive in Christ, our eternal rewards are far greater than anything we can experience on this earth.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Finding Comfort in an Uncertain World
By: Laura Bailey
“Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.” Ephesians 6: 6 NIV
Political tension has been high in the last few years, but recent events seem to indicate that people across parties are experiencing uncertainty and doubt in governing authorities. While it may be the first time we have experienced political unrest in our lifetime, the Bible is replete with examples of wicked leadership, divisiveness, and abuse of earthly authority.
Not one to overly concern myself with the happenings in our national capital in the past, recently, I found myself gripped with fear and anxiety over the direction of leadership. When my heart begins to race, and I feel tempted to naw at my fingernails or grab the box of cookies, I’ve turned to the Scriptures for comfort. Specifically, I’ve meditated on Ephesians 6: 5-9 and the words of Paul on how we should submit to earthy authority. While this section of text speaks specifically to enslaved people, there is much we can apply to our lives today.
Paul is telling enslaved people and servants the importance of obedience to the ones who are in charge of them: their masters. Paul shares three ways to obey: with respect and fear, sincerity of heart, and as if they were submitting to Jesus Christ.
Paul is not advocating slavery or justifying the actions of those who enslave others, as Paul often speaks against slavery and works to free those in bondage. Remember, Paul was held in chains and jailed numerous times, encouraging us, no matter the circumstance, to live for the glory of God. Paul never let his circumstances, the countless times he was beaten, unjustly accused, or imprisoned, dampen his enthusiasm for Christ and sharing God’s love.
Other texts often use the term “slave” or bondservant to describe one’s relationship with Christ. A bondservant always served with a heart’s desire to bring glory to God—not just when people were looking, not when it was advantageous for them, but when no one was around—because they knew they ultimately served the Lord.
And the Lord sees everything we do! As believers, we don’t live for today; we have an eternal hope. For those of us alive in Christ, our eternal rewards are far greater than anything we can experience on this earth.
As we think about this today, those in positions of authority need to take extra care and think of how they treat those they lead. Leadership shouldn’t be taken lightly, and it’s crucial that if we find ourselves in a position of authority, we continue to ask the Lord to create a clean heart, making our motives pure and our desires aligned with His will.
While on earth, we make distinctions between social classes, job titles, and economic backgrounds, God makes no distinction; we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord. God is the ultimate righteous judge and requires that we live a life worthy of the gospel in whatever our authority position (or lack thereof). Abuse of authority is not to be tolerated. Instead, this relationship ( like a husband-wife) should be marked by a mutual desire to honor the Lord.
I’ll be honest: this section can be hard to digest. They are, as I like to say, “ preach easy, live hard” kinds of messages. But, the key takeaway in these verses is that when we have the proper perspective, we understand that everything we do, the reason we were created, is to bring glory and honor to God. It is clinging to eternal hope in Christ that we can obey and submit to the earthly authority that the Lord places in our lives because we know that it is not human masters we serve but the Lord.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
As we embark on the upcoming political season, let me encourage you to find a healthy balance of media consumption. While it is important to understand current events and how they will affect our lives, remember who has the ultimate authority over your life. Be sure to start each day in Scripture and prayer. Pray for those in authority; pray that the Lord will guide their decisions.
For Further Reading:
Romans 13:1-6
As a Christian, How Involved Should I Be in Politics?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If we are fortunate enough to die of old age, perhaps we’ll be patiently or eagerly awaiting what is on the other side, but one thing we can do right now is have faith. God has not called us to live in fear of anything else but Him, and even that biblical fear is a reverential attitude towards the Lord. Loving, acknowledging, and trusting in His majesty.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Are You Afraid of Dying?
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2)
The Greatest Fear
I’ve been told that public speaking is a greater fear than death for most people. Perhaps that is true, but if you told someone they had to speak to a crowd or die at that very moment, my guess is that most people would stomach their discomfort and talk. They may fumble their way through the speech, but they would be alive. So many people enjoy being alive in the physical sense. But that enjoyment is fueled by a fear of what comes afterward.
Does that describe you? Are you afraid of dying?
I had a chat with a friend recently, and he spoke about his fear of death. Since he doesn’t believe in Christ or an afterlife, he talked about how after we die, we cease to exist. Imagine that. It’s true that most of us won’t go down in history books. The people we know and love will also eventually pass away. Any memory of us will fade. Ostensibly, we vanish into nothingness. This image of death is rather bleak, and I imagine that’s the case for anyone who doesn’t believe in something more. For them, this life is all there is. Once it’s gone, nothing awaits.
However, the thoughts shared by my friend are not exactly unique. I know Christians who have been fearful of death. They avoid thinking about it as much as possible and focus on living life. Similarly, I, too, have, at different points in my existence, been afraid of death. However, God has not called us to live a life of fear. Not to death. In fact, God has given us reason not to fear death at all.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Jesus conquered the grave.
Perhaps the main reason believers should not fear death is the victory Jesus has claimed on our behalf. He died and was punished for our iniquities. The damnation that would have found us no longer will because of the sacrifice Christ made. If you believe in that sacrifice, then reaffirm your confidence that Christ has taken care of you. Death will find you, but Hell will not claim you. You are one of God’s children.
Scripture talks about Heaven.
I remember talking to my mechanic about his near-death experience. He told me that he actually did technically die, but was brought back. Before that happened, he spoke of a field that he was standing in. He said he had never felt so much peace and that he didn’t want to come back. That experience reassured him that Heaven is real. Now, I can’t advocate for believing in people who talk about coming back from the dead and recount experiences Of Heaven or Hell. Maybe some of them are telling the truth. What we can say with certainty, however, is that the Bible makes mention of Heaven a few times. We don’t get the full picture, but we definitely get hints. Jesus Himself talked about His father’s house having “many rooms.” He’s preparing a place for you and me. Maybe death will catch us by surprise, but not Jesus.
God has not given you a spirit of fear.
Whether you fear death, public speaking, or something else, God has not called us to live a life of fear. There’s a reason that Scripture tells us over and over again not to be afraid. Two reasons, actually. One, fear is a natural part of our sinful nature. It’s a consequence of not accepting what we can’t control or understand. The second reason is that God wants us to know that he is bigger than our fears. Any fear. We stop panicking when we start trusting.
Fear the Lord, not death.
If we are fortunate enough to die of old age, perhaps we’ll be patiently or eagerly awaiting what is on the other side, but one thing we can do right now is have faith. God has not called us to live in fear of anything else but Him, and even that biblical fear is a reverential attitude towards the Lord. Loving, acknowledging, and trusting in His majesty. When we do that, we realize that this life is meant to be enjoyed, but this enjoyment is but a fraction of what’s to come.
Heaven is real, and it is so much greater than this life.
Further Reading:
Revelation 21:4
Isaiah 41:10
2 Timothy 1:7
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ponder your own sin in light of Jesus’ healing power in your life. How can you live a life of gratitude and kindness to love those who are most avoided or forgotten like Jesus did?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Jesus Goes to the Untouchable
By: Emma Danzey
Matthew 8:2-3 says, “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”
When we think about how horrific leprosy was, this poor man must have been suffering in isolation and pain. I remember back to the time of COVID when there was so much concern and distancing from those with the illness. Although it was not their fault, they were carriers of something threatening to others. They not only suffered, but many suffered alone. Leprosy was the “COVID” of Biblical times. Although less prevalent in the US, this disease is still around today.
The American Academy Dermatology Association shares, “You may notice one or more of the following: Numbness in your hands or feet, fingers and thumbs curl (leaving you unable to straighten them), eye problems, eye sores, eventually blindness, and loss of a finger or toe.”
This disease is very treatable today in the US, but was one of the worst diseases to catch in Biblical times. Everyone avoided you and lepers were often living in colonies on the outskirts of town. It was a challenging life.
A man with leprosycame and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’
This man knew that his only hope was Jesus. The Messiah who had come would be his only opportunity to be healed of this awful disease. I love how this man boldly approached Christ and knelt before Him. The way that he asked Jesus, calling Him by the name Lord showed that he had faith that Jesus was God. Then, in his humble posture, he made a humble statement, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” This man acknowledged that Jesus could heal him, but he trusted that if it was God’s will then it would happen.
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said.
The incredible moment led Jesus to the response of touching the untouchable and telling the man that he was willing. If anyone should have been “afraid” of unclean people, it should have been Jesus, God is perfectly holy and unholy cannot be in His presence. However, this is why Jesus came, to step into our messes and our sinful states. When we surrender and declare that Jesus is Lord, He reaches out and rescues us from our sins. We are all spiritual lepers, without hope and cure, but Christ came to heal us and to restore us.
“Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”
Jesus spoke the words to the man to be clean and this leper was no longer a leper anymore. His faith led him to freedom through Jesus. It was an immediate healing. When we accepted Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sins, we too have immediate healing from our sin. We are free.
After these verses, we have the joy of reading in verse 4, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’” Jesus was not ready for others to know about Him yet. His time had not come. However, Jesus tells the man to go to the priest and present the offering for the Old Testament to be restored to the community.
Jesus knew that this man was clean, but He still honored the law so that this man would be brought back and accepted into the town. Jesus restores us and then brings us into community with His church. We are called to be One in Christ with all believers. No matter how rough someone’s “sin disease” was before coming to Jesus, we are supposed to welcome them into the family of God.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Ponder your own sin in light of Jesus’ healing power in your life. How can you live a life of gratitude and kindness to love those who are most avoided or forgotten like Jesus did?
Further Reading:
- Luke 15:7
- Luke 19:10
- Romans 1:15-17
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Take a moment and look at your life. Do you taste and see that God is good? Do you see dire circumstances or trials as punishment by God? Or do you see them as a redirection where God is moving you into areas where you can better serve him? Do you know God is good, or do you see trials as punishment?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Taste and See
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him (Psalm 34:8 NIV.)
Because of some bad blood work results during a doctor's visit, I was informed that I needed to take control of my diet. My doctor recommended an anti-inflammatory diet, which meant no soy, gluten, or dairy. I told my husband it's called the “no fun” diet.
With this news, I had to switch my mindset from having whatever I wanted to more specific foods. This caused me to go to the grocery store and be more vigilant about looking at labels and seeing what ingredients my foods contain. At first, I was sad about the change, unable to eat what I wanted or have fun, and I gave up many of my favorite foods. I adjusted to this new lifestyle and reflected on why God might do it. Reflecting and praying, I realized something: I put my worship into my food.
There's nothing wrong with having things that you enjoy. Although there’s also nothing wrong with eating and enjoying food with friends while we are enjoying a fun activity, it becomes a problem when I would rather eat foods that I want and have fun that way than take charge of my health and make healthier choices so that I can live longer and serve the Lord. When I rebel and eat what I want out of convenience or preference, I make an idol out of food. At first, it felt like I was being punished, but I realized God was redirecting me to a healthier lifestyle to provide better service to him.
Instead of tasting and seeing that the Lord is good, I was too busy tasting foods and allowing that desire to rule my life rather than my desire to serve the Lord. God gives us glimpses of who he is. In heaven, we will know God in full. But for the present, we may not experience him thoroughly to understand his goodness. Other things in my life that thwart my attention from experiencing God entirely are food, shopping, watching TV, etc.
It hinders my ability to serve him wholeheartedly. My heart is divided between fleshly desires like eating and shopping and godly desires to serve him and see that he is good because the temporary fulfillment I find in eating and shopping fills the voids I feel when challenging circumstances cause me to become weary and tired.
I must fully yield my life to him to taste and see God's whole goodness. This does not mean I can’t have fun activities like shopping or eating, but I must stop when they consume my thoughts or actions. If I have indeed tasted the Lord’s goodness, I’ll be able to stop fun activities from overtaking my life. When other things consume my life, I’ve made an idol out of them. Experiencing the Lord’s whole goodness means I can squash idol worship more easily.
Take a moment and look at your life. Do you taste and see that God is good? Do you see dire circumstances or trials as punishment by God? Or do you see them as a redirection where God is moving you into areas where you can better serve him? Do you know God is good, or do you see trials as punishment? When our hearts are entirely devoted to him, we can taste and see that he is good. When our hearts are divided, we make idols in our lives that, when erected, become more difficult to knock down.
Anchor yourself to the word. Read and know God intimately through the pages of the bible. Read and hear his voice regularly. Experience him as if he were your friend. Walk in step with him daily.
Father, let us experience you fully. Let us taste and see that you are good. Let us see you in those moments that don't make sense for times when we feel like you are distant or punishing us. Let us know that you are always working things on our behalf. Your goodness extends every situation in our lives. Help us to see your goodness and experience that entirely in our lives. Amen.
Intersecting faith and culture
In what ways do you feel you have not experienced God fully?
Are there things in your life where you may have erected an idol? How can you rid yourself of that idol today?
Further reading
1 Corinthians 10:23
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Anything and everything we are given the ability to do, is a gift that we have the blessing to be a part of. But we should most certainly continue to call on God for direction, for what to start, and what to stop.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
God Wants Us to Let Go and Let Him
By Keri Eichberger
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psalm 55:22)
Bone tired. These were the first words that came to my mind this morning as I sank into my bedroom desk chair preparing to open my devotional and Bible. I quickly squeezed in fifteen minutes of prayer time to amp up my strength to face the day, then rushed off to begin knocking off my to-do list tasks.
“Rush-rush” was the season of life I had found myself in. My family’s summer had made an abrupt sharp turn when my dad suffered a brain hemorrhage while we were vacationing and celebrating Mom and Dad‘s 50th wedding anniversary. Combine that with an already fully loaded three months with the kids off school, I was determined to step up my game, meet all predetermined needs, and fill-in any new additional gaps.
For a few weeks, I sailed through the rough waters, seeming to settle each wave a bit as I passed through. In fact, as I reflect back, there were even a few bright rainbows amidst the storm. Reminders that God was the one doing the actual heavy lifting and that his blessings never ceased to pour out in various shapes and sizes, and at unexpected and most needed moments.
But, a day quickly came that became apparent I was trying too hard to do too much. When life felt flipped upside down and I, with great honor, pride, and purpose, jumped in to serve my parents, I didn’t acknowledge my need to make sufficient life-space by letting something else loose. And, like I said, God divinely allowed me extra strength to keep all the balls in the air. But as the scales tipped from doing all things in love that were coming at me, to trying to control my whole world, I started to collapse. It’s almost as if God absolutely wanted, in his perfect grace, to gift me the ability to briefly go above and beyond, but he also absolutely never meant for me to assume all control of anything. And so I suppose he was A-OK to allow me to tire to the point of reminding me of just that.
God wants us to let go and let him.
How does this resonate with you? Do you feel tired right now? Are you trying to keep way too many balls in the air too? Trying to cut through the crest of one giant wave after the next in the deep dark waters of your life? It’s very possible God also wants to remind you to let go a bit. And let him do what he is already doing. Carrying and caring for all things.
I’m feeling a bit convicted as I write because after zipping around town this morning to and from appointments and obligations, then returning to my two six-year-olds, yet again, zoning out on devices, I decided to take immediate control of that sore site too. No more brain rotting on my watch. Nevermind the fact that I was exhausted. Nevermind the 100% truth that God is absolutely the one who will ultimately shape my littles’ little minds. Yes, he has control of them too. But neglecting this sovereign truth, and the better choice to release control to God and rest, I forewent the pause in order to squeeze into the only one and a half hours I had to get the girls a little exercise, vitamin D, and a brain cleanse.
So here I sit poolside while they splash and play device free. But hey, at least I decided to pick up my pen and a journal, which actually is quite therapeutic rest for me. So, I suppose in the best way I felt I could, I did work in and prioritize a sort of rest. But the point is this: I need to learn to pause. We all need to learn to pause. We need to let go when the overloads of life begin to wear us down. And remember God‘s already got all the things in his care. Anything and everything we are given the ability to do is a gift that we have the blessing to be a part of. But we should most certainly continue to call on God for direction, for what to start, and what to stop.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Consider something with me today. If you’re feeling bone tired like I felt this morning, will you determine with the Lord what you need to let go of a bit? Will you release it and rest in the way that he is speaking to you to rest? Because, let us not forget, our loving Lord wants you to let go and let him. He will sustain you. Today and every day.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We can have confidence that our prayers aren’t falling flat or fading away into nothingness. Like Revelation 5:8 reveals, our prayers are preserved and still at work long after they are spoken. “And when He had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
By Lynette Kittle
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”--Galatians 6:9
Each morning, my husband and I pray together for each other, family members, neighbors, friends, acquaintances, leaders, world issues, and more, depending on how God is leading us.
While praying for some individuals and situations for years, at times, it can seem like we are just going through a list, day-after-day, year-after-year. Yet we keep at it, knowing God hears, listens, and answers prayer. As Psalm 66:19 assures us, “But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.”
Pushing Through the Hard Times in Prayer
When prayers for someone or a situation seem to go on endlessly, the enemy often tries to discourage us from praying, urging us to give up and causing us to believe God isn’t going to answer or doesn’t want to answer our pleas.
As well, it seems like the more we pray for an individual or situation, the worse it gets, like it’s headed in a completely different direction than we’re praying for. During this time, it can seem like our efforts are in vain, yet we know that 1 Thessalonians 5:17 urges us to “Pray continually.”
When praying seems hard at times, we can look to Daniel in the Bible, who knew how to keep pushing through difficult times of prayer. As Daniel 9:3 describes, “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”
What’s Happening When Answers Aren’t Coming Through?
Often, we don’t understand what’s holding up answers to our prayers or why we aren’t seeing God fulfill our requests. The book of Daniel offers insight into what may be keeping our answers at bay.
Daniel had a troubling vision that led him to some serious praying, yet it seemed that with all his efforts, he wasn’t receiving an answer. Not understanding why he wasn’t receiving answers, God sent Gabriel to give Daniel insight and understanding (Daniel 9:22), saying, “As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision” (Daniel 9:23).
Then, later on, seeking answers again after three weeks of mourning (Daniel 10:2-3), Daniel experienced another divine encounter. “I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like topaz, His face like lightning, His eyes like flaming torches, His arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and His voice like the sound of a multitude” (Daniel 10:5-6).
“He said, ‘Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.’ And when He said this to me, I stood up trembling. Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.’” (Daniel 10:12-14).
Believing God Is At Work Through Our Prayers
James 5:16, emphasizes the power of prayer, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
During times of pushing through prayer, Psalm 126:5 reminds us, “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
In Luke 18:1, Jesus encouraged His disciples to always pray and not give up. Like Winston Churchill urged people on October 29, 1941, his words ring true, too, when it comes to feeling discouraged and doubtful in prayer: “This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
The devil wants us to give up and stop believing that God hears and answers our prayers. But 1 John 5:15 urges us to hold on: “And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.”
We can have confidence that our prayers aren’t falling flat or fading away into nothingness. Like Revelation 5:8 reveals, our prayers are preserved and still at work long after they are spoken. “And when He had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you feeling worn down and weary praying? If so, ask God to strengthen you to keep praying and to never give up.
Further Reading: 4 Ways to Pray About Anything
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-bible-verse/4-ways-to-pray-about-anything-bible-study-minute-december-27-2017.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Honoring our Parents Well
By: Laura Bailey
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV
Paul’s gift of connecting orthodoxy( doctrine) to orthopraxy ( how to apply) is one of the reasons I love the book of Ephesians. Paul informs his audience about what they believe and guides them to a deeper understanding of why that matters and how that should change how they live.
The first half of Ephesians is “informational training,” and the second half is “on-the-job training.” In chapter 6, Paul shares specific ways Christians should live, applying the truths he spoke about in previous chapters. Paul outlines how we can live like Christ's followers—specifically, in these verses, in our homes.
We see a brief set of instructions for children in our key verses, Ephesians 6:1-3. It’s important to note that Paul speaks to children who still live in the home and are under their parent’s authority. While the biblical principles Paul addresses, such as godly obedience, apply to children of all ages— in terms of submission and being under parental authority, these instructions aren’t directed towards the adult children/parental dynamic.
Growing up in church, I often heard that God desires children to obey their parents. These verses were usually used to encourage good behavior, focusing on a child's outward actions rather than the inward heart’s motivation—which is what Paul is addressing here.
Paul shares that children are to exhibit godly obedience, one that is not rooted in blind submission but in the heart’s desire to submit to the Lord and those whom the Lord places in authority over their lives. The family dynamic between parental authority and child submission is an allegory for the relationship we all should have with our Father in Heaven.
Why should children obey their parents? Because it’s the right thing to do! Paul drives home the point that children following their parents' instructions isn’t just a suggestion; it’s an expectation. Yes, there will be times, countless times, when it will be difficult to submit to their leadership. Parents often give instructions, guidelines, and rules that are difficult for children to digest; they want to know why, and it’s in our human nature to rebel against authority.
But Paul gave this command under the premise that parents love and protect their children and that children obey them until they live independently.
Paul then speaks about honoring our fathers and mothers, which refers to the 5th commandment (Exodus 20:12), which states, "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." The fifth commandment is the first one that comes with a promise—precisely when it was first given, the promise was to the children of Israel that they would live a long, blessed life in the promised land. However, in a broader application for us today, children who respect and honor their parents will likely have an easier time in life, as obeying our parents is the cornerstone of understanding submission to authority.
It’s important to note that honoring our parents doesn't guarantee that we will live to be 100 years old, be rich, or have a life of ease. Instead, the promise shows us that the Lord both commands and rewards us to respect those in authority over us. We will experience less conflict, division, and personal strife—and ultimately, we will experience our eternal reward in Heaven.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Take some time and read through Ephesians chapter 6; if you can, read through the verses in different translations of the Bible. Have you ever noticed that “instructions for Christian households” come right before Paul encourages us to put on the armor of God? Why do you think this? How might a firm understanding of the first half of chapter 6 prepare us to receive Paul’s closing remarks?
For Further Reading:
Ephesians 6
3 Reasons for Tensions Between Adult Children and Parents
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If we follow our selfish ambition or conceit, it will lead to destruction—at breakneck speed. Jesus, on the other hand, teaches us that the road to life looks a lot more like walking, stopping, talking, and allowing ourselves to move at the speed of love. Just like vehicles have built-in governors to prevent them from driving at dangerous speeds, God gives us speed governors for our lives, too—the people we’ve been entrusted to love.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Love: The Ultimate Speed Governor
By Deidre Braley
Luke 8:45: And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?"
I am a get-it-done girl. I come by it honestly; efficiency and tenacity have been passed down through the women in my family tree, and my genes are wired in a way that makes me want to get the most things done in the least time possible.
So I often feel exasperated when I’m forced to slow down. The other day, my dog and I were out for a jog, and just as my favorite song came on and I hit my stride, he was hit by an irresistible smell from a passing bush. He came to a screeching halt—and I nearly popped my shoulder out of joint. Frustrated, I tried to drag him along, but he’s a stubborn little thing, and finally I gave up and let him sniff the bush, then the grass, then the clover. I thought to myself, It’s his walk too, I guess.
I haven’t adapted that easily to the interruptions of motherhood though. I wish I could say that I’m naturally the type of mother who enjoys baking with her toddlers, who welcomes the dawdling independence of a two-year-old dressing herself, or who’s content with long, sprawling days spent playing blocks and make-believe. But I am not.
In truth, as a dreamer and a doer, I’ve had more moments than I care to admit when I’ve thought, If only I could just do this on my own, it would be so much faster. I could get so much more done. When I catch myself putting projects over people, though, I remind myself of the interruptibility of Jesus.
In Luke 8, Jesus is on his way to Jairus’ house. His daughter is dying, and it’s urgent. But as he’s moving through the crowd and people are pressing in on him from every side, a woman who’s had an issue of bleeding for twelve years reaches out and touches the hem of his cloak. She senses that she’s been immediately healed, even without a face-to-face interaction with Jesus. Now, Jesus could have kept moving, could have left it at that. But instead, amidst the great haste and urgency of the crowd, he stops. Luke 8:45 recounts, “And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” He puts aside his agenda and stops to have a conversation with the woman in order to heal not only her body—but her spirit.
While he is stopped, someone comes from Jairus’ home to announce that his daughter has died. It seems, for a moment, that Jesus’ willingness to be interrupted has had fatal consequences. But then he goes to the little girl, raises her from death, completes his mission.
From Jesus, we learn that loving others is the priority—even when that loving is inefficient, inconvenient, or downright untimely. Philipians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” It’s true that living this way slows us down, and that if we were only living for ourselves, we’d probably get a lot more done. But maybe that’s exactly why God gives us people to care for: in order to slow us down, limiting our propensity to run towards selfish pursuits, which is a road to disaster.
If we follow our selfish ambition or conceit, it will lead to destruction—at breakneck speed. Jesus, on the other hand, teaches us that the road to life looks a lot more like walking, stopping, talking, and allowing ourselves to move at the speed of love. Just like vehicles have built-in governors to prevent them from driving at dangerous speeds, God gives us speed governors for our lives, too—the people we’ve been entrusted to love.
Intersecting Faith & Life
Today, practice being interruptible. Remember: people are more important than projects or progress. This could like:
- Talking with the person at the cash register ringing out your groceries.● Putting your phone in another room when you’re spending time with your children.● Looking your spouse in the eyes as they tell you about their day.
- Noticing people throughout your day (at work, in the coffee shop, on the bus) who looklike they could use a smile, a kind word, a listening ear—and giving that to them.
Further Reading
Luke 8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What would it look like for you to take it easy and to let go of your record of wrongs? Perhaps, take a second to repent and then receive God’s grace for you. He doesn’t look at you and see every mistake you’ve ever made; He looks at you and sees the righteousness of Jesus. He loves you and will continue to help you.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
How to Move Forward when Sin Keeps Returning
By Kelly Balarie
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” – Prov. 29:11 NIV
I feel so angry at myself, and I can’t seem to let it go. Friends, I know, I know... God forgives me, so I need to forgive myself (in fact, I must forgive myself), but sometimes forgiving oneself is more easily said than done.
The issue is -- I didn’t overlook an offense and, therefore, became explosive in my tone of voice. I unleashed it on one I love. The issue is that this wasn’t the first time this had happened either. It’s embarrassing to say that I have done it a couple times in the last few years. The issue is that I had resolved not to do this, ever, and I did it again. Oh, the frustration of it all…
Have you ever given full vent to your offense?
It’s so easy to do. In those moments where we’re wronged or a slighted, it’s easy to feel justified to be upset. The cause is righteous so, of course, we should stand up for it, with force. We know the action is right because we’re standing up for a person. We’re standing up for God’s truth, so we have every right to not let the other person believe a lie.
The need to release offense and to stand up for something – can feel so right, yet it can be executed all wrong. That’s what I’m learning, anyway.
For me? In those moments before I spoke, the words brewed inside, burning to be released. Finally, the second the other party provoked me – I hit a high-pressure point! Then, like a tea kettle screeching under the heat -- I gave full-vent to my anger.
What pressures you to let loose your annoyance, anger or offense?“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” - Prov. 29:11 NIV
Friends, I can’t help but be confronted with the thought: Two wrongs don’t make a right. There is a way that seems right to a man but leads to death (see: Prov. 14:12). And there also a way that seems wrong to man but leads to calm in the end.
In order to go the right way, we cannot permit feelings of flesh to hinder us from heeding God’s Word.
And, what do you do if, much like me, all the actions you thought were right have led up to a million repeated wrongs? How do you handle the face of all your mistakes?
Here, Proverbs 29:11 comes to mind again, “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
We are foolish to give vent to anger, even towards ourselves. Wisdom embraces calm and extends itself the grace of Jesus.
Letting go, we can choose to take it easy.
Why? Because Jesus’ grace is always enough. Because Jesus’ grace is equipping, empowering and enabling. Because Jesus’ grace is alive and well.
This means, He will help us going forward.
God is the Author and the Perfecter of our faith story and, best of all, our story is not over. God is still perfecting it. Here, we can take it easy on ourselves and let it go…God always has for us a fresh start in Christ Jesus. It’s time to let go…
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What would it look like for you to take it easy and to let go of your record of wrongs? Perhaps, take a second to repent and then receive God’s grace for you. He doesn’t look at you and see every mistake you’ve ever made; He looks at you and sees the righteousness of Jesus. He loves you and will continue to help you.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The more we yield to God’s Spirit within us, and courageously yield to His promptings, the more we experience the abundant, beyond expectations, deeply fulfilling life Christ promised. God still advances His plan. Our disobedience won’t thwart that.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Seizing God Moments, written by Jennifer Slattery
“From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us” (Acts 16:12-15, NIV).
When my daughter was young, my marriage and my life were a mess. My husband and I fought all the time. He held a demanding, high stress position with the railroad that often kept him away and left him exhausted when he was home. I was lonely and battling roots of shame that often caused me to react to challenges and conflict with defensiveness instead of love. We were in significant debt yet continued numbing our pain through shopping. As you can imagine, that didn’t help our relationship. At one point, things became so bad, my husband and I met with a divorce attorney, ready to end it all.
But then one day, while walking through our neighborhood with my daughter in her stroller, I encountered a woman who invited me to her church. She didn’t say much more than that. I didn’t know her, had never seen her before, and never saw her since, but I did go to church the following Sunday.
That church, and the people there, changed my life, saved my marriage, and helped me learn an entirely new way of living. My daughter is now 26 and a precious woman of God. She and her husband lead a small group for young adults. Praise the Lord, they both have a lovely relationship with one another and me and my husband. And I wonder, where might she be, and how might her childhood have looked different, had that woman not responded to the God moment to invite me to church?
And, if she’d reached out and I’d responded with hostility or disdain? While she might’ve felt a brief sting of rejection, I doubt she would’ve carried the heavy cloak of regret.
Thinking of today’s passage, and all that occurred after, provokes similar questions. Where might Lydia and her family have ended up, had she, those with her, and Paul not responded to the Holy Spirit’s prompting on the Sabbath mentioned in Acts 16? In our culture where a decreasing number of Christ followers regularly attend church, I’m struck by the fact that Lydia and those women took time to meet at the river.
Let me explain the historical background. Regardless of how many God-following women occupied a city, the location needed at least ten Jewish men to form a public faith gathering. Therefore, we can reasonably assume, fewer than ten Jewish men lived in Philippi. In such cases, Jews customarily met at rivers to pray, hoping a traveling Rabbi would stop by to teach them. I don’t know how many women gathered at the river the day Paul arrived, but people would’ve considered their number insignificant. I imagine there were numerous Sabbath’s during which these women didn’t encounter a Rabbi. And on those occasions in which they did, how many Jewish leaders stopped to teach a group of women? From my perspective, this seems unlikely.
Did Lydia and her companions ever consider staying home? They certainly could’ve prayed there.
Yet, they were at the river, connecting with God, the day Paul, led by the Spirit, happened by. Because of this, they heard and responded to the gospel. But Lydia did more than that. She also invited Paul to her house, which scholars believe became the first Christ-following church in ancient Europe.
But I’m also struck by Paul’s behavior, especially when one considers how people viewed women at this time. As I mentioned, although they considered ten Jewish men sufficient to form a synagogue, they found the number of Jewish women irrelevant. Therefore, one might expect Paul to pass them by. But he didn’t. Responding to the Holy Spirit, he seized the God moment, told them about Jesus, baptized these new believers, and accepted Lydia’s invitation to stay at her house. This became the Philippian church, which, as I mentioned in a previous devotional, became a major source of support for Paul.
Intersecting Life and Faith
We all encounter numerous God moments each day; divine invitations we either accept or decline. We’ll never know the beauty we could’ve witnessed from those incidents we disregard or rationalize away. But the more we yield to God’s Spirit within us, and courageously yield to His promptings, the more we experience the abundant, beyond expectations, deeply fulfilling life Christ promised. God still advances His plan. Our disobedience won’t thwart that. It will, however, rob us of the joy of knowing God used us to impact a life.
Thankfully, when fear holds us hostage, we can ask God to embolden our faith and empower us to live for Him.
Further Reading:
Ephesians 5:15-17
Isaiah 30:21
Acts 1:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Every night we have the choice, as our head lays down on our pillows. We can cry out to God and pour our hearts out to Him, giving Him our burdens. Or we can bottle it up and toss and turn.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
What If We Really Gave Our Burdens to God?
By Sarah Frazer
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” - Psalm 55:22 (ESV)
“Do you need help?” I asked the toddler struggling with the groceries. He grabbed the bag with spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, and ranch dressing.
“I got it!” was the confident reply. The next thing I knew, a jar of spaghetti sauce was rolling down the driveway. My son ran after it and caught it before it broke into pieces. The bag was too heavy, but the toddler insisted that it wasn’t. He needed to let me unload that burden for him.
What heaviness do you hold today that needs to be unloaded?
My toddler thought that he could carry it on his own, but that bag was too much. Often we face trials and burdens in our life that we think we can handle. In fact, we look at others and think they seem to be handling the same type of burdens just fine on their own. Only in our hearts we know that we can’t hold up on the weight of the heaviness. I wonder if some of us need to admit that we need help.
The world says, “You’ve got this!” and “You are enough.” This is not the way of the Bible. Our lives weren’t meant to be lived independently. That isn’t how God created us. As Christians we have something even better than doing life on our own. We have a God who is ready to carry our burdens for us.
The Bible talks a lot about what to do with our burdens. The word used in Psalm 55:22 for “cast” means “throwing away.” This can mean literally throwing something out like garbage or figuratively throwing something away from us to remove something from our presence. We are called to cast or throw out those things in our lives that weigh us down.
A burden can be anything in our hearts or minds that keeps us from living freely in Christ. It is a load or a task that requires effort. Throughout the Old and New Testament, God tells us what to do with our burdens.
Psalm 68:19 says, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” I love the word “daily.” It assumes that we have things weighing us down each day. You and I know what it is like to release something to God one day, but then the next day, we find ourselves worried and worn down from picking it back up again. God walks with us each day. He is there to help us each time we find ourselves weighed down.
In the New Testament, Jesus talks about burdens in Matthew 11:28-30. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” We still might carry the weight of something, but sharing it with Jesus allows us to not bear the thing all by ourselves. Jesus calls us here in Matthew 11 to live a life dependent on Him.
1 Peter 5:6-7 says that we can cast our anxieties on him. Other translations change the word for anxieties to worries, fears, troubles, and cares. Those things that keep us awake at night or occupy our minds during the day are anxieties. Why can we bring them to God? Peter says it is because God cares for us. He loves us. Sometimes, we ask others around us to help carry our burdens, but they get tired, too. They have their own burdens to carry. God is never tired and nor does His love ever run out. We can always come to God and hand over our cares.
How do we do this? We pray. Prayer is our connection to God. He is always listening (Psalm 116:1), and He answers us (Psalm 116:2). As we pray, we tell God everything in our hearts. You might think, “But He already knows it.” Yes, but He knows that when we share those cares and hurts and burdens with Him, we are lighter.
Every night we have the choice, as our head lays down on our pillows. We can cry out to God and pour our hearts out to Him, giving Him our burdens. Or we can bottle it up and toss and turn. If I try to handle things on my own, I always end up failing. But if I rely on God, letting my burdens fall on His strong shoulders, I am able to rest each night.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is the burden that you are carrying right now? Pray, asking God, to take this burden away or lighten the load. Know that God is in control and is working everything for our good (Romans 8:28). How is knowing God is in control and working all things out a comfort for you today?
Further Reading:
Romans 8:28-29
Isaiah 41:13
Isaiah 40:11
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Psalm 18:6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Even though God is not the one tempting us, He allows us to be tempted, as we discover through the story of Job. It’s hard for us to fully understand why God would give permission for Job to experience such sorrow, loss, and hardship.
But we do see through Job’s testimony, many truths about God are revealed, and He is glorified.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
By Lynette Kittle
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”-- James 4:7
In the 1960s and 1970s, comedian Flip Wilson created a character named Geraldine, who coined the phrase “The devil made me do it,” whenever she wanted to do anything wrong.
His portrayal of human nature, to blame our sins on the devil, hit home and made people laugh at the truth of it. Although, like Geraldine, many of us also like to blame the devil for our sins, James 1:14 explains, “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”
Even though we try to push it off on the devil to take the fall for our misconduct, God calls us to take responsibility for it. Like James 1:15 describes, going from temptation to sin is a growing process within us. “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
If Evil Desires Lead to Temptation, How Was Jesus Able to Be Tempted?
Unlike us, who have been born with sin residing within us, Jesus wasn’t led to temptation by an inward desire because He had no sin. Matthew 4:1 explains, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
Although He was led by the Holy Spirit, God was not the one tempting Jesus. James 1:13 explains how, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.”
Jesus shows us how to submit to God by submitting to His word, as He did when tempted. Each time the devil tempted Him by distorting the truth about God, Jesus corrected him with the truth of God’s word.
Who Tempts Us?
Like 1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
As Job 2:2 describes, “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.’”
Even though God is not the one tempting us, He allows us to be tempted, as we discover through the story of Job. It’s hard for us to fully understand why God would give permission for Job to experience such sorrow, loss, and hardship.
But we do see through Job’s testimony, many truths about God are revealed, and He is glorified.
Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
3 Steps to Take
It seems submitting to God is the difficult part of resisting the devil, because when we are willing to do so, the fleeing part comes easy. Following are three steps to take when facing temptations that will help us submit to God.
- Rely on the faithfulness of God. 1 Corinthians 10:13 encourages us that “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
- Don’t depend on your own strength. Some temptations may seem so strong and attractive, that it doesn’t seem humanly possible for us to resist them, which is true; if we try to depend on our own strength, we’ll surely fall into them. Like Proverbs 3:5 instructs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
We need to resist thinking that we can handle temptations on our own, because we cannot. Philippians 4:13 directs us where to turn for that strength. “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
- Believe that God will give you a way out. When God allows us to be tempted, He promises it doesn’t have the power to overtake us unless we let it, because He will provide a way out.
In times of temptation, we can believe what God has said and turn to Him, believing what He has assured us, that He will lead us out of temptation, like Jesus prayed, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).
Intersecting Faith & Life: If you’re facing temptations in your life this week, ask God to stop them from growing into sin and death, trusting Him to help you submit to Him through the three steps discussed.
Further Reading: How to Overcome Temptation: 4 Ways
https://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/kelly-balarie/how-to-overcome-temptation-4-ways.html
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We try to satisfy the cravings we feel in so many ways, like food, social media, over-achievement, and television. But being attuned to—and in step with—the Father is often the true sustenance our bodies, brains, and souls are starving for.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Food of the Father
by Deidre Braley
John 4: 31-34:
Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."
But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."
Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?" "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
On the day Jesus met the Samaritan woman by the well, his disciples eventually caught up with him and—right in the middle of his salvation business—they told him to stop and eat. “Meanwhile,” John 4:31 says, “his disciples urged him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’”
They’re like Italian nonnas here, saying, “Eat, eat, I tell you!” They’re being practical, of course. They want to make sure Jesus’ needs are met. He’s likely done a lot of walking in the hot sun, and it could have been a long time since he’s last eaten. Like so many of us would, they’re thinking with their stomachs!
But I have always found Jesus’ response fascinating. He didn’t take their bread or grab a handful of grapes. Rather, “...he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you know nothing about’” (John 4:32).
The disciples were confused. Where could it have come from? They all looked at each other, asking, “‘Could someone have brought him food?’” (John 4:33) What—and who—could be feeding Jesus?
As it turns out, the food Jesus was talking about wasn’t fish or figs, or anything else of that nature. “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34).
Scripture doesn’t tell us how the disciples responded, but I imagine them standing mid-bite with their jaws open, probably with crumbs stuck in their beards. A revolutionary thought, yes? That something so spiritual as obeying God’s will could satisfy a need so physical within Jesus’ body?
The disciples mistakenly believed that the food Jesus needed was the stuff of this earth, when really he was seeking the substance of Heaven—the food from the Father. How often do we have the same misunderstanding about what we need most? When we experience deep cravings within ourselves, or a hunger we cannot place, we have a habit of turning to the stuff of the world:
chocolate cake, Instagram, overachieving at work, or marathon sessions of our favorite TV shows.
But afterward—once the sugar high has passed, the promotion has come, or the social media post stops getting likes—that craving is still there, insistent as ever. As C.S. Lewis famously said, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” Indeed. While it’s true that our bodies need fuel, this shared human hunger goes far beyond the necessity for food: it’s a void that can only be satisfied by being in touch with and obedient to the Father.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
We try to satisfy the cravings we feel in so many ways, like food, social media, over-achievement, and television. But being attuned to—and in step with—the Father is often the true sustenance our bodies, brains, and souls are starving for.
Today, take notice of your cravings, whether it’s the desire to go on social media, overindulge, overwork, or something else altogether. Ask yourself:
- What prompted this craving?
- What is at the heart of this craving?
- How will my body-brain-soul feel after I indulge this craving?
Now, pause and pray. Ask God:
- Is this craving actually pointing me to a need I have in you?
- What do you want me to know today, God?
- What do you want me to do today?
- Will you please show me how to satisfy this desire in a way that is holy and pleasing toyou?
Further Reading:
- Psalm 37:4
- Matthew 6:25-34
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
His grace is greater than our worst sins in the past and big enough to cover whatever sins we commit tomorrow. We know Him and have a Spirit-bound relationship with Him, again, through faith. And finally, through Christ and all we have in Him, we have the power and authority to resist the devil’s most relentless schemes.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Living With Assurance by Jennifer Slattery
“I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
14 I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one” (1 John 2:12-14, NIV).
Early in my faith journey, I carried an underlying fear that perhaps I wasn’t really saved. This fear intensified when I went through a season of doubt. I worried that the very fact that I was questioning certain tenants of my faith, including the authority of Scripture, meant I didn’t truly belong to God and hadn’t actually yielded my life to Him. I wonder if you can relate. I have not yet met anyone who has completely yielded to Christ. We all have sinful behaviors that hinder our intimacy with Him, doubts we need Him to replace with truth, and fears that hinder our obedience.
Simply put, we are all in the process of transformation. And if we’re not anchored in God’s grace, our weaknesses, flaws, and the constant accusations from the devil can cause us to doubt our salvation.
This seems to be a challenge experienced by the people to whom John wrote the above passage. I understand why, considering the influence evil was trying to wield in their community. False teachers had risen among them and were spreading a counterfeit gospel known as Gnosticism. Among other things, these heretics claimed salvation through enlightenment rather than through faith in Christ. This, apparently, caused those who hadn’t received some “special knowledge” to doubt their salvation.
John wrote to them to counter this destructive teaching and to assure the first century Christ followers of their eternal security. Notice all the ways he affirmed them. First, he addressed them as “dear children”, an endearment that emphasized their standing in God’s family. Contrary to the Gnostics’ claims, these men and women weren’t outsiders. They were adopted sons and daughters (Romans 8:15), chosen by Christ (Eph. 1:4), and united by His blood. He also told them, clearly, that they’d received forgiveness not because of any exclusive “revelation” but “on account of His name.”
Next, John highlighted their relationship with Christ, stating that they “[knew] Him who is from the beginning.” Throughout this letter, John used two Greek words for “know.” One, eidó, refers to a factual, cognitive knowing, such as that the earth is round or plants grow from seeds. In 1 John 2:13, he used a different word, ginóskó, which refers to an understanding or recognition that comes through personal experience. Therefore, he emphasized that they knew Jesus personally. They hadn’t just learned about Him cognitively. They’d developed a relationship with Him.
Notice, also, John told them they’d overcome the evil one, the force driving the false teachers and the believers’ doubts and insecurities. The devil didn’t want those men and women to gain a sense of eternal security. He wanted them to live in fear. Understand, his tactics don’t change. While he doesn’t have the power to separate us from God, he can, and does terrorize us to keep us from experiencing the soul-deep peace gifted to us through Jesus’s death. When we understand evil’s strategy and our authority in Christ, we’re able to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16).
In verse 14, John told the Christ-followers they knew the Father, using the same phrasing as he did for their relationship with Christ. And he ended this poetic section stating that they were strong, filled with truth, and overcomers. Again, while the devil was harassing them and trying to defeat them, he was and always will be a defeated foe.
Intersecting Life and Faith
Here’s what I find precious and beautiful. God preserved these words in Scripture so that you and I could live confident in our standing in Christ, secure in our salvation. When we begin to doubt those realities, may we speak the words in 1 John over ourselves, reminding ourselves that, because of our faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross, we are forgiven. His grace is greater than our worst sins in the past and big enough to cover whatever sins we commit tomorrow. We know Him and have a Spirit-bound relationship with Him, again, through faith. And finally, through Christ and all we have in Him, we have the power and authority to resist the devil’s most relentless schemes.
As we reflect on those truths, our confidence will increase, as will our peace.
Further Reading:
Ephesians 2:4-10
John 10:1-10
Ephesians 6:10-18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When you know Jesus, it changes your life for the better. When you truly invite Jesus into your heart and have real conversations with Him, He renews your mind, strengthens your heart, and refreshes your soul.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Knowing Jesus
By Alexis A. Goring
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”— John 17:3 NIV
When I studied Journalism, one of the first rules I learned was when you refer to a person in a news story, you need to mention their first and last name for the first time. After that, you are to refer to them by their last name only. However, if you know the person personally then you may refer to them by their first name only (depending on the in-house style guide rules for the print publication).
One summer evening, I was reflecting on that lesson learned and realized a spiritual parallel: Jesus Christ wants us to know Him personally. He wants us to know Him and refer to Him on a first name basis. But this goes beyond writing rules. Jesus went to great lengths to save our souls. He desires to know us and for us to know Him intimately. He wants a closer walk with each of us because He loves us and, when you love someone, you want to know everything about them. You don’t refer to a loved one with a professional sounding last name. You may even have a fond nickname for that person that reflects their personality or shows what they mean to you. How does it feel to know that the Savior of the world wants to know us on those terms?
What does it mean to know Jesus? I hear Christian influencers and musicians say to know Him is to love Him, and I agree that nothing else could be closer to the truth! When you know Jesus, it changes your life for the better. When you truly invite Jesus into your heart and have real conversations with Him, He renews your mind, strengthens your heart, and refreshes your soul. There is a deep joy that can only come through an intimate relationship with the Lord. And a relationship with Jesus doesn’t just change you, it changes the people around you. They start to notice a difference in you and want to know what happened. When you tell them about your love for God and invite them to read The Holy Bible, with the Holy Spirit’s help they can also get to know Jesus. They, too, can become on fire for Him. The process of observing a life changed by Jesus causes people to want to know Him as well, carrying on like a ripple effect. Before we know it, we see Him changing the world for the better!
I got to know Jesus on a personal level when I was recovering from a health crisis at age 16. Despite growing up in a Christian home, I only knew a lot about Jesus. But when He came into my life and met me in the depths of a difficult time, His Light pushed back the darkness and His love for me—and all humankind—changed me from the inside out! He blessed me with this devotional writing ministry as if He, the Master Teacher, had enrolled me in His classroom. God helped me learn life lessons, then inspired the words for me to share in devotions that were exactly what I and my readers needed to hear! I fell in love with Jesus as my Lord and my love for Him propelled me to tell everyone about my Savior! I still feel called to do that today.
Since my transformation from knowing about Christ to knowing Jesus on a first-name basis, people have commented on how the changes they saw in my life have inspired them to know Jesus too. This is what God wants: for us to make disciples and share His love, grace, and mercy with the world. He doesn’t want any of us to be lost. Jesus wants us to follow Him all the way to Heaven (John 3:16-17).
“Knowing You, Jesus,” by Graham Kendrick is a song that also celebrates a close relationship with Christ. I encourage you to listen to it. (Note to the Editor: Would you please insert the YouTube link below to this song? https://youtu.be/pTTlSx6zXio?si=VRrrc6x0jLzdbCUh)
Intersecting Faith and Life: Do you know Jesus? What difference in someone’s life have you seen after they started following Him?
Further Reading:
1 Peter 2:9
2 Peter 3:18
John 1:1
John 8:12
1 John 2:3
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How do we stand against these attacks? How do we stop being pulled into defeat, discouragement, and doubt? How do we continue to walk in the freedom Christ afforded us? Galatians 5:1 tells us that we must, “stand firm”. This means that we keep standing no matter how hard Satan’s pulling.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Shutting Down Enemy Attacks Against You
By Kelly Balarie
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Gal. 5:1 NIV
Have you ever played a game of tug of war? In this game there are two groups of people pulling on each side of the rope.
One side pulls and the rope, along with the people, go left.
The other side pulls and the rope, along with the rope-holders, go right.
Whatever team has the stronger amounts of tugs, the one who gains the most ground, eventually wins. If they can pull the other team to their side, they are victorious.The enemy tries the same strategy with us. He tries to pull us to his side and off the ground of God’s truth.
The devil says to us, “You are a horrible person, why try?” He tugs at our heart left. He adds, “You can’t really believe that God will answer your prayer.” He tugs a little more and gains traction. He hits us again, saying, “Why go to church anymore? People only hurt you there.”
The devil’s goal is to pull us off the ground of God’s truth so that we can be yoked to his lies. It is subtle.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Gal. 5:1 NIV
God’s side offers us freedom, even for today. Satan’s side offers us slavery and burdens in life.
How do we stand against these attacks? How do we stop being pulled into defeat, discouragement, and doubt? How do we continue to walk in the freedom Christ afforded us?
Galatians 5:1 tells us that we must, “stand firm”. This means that we keep standing no matter how hard Satan’s pulling.
Practically, we can do these three things to continue to stand:
- Wait on the Lord. New life for Jesus looked a lot different on day 3 than it did on day 2. Sometimes, just giving it a day offers a fresh perspective, coupled with resurrection life power.
- Use Scripture as a weapon. Remember Jesus in the wilderness? He did not just listen to the enemy’s temptations, He defeated them with scriptural declarations. Memorize God’s Word and then speak it aloud over feelings of defeat or disillusionment.
- Pray. You are not powerless; you are powerful in prayer. Pray that the devil will get behind you and that God will strengthen you to stand.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How do you feel attacked by the enemy? What is coming against you that you know is not from the Lord? What would it look like for you to stand? You know, if we stand through a storm, eventually the storm moves on. No storm lasts forever. Nature shows us this.
Likewise, what remains beyond the dark clouds is the sun. God is always there. He will never leave or forsake you, even if all you can see is gloom and doom. Don’t give up. Stand.
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God calls us to be trustworthy messengers ourselves. Our words, actions, and commitments should reflect the reliability and integrity of Jesus. Whether it’s showing up on time, keeping promises, or standing by others in times of need, we can be a valuable source of refreshment to those around us.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
How to Refresh People
By: Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
“A messenger you can trust is just as refreshing as cool water in summer.” – Proverbs 25:13, CEV
In many parts of the world this summer, people are dealing with intense and unrelenting heat waves. Cities are experiencing record-high temperatures, and the sweltering heat has brought discomfort and distress to countless people. It has been so hot lately that whenever I’m outside I find myself craving cool water. As soon as I get home, I pull out one of the cans of seltzer water our family has stored in our refrigerator. The moments when I drink my first sips of that cool water are wonderful! As I swallow the water, my whole body feels refreshed. The cool water brings me much-needed relief from the heat and revitalizes my energy. I’m so grateful for it that I often silently thank God as I’m drinking the water and feeling completely refreshed.
In Proverbs 25:13, the Bible says that a trustworthy messenger is just as refreshing as that cool water in the middle of a scorching summer. We crave trustworthy people in our lives like we crave cool water during summer. Both are vital to our well-being. Just as we cherish water during oppressive heat, we value people who keep their promises and follow through on their commitments. These people are reliable, dependable, and consistent. They offer stability in a broken world that can often be unpredictable and chaotic. Their presence can soothe and encourage us, offering us a sense of peace – much like a cool drink quenches our physical thirst.
Jesus is the ultimate trustworthy messenger. Throughout his earthly life and ministry, Jesus delivered God’s message of love and truth with complete faithfulness. Jesus then faithfully made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, in order to make our salvation possible. Jesus’ reliable trustworthiness is an important part of his mission. He gives hope to everyone who listens and believes. We can always count on Jesus to keep his promises. Jesus is the perfect role model of trustworthiness that we are called to emulate.
Consider the impact of reliable friends in our lives. These are people who keep their promises, showing up when they say they will, and following through. People like them become a valuable source of comfort and strength – people we can rely on in times of need. Their reliability builds trust and deepens relationships. These are the kind of people Proverbs 25:13 describes – those who refresh us as we deal with the heat of stressful situations.
God calls us to be trustworthy messengers ourselves. Our words, actions, and commitments should reflect the reliability and integrity of Jesus. Whether it’s showing up on time, keeping promises, or standing by others in times of need, we can be a valuable source of refreshment to those around us. Being trustworthy helps us honor God and bless our friends, family, and community. Trustworthiness not only strengthens our relationships with people, but also helps us reflect God’s holiness to the world. God is completely trustworthy. By being trustworthy ourselves, we bear witness to God’s faithfulness.
Imagine the impact we can have when we embody trustworthiness in our daily lives. Our relationships and communities can grow stronger and our testimonies can grow more powerful. In a fallen world where trust is often fragile, being a trustworthy person can shine God’s light in the darkness. So, let’s try our best to be as refreshing to others as cool water on a hot summer day, by reflecting the trustworthiness of our Savior.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how to refresh people by being trustworthy, reflect on these questions:
- When was a time when someone’s trustworthiness brought you peace or relief. How did that experience impact you?
- How does the trustworthiness of Jesus influence your faith and daily life?
- Consider the areas of your life where you may have fallen short in being reliable or honest. What steps can you take to restore trust?
- How can you become a refreshing presence to others through your words and actions?
Further Reading
Proverbs 11:13
Matthew 5:37
Luke 16:10
1 Corinthians 4:2
2 Timothy 2:2
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Praise God, our faith in Christ transforms us into new creations, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit that resides within us. This means we can learn, through practice and an ever-deepening relationship with and reliance upon Him, to love others with the same gentleness and mercy our Savior bestows upon us.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
The Healing Power of Curiosity by Jennifer Slattery
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19, NIV).
Looking back over my parenting, one of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t practice today’s verse more consistently. I spent way too much time talking and teaching, and often from a place of frustration, rather than pausing to listen with a desire to truly understand and hear my daughter’s heart. In a recent conversation, she shared an instance when my quick and faulty assumptions brought her pain. She’d recently received an eight-month coop position, which was like an internship, and was living in another state. This meant she was separated from her friends and faith community. She was also pursuing an engineering degree, and therefore, engaged in strenuous coursework. Plus, the company she interned with gave her, at age 19, responsibilities and leadership roles most people don’t receive until their mid-twenties or later.
In other words, she was buried by numerous and compounding challenges. That fall, I attended a leadership summit hosted by my church. Inspired by one of their speakers, I purchased her book, devoured it, and decided my daughter should read it, too. When she declined my invitation, I became irritated and assumed she simply didn’t want to put in the effort. It grieves me to say this, but in my frustration, I called her entitled. I spoke hurt into her already struggling heart.
Had I approached her from a place of curiosity rather than judgment, I could’ve offered her the emotional support she needed. I also would’ve realized that she’d already been living the book’s message as best as she was able.
Sadly, my being quick to speak, quit to become irritated, and slow to listen hurt her and hindered true and open communication.
I wonder if James, Jesus’ half-brother and the author of the letter from which today’s verse comes, carried similar regrets. We know from the gospels that he often responded to the Lord with disdain. Prior to Jesus’ resurrection, did James ever truly hear Christ’s words or had he already decided to close his ears to the Lord’s message? Scripture doesn’t tell us how much truth, if any, sank into James’ soul prior to Jesus’ crucifixion. However, the Bible does reveal James’s dramatic transformation after the Lord’s resurrection.
He came to not only accept Christ’s message but also to live it out, and in his letter to Jewish believers scattered throughout Rome, he urged them to do the same. In short, he was calling the men and women he led to more consistently love God and others. Whereas selfishness and pride motivates unfiltered, and often hurtful words, the love of Jesus, first received then given, evokes a curiosity and desire to understand.
“Everyone should be quick to listen,” he wrote, indicating an automatic response. For most of us, such behavior doesn’t come naturally. We tend to interact from a place of distraction, defensiveness, or judgment. Often, we’re more focused on how we want to respond than on the heart behind another person’s words. At least, this is what characterizes us prior to our conversion.
Praise God, our faith in Christ transforms us into new creations, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit that resides within us. This means we can learn, through practice and an ever-deepening relationship with and reliance upon Him, to love others with the same gentleness and mercy our Savior bestows upon us.
James also encouraged us to slow our tongues. Such advice stands contrary to our social media culture and its constant pull to “use our voice.” My pride tells me I have the answers others need or the wisdom they lack, and I therefore must be the one to dispense such knowledge. But reality says that God has numerous ways to speak to peoples’ souls and that He’s big enough to do so. That doesn’t mean He’ll never call me to share truth, but today’s verse does encourage me to take time to seek God’s will before I do so.
In times of relational conflict, I also need to invite Him to search and cleanse my heart, addressing my anger with Him. I need His perspective on it, and when necessary, His healing for whatever’s driving it so that I’m speaking from a place of love rather than malice. I’m reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:3-5 where He told us to first remove the plank in our eyes, those things that distort our vision, so that we can see clearly to remove the sawdust in someone else’s eye.
Intersecting Life and Faith
Human anger, meaning anger that isn’t driven by a godly desire to protect others or pursue justice, is a huge vision distorter and “doesn’t produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:20). When we remain connected with the Holy Spirit and relationally focused on whoever we’re talking to, however, we become beautiful reflections of Jesus and, often, life-giving conduits of His love. May that always be our driving goal, and in our pursuit of it, may we also remember that love is patient, gentle, humble and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4).
Further Reading:
Ephesians 5:15-17
Isaiah 30:21
Acts 1:8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Our souls benefit from daily practice of gratitude for the seemingly small to the wondrous and everything in between. We must remind ourselves that God is GREAT! He is able to do more than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)!
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Remember the Wonders
By: Amanda Idleman
1 Chronicles 16:12
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
Have you found that as an adult your memory isn’t as good as it once was?
So many times a friend asks how my weekend was on Monday and it feels like every detail of what had just passed just fell out of my head! I joke that it’s because my brain is too full, new memories no longer stick as easily.
The same is true of us as believers! How quickly do we forget the great things God has done for us and for those that we love? We proclaim to be people of faith but often behave in the same way as the faithless. We expect the worst forgetting that we have access to the power of God everyday to meet all our needs both big and small.
The wandering Isrealites that God led out of captivity in Egypt with the help of his leader Moses had the same memory problem that we do. God showed up to redeem them, save them, provide for them, and guide them over and over again yet they consistently forgot, disobeyed, doubted, and reacted out of faithless fear. This pattern became such a problem that God sentenced them to life wandering the desert and only brought the next generation into the promised land (Deuteronomy 1:35).
Are you stuck in the desert because of a lack of faith? Have you forgotten his wonders, miracles, and judgements? We are more like the doubting and forgetful Israelites than we often want to admit.
We have to be intentional about taking note and giving God all the glory for what he has done for us! His miracles range from ones we take for granted like giving us breath in our lungs today from bending the rules of the universe to showing us his love. Our souls benefit from daily practice of gratitude for the seemingly small to the wondrous and everything in between. We must remind ourselves that God is GREAT! He is able to do more than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)!
Living with gratitude creates in us a posture of expectation so when we have a need our automatic response is one of faith. We remember that God is the one who provides all we need. God honors our faith. He tells us that all it takes is the faith of a mustard seed to see anything that we need happen (Matthew 17:20). Faith is key to seeing God’s miracle working power unlocked in our lives.
Remembering what God has done to bring us to the place we are in the moment encourages our hearts when the going gets tough.
My husband and I have five kids and two of them have joined our family through foster care and adoption. Sometimes being parents of all these kids is hard. All five of them come with their own personalities, needs, and I can begin to doubt God’s good plan in placing us altogether on those very hard days.
But then I remember all that he has done! He did so many miracles to put our family together in such a special way. Remembering encourages my heart, reminding me that I am exactly where God wants me to be. The hardness of this role does not mean I’m in the wrong place. God placed me where I am on purpose with a purpose. Remembering his miracles reminds me I am just where he wants me to be.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Take time to remember all God has done for you. What miracles have you observed in your life? How have you seen his wonder at work around you?
Pause for gratitude. Write down what you are grateful for as a daily practice.
Repent of faithless living. How have you doubted God’s ability and goodness? Let him know you are sorry for not remembering how great a God he is!
Further Reading
Exodus 15:22-18:27
Does God Still Perform Miracles Today?
Mini-Miracles
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God is big enough to handle it. We thank God for this. We thank God that He hears our prayer, and that He, in all His might and power, is handling what we cannot effectively handle on our own.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
How to Defeat Worry
By Kelly Balarie
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 4:6-7 NKJV
I wanted my daughter’s birthday party to be perfect, but what if something went wrong? What if she didn’t like the bunk bed that we’d spent countless hours searching for? What if I spent too much money on it? What if it wasn’t stable when it arrived at the house?
I didn’t get her any bunk bed – I got her the super special one. The expensive one. I went above and beyond.
Now, there was pressure tied to this purchase. I will be upset if she doesn’t like it because of how much I have invested in this. I will be annoyed if we have to tear it down after all the assembly required.
Worrying wreaks havoc on joy. Worry is pressure.
Worry is pressure because everything may go wrong. Worry is pressure to make things go a specific way. Worry is pressure to avoid the worst from happening. Worry is pressure that people respond how we want them to.
Worry wrestles with the forces we cannot control. The worst part about worry is that it not only tear us up on the inside but it causes others to suffer the brunt of it as well.
If my daughter doesn’t like this bed that I’ve invested so much into, I’ll feel annoyed at her. I’ll think she is ungrateful. Worrying wreaks havoc on joy.
Where might we feel worried? Are we worried about work? A family member? A house issue? A future that looks dim? And, what is the alternative to worry?
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 4:6-7 NKJV
In this verse, God gives us a clear-cut way to defeat worry. Let’s break it down some. We first, tell ourselves, “I refuse to be anxious. I will not be anxious for anything.” In this, we decide and resolve that there is no thing worth us being anxious about. We draw a line in the sand.
Further, we pray and ask God to handle the thing we need. As we pray, we rest our scary problem into his capable hands. By doing this, we fully release it. Just as you might catch a fish and release it back into the water, we release the burden entirely and let it float away from us.
God is big enough to handle it. We thank God for this. We thank God that He hears our prayer, and that He, in all His might and power, is handling we cannot effectively handle on our own.
Finally, because we recognize God’s bigness, we can receive His peace. He has this worry in His hands. He knows the best way. He will give us all we need to confront the issue. He has the equipping grace and will afford us what we need. He knows the end from the beginning.
This brings peace.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What do you tend to worry about? Worry is like a carousel of thoughts; the endless circling of a problem gets one nowhere. Just think: A carousel never travels any markable distance. It just runs circles around the center of the issue. How has worry ever helped you gain ground? How solved anything? What would it look like for you to put your worries into the hands of God. He created the whole world; don’t you think He can handle what you face today?
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s supportive strength isn’t reserved only for Olympians. God makes it available to each of us, as well. Just as athletes face different outcomes at the Olympics, we also encounter a spectrum of experiences in our own lives.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
God Will Strengthen You in All Situations
By: Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13, NIV
As we watch the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, we see athletes from all around the world competing with impressive strength. The Olympic Games highlights some of the strongest people on our planet – athletes who have spent years working hard in training, to develop top skills in their sports. They’ve focused on strengthening themselves both physically and mentally to prepare for the pressure of intense competitions.
For some of these Olympic athletes, the Paris Games will lead to victory as they achieve their dreams of winning medals. They will celebrate moments of success, and so will their coaches, families, friends, and nations. Stories of their triumphs will be shared widely, inspiring people around the world.
For other athletes, these Olympics will lead to defeat as they lose competitions or even have to pull out of competing due to illness or injury. Athletes who don’t meet their goals – or who even suffer heartbreaking losses – may be profoundly disappointed from falling short after years of preparation. They may question their future in their sports, or even their own self-worth.
In Olympic moments of both victory and defeat, one truth remains constant: God’s love for each athlete is complete and unconditional. God’s love is not contingent on success or failure. It doesn’t require any medals won or records broken to earn. It can’t be lost like a sports competition can be. Instead, God loves all the athletes – both those who win, and those who lose – simply because of who they are. God sees beyond the outcomes of the competitions to the souls of each individual he has lovingly created. God cherishes them, supports them, and is ready to empower them with his unlimited strength to handle any situation well.
Just like Phillipians 4:13 says, the athletes can do all things through God, who strengthens them. They can be strong in any type of circumstances – either good or bad – if they rely on God as their source of strength. For athletes who are victorious, God is there to bring them joy and to remind them that their worth is based on his love for them, not on their achievements. For athletes who face disappointment, God is there to offer encouragement and to remind them that their value is not diminished by a loss.
God’s supportive strength isn’t reserved only for Olympians. God makes it available to each of us, as well. Just as athletes face different outcomes at the Olympics, we also encounter a spectrum of experiences in our own lives. We sometimes win by achieving our goals and sometimes lose by missing out on what we want. Regardless of our circumstances, God’s promise remains true: He is always there to strengthen us.
Phillipians 4:13 directs our attention to the limitless strength that God provides. Whether we are seeing our dreams come true or suffering through challenging situations, we can rely on God’s strength to see us through. The strength God gives us encompasses everything we need strength for – physical endurance, emotional resilience, mental fortitude, and spiritual sustenance. We can “do all things” – which means that we can handle any situation we encounter well – when we rely on God’s strength to help us do so. The more we connect with God’s presence with us in all circumstances, and the more we pray for God to help us when we need strength, the stronger we can become.
So, let Olympic athletes inspire you to seek strength from the ultimate source of strength: God himself. God’s strength will be there for you when your life is going well and you achieve your goals. It will also be there for you when you feel overwhelmed by stress or discouraged by disappointing situations. No matter what happens as you run the race of faith, God will empower you to handle it well.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how you can rely on God’s strength to help you in all situations, reflect on these questions:
- What are some situations in your life where you need God’s strength the most?
- How have you experienced God’s strength in the past?
- Are there any areas in your life where you are trying to rely on your own strength rather than seeking God’s help? If so, how can you trust God more in those areas?
- How can you remind yourself to turn to God for strength during both the good times and the difficult times you encounter?
- What habits can you develop to stay connected to God’s strength on a daily basis?
Further Reading
Isaiah 40:31
2 Corinthians 12:9
Psalm 46:1
Ephesians 6:10
Joshua 1:9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
if you are stuck in a season of discouragement it’s time to start counting up the good. We bless the Lord when we make note of his goodness and beauty at work in our life. He doesn’t want us to forget to see his benefits.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Psalm 103:2
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
Life can get heavy. We each start our days with a “patience tank” and it seems that as the day goes on that tank gets depleted down to empty. Sometimes that tank can hit empty before seven am if you have demanding kids that wake up before the sun rises. Stress depletes our patience and joy. Over time if we don’t get a break from those patience draining days we can feel ourselves facing burnout and then our tank is underfilled before the day even begins. We just can’t catch up and find ourselves not being the people we want to be. Instead we see a frantic, angry, impatient, and very frustrated version of ourselves emerge so much more than we’d like.
As I’ve been wading through this dynamic in my life as a Mom, I’ve found myself feeling very discouraged. When I review my day all I see are my failures. I am fixated on how I should have been kinder to my child, more diligent with another kid, or more loving in general. I’ve just been stuck on the idea that I’m not good enough for this life I’ve been given.
The other day I was once again taking a mental recap of what I should have done better as a parent when the Holy Spirit stopped me with his whisper voice. He told me to write down what I did okay as a Mom that day and maybe even just over this past year and a half since we’ve become a family of seven through foster care and adoption.
My list began with simple things like I woke up to take my kids to their swim meet, I made sure everyone had food for breakfast, I celebrated my kids wins with food and ice cream, and I made sure my younger kids were cared for on this busy day. These are things I mostly look over as a parent, the ways I serve and give everyday in my home. Instead I am constantly working on my life improvement plan but God wants me to stop and see that there is good in my days as a parent. He even can help me appreciate the hard growing moments that happen because they are part of us being a family.
This is not to overlook our need to apologize when we mess up and change our behavior when we are stuck. But the enemy-of-our-souls wants to bog us down in our not enoughness that we can’t see how we with God we are more than overcomers! Discouragement breeds hopelessness which halts our ability to live by faith.
So if you are stuck in a season of discouragement it’s time to start counting up the good. We bless the Lord when we make note of his goodness and beauty at work in our life. He doesn’t want us to forget to see his benefits.
Maybe parenthood isn’t your hard place but work is. Start to note the ways you are blessing your company, coworkers, and doing what you can to excel in your job. It could be that you are discouraged as a spouse or maybe as a daughter, son, friend, and the list goes on. The real truth is that we each offer value to the places we are because we are made in the image of God. While the struggle of life is real, his blessings that come through us are good.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Start a daily list of how you are doing okay in an area you have felt discouraged. I say okay because sometimes we are too discouraged to even use the word “good” . These things don’t need to be major wins but tiny ways that you showed up and served well. Give God glory for the blessings he has given you.
Next make a list of what has been weighing on you. Maybe it’s a lack of patience, depression, anxiety, a need for wisdom, or something else. Pray over this need and hand it to Jesus. Ask him to show him what tools you need and what steps to take but let go of the shame you’ve been carrying around. His grace is sufficient to cover our needs.
Further Reading
Count ‘Em By Brandon Lake
A Morning Prayer to Count Your Blessings - Your Daily Prayer - February 25
Counting Our Blessings Cultivates a Grateful Heart
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The love of God is not a response to how great we are, or how good we can be. The love of God is not a possession that we yield, or an accolade we merit. Love is the foundation of who God is. Love is the full identification of God’s being and it existed over us before any action or mistake in our lives.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Is God’s love true or real?
“This is love, not that we loved God, but God loved us and sent his only son into this world so that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:10)
In his book, “Seeing is Believing”, theologian Greg Boyd makes a distinction between something that is true, and something that is real. To say something is true is to affirm something about it – to make some sort of declaration. Importantly, you can claim something to be true without having any personal interaction with it. For example, I know that the city of Paris is true, even though I have never been there. The fact is truth is an intellectual property more than a personal experience. But to say something is real, says Boyd, is to have a personal experience of it.
We can talk about the truth of God’s love easily enough. We can pose questions about it, we can read books about it, we write essays and blogs about it; But love calls us deeper than just affirming the truth of God’s love as some intellectual assent to a theological doctrine. God’s desire is for us to experience the reality – the realness – of his love, and it is for that purpose that God sent Jesus into the world.
See, the love of God is not a response to how great we are, or how good we can be. The love of God is not a possession that we yield, or an accolade we merit. Love is the foundation of who God is. Love is the full identification of God’s being and it existed over us before any action or mistake in our lives. True, we might deny it, and we might choose to live away from it, but because God’s love for us is real, we can do nothing to negate it. God’s love for us exists just as much as God exists.
In complete self-offering, God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Scripture reminds us of this not because it’s a nice thought, or a hope-filled idea, but because it is a reality that encompasses us. It is real for our lives! God’s love for you is real, and to know God is to know that love, deeply, intimate, profoundly.
God’s divine, magnificent, earth-shattering, radical, and unyielding love transforms us. It pushes aside all that bars our knowledge of Christ. It pushes aside fear of punishment, fear of not being good enough, fear of missing out or messing up; fear of being rejected. John writes that there is no fear in love because love’s only mission, God’s only mission, is to produce life. This means that the number one thing that God wants from you right now, is for you let Him love you.
Intersecting faith in Life.
It can be easy to base our spiritual life on a faulty premise of earning. In this word of merit and deserve, we might think that doing loving things earns God’s love for us. Talk about loving others, even showing our faith, becomes rooted in some sort of ethic of deserve. If I do x, God will lovingly do y, we think. But that is not how God’s love works. “This is love”, writes John, not that we loved God, but God loved us and sent his only son into this world so that we might live through him.”
What if God’s doesn’t want you to try harder, or to study more. What if God isn’t setting up a long list of tasks through which you can prove your worth. What if God just wants to love you, as you are, in this moment. Now that can be scary. To be loved is to be vulnerable – and to be truly loved, is to accept that love even in your ugliest moments. But it is when we experience love in that place that we find healing and growth.
So where do we start? We start by dropping our defenses and letting the love of God flow in. God first loved us”, writes John (1John 4:10), which means our heavenly Father the active agent and we are the recipients. The question that we sit with is: do you want to experience the love of God? Do you want to know God’s love, not as a truth to ponder, but as something to feel, as a reality to be enfolded?
God’s desire for you is to have you experience the fullness of that love. And in an astounding act of grace, God has made receiving that love very simple. All you need to do is open yourself to accept the gift that is perpetually held out to you in the presence of Jesus. As you are right now, facing whatever it is you are facing and dealing with whatever it is your dealing with, dare to believe that Jesus stands with you, and offers you, his love. As surely as he is there, so is his love for you.
Yes, the love of God is true, absolutely and eternally, but it is also so much more. It is real, and it is something you can experience, and live within.
For further reading
1 John 4:7-12
“3 ways to experience More of God’s Love” on crosswalk.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Just as athletes train rigorously to compete at the highest levels, we are called to train ourselves in holiness. Spiritual training promises benefits not only for our current lives, but far beyond, for eternity!
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Train Yourself for a Holy Life
By: Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
“Train yourself for a holy life! While physical training has some value, training in holy living is useful for everything. It has promise for this life now and the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:7-8, CEB
During the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, we are captivated by the dedication and achievements of athletes from around the world. These champions have spent countless hours building their skills in 32 different sports. Their dedication to physical training is evident in their strength, agility, and endurance. Each competition showcases the extraordinary capabilities of the human body when trained to its peak performance. Olympic athletes show us the pinnacle of what people can achieve from physical training. Consider the graceful precision of a gymnast on a balance beam, the explosive speed of a sprint runner, the creative choreography of a breaker, or the power of a swimmer cutting through the water. These athletes have committed their lives to rigorous training regimens, strict schedules, and relentless practice. They sacrifice comfort and leisure to achieve excellence, driven by the desire to compete at the highest level and perhaps win the gold medal of their dreams.
Yet, as awe-inspiring as their physical accomplishments are, the Bible tells us that there’s something far more important. Even though physical training has some value, training in holy living holds even greater value.
Just as athletes train rigorously to compete at the highest levels, we are called to train ourselves in holiness. Spiritual training promises benefits not only for our current lives, but far beyond, for eternity! That’s because our bodies are only temporary but our souls live forever. The effort we put into growing more holy will bring us rewards that never end. It’s more than worthwhile to train for a holy life. However, we need to be committed to doing so. Spiritual training requires dedication, practice, and perseverance, just like physical training does. The inspiration we draw from watching Olympic athletes can fuel our desire to excel in our own lives. While we may not ever compete in the Olympic Games, we should prepare for something even greater – lives in heaven with our holy God. Here are some ways we can train ourselves for living holy lives:
Regular prayer and meditation: Just as athletes follow a strict training schedule, we should build prayer and meditation habits we enjoy, which will motivate us to stick to those habits every day. We can set aside specific times each day for prayer (talking with God) and meditation (listening to God), making these spiritual disciplines a non-negotiable part of our routine. One of the ways we can listen to God is by meditating on God’s Word, the Bible. When we internalize Bible verses, God will use those verses to guide our thoughts and actions so we can make the best decisions day by day.
Community friendships: Engaging with a community of believers gives us encouragement, accountability, and support that can help us grow spiritually. Just as athletes train with coaches and teammates, we can benefit from the guidance and companionship of our fellow Christians. We can build friendships with others in our church by attending worship services regularly, participating in a small group, and seeking out mentors who can help us grow.
Self-discipline: Like athletes who resist unhealthy habits, we must exercise self-control to avoid sin and pursue righteousness. We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us develop more self-control, so we can turn away from temptations that will lead us farther away from God and instead pursue activities that help us grow closer to God.
So, as we watch the dedication and discipline of Olympic athletes in action, let’s get inspired to excel in our walks with God! Imagine the spiritual endurance we can build, the strength of character we can develop, and the close relationships with God we can achieve when we commit to training ourselves in holiness. Just as Olympians keep their eyes on the prize, we should focus on the eternal reward that awaits us. The discipline and perseverance we cultivate in our spiritual lives will not only enrich our earthly lives now, but also prepare us for an eternity in heaven with God.
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how important it is to train well to live a holy life, reflect on these questions:
- How does the discipline of Olympic athletes inspire you to be more disciplined in your spiritual life?
- In what ways can you incorporate daily spiritual training into your routine?
- What obstacles do you face in training for a holy life, and how can you overcome them?
- Who in your life can support and encourage you in your spiritual training?
- What specific steps can you take this week to grow in holiness?
Further Reading
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Philippians 3:14
Hebrews 12:1
2 Timothy 2:5
James 1:12
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Just as our surroundings shift when a storm is coming, so too do our ordinary circumstances when the Lord comes onto the scene.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
A Change in Atmosphere
by Deidre Braley
When I was just a bare-footed wild child growing up on the edge of a great Maine wood, I would relish the hot, midsummer nights when the sky would turn dark and turbulent as a blackened eye and thunder would begin its war drum in the distance. On these evenings, my parents would bring my sister and I out onto our covered porch and we’d sit there, watching and waiting with half-held breath until hot electricity finally struck its purple zing across the sky.
I was no meteorologist, but even as a child I knew there was a powerful shift happening in the atmosphere. The whole world felt pregnant, magnetic, anticipatory. In the storm-filled air, my breath felt different. Familiar objects like our house, our chairs, the rusty blue swingset—they seemed novel in this light. Even my mother and father seemed changed. I felt as though anything
could and would happen, here in this familiar-but-foreign environment.
When I hear people talk about God as if he’s boring—as though he is just a set of hymns stuck inthe back of a stubborn old church pew—I want to grab their hands, pull them outside, and tilt their chins to the electric excitement all around them, just like my parents did for me when a storm blew in. I want to say, “Look! Listen! Feel! Can you sense it—this palpable change in the air when the Holy Spirit comes into our midst?”
Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he willrejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Just as our surroundings shift when a storm is coming, so too do our ordinary circumstances when the Lord comes onto the scene. Our problems look different when examined under his light. Our hanging heads can’t help but lift toward the timbre of his voice. Our raging, fearful hearts settle in the presence of his quietude.
This is the wonder of God: that wherever he is, anything and everything can happen. Even our most commonplace lives can become electric with possibility when they’re brought into the midst of our great Creator. And even our most troubling problems can take on new form when we let God remold them in his hands.
That is why it is so important to be intentional about entering into God’s presence each day. If we spend all of our time looking at our lives from a worldly perspective, we’ll quickly become disoriented, disengaged, or just completely discouraged. But when we spend time with the Lord, he doesn’t make us stand at the threshold of the throne room—he hurries us in and shows us the world from his perspective. Even if nothing on the outside seems changed after these encounters,
the air inside our souls will have undergone a tangible, atmospheric shift—allowing us to experience the same old world in a whole new way.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
- Does it feel difficult to feel God’s presence in your life right now—and to believe he hasthe power to change the atmosphere of any of your current circumstances? Read throughJob 38-39, and mark which examples of God’s might and omniscience are most strikingto you.
When you begin to doubt if he can make a difference in your life, practice saying, “If God can [insert one of the examples you marked], then he can [make a specific change in your life]. It might sound something like this: “If God can ‘loosen Orion’s belt’ (Job 8:31), then he can also provide the money I’ll need to service my car this week.”
- Being in nature is an incredible way to remember God’s power and awe-inspiringattributes. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisibleattributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understoodthrough what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Take a walk on the beach, lay on your back beneath the stars, or—better yet—pull up a chair and watch a storm. Bring your awareness to God, and praise him.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we think about someone becoming a disciple that means that the person accepts Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus did not say, rely on your pastor or the evangelist to share the gospel, He called you and me to go and make disciples of Jesus. A large reason why church is not growing is because the enemy has caused the church as a whole to sit back and believe that the gospel is true but it is not our job to share.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan is Telling the Church
Written By: Emma Danzey
Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Have you wondered why the church is not growing as rapidly as you hoped? Is it as shocking to you as it is to me that the church in America is not growing from conversion, but from church transfer? In 2015 Bonnie Kristian shared from Relevant Magazine, “So while the statistics about the American church are troubling, American Christianity is far from the only thing going. Consider:
- In 1900, Europe and North America housed 82 percent of Christians worldwide.
• By 2010, just 38 percent of professed Christians lived on these two continents.
• By 2050, that projected figure is a mere 27 percent.”
She goes on to share how although the church is dying here, it is exploding in Africa, Asia and Latin America. This was almost 10 years ago, and today Emma Davis from Reach Right Studios shares, “Only 16% of churches in the US are experiencing growth or hyper expansion.”
One of the sneakiest lies that Satan is telling the church is, “It is not my job to share the gospel.” Jesus’ last words to His disciples on earth was for them to go and make disciples of all nations and that He would be with them. This is still a command for every believer in Jesus today.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations”
When we think about someone becoming a disciple that means that the person accepts Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus did not say, rely on your pastor or the evangelist to share the gospel, He called you and me to go and make disciples of Jesus. A large reason why church is not growing is because the enemy has caused the church as a whole to sit back and believe that the gospel is true but it is not our job to share. We do not want to “step on toes,” we fear what others will think about us, we like staying in our Christian circles, or we just simply do not know how to share our faith because no one has ever taught us.
We are all coming from different backgrounds and experiences, but the Lord wants to use us as His vessels to share the hope of heaven with others. He has invited us into building His kingdom. The response of another person is not on us, but we are called to offer the gospel and trust the Holy Spirit to move. We leave the results up to Him. I was recently speaking with a 60-year-old friend and he shared that if he heard that the results were left to the Holy Spirit, he would have felt freer sharing his faith growing up. Unfortunately, he was taught that if a person did not accept Christ, then it was his fault. This caused him to feel defeated at ever even trying to share the gospel. He had a defeated mentality. The enemy so often uses this lie and redirects our eyes to the wrong thing, instead of resting in the work of the Spirit and relying on the living and active Word of God.
Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
We do not just share the good news of the gospel with others, we disciple them. Just like Jesus taught and walked alongside the disciples, we too are invited to walk alongside others on their faith journeys. We celebrate when they are baptized, we help them when trials come up, we pray with and for them, we study the Bible with them, we are in genuine relationship with them. No, we cannot do this with everyone we meet. However, this is why it is not just the pastor’s job, this is the role of the church. We are the body of Christ, we function best when everyone is involved and connected. We know that we serve the Triune God who is still working and still baptizing people.
And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
We disciple and we teach others to grow in God’s Word and relationship with Him. We also model to them how to share their faith with others. Spiritual multiplication happens when believers in Jesus begin to disciple others and send them out to share the gospel. It is the great commission. It is our calling as believers in Christ to share Him with the world. This starts right in our communities, thinking about who is around us who needs Him.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Have you ever been tempted to believe that sharing your faith was a pastor or evangelist’s job and not yours? Who is someone specific that you believe God has placed in your life who needs the gospel? Begin praying for this person and spend some time asking into their faith, then share the gospel with them in the power of the Holy Spirit. There are many wonderful resources out there to guide your conversation, such as God Tools.
Further Reading:
- Mark 16:15
- Psalm 96:3
- Ephesians 2:8-9
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Despite our differences, we share a common purpose: to seek God, reach out to him, and discover that God is right there with us. From the beginning, God made all nations from one person.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
God’s Global Family
By: Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
“From one person God made all nations who live on earth, and he decided when and where every nation would be. God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him. He isn’t far from any of us, and he gives us the power to live, to move, and to be who we are. ‘We are his children,’ just as some of your poets have said.” – Acts 17:26-28, CEV
The Olympic flag, which displays 5 connected rings representing our planet’s inhabited continents, was designed to show how nations around the globe can come together in peace and friendship. The 5 different colors of the rings were planned so that athletes from every nation on earth could identify at least one color from his or her own nation’s flag. At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, athletes from more than 200 different nations worldwide are participating. The Olympic Games shine a powerful spotlight on the world’s nations. Watching the Olympics, we learn about both the diverse sports and the diverse national cultures represented there.
In Acts 17:26-28, the Bible points out that God has intentionally created and placed each nation and individual in their specific time and place on earth. The diversity we see around us is not accidental; it is a deliberate part of God’s design. The Bible also reveals that God’s plan for each of us is to search for him and find him. God is the loving Heavenly Father of a global family of humans. We’re all connected, by God’s design, and God wants to have close relationships with every one of us around the world. From the beginning, God made all nations from one person – Adam, the first human being – to show us our shared origin and interconnectedness. We are all a part of God’s global family. Each nation and each person makes a valuable contribution to our world. This diversity reflects the creativity and vastness of God’s nature.
Despite our differences, we share a common purpose: to seek God, reach out to him, and discover that God is right here with us. God’s proximity to us is a source of great comfort. He is not a distant deity, but a caring Father who empowers us to live, move, and be who we are. Our identity and existence are rooted in God. No matter where we are in the world, we have access to God’s love and guidance.
As God’s children, we are called to embrace our identity and live in a way that reflects God’s love and unity. We can honor this truth by recognizing the value in every person, regardless of their background. We can also celebrate the diversity of God’s creation while seeking to build bridges of understanding and compassion. By doing so, we fulfill our role as members of God’s global family, letting God’s love flow through us to a world that desperately needs it.
Let the Olympics inspire you to learn more about the different nations in our world, and the people who live there. Try food from different nations at ethnic restaurants. Listen to music from around the world. Watch documentaries about various countries. Talk with someone you know who is an immigrant and listen to his or her stories. If possible, plan to visit nations that especially interest you, so you can experience their distinctive cultures yourself. The more you learn about your global family, the more you can learn about the Heavenly Father we all share!
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how you’re a valuable part of God’s global family, reflect on these questions:
- How does understanding that God made all nations from one person influence your view of humanity?
- What are some practical steps you can take to build bridges of understanding and compassion with people from different backgrounds?
- How can you celebrate and embrace the diversity of God’s creation in your community?
- How does knowing that God gives you the power to live, move, and be who you are impact your sense of identity and purpose?
- In what ways can you actively seek God and reach out to him in your daily life?
Further Reading
Genesis 1:27
Psalm 139:13-14
John 17:21
Galatians 3:28
Ephesians 2:14
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Take some time alone with the Holy Spirit today. Tell him you want to feel his presence and spend time with him. Consider asking him some questions to get to know him better, like:
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Soul Brother
By Deidre Braley
I studied abroad in Spain for one semester of college. One weekend, my friends and I made a short, cheap trip to Barcelona, where we spent most of our time hunting for free sightings of Salvador Dalí’s work and staying in a crummy hostel. And while I remember very little about where we ate, what we saw, or even how we afforded to get there, I’ll never forget the way I felt when I met a fellow traveler one evening as we were leaving our room.
This person was from England, and with a group of friends who were also traveling for the weekend. By chance, we’d all happened to exit our rooms at the same time, and as we bumbled through the narrow hallway we introduced ourselves, talking about where we were from and feeling quite jovial that we could drop our subpar Spanish skills and simply communicate in English for a while.
Have you ever met a total stranger whom you feel an instant connection with, as though you’ve known them your whole life? This is how I felt with one of the members of this group. On the outside, it would appear we had nothing in common, except that we spoke the same language. But on the inside, I felt my soul coming alive with recognition. I had the rare sensation of being completely seen and known—as though this person and I were kindred spirits, or that maybe we’d been cut from the same cloth when God was spinning us into existence. By the end of the night, we were strolling down the streets of Barcelona arm-in-arm, talking conspiratorially about inside jokes only we seemed to understand.
I never saw that person again, but thinking about that night reminds me that there is another who we can have this kind of soul connection with: Jesus.
I often find myself daydreaming about what it will be like to meet Jesus for the first time. I wonder what he’ll look like and what he’ll smell like, what he’ll say and how he’ll smile. But if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that he will feel like a soul brother.
1 John 4:13 says, “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of hisSpirit.” See, when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, we don’t have to spend the rest of our time earthside waiting to meet him. He puts his Spirit inside of us, enabling us to connect with him on the most intimate of levels.
“In Christ you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth,the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed,” Ephesians 1:13-14 reads. “The Holy
Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.” In this way, we can hear, know, and commune with his Spirit even as we wait for the fulfillment of our inheritance and our redemption. I imagine that the time we spend with the Holy Spirit in this life will prepare us for that familiar feeling of reunion with Jesus in the next.
As we wait and long to meet Jesus face-to-face one day, we needn’t wonder what he’ll be like. Rather, we can turn to the Spirit that he’s placed inside us and begin getting to know him better today. And when we do finally open a door and bump into Jesus one day? Why, he won’t feel like a stranger. He’ll be a soul brother—and we’ll be linking arms and exchanging secrets in no time.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Take some time alone with the Holy Spirit today. Tell him you want to feel his presence and spend time with him. Consider asking him some questions to get to know him better, like:
- What makes you smile?
- What would you like me to know about you?
- What do you ask of me today?
Then, allow yourself to sit in silence and solitude. Record any specific impressions you feel, any words you hear, or any pictures you see in your mind. As you grow in this practice, you will likely grow in your awareness of his presence—and also your ability to hear and understand him.
Further Reading:
Romans 8
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God is focused on relationship. We tend to be focused on activity. He is the One who tells us to "be still" (Psalm 46:10) and to come to Him and rest (Matthew 11:28). We are the ones who are striving to do more.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
What More Does God Want Me to Do?
by Cindi McMenamin
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37 NASB)
Do you ever feel burnt out with all that you’re doing for God? Perhaps your life revolves around ministry or maybe you just wonder sometimes if God’s pleased with you or if you should be doing more.
We live in a culture focused on doing to the point that busyness is our badge of success and multi-tasking in the church is what appears to others—and ourselves—as ultra-spiritual. But although a relationship with the living God produces a desire to obey Him and serve Him, that service results in joy and rest, not perpetual stress!
In my book, When Women Long for Rest, I point out that God would rather have us be with Him than do a bunch of things for Him. I see that in Jesus' response to a man who asked Him about the greatest of all the commandments. Jesus' answer was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
God is focused on relationship. We tend to be focused on activity. He is the One who tells us to "be still" (Psalm 46:10) and to come to Him and rest (Matthew 11:28). We are the ones who are striving to do more.
Yet, as we spend time cultivating a love relationship with God, we will then know how to serve others and we will be able to discern His gentle voice saying, "This is what I have for you" or "Step in and help her with that." But it will never be at the expense of overlooking our primary responsibilities or feeling over-extended.
Jesus, after all, told His closest followers, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mark 6:31), not "Let's try to cover even more territory today by working even harder!"
Intersecting Faith and Life:
If you are caring for young children, or working full time, or someone who constantly has your hands full (and who doesn't these days?), let me remind you of these three principles when it comes to doing more for God:
- Grow in your love for Him and the labor will follow—but in the way He wants, not in the way your guilt determines. As you sit at God’s feet, He will eventually call you to get up and serve Him. But if we aren't taking time to be still, open His Word, and listen for His voice and direction, how can we possibly know how and where we are to serve Him?
- Look for where He is calling you to serve and go where He leads. This is difficult if you tend to be a people-pleaser. Yes, there are Sundays when you may need to help in the church nursery because someone didn't show up and you know it's the right thing to do. But in terms of regular service for the Lord, wait upon God, pray for timing and clarity and walk through the doors that He opens, don't try to pry them open yourself or walk through them out of guilt.
- Ministry isn't limited to Sundays. When we think of "doing something" for God, we tend to think of activity in the church building. While each of us in the body of Christ is to exercise our spiritual gifts in a way that uplifts and encourages the rest of the body, that implies connection with a local church where you can be your "part" in the functioning body of Christ. But that doesn't mean that ministry occurs only within a church setting. Ministry happens anywhere that you are salt and light on this earth and wherever Christ is glorified through you. Your greatest ministry right now may be to support and encourage your spouse or to invest spiritually in the lives of your children. If you have a job outside the church but feel you need to do more inside the church, find that balance so you can still be used effectively no matter where you are. Followers of Christ tend to forget the amazing ministry they can have simply by living next to and working alongside non-believers and continuing to live as followers of Christ.
Remember, our works and activity for God are not something we do to earn God's favor. Jesus did enough to secure God's forgiveness and acceptance of us when He gave His perfect life in exchange for ours as a penalty for our sin. Our service, in light of what Christ did for us on the cross, is simply to show our love and obedience to Him. It's our way of saying "I've been freed from the yoke of sin and I have a new master now...it's the Lord Jesus." Serving Him from that mindset brings joy, not stress.
Serve Him out of inspiration, not obligation, and you may find that instead of feeling guilt for not doing enough, you are feeling so very privileged to do the little that you can.
Lord, show us today how to serve You wherever we are, as a way of saying we love You.
Further Reading: Psalm 62.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Is there a bible verse that keeps coming to mind? Are you unable to get it out of your head? Maybe God is putting it there for good reason. Pray and ask Him what He wants you to know. Here are 3 ways to know when God is talking to you.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
3 Ways to Recognize When God is Talking to You
By Kelly Balarie
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalm 19:1 NIV
I walked with a friend. Struggling with a sickness that was incredibly hard, I sought just the right words to encourage her.
No words would suffice. What do you say when there is nothing to say? I’ve learned, listening is always more powerful than speaking when one is going through the wringer of life. So, I asked her questions and then let her speak. I actively repeated what she spoke to let her know that I was hearing her heart.
Eventually, the moment of awkward silence arrived where I had nothing left to ask. I needed to say something.
God, help me?!!
I looked towards my feet, pondering what to say. A leaf caught my attention. Amazingly, it was shaped like a heart.
I knew God wanted me to share His love for her. He gave me an answer to my inner unsaid pleading for just the right words!!
“God loves you so much.” I told her.
A well-spoken word at just the right moment has the ability to break through to a person’s heart like nothing else. God reminded me of His heart for my friend through nature. This is one of the many ways that God speaks to us.
Scripture says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalm 19:1 NIV
How else does God speak?
The second way that God speaks is through the Word of God. To store His Words in our heart is to hear them sound in our mind when the going gets tough.
When my kids act up, sometimes I feel afraid. When fear comes at me a mile a minute because I have stored God’s Word in my mind, I often hear a bible verse pop in my head. His Word kills my fear.
The third way God speaks to us is through people. Have you ever experienced a repeat situation time and time again? Maybe it feels like people are always telling you the same thing.
Once, I had a women’s minister at a church tell me that I was intense. Again, a friend, I prayed with told me I also was intense. I started to feel a little upset about that. People don’t want to be around intense people. However, the more I considered their words, the more I realized that Jesus was intense too.
God was communicating to me, through people’s words that what people noted about me, was something He loved and created.
How might God be trying to reach you?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Is there a bible verse that keeps coming to mind? Are you unable to get it out of your head? Maybe God is putting it there for good reason. Pray and ask Him what He wants you to know. Do you keep running into a similar situation with people? What might God be trying to say to you through this? Do you ever sit and look at God’s creation? What can you surmise about God’s character and nature based on how He has created the world?
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s plans are already being carried out through our lives. As you are presently in this tough season of life, lean on God. Find support in Him and trust Him with your life. The plans He has for you will prevail and they will be glorious.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
How Can I Take Comfort in God’s Plans for My Life?
By Vivian Bricker
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” – Jeremiah 29:11
Due to living in a fallen world, we are always coming across problems. Problems with work, our relationships, and our health can leave us feeling worn out. It never feels as though we can get a break. Instead of being relieved once one problem is resolved, a hundred new problems replace it. Whenever we are feeling like this, we need to turn to the Lord and know that He has a beautiful plan for our lives.
There have been many times in my life where I don't feel like there is a purpose to the pain I am experiencing—there is only suffering. We are often taught that pain makes us stronger, when sometimes it can actually make us weaker. Every pain, every tear, and every heartache does not lead us to something greater. Instead, it can lead us to meet the end of the road.
Plans we previously had for our lives seem to be non-existent and we don't even know how we are going to make it to the end of the month. When these issues arise, we can find lasting hope and purpose in God. He has great plans for our life. Through the pain, we can see His will more clearly and we take joy in knowing that our suffering is never forgotten by Him.
Recently, I had an issue in my life that God worked through. I thought I was going to have to make a major life change; however, God kept me where I was. He placed me on level ground and told me I was right where He wanted me to be. From that day, I felt the assurance of the Lord. His plans for me would never be sabotaged by anything or anyone, including myself or this season of suffering.
His goodness and his love will ensure all of the plans He has for our lives will be accomplished. Some of them might not be completed in the ways we once thought; however, we can trust in His plans. We might be lacking direction or guidance, but God never does. He will direct and guide each of our steps.
In Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord tells us He already knows the plans He has for us and that these plans will prosper us. They will not harm us in any way. Rather, these plans will give us hope and a future. Whenever we are unsure about the future, we need to rely on God’s plans for our lives.
Your present season of suffering will not endure forever because the Lord has beautiful plans for your future. This future will not harm you nor will it cause you problems. It will only give you hope and surround you with the Lord’s goodness. Choose to live out this truth today by walking confidently in Jesus’ promise.
The plans God has for our lives is far greater than anything we could ever imagine. If you are presently going through a season of suffering, rest in the truth that you will be brought out into a season of joy. Similar to how the physical seasons change, this season of life will change too. The suffering and pain you are experiencing now will not endure forever.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
This season might last for a while, but you can continue to trust God. No matter what season of life we find ourselves in, we can know with confidence that God is working all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). It is not a pleasant season right now; however, God’s plans for your life are still being fulfilled. There is nothing we can do to mess up God’s plans for our lives nor is there any season of life that can separate us from His plans.
God’s plans are already being carried out through our lives. As you are presently in this tough season of life, lean on God. Find support in Him and trust Him with your life. The plans He has for you will prevail and they will be glorious.
“Dear Jesus, I am going through a tough season right now. There only seems to be suffering at every corner. Please Lord, help me to have hope for the plans You have for my life. Bring my heart and mind to meditate on Your plans for my life rather than the tragedies I am currently going through. I know nothing can usurp Your plans for my life. I praise You, Amen.”
- During this present season of suffering, what has the Lord been teaching you?
- God has many plans for your life. Does this bring you a sense of comfort? Why or why not?
- How does knowing that God has plans for your life change your outlook during this present season of life?
Further Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
- Psalm 119:76
- Romans 8:26-28
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you ever panic when circumstances look bleak, thinking that maybe God has forgotten you? Perhaps it’s an unexpected bill you have to pay or a deadline that takes you by surprise. Maybe it’s just something you’ve been praying for and you feel overlooked.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
When You Feel Forgotten
By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
Do you ever panic when circumstances look bleak, thinking that maybe God has forgotten you? Perhaps it’s an unexpected bill you have to pay or a deadline that takes you by surprise. Maybe it’s just something you’ve been praying for and you feel overlooked.
There are times I’ve started to feel forgotten. But looking back now, those are the times I’ve forgotten the God of Wonders and how He fights for those He loves.
I was reading in Exodus of God’s deliverance of His people from Egypt. As the Israelites were backed up against the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army hotly pursuing them, it didn’t look good. God's people were afraid of annihilation by the Egyptians. Moses' instructions to them were simple:
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13-14).
God then told Moses to raise his staff and divide the waters of the Red Sea so His people could cross through the middle of it. He also told Moses that the Egyptians would pursue them right through the middle of the sea, but God would "gain glory" through it. Moses didn't know exactly what that meant. He only knew that God expected him to take the next step, and trust Him in the face of threatening circumstances.
All night, the Israelites walked through the parted sea while God, as a pillar of fire, went between them and the pursuing Egyptians, keeping the Israelites a safe distance away, yet still lighting the path before them. Then, when all of the Israelites made it safely to the other side, God sent the Egyptians into confusion and covered them with the giant walls of water, drowning every last one of them.
The Israelites witnessed the spectacular hand of God delivering them from their enemies! Yet only three days later they came to a spring in the desert and grumbled against Moses (and God) because the water was bitter and they had nothing to drink.
How quickly they had forgotten the God who rescued them. Couldn't the God who separated the waters also sweeten them?
In spite of the Israelites’ grumbling, God sweetened the water for them to drink, and then He brought them to Elim – where Exodus 15:27 says “there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.” God gave them a Palm Springs luxury resort! Right there in the desert!
Intersecting Faith and Life:
How quickly you and I can forget God's amazing works too. How quickly we start to grumble, forgetting He is the God who always comes through.
God has told us in his Word He will never leave us, nor will He ever forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). And in Isaiah 49:15, God said “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you” (ESV).
There is only one thing we are told that God ever forgets—and that is our sin. (Psalm 103:12 tells us “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (NIV). God doesn’t forget us, only our sin when we’ve confessed it to Him and accepted His forgiveness of it once and for all.
When you start to feel forgotten, remember that there is nothing that God forgets but your sin. And that means even when you’re messing up, He hasn’t forgotten or rejected you, He’s still working on what will bring you closer to His heart and back to where you need to be with Him.
Lord, help me to remember today that You are with me, You are for me, and You have a reason for why I’m here. I will trust that You have not forgotten me, and that You are the God who always comes through. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Reading: Isaiah 49:15-16
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What wrong beliefs, assumptions or lies may be under your response? How might it benefit you to keep no record of wrongs? Perhaps, take a moment to pray that God would show you His heart for that person when the going gets tough.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” – Proverbs 19:11 ESV
I knew the person was baiting me into an argument. How was I supposed to stay calm, cool, and collected when they were attacking me like a bull in an arena?
“You need help!”
“You have problems.”
“Everyone is upset at you!”
Ahh!! With statements like these flying in my face, how could I not defend myself? How could I not get riled up? Arrows were flying a mile a minute. I didn’t know what to think or what to do in the midst of this verbal onslaught.
I remained cool under pressure for a time, thinking of the various times that Jesus was attacked, yet said nothing…until the point that my mouth unloaded. I told the person everything they did wrong.
So much for grace!
Despite every impulse of the Holy Spirit within me, telling me to hold my own, I, too, reacted in anger, rather than responding in love. The second the words were out of my mouth; I knew I’d come to regret them.
And I did. Later, I rehashed every word spoken.
Proverbs 19:11 says, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
How do we actually see this verse through when in the moment all we see is red?
It’s not easy. But, I am rediscovering that one (almost) never fail way – is to take your time. Wisdom is not rushed. It is never pressured. It always patient and thoughtful.
For me, this looks like not being baited by attacking words. While they may be coming at me like arrows in the night, I can respond by saying, “Thank you for sharing. I’d really like to take some time to process what you have to say. Can we come back together when we are both calm? Let me take two hours to think about this.”
During that time, I can pray, read God’s Word, and think through what was brought up. I can consider how Jesus acted. I can understand where their condemnation may be coming from. I can position my heart to be humble and kind.
Have you ever noticed how wise people are slow to speak? Wisdom doesn’t rush to conclusions and reactions.
We never have to be pressured to respond. Love sets boundaries so it remains love (and doesn’t end up turning into wrath).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What triggers you to react rashly? How might Jesus call you to respond differently? What wrong beliefs, assumptions or lies may be under your response? How might it benefit you to keep no record of wrongs? Perhaps, take a moment to pray that God would show you His heart for that person when the going gets tough.
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The grace He extends to us will endure throughout all time and this is shown to us in how Gentiles are now part of the family of God. At one point only Israel was the family of God; however through Jesus’ grace all people can join the family of God.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
From the moment we come to know Jesus, we are blessed. We are blessed because we now know the Savior of our souls, our Redeemer, and our greatest Friend. Although we are now just coming to know Him, He has loved us since before the beginning of time. When we were actively living in sin, He loved us (Romans 5:8). The love of Jesus is what enables us to live graceful lives.
While we ourselves might be lacking in extending grace in our lives, we know we never have to worry about this with the Lord. He is always extending grace to us in His actions. Even though we do not deserve His love and grace, Jesus still chooses to do this. Love is at the Lord’s core and there is nothing we can do to change this (Romans 8:37-39).
From a biblical sense, grace is undeserved favor or unmerited favor. We did nothing to warrant Jesus’ love or favor. Rather, He simply chose to love us and He continues to do so every day. The grace He extends to us will endure throughout all time and this is shown to us in how Gentiles are now part of the family of God. At one point only Israel was the family of God; however through Jesus’ grace all people can join the family of God.
This is all because of God’s grace and His love. With this knowledge, we can live graceful lives. Rather than being fearful, doubtful, or even prideful, we can live lives of grace and love. God has given us grace, which is something we don't deserve. By all practical means, God could have eradicated the human race thousands of years ago because of our sin, but He didn't. Instead, He has chosen to give us chance after chance to come to Him.
The love of God is abounding and this is why He has not destroyed us. God’s love is what leads Him to give us grace because it is not by anything that we did. We cannot earn God’s grace just as we cannot earn our own salvation. If one was to say we could earn God’s grace, it would be implying that we somehow could win God’s favor and this is not true. We already have God’s favor because of who He is, not because of anything we have done or haven't done.
This is in line with our Bible passage of the day. The Apostle Paul tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Similar to as I was saying before, grace and salvation were given to us by God. It is by God’s grace that we have been saved and this is through faith. As soon as we place faith in Jesus and accept Him as our Savior, we are given salvation.
Grace overpowers our life and salvation becomes our new reality. As Paul goes on to tell us, this grace and salvation is not from ourselves. Rather, it is the gift of God. God’s grace and salvation are both gifts. We do not earn these things by our works in order that no one can boast. If God chose people based on their work, then it would give individuals a chance to boast about “how they earned salvation” or “earned God’s favor.”
Neither of these things are biblical. Instead, they are rooted in pride. Salvation is a free gift given to us by the Lord Himself. We did not work towards this gift nor did we earn it. In the same way, grace was extended to us by Jesus out of His great love. When we look at these truths, we know we can step out into the day with a grateful heart. We have been given a graceful life and this is all because of the Lord.
May we all praise Him today and go to Him in prayer.
“Dear Jesus, I praise You for blessing me with a graceful life. Through Your love and grace, I have received salvation. None of this is due to my own work or efforts. Instead, it is done completely by You. Thank You, Lord, for Your wonderful gift of salvation and Your grace. Amen.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
- Are you currently living a graceful life? If not, how can you change this?
- We cannot warrant God’s favor. Have you tried to do this in the past? If you have, how can you give up this practice?
- Salvation is given freely by grace through faith. Have you accepted Jesus’ free gift of salvation yet? If not, do you think you might want to accept Him as your Savior today?
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Listen as we embark on a journey of spiritual intimacy and discovery, leaning into God's whisper with expectant hearts, and embracing His direction and peace in every aspect of our lives.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1 (ESV)
There is a moment in the classic book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis when two of the characters are faced with devastating circumstances. Lewis describes it by saying, “I hope no one who read this book has been quite as miserable as Susan and Lucy were that night; but if you have been - if you’ve been up all night and cried till you have no more tears left in you - you will know that there comes in the end a sort of quietness. You feel as if nothing was ever going to happen again.”
When I read those words, I wept because I, too, had been like those characters. I’d suffered through nights of such intense sorrow that I’ve felt my heart would melt and my tears would drown me. In many cases, my tears ended up soaking my pillow to the point where I’d have to turn it over.
Whether you are a Christian or not, we’ve all experienced some type of suffering. If you and I would sit down together, across the table maybe, with cups of tea or coffee, we would share about the suffering each of us have faced. Our presence together provides a sense of shared grief that helps us.
Psalm 46 is a powerful psalm that speaks about suffering. What I love about this psalm is the answer to our suffering is God’s presence. The very first verse talks about God being near. It says that in all of our troubles, God is a “very present help.” (ESV) The word present means both time and space.
God, who lives outside of time, entered into it in the beginning of Genesis. “In the beginning, God…” Our mighty, awesome, transcendent God entered into time for us. That word present also means space. God is also physically, spiritually, and emotionally close to us. He is near us physically! The Bible references God being near to us several times. (Psalm 145:18, Psalm 34:18, Philippians 4:5-7, James 4:8)
When we find ourselves suffering, we want God to come in and fix it. I know I’ve prayed for diseases to be cured, grief to be comforted, and miracles to take place in the hearts of the people I love. God sometimes answers yes, but sometimes God has a different plan than my plan.
The hard truth is this: life is filled with suffering. Instead of focusing on how God doesn’t answer our prayers or how life doesn’t turn out the way we had planned, God invites us to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. God draws closer to us in our suffering. He sits with us in our grief and sorrow.
Depression has been my companion for almost fifteen years. In this suffering, I have found a deeper intimacy with God than ever before. God has not answered my prayer to be free from sorrow and depression. Instead, He has given me something that is so much better: His presence. In Psalm 46:7 we read, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (EVS)
My suffering has revealed the true character of God, and it has become the thing that brings me the most joy in my life. In this verse, the psalmist says that God is a “Lord of Hosts.” This means He is in charge of angel armies. This God, who is all-powerful, is “with us.” According to this verse. He is close. God is also described to be the “God of Jacob.” This is a personal God who knows all about us. This God, who is deeply personal, is “our fortress.”
In this verse we see a personal God who is all-powerful. A powerful God who is incredibly personal. In God’s presence we find out who He really is. Over the years of suffering I’ve seen that we have a God who is both good and all sovereign. When suffering threatens our faith, causes us to doubt, may we run back to God and His presence. It is there we find truths to comfort out hearts.
If you find yourself with sorrow and suffering too hard to bear, run to God. He is a present, safe, and powerful God who is ready to comfort you. Find Him in the pages of the Bible.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When suffering threatens your faith in God, how does knowing God’s presence is always with you comfort your heart?
Further Reading:
Philippians 4:5-7
Psalm 139:7-10
Isaiah 55:6
Psalm 145:18
Psalm 34:18
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God is love against love. The devil has no standing intersecting faith in life. Are we loving? Do we believe the best about others? Or do we assume the worst?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Listen as we embark on a journey of spiritual intimacy and discovery, leaning into God's whisper with expectant hearts, and embracing His direction and peace in every aspect of our lives.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
It challenges us to examine our hearts and minds, striving to align our attitudes with the example set by Jesus Christ—a model of humility, love, and obedience that continues to inspire and empower believers worldwide.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Honor the wisdom, grace, and spiritual richness that accompany the journey of growing old in Christ, and discover the joy of embracing each moment as a cherished gift from our Heavenly Father.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Oh the richness of hope! Discover how it can transform our lives, uplift our spirits, and inspire us to live with confident expectation in God's unfailing goodness.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Examine your attitude towards government and politics through the lens of Scripture, striving to honor God in all aspects of life. Seeking to live out our calling as ambassadors of Christ in a world where God's sovereignty transcends all human authority.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Let us journey together towards a deeper understanding and experience of the rest that Jesus promises—a rest that refreshes, renews, and restores our weary hearts. In Jesus, we find not only forgiveness and salvation but also the rest our souls desperately need.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The timeless truth of God is his unshakeable character. Discover the peace and strength that come from anchoring our lives in Him, the Rock of our salvation.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The symbolism behind the "cord of three strands," which traditionally represents the strength of relationships. By embracing the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 4:12-15, we are inspired to cultivate stronger, more resilient connections that honor God and reflect His love in our lives.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Join us as we reflect on how trusting in God during our suffering can ultimately lead to greater spiritual growth, strengthened faith, and a deeper understanding of His unfailing love.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Monuments are often built to commemorate great acts or significant milestones, standing as visible signs of remembrance and honor. They are meant to remind us of the past and to inspire us in the future. We become living monuments to God's greatness.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Welcome to The Crosswalk Devotional. We're glad to have you listening with us. Today's topic is how our lives can become monuments to God's redemptive work. We'll return with the devotional after a brief message from our sponsors.
"Monuments To The Lord" written and read by Whitney Hopler. Evergreens will grow in place of thorn bushes first will grow in place of nettles. They will be a monument to the Lord a permanent reminder that will remain Amos 5:24 and E T. While walking through the Royal Botanical Garden, one of the world's largest gardens, I often stopped to stand in front of especially large trees that inspired me with all. The evergreen trees in particular filled my entire field of vision with green branches that spread out in all directions. Some of those evergreen trees were for trees, which also gave off refreshing sense, it was mesmerizing to experience the strength and beauty of those trees in the middle of a fallen world filled with challenges
Amos 5:24 points as to hope this verse reminds us that God's power to make powerful positive changes happen in our lives. The imagery of evergreens ensures replacing thorn bushes and nettles symbolizes a renewal that goes beyond just surface changes. It describes a deep, enduring transformation that God promises to his people. evergreen trees which stay green all year round, represent life that endures through all season. They're constant and unchanging. Just like God's faithful love for us. Fur trees, which are known for their strength and ability to withstand harsh conditions remind us of the resilience and strength we gain when we root our faith in God and trust God's promises. The Bible describes these trees as a monument to the Lord, serving as a lasting testament to God's grace and transformative power. Just as physical monuments stand as reminders of significant events or people, our lives can become living monuments to God's work within us. monuments are often built to commemorate great acts or significant milestones, standing as visible signs of remembrance and honor. They are meant to remind us of the past and to inspire us in the future. We become living monuments to God's greatness. When God works in our lives transforming us from within. Our lives become renewed by God's power so they can serve as enduring testimonies of God's mercy and love. The transformation from thorn bushes to evergreens and from nettles to furs reflects those dramatic changes God brings to us thorn bushes and nettles, which cause pain and symbolizes difficulty, are replaced by evergreens and furs, which are strong and beautiful.
When we allow God to replace the thorn bushes and nettles of our lives, our struggles, sins and pain with His Holiness, we become monuments of God's redemptive power. We add to the living monument of our lives every time we trust God, to help us overcome a challenge and experience God's peace. And every time we seek God's forgiveness and experience God's mercy and grace. This transformation is not just for our own benefit, it's also a powerful witness to others. People around us can see the changes God has made possible in our lives, and living monuments. We shine a powerful light in this dark world, inviting others to experience the wonder of God's work in their own lives. We become part of God's ongoing story of redemption, reflecting God's glory and drawing others to him. Our renewed lives become living monuments that point the people who know us toward God's powerful love.
So let's invite God to replace the thorn bushes and nettles in our lives with evergreens and first, let's trust in God's ability to bring about lasting positive change. When we do, we become monuments to the Lord, living testimonies of God's redemptive work inspiring others to seek God and experience His love themselves. Intersecting faith in life as you consider how your life can become monument to God's redemptive work. reflect on these questions. What are the thorn bushes and nettles in your life that need God's transformative touch? How have you experienced God's renewal and transformation in the past? In what ways can your life serve as a monument to the Lord reflecting powerful positive change from God? How can you encourage others to seek God's transformative power in their lives? Further reading Isaiah 43:19 Second Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 3626, Romans 12:2 Revelation 21:5
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The importance of humility in asking for wisdom, knowing that God generously grants it to those who earnestly seek Him. Discover the profound impact of seeking God's wisdom in our lives.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Welcome to The Crosswalk Devotional. We are so glad to have you listening on Michela Zurich. Today's topic is asked for wisdom. We'll be back after a word from our sponsor
Ask For Wisdom, written and read by Michelle Lazurek If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5.
I prepared for my leadership presentation, for instance, my material, practice it well and got ready for the meetings that would happen before the presentation to go over the transitions. However, when I hopped on the Zoom, call this lesson organized, I found myself confused as to what I was looking at where the information was stored for the presentation. It was clear from the beginning that I was not on the same page as the rest of the team. I left the meeting embarrassed and not wanting to return to any future meetings, for fear of further embarrassment or shame. However, I didn't know how to express this feeling of confusion or even where to begin to get help. I had a friend who had been on the leadership team for longer than I had. She was more technologically savvy than I was, who would know the ins and outs to that technology and how it all worked. The new apps being introduced etc. As well my pride, picked up my phone and sent off to my friend and embarrassing texted said I need help. I explained her the situation told her I didn't feel like I knew what I was doing and what she'd be willing to give me a brief orientation to get me up to speed. I didn't know how she would react, and feared her judgment since as part of the team, I needed to know the basics of the technology to present information to the audience. She greeted me with a quick response. Of course, she replied, happy to help. I didn't know what I was doing. The next day she went through it all with me. She made it look so easy. Instead of having to navigate it by myself, learning how things worked, and having new concepts and ideas thrown at me. My friend helped me navigate through situation of what you needed clarity and navigated it with these. We all need wisdom in life. No isolated world, it's easy for us to believe that asking for help, instead of moving through situation in isolation will cause embarrassment. Everyone needs someone to help them from time to time. There's no shame in asking God or others for help. Same way I needed help with the orientation and all the technology. I had to humble myself and ask for wisdom. God gives us wisdom when we need it. God is an all knowing God who wants to guide and direct us. His Holy Spirit lives within us for a reason. Holy Spirit knows things we do not know. He wants to speak to us and reveal all things to us. That is part of God's yearning to be intimate with us. Who must be humbled to hear what he has to say and to follow that wisdom and ask for help when needed. And is so grateful to have a friend who knew more about the technology than I did. Because of her wisdom and a willingness to share that wisdom with me. I arrived at the next meeting way more prepared, more organized, and most importantly, abundantly at peace. Is there an area in life in which you need wisdom. So someone in your life you can ask to help with that wisdom, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a person that can help you in this area. We're always better together. God does not want us to be alone. We can seek the help of other brothers and sisters in Christ who are more knowledgeable on a subject than us. And not only is our situation better because we ask for help. We're also better people because we humbled ourselves and asked for help in the first place. Father, help us ask for wisdom. Thank you that you are not a wrathful God withholding help. Thank you we can go to any time we need you. Thank you, you are a God who's willing to be our help in ever present trouble. Allow us to pass on the same wisdom to others. You give us human intersecting faith in life. In what areas of your life do you need to seek the wisdom of God or others? What is your biggest challenge in asking for this help? Further reading? Proverbs 3:5-6
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Whether you're facing decisions, challenges, or simply wrestling with the unknown, this episode invites you to embrace faith over doubt and find peace in trusting God's sovereignty and wisdom.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Welcome to The Crosswalk Devotional. We're glad to have you listening with us. Today's topic is about our tendency to second guess God, as if we know better than he does. We'll return with the devotional after a brief message from our sponsors.
Are you second guessing God? written and read by Cindy McMenamin. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Have you ever second guessed God by wondering if he really knew what he was doing? I remember when my husband applied for what seemed like the perfect job, at the perfect time with a perfect salary. But when my husband didn't get the job, we thought was so perfect in every way. I became discouraged and began to question God, I prayed. Why not? God, this was so perfect for us. We prayed about it, and we trusted you. Why did you not bless us with this? Yet God apparently knew what he was doing, even though we didn't. And now when we look back at what we thought was the perfect job at the perfect time, we can see that it wasn't perfect for him after all, and it wasn't the perfect time either. God knew what was coming and he had something better in mind. In Isaiah 55:5-8 God told his people that his thoughts were not like their thoughts. And neither were their ways like his. That's because he knows all things and we don't. But that passage also says his ways and thoughts are higher than ours, meaning better and encompassing eternal purposes. While we tend to look at just the temporary, in the next two verses, God told his people as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it produce and sprout, and providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater. So Will his word be which goes out of his mouth, it will not return to Him empty, without accomplishing what He desires, and without succeeding in the purpose for which he sent it.
That passage assures us that God not only knows what's best for us, but he has his eternal purposes at work, and what he allows, as well as what he presents. How often do you and I ask God, why now, it couldn't have come at a worse time? How often do we wonder why this? We were faithful? And we were hoping for the best? How many times do we say why me? As if I haven't been through enough already. We even sometimes offer God our list of reasons why we believe His timing, and his choice, are not in our best interest. And yet God continues to know what he's doing. We cannot second guess him. Sometimes he's protecting us from something we can't yet or might not ever see. Other times he is preparing something even better for us that we have yet to discover. And I believe at all times as long as we stay surrendered to Him. He is shaping our character and refining us through our circumstances, intersecting faith and life.
God has reasons far above our own because He is God and we are not. And we are asked to simply trust that there is an occasion for everything and a time for every activity under heaven, Ecclesiastes 3:1 And that means he didn't get the timing wrong in the slightest. We're also asked to trust that his work is perfect. And all His ways are just Deuteronomy 32:4, and that he's a God who never makes mistakes. And were to simply trust that he's a God who does not slumber or sleep according to Psalm 121:3-4 meaning nothing takes him by surprise. Can you trust God today instead of second guessing him? Can you live with the assurance that he loves you beyond comprehension? And that nothing takes him by surprise, and he won't let anything touch you that hasn't first pass through his loving hands.
Make that your goal today in every circumstance that comes your way. Lord, God help us to trust you with disappointments, missed opportunities, and even when it seems like our world is turning upside down. You are in control and because you are loving and good, you wouldn't have things any other way. For further reading. See Isaiah 55:10-13 And Matthew 7:11.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Uncover the richness of spiritual communion and the transformative power of encountering God in the depths of our souls.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Welcome to The Crosswalk Devotional. We're glad to have you listening with us. Today's topic is how God's deep love washes over us with power. We'll return with the devotional after a brief message from our sponsors.
"Deep calls to deep" written and read by Whitney Hopler. "Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls. All your waves and breakers have swept over me." Psalm 42:7 NIV
There's something deeply powerful about experiencing a waterfall. I hiked to several waterfalls recently in the waterfall capital of the world, the Hamilton Ontario Canada area where more than 100 waterfalls flow down the long Niagara Escarpment, on their way to the majestic Niagara Falls. Every single one of the waterfalls experienced overwhelmed me with the power and beauty of its fast moving water. As I watched the water flow, I thought of the powerful creator who designed our planet Sobell. Water flows abundantly through nature, just as God's love flows through our lives with overwhelming power. Near the end of my trip, I stood beside Niagara Falls, and let the incredible sound of its roar sweep over me. And then I thank God for that experience. The Bible uses the imagery of powerful moving water, waterfalls, waves and breakers. And Psalm 42:7 to describe the mighty power of God's presence with us. These overwhelming forces symbolizes God's overwhelmingly strong love that envelops us when we notice God's presence. The phrase Deep calls to deep at the beginning of this verse helps us visualize the deep connection between us and God. The depth of God's presence is so strong that it reaches the depth of our souls. Imagine standing beside a roaring waterfall. The site is mesmerizing. The sound is deafening. When you feel the incredible power of the water as it cascades down relentlessly. That's how God's love operates in our lives. It's a wild force that can't be tamed. God's loving presence sweeps over us with power, washing away our fears, our doubts and our sin. God's love is like living water. Just as water is vital for our physical health. God's love is essential for our spiritual health. God's living water is the constant refreshing presence of God, we need to survive and thrive. The pressures and demands of our lives can sometimes feel like relentless waves crashing over us, threatening to pull us under. during hard times. It's easy to feel helpless and alone, as if we're drowning in a sea of troubles. But the Libyan water of God's love is stronger than any challenges we face. God's living water cleanses and revives us. Imagine the refreshing sensation of cool water in a hot day, washing away dirt and sweat, leaving us feeling renewed and invigorated. That's what God's love does for our souls. God's love penetrates our defenses and reaches into the deepest parts of our being where our deepest fears and desires live. Because out to the depths within us that yearning for God, those hidden places where we carry our pain, our hopes and our dreams. God's love speaks to those depths, reassuring us that we aren't alone, and that we're deeply value. It gives us the strength to face our challenges, not by removing them, but by transforming us from within, giving us the strength we need to persevere. God's love is a constant powerful presence. Just like the steady flow of a mighty waterfall. It doesn't ebb and flow with the changing tides of our circumstances, but remains reliable and trustworthy.
As we surrender to God's love, we aren't overcome by the weights. Instead, we're lifted above them by all as we experience God's wonder. That all helps us transcend our circumstances by directing our attention to God. We're cleansed of our burdens and fears and we're revived with purpose and peace. This deep love caused us to a deeper relationship with God, where we allow God's love to flow through every aspect of our lives. Whenever we enjoy waterfalls and waves and God's creation Let's remember that God's deep loving presence calls out to the depths of our souls, inviting us into powerful relationships with our Creator. Intersecting safe and life. As you consider how God's deep and powerful love washes over you, reflect on these questions. And what ways have you experienced God's love as a powerful, overwhelming force in your life? How does the imagery of waterfalls waves and breakers help you understand the depth and strength of God's love? What areas of your life feel dry or barren? And how can you invite God's living water to refresh those places? What new habit can you develop to help you allow more of God's love to flow through your life? What steps can you take to trust God's love more fully, especially in challenging situation? Further reading John 4:14. Isaiah 43:2 Psalm 46:4 Revelation 22:1 , Ezekiel 47:9.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Explore the profound ways the Holy Spirit guides us believers in their faith journey. Delve into 5 transformative aspects of how the Spirit leads us,
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Welcome to The Crosswalk Devotional. We're so glad to have you listening. I'm Lynette Kittle. And today's topic is five ways the Holy Spirit leads us. We'll be right back after a brief message from our sponsor.
"Five ways the Holy Spirit Leads Us" written and read by Lynette Kittle.
"He tells them and I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever." John 14:16.
How do we hear from God? For many we aren't expecting or waiting to hear from him, because we don't believe he will, or even wants to communicate directly with us. But Jesus who walked this world and personally spoke to the masses, tells us repeatedly that he is not leaving us alone, but sending us a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who will continue to lead us like he did with those who walked with him on earth. Jesus explained in John 14:26, "but the advocate the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Following are five ways the Holy Spirit leads us.
1: God's Word. Foremost, the Holy Spirit talks to us through God's word, get it off and seems like it's the last place. Many Christians turn to hear his voice. Although the look for him to talk to them through a song or a passing billboard. Turning to his word seems like a last resort for them. Still, not only does the Holy Spirit speak through it, but he inspired it every word. 2 Timothy 3:16 explains how "all scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" as well. The Holy Spirit actively speaks to us now. Through it Hebrews 4:12 describes, "for the Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing a soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
2: His Voice, Hebrews 3:7 teaches that we can hear His voice, leading us saying "so as the Holy Spirit says, Today, if you hear His voice," for most, this is an inward hearing of the Holy Spirit's voice, speaking to our hearts, but nevertheless he is speaking to us, teaching us and reminding us of everything Jesus told us. In John 16:13-14, Jesus assures us that the Holy Spirit speaks to us. "But when he the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own, he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify Me, because it is from me, that he will receive what he will make known to you." As Romans 8:16 assures "the Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."
3: Through Prayer. Prayer is not just praying to God, but also about letting the Holy Spirit lead us in how to pray. Romans 8:26 explains how,"in the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for. but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us to wordless groans." as well. Ephesians 6:18 urges us "and pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and request. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."
4: Godly Counsel. The Holy Spirit leads us through Godly counsel, whether through trusted godly individuals we talked to who are led by Him, or by directly leading us. Psalm 16:7 describes how "I will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night, my hearts instructs me." Sometimes he speaks to us to other Christians. is an even at times through dreams while we're sleeping when he has our full and uninterrupted attention.
5 Nature. Many individuals have been led to God through observing and experiencing nature, seeing his handiwork in gaining understanding that there is a Creator who designed and formed at all. Romans 1:20 describes how, "For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Still, it's confusing to many believers, how and which person of the Triune God is leading them? The answer is all three in one. They're all three distinct person's yet unified in speaking to us. On Earth Jesus spoke with the father was speaking to him, John 14:31. And the Holy Spirit comes from the Father, speaking to us what Jesus said in John 15:26 Jesus explains, "when the advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who goes out from the Father, He will testify about Me," intersecting faith and life.
Ask God to help you see how the Holy Spirit is leading you to impress upon your heart when he is speaking to you, and to open your ears to hear his voice. Further reading a God who doesn't ever leave us.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Discover how Jesus transforms lives, reshaping thoughts and lifestyles. Explore the power of mercy and grace, a journey of encountering Jesus.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Welcome to The Crosswalk Devotional. We're glad to have you listening. Today's topic is a transformed life. We'll return with the devotional after a brief message from one of our sponsors.
"A Transformed Life" written and read by Emma Danzey.
First Timothy, 1:12-14 says, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, putting me into service even though I was previously a blasphemer, and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was more than abundant with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus."
I think Christ Jesus, our Lord, who has strengthened me because he considered me faithful, putting me into service. We all have a testimony. We all have different paths that God has called us to. Jesus has strengthened us just like he strengthened Paul to write Timothy about what the Lord had done in his own life. What is it that Christ has strengthened you to do in the past? What is he strengthening you for right now? The Lord believed that Paul was faithful and put him to service, or reproving to be faithful to God. No one is perfect, but are we willing to be used by him and molded into His image each day? To live a transformed life means that we are submitted to the work of the Holy Spirit, through prayer and reading scripture.
The Bible is living, active and powerful. It changes us when we read it, because we are receiving the word from God. Prayer changes us as we seek the Lord's will and bring her desires and concerns to him. He cares for us. Even though I was previously a blasphemer, and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. What were you before you came to Christ? Paul was a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent aggressor. These are not qualities I would initially jump at for someone to become an apostle in the church. However, this is what Jesus does. He takes those who were enslaved to sin and brings us into His kingdom purposes, changed by His Spirit in us. God receives glory for his transformative work. We receive new identities in Christ. Paul had a literal name change from Saul to Paul, Jesus changed his entire identity and brought him out of a life of hypocrisy. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was more than abundant with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. And Jesus showed great mercy to Paul because he acted foolishly before he knew Jesus. Do we show others this kind of mercy? Do we remember that others around us are not awakened by the work of the Holy Spirit yet? Do we give grace for them to be on a journey to discovering Jesus too?
Jesus remembered that saw later Paul was a sinner in need of Him, just like we need him and everyone else in the world needs him. His grace is described as abundant. We have more than enough in him. Perhaps you have recently become a follower of Jesus. Maybe you feel under qualified because of your past mistakes. Some of the most faithful and powerful use believers have come from some of the most horrific backgrounds of sin just like Paul, maybe you have worked very closely with Christ for a while and need a reminder of how sinful you truly are without the help of the Holy Spirit. Remember that he has washed you whiter than snow too. And be careful not to have a judgmental attitude towards the past sins of others. All have sinned and fall short of God's glory. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
We've become free by Jesus's sacrifice and resurrection. All of our sins are forgiven, intersecting faith in life. How does thinking about Paul's transformed life remind you that anything is possible with God to transform your own life? And what ways has Jesus changed you from a sinful thought pattern or lifestyle? Who can you share his transformative work with this week and tell of His great love and forgiveness for them and their life? Further reading Psalm 25:6, Ephesians 2:4-5, Ephesians 2:8-9.
The Crosswalk Devotional is a production of lifeaudio and Salem media. If you liked what you heard today, please take a second to rate and review this podcast in your favorite podcast app so that more listeners like you can find the show. For more faith filled inspirational podcasts, visit us at lifeaudio.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Reconciliation is key to healing relationships, rather than resorting to condemnation. God's love and grace provides a path to healing and restoration, challenging us to extend mercy and seek unity.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Welcome to the crosswalk devotional. We're glad to have you listening with us. Today's topic is on how to pursue reconciliation above condemnation. You are going to learn today practical tips and the reason why you should not walk in condemnation. We'll return with the devotional after a brief message from our sponsors.
Pursue Reconciliation, Not Condemnation written in read by Kelly Balarie for you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew seven to discipling, a young student, I tried to make truth as plain as possible. I said, judgment is like a boomerang. When you launch it at someone you can expect it to hit them, and then to immediately return and hit you. Judgment always boomerangs back to the one who launched it. A wife speaks mean words to her husband. Before long the husband is saying mean words to her. A critic speaks loudly on social media condemning a church before long comments appear on his post accusing him. A judgmental comment is made about a lady at church. Next week after leaving church, the person that felt judged, now feels judged. Without realizing it, they figure people must be judging me the same way I am judging them. That's what people do after all.
Now, the reality of the situation is that judgment might not even be happening towards this person, but it is expected. Why? Because we expect people to treat us the same way we treat them. We assume judgment is happening because we ourselves are judgmental. The feeling of judgment is just as bad as the reality of it. judgment and condemnation are boomerangs that only serve to hit us in the face, for you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged Matthew 7:2. Ouch. Indeed, this truth hurts, but confronting it is less painful than the standard of judgment, we will experience on earth and in heaven. For if Jesus uses the same standard that we have used to judge others, when we meet Him in heaven, there is wisdom in repenting of all the judgment we have inflicted on Earth. Where have you walked in judgment? Have you judged your spouse, your children, your boss yourself? Have you from a point of self righteousness, put other people down in your mind? I know I've done many of these things.
Let's take a second and pray. Father, forgive us. We don't even realize sometimes what we're doing. Give us power to walk not with a heart of condemnation, but with a heart of reconciliation, by Your grace. Help us see the good in others. Before we point out the bad. Give us eyes to see hope rather than another person's demise. sound an alarm in us if we are ever to celebrate someone else's misfortune, in Jesus's name, Amen.
Intersecting faith and life. My husband I have a saying that comes up when we are arguing. When a finger is pointed and accusing word start flying. We say to the finger pointer. If you spot it, you got it. What does that mean? If my husband says that to me? It means that if I spot a character issue with him, I probably have it in me. How can I know this? I wouldn't be able to recognize it in him. If I wasn't already familiar with it. In Me. We see what we know. It is called projection.
What issue that you are quick to see and others may be something that God wants to address with you. How might his word address that issue? How can you change? How might your actions inspire the other person to change to?
The crosswalk devotional is a production of life audio and Salem media. If you liked what you heard today, please take a second to rate and review this podcast in your favorite podcast app so that more listeners like you can find the show. For more faith filled inspirational podcasts, visit us at lifeaudio.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"If anyone then knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it. It is a sin for them." (James 4:17)
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Welcome to the crosswalk devotional. We're so glad to have you listening. I'm Lynette Kittle. And today's topic is, is it a sin to say or do nothing concerning evil in the world? We'll be right back after a brief message from our sponsor
"Is it a sin to say or do nothing concerning evil in the world?" written and read by Lynette Kittle.
"If anyone then knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it. It is a sin for them." (James 4:17)
When it comes to the sin of omission, what does it mean? Is it even really a sin? No one wants to really talk or even think about the times they've stood by in a situation and said or did nothing, as well. Many don't really consider it to be a problem, to choose to stand by, as something sinful. But is it? Isaiah 1:17 urges us to learn to do right seek justice, defend the oppressed, take up the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Still, how many believers in Jesus Christ are sitting in their offices, churches and homes, not agreeing with what is taking place around them? Yet not saying or doing anything to address it? But rather staying quiet, letting things progress from worse to worse? Psalm 1912 Ask, but who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults? Do some believers just not care? Or is it maybe Christians just don't want to deal with the messiness of getting involved? If so? Is God Okay? With us opposing it on the inside of ourselves secretly? But not saying or doing anything to address it? Does he understand we just don't want to stir the pot cause conflict? Or put anyone on the spot? If we don't say or do anything, but we pray? Does that count as doing something?
Yes, it absolutely does count. James 5:16 reminds us that our prayers are powerful and effective. Still, along with praying at times, God calls us to get involved by saying or doing something following our biblical examples, where he called individuals to take action. Estar, a Jewish girl who really didn't want to get involved, needed encouragement from her uncle Mordecai to act. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place. But you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your oil position for such a time as this. Esther 4:14. Although reluctant to take action, when Esther did, God moved on her behalf in phenomenal ways, by removing a powerful person from position, replacing him with a godly person and saving an entire nation of people. Another example is Jesus. throughout the New Testament, we find Jesus constantly in prayer. Yet people often like to glide over his interaction with the money changers at the temple. But Scripture records his strong words and actions.
Matthew 21:12-13 describes how Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling dos. It is written and he said to them, My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers. Still, how do we know if God is calling us to step out and take action in various situations?
Proverbs 24:10-12 urges if you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength? rescue those being led away to death. Hold back those staggering towards slaughter. If you say but we knew nothing about that. This does not he who weighs the heart perceive it. Does not he who guards your life No it will he not repay everyone according to what they have done. Silence equals consent. The sin of omission historian and author William J. Feta writes, perhaps God is giving people a faith and opportunity to show what they really believe in their hearts through their words and actions. History is filled with accounts of people suffering, coercion, and persecution by godless, totalitarian governments. maligned smeared, cancelled and crushed in hopeless situations against insurmountable odds, writes Federer, but then stirred by the Spirit, little nobodies rise up small in their own eyes, but big in faith and courage, to speak truth to power, and to resist evil. When it comes to answering God's call in how, where and when to respond.
Psalm 26 to urges us to ask God to test me Lord and try me, examine my heart and my mind. Likewise, Second Corinthians 13:5 encourages us to examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you? Unless of course you fail the test. Intersecting faith in life, ask God if he is calling you to say or do something to address the evil occurring around you. If so, ask him to lead and guide you in taking action. Further reading are you committing a sin of omission, definition signs and omission.
The Crosswalk Devotional is a production of lifeaudio and Salem media. If you liked what you heard today, please take a second to rate and review this podcast in your favorite podcast app so that more listeners like you can find the show. For more faith filled inspirational podcasts, visit us at lifeaudio.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Choosing forgiveness aligns with God's heart and unlocks healing and freedom, both for ourselves and others. Listen in and uncover the transformative power of forgiveness and why it's essential for every follower of Christ.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcription Below:
Welcome to the crosswalk, devotional work Glad to have you listening with us. Today's topic is on why unforgiveness is absolutely not an option. We will return with the devotional after a brief message from our sponsors.
Why unforgiveness is not an option written and read by Kelly Balarie. Then Peter came up and said to him, Lord, how often will my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many as seven times. Jesus said to him, I do not say to you seven times, but 77 times! Matthew 18:21-22.
I was furious at this person sitting on the couch, I knew there may as well have been a brick wall between us. I was angry, I felt unprotected and exposed. I didn't want to get hurt again. Fools do that. Sure. His words sounded apologetic, but could I trust them? He was saying one thing. But all my emotions wanted to believe another. Nodding, I pretended like everything was okay. At the same time, my mind circled back to a conversation I recently had with a friend. She explained how she didn't intend to send me a podcast to teach me a lesson, or to prove a point. She just wanted to know my opinion about it. I remember thinking, I have to trust her at her word. Otherwise, if I go by a feeling, I will not go about forgiving. I told her, friend, I know your heart. I immediately moved on from bitterness. What can I do the same thing with this man? Why couldn't I trust his heart? Why couldn't I take him at his word? I sat with that thought. After a time I came to the fact that Jesus doesn't tell me It's an option that I forgive. He doesn't tell me it might be a good idea that I forgive. Jesus tells me TO forgive.
Then Peter came up and said to him, Lord, how often will my brother sinned against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times. Jesus said to him, I do not say to you seven times. But 77 times.. Matthew 18:21,- 22. Man will fail us 77 times. And God calls us to forgive them 77 times, even when by our natural, we have no good reason as to why we should forgive them. Never once did Jesus say, we have to understand every reason why. He just tells us to forgive. To Love the Lord is to obey his commands. To give someone forgiveness is to offer them a fresh start. Jesus is though way, so certainly his truth leads the way to abundant life. This doesn't mean we abandoned reason or wisdom as we forgive. Certainly boundaries, and wise words are always needed. At the same time, the calling to forgive still stands to.
Who do you need to forgive today. How might God be preparing something new for you in that relationship? How might God be growing fruit in you? How might this growing of fruit in your life affect others?
Friends, forgiveness is never merited hardly deserved, but it is always required. We forgive just as Jesus forgave us, intersecting faith and life. Then Peter came up and said to him, Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times. Jesus said to him, I do not say to you seven times But 77 times this indicates that man will hurt us many, many times. Not only will they hurt us, but they will verifiably sin against us. When we know that someone has not only hurt us, but they have blatantly sinned in our face, how will we handle it? Are we a person of grace or Venga? Do we continually blame and point fingers at the past or at the person? Or do we make way for an immediate and radical forgiveness?
The crosswalk devotional is a production of life audio and Salem media. If you liked what you heard today, please take a second to rate and review this podcast in your favorite podcast app so that more listeners like you can find the show. For more faith filled inspirational podcasts, visit us at lifeaudio.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Whether in moments of joy or times of trial, learn how worship transforms hearts and draws us closer to the heart of God. Tune in as we explore the significance of singing to Him in spirit and truth, inviting His presence into our lives.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below:
Welcome to the crosswalk devotional. We're glad to have you listening with us. Today's topic is why singing is a powerful way to celebrate God's wonderful work in your life. We'll return with the devotional after a brief message from our sponsors.
Sing To Him written and read by Whitney Hepler. Sing to him, sing praise to Him. Tell of all his wonderful acts. First Chronicles 16:9 NIV.
I sometimes sing my prayers to God, and I also love to sing pray songs at home or in my car. Singing helps me focus on using the unique voice God has given me to connect with him. It's also an enjoyable way to express myself. When I want to celebrate something wonderful God has done I naturally feel like singing.
Lately I've been singing the simple yet beautiful praise song. I love you, Lord by Lori Klein, acapella and spontaneously, whenever I want to thank God for something.
That song begins, I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship You, oh my soul rejoice. Lifting my voice to worship God by singing makes me feel personally connected to God and inspires me to rejoice that God's wonderful work in my life.
There is something uniquely powerful about singing.
It transcends the spoken words we use in regular conversations and often take for granted.
Singing taps into a deep spiritual part of us. And first Chronicles 16:9. The Bible encourages us to sing praise to God to tell him his wonderful acts. Music has a way of embedding itself into our memories and emotions. That makes singing a powerful way to celebrate the wonderful ways God is working in our lives. singing praise to God is a form of worship, that not only honors God, but also reminds us of His goodness in power.
Each of us has a unique voice, a distinct way of expressing ourselves. When we sing, we engage this God given gift in a personal and profound way. Our voices become instruments of praise that resonate with our individual experiences and emotions. This uniqueness reflects our personal journeys with God. So singing helps us to discover and use our unique voices to connect with God more deeply.
When we feel joyful, songs of praise can amplify our joy, turning our rejoicing into an offering to God. When we feel sad, singing can lift our spirits and help us find comfort in God's presence. The act of singing praises to God can transform our perspective by shifting our focus of our circumstances to God's greatness. Singing can be a powerful tool for self expression and connection with God because it involves our whole selves, body, mind and spirit. The physical act of singing engages our breath, creating a sense of presence and grounding and our bodies. The mental focus required to remember lyrics and melodies sharpens our minds. Spiritually singing opens us up to the Holy Spirit, making room for a stronger connection between our spirits and God's Spirit.
We never need to worry about how good our voices sound musically when we're singing to God. God's focus isn't on our music, talents, or on our skills. It's on us authentically expressing ourselves to Him. God listens with the love when we sing to him from our heart. When we lift our voices in song to God with simple and genuine praise, we can notice God's presence with us and feel God's love for us. The songs we sing in worship are not just musical pieces. They're declarations of God's wonderful character and acts. So as you think of God's wonderful work in your life, sing praises to Him, not just as a ritual, but as a heartfelt expression of your love and gratitude. Let your voice tell the story of God's amazing grace and unfailing love. Your unique God given voice is invaluable gift. When you use it to sing God's praises you celebrate not only his wonderful acts, but also the individual way God has created you to connect with him.
intersecting saith and life as you consider how singing can help you celebrate God's wonderful work in your life, reflect on these questions.
Can you recall a time when a worship song helped you feel closer to God or gave you strength during a difficult time?
What are some of God's wonderful acts in your life that you can celebrate through singing?
How can you incorporate singing into your daily devotional time?
How does using your unique voice by singing strengthen your personal connection with God?
Further reading Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Psalm 95:1, Psalm 10:2, Psalm 150:6.
The crosswalk devotional is a production of life audio and Salem media. If you liked what you heard today, please take a second to rate and review this podcast in your favorite podcast app so that more listeners like you can find the show.
For more faith filled inspirational podcasts, visit us at lifeaudio.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Discover how God's timeless existence brings hope, comfort, and reassurance in every season. Explore the profound implications of God's immortality and how understanding this truth strengthens our faith and transforms our perspective on life's challenges.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcripts below:
Welcome to the crosswalk devotional. We're glad to have you listening with us. Today's topic is about what to do when we experienced loss. Well, we tend with a devotional after a message from our sponsors.
God never dies by Alexis Goring. God is the only one who never dies. He lives in light so bright that men cannot go near it. No one has ever seen God or you can see him. My honor and power belongs to God forever. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:16. At one point or another in our life on Earth, we will experience loss. A woman's pet dog of more than a decade dies and leaves her heartbroken because they were so close. A divorce, his pet cat, with her solace to the trauma of her shattered heart died, leaving her more broken than ever. A wife whose husband passes away, and she feels like the one has been knocked out of her cells, because he wast her everything. A young man dumped by his girlfriend who he dreamed of marrying, feels depressed now than his hope for that special relationship is over. A child who loses their best friend who they thought would be their friend forever cries out of loneliness.
These are all real life case scenarios about losing someone or something you love with all your heart. Such grief leaves a hole in our souls, because we spent much of our lives be filled and comforted by what is no longer hours. The severed ties are devastating. And we may struggle with how to cope with such profound disappointments. But again is is that there was one relationship that we all can have that will last for all eternity, of friendship with Jesus Christ. It never fails because he and his Heavenly Father God will live forever. God never dies.
The Bible says in Deuteronomy 31:8, the Lord himself will go before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you or forget you. Don't be afraid. Don't worry. We serve a great God who promises to never leave our side. And his promises are forever true. First Corinthians chapter one, verse nine. He loves humankind with all his heart, and He gave His Holy Spirit to comfort us when we are sad and grieving. I understand how it feels to experience loss. When I lost a friendship that I hoped would last forever. God helped me heal and realize that he is my forever friends. Were my wonderful compassionate and Christian faith filled grandparents died. God helped me remember that he'd ever dies. God will always care for me just like my maternal grandparents cared for our family members. When I lost a few jobs over the years that once brought a steady flow of good income. God showed me that he is Jehovah Jireh my provider. When I felt depressed, God showed me that he restores. He even sent me to our church whose theme song is God restores by dynamic praise. God gave healing and restoration to so many people through that churches ministry, and we have forever changed and closer to him because of it. There are since he wasted on life experiences may differ.
We all have a God shaped hole in our soul that only God can fill. No person can complete us like he can. No amount of money and luxury can fill this hole. No drink or substance can permanently relieve the pain. Only God can. While you allow God to fill you up with his presence, while you ask him to give you a peace that passes all understanding Philippians 4:7. God is ready and willing to be everything you need him more. He is just a prayer away. You don't always need to kneel to pray be inside of a church or in the presence of pastors and Christian leaders. Because God is literally everywhere. He hears you no matter where you are in this world. May His faithfulness encouraged your heart and inspire you to go to him for the healing you need after suffering loss. Intersecting faith in life when you're experienced Seeing a loss. Who do you turn to? How does it feel to know that God understands everything you're going through and is ready to help you further reading Deuteronomy 30:3 Jeremiah 30:17, Jeremiah 17:14, Isaiah 40:31, Mark 11:24.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Explore how a single, transformative key can empower believers to overcome challenges and spiritual battles in their lives.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Full Transcript Below
Welcome to The Crosswalk Devotional. We are glad to have you listening with us. Today's topic is about the one key that can effectively trampled Satan. My friends, you're gonna want to hear about this one key. We'll return with this devotional right after a brief message from our sponsors.
This one key can trample Satan, written in read by Kelly Balarie The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. "The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you." Romans 16:20 Have you ever crushed in an ant under foot? I haven't done it lately, at least not intentionally. But as a kid, I was a pro at it. Maybe you were two. You could squash one of those buggers in a split second. Why? Because you were all three feet tall and the ant was minut and helpless squash. The thing was ruined before it even saw you coming. One day the God of all peace, the Lord Jesus will come and ultimately crush Satan. This will not be a light crushing it will be a damning and definitive crushing what it is all said and done. God is huge and Satan small God is absolute and Satan's attack only temporary. And what will God use to defeat satan? Peace. Just as God will use this weapon in the End Times, crushing Satan underfoot we have a clue in present times on how we can defeat satan. Peace. This is a powerful weapon to use. Lately, I've been using it a person close to me has been accusing and condemning me with their words continually is very hard not to act and to react in the same manner. Yet you cannot beat fear with fear nor can you extend grace to a condemning spirit with condemnation. All of this is a test of faith and trust in God for me. Many days I feel completely powerless and out of control. But when I remember the piece Jesus has left me. I can draw on that piece. It's there for me. I can choose to remember that an external circumstance has no power to take away the internal reality of peace that Jesus gave me. While the devil would love for me to respond in bitterness, anger, retaliation or fear, I don't have to bow down to his way. Instead, I can choose to keep my peace, to pause before speaking and to pray before opening my mouth. When I preserve my peace, I trampled the enemy's plan. Where's the devil stealing your peace? Where our external circumstances stealing Jesus's internal gift, a piece that crushes the enemy. Part of peace is forgiving ourselves for the ways we've walked and forgiving others for how they've wrongfully acted. Then we start with a blank slate. against peace the enemy has no offense. With peace, we have the greatest defense, intersecting faith and life. It is peace that guards our heart and mine in Christ Jesus. See Philippians four seven. We may not be prone to think of peace as a great defense, but it is. It not only guards our mind from worry and fear, but it keeps our heart from distress and defeat. What would it look like for you to walk in peace through your day? What tends to steal your peace? When can you begin to pray for the God of all peace to help you to keep your peace?
The crosswalk devotional is a production of life audio and Salem media. If you liked what you heard today, please take a second Get to rate and review this podcast in your favorite podcast app so that more listeners like you can find the show. For more faith filled inspirational podcasts, visit us at life audio.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Through insightful reflections and biblical wisdom, uncover how embracing your God-given pace fosters deeper spiritual growth and fulfillment.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Explore how you can embody Christ-like compassion and grace to bring hope and healing to broken situations. Uncover practical steps to illuminate dark places with love, faith, and the unwavering light of God's truth.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A journey of inner transformation and liberation. Allow God to humble your heart so you can free your soul through His word.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Uncover the beauty and significance of recognizing God's loving guidance in every aspect of our journey and embracing God's direction in our lives.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Journey together in rediscovering the closeness and comfort found in God's enduring love, even in moments when we feel far from Him.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Examine how we can persevere in faith, trusting God's faithfulness amidst challenges and uncertainties. Discover how to lean on God's strength and continue the journey with confidence, knowing that He is faithful to bring His work in us to its glorious completion.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
This simple yet profound act can bring peace, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose as we journey together in faith.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Whether you're seeking encouragement in your spiritual journey or looking for ways to strengthen your Christian identity, this episode offers guidance on how to boldly live out your faith and glorify God through your actions and words.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
it's about aligning our desires with God's will, trusting Him to guide our steps. Open your heart to God's dreams for your life. Embark on a journey of faith, hope, and purpose, anchored in the promises of a God who dreams big dreams for each of us.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Our worth and significance are not defined by our roles, achievements, or positions in the world, but by our inherent value as beloved children of God. Reclaim your true identity and live with confidence, purpose, and joy in the knowledge of God's unconditional love.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Uncover the beauty and significance of finding thin places in the midst of our daily lives. This episode offers a blend of inspiration, contemplation, and practical guidance to help listeners deepen their spiritual practice and cultivate a deeper sense of connection with God in every moment.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Jesus can guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions. Our lives can change when we seek out guidance. What would your life look like if you lived by "what would Jesus do"?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Find comfort in knowing that we are never alone—God's heavenly messengers surround us, ready to defend and uphold us in times of trouble.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Confront the tendency to allow our feelings to dictate our lives and instead turn our focus towards the sovereignty of God. Surrender our emotions to the lordship of God, finding peace, strength, and wisdom in His unwavering presence.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Each verse, story, and symbol serves as a testament to the Messiah's coming, offering glimpses of His character, mission, and sacrificial love. we seek to encounter Jesus anew in the timeless wisdom of the Old Testament, deepening our faith and drawing closer to the heart of God.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Embrace the comforting truth that God is ever-present, offering His comforting presence in every moment of our lives through all times of joy, sorrow, uncertainty, and triumph.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Confront the insidious power of shame and discover how to overcome it through the transformative grace of God. Embrace the freedom and redemption that God offers to all who seek it.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When humanity despises or overlooks certain situations or individuals, God's redemptive love can transform them into sources of profound beauty and purpose.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Prayer is a deeply relational act—an opportunity to commune with God, grow in intimacy, and align our hearts with His divine will. Listen in on this devotional that talks the transformative power of relational prayer. Discover how to cultivate a deeper, more meaningful connection with our Creator.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What is the profound concept of wholehearted devotion to God? What ways can you actually love God and give him our all? Explore some practical ways to deepen our relationship with God, surrendering every aspect of our being in an authentic expression of love and devotion.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
It is our calling to spread the message of Christ's love and salvation to all corners of the earth. Embrace the mission to share God's transformative love and truth with everyone, everywhere.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
There are distractions and uncertainty within the realm of social media. Listen to a way on how to navigate it with grace, authenticity, while having a faith perspective.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Discover how turning to God's Word and His steadfast promises can bring peace and assurance when you face your deepest fears. Seek to transform your anxiety into faith, finding hope and courage in the knowledge that God is always with you, even in your darkest times.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
These are four compelling reasons why you can remain steadfast and confident in God's promises, even when the world around you feels chaotic and unpredictable. Equipping you to navigate challenges with a firm and resilient faith.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Reflect on how we can actively seek to embody Christ's love and compassion in our daily lives. A biblical call to "Learn to Do What Is Good" (Isaiah 1:17)
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
From a powerful truth from scripture to help you find peace and balance amidst the busyness. This devotional can help you address the overwhelming chaos that often accompanies the summer season.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Trust in God's promises, even when they seem beyond our grasp. Trust as we uncover the beauty of faith that transcends sight, discovering the profound peace and strength that come from entrusting our lives to the loving hands of our unseen but ever-present God. Through passage and prayer we can see.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Prayer, discernment, and reliance on God's guidance can illuminate our path during challenging times. Seek God's wisdom to make sound decisions rooted in faith and trust.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God's abundant grace and provision can bring comfort and hope even in the midst of sorrow. God meets us in our grief, offering hope and restoration even in the darkest of times,
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Placing Him first can lead to greater peace, purpose, and fulfillment. Discover the joy of wholeheartedly following Christ and the abundant blessings that flow from making Him the center of our hearts and minds.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we allow His love to overflow into every aspect of our lives, we uncover the beauty of surrender and receptivity, inviting God to work miracles of grace within us. Enlighten yourself into the transformative power of positioning your heart to receive God's abundant grace.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Uncover how focusing on His infinite power and love can bring peace to our anxious hearts. Join Jennifer Slattery as you explore ways to strengthen your faith and find comfort in God's unchanging presence.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Explore what it truly means to live as God's beloved children and how embracing our identity in Christ transforms our daily lives, guiding our actions, choices, and relationships.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Discover how unwavering faith can sustain us through the most daunting challenges, reminding us that God's promises remain steadfast even when circumstances seem impossible. This devotional offers inspiration and encouragement to trust in God's plan and His infinite grace.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We all seek to understand how His love and grace can mend our deepest wounds, offering us peace and strength in our most challenging moments.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Through prayer, reflection, and practical application, you are invited to deepen your understanding of what it means to speak the truth in love and to allow this principle to shape relationships and interactions with others.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Through scripture, personal stories, and practical insights, we aim to inspire you to live each day in the light of His love and sacrifice, continually reminded of the grace and redemption that His death brings to us all.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In the midst of life's most challenging moments, God's light shines brightest. By anchoring our faith in the unchanging promises of God and cultivating a spirit of resilience, we discover that hope is not merely a fleeting emotion but a steadfast anchor for the soul.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to feel like we're being pulled in countless directions. Responsibilities at work, commitments to family and friends, and personal ambitions can often leave us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. As we journey through life, may we hold fast to the truths of our faith, allowing them to guide and sustain us through every trial and triumph.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The transformative power of relationships in our spiritual journey uplift us along our path. We are constantly reminded of the truth, that we are not meant to walk this journey alone.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Drawing upon wisdom from scriptures, explore the profound truth that each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made. By cultivating a heart of gratitude and focusing on our personal journey of growth and fulfillment, we can experience true freedom from the burden of comparison and step into the abundant life that awaits us through Jesus.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We recognize the importance of immersing ourselves in God's Word, yet we often find ourselves making excuses. Whether it's busyness, doubt, or a lack of understanding, these barriers can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of God's love and wisdom. It's time to break down barriers and embrace the abundant blessings waiting to be discovered within the pages of Scripture.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
As believers, we are called to live purposefully, to align our lives with God's divine plan. Yet, amidst the chaos of daily life, it's easy to lose sight of this calling. Whether you're at a crossroads in your journey or simply seeking deeper meaning in your everyday life, this devotional offers a beacon of hope and guidance.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Are you a Christian woman who is tired of the same old answers to your body image and comparison struggles? Have you "tried everything," yet still feel like your body isn't enough or should be better? Do you know that "God looks at the heart" or "You're fearfully and wonderfully made" yet STILL feel like maybe God should have made your body better? If you answered yes to any of the above, then Compared to Who? A Biblical Approach to Body Image Issues is the show for you! Be sure to subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
“Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) - Mark 7:18 - 19
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Discover how walking hand-in-hand with a fellow believer enriches our lives and strengthens our commitment to the gospel.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a world often fraught with challenges and uncertainties, maintaining a positive outlook can feel like an uphill battle. Trust in God to help you find the way.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Journey up on a mountainside and explore the profound moments of solace and connection with God. Tune in to be inspired and uplifted as we embrace the serenity and perspective that comes from communing with God atop the summit.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Experience the transformative power of patience of waiting on God. Explore the beauty and challenges of trusting in God's timing.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Discover how to find strength in moments of doubt as we explore ways to bolster your faith when it wavers. Uplift your spirit and renew your confidence in your faith journey with today's devotional.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"It's the journey itself. The adventure we go on with Jesus day to day. We can make bucket list plans, but those goals are far less important." - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"God is in control. He is not the God of panic but of peace. Not of chaos and confusion but of calm" - Cindi McMenamin
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Discover the peace, comfort, and guidance that await when we turn our hearts towards Him, inviting His presence to illuminate our lives with grace and purpose.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Can we live a peaceful life amidst the chaos? We know as Christians, any day we can be called home. What type of life will you lead while we are here?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Embrace the healing power of a cheerful heart. Laughter is a gift from God, designed to bring lightness to our spirits in this heavy world. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Each one of us has sin so deep that without a savior, sin taints our blood to the point to eternal death. Without Jesus all sin leads to the same destructive destination. - (Lynette Kittle)
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a time of hopelessness, remember God is always with you, beside you and before you. - Keri Eichberger
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Imagine a seed. It starts out small and has the potential to grow. How does God relate our faith to a seed? To a mountain?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Imagine a seed. It starts out small and has the potential to grow. How does God relate our faith to a seed? To a mountain?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
By definition "The Apple of my eye" is a person or thing that someone loves very much. An endearing term. How does it relate to us and God's word?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you been distracted from giving God all the attention he is worthy of receiving? - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"The life in the church isn't always what we think it will be. What do we do? Jesus gives us a way." - Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Jesus spoke: "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand" (John 13:7).
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
It is important to make sure we are walking in step with the Spirit. When we align ourselves with God will, there is nothing that will stop us. When we yield our lives to God, his plans become our plans. - Michelle Lazurek
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Our mission is to further the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that more souls can encounter God and be saved in His kingdom. Remember this world is not our home, Heaven awaits. - Alexis A. Goring
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1-2)
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." - Ephesians 4:29
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Death is the original price human kind has to pay for our sins. There is hope because of Jesus Christ. He paid the ultimate price for our sins. - Alexis A. Goring
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you" - (Hebrews 13:5)
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Does God accept me? Deep down we want to know if we are acceptable in the eyes of God. We are not perfect, we all have battles we fight internally and questions we aways ask ourselves. Does God accept us regardless? The answer is YES.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"It is not fair that we are inconsistent talkers. The reality and evidence of our need for a Savior becomes very clear just simply by opening our mouths. We bless, and we curse." - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"God understands how loving us first has the power to draw even the most reluctant sinner to his side. He knew too, that we wouldn't be able to love HIM on our own because of sins barrier within us" - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"Maybe you found yourself overwhelmed with the heavy load of your life. Yet you long for relief and a lighter load. Which leads you to ask yourself: What stays? What goes? What matters?" - Keri Eichberger
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"Jesus points out that prayer is not just a ritual where we try to convince God to give us something. But rather a authentic conversation with our all knowing and completely caring heavenly father. God knows our needs even before we articulate them." - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"He convicted my heart. Immediately, I knew I needed to stop running away from him and start running towards him. In that moment, I realized HE was the security and peace I was searching for" - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"Even as believers in Christ, we are prone to fall into the temptations to make "gods" out of people places or things. But they all fail in comparison to Jesus." - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Only Jesus has the power to take the heaviness of sins away. Only Jesus can give us the freedom we need to live with joy. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What we do with our hands, our minds and our time has serious implications on our future. If idle hands keep us poor, then what great things could we achieve if we were consistently diligent? - Aaron Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The next time you are reminded of your shortcomings. Instead allowing shame to overwhelm you, use that moment as an opportunity to pause and praise the Lord for your new life in him. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God's word is said to be a lamp, or a light for us as we travel this life. - (Sarah Frazer)
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
For I will pour water on a thirsty land and streams on the dry ground. I will pour out my spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your decedents. They will spring up like grass in the meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. - (Isaiah 44:3-4)
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When the circumstances are all that we see, let us be reminded to take a step back. Only then can we see the full picture. - (Aaron Brown)
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Adam and Eve must have been overwhelmed with Joy! Every part of the garden was like a treasure chest that they could open to find valuable gifts. Today, we still have access to the awe-inspiring plants and trees God originally created. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In society it is rare for people to bless each other. We are more known for what we are against, then what we are for. - Michelle Lazurek
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - (Philippians 4:6-7)
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have. For He has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you." - (Hebrews 13:5)
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What do you do when life's tough circumstances occur? Do you ignore God and believe the lie that God is not being good to you? (- Michelle Lazurek) Pray, even when times are tough.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Your thoughts relate to how you feel. The more positive, the better mood you are in. God understands we are not perfect. But when you speak truth and positivity in your mind, your body and spirit follows.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"The power we have in Christ Jesus is incredible! But what does "In Christ" mean?" (Meg Bucher) Listen today for an inspiring devotional about the power we can look to in our daily lives.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Sometimes as a Christian, it can be confusing to understand common terms used in preaching, teaching and Christian content. - (Lynette Kittle) Gather and listen to get a better understanding of these three terms through this devotional.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we hear the word "Veil" we may think about a bride. This curtain was established in the times of Moses, it was intentionally placed to divide the Holy of Holies in the temple of God. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Eternity: What is it? Eternal life with Jesus starts the moment we ask Him into our lives. A reunion with God without sin or sadness.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Making the most of tomorrow is difficult when your stuck on yesterday. - Aaron Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever felt like everyone is watching you parent, not just on social media? The circle of judgment is real. Remember that God loves us despite ourselves, he knows we'll never get it completely right, but his love for us is unaffected.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The words we speak, along with the words spoken to us have the ability to cultivate healing within us. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When you're weak and weary, and your joy feels smothered, Talk to God about the weights you've been carrying, but also the goodness He's working within all. Like the birds that never fail to raise their beautiful songs each day, the melodies you release will begin to fill your soul with smiles and refuel your strength. - Keri Eichberger
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Word of God is so powerful, and the more we study and meditate upon it, our foundation will be so strong in Christ, and we will continually know how to look to Him anytime stress and anxiety tries to overtake us. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God gives us His unconditional love, faithfulness, and presence whenever we ask. Give everything you have and watch as he gives you his faithfulness, sovereignty, love, and devotion in return. - Michelle Lazurek
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Spring highlights the beauty of change. It reminds me of how God, through His Holy Spirit, is constantly renewing us with the strength we need during each season of our lives. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Being tired isn't only a result of lack of sleep. Sometimes we're simply tired of trying to be better, feel better, look better. We're just flat out tired. Where is the strength we're desperate for? The Bible tells us that the Lord will supply all our needs and also repeats the truth that He is our strength. - Keri Eichberger
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of someone else. This phrase is used to support the importance of self care and me time, but this often becomes an ideology completely centered around self. If we wait until all areas of our life are perfectly overflowing. We will never experience the beauty of relying upon God's grace - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When life throws us a curveball like job loss, divorce, or other major life transition, it's easy to want to trade uncertainty for something familiar. But this is not the life God has for us. God does not want us to resort to uncertainty, but rather trust in God. Allow God's unconditional love to wash over us. - Michelle Lazurek
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"One willing to stand up and speak up is not inherently wrong, but we should ensure that our hearts motivations are pure and our words are meant to build up or encourage, not put down and discourage." - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the Earth." (Genesis 9:16) "The rainbow isn't just an image that we get to paint on nursery walls and put on the cover of children's Bibles. It's testimony to God's presence" - Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you want to hear exclusive interviews? Today’s episode is from the show "Crosswalk Talk.” It is a podcast dedicated to bringing you interviews with your favorite Christian celebrities and giving you behind the scenes stories and testimonies you won’t hear anywhere else. In this episode, Zach Williams talks about his addictions, family, and the will God gave him to overcome adversity to live the life he was meant to live. This is an honest heartwarming interview you will not want to miss.
To hear more, check out Crosswalk Talk on Spotify, Apple Podcast or your favorite listening app.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we are tempted to worry about our lives, may we consider the lilies. When we are tempted to labor and try to be in control, may we find the surrender to Christ a freeing exercise of growth in Him. We can rest in Him each day, knowing that He loves us greatly. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
You can enjoy a close connection with God that renews you from within when you develop a habit of prayerful breathing. So, embrace the gift of your breathing as a sacred way to connect with God anytime and anywhere! - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What a wonderful truth that when we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are God’s children and, therefore, co-heirs with Christ. God doesn’t just save his children from eternal suffering but gives us the same inheritance as His son! - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When you think about the marks of a Christian, there is one mark that should be present, which sometimes we can too easily gloss over. That mark is forgiveness. When we need forgiveness, it is amazing how we seek after it. Yet when we must give forgiveness, sometimes we can be a little slow on the draw. Have you ever wondered why that is? - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If you want to have a deeper faith, then waste your time with Jesus. Seek solitude with your Savior. Cultivate a habit where He is your focus, where you attend to His presence and His voice. - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Faith in God is something all believers have. When we ask for anything through Christ Jesus, it is our faith that drives the assurance that we will receive it. However, faith is not only the confidence that we will receive what we ask according to God’s divine will for our lives. It is also having confidence that God will provide all that we need and trusting Him no matter what the situation looks like. - Liz Lampkin
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The magnitude of God’s wonders is truly awe-inspiring. The abundance of God’s countless blessings and the intricacy of God’s plans surpass our human understanding. Recognizing that sparks a desire topraise God. None can compare with our wonderful God! - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
There have been times in my life when I felt the Lord calling me out of the boat and to walk toward him. After my miscarriage, it was to walk the waters of grief. Later, when I was pregnant again, it was to walk the waters of trust. Life is full of adventures, but not every adventure leads us in a straight path. Sometimes they lead us through ravines and along cliffs. The winds of uncertainty and fear and unknowns buffet us, and we lose sight of Jesus. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
To preach the Lordship of Jesus is to declare the constancy of his loving presence. It is to make known the truth that God is with us and that we are invited to live within Jesus’s love every single day of our lives. - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Do you feel overly concerned about a need you are facing? Maybe an unexpected car repair or a bill that needs to be paid soon. Take a moment to jot down three to five things that you are thankful for praising God for each thing, and then ask God to provide for your specific need. Trust Him and thank Him in advance for daily bread. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we say “God is love,” we’re not just asserting that love is one of God’s attributes, like power or wisdom. Instead, we’re declaring that love defines God’s nature. It's the heart of who God is. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In a world overrun with words, let’s find a different way to love each other beyond our screens and devices. The power of an in-person smile, embrace, and live listening ear oozes of compassionate love. Christ-like love is self-sacrificing, humble, and willing. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We should open our hearts to allow God’s Spirit to reprioritize any part of our lives that is out of line with His best for us. Let’s commit ourselves to building a stockpile of heavenly treasures that will follow us into eternity. - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Have you ever wondered if God has forgotten you? Have you been crying out to him, and all you hear is silence? Have you been desperate to know where He was leading and what He was doing? - Christine Perry
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Scripture calls us to continue meeting together – to remain connected to a wider group of faith players who can encourage us, support us, lift us up when something goes wrong, and even give us pointers along the way. We are not meant to live our spiritual life alone. - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
While you may not call someone an enemy, I can be certain you can name some people in your life you don’t have warm, fuzzy feelings for. In all walks of life, you are going to encounter people that are hard to like and hard to root for. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Because matters and conditions of the heart run deep within us, God is the only one who can truly know the depth of our pain and brokenness. He is the only one who is equipped to repair it, too, and able to make it whole again. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Because sin exists in the world, so do sickness and brokenness, and no one is exempt from any of it. Although we have been redeemed and our eternal salvation is secure in Christ, as believers, we still are subject to suffering in this fallen world that we live in. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we consistently discipline our children, we teach them what it looks like to see our sin, repent, and repair our relationships when they are ruptured by sin. And God reminds us in our key passage not to give up when this happens. And while discipline isn't enjoyable, it is a necessary tool to help us see how we fall short of God's glorious standard. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How do you feel? Are there parts of your body that you’ve been neglecting? Make a plan to address any lingering health issues or take care of your basic needs. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Bible tells us to keep a tight reign on our thought life, lest we follow it down rabbit holes which can leave us stuck in a moment we can’t get out of. Yet, we are not supposed to live thoughtlessly. Rumination, another word for overthinking, can be good or bad … or good and bad. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Situations in life don’t change because you worry about them. They change because you pray about them. When worry is present, prayer is usually absent. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Although it hurts at a deep level to be rejected, and it’s not easy when faced with it to respond in the right way, with God’s help, we can respond with the love He gives to us to those who reject us. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The same grace that saved us is the very same grace that keeps us and molds us into the image of Christ, day by day. From the moment of your conversion, you became God’s work-in-progress, and the greatest news of all is that He doesn’t grow weary, stressed, or exhausted with you. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What if frustration in our prayer life is a sign of our deepening faith, not the absence of it? What if our feelings of inability in prayer indicate the movement of the Spirit deep within? - Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How do we balance the call to love our neighbor and be Kingdom bringers and justice pursuers while still guarding our hearts against the heaviness that can turn us off from being able to care well for the world around us? - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Denial is a tempting alternative to painful realities, but in choosing to ignore reality we stunt our growth. Everything we endure on this earth when we place our faith in God is meant to bring about good in our lives. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If God’s faithfulness were a reward for actions, then few would ever experience it. Because his faithfulness flows from his grace, it is available to everyone. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Next time you want to say “no” to an opportunity God has placed in your life because you are scared, remember that we have the power of the Holy Spirit working to bring God glory, and His purpose will prevail.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
There is no step-by-step guide to having a successful and thriving marriage, but there are things we can implement to help strengthen it. Thankfully, when we make a commitment to put God first within the marriage, He gives us grace and wisdom for the journey together. The Holy Spirit truly does empower us to show the love of God, even to the most unlovable. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God is love, so the only way to really define and understand what love is, and how to do everything in love, requires looking at how God defines it. The following are seven ways. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We are to live day by day and not worry about the future. I’ve learned how key it is to focus on the present and ask God for His provision at the start of every new day. He always provides exactly what we need to make it through every 24 hours. - Alexis A. Goring
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We can wholeheartedly believe and trust for the healings we hope for and problems we seek solutions for. God knows what we need, and He is faithful. Peace-filled, positive thinking = thinking about God! - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The answers to life’s situations are first found in God’s presence. This should be the first place we run to. The presence of God does not mean situations change immediately. What it means is your ability to endure the situation does. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Compassion is one of those words we don’t hear all that much these days. Obvious when looking at how we treat those with differing views, especially those from the opposite political party. It’s also one of those words that has a deeper meaning than what immediately comes to mind. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We must be on our guard, know the Bible for ourselves, and live in the power of the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with a hurting culture. It is messy, challenging, and tiring. However, we are encouraged to contend for the faith. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
No matter if you are single or married, experiencing isolation and loneliness can often lead to depression that can be crippling. People in the world are looking to belong. In Christ, as His followers, we have the answer. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed tells the story of several different seeds and how the environment they were planted in and the way they were cared for determined the progress of their growth. It’s a smart and accurate comparison to our current lives and the way in which we decide to water the Word of God in them daily. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Worry has a way of igniting a series of “what-ifs.” These thoughts trickle down from our heads to our hearts with a lit fuse ready to detonate an explosion of fear. Yet, sure-footed in God’s Truth, we can stomp out these sparks quickly and rest in His peace instead. - Megan Evans
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What are the sins, the guilts, or the shame that we have buried underneath the sands of our lives, that remain undealt with? What are the sins that we have hidden that cause us to live in fear? - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
With everything happening in our world today, does God really expect us not to be anxious? The short answer is yes. God tells us not to be anxious about anything. And he goes on to say when he expects this of us. - Anne Peterson
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Suffering is a reality for everyone on this earth, including believers. To deny that is to deny the reality of the fact that we live in a fallen world, and Christians are not exempt from the results of it. Remember, the apostles suffered greatly, and many of them died horrendous deaths as martyrs. But it was all for God’s glory and a part of His sovereign plan for their lives. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Contentment is not a static state of being. It's the active pursuit of the life God has just for YOU. It's being ready to be obedient to God’s guidance in every season. - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Your most significant legacy for your family, community, and this world is a heritage of faith in Jesus Christ. How are you building that legacy today? - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If we are to embrace each new day, we can’t get stuck on the troubles of yesterday or any worries about the future. Instead, we should use these practical steps to wake up in the morning and embrace what’s to come. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We don’t rejoice in God because of what he can do for us, we rejoice because of who he is. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Who hasn’t seen favoritism? Sadly, partiality is widespread not only out in the world but in many churches. Yet James 2:1-4 addresses it within the Church, revealing the sinfulness behind it. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Our momentary trials and hardships might be extremely painful and difficult, but we can get through knowing that the Lord is with us and we have eternal security in Heaven because of Jesus. We can each declare this in our own lives today, “I will trust and not be afraid.” - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The disciplined person recognizes how much they don’t know instead of celebrating how much they do. This type of person will always acquire more knowledge. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The LifeAudio Podcast Network is thrilled to announce that Hearing Jesus for Kids is now available on all podcasting apps!
Sometimes people think that the Bible is just for adults, but God actually wants kids to know about Him and encourages parents to raise faithful families. So, on Hearing Jesus for Kids, your children are going to be able to learn all about God’s big story and how he shows Himself to us through the Bible. Host & Children's Pastor Rachael Groll is excited to help your kids learn what the stories in the Bible mean so that they can learn how to live out their faith in everyday life!
SUBSCRIBE NOW:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3sCuEXf
Spotify: https://sptfy.com/OSgW
Rachael Groll's Website: https://shehears.org
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A failing relationship, a difficult job, a wayward child. Any number of things can happen in life that leaves us questioning whether or not to give up. One of Paul’s most encouraging messages was, “I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Martha was distracted. In all fairness, Martha may have started her day off fine, excited Jesus would be coming. But somewhere along the line, Martha got distracted. What she would offer Jesus became bigger than him. - Anne Peterson
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Our age is "A Secular Age" as the Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor put it. And it is becoming more so. How do we bear witness to Jesus Christ In a world like ours? - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
There is great power in admitting we need help. Jesus loves it when we call out to him. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Others think they can’t ask God because of who they are or what they’ve done but asking God isn’t dependent on our failures or our accomplishments but rather on whom He is. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Choosing to forgive does not diminish the pain you have experienced or justify the wrongdoing. Instead, it releases you from the burden of bitterness and resentment that comes with unforgiveness. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How is God appealing to you to be more unified in the body of Christ? What divisions are in your community of believers? How can you move towards being perfectly unified in mind and thought? - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Was the last time you were strengthened by someone speaking the gospel to you in their own words? Ask the Lord to bring to mind someone you can encourage with, or perhaps share with for the first time, the simple gospel. - Sarah E. Martin
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The problem the Pharisees and teachers of the law had is they did not practice what they were teaching. Their righteousness was only superficial. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We all do it. We face something really difficult in our lives, and we ask, “Why?” Why is this happening now? Or why is this happening to me? It’s normal to ask this question, but the problem is, we seem to stay there. And when we are asking that question, peace alludes us. - Anne Peterson
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
"Are you willing to lay aside temporary differences to accomplish something of eternal value? How you answer that question tells you everything you need to know about what really matters to you." - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God tells us over and over in Scripture of His willingness and desire to heal us. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How often do we ask the Lord, "What would You like me to do today?" - Christine Perry
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In Christ, we not only find forgiveness of our sins, but we find life eternal, life abundant. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How are you at bringing people together? - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The word for godless chatter can also mean empty talk, empty disputing, or worthless babble. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
We do not have to form a relationship with someone to share the gospel with them. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God, in a perfect and holy way, sees all our needs, even in our humanity and weaknesses. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What is the prize? Jesus, He is the One we are running to in faith. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How have you yielded the fruit of righteousness in your life? - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Although many are tired, weary, and burdened, our restless world doesn’t offer us many opportunities to rest. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When you are treasuring the will of God, you will consider things based on if they will move your closer or further away from the place God wants you to be. - Clarence L. Haynes, Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
If someone says that he is a good person and has never sinned, that person is deceived. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Because life doesn’t end at the grave, as many believe, we can tell all who will hear that God sent His only Son to save us and how Jesus lived, died, and resurrected so that we can have eternal life. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Being a child of the heavenly Father means there is never a day when God does not delight in being with us. - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God uses the fires in our own lives to teach us to trust Him. - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Nearly nineteen centuries later, these stories are still impacting our hearts. One touch from Jesus has now affected millions, and he wants to do the same thing in our lives. - Rachael Adams
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God has called us to plant seeds and water seeds. He never told us to make the seed grow. That is his job. - Clarence L. Haynes, Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ask God to open your spiritual eyes to see the need of others. Be intentional to prioritize meeting those needs. - Rachael Adams
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Christ purchased our life for a purpose and has made us His own.- Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In our lives, God can use people, sermons, devotions, music, or the Word of God to show us the status of our hearts. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Holding on to anxieties and worries doesn’t make the situation better, it simply makes you worse. - Clarence L. Haynes, Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The more you welcome God’s Spirit to flow through your life, the more your soul will be refreshed! - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The suffering we face today is arduous, but as Paul said, our present-day problems are not worth comparing to the glory of God, which will be revealed. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God’s great love causes us to be on his mind, and longs for our return. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we pray to God in Jesus’ name, He doesn’t see our filthy, sinful nature. Instead, God sees us as made righteous, pure, precious, and redeemed by Jesus. He welcomes us with open arms. - Alexis A. Goring
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God's timing and process may not always align with your own desires and expectations. Yet, as you surrender to His loving guidance, you can find comfort and peace in knowing that He is leading you toward growth and greater blessings. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
It can be challenging to be persistent in prayer, but it’s always worthwhile to do so! - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A heart rooted in God’s love can know restoration even when life’s troubles overtake it. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Even in disagreements, we should continue to speak with a heart of love for others and not use profanity or offensive remarks that would hurt or cause pain. We should also be careful not to grumble or complain but to use our tongue to proclaim our thankfulness unto the Lord. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Ask God to open your eyes to see him in the midst of your daily jobs and chores. No matter what work you do, pray God helps you realize your significant contribution. - Rachael Adams
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The next time you find yourself entangled in the worries of life, give yourself the gift of a break with some flowers. Enjoy their vibrant colors, intricate designs, and delicate fragrances. Allow the beauty and simplicity of flowers to reignite your trust in God’s loving care. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us
Scripture reminds us that we are not ever truly alone and David understood that because he already had a deep relationship with the Lord. He knew where to turn to for support. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
My prayer for my son is also my prayer for you, believer. Especially, if you have grown weary with slow growth. May you stick close to the Living Water Source, and bear much fruit for His glory. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Consider joining a small group through your church. Watch how God uses the group of believers to further his kingdom for his glory. - Rachael Adams
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Forgiveness is a daily and ongoing choice. In life, there are times when things will surprise us, catching us off guard, with the purpose of stirring up unforgiveness in us. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Love is more than just a feeling. It’s an action. When we choose to act in love toward others, we welcome God – the source of all love – to send his love flowing through our lives. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We never outgrow our need for God, and He longs to comfort and answer us and help us. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God has the best time in mind to answer your prayers. Waiting for God’s answer in whatever situation you’re facing is well worth the time – not only because God will ultimately respond, but because he’ll change you in the process. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
No matter what we gather or attain in reputation, none can outweigh the value God has already given us in this life. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Bible is clear we are invited to serve God, but He does not need us to accomplish His purposes. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For anyone who has ever felt guilty for something, how do we know if it’s the enemy of our souls pointing fingers at us or if it’s God, convicting us of sin? How can we tell the difference between the two? - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We are forgiven! We are God's beloved children who receive His grace and mercy daily! This truth will echo into eternity as we see and experience His rich grace and love toward us forever. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As we choose kindness, more of God’s love will flow through our lives, making it easier for us to open our hearts on a regular basis. We can intentionally spread kindness anytime and anywhere. That will bring glory to God and reflect God’s love to a world in need. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Bible says to cast your cares on Jesus Christ because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Practice that until you make that your first response in trying situations. Don’t ruminate over your burdens and worry. Instead, trust God! He has you covered. - Alexis A. Goring
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God values all types of service; we must continually seek him and ask him to create a clean, humble servant’s heart in whatever we have been tasked to do. Nothing is Insignificant in God’s Kingdom; nothing is wasted; let us open our lives to be a vessel for God, for His glory and His honor. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
By looking for something that sparks awe in our souls during a wonder walk, we can move closer to God with every step!- Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As a child of God, we may feel hopelessness in our hearts, but we must move beyond our feelings and remind our hearts of the great hope we have in Christ. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Often, we drift away from God through times of doubt, fear, and disappointments. But if we can refocus on God’s Word and desire to know him better, we renew a heart of worship. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Bible is full of wisdom, stories, promises, and commands to help encourage us and guide us. Have you experienced it's magic? Perhaps it's time for you to read God's word! Join BFF's Tricia & Michelle as they read through the Bible chronologically on their show, Daily Bible Podcast. Every day, they sum up a passage and provide action steps ... in 15 minutes or less!
All the info you need to START + the printable schedule + links to the Bible we use: dailybiblepodcast.net
Get SOCIAL with us: Instagram | Facebook | Join the Community
START LISTENING:
Episode 1: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our physical sense of smell can remind us of the importance of living lives that give off the spiritual aroma of Christ. So, let’s stay connected to God in prayer and do our best to live in ways that honor him. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Studying God’s Word and surrounding ourselves with other believers allows us to fully experience the spacious places He has for us in this life and eternity to come! - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The book of Proverbs brings much wisdom to believers, and the topic of pride is often highlighted. We see in Proverbs 16 what happens to those who walk in pride. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We all want leaders who get things done, but God is not just interested in the result; he is interested in how you get that result. Talent can get you to the position, but it is your character that will keep you there. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We are not responsible for who turns to Christ in faith and forgiveness of sins and who doesn't. However, we are responsible for telling others why God sent His son into the world to die. It’s the message that everyone needs to hear, but it isn’t always the easiest to share. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is impossible for man is possible with God. He lives in abundance. - Christine Perry
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When we can make gratitude our first response, we keep hope alive because it turns our hearts from what we think we lack to what we have. And what we have is God’s presence, love, mercy, grace, peace, and joy. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God offers you pure, true, enduring, and complete love. He’s the one who will adore you no matter what happens to how you look. - Alexis A. Goring
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christianity is about intentional relationships. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The battle for our hearts is ongoing. Sin is sneaky, and before we know it, we are in an all-out war with sin. God is keenly aware of this fact. - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With each season, there's something to appreciate and celebrate. - Liz Lampkin
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To look at Jesus is to look at God. - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When we think about what is good, we train our minds to notice more of what is good and lovely in life. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you feel downcast today, take a moment and praise God with your thoughts, attitudes, and words. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you give with the right heart, then it becomes something you want to do, not something you must do. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.
Despite the world's harshness, gentleness is an asset, not a liability. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.
Scripture tells us we are made in God’s image, but when do we look the most like Him? - LYnette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
While we can lose closeness with God, we never lose His love. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When we love God the most, it doesn’t take away from everyone else but works within us to love others more rightly. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God has created a huge variety and abundance of food for us to grow, prepare, and eat however we like. Thanks to that, we can (and should) enjoy our food. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A stronger faith awaits those who learn from their trials. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For many, tithing represents a total and complete trust in God and an acknowledgment of their dependence on him. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We can purposely look to storing up heavenly treasures through our good works, generosity, and sharing what we have in the world with others. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God’s peace is like nothing else this world can offer; it is beyond all human logic or reasoning. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Paul’s words also remind us the biggest critic we face is ourselves. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You can rest assured God knows you better than you know yourself. He knows what path will bring you the most joy and peace. - Alexis A. Goring
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God will meet us wherever we are when we communicate with him. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pride is the basis for much of our troubles, but ultimately, pride is foolish. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you feel battle-worn and tired of prayer, take heart, it happens to us all. - Christine Perry
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the moment of your conversion, you became God’s work-in-progress, and He will complete the work He began! - Emiliy Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Although some don’t understand the hatred when it comes, Jesus warned us, “Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:13). - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Manywill say that they knew God and even did "good works" in His name, cast out demons even. However, the Lord will tell them that He never knew them. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus said if you remain in me, you will bear much fruit. -Clarence L. Haynes, Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, we face the constant temptation of mixing our yes and no, all in an effort not to offend, get along, and make peace. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Even those who have confidence in Christ sometimes falter in fear. - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus shows us how the virtues of forgiveness, acceptance, and restoration change outcomes, not only in our offender’s life but also in our hearts. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There are times when God wants us to battle differently. Has God ever asked you to wait patiently for Him to act? - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God’s power is enough to help you overcome any trouble you’ll ever face. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Let us rejoice in the truth that Jesus is forever our righteousness despite our shortcomings! - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hope is foundational to faith and love. It is more than a wish. It is a confident expectation rooted in God’s character, provision, and promise. - Jessican Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God is our hope (Romans 15:13)! He is the one we can anchor ourselves to. - Christine Perry
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We can hope in Jesus because, unlike people, he doesn't change. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God already had a plan for salvation before He created you, even though He knew you would sin and rebel. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As Christians, we can express our sincerity in following Christ by dressing the part. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We are called to carry one another’s burdens, but mostly importantly, we help them carry those burdens to Jesus, the One who strengthens us on our journey and promises true peace and rest. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What measuring stick are you using to define what it means to really love Jesus? - Clarence L. Haynes, Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Let's release ourselves from the burden of perfection and pursue a deeper relationship with the One who sacrificed so much to make us right with Him. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The enemy is preying on our human need for protection by giving us counterfeit walls of security that imprison us. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We can deepen our connection to God through worship and experience his love and grace more profoundly. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the storms, God shows us things about Himself that we couldn't learn any other way. Christine Perry
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Let's encourage each other as the early church believers did, with holy greetings and faith-filled messages. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Though they can feel extremely hard to resist, no temptation is too strong for us to overcome. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The opportunity for great joy lives in the belly of our burdens because joy exceeds the fleeting feelings of our emotions. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Motherhood is full. The only way we stay steady is by leaning on the One who has been our constant Rock! - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus emphasizes that He is a great and regular need in our lives. We will never be thirsty spiritually for anything else once we are satisfied in Him. -Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nothing can steal our joy, but we all know life on this Earth comes with its fair share of trials and hurts. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Share how Jesus died and rose from the grave to give them everlasting wonderful life with Him with those who haven't looked ahead to plan for eternity. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In dying to our selfish ways, our lives bring glory to God. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Good Shepherd is with us. When surrounded by enemies dark and threatening, we are protected by the Lord’s presence. - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Being different is a challenge today, but walking with God was never meant to be easy. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s easy to lose our focus and end up missing the moments God wants us to experience fully. So, it’s important to intentionally “be here now” in our lives whenever we can. - Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Lord invites us into His fullness of life, but we must be willing to seek Him in the desert. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As we live in the great information age, we are bombarded with opportunities to fill our time and our minds with many things that can so easily replace our time of fellowship with the Lord. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
No matter how great you believe yourself to be in communication, there’s always some way you can be better. - Aaron D-Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus alone can free us from hell’s claim. By accepting His sacrifice on our behalf, we acknowledge He is the only One who has the authority to save us. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The mighty, all-powerful God who created the entire universe is the same God who draws oh so close to us in our brokenness and pain. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There is no doubt waiting is hard to endure. But, God, in His mercy, will keep us busy in our waiting. - Christine Perry
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happiness is a temporary feeling, while joy is a lasting strength that can be cultivated. -Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus is with us in every season, joy, sorrow, and hardship. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We rejoice in Jesus being raised from the dead and set free from death’s grip because it means we are also set free! - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, examine the heart of your giving. - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Different quantities of sustaining grace are given to each believer in different circumstances in life. Come to God in humility and receive His great grace! - Emily Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We were made with a purpose that is much bigger than ourselves, to worship God and love others. - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When we allow ourselves to cry, we can be confident God will be there to comfort us. -Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The concept that there are living dead is not just a far-fetched or made-up science fiction storyline but bears reality according to Scripture. -Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lifting our gaze upwards like Colossians 3 advises shifts our perspective, and we begin to see how God is fully enough. -Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Holy Spirit beautifully unites believers in addition to convicting and leading us to the truth (John 16:13). -Ashely Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Those moments in my life when God seemed gone have been the worst moments of my life. Yet, when I began to embrace the possibility of God’s providence in perceived silence, I grew in ways I would never have imagined. - Adam Mabry, author of When God Seems Gone
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The light we have in Jesus will always overcome darkness. -Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s never too late to turn away from the temporary satisfaction of this world and turn back to the Lord. -Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Let’s make it a priority to cultivate long-lasting friendships we can physically connect with on our journey, not just those we network with on social media. - Emiily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Growth hurts, but we can trust it is producing something good and beautiful in us that we wouldn’t experience otherwise. -Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus gives us the right to become children of God. He makes a way. He gives us new life. His birth plan is perfect. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s tempting to look across someone else’s life and wish we could have what they have. Jesus calls us to turn and look at him, drawing near to see the goodness he has for us in our lives as they are. -Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our faith is not just about what we believe, but how we put it into action as we walk through our lives. When we walk with God, our faith moves forward, and we’re blessed as a result. -Whitney Hopler
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Those who follow Christ, obey His commands, trust Him, and build their lives upon Him alone. Like a large rock, we know Christ is immovable. -Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In our everyday lives, we cannot control every thought which enters our minds. But we should be aware of them, flicking out the ones meant to distract us from focusing on living a full life to the glory of God. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does it mean to give God glory? God’s glory is the essence of His nature- we bring Him glory when we revel in His divine essence. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When choosing between retaliation or forgiveness, before getting emotional, take time to think through the different ways to react. Apply the gospel to each situation. -Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Every day, we have the option of submitting to our own will. Yet, there is no fair comparison between what we can offer ourselves and what God can. - Aaron D’Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Yielding to the Spirit means walking in the Spirit, following His lead over our own flesh. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There’s a brokenness that pervades adult relationships. We are sinners, who then, sin. We are broken and therefore our relationships are broken too. -Aaron D’Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When we feel disappointed with God’s response, we must cling to what we know about His character.Returning to what we know to be true will help settle our souls. - Becky Harling
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Think about your life. Do you show love just with speech, or do you also provide love in action? Next time an opportunity presents itself to help someone in need, push yourself to speak and show love. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It is a natural human emotion to have fear. And while fear is not from God, we will all have to deal with fear this side of heaven. In this special episode preview of Hearing Jesus, host Rachael Groll looks at the example of King David when he too was facing something difficult and the way he allowed his faith to speak louder than his fear.
DISCOVER MORE EPISODES OF HEARING JESUS:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3ZAhFkH
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3vXVKGO
LifeAudio: https://www.lifeaudio.com/hearing-jesus
CONNECT WITH HEARING JESUS HOST RACHAEL GROLL:
Website: https://shehears.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/she_hears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheHears.org
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God’s amazing animals serve as wonderful companions to both people and each other. They bring joy to us, along with beneficial qualities such as companionship, loyalty, comfort, protectiveness, and so much more. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Loving others is a concept we often hear about often on Sundays or discuss when we meet up for Bible study. The idea of loving others brings to mind how we serve. Family, friends, acquaintances, coworkers, and everyone we come across is a receipt of how we serve if we love. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The empowerment of a Christian’s life is not seeking after “mystical zap” experiences but through these ordinary means of grace from the Father. Normal means of grace builds contentment in our heart so that we are strengthened to endure all circumstances, whether we are brought low and are suffering or experiencing abundance in every area of our life. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aliens and UFO sightings are becoming more prominent in the mainstream news and media. Whereas in the past, these topics were considered living in science fiction, nowadays, the discussion is coming to the forefront of modern-day worries and considerations. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever faced an ultimatum where you knew that to answer according to your convictions meant you would stand alone? We stand at a crossroads and know a decision lies before us. Rejection is probable. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With doing good or doing the work of the Lord, there is no such thing as quitting time. If you are doing what God has called you to do, then it requires you to stay in the fight and resist the urge you may face to want to quit, even more so when you are not seeing fruit from the work you are doing. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We all come to crossroads in our lives where we have to decide which road to take. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hurt, disappointment, insecurity, and grief lead to walls going up in our hearts. Only God is made of perfect love that we can trust with our whole hearts. Nonetheless, we need each other and can’t give up on the work of tearing down the walls and trying again to build safe, long-lasting, and close relationships. - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We are to be imitators not of the world but of Christ. After the Apostle Paul explains how the body of Christ is to be knit together and show Christ’s love and mercy toward one another, he echoes that sentiment as he encourages the church at Ephesus to imitate God. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A disciplined, sober, and optimistic mind creates a hope-filled spiritual mindset that allows you to experience the hope of God in the day-to-day grind of life. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Does your language, dress, entertainment, etc., reflect your heavenly citizenship? What area of your life may look more like the world? If Christ has saved you, He has given you the privilege of knowing Him and anticipating His full fellowship. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Burnout comes from false expectations of others. New life comes from a transfer of trust to Jesus. - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Although my church emphasizes discipleship, this privilege of making disciples isn’t just for one particular church, group of people, or the clerical elite. Christ has called all of His followers into a life of discipleship. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus is the Living Word of God. He’s already defeated death. There is no battle of the mind He cannot win. God’s Word is powerful. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mercy is at the heart of the gospel, and as Christ's followers, we should rejoice any time we are given opportunities to extend mercy and kindness to those who have sinned against us. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When you think about the marks of a Christian, there is one mark that should be present, which sometimes we can too easily gloss over. That mark is forgiveness. When we need forgiveness, it is amazing how we seek after it. Yet when we must give forgiveness, sometimes we can be a little slow on the draw. Have you ever wondered why that is? - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Faith in God is something all believers have. When we ask for anything through Christ Jesus, it is our faith that drives the assurance that we will receive it. However, faith is not only the confidence that we will receive what we ask according to God’s divine will for our lives. It is also having confidence that God will provide all that we need and trusting Him no matter what the situation looks like. - Liz Lampkin
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There have been times in my life when I felt the Lord calling me out of the boat and to walk toward him. After my miscarriage, it was to walk the waters of grief. Later, when I was pregnant again, it was to walk the waters of trust. Life is full of adventures, but not every adventure leads us in a straight path. Sometimes they lead us through ravines and along cliffs. The winds of uncertainty and fear and unknowns buffet us, and we lose sight of Jesus. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To those feeling fearful-hearted, embrace the presence of the Lord. Allow his spirit to flow within you, and to carry you. The one who made the lame to leap, the deaf to hear, the mute to sing, and the dead to walk, has promised to breathe life, peace, and restoration upon you. - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do you feel overly concerned about a need you are facing? Maybe an unexpected car repair or a bill that needs to be paid soon. Take a moment to jot down three to five things that you are thankful for praising God for each thing, and then ask God to provide for your specific need. Trust Him and thank Him in advance for daily bread. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I wish I were one of those people who could live off 5 hours of sleep and forgo eating for productivity, but I can’t. I am one unhappy camper when I push my body, neglect to get adequate rest, skip meals, or eat poorly and abandon my fitness routine. And guess who sufferers the most? The people around me. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In a world overrun with words, let’s find a different way to love each other beyond our screens and devices. The power of an in-person smile, embrace, and live listening ear oozes of compassionate love. Christ-like love is self-sacrificing, humble, and willing. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever wondered if God has forgotten you? Have you been crying out to him, and all you hear is silence? Have you been desperate to know where He was leading and what He was doing? - Christine Perry
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It is much harder to pray and wait to see what the Lord would have us do. Or when we do, sometimes His solution for us feels too challenging or even impossible. This is when God puts our faith to the test. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are you in a season of going through the spiritual motions? Do you continue to get up and read the Bible, check the prayer box, and do all the “right Christian things,” but know that you're doing them with the wrong heart motivation? Ask the Lord to soften your heart, to give you the desire to obey and live righteously out of gratitude, not simply an obligation. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For the early Christians, and for us, having a defined place where we meet with the living God is an essential part of our faith lives. Finding such holy ground is easier than it first may appear. - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When we consistently discipline our children, we teach them what it looks like to see our sin, repent, and repair our relationships when they are ruptured by sin. And God reminds us in our key passage not to give up when this happens. And while discipline isn't enjoyable, it is a necessary tool to help us see how we fall short of God's glorious standard. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Because sin exists in the world, so do sickness and brokenness, and no one is exempt from any of it. Although we have been redeemed and our eternal salvation is secure in Christ, as believers, we still are subject to suffering in this fallen world that we live in. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
While you may not call someone an enemy, I can be certain you can name some people in your life you don’t have warm, fuzzy feelings for. In all walks of life, you are going to encounter people that are hard to like and hard to root for. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Bible tells us to keep a tight reign on our thought life, lest we follow it down rabbit holes which can leave us stuck in a moment we can’t get out of. Yet, we are not supposed to livethoughtlessly. Rumination, another word for overthinking, can be good or bad … or good and bad. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We don’t want our hearts to become someone else’s dumpster. Considering the heart is the soil in which we bear good fruit, we must protect it from pessimism, worldliness, worry, bitterness, anxiety, etc., at all costs. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Truly loving others involves stepping out when it feels uncomfortable. It’s caring more about them than how they might react to our reaching out to them in love. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Situations in life don’t change because you worry about them. They change because you pray about them. When worry is present, prayer is usually absent. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What if frustration in our prayer life is a sign of our deepening faith, not the absence of it? What if our feelings of inability in prayer indicate the movement of the Spirit deep within? - Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Loving others is not optional when it comes to loving God. Rather, it’s the proof of whether or not we truly love Him. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If God’s faithfulness were a reward for actions, then few would ever experience it. Because his faithfulness flows from his grace, it is available to everyone. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There is no step-by-step guide to having a successful and thriving marriage, but there are things we can implement to help strengthen it. Thankfully, when we make a commitment to put God first within the marriage, He gives us grace and wisdom for the journey together. The Holy Spirit truly does empower us to show the love of God, even to the most unlovable. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God is love, so the only way to really define and understand what love is, and how to do everything in love, requires looking at how God defines it. The following are seven ways. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The same grace that saved us is the very same grace that keeps us and molds us into the image of Christ, day by day. From the moment of your conversion, you became God’s work-in-progress, and the greatest news of all is that He doesn’t grow weary, stressed, or exhausted with you. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How is your love life? Are you finding it easy to love others? If not, ask God to fill your heart with His love and help you to extend godly love to those around you. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The answers to life’s situations are first found in God’s presence. This should be the first place we run to. The presence of God does not mean situations change immediately. What it means is your ability to endure the situation does. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Compassion is one of those words we don’t hear all that much these days. Obvious when looking at how we treat those with differing views, especially those from the opposite political party. It’s also one of those words that has a deeper meaning than what immediately comes to mind. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When we yoke ourselves together with Jesus, He carries the load upon His shoulders, and His peace and rest come into our lives. His grace carries us while we walk alongside Him, connected to Him, trusting His ways over our own. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We can wholeheartedly believe and trust for the healings we hope for and problems we seek solutions for. God knows what we need, and He is faithful. Peace-filled, positive thinking = thinking about God! - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
No matter if you are single or married, experiencing isolation and loneliness can often lead to depression that can be crippling. People in the world are looking to belong. In Christ, as His followers, we have the answer. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Worry has a way of igniting a series of “what-ifs.” These thoughts trickle down from our heads to our hearts with a lit fuse ready to detonate an explosion of fear. Yet, sure-footed in God’s Truth, we can stomp out these sparks quickly and rest in His peace instead. - Megan Evans
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed tells the story of several different seeds and how the environment they were planted in and the way they were cared for determined the progress of their growth. It’s a smart and accurate comparison to our current lives and the way in which we decide to water the Word of God in them daily. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suffering is a reality for everyone on this earth, including believers. To deny that is to deny the reality of the fact that we live in a fallen world, and Christians are not exempt from the results of it. Remember, the apostles suffered greatly, and many of them died horrendous deaths as martyrs. But it was all for God’s glory and a part of His sovereign plan for their lives. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The darkest thought. The one that wants us to give up, stop trying and throw in the towel. The darkest thought will try to convince us we cannot live like this anymore. It will hold us hostage in sleep when we would normally wake and hostage awake when we would normally sleep. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does God view the value of your work? Who could use God’s reassurance through you about the importance of their labor? - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The pressure David had been put under wasn’t just or fair. God rescued Him out of His love for Him. Much of the Psalm speaks of the unfairness David endured and tracks his process of handing justice over to God and forgiving his enemies. All of the glory went to God for David’s rescue. It’s a silly story, really, of the way David acted to escape trouble. But it shows us God’s ways are not our ways. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does it mean to fish for people? We need not look any further than the example set by Jesus. Jesus’ interaction with Peter and Andrew, James and John, models what it means to fish for others - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We each have an important purpose in this life. When the fog sets in, and we cannot see where we are going, Psalm 145 reminds us the Lord is near. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When we are accustomed to proficiency, it can feel intimidating to be a beginner again. Yet, the Lord illuminated through Scripture many accounts of calling His people to new roles and responsibilities for the good of His people and His glory. That’s the context and backdrop leading up to today’s key verse. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May we strive to be people with arms and hearts open to receiving this great commissioning from the saints who have run their race and finished strong. And may we be faithful in looking for opportunities to pass the baton of faith when the time comes. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A mere look can send daggers through our hearts or send our hearts soaring on the heights. Words can crush our hopes and dreams or give them wings. The two combined can create feelings of inferiority or feelings of empowerment. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Unlike our human parenting goals, our Father’s plan for His children is dependence. He did not design us to grow up and walk without His support. He doesn’t intend for us to do life on our own until we run into trouble that’s overwhelming. - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Waiting for help is excruciating. Running to God is no problem here. Maybe you can relate to the running and the exhaustive need for new strength this year. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Relationships, even among God’s children, are messy, and often, the more intimate the bond, the more likely we experience strife and discord. Peter understood that relationships are easily strained, especially marital relationships. Hence why he spent time encouraging and outlining how to live a godly life in our marriages, in the church, and among the world to the dispersed Christians he addressed in 1 Peter. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What kind of story is your life telling? Does it point to the gospel message? The Bible calls those of us in Christ Jesus, His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). A masterpiece is an artist’s creation displaying his or her mastery and skill level to onlookers. A masterpiece is an outstanding creation that proves an artist’s abilities and qualifications. - Ashley Moore
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The next time you find yourself struggling with anger, remember Jonah. Let him be an example of how not to respond. Jonah appreciated God’s compassion for himself, but he grew angry when God showed compassion to people he felt did not deserve it. God’s compassion extends to all. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Walking by faith means that sometimes we don’t see all the steps we need to take; instead, we only see the next one and then the next one. Serving God is an expression of our faith in him, and faith is an important key in believing that our service is not in vain. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is there a situation or circumstance in your own life that has you wondering how God could ever work it all together for your good? If so, choose to trust Him today and let go of your fears and doubts, believing He will do what His Word promises He will do. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are you reading God’s Word for yourself? If not, make a commitment to add it to your daily or weekly schedule. Look for and set aside times you can read it on your own. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s verses from the Gospel of Matthew remind us of the power of our efforts to call on the Name above all Names and the ability our faith in God has to move life’s mountains. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why is it that we look for our spiritual comfort or healing in vain efforts or in human-bound work rather than the grace of God? Why do we find it so easy to turn to cheap knockoffs when it comes to our spiritual lives? Can false idols really satisfy? Do they ever free us from our sins or liberate us from the spiritual weights that we carry upon our shoulders? - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Freedom from rules, through Christ, releases the pressure of a burden we can never live up to. " - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Above all, we must remember that every person is made in the image of God, and they deserve love and respect no matter their actions or words towards us. May the love and mercy that has been given to us from the Lord flow to the most difficult of people in our life. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The beautiful thing is that we all get a leading role in this epic chronicle that makes up God’s plan. Each and every person is created in his image. They have value, he has made them for a purpose, and their story matters. Your story matters! - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus is the One who gives us the strength and ability to remain content no matter what we are experiencing. True contentment is knowing that Jesus alone can satisfy our souls. When we search for fulfillment in things, people, or even our circumstances, we will always come up short. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We live in troubled times. The economy, the political landscape, and the polarizing of relationships between people make me think of the troubled waters from the old Simon and Garfunkel song, Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Our coping mechanisms show we’re looking for a way over these times that challenge our tranquility. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What if we woke up every morning remembering that God wants to use our everyday actions for significance? I encourage you to pause and consider those God placed in your life to draw you closer to Him. If possible, reach out to express your appreciation. Like Paul, pray for God to bless them. As you give thanks, commit to becoming an instrument of God that can change the life of the next person you meet. - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God doesn’t tell us to be grateful for all the bad circumstances that happen to us, but rather to be grateful in all circumstances. Not doing things God’s way results in us inevitably looking out to each new year with hopeful anticipation, as though the grass is greener on the other side. That could be the case, but maybe not. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Last year, I decided to ditch the resolutions for good and focus on a word or Scripture for the year. Setting goals and working towards improving oneself isn’t a bad thing. But, we mustn’t let our identity be rooted in what we achieved (or didn’t). - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever felt forgotten by God, tempted to believe He has a short memory and doesn’t remember your cries and requests to Him. After all, He is the God of the universe, creator of all living things, why would we think He would remember us? - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesus was compassionate to the people He met while He walked the earth. Particularly for His apostles and for those who followed and listened to His teachings and asked for healing. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I have called this devotional “The Prerequisite to the Christian Life” because Jesus demonstrates that Peter needed to understand a fundamental truth about his relationship with Jesus Christ before further service. What is this prerequisite to service for Peter? What is the prerequisite for the Christian life for us? There are two. - Dr. Michael Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Parenting is a life-time gig. One most of us are thrilled to embark on …until we’re not. Everyday does not scroll along like a perfectly filtered social media story. In the slumped over the counter and deep breathing moments, God has a supernatural supply of patience and grace to strengthen us. Thankfully, we don’t have to rely on our own bountiful mercy to parent our children. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever had times in your life when it seemed like God didn't hear you? It can seem pretty discouraging when we feel like our prayers aren’t being heard and we aren’t sensing God’s presence and interventions in difficult situations. Sadly, feeling unheard often leads people to feel unloved, forgotten, and of little value to God. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The familiar elements of the story of Christ’s birth on earth are only a fraction of the majestic coordination of the events leading up to His first human cries on earth. The verse above tells us Jesus knew who He was and what His mission on earth consisted of. He also knew He would return to the Father. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In our world today, where countless people are rewriting God’s Word to say things He isn’t saying and to support causes that go against His will, we need to remember that God’s Word will never fail. Especially now with the changing times, individuals and groups are believing God’s Word needs a new spin on it and updating, a modernization to keep up with the changing times. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May the Lord help us renew our minds with His Word and give us the patience we need to endure frustrations with self-control. Anger will present itself in our hearts, but we do not have to be trapped by it. The Lord will provide a way of escape, so let us look to Him for help to handle those overwhelming feelings. - Emily Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Although the enemy of God is at work to deceive people into thinking He is a stingy, closed hand, withholder of everything good and wonderful thing life has to offer; it couldn’t be farther from the truth. It’s all a lie, just lying propaganda from the father of lies. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What question are you asking God today? How can you press into it like Thomas instead of avoiding it? The Lord values your questions and desires that you would come to Him. How has Jesus proven to be the Way in your life? How can you share this good news and hope with others who do not know Him this week? - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There’s one phrase that used to boggle my mind, even annoy me. God is enough. It was incredibly frustrating to hear during bouts of loneliness when I not only prayed but strived to change my life into what I wanted. Somehow or another, I ended up short. And yet, I kept hearing that phrase. God is enough. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever heard of the man who carried Jesus' cross? Here in Luke 23, tucked away in verse 26 is the mention of a man who could easily get lost in the text; however, when we look at the significance of this moment, we will find ourselves in awe of what God is trying to tell us - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If there has ever been a time when we needed divine guidance on marriage, now is that time. Mercifully, the Bible is filled with God’s truth about this most essential institution. Consider the truth and life from the devotional thoughts in Ephesians 5:1, 22-33. Here the Apostle Paul is applying the love of the Lord Jesus Christ to wives and husbands in marriage. Now this passage contains two admonitions: one for the wife and one for the husband. - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What are you facing today, this week, or this coming year? Does it seem too much for you to handle? Are evil people backing you into a corner? Or maybe you have gotten yourself into a terrible situation? If so, know God is waiting, willing, and ready to answer your cries when you turn to Him for deliverance. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The holiday season kicks off with a reminder to be thankful. Gratitude is a powerful mentality. When we force a smile onto our faces, it actually triggers positive thoughts in our minds! The world is a difficult place, but God is bigger. His faithfulness gives us strength. God loves us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to save us. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s easy to get caught up in all the various holiday events that take place during the Christmas season: running from place to place, shopping for gifts, attending holiday parties, and preparing festive meals. In the rush and excitement of it all, it’s easy to get caught up in it and take our eyes off the real focal point of Christmas, Jesus, our prefect gift from our loving, heavenly Father (John 3:16). - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We often consider the birth of Jesus from the perspective of looking back. For a moment, I want you to put yourself in the hearts and minds of the people who were alive during this time. When you do this, it will help you understand the reason for the hope and excitement surrounding Jesus’ birth. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We can’t lose God’s call on our lives. Each day, as we seek the Lord and obediently do the next right thing, we move closer to what He has for us. Even when we know early on what we are meant to do, the work of walking in the will of God continues until the day we arrive home to Him. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do you know someone who is suffering this holiday season? If so, are you willing to walk alongside them? If not, there are plenty of organizations to help direct you in giving, praying, and volunteering to those who are afflicted and could use some encouragement, comfort, and support in their lives. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever been asked to lead a small group, teach Sunday School, or share a devotion but declined because you didn’t know what to share? If you haven’t already, write your testimony, incorporating some of your favorite scriptures and verses that share the gospel. Practice in front of a mirror, a spouse, or a trusted friend to build your confidence. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When you base your merit on other people’s opinions, you set yourself up to struggle to receive God’s acceptance. But when you base your merit on God’s infinite love for you, you can take steps toward replacing the negative messages with God’s truth: you are the work of his hands—most notable and excellent. When you base your merit on other people’s opinions, you set yourself up to struggle to receive God’s acceptance. But when you base your merit on God’s infinite love for you, you can take steps toward replacing the negative messages with God’s truth: you are the work of his hands—most notable and excellent. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As the holidays roll around this year, we may be finding ourselves in places we didn’t ever dream of being, doing work we didn’t plan on or ever want to do, feeling down and discouraged at where life has led us. How many of us planned and imagined our lives going in a specific direction, then suddenly and unexpectedly, we experienced our lives taking an unplanned turn? - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
How do you spend the holidays with someone who rejected you? Once they were like family, and now, they’re your enemy. What if you’re at the same table? Or bump into each other in the buffet line? The sting of betrayal feels like a fire. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The Christmas Season has also been called the Season of Hope. Much deeper than the wishes circled in toy catalogs and commercialized in gift wrap, Hope is anchored in the faithfulness of God. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Everyone faces days of trouble because trouble is part of our world. It serves several purposes. It’s an opportunity for our spiritual roots to go deeper as we choose to trust God with the unknowns that lie before us. The thing with troubles is that we don’t have a guaranteed outcome, and we like outcomes we can count on. In the end, victory is ours, but when the beginning seems long ago, the middle can seem unending. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
If you are stuck and feel unable to move forward in your life, focus on the one right next step you can take to move forward. Don’t let overanalysis of what “could be” or what “has been” paralyze you. Just take one tiny step forward at a time and see the Lord begin to move on your behalf. - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
God promises a plan for us which is more than we can ask for or imagine. To walk the road home to Him requires us to push beyond our limits. Freedom from the fear which convinces us we can’t do hard things …impossible things, is possible. We can and will accomplish miraculous feats in Christ Jesus if we are willing to compete with the voice inside of us, which begs us to bail out and stay safe. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Many individuals feel pressure at the start of a new year to start over. However, if failure to do so comes a few days, weeks, or months later, they feel defeated and like they have to wait another year to try again. Sadly New Year’s resolutions set individuals up for failure by causing them to think they only have one day each new year to start over. But the good news is God offers us the opportunity to start anew each and every day. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Learning to listen is hard. We are by nature very offend-able. Though it may seem easiest to ghost someone out of our lives, the truth is they were put there on purpose. Cutting them out only robs us of the reason they were there in the first place. Instead of running from the inevitably difficulty that is relationships with other people … let’s aim to stay, and learn to listen. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Adapting to different seasons can be challenging when it’s not what we expect it to be, just like in life where what occurs in times of our lives may seem very different from what we were expecting. The following are four ways to open our hearts to look positively toward seasons that haven’t brought us what we were hoping. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
In John 8, we see the Pharisees (the religious rulers) once again trying to test Jesus. They always seemed to be after Him to stump Him and make Him look bad. Literally, He was the Christ, the One they and their people were waiting on, but His words and His answers were not what they imagined. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Christ Jesus is the only One who can fill the gaps in our human hearts, which automatically ache for assurance, comfort, and companionship. Everything, and everyone, will fail to fulfill this desire in our lives because our hearts were created to crave Him. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Do you believe in miracles?
Special host Kathryn Calibeo of the Sparkle Speak podcast stops by to share an exclusive preview of her podcast and the interview moment that left her with chills.
CONTINUE LISTENING TO SPARKLE SPEAK WITH MARILENA RUVOLO:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3g4XKJ6
LifeAudio: https://www.lifeaudio.com/sparkle-speak/20-marilena-ruvolo-trusting-god-with-financial-peace
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1m4JDmYGJsNY2rc8AgvfV7?si=FIHjSNuKTuGqBlGy0uLwQQ
DISCOVER MORE EPISODES OF SPARKLE SPEAK:
Cancer Survivor Kim Merrefield: https://www.lifeaudio.com/sparkle-speak/29-kim-merrefield-cancer-diagnosis-healing-after-a-whipple-surgery-viewing-challenges-as-blessings
Beauty Concierge & Blogger Shauna Garneau: https://www.lifeaudio.com/sparkle-speak/28-shauna-garneau-what-we-focus-on-amplifies
Artist Sadie Wilson: https://www.lifeaudio.com/sparkle-speak/24-sadie-wilson-power-of-prayer-holding-dreams-with-an-open-hand
Widow Ruth Anderson: https://www.lifeaudio.com/sparkle-speak/19-ruth-anderson-permission-to-be-honest-with-god-dealing-with-loss
Host Kathryn Calibeo: https://www.lifeaudio.com/sparkle-speak/3-kathryn-calibeo-finding-spiritual-healing-in-dark-times
SUPPORT SPARKLE SPEAK:
Website: https://www.sparklefaith.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_sparklefaith_
Paul is my favorite apostle in the Bible. Are you wondering what an apostle is? It means “person sent.” Paul was formerly known as Saul. He was a persecutor of Christians. He was on a mission to kill and destroy anyone who was a follower of Jesus because he believed that the message of Jesus was dangerous to Judaism. - Heidi Vegh
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Thanksgiving is the reason many of us are grateful for the month of November. Yet, while we may be preoccupied with stuffing our faces or talking to our kids about the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, we should strive to turn the feastful day into something representative of its name - a day where we express thanksgiving. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Jesus uses many parables throughout His time recorded on earth. He compares His kingdom in Matthew 13 to a treasure hidden in a field that is purchased by a man with all he has and a merchant who finds one great pearl and sells all he has to buy it. In comparing this, He is essentially saying that when you discover the beautiful gift of salvation from Him, you will do whatever you can to be a part and invest in His Kingdom work. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
God sees things. He sees our situations and He is always present in whatever happens. Our responsibility is to turn it all over to him. And what’s amazing is that he understands our frailties and whimsical worrying but shows loving provision for our needs when we are in trouble. - Christopher Eyte
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Loneliness carries with it a familiar anguish, a longing that goes unquenched. Sometimes the sensation lasts so long, we doubt whether or not we will ever see change. But loneliness is a pattern, and every pattern has to end before starting again. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The book of Hebrews is filled with beautiful verses proclaiming that Jesus is our great High Priest. He took on the cross for us, and He broke the barricade between us and God the Father. The sin that stood in between was defeated, and Jesus became the bridge between the Lord and us. As we break down these verses today, pray that Christ would reveal Himself more and more in your heart. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
What spiritual gifts have you received to serve the Body of Christ? What might be holding you back from exercising your gifts for God’s glory? - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
We matter greatly to the Lord, and so do your prayers. We can say our prayers out loud, think about them, write them, and even sing them. When we pray, we can rest in the promise that He hears us, has a plan for us, and will take care of us. - Megan Evans
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Hopelessness may be where you are today. If so, maybe God is using your struggle to shape you into a person who is more like Christ. You want to go from Point A to Z, but B, F, and P have some valuable lessons. No matter the reason, and no matter how hopeless we may feel, there is always hope. When those doubts sink in, and your bright skies begin to fade, remember these three ways to bring hope to the hopeless. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
What areas of life do we struggle to adopt change? Aging, sickness, and disease bring unwanted change into our lives. Unmet expectations of a new job or relationship can leave us disappointed. Even something as simple as a home renovation project gone wrong can fill us with regrets. We can spend too much time in the land of “If only. . .” - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Is there rubble and brokenness around you somewhere in your life? The book of Nehemiah reminds us that the Lord redeems and rebuilds. We can often see destruction and discouragement in these moments; however, in God, we can always have hope that He can work things out for His glory. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
In whatever you face, may you find your rest in God alone. May you uncover the presence of the Lord as your hope and your salvation. The Lord surrounds you. The Lord comforts you. The Lord secures your very life. - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
This grace that says there is not one of us that gets our thoughts right helps to break the stigma around anxiety or depression. We need to be sharing the truth that God sees that our minds and bodies struggle. He is here for us on a journey that looks like prayer, self-care, medical care, and more. - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
It is most important that we understand what God desires of His people. To walk wisely, we should recognize that time is a limited commodity. Everyone has a beginning time and an end (either by death or Christ’s second coming). God calls us to redeem that time. This means to examine the hours and days, and years the Lord has given us and ask ourselves, “Are we using time for all its worth?” - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
What is in your heart that sometimes spills out? Is it gracious and healing or bitter and resentful? The different types of stress in our lives shakes the contents of our heart. There are days when we won’t extend a godly response and we can use the remorse we feel as an opportunity for God to do an amazing transformative work. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Have you ever gotten really difficult news and just needed a minute alone? Jesus had been told by his closest friends that his cousin John the Baptist had been killed. This was a rough day in the life of Christ. His family member, friend, and front runner had been beheaded in prison for his ministry. Although this did not come as a surprise to Jesus, He knew this day would come, what we read here reveals to us a lot about Christ’s heart and His perfect deity and humanity. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Imposter Syndrome is the voice of the enemy. It tells us that all manners of goodness or happiness are ill deserved in our lives. Imposter Syndrome tells us that if people knew us as we truly are, then we would not be loved or accepted. Imposter Syndrome wants us to believe that we are fundamentally unlovable or unredeemable, and that even God is perpetually disappointed in us. - Rev. Kyle Norman
But it’s all a lie.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Do you ever compare your service for God’s Kingdom with others? Are there times when your joy in serving depends on praise or recognition? Ask the Lord to help you remember that we serve Him and His glory. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Do you know who God says YOU are?
Join Cynthia Garrett from Cynthia Garrett’s Girl Club for this special preview of her show and continue listening to the episode at https://www.lifeaudio.com/cynthia-garretts-girl-club/who-does-god-say-you-are-14-truths-about-your-identity-part-one.
LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CYNTHIA GARRETT’S GIRL CLUB:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cynthia-garretts-girl-club/id1614082014
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/04Bk2iD0OLk6OfCH3Auvt0
LifeAudio: https://www.lifeaudio.com/cynthia-garretts-girl-club
FOLLOW & SUPPORT CYNTHIA GARRETT:
Website: https://www.cynthiagarrett.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaGarrettMinistries
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthiagarrett
Twitter: https://twitter.com/spiritualchick
There are many ‘nobodies’ in the world today who live on the fringes of society. I remember a time when I was unemployed with post-traumatic stress, under the care of a psychologist, and I visited a local library every day. I went there to feel useful and soon noticed other vulnerable folks, just like me, searching for significance. - Christopher Eyte
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The life of a fisherman has a lot of reliance and trust in God to provide. Much like farmers who rely on rain for crops, fishermen rely on the Lord to bring fish to their nets. When Jesus was calling Andrew, Peter, James, and John, they were all in their regular daily routine. It was just another night out on the sea trying to get some fish to sell. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
I recently finished a Bible study on the ten commandments; the author encouraged us to obey God's Word joyfully. As we moved through the various laws, each one convicting and challenging, I realized I often obey out of obligation instead of delight. My Christian walk had become a task list, just another thing, a benchmark of validation that at least I am better than ( or not as bad as) her. I began to wonder, am I capable of delightfully obeying God’s Word. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Have you ever believed that God’s presence and power were contingent on your knowledge, ability, or skill? Have you ever feared that, despite your best efforts, you will never be able to earn the fire of God’s presence? - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
I want my daughters to understand what really matters and to live pure and blameless lives. I do the best I can to articulate love into every area of their lives, but I know as surely as my days are numbered on this earth, my words fall short. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
We know how essential light is when we lose it. When the electricity goes out in your home, you scramble for the flashlight, lanterns, and candles; let's face it, we need light. In Ephesians 5, the Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of light to describe how believers should imitate our Lord Jesus. - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Messy moments and seasons of life when we have strayed can leave us wondering if God even wants to be around us anymore. Perhaps your heart has asked the question, “does God really want to talk to someone like me right now?” Though the shame of our sin may tell us no, God’s faithful love screams a victorious yes! So then, what does a Holy God do with sinful people like you and me? - Megan Evans
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Winning in this life is rooted in the hope we have through Christ Jesus, and the victory He has already won. There is no pressure on us to perform, achieve or goal set ourselves into an exhaustive state. Winning is doing the best we can with what He has given us, without worrying about what He’s given everyone else do to. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The common perception of freedom is the practice of license and liberty from bondage. Freedom is assumed to be a life without rules, living for the moment and the self without accountability or constraint. Freedom means to live the way I want to live, free to choose for myself what is best or desired. This idea of freedom, however, is not actually freedom. - Seth Scott
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Today’s verse is a piece of Zachariah’s Prophecy. The Father of John the Baptist, he knew the capability of the Light to shine the truth into life’s circumstances. Unable to understand how he and his wife, Elizabeth, could conceive a child at their age, Zachariah’s doubt cost him the ability to speak until the child was born. The first thing he spoke was to name his son, John, in obedience to the Lord. John the Baptist paved the way for our Lord, Christ Jesus! The Light was coming! - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Take time today and ask yourself, is God calling me into a deeper discipleship commitment? Perhaps you must first ask, have I had a personal encounter with Christ? If the answer is yes, are you prioritizing a relationship with the living God? And, lastly, are you walking in faithful obedience to what God has called us to do for Him and His Kingdom? - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Daily sacrifice and surrender don’t come easily, even to the most seasoned believers. Looking at Romans 12:1-2, we see that offering ourselves as living sacrifices pleases God. It is an outward expression, a way we show our sincere love and gratitude to the Lord, not just by our words. So, we must constantly renew our minds with the things of God, not of this world. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Sin condemns people until they hear the gospel message and believe in the Lord Jesus. God called Andrea to speak His message of hope in Jesus to the people in Siberia. She’s not a member of some elite squad He chooses for this task. Indeed, God chooses every follower to participate. No excuses. - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
God longs for us to set aside time in our lives to sit with Him and listen to His voice. He understands that life can become overwhelming with multiple things clamoring for our attention. It takes intentionality to shut off the noise to spend time with our creator. These are precious moments where He can meet us right where you are. - Heidi Vegh
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Our bodies are the most tangible forms of ourselves. We also are made up of a heart that feels, a soul that connects with our spiritual selves, and a mind that helps us reason. Our bodies are what we see, feel, hear, and process this world with. It is flesh that God formed from dust and breathed life into. Our bodies are profoundly significant. - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Jesus consistently showed His disciples, and left an example for us today, of what it means to live in service of others and not just to be served. When we are welcomed in the name of Jesus and welcome others in the name of Jesus, we are living and loving the way He was instructing the disciples after He washed His feet. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
God wants us to love each other in the same way that He loves – unconditionally. In fact, God wants us to love in such a way that the people around us will know we are fully devoted followers of Christ. I wonder what our relationships would look like if we did love the way Jesus loves us. - Mary Southerland
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Life can feel akin to being strapped into a rollercoaster going 90MPH, with no way to call for help or stop the ride if something goes wrong. In those moments, we call out to our God, who is faithful to save us. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Remember that this life is a race today, especially if you're currently running the most challenging mile and feel unsure if you can keep going. Maybe you're not sprinting on this stretch like the people around you. That's okay, stay focused on Christ and keep putting one foot in front of the other. We can trust that as we make choices to sacrifice and persevere, our character and endurance have the opportunity to grow. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
How can you remember Jesus as the King of kings today? How can you rest in His reign and join Him in His kingdom work? - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Have you ever covered your eyes to avoid a scary part of a movie? In the same way, we sometimes deliberately close our eyes to the inconvenient or painful realities that God reveals. Is there any spiritual reality you resist? Perhaps God is nudging you to see and respond to a difficult relationship with His compassion instead of censure. - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
God saves us, and then God calls us to follow him. He calls us to be imitators of Christ and walk in his ways (Ephesians 5). To do so avoids the inevitability of crushing consequences of disobedience and leads to a life of joy. - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Copy-cat isn’t usually a kind term, but the reality of a copy-cat is complimentary. In this world, we have leaders and followers. We are all called to lead others to Christ Jesus as part of the Great Commission, but to do so, we follow in the footsteps of the Lord. We are literally called to be Christ Jesus copy-cats. - Meg Bucher
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
What happens when we don’t feel like giving thanks, especially during times of rising fuel prices, increasing mortgage rates, food shortages, job losses, and more? Amid unstable times, God asks us to focus on Him and His faithfulness, instead of our circumstances. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
As Christ-followers, it is vital that we are always prepared to share the hope that we have in Christ. This means that we are well equipped with knowing our God and His Word. By spending time with Him in prayer and in Scripture daily, we are strengthening our own faith and confidence in our relationship with Him and then able to communicate more effectively the hope that we have in Jesus. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Sometimes the most profound experiences of God’s presence occur within the ordinary places of over lives. God comes amid the regular and routine, catching us unawares. This is no truer than in the story of Jacob. One of the high points of his life with God is when he dreams of a ladder upon which the angels of God ascend and descend. Rising from his dream Jacob exults the presence of the Lord saying, “Surely the Lord is in this place!” He dedicates the spot to the Lord, and calls the place Bethel, meaning “The House of God”. Bethel becomes a recurring place of divine encounter throughout the Scripture. - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Careless and complacent words may seem irrelevant, but our words matter to God, to others, and even to ourselves. Instead of spoilage, we have the choice to speak with healthy and delicious words that leave behind the aroma of Christ every single day. And when we do, we will not only speak life into others but ourselves too. - Megan Evans
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Careless and complacent words may seem irrelevant, but our words matter to God, to others, and even to ourselves. Instead of spoilage, we have the choice to speak with healthy and delicious words that leave behind the aroma of Christ every single day. And when we do, we will not only speak life into others but ourselves too. - Megan Evans
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
God knew the moment Adam ate the fruit, sin would enter the world, and nothing would ever be the same again. For this reason, it is crucial to understand the impact of sin and how it can impact your walk with the Lord. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
God knew the moment Adam ate the fruit, sin would enter the world, and nothing would ever be the same again. For this reason, it is crucial to understand the impact of sin and how it can impact your walk with the Lord. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Comparison leads to feelings of jealousy, discontentment, and ungratefulness. It can hold such a tight grip on our hearts that it ultimately shapes everything we do. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Comparison leads to feelings of jealousy, discontentment, and ungratefulness. It can hold such a tight grip on our hearts that it ultimately shapes everything we do. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Has chatter of possible future food shortages caused you to feel anxious, stressed out, and worried? Are headlines causing you to store up staples, basic supplies, and favorite foods to help get you and your family through possible lean times? If so, it’s okay to create a storehouse but make sure it isn’t motivated by fear but led by God’s wisdom because “The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked" (Proverbs 10:3). - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Has chatter of possible future food shortages caused you to feel anxious, stressed out, and worried? Are headlines causing you to store up staples, basic supplies, and favorite foods to help get you and your family through possible lean times? If so, it’s okay to create a storehouse but make sure it isn’t motivated by fear but led by God’s wisdom because “The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked" (Proverbs 10:3). - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
No walk matches the pathos and power of that footpath from Pilate’s kangaroo court to Golgotha. The Via Delarosa—the way of the cross—is the ultimate walk of love. This is the love we are to imitate: dying to self to live for God, and in doing so, knowing the fullness of joy in Christ. - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
No walk matches the pathos and power of that footpath from Pilate’s kangaroo court to Golgotha. The Via Delarosa—the way of the cross—is the ultimate walk of love. This is the love we are to imitate: dying to self to live for God, and in doing so, knowing the fullness of joy in Christ. - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Life is hard.
It may not be hard now, but at some point, everyone experiences something that rocks them to their core, challenging beliefs and identity. I don’t think many Americans like the story of Job because it’s a bit…uncomfortable. - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Life is hard.
It may not be hard now, but at some point, everyone experiences something that rocks them to their core, challenging beliefs and identity. I don’t think many Americans like the story of Job because it’s a bit…uncomfortable. - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
When you think about the marks of a Christian, there is one mark that should be present, which sometimes we can too easily gloss over. That mark is forgiveness. When we need forgiveness, it is amazing how we seek after it. Yet when we must give forgiveness, sometimes we can be a little slow on the draw. Have you ever wondered why that is? - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
When you think about the marks of a Christian, there is one mark that should be present, which sometimes we can too easily gloss over. That mark is forgiveness. When we need forgiveness, it is amazing how we seek after it. Yet when we must give forgiveness, sometimes we can be a little slow on the draw. Have you ever wondered why that is? - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
What kind of fruit are you producing in your life? If you’re not seeing the kind that comes from loving God more than the world, ask God to examine your heart. Ask Him to reveal the truth to you. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
What kind of fruit are you producing in your life? If you’re not seeing the kind that comes from loving God more than the world, ask God to examine your heart. Ask Him to reveal the truth to you. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
My children can ask some seriously tough questions. Sometimes it’s hard because the answer is straightforward, but the truth is difficult to comprehend. Other times, there isn’t a clear explanation; God didn’t choose to reveal it to us in Scripture. While driving in the car, my five-year-old announced she had a question. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
My children can ask some seriously tough questions. Sometimes it’s hard because the answer is straightforward, but the truth is difficult to comprehend. Other times, there isn’t a clear explanation; God didn’t choose to reveal it to us in Scripture. While driving in the car, my five-year-old announced she had a question. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The Scriptures make it clear that believers in Christ are to be on our guard because the enemy is against God, so He too will attack the Father’s children. We are part of a spiritual battle that many days we wake up forgetting is going on. When our lives are consumed with the temporary, we forget the eternal. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The Scriptures make it clear that believers in Christ are to be on our guard because the enemy is against God, so He too will attack the Father’s children. We are part of a spiritual battle that many days we wake up forgetting is going on. When our lives are consumed with the temporary, we forget the eternal. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Though God’s intense light glares painfully, exposure is the first step toward true healing. In Ephesians 5:10-11 NLT, Apostle Paul advises, “Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.” God’s light of grace shrivels bitterness that has grown fat in darkness until it can no longer tunnel back underground. - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Though God’s intense light glares painfully, exposure is the first step toward true healing. In Ephesians 5:10-11 NLT, Apostle Paul advises, “Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.” God’s light of grace shrivels bitterness that has grown fat in darkness until it can no longer tunnel back underground. - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Faith in God is something all believers have. When we ask for anything through Christ Jesus, it is our faith that drives the assurance that we will receive it. However, faith is not only the confidence that we will receive what we ask according to God’s divine will for our lives. It is also having confidence that God will provide all that we need and trusting Him no matter what the situation looks like. - Liz Lampkin
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Faith in God is something all believers have. When we ask for anything through Christ Jesus, it is our faith that drives the assurance that we will receive it. However, faith is not only the confidence that we will receive what we ask according to God’s divine will for our lives. It is also having confidence that God will provide all that we need and trusting Him no matter what the situation looks like. - Liz Lampkin
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Whatever you are facing today, rest assured that you can release it to the Lord in prayer. No matter how trivial, we can present our requests to our Heavenly Father, who cares for us deeply. As we cast our anxieties on Him, let's sing praises and share our gratitude to the One who loves us beyond measure. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Whatever you are facing today, rest assured that you can release it to the Lord in prayer. No matter how trivial, we can present our requests to our Heavenly Father, who cares for us deeply. As we cast our anxieties on Him, let's sing praises and share our gratitude to the One who loves us beyond measure. - Laura Bailey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Because Christians have no need to fear death, we have the opportunity to share with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and even strangers how they can live fear free, too, and pass from life to life. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Because Christians have no need to fear death, we have the opportunity to share with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and even strangers how they can live fear free, too, and pass from life to life. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Temptation wears many faces and makes many promises, but they’re all the same. False. Jesus spoke the truth over the deceit Satan offered Him. And Satan fled. Job overcame his trial, as did Joseph. The same can be true for us if we don’t answer when temptation knocks. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Temptation wears many faces and makes many promises, but they’re all the same. False. Jesus spoke the truth over the deceit Satan offered Him. And Satan fled. Job overcame his trial, as did Joseph. The same can be true for us if we don’t answer when temptation knocks. - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
For those who are in Christ Jesus, today and each day is a victory party. The devil has no hold on us, we have eternal life in Him. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
For those who are in Christ Jesus, today and each day is a victory party. The devil has no hold on us, we have eternal life in Him. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Your most significant legacy for your family, community, and this world is a heritage of faith in Jesus Christ. How are you building that legacy today? - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Your most significant legacy for your family, community, and this world is a heritage of faith in Jesus Christ. How are you building that legacy today? - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Who hasn’t seen favoritism? Sadly, partiality is widespread not only out in the world but in many churches. Yet James 2:1-4 addresses it within the Church, revealing the sinfulness behind it. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Who hasn’t seen favoritism? Sadly, partiality is widespread not only out in the world but in many churches. Yet James 2:1-4 addresses it within the Church, revealing the sinfulness behind it. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Our momentary trials and hardships might be extremely painful and difficult, but we can get through knowing that the Lord is with us and we have eternal security in Heaven because of Jesus. We can each declare this in our own lives today, “I will trust and not be afraid.” - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Our momentary trials and hardships might be extremely painful and difficult, but we can get through knowing that the Lord is with us and we have eternal security in Heaven because of Jesus. We can each declare this in our own lives today, “I will trust and not be afraid.” - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The disciplined person recognizes how much they don’t know instead of celebrating how much they do. This type of person will always acquire more knowledge. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The disciplined person recognizes how much they don’t know instead of celebrating how much they do. This type of person will always acquire more knowledge. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
A failing relationship, a difficult job, a wayward child. Any number of things can happen in life that leaves us questioning whether or not to give up. One of Paul’s most encouraging messages was, “I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
A failing relationship, a difficult job, a wayward child. Any number of things can happen in life that leaves us questioning whether or not to give up. One of Paul’s most encouraging messages was, “I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). - Aaron D'Anthony Brown
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Martha was distracted. In all fairness, Martha may have started her day off fine, excited Jesus would be coming. But somewhere along the line, Martha got distracted. What she would offer Jesus became bigger than him. - Anne Peterson
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Martha was distracted. In all fairness, Martha may have started her day off fine, excited Jesus would be coming. But somewhere along the line, Martha got distracted. What she would offer Jesus became bigger than him. - Anne Peterson
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Our age is "A Secular Age" as the Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor put it. And it is becoming more so. How do we bear witness to Jesus Christ In a world like ours? - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Our age is "A Secular Age" as the Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor put it. And it is becoming more so. How do we bear witness to Jesus Christ In a world like ours? - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
There is great power in admitting we need help. Jesus loves it when we call out to him. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
There is great power in admitting we need help. Jesus loves it when we call out to him. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
How is God appealing to you to be more unified in the body of Christ? What divisions are in your community of believers? How can you move towards being perfectly unified in mind and thought? - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Was the last time you were strengthened by someone speaking the gospel to you in their own words? Ask the Lord to bring to mind someone you can encourage with, or perhaps share with for the first time, the simple gospel. - Sarah E. Martin
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Was the last time you were strengthened by someone speaking the gospel to you in their own words? Ask the Lord to bring to mind someone you can encourage with, or perhaps share with for the first time, the simple gospel. - Sarah E. Martin
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The problem the Pharisees and teachers of the law had is they did not practice what they were teaching. Their righteousness was only superficial. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The problem the Pharisees and teachers of the law had is they did not practice what they were teaching. Their righteousness was only superficial. - Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
We all do it. We face something really difficult in our lives, and we ask, “Why?” Why is this happening now? Or why is this happening to me? It’s normal to ask this question, but the problem is, we seem to stay there. And when we are asking that question, peace alludes us. - Anne Peterson
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
We all do it. We face something really difficult in our lives, and we ask, “Why?” Why is this happening now? Or why is this happening to me? It’s normal to ask this question, but the problem is, we seem to stay there. And when we are asking that question, peace alludes us. - Anne Peterson
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
There have been times in my life when I felt the Lord calling me out of the boat and to walk toward him. After my miscarriage, it was to walk the waters of grief. Later, when I was pregnant again, it was to walk the waters of trust. Life is full of adventures, but not every adventure leads us in a straight path. Sometimes they lead us through ravines and along cliffs. The winds of uncertainty and fear and unknowns buffet us, and we lose sight of Jesus. - Jessica Van Roekel
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
God tells us over and over in Scripture of His willingness and desire to heal us. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
God tells us over and over in Scripture of His willingness and desire to heal us. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Where do you turn when you can’t find the strength to carry on?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Where do you turn when you can’t find the strength to carry on?
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
May the Holy Spirit illuminate the beauty of God’s creation for you. He is making everything beautiful in his perfect timing. He offers hope, peace, joy, healing, redemption, reconciliation, and comfort to his children even in our profound brokenness. His grace is enough for us (2 Corinthians 12:9). - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
May the Holy Spirit illuminate the beauty of God’s creation for you. He is making everything beautiful in his perfect timing. He offers hope, peace, joy, healing, redemption, reconciliation, and comfort to his children even in our profound brokenness. His grace is enough for us (2 Corinthians 12:9). - Amanda Idleman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
What are some ways your new heart enables you to obey God’s commands? Who in your sphere of influence needs to hear about God’s heart transplant? - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
What are some ways your new heart enables you to obey God’s commands? Who in your sphere of influence needs to hear about God’s heart transplant? - Annie Yorty
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The feeling of longing for home is universal. People in 2022 BC or 2022 AD understand the visceral ache for home as much as people in Chennai or Cornwall. I know that feeling, too. As one grows older, one experiences a unique longing for a home that is both familiar and new. - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The feeling of longing for home is universal. People in 2022 BC or 2022 AD understand the visceral ache for home as much as people in Chennai or Cornwall. I know that feeling, too. As one grows older, one experiences a unique longing for a home that is both familiar and new. - Dr. Michael A. Milton
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
We can easily tell ourselves that we are disqualified when in fact, it is our Maker who has not only qualified us but Who has already given us victory in Him. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
We can easily tell ourselves that we are disqualified when in fact, it is our Maker who has not only qualified us but Who has already given us victory in Him. - Emma Danzey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Jesus’ love for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus is so strong that he cannot remain unmoved. He adds his own tears to theirs. Jesus weeps. - Rev. Kyle Norman
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Looking back can be a two-edged sword, on one side offering gained wisdom from former experiences, and on the other side, stirring up a longing for former things that aren’t in God’s will or plan for us. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Looking back can be a two-edged sword, on one side offering gained wisdom from former experiences, and on the other side, stirring up a longing for former things that aren’t in God’s will or plan for us. - Lynette Kittle
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
In this episode of the Happy Rant, Ted Kluck, Ronnie Martin, and Barnabas Piper wander to and fro through a variety of topics:
- Who we are, a brief introduction for new listeners
- What we love about podcasting together
- How we would describe our show: The Seinfeld of podcasts, a Piper family dinner party, and a description to aspirational college students
Subscribe to Happy Rant:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-happy-rant/id878250651
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3iIwABQZ3mTsFtOx6hOafX
Listen on LifeAudio: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-happy-rant/episodes
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
We all dropping into your feed today with an episode of one of our other LifeAudio shows - Christian Parent, Crazy World. This is a show all about raising godly kids in an ungodly world.
Find Christian Parent, Crazy World at LifeAudio: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/episodes
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Christmas Podcast! The Characters of Christmas: The Unlikely People Caught Up in the Story of Jesus: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-christmas/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Season 2 of Breathe, The Stress Less Podcast is here! Listen here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Join our FREE Walking with God: Romans podcast study and Facebook group! Here's how:
First, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify
Second, sign up for the Walking with God: Romans Facebook Group and weekly email at https://www.nicoleunice.com/romans
Subscribe to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our newest show: Ask A Pastor! Pastor and writer Rayshawn Graves thinks through tough questions about Christianity and the church and how the truth of God's word applies to our lives. Listen and subscribe here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/ask-a-pastor/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
The best marriages have a teamwork mentality. Check out our new marriage podcast - Team Us: https://www.lifeaudio.com/team-us/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our newest podcast on LifeAudio.com - Single Mom 101: https://www.lifeaudio.com/single-mom-101/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our new parenting podcast! Christian Parent/Crazy World: https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-bible-verse-podcast/id1477482900
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Easter podcast! The Characters of Easter: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-easter/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Easter podcast! The Characters of Easter: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-easter/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Easter podcast! The Characters of Easter: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-easter/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Easter podcast! The Characters of Easter: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-easter/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Easter podcast! The Characters of Easter: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-easter/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Easter podcast! The Characters of Easter: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-easter/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Easter podcast! The Characters of Easter: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-easter/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Easter podcast! The Characters of Easter: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-easter/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Easter podcast! The Characters of Easter: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-easter/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Easter podcast! The Characters of Easter: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-easter/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Easter podcast! The Characters of Easter: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-easter/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Crosswalk:
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Listen to our new Christmas Podcast! The Characters of Christmas: The Unlikely People Caught Up in the Story of Jesus: https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-characters-of-christmas/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out our newest podcast, Teach Us to Pray, which you can find here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/teach-us-to-pray/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Our featured podcast this month is Hope for Women with Father Wounds, which you can find here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/hope-for-women-with-father-wounds/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Our featured podcast this month is Hope for Women with Father Wounds, which you can find here: https://www.lifeaudio.com/hope-for-women-with-father-wounds/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Today, we wanted to share our latest LifeAudio podcast with you, The Bible Never Said That. To find all the episodes for this show, just visit https://www.lifeaudio.com/the-bible-never-said-that/
Check out our newest podcast on LifeAudio.com - Single Mom 101: https://www.lifeaudio.com/single-mom-101/
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-bible-verse-podcast/id1477482900
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-bible-verse-podcast/id1477482900
You can subscribe to How to Study the Bible here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-study-the-bible/id1495878685
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:
Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-bible-verse-podcast/id1477482900
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at https://www.crosswalk.com
Also, SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-daily-prayer-podcast/id1253570474