Crosswalk.com Devotional

Where can you find God’s blessings when life feels ordinary, frustrating, or even painful? God’s goodness is often present in ways we overlook—the breath in our lungs, daily provision, protection, meaningful relationships, and quiet moments of peace. Like hidden treasures beneath layers of rock, these blessings become easier to recognize when we slow down and intentionally look for them. Job 28:10 reminds us that treasures can be discovered when we are willing to search for them. The same can be true of our relationship with God. Even during difficult seasons, He can be developing spiritual treasures such as patience, kindness, perseverance, and deeper faith. Most importantly, God’s presence is with us in the darkness. When we learn to look beyond our circumstances and seek God’s work in our everyday lives, we can begin to notice the countless ways He is supporting, protecting, and loving us. Highlights How to recognize God’s hidden blessings in everyday life Why slowing down can help us notice God’s goodness and provision What Job 28:10 teaches us about searching for hidden treasures How difficult seasons can produce spiritual treasures like patience and kindness Why God’s presence is the greatest treasure we can discover in times of suffering Practical ways to train yourself to notice God’s work instead of focusing only on problems Questions to help you recognize the people, promises, and blessings God has already placed in your life Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Find Hidden Treasures from God By: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading:“They tunnel through the rock; their eyes see all its treasures.” – Job 28:10, NIV On a trip to Norway, I went through so many tunnels while traveling in cars and trains that I completely lost count. As I traveled through the tunnels, I thought about the incredible engineering required to blast through all that hard rock. I also thought about all the natural treasures that are hidden deep inside rocks. More than 4,000 different kinds of beautiful minerals and gemstones can be buried in rocks all around our planet. When people tunnel through rock, they may discover quartz, garnet, amethyst, and many more varieties of treasures. Job 28:10 points out that tunneling through rock reveals treasures. It’s necessary to make an effort to find treasures. But treasures are there, waiting to be discovered, when we’re willing to do the work of trying to find them. God is constantly pouring blessings into your life, and every single one of those blessings is a treasure. But some of them may be hidden until you make an effort to search for them. If you explore and ask God to help you find the treasures he has given you, you’ll start to see that God’s goodness is glittering all around you. God’s goodness is in the breath filling your lungs right now, and the strength in your legs that lets you walk across the room. You can see it when you enjoy a good meal, turn on the tap for clean water, or drive home safely without any trouble. Even a frustrating red light can be God protecting you from danger ahead, and a quiet, boring day can be God’s way of giving you peace. Once you start looking, you’ll see that God is taking care of you in countless ways every single day. Even when you find yourself traveling through a difficult season that feels like being stuck inside a dark tunnel, these hidden treasures are still there. In fact, some of God’s most valuable blessings are formed in the dark. Just as pressure and heat create diamonds deep beneath the earth’s surface, hard times can produce beautiful spiritual qualities like patience and kindness that help you grow in holiness. When you’re inside a dark tunnel of suffering in this fallen world, it’s easy to doubt God’s love for you. But if you look closely, you’ll find that God has placed the most valuable treasure of all – God’s presence with you – right there in the dark. By finding God’s presence with you, you can also discover God’s blessings for you, which you wouldn’t notice if you weren’t focused on your relationship with God. You have to change how you look at your daily circumstances so you can find treasures from God. Instead of just trying to hurry through your days, ask God to help you notice his work in your life. You need to look closely at your life while praying for God’s guidance to find the hidden ways God is supporting, protecting, and loving you right now. When you make an effort to seek God and look for the wonder of God’s work in your life, you can see all the blessings God is generously giving you. So, look beyond the surface of your life and seek God. Get excited about discovering all the beautiful, hidden treasures God has placed in your life! Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider how to find hidden treasures from God, reflect on these questions: What’s one treasure God has already given you that you might easily overlook if you’re too busy, but can find it when you let yourself rest and focus on God more? When you look back at a past difficult season, what spiritual treasures did God develop in you through that hard time? How can you train yourself to see God’s daily goodness rather than just focusing on your problems? Who are the people in your life who you realize are blessings from God when you make time to reflect on them? How can you thank them, and thank God for them, today? What’s one of God’s promises from the Bible that you can carry like a hidden treasure in your heart and mind this week? Further Reading: Isaiah 45:3 Colossians 2:3 Proverbs 2:4-5 Matthew 13:44 Psalm 119:162 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Pride doesn’t always look like arrogance or boasting. Sometimes it shows up in quieter ways—talking more than listening, only investing in people who seem useful, or constantly saying there isn’t enough time for others. These subtle forms of pride can reveal that our attention is more focused on ourselves than on loving and serving the people around us. Philippians 2:3-4 calls Christians to replace selfish ambition with humility by considering others and their interests. Following Jesus means examining not only what we do, but also why we do it. When we become more willing to listen, make time for others, and engage with people without expecting something in return, we begin to reflect the humility of Christ. Recognizing subtle pride isn’t about condemning ourselves—it’s about allowing God to reshape our priorities, relationships, and hearts. Highlights How pride can appear in subtle ways we may not immediately recognize Why only engaging with people who are useful can reveal selfishness What listening more and speaking less can teach us about humility Why “I don’t have time” may actually reveal our priorities How Philippians 2:3-4 challenges us to consider others more important than ourselves Why honest self-examination is essential for recognizing pride in our lives Practical ways to replace selfishness and conceit with humility, generosity, and genuine care for others Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Surprising Ways Pride Shows Itself By Aaron D’Anthony Brown Bible Reading:“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4, CSB) In his epistle to the church of Phillipi, Paul urges fellow believers to be “united in spirit” with one another (Philippians 2:2). He wanted everyone to be on the same page with what they believed and how they lived as Christ followers. He goes on to say that such a life is lived by esteeming others as more important than ourselves. Don’t look to what brings you the most glory; do what benefits others. We hear the same sentiment preached in church today, but how many of us live this out? While our pastors talk about loving our neighbors, building the church up from within, and sharing the Gospel with nonbelievers, we don’t often seem to be on the same accord. Even if we do these things, our motivations are sometimes selfish. We should be prioritizing others, but really, we’re interested in ourselves. I’ve heard believers say things like “I enjoy hearing myself talk,” or claim they don’t have time to hang out with other Christians. Then suddenly they’re dating someone, which requires a lot more time. Or perhaps the only time they show genuine interest in you is when you’re going through a hard time. Otherwise, you’re simply not important. Naturally, we won’t be close to or have deep conversations with everyone. However, it’s important to consider whether day-to-day relationships, conversations, and actions reflect selfish conceit or humility. Perhaps, we have such a hard time esteeming others as more important because in our minds, no one is more important than ourselves. Pride is often called one of the most deadly sins, maybe the most deadly. When we start thinking we know best, it becomes a gateway for other sins. You might not think of yourself as prideful - I generally don’t - but if we’re being honest, we can all be a bit prideful sometimes. C.S Lewis said, “There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which everyone in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else, and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves” (Mere Christianity). The sooner we acknowledge this truth, the sooner we can change our thinking and get ourselves on one accord. Intersecting Faith & Life: Most people won’t need help identifying the major ways pride affects our lives, but who says pride can’t be subtle? Here are three ways we might not even realize: Only engaging with people who are useful. One mistake Christians make is only engaging with people at church who are useful. This means ignoring others until they join your team or become a friend of your friend, etc. Don’t we all have some measure of importance and worth given by God? Why not be open to speaking and engaging with people as the norm? For those who don’t, when you finally decide to interact, you risk making the encounter uncomfortable, and more than that, disingenuous. Talking as opposed to listening. The Bible says to be slow to speak and quick to listen, but few live this out (James 1:19). God gave us two ears and one mouth. I’ve been told there should be a ratio for how we communicate: listen twice as much as you speak. Not making time for others. We’re probably all guilty of using the phrase, “I haven’t had the time,” but if we took time to consider what that statement means, we’d say something else instead. Everyone is given the same amount of time within a day. Twenty-four hours. However, we all use our time differently. The issue is not having enough time, but rather priority - what’s important and what’s not. Or at the very least, what is most important. We prioritize what we value most. Therefore, we should stop telling people we don’t have time to do that favor, read that book, or do that thing. We simply haven't made the time yet. That’s the honest answer. And the sooner we can be more honest, the sooner we can stop pride from stifling our callings. Further Reading: Proverbs 11:2 Proverbs 16:18 Proverbs 29:23 Jeremiah 9:23 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How often do you stop to thank God for the prayers He has already answered? It’s easy to focus on what we’re still waiting for while overlooking the blessings, relationships, opportunities, and circumstances we once desperately asked God to provide. Remembering answered prayers can renew our gratitude and help us recognize God’s goodness in everyday life. Psalm 103 calls us to remember God’s benefits and not forget His goodness. Sometimes God answers prayers immediately, while other times His perfect timing looks different from what we expected. Childhood prayers for something as simple as a kitten or a puppy can become reminders of a faithful God who hears us and knows what is best. When we intentionally look back at what God has done, we can move from taking His blessings for granted to cultivating a heart of gratitude and trust. Highlights Why we can be quick to remember hardships while forgetting God’s goodness How answered prayers can become easy to take for granted What childhood prayers can teach us about trusting God’s timing Why God’s answer may be “not yet” rather than “no” How reflecting on past prayers can strengthen gratitude and faith Practical questions for recognizing the answered prayers you are living right now An encouragement to slow down, remember God’s blessings, and thank Him for His faithfulness Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Childhood Prayers Teach Us about God’s Goodness By Hannah Benson Bible Reading:“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:2-5 ESV). How quick are we to remember the sins of others when they have wronged us, or to remember the darkest tragedies in our lives? Even if we long to forget the terrible things, they don’t often easily slip from our minds. Why is it then that we are so quick to forget the goodness of God? Why is it more difficult for us to remember all the good things God has done in our lives? Do we keep count? Do we thank Him for the blessings we take for granted? Do we remember the prayers we so desperately prayed that we are now living? Do we stop to thank the Lord for those, or do we take them for granted? I often find myself guilty of this. I can get so caught up in praying for the next thing that I forget to simply bask in the Lord’s presence and remember everything He has done. There is nothing wrong with praying for something. God loves to hear from us! But He also desires that we cultivate a heart brimming with gratitude, remembering the goodness He has graced our lives with. When I was a little girl, no more than 7 or 8-years-old, there was a mother cat who’d wandered the neighborhood for a few days, and we’d had a suspicion she’d had kittens somewhere in our backyard. My dad went out to look for them because we weren’t going to leave little helpless kittens alone (if they even existed). And oh, how I prayed they existed. I got on my knees behind my mom’s rocking chair, folded my hands, and pleaded with God for a kitten. It was such a small, yet sincere, request. Of all the things in life we actually need (jobs, food on the table, clothes), I love the sincerity and simplicity of my prayer as a little girl. Without a care in the world, I asked Him for what I truly wanted. Told Him how I longed for a kitten. I believed and hoped my daddy would find kittens so we could both save them and keep one (or two if we were really lucky). Yet when my dad returned inside the house, he had to break the news to this little girl’s hopeful heart that there were no kittens to be found. I didn’t understand. Why didn’t God answer my prayer with a yes when I’d prayed so hard? I couldn’t see it then, but God knew it wasn’t time. At the time, we lived in the suburbs. Only when we moved out to the country 2-3 years later did God see fit to bless us with two little kittens, one of whom is now a still very healthy 13-year-old cat. I also recall when I was a young teenager and prayed so hard for a dog. For years, our parents told us, “Maybe someday,” but to be honest, none of us knew if it would ever happen. But in 2020, when the world was thrown into chaos and turmoil, God told our mom that someday was now, and He directed our steps to the perfect little puppy for our family. Simple prayers. Yet prayers that God answered in His perfect timing. To be honest, as I reflect on these answered prayers among others, I realize how much I take them for granted. Yes, I’m grateful, but am I as grateful as I should be? How often do I stop to remember the prayers I prayed that I’m now living? Not often enough. Intersecting Faith & Life: I would challenge you to look at your life right now and reflect: what answered prayers are you living right now? Perhaps the job you have now, even if it feels stressful at times, is an answer to a prayer you prayed years earlier. What about your spouse who frustrated you this week? Wasn’t there a time you prayed for a husband or wife from the Lord? How many times do we take what we once prayed for granted? Let us resolve, by the grace of God, to cultivate a heart filled with gratitude for all the Lord has done in our lives. Pray with me: Lord, please forgive us for how quickly we forget Your goodness. Please open our eyes today to see the answered prayers we are living. Help us to slow down to bask in Your presence and thank You for all Your blessings. In Jesus’s Name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When stress, worry, and constant responsibilities leave you feeling overwhelmed, finding peace can seem impossible. A fast-paced, achievement-driven life can keep your mind racing and make it difficult to slow down, be present, and remember where true peace comes from. Jesus offers a better way. John 14:27 reminds us that the peace Jesus gives is different from what the world offers. We don’t have to live consumed by fear, productivity, or worry about what comes next. By intentionally pausing, becoming still, and turning our attention toward God, we create space to recognize His presence and trust His provision. Even a few quiet minutes each day can help us step away from the noise, surrender our concerns, and receive the peace Christ freely gives. Highlights Why slowing down can help us recognize God’s presence and peace How a fast-paced, achievement-driven culture can fuel stress and worry What Jesus means when He says, “my peace I give you” in John 14:27 Why worry can pull us toward self-dependency and away from trusting God How Jesus’ teaching about the birds of the air challenges us to trust God’s provision The spiritual value of being still, present, and attentive to God Practical ways to make intentional pauses for peace part of your daily routine Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Pausing for PeaceBy Megan J. Conner 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 (NIV) It was a lovely summer day when I had the opportunity to take a day trip to meet up with a coworker in a city several hours from where I live. I had numerous reasons to rush through the event in order to get back to my desk and make up for the loss of “productivity” that evening. However, something prompted me to slow down and take advantage of the day away. After the lunch meeting with my colleague, she recommended a trail nearby that I might enjoy before I had to get back on the road. Nature is very much my “happy place” (especially if it includes forests or water), so when she pointed me in that direction, I went along readily. With each step down the cobblestone path, my soul breathed a little easier. Covered by a canopy of lush green trees, the atmosphere was almost magical. As my attention was focused on the beauty surrounding me, the weight of my worries seemed to slip away. I became more and more present in the moment rather than consumed with all the concerns of the past or the future. There really was nothing else to do but be… Be in the moment, be present, and be at peace. In our fast-paced, achievement-driven, bigger-is-always-better modern culture, many of us are burdened by overwhelm. Our minds race just as fast (if not faster) than the breakneck speed of life around us. As such, it is so easy for fear and stress to engulf our hearts and minds, drawing us deeper into self-dependency and further away from the one true source of our peace. Jesus reminds us in the scripture provided today that He has not only extended His peace to us, but that through Him we do not need to be afraid. “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) In a very practical sense, Jesus also addresses our tendency towards worry in Matthew chapter six, when He illustrates how God provides for the needs of His creatures. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matt. 6:25-62 (NIV) If the Lord is willing and able to so abundantly care for the birds of the air, is He not also able to care well for us? Of course He is… Why then do we have so much trouble believing in this provision? Because we do not allow ourselves to pause long enough to look up and look out at the blessings all around us. We keep our eyes on the prize and our hands to plow, never stopping long enough to realize there is a better way. The way is Jesus (John 14:6). There is something so pure and so beautiful when we intentionally choose to stop… to be still. In the quietness of moments like the one I mentioned earlier, we recognize our Creator in the midst of His creation, we rediscover hope, we step into peace, and we surrender to Him who is able to provide all that we need in trust (Eph. 3:20-21). No matter how busy your life seems, or how many outside voices clamor for your attention, may I encourage you today to simply stop? Even if it is just for a few minutes each day, I strongly recommend you prioritize pausing for peace. There really is respite for the worried and weary. You simply have to be still. Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you struggle with worry or weariness? Do you feel like the demands of your job or other responsibilities don’t allow for seasons of rest and stillness? If so, how does today’s devotional offer you an alternative viewpoint? If you are willing, decide on one practice you can employ every day to set aside intentional time to pause and be still. Whether it is the first thing in the morning, an alarm you set as a reminder on your phone, or maybe even an agreed-upon time that you and a friend decide to commit to, I challenge you to prioritize incorporating some sort of pause throughout your day to stop everything and simply be… Be present, be still, and receive from God the gift of peace. Further Reading:Isaiah 26:3-4Psalm 29:11 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Favoritism in a family can leave lasting wounds, especially when a child feels overlooked, unwanted, or less valued than their siblings. Whether it happens through obvious comparisons or subtle differences in attention, playing favorites can damage relationships and shape how children see themselves for years to come. Scripture offers a clear warning: God does not show favoritism. James 2:1 calls Christians to reject favoritism, reminding us that partiality has no place in a life devoted to Jesus. Parents can be tempted to favor one child because of personality, responsibility, or shared interests, but every child needs to know they are equally loved and valued. For those who have experienced the pain of favoritism, God’s love offers hope and a foundation for healing. And when we recognize that our own favoritism has hurt others, humility, apology, and a commitment to change can help begin the process of restoration. Highlights Why favoritism can create lasting emotional wounds within families How playing favorites can affect both the favored child and overlooked siblings What James 2:1 teaches Christians about showing partiality Why God’s love provides hope for those who have felt overlooked or unwanted How parents can work toward showing each child equal love and value The importance of apologizing when favoritism has caused hurt Practical questions for recognizing favoritism and taking steps toward reconciliation Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Importance of Avoiding FavoritismBy Vivian Bricker Bible Reading:“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism” (James 2:1). Favoritism occurred in my family as my dad’s favorite was the oldest child, and my mom’s favorite was the middle child. As the youngest of three, I was never chosen as the favorite. Instead, I was seen as the “extra” child. As one can imagine, this has caused me to have long-lasting problems, such as a negative self-view and low self-esteem. If you genuinely want to obey God, you must give up the practice of playing favorites. Favoritism only hurts your children and makes them second-guess themselves. Studies have shown that the oldest child tends to be the favorite, often because they are more like their parents or take on more responsibilities than younger siblings. It is time to change these statistics; there needs to be equal love for each child. Within the family of God, there is no room for favoritism. The Apostle Paul tells us, “For God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:11). Showing favoritism will hurt your other children, either directly or indirectly. Not to mention, it could make the favorite overconfident, selfish, and self-absorbed. There needs to be equality amongst children. If you continue to play favorites, it will push your children away from you. This has been true for me, as there was nothing I could do to get my parents to like me. I have gone through multiple years of therapy to help work through this issue. I have also sought out help from God. Through the help of the Lord, I have discovered that I am loved by Him. The Bible tells us we are God’s children and that we are dearly loved by Him (1 John 3:1). The journey has not been easy, but Jesus has helped me every step of the way. While it is true that I will always have this wound from my parents, I can move on to new beginnings in the Lord. It also helps me share my story with others to help prevent them from showing favoritism toward their own children. Intersecting Faith & Life: James 2:1 says, “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” This comes from the half-brother of the Lord. In no way does favoritism bring about the righteous life that God wants for us. It will only bring pain to our own lives and to the lives of others. Reach out to those you may have hurt with favoritism and tell them you want to talk. Apologize to them and ask if there is anything you can do to make things right. Acknowledge that you cannot change the past, but help them to know that you will no longer practice favoritism in the future. An apology and a promise to change for the future can go a long way toward healing someone's heart, whether they are in their childhood, teenage, or adult years. Let’s pray: Dear Jesus, I want to let go of the toxic trait of showing favoritism. I don't want to play favorites anymore, as I see all the pain it causes. Please help me to love everyone equally. Forgive me for my sin, and please help those I have hurt to forgive me. Thank You, Lord. Amen. When you are tempted to show favoritism, what can you do? Is there a person you need to reach out to today to apologize to and make things right with? If so, when will you reach out to them this week? Further Reading: Genesis 37:4 Deuteronomy 10:17 Acts 10:34 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In a culture obsessed with staying young, aging can feel like something to hide or fight. But what does the Bible say about growing older? Scripture offers a different perspective, showing that aging can bring wisdom, spiritual maturity, and opportunities to invest in the next generation. Proverbs 16:31 calls gray hair a “crown of glory,” reminding Christians that growing older is not something to fear or be ashamed of. For Christian women especially, Titus 2 offers a meaningful calling: older women are to share their wisdom and faith with younger generations. Instead of letting culture define the value of aging, we can embrace each season of life as an opportunity to grow in godliness, make disciples, encourage others, and point our families toward Christ. Highlights How the Bible offers a different perspective on aging than today’s anti-aging culture Why Proverbs 16:31 describes gray hair as a crown of glory Learning to recognize the spiritual value of growing older in Christ What Titus 2 teaches about older women mentoring and encouraging younger women Why Christian women should embrace opportunities to share wisdom across generations How aging can become an opportunity to make disciples and invest in others Encouragement to renew our minds with God’s Word rather than allowing culture to define our view of aging Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Beauty of Aging in an Anti-Aging World By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31, ESV). Botox and injectables, facelifts, tummy tucks, retinol creams, under-eye concealer and color correctors, collagen and peptide powders, weight-loss products, teeth whitening, and veneer treatment advertisements bombard us continually through television, magazines, and social media influencers. There is no getting around it; we live in an anti-aging world. This was the topic of a recent women’s leadership training at my church, as we discussed the importance of Christian women embracing the high calling of Titus 2 (older women training the younger women). Do we try to run from the title of “older woman,” or are we enthusiastically embracing it because we know how much the Bible esteems growing older in the Lord? The book of Proverbs is full of so much wisdom and highlights the beauty of aging in chapter 16: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31, ESV). The Bible does not tell us to cover up those gray hairs; it says that it is a crown of honor. We must embrace growing older because, as Christ followers, our gray hair should be a sign of a lifelong journey with Jesus! Now, I am not trying to create a law where there is none; there is Christian liberty when it comes to matters such as this. I dye my roots when I see gray hair poking through, but maybe I should pause and ask myself: How do I truly see aging? Intersecting Faith & Life: I enjoy makeup and basic skincare, but I do believe it is important to ask the Lord to search our hearts so that we do not find ourselves running away from ‘father time.’ As Christians, we must see aging rightly, which should be positive, not negative. How has the world’s view of aging influenced the church? If we are not on our guard, we can be swayed by the world’s thinking. That is why it is so important to renew our minds with God’s word daily (Romans 12:1-2). I often wonder if the Christian generations before me have become entangled by the culture’s lies instead of standing firm against them. In my own personal experience, I have prayed for many years for an older woman in the faith to come alongside me. Oh, how I long for the wisdom of a woman who has been walking with Jesus for decades longer than I have! Sadly, there seems to be a generational gap missing from my own church, which is very Biblically sound. Instead of being tempted to complain about this lack, I am reminded that I must go to God in prayer, especially when it seems so out of reach for me to find a mentor who can come alongside me and teach me to love my husband and children and love Jesus and His word even more. But much more than that, I do not want to ignore my own call to make disciples. The world may recoil from the word “older,” but the Bible is clear that age reveals great wisdom and insight. I may not feel like an older woman in the faith, but age should never limit me from the Great Commission (Matthew 28). Instead of waiting for someone to pour into me, I must look for those whom I can pour into and encourage in the Lord. I should proudly embrace the title of “older woman” at just 40 years old because it truly is a high calling to train the younger generation in the Lord. The call for women in Titus 2 is important within the church and desperately needed by our society. We need godly women (and men, too) who are strong in the faith to raise strong, godly children with strong, godly marriages. Imagine how much impact we would have in the culture if we embraced the good found in aging and taught our children the amazing plan the Lord has for us to grow in godliness, wisdom, and righteousness as we live in the here and now, with eyes and hearts also fixed on eternity with the Lord. Families like this could change the world for Christ! Lord, help us to see the beauty in growing older in age and in You! Further Reading: Titus 2 Romans 12 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it really mean to believe in God? It’s possible to believe that God exists without allowing His Word to shape the way we think, live, and make decisions. True faith goes beyond acknowledging God—it means trusting what He says and letting that belief change us. James 2:19 reminds us that even demons believe there is one God, challenging us to examine whether our faith is more than simply recognizing God’s existence. When we truly believe God, our lives begin to reflect that faith through our choices, obedience, relationships, and especially the way we love others. Following Jesus means allowing God’s truth to transform our hearts and our everyday lives. Highlights The difference between believing in God and believing God Why genuine faith should change the way we live and make decisions What James 2:19 teaches us about simply acknowledging that God exists How Abraham’s faith demonstrates what it means to believe God’s promises Why our actions can reveal what we truly believe in our hearts How unbelief can quietly influence our choices and priorities Why loving others is one of the clearest ways our faith in Jesus becomes visible Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Do You Believe? By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” - James 2:19 What we believe about God is critical, determining how we live our daily lives and also determining our eternal futures. It’s wise for us to ask, “Do we believe in God or do we believe God?” because there is a difference. The first is believing there is a God, which is good and a start; the second is our believing God, meaning we believe what He says is true. The difference they make in our lives is evident, too. Believing there is a God doesn’t mean we believe Him and live out His words in our lives; believing Him changes us. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 describes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” It’s not difficult, either, for others to see what we truly believe in our lives. For example, if we believe what health experts tell us about how to live our lives, then we exercise, eat healthily, and live according to healthy principles. So it is if we believe God. We’ll live according to His word, incorporating, practicing, and living out His godly principles in our lives. Believing God Changes Us In Luke 4:33-34, a demon recognizes who Jesus truly is. “In the synagogue, there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Even a demon identified and believed in Jesus. Yet it’s through putting our faith in Him and believing His word that we are saved. The Apostle Paul describes in Romans 4:3, “What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” Faith is critical, as Hebrews 11:6 explains, “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.” Paul wrote in Acts 16:31, “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’” The “believing in” Paul is referring to is more than just believing God exists; it’s believing Him, rooted in faith that changes us. Keeping Unbelief at Bay Many people in the world acknowledge Jesus, yet do not believe what He says: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6). Unbelief disguises itself in many ways, and one way is by people thinking they believe, while in their hearts, they really don’t, as evidenced in the way they live. When we truly believe God, our lives reveal it; it’s undeniable, but if no one knows or sees, then we want to revisit what we truly believe. As Hebrews 3:12 warns, “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” If we’re saying we believe God, yet making decisions based on our own and others’ human reasoning, living how we see fit, our actions are revealing a heart that doesn’t believe God. When we believe Him, our lives reflect what our hearts truly believe. Proverbs 27:19 reveals, “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Believing God shows in the ways we think, how we choose to live, and especially by the way we love others. Jesus tells us in John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you believe God so much so that it’s evident in your life? If not, ask God to help you believe Him, to believe the truth of His word, so that your life changes. Further Reading: How Reading the Bible Keeps Us from Believing False Teaching Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

It’s easy to take everyday blessings for granted until they’re suddenly gone. Our health, family, homes, abilities, relationships, and simple comforts can become so familiar that we stop noticing them. But seasons of loss or difficulty can remind us just how much we have and challenge us to live with greater gratitude for God’s goodness. Zechariah’s story in Luke 1 offers a powerful reminder about doubt, prayer, and learning to recognize God’s blessings. After years of waiting for a child, Zechariah struggled to believe God’s promise when the answer finally came, and his temporary silence gave him time to reflect. We don’t have to wait for something to be taken away before we appreciate it. By focusing on God’s generosity and choosing gratitude each day, we can become more aware of His blessings and trust His power and promises even when we don’t understand how He will work. Highlights: Why we often recognize the value of everyday blessings only after losing them What Zechariah’s story teaches us about doubt and trusting God’s promises Learning to appreciate health, family, relationships, and daily provisions Why gratitude can change our perspective during difficult circumstances How to recognize areas where doubt may be keeping you from trusting God Practical questions for identifying blessings you may be taking for granted Encouragement to praise God and give thanks for His goodness today Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Are You Taking for Granted? By: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading:“Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.’ The angel said to him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.’” – Luke 1:18-20, NIV I lost my voice for about one week after a severe cold. It was awkward and humbling having to communicate only through writing during that time. I had to type in chat during online meetings when everyone else was talking, and they had to wait for me since typing is much slower than talking. I had to write notes to family members and hold them up, or try to gesture or pantomime what I wanted to say. The experience taught me not to take my voice for granted. It’s amazing how quickly we realize the value of something only after it’s suddenly taken away. We go through life using our senses, our health, and our daily comforts without a second thought, assuming they will always be there. A similar thing happened to a priest named Zechariah in the Bible. He and his wife, Elizabeth, had prayed for a child for many years, but still didn’t have one by the time they grew old – much too old to have any children naturally. One day, however, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah with incredible news: God had heard his prayers, and Elizabeth would give birth to a son. Instead of celebrating God’s goodness and thanking God, though, Zechariah doubted the wonderful message God had sent him. Zechariah asked Gabriel: “How can I be sure of this?” Because of his unbelief, God gave Zechariah a sign. He took away Zechariah’s ability to speak, so Zechariah would have to be silent until the baby was born. Imagine the sudden shock Zechariah must have felt. For nine long months, he couldn’t speak to his wife or friends. He couldn’t lead worship or share his thoughts. He had to use writing tablets and hand gestures just to communicate daily needs. Zechariah had taken his ability to speak for granted. More importantly, he had taken God’s ultimate power for granted. Zechariah’s forced silence gave him the time and motivation he needed to reflect, listen, and learn to appreciate God’s blessings. We can all sometimes act like Zechariah. God is constantly pouring blessings into our lives, but too often we focus on what we don’t have or doubt God’s goodness when we’re dealing with difficult circumstances. We may take our health, our families, our homes, our food, and even the breath in our lungs completely for granted. It usually takes a season when we’re missing something – like an illness, a financial problem, or a broken relationship – to wake us up and make us see how blessed we are because of God’s great love for us. Fortunately, Zechariah’s story doesn’t end in silence. When the baby was finally born, Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote: “His name is John.” Then, Luke 1:64 records that: “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.” Zechariah immediately praised God as soon as he got his voice back. He had learned not to take his voice for granted. God doesn’t want us to wait until we lose our blessings to start appreciating them. He wants us to live with gratitude right now. All we have to do to stop taking our blessings for granted is to stay focused on our generous God from day to day, and expect the best from God because he loves us! Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider why it’s important to appreciate your blessings rather than taking them for granted, reflect on these questions: When God answers your prayers, do you thank God right away, or do you find yourself questioning how God’s answers will really happen? What’s one everyday blessing you currently enjoy that you rarely stop to thank God for? How can you give thanks to God today for that? Looking back at your past, what is something you only truly appreciated after it was temporarily taken away? In what areas of your life are you letting doubt prevent you from trusting God’s power and promises? Further Reading: Psalm 103:2 1 Thessalonians 5:18 James 1:17 Ephesians 5:20 Colossians 3:17 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Aging can bring mixed emotions, especially for parents watching their bodies change while their children grow into adulthood. The world often treats getting older as something to fight against, but Scripture offers a different perspective. Growing older can bring wisdom, deeper faith, greater compassion, and a renewed appreciation for the life God has given us. For parents entering their senior years, aging can become an opportunity to embrace a new season rather than mourn the one that has passed. Years of parenting, relationships, hardships, and answered prayers can produce a wisdom that younger generations need. As physical strength changes, our dependence on God can grow stronger, shifting our focus from temporary circumstances toward His eternal promises. There is also freedom to slow down, enjoy new adventures, invest in family, and discover simple joys that may have been difficult to make room for in earlier seasons. Highlights: Why parents can view aging as a gift rather than something to fear or avoid How growing older can deepen wisdom, compassion, patience, and grace Why aging can strengthen our trust in God’s eternal promises Learning to focus less on temporary circumstances and more on lasting hope How parents can embrace greater freedom, relaxation, hobbies, and new adventures Finding joy in relationships with adult children, grandchildren, and loved ones How faith can provide strength and renewal even as our physical bodies grow weaker Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Good Reasons for Parents to Embrace Aging By: Lia Girard Bible Reading:"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:16 We're all living in a world that wants us to believe it’s easy to find the next magic pill, new exercise, or diet strategy that will keep us eternally young—even in our old age. Yet we all know: this earthly life will end. None of us escapes this necessary passage, at whatever age God decides we're ready to stand in his presence. The longer I live… and the more sweet opportunities I’m given to be present with younger people managing life challenges… the more I understand that getting old is a crown of glory (see Proverbs 16:31). We don't all get to arrive in our senior years. As we near them, we may be feeling the pain of letting go of our own parents. It brings us face to face with the finality of this side of heaven. I've learned, though, while growing out my silver hair, wearing my glasses regularly, and giving up running for yoga, that life fosters compassion as your body weakens. If you're lucky enough to age into your 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond, you will undoubtedly be required to practice a lot of grace. With yourself, your spouse, your parents, and your similarly-aged friends. A long life affords many blessings: raising children, buying homes, building or rebuilding marriages, watching adult children grow, hosting weddings, and so much more. But it also leaves your heart, soul, body, and mind a bit depleted of energy. The good news is that as you move up in years, you naturally overflow with experience. The kind of compassionate know-how that you simply didn't have when you were a teenager. Or when you were a new parent. Or when you were a new empty-nester. When you start seeing that more of your life involves medical visits than vacations, some may feel that aging is something to avoid at all costs. But I believe it is an earned reward, rich in the kind of contentment that deeply satisfies. Here are just three reasons for parents to embrace growing old: You’ve gained an abundance of wisdom. Watching yourself age, even as you try to live a healthy, active life, requires you to relax your expectations. It softens your countenance and fills you with empathy, while creating a wellspring of wisdom. And the things you now know—like how to budget, pay bills, plan events, renovate homes, soothe fussy babies, chaperone trips, and on and on—are gifts to those who need you to show them that it can be done. Of course, I'm not suggesting you force your wisdom on anyone, but it's a good feeling to know that your guidance is based on evidence and carries value. Your trust in God's eternal promises grows stronger than your anxiety about temporary circumstances. The older you get, the more fortunate you are to have been given time to shift your focus to an everlasting hope that will never fade. And maybe this is because you’ve seen so many things end, break, leave, let go, and die. As you age, you realize that the external strength and beauty of your youth are not what carry you through the deepest struggles. If you're a parent who's given the bonus of aging, there's hardly anything that compares to the privilege of loving your adult children as they advance in years as well. When you've lived long enough to see that people not only survive circumstances but thrive, you tend to worry less. No surficial issue becomes a be-all, end-all. Over time, the simple, quiet joys of life and love are what sustain you. Being rich in love and patience becomes more important than climbing the ladder, amazing outfits, or expensive vacations. What matters when you realize you're simply not as strong as you used to be ... is believing wholeheartedly that God is always strong enough to carry you through. You have more time and space for relaxation, joy, and new adventures. Parenting has many seasons, all of which involve remaining utterly in love with your children. If you're lucky enough to grow old enough that love can expand across grandchildren and great-grandchildren, too. However, in the senior years, you realize they have lives of their own now. And you, or you and your spouse, have more open space to explore amusements, interests, or places you may have only dreamed of when your house was filled with people, pets, and responsibilities in far-busier, younger decades. Hold on to the truth that although outwardly you may be “wasting away,” as our scripture says, your spirit is being renewed. So, go for those long walks. Ride your bike slowly. Take your kids out to dinner. Find weekend getaways. Or just enjoy a peaceful hobby that brings you joy. You’ve lived long enough to slow down… and let your faith be your strength. Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider the joys and challenges of aging, why not: Find a new hobby that delights your soul Pick a place you’ve always wanted to see and go there with your spouse or best friend Choose several scripture verses that bring you peace and hope, and write them down somewhere you can see them regularly Further Reading:Psalm 91:16 Psalm 90:12 Psalm 92:12-14 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Uncertainty about the future, unanswered prayers, and dreams that haven’t taken shape yet can leave you wondering whether your ordinary, everyday faithfulness really matters. Scripture reminds us that God may be preparing us for something we cannot yet see. Noah spent years building the ark before a single drop of rain fell. In the same way, God often calls us to prepare, obey, and remain faithful without showing us the full picture. The small things we do each day—our work, responsibilities, relationships, and acts of obedience—can be part of a much larger purpose. We may want the big answer or the completed dream, but God is often strengthening our character and our faith through the seemingly mundane tasks right in front of us. Highlights: What Isaiah 54:2 teaches us about preparing for what God may be doing Why obedience sometimes requires faith before we understand the outcome Lessons from Noah’s years of faithful, unseen preparation How God uses ordinary and seemingly small tasks to prepare us for greater responsibility Why we should focus on faithfulness today instead of needing to know what comes next How seasons of waiting can strengthen our character, trust, and obedience Remembering that what seems insignificant to us may have a much greater purpose in God’s plan Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Strengthening Your Stakes: Preparing for What Only God Can See By Hannah Benson Bible Reading:“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes” (Isaiah 54:2 ESV). God often does things we don’t expect. As I read Isaiah 54 the other day, God showed me that He will often tell us to prepare for things He’s bringing us. In this passage, He tells a barren woman to expand her tent and strengthen her stakes for a family she doesn't even have yet. Our job isn’t to know the why but to prepare in obedience even when we don’t know what we are getting ready for. All we can do is walk in obedience even when we don’t know where the obedience will lead. It reminds me of the parable Jesus told of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25. When they went to meet the bridegroom, only 5 of the virgins took extra flasks of oil with them before they departed. The other 5 foolishly didn’t. They didn’t prepare. Or in Genesis 6, when God commands Noah to build an ark. Do you think Noah might’ve thought it a bit strange, the command to build an ark when there wasn’t rain anywhere in sight? Not to mention the earth had never flooded before. Undoubtedly, the idea would’ve been a foreign concept to him. But Noah chose to trust God, and it was counted to him as righteousness (Hebrews 11:7). I’m in a season right now where I don’t know where I’ll be in the next year, the next few months, or even next week. All I can see is what God has placed in front of me right now. Think about it. Noah didn’t build the ark in a day. It took decades of waking up, grabbing a hammer, and building one plank at a time. He didn’t see a drop of rain for years. He just saw the single wooden plank in front of him each day. He had to wait years for God’s promise and prophecy to be fulfilled. Perhaps Noah began to wonder if it would really happen or if he’d heard wrong. When we think about Noah, we often envision the completed ark. But what we don’t see are the 50-75 years of backbreaking labor, years of faithfulness before the first drop of rain ever fell. He had to be faithful in the daily, ordinary tasks of building the ark before he ever fully understood the why of the assignment. We are called to be faithful in the little things (Luke 16:10). Think about it. Noah spent more time building that ark, without seeing any results, than some of us have even been alive. Certainly more time than we’ve probably ever spent on a project. Do you think Noah knew the full weight of the task he’d been asked to undertake? Yet if he hadn’t trusted God’s word spoken to him, none of us would be here. God used Noah’s faithfulness to save the world. If he hadn’t built the ark, his family would’ve drowned. If his family had drowned, the earth would have been wiped out, which means none of us would be here today. Wow. That’s pretty weighty to think about. In Luke 12:48, Jesus tells us that to whom much is given, much will be required. Intersecting Faith & Life: While we might not be asked to build an ark that will preserve the population from dying out, we are asked in Matthew 28:19 (ESV) to “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 Jesus has commanded us. Even if we are not called to save people physically, we are called to point them to the One Who can save them spiritually. We often find we want the “much” more than we desire the “little.” We want the completed project, the fulfilled dream, the clear future, but God tests our hearts in the “little.” He looks at how we handle what He has already given us. We are called to be faithful in the small tasks we may consider “mundane” (answering an email, studying, folding laundry). Think about it. Remember God says that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). Perhaps God keeps us in seasons of quiet, daily preparation because if He gave us the big platforms or massive answers to prayer before our character was tested in the small things, the weight of the responsibility would crush us. And how important those “small” things are even if we don’t realize it! We may find it hard to believe when we’re folding another load of laundry or washing dishes, but remember Noah probably couldn’t fully imagine the importance of each part as he built the ark, one piece of wood, one layer of pitch and tar at a time. Pray with me: Dear Father, thank You that Your plans are better than anything I could imagine. Forgive me for the times I lose sight of that. Help me to remember Noah’s decades of unseen faithfulness, and give me the strength to fulfill every task, no matter how mundane it may seem, with a heart of worship. Teach me to obey Your voice even when I don’t understand the why behind the assignment. I trust that You are preparing me for whatever You have next. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Even ordinary tasks can feel overwhelming. Stress, grief, mistakes, uncertainty, and ongoing trials can leave you emotionally and spiritually exhausted, wondering how you’ll find the strength to keep going. Psalm 121 reminds us where our help comes from: the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. God does not expect us to pretend we’re okay or power through every difficult season on our own. When you’re too tired to pray, too overwhelmed to see clearly, or simply unsure how to take the next step, you can bring that weakness to Him. Jesus offers rest to those who are weary, and the Holy Spirit intercedes when we don’t have the words. Even in the darkest seasons, God remains near, providing the strength, peace, and help we need for whatever comes next. Highlights: What to do when you feel emotionally, physically, or spiritually worn down How Psalm 121 reminds us to look to God for help when life feels overwhelming Why God does not expect us to pretend we are okay or handle everything alone Finding rest in Jesus during seasons of exhaustion, stress, and hardship How the Holy Spirit helps us when we are too weak or tired to pray Why God’s presence remains with us even when we cannot feel or see Him Encouragement to trust God for the strength needed to take the next step Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Life Wears You Down By Alexis A. Goring Bible Reading:“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.” - Psalm 121:1-2 NIV There’s a song by Tenth Avenue North that inspired this devotional. A melancholy melody starts, then the opening lyrics say how tired and worn they feel. They have a heavy heart from all the hard work it takes just to continue breathing. The mistakes they’ve made are creating a dark cloud over their heads, and the weight of the world is crushing their soul. But they know that God can give them rest, so with all they have left, they muster up a cry to Him. The singer says he knows he needs to lift his eyes up to God and remember Him, trusting God to see him through these tough times, but he feels too weak to look up because the trials and storms of life won’t cease. But he knows God can give him what he needs, renew his mind, and restore the brokenness of his soul. So, though they don’t have the will or energy to fight, they have hope because they know God will fight for them. This reminds me of the Bible verse above (Psalm 121). It also reminds me of words by Ellie Mont that she posted to her Instagram page a while ago. Mont said, “God is not far from you right now. God is not asking you to perform or pretend or power through. God sees how tired you are. God knows the weight you are carrying. God understands the tears you do not even have the energy to cry anymore. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Rest does not mean everything suddenly feels better. Sometimes rest is simply permission to stop pretending you are okay. Sometimes rest is letting God sit with you in the dark instead of forcing yourself toward the light. You are not failing because you are tired. You are not unfaithful because you are overwhelmed. You are human. And God is gentle with humans who are worn down.” Isn’t it good to know that God is gentle with us when we feel worn down by life? As a person who suffers from chronic fatigue, I know what it’s like to feel tired. You can feel too tired to do simple tasks or exercise. Sometimes sleep doesn’t fix it. But I am grateful to know that God offers rest to me and everyone who needs it. Over the years, God has shown me that He knows what I need before I know, and He already has provision in place. And when we feel too tired to lift our eyes up to Him and send up prayers to Heaven about how we feel and what we need, we can trust that God’s Holy Spirit intercedes for us, saying to Him what we cannot as He helps us when we feel weak (Romans 8:26-27). Part of our human experience on Earth is to go through storms, trials, and tribulations. These elements and factors can make us weary. It can also obscure our view of God and really weaken our faith in Him when we cannot see Him nor sense His Presence in dark and challenging times. But the good news is that He is always here with us (Matthew 28:20). Jesus Christ is not just the light at the end of the dark tunnel; He is the light beside us and within us (1 John 4:4). Therefore, we have nothing to fear. We can rest knowing that Jesus will always be with us. He will give us what we need to take the next step (Proverbs 3:5-6), climb that mountain, take that leap of faith, and survive the storms of life. Next time you’re feeling worn down by life, go to God. Even if you cannot pray for a long time, simply saying “Jesus, help me” will suffice. And if you cannot even say those words silently or aloud, trust that God already heard the cry of your heart, and He will meet you in your time of need. In closing, please listen to and reflect on these five songs (listed below). Song of Reflection #1: “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #2: “My Help” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #3: “My Prayer for You” by Alisa Turner. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #4: “It’s Always Been You” by Phil Wickham. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #5: “His Strength is Perfect” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it HERE. Intersecting Faith and Life:How does it feel to know that we can lean on God and trust Him to restore us when we feel worn down by life? Further Reading:Isaiah 26:3Philippians 4:13Psalm 28:7Psalm 46:1Hebrews 4:16 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When life feels uncertain, it’s easy to wonder where God is. Waiting, unanswered prayers, difficult circumstances, and seasons of feeling forgotten can make us question whether God is still with us. David experienced those same struggles, yet his story reminds us that God’s presence and promises remain true even when we cannot see what He is doing. Faith doesn’t mean ignoring our doubts or pretending difficult seasons don’t hurt. Like David in Psalm 22, we can bring our questions, fears, and frustrations honestly to God while choosing to remember who He is. Even in the valleys, God has not abandoned us. When we cling to His promises and trust His faithfulness, our prayers can move from anguish toward praise as we remember that God is with us on both the good days and the hard ones. Highlights: Why feeling forgotten by God doesn’t mean He has abandoned you What David’s uncertain journey teaches us about waiting on God How to bring doubts, questions, and frustrations honestly to the Lord Why difficult circumstances can test our faith without disproving God’s faithfulness How David moved from anguish and confusion toward praise in Psalm 22 Remembering that God is present in both the mountains and valleys of life How Psalm 139 can reassure us of God’s constant presence Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Clinging to God When Life Feels UncertainBy: Laura Bailey Bible Reading: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? - Psalm 22:1 ( NIV) “Mom, why did God abandon David when he needed him most?” my youngest daughter asked before bedtime. Earlier in the day, we’d gone to see a movie about David’s life. My girls were familiar with the general story of David as King, but the movie, which focused on David’s transition from shepherd to King of Israel, raised many questions.I thought about my daughter’s question in more detail. Often, we think of (and teach our children) David as the slayer of Goliath, or as the mighty king. We linger on the fulfillment of God’s promises to David—protection, prosperity, and promotion to King. And while it is important to draw our children’s focus to God keeping His promise, we also need to share the hard parts of David’s journey, the testing of his faith, and God’s faithfulness. For starters, the prophet Samuel anointed David as the future king when he was just a teenager, yet David didn’t take the throne until he was almost 30! Historians estimate that David became king about 15-20 years after Samuel's pronouncement, when he eventually succeeded Saul. David’s life involved a lot of uncertainty and waiting on God. The scene that prompted my daughter’s question was inspired by Psalm 22. With words and phrases like “forsaken, cry out, far from saving, you do not answer,” it can be easy to think that God had indeed forgotten David, or at the very least wasn’t with him in the wilderness. I shared with my daughter that just because David was going through a hard time didn’t mean that God had neglected him. God promised to make David king, and He would [eventually] fulfill that promise. “Let’s look at the closing verses of Psalm 22,” I said to my daughter, grabbing my Bible. Psalms 22:22-23 says, “I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!” We can openly bring our doubts, questions, concerns, and grievances to the Lord, yet we shouldn’t leave them there. Our petitions should ultimately lead us to praise, as we see in David’s prayer. The first few verses of Psalm 22 are filled with angst, confusion, and general frustration over his current circumstances. But through his prayer, David turns his problems into praise. How can one give gratitude to God in the most dire of situations? Because he remembers who God is— most importantly, he rests confidently in the assurance that God will keep His promise to deliver David and ultimately His people. While God had something good planned for David’s life, that didn’t mean his life would be easy or without hardship. The majority of the Psalms were written while David was fleeing from Saul, and a few when his own son was trying to kill him! While David felt like God had abandoned him, the truth was that God was always with him. “And God is always with you, too,” I shared with my little girl. “On the good days and the bad days, He is there.” I easily forget that the God of the mountains is the God of the valley, and no matter my circumstances, He hears my cries. Just as with David, there will be times when I feel alone, but God never forsakes His children. He is always working for my good and His glory.Intersecting Faith & Life: If you currently feel forgotten by God, read Psalm 139:7-12 and write down what it says about God’s presence. Further Reading:1 Samuel 16Psalm 22 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When a young adult walks away from faith, church, or the values they were raised with, the pain can be deep. Parents, pastors, mentors, and loved ones may wonder what went wrong and feel the urge to fix the situation. But when someone we love strays, Scripture reminds us that God is still at work, and our response can make a meaningful difference. Loving a young adult who has stepped away from Christianity requires a balance of truth, grace, patience, and acceptance. Healthy Christian community can play an important role in helping people reconnect with their faith, but bringing someone back isn’t about forcing them to change. Instead, we can continue loving them, remain available, encourage healthy community, and extend the same grace God has shown us. Sometimes the most important question a young adult needs answered is simply, “Do you still love me?” Highlights: What to do when a young adult strays from faith or church Why trying to “fix” a young adult can push them further away How Christian community can help young adults reconnect with their faith The difference between accepting someone and approving of their choices Why love, grace, patience, and availability matter when someone is struggling spiritually How to point young adults toward healthy communities of faith without forcing them Remembering that God’s grace is available even when we make mistakes or stray Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Young Adult That You Love Strays By: Maina Mwaura Bible Reading: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:6As a former youth pastor, one of the things that I cherish the most is running into former students. So in one week, two students that I had the privilege of ministering to crossed my path at the same time, which was not unusual, being that I have lived in the same city on and off for over twenty-five years. What was unusual was the differing paths that both students have taken. I can still remember when Thomas and Chris both made professions of faith at the same camp. It was a summer that I will never forget, as both boys, now young men, were also baptized the same day. As Thomas approached me in the middle of the grocery store, I still remembered his face. Just as I locked eyes with Thomas, his wife and kids came around the corner. All I could think of was WOW, time flies. Thomas and his wife both love the Lord, and Thomas is even involved in the same church that I was on staff at many years ago. I walked away from that encounter, thrilled that Thomas was still on track. Although there was a moment in his life when he strayed, he had found his way back. That same week, while eating lunch in another part of town, I ran into Chris. Chris walked in dressed in a suit and tie. He also looked just like he did in his former years. During my time with Chris, he mentioned that he cherished the years we had together, but that he had stepped outside the faith and hadn’t been involved in a church for years. As Chris walked away, I couldn’t help but reflect on what went wrong and right with both Chris and Thomas. Although that’s the human thing to do, author Jim Burns would say that’s the wrong place to start. Recently, I spent some time with Jim Burns, who has written on the topic of young adult issues and dynamics, and has a new book titled When Your Young Adult Child Strays. Jim is clear that when a young adult strays, putting on the martyr badge isn’t the step that we should be taking. During my time with Jim, he assured me that God is okay with mess-ups, and in fact, we have an entire Hall of Faith in Hebrews that confirms this. One of the key characteristics that both men mentioned during our time together was community. Both men mentioned either how much they loved their community or, in Thomas’ case, how much they missed it. Burns's research shows that 65% of young adults who strayed returned to their faith communities. I’m not surprised by this at all. Thomas mentioned that after he had strayed away from the church, it was his community of friends and a former Sunday School teacher who reached out to him in his time of need. Community, mixed in with being available for young adults, is one of the keys that brings those back who stray. Intersecting Faith & Life: Both men whom I had the privilege of ministering to were unique and different in their life choices. During my time with Chris, it was Jim Burns's words that I had to stay focused on most. Chris has made some life choices that clearly go against scripture, and although I wanted to add my thoughts and opinions, I had to remember the words of Jim: acceptance doesn’t mean approval. Often, when young adults stray, we love them either as their parents or, in my case, former students in my youth ministry, and we want to fix them. Jesus never tries to fix us; in fact, he does the opposite. Young adults don’t want to be fixed. In fact, I would go as far as to say that people in general don’t want to be fixed. In bringing young adults back home into spiritually healthy communities, these three things will be of great help. Love them, try to point them into healthy communities of faith, and accept them for where they are in this stage of life. Another way is showing them the grace that you needed when you were their age. At the end of the day, according to Burns, young adults are simply asking, “Do you still love me”? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does your life reveal about what is really happening in your heart? Our words, attitudes, choices, and actions can reveal far more about our faith than what we say we believe. Proverbs 27:19 reminds us that “as water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart,” challenging us to take an honest look at whether our everyday lives actually reflect our relationship with God. It’s easy to recognize pride, impatience, or poor judgment in others while overlooking those same attitudes in ourselves. But God calls us to examine our hearts and allow His Word to expose what needs to change. When we choose humility, wisdom, and obedience, our lives can become a genuine reflection of Christ—pointing the people around us toward Him rather than simply telling them what we believe. Highlights: Discover how your words and actions reveal the condition of your heart. Learn why impatience and always wanting to share your opinion can be warning signs. Consider how pride can quietly influence your relationships and decisions. Explore what Proverbs teaches about wisdom, humility, and being willing to listen. Understand why our outward behavior should align with what we profess to believe. Ask God to examine your heart and help your life reflect His Word. Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Your Life Reflecting about Your Heart? By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” - Proverbs 27:19 What are our lives reflecting to those around us? How are our words and actions revealing what is within our hearts and what we really believe? Too many of us know, or have known, individuals who say they are Christians, yet their actions tell another story, one that doesn’t support what their words confess. Proverbs points out that how we’re living is truly a reflection of our hearts, so if we’re saying one thing, but living in another way, the truth is in our reflection. If we think we’re hiding what’s in our hearts, we need to reconsider because we can’t really hide what’s going on inside of us. If we say we love God, but then our words and actions don’t align with His words and commands, we may fool a few people, or even many… but we may be mostly fooling ourselves. The following are alarming reflections: the things rooted in our hearts that we may be missing that are fooling us. Are we impatient, not wanting to hear what others have to say or explain, wanting to express our own viewpoints? If so, it’s wise for us to consider what Proverbs 18:2 describes: “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” Do we really enjoy hearing all the wild and evil schemes others devise? Are shows and stories on true crimes more interesting to us than the Bible and godly programming? If so, Proverbs 10:23 reveals that, “A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.” When we’re faced with deciding between following God’s wisdom or choosing to follow the wisdom of men, what do we choose? Are we finding ourselves trusting more in what men and women tell us than in God? John 2:23-24 tells us what Jesus would do: “Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs He was performing and believed in His name. But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people.” If we find ourselves thinking we’re too wise or important to listen to or consider others’ words spoken to us, we may want to consider what Proverbs 23:9 describes: “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.” Do we see ourselves as smarter than everyone around us? If so, we may want to contemplate what Proverbs 26:5 describes: “Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” Maybe those around us are just not pointing out when we’re in error, letting us think we’re always right. If so, we’re in danger of being deceived and led into making foolish choices. Do we see ourselves as better than others? If so, as Proverbs 16:18 warns, we may not know when we’re in pride and at risk of falling, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” It seems like pride may be kind of hidden for anyone who is prideful, and not an easy attitude for most to detect in ourselves. But, as Proverbs 11:2 warns, “When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.” Taking Stock of What We’re Reflecting It’s wise for us to take stock of ourselves now and then, just to double-check whether we’ve gotten off track in our lives or derailed a bit from where God is leading us. We can also ask God to examine and expose our hearts so that we may recognize and address any wrong thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Also, we can ask Him to strengthen us and help us reflect Him and His word in our lives. Intersecting Faith & Life: What is your life reflecting about your heart? If not liking what’s being reflected, ask God to help you to see clearly and to lead you with His word and godly principles, so that others are drawn to Him, through what they’re seeing in you. Further Reading: 5 Ways Christians Can Reflect Christ Through Everyday Etiquette Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Learning doesn’t stop when school ends. Even after we finish our formal education, start careers, raise families, and settle into familiar routines, there is still so much to discover. God calls us to remain teachable, curious, and willing to grow, because wisdom isn’t about reaching a point where we know everything—it’s about recognizing how much we still have to learn. Proverbs 1:5 encourages the wise to keep adding to their learning and seeking guidance. A busy life can make it easy to become comfortable with what we already know and stop challenging ourselves. But lifelong learning can strengthen both our minds and our faith, helping us see God’s creativity, wisdom, and character in new ways. Whether through Scripture, books, conversations, podcasts, new skills, prayer, or simply paying closer attention to the world around us, every day offers an opportunity to learn something new and grow closer to God. Highlights Why learning and personal growth shouldn’t end when formal education does What Proverbs 1:5 teaches about remaining teachable and seeking guidance How comfort and busy routines can keep us from continuing to grow Why a stagnant mind can contribute to a stagnant faith Simple ways to keep learning without going back to school How curiosity and humility can help us recognize what God is teaching us Why lifelong learning can deepen our sense of awe and appreciation for God’s wisdom Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Learn More Every Day By: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading:“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance…” – Proverbs 1:5, NIV Every time a new semester starts at George Mason University, where I work, I’m inspired by seeing students excited about learning. Watching them walk around campus and hearing them discuss new ideas reminds me that education is a powerful gift. It makes me grateful that even though I’m not the one taking university classes anymore, my own education never actually ends. God is always teaching me something new if I’m just willing to keep a clear mind and a teachable heart. This back-to-school season reminds us that learning is a lifelong calling. In Proverbs 1:5, the Bible encourages the wise to add to their learning and the discerning to get guidance. Truly wise people never reach a point where they decide they finally know enough. People who have discernment know they always need God’s guidance. No matter how old we are, how many degrees we hold, or how much career experience we’ve accumulated, God calls us to learn more every day. Unfortunately, it’s easy for us to let our lives shrink down to the level of our to-do lists. Once we finish our formal education and settle into our careers and family routines, we can easily stop challenging ourselves. We may get comfortable living our lives the same way every day and close our minds to fresh perspectives. If we let ourselves become overwhelmed by our responsibilities, we can neglect to make time for learning and growth in our busy schedules. Then we won’t be able to learn what God is trying to teach us. A stagnant mind leads to a stagnant faith. God is infinitely creative, so there’s always more of God’s character to discover and more of God’s world to understand. When we stop learning, we limit our capacity for God to use us in new and exciting ways. So, it’s important to follow the advice in Proverbs 1:5 and add to our learning. Every day that God gives us to live is a valuable opportunity to learn more. We don’t need to enroll in graduate school or read massive textbooks to add to our learning. We just need to have curious and humble attitudes as we go about our daily lives. We can learn something new by reading a book, listening to a podcast during our commutes to and from work, or learning a skill we want to develop – like cooking better meals – by asking someone we know to teach us. Spiritually, we can add to our learning by studying the Bible, taking a wonder walk in nature, or strengthening our prayer and meditation practices. Every piece of new inspiration God gives us can help us appreciate the wonderful world God has made. Lifelong learning can lead us to feel awe, because it shows us that our human understanding is very small compared to God’s unlimited knowledge and wisdom. When we approach each day asking God to teach us something new that day, we can become quicker to listen, slower to judge, and much more adaptable to life’s changes than we would be otherwise. So, as the children and young adults in our communities head back to school, let’s join them in their commitment to learn more. Let’s never stop being students of God’s truth by adding to our learning each and every day! Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider why lifelong learning is important, reflect on these questions: What’s one specific topic that you’ve been wanting to learn more about lately? In what areas of your daily routine have you become too comfortable, and how can you challenge yourself to grow there? How can you create regular time in your busy schedule to acquire more knowledge and seek God’s guidance more? Think of someone in your life who has a very teachable spirit. What qualities do you admire most about his or her attitude? What’s one step you can take today to learn something new from a friend, family member, or coworker? Further Reading: Proverbs 9:9 Proverbs 18:15 Psalm 119:66 2 Peter 3:18 Philippians 1:9 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Loneliness can feel especially painful when you’re surrounded by people yet still feel like you have no one who truly understands or knows what you’re carrying. You may long for deeper friendships, meaningful community, or simply someone you can call when life gets difficult. But feeling lonely does not mean you are alone. Scripture reminds us that God is near to the lonely and afflicted, and Jesus promises to remain with His followers always. God created us for relationship—with Him and with one another. While faith in Jesus doesn’t eliminate our need for human friendship and community, it gives us an unshakable foundation when relationships feel distant or absent. When loneliness weighs heavily, we can turn that pain into prayer, draw closer to God, and ask Him to bring trustworthy, Christ-centered people into our lives. Highlights What Scripture says about loneliness and God’s presence Why feeling lonely doesn’t mean you are truly alone How a relationship with Jesus can provide lasting hope and security Why God created us for both relationship with Him and healthy community with others How to turn feelings of loneliness into opportunities for prayer Practical ways to seek meaningful friendships and Christ-centered community Encouragement to trust God to bring the right people into your life Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Lonely But Not Alone By Alexis A. Goring Bible Reading:“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” - Psalm 25:16 NIV Lately, God has helped me realize that when I feel lonely, I am never alone because He is always with me, as are His Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.God doesn’t want us to feel lonely. He built us for community and support—first with Him, then with others whom He created. English poet John Donne said, “No man is an island.” He may have spoken those words in the 17th century, but such wisdom is still true today for all of us. According to an article published online in March 2026 for “WashU The Source” under the Newsroom section, Deb Parker wrote, “In 2023, the World Health Organization declared loneliness a global public health concern and launched a commission focused on strengthening social connections. That same year, the U.S. surgeon general warned that loneliness carries serious health risks, comparing its mortality impact to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Research increasingly links loneliness not only to mental health challenges but also to physical health risks, including heart disease, stroke, and early death.” According to an article by Ann Friedman published online in May 2026 for Call Your Girlfriend, “Loneliness can affect anyone, but the sheer scale at which people are getting trapped by the modern malaise of loneliness is concerning. So much so that loneliness has become the defining health crisis of our times… According to the WHO's June 2025 report, loneliness is associated with around 100 deaths per hour globally. That's not all — stress-related absenteeism from work costs US employers an estimated $154 billion annually. These numbers point to a more grave situation than one can imagine. Each statistic reflects a lonely person eating their dinner alone, another who has millions of online connections but no one to call in a moment of crisis, yet another who weeps alone and has no shoulder to cry on. The ripple effects of loneliness extend far beyond mere sadness, as many chronic lifestyle diseases are added on due to the condition, such as coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. That's not all — loneliness gives rise to cognitive decline and several mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.” How can we solve this dangerous problem? Friedman said, “Loneliness can be eased by a multi-pronged approach. Individuals can take personal steps by reaching out to friends and family, joining social clubs, or taking part in group activities that align with their interests. They can also participate in volunteer or community work, which can create meaning and a sense of belonging.” I believe that the loneliness crisis can also be solved through a genuine relationship with our Savior (Jesus Christ). He died so that we may have life (John 3:16) and have it abundantly (John 10:10). While our mortal enemy (Satan/the devil) is trying to destroy us (making us feel alone and lonely is only one of his tactics), our Savior is constantly wooing us to Him. According to Romans 5:10, He is working hard to reconcile us with our Maker (God). When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and decide to live for Him, it’s like we get a new wind, a new outlook, and purpose in life. We are finally secure in something (faith) and in someone (God) who is unshakable. God cannot die. He lives forever, and all His promises to us are true. One of His promises is to be with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). This means our relationship with Jesus Christ is one that will span the ages and last forever. He is our most Faithful Friend who will literally never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus is the only one who will never let you down and never abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:8). This doesn’t mean that Jesus wants to be your only friend. As I said earlier, He created us for a healthy and safe community with each other. If you are feeling lonely, reach out to God and ask Him to send good friends into your life. Friends who genuinely love the Lord and who truly care about you. When I learned to do this, God began to bless me above and beyond with a wonderful community found through friendships with other Christians. It is a joy and honor to experience life with them. God can do the same for you if you let Him. So, when you’re feeling alone, remember that you’re never alone because Jesus is always with you. Turn your pain into prayers and ask Him to help you be friends with Him first, and others, second. Ask God for the community you crave and trust Him to send the right people into your life. In closing, I’d like for you to listen and reflect on these three songs (listed below). Song of Reflection #1: “Jesus Loves Me” by Whitney Houston. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #2: “You’re Not Alone” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #3: “God Loves You” by Jaci Velasquez. Listen to it HERE. Intersecting Faith & Life: How does it feel to know that when you feel lonely, you are never alone because God is always with you? Further Reading:Isaiah 41:10Hebrews 6:17-18Deuteronomy 31:61 Timothy 6:16Psalm 90:2 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We all make plans for our lives. We dream about the career we’ll have, the relationships we’ll build, the family we’ll create, and the goals we’ll accomplish. And when those plans fall apart despite our best efforts, the disappointment can be profound. Unanswered prayers, unexpected detours, and unfulfilled dreams can leave us wondering whether we missed God’s plan or whether He is doing something we simply cannot see yet. Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that while we may have many plans, it is ultimately the Lord’s purpose that prevails. That truth can be both challenging and comforting. Our perspective is limited, but God sees the entire picture. A path that feels like a setback may actually be His redirection, and a dream that doesn’t come to pass may make room for something He knows is better. When our plans don't unfold the way we imagined, we can look back at God's faithfulness, surrender our expectations, and trust that His purpose is still at work. Highlights Why unmet expectations and unfulfilled dreams can be so difficult to process What Proverbs 19:21 teaches about our plans versus God’s purpose Why our limited perspective makes it difficult to understand God’s direction How unexpected detours can become opportunities to trust God more deeply The importance of looking back at how God has redirected your path in the past How surrendering our plans can help us embrace God’s purpose for our lives Encouragement to trust that God’s design for your life is good, even when the path looks different than expected Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Prevailing PurposeBy Megan J. Conner Bible Reading:“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” - Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) I don’t know about you, but I love a good plan. There is something so satisfying about witnessing dreams or goals become reality. Even better when you feel a sense of accomplishment as they are fulfilled. Perhaps you spent years researching, studying, preparing, praying, and planning for your future. Then the day finally arrived! All your patience and hard work paid off. You received the diploma, started the new job, married the mate of your dreams, or filled that final seat at the family dining room table. What an incredible feeling! You planned, you pursued, you sacrificed, you worked, you waited… and the desires of your heart became reality. Like the last puzzle piece fitting perfectly into place, the framework you designed produced your anticipated outcome. Sounds incredible, right? But how many of us can say our picture-perfect ideas have become reality? If your life has been anything like mine, I would speculate that things haven’t always worked out as planned. Maybe you prearranged, pursued, worked, and then overworked, struggled, dug deep, fell down, and then pulled yourself back up by your bootstraps, adamantly refusing to give up on the vision you saw for your future. Yet despite your passionate efforts, it simply was not to be. Unmet expectations or unfulfilled longings can be disappointing, frustrating, and for some, even devastating. Where then can we find comfort or gain understanding when our dreams are dashed? Today’s scripture comes to us from the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is believed to be written by King Solomon, David’s son, who succeeded him as the next ruler. Solomon was known worldwide for his sage wisdom. In the opening chapter of Proverbs, the writer shares the purpose of his communication. “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young…” - Prov. 1:1-4 (NIV) Solomon clearly communicates that the purpose of these writings is to help others gain insight and knowledge. He is not trying to boast or grandstand; his goal is to teach. Solomon concludes his introduction with a powerful reminder that the true origin of all wisdom is the Lord when he states, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” (Prov. 1:7, NIV). If we truly long for insight and understanding, God is the only source. He is not only the founder of all knowledge, but He sees what we don’t see. He understands what we fail to comprehend. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,” (Isa. 5:8-9, NIV). Our vision for our own lives is limited, at times, maybe even flawed. We are mortal beings. We reside in a framework designed by the Creator of the Universe. With such limited human understanding, it is impossible for us to accurately measure our lives and their meanings. As such, the plans and pursuits we select for ourselves may not be what God would choose. Like the potter who looks at a lump of clay and sees the masterpiece it will become, our Lord recognizes the vessel He is creating in each of us. He crafted us in our mother’s womb, uniquely different and for His good pleasure (Ps. 139:13). We can trust that His design for us is good. He has a prevailing purpose for each and every one of us. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” - Prov. 19:21 (NIV) Intersecting Faith & Life: Have you felt like the plans you had for your own life were thwarted? If so, did your unmet expectations prompt disappointment and heartache, or were you able to recognize God was working for good on your behalf? Take some time today to look back upon your life and identify the times when you clearly thought your life was going to go one way, yet the Lord diverted your path. How does recognizing His direction in past circumstances help you to trust in His will for your future? Further Reading:Isaiah 5:8-13Psalm 139:13-18 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Disappointment can shake us, especially when we’ve prayed, trusted God, and genuinely believed a particular door would open. An unexpected “no,” a financial setback, a missed opportunity, or circumstances that don’t make sense can leave us wondering where God is in the middle of it all. But disappointment doesn't mean God has changed. When our circumstances challenge what we expected, they can reveal whether our hope is rooted in what God does—or in who God is. Psalm 25:5 gives us a different way to respond: “For You I wait all the day.” Waiting on God doesn’t mean pretending disappointment doesn’t hurt. It means bringing our questions and grief to Him while choosing to trust His character, timing, and wisdom. Even when we don't understand why a door closed, we can remain confident that God is faithful and that our hope is safest in Him. Highlights Why disappointment can reveal where we have placed our hope How unexpected circumstances can test and strengthen our faith Why God’s character remains trustworthy even when His answers don’t make sense The difference between trusting God and trusting what we hope God will do How closed doors and unanswered prayers can deepen our dependence on God What Psalm 25:5 teaches us about waiting on God with hope Encouragement to remain faithful to God through both blessings and disappointments Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Hope During Disappointment By Cindi McMenamin Bible Reading:Lead me in Your truth and teach me,For You are the God of my salvation;For You I wait all the day (Psalm 25:5 NASB). Wouldn't it be nice if life consisted only of pleasant surprises, not the disappointing ones? And yet when we meet disappointment head-on, it is a true test of the strength of our faith. I remember receiving news that was gravely disappointing. I wasn't prepared for it in the least. It was shocking, really. God had been on a roll with blessings in my life. I guess I'd grown a little comfortable. And this disappointing news couldn't have come at a worse time...a week before Christmas, just days after celebrating my daughter's college graduation, and just a week prior to my husband's transition into a new season of life that carried with it a lot of financial uncertainty. My family was daily looking for the little assurances that God had our backs, and we were constantly praising Him for all the times He came through for us. And now, it looked like the door to my golden opportunity and financial stability had slammed shut. My first reaction, spoken aloud, was "God, this is so out of character for You." And then I suddenly realized something: God doesn't do anything out of character. If God's response to my request appeared out of character for Him, then it is my understanding of the situation that is in question, not His character. If God's timing appears to be wrong, then it is my perception of His timing that I will doubt, not His ability to coordinate all things perfectly. If God's love appears to be in question—because of how He has responded to my situation—then it is my trust that is in question, not God's love. It was then that I understood. It wasn't God's character that was being put to the test in my disappointing circumstances. It was mine. Would my faith stand an unexpected turn? Would I take only blessings from God and not the disappointments too? Or will I trust Him, wholeheartedly, that He knows exactly what He's doing, and perhaps this closed door means an even better one will soon be opening? My disappointing circumstance helped me to remember three things: Disappointment is a very real part of life. Disappointment is something God can use to grow me into someone who is more like His Son. Disappointment is the measuring stick for how strong my faith is. In Psalm 25:5, in the New Living Translation, the psalmist declared where his faith and hope were when he said: “Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long, I put my hope in you.” Intersecting Faith & Life: I realized, through my reaction to this disappointment, that I had put my hope in my circumstances, not in God. I had grown comfortable and secure in my abilities, my work, and my finances, and I was now suddenly desperate for God. Desperate for Him. And that's exactly where He wanted me to be. I want my response to God in the disappointments of life to be just as pleasing to Him as my praise during the blessings of life. Can God trust me to be faithful to Him regardless of my circumstances, regardless of when He chooses to bless and when He chooses to withhold? Can my hope remain in Him constantly? Job once said, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him" (Job 13:15). I haven't been "slayed"—not in the least. I've just been disappointed. Therefore, I long for the song of my heart to be, "Though I don't understand why He allowed this, still I will trust Him." Have you been gravely disappointed in your circumstances? Are you wondering why God has allowed—or not allowed—something in your life? It's possible He wants you to be desperate for Him, too. When you and I can say our hope is in Him, not in what He will do, then we get a little clearer picture of what it means to follow Him faithfully. Disappointment or not, let’s desire a faith that is strong and a heart that is pleasing to Him. Further Reading:Isaiah 43:2 To grow a heart that hopes in God alone, see Cindi’s 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.

It’s easy to lose track of time without realizing where it went. A few minutes on social media becomes an hour, notifications interrupt meaningful conversations, and endless content competes for our attention. Technology can be a helpful tool, but when our phones, screens, and constant stream of information begin controlling our attention, they can quietly pull us away from God, our families, and the people and purposes He has placed in front of us. Ephesians 5:15-16 calls us to walk wisely and make the best use of our time. Redeeming our time doesn't necessarily mean eliminating technology—it means becoming intentional about what receives our attention. When we create space to pray, read Scripture, invest in relationships, and serve others, we begin using our time for something greater than simply staying busy or entertained. God has given us the gift of time, and we can ask Him for the wisdom and self-control to spend it in ways that honor Him and help us live faithfully. Highlights Why smartphones, social media, and constant information can quietly steal our time and attention What Ephesians 5:15-16 means when it calls us to make the best use of our time How technology can become a distraction from God, family, and meaningful relationships Practical ways to develop healthier screen-time habits and greater self-control Why intentional time with God should be protected from digital distractions How fasting from technology can help reset our attention and priorities Encouragement to redeem the time God has given us for His glory and the work He has called us to Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Redeeming, Not Wasting, Our Time By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV). As a millennial, I find myself reflecting upon a time before the technological boom we seem to be facing, specifically before AI, smartphones, and social media. I remember taking a walk or riding my bike after school without the anxiety of accidentally leaving my phone at home. I remember the excitement of turning in my disposable camera from the school dance and then looking through my friends’ photo albums when I was hanging out at their house. I remember soaking up the most mundane moments without feeling the need to document them. Some of that could very well be what it was like to be younger, but I cannot ignore how much the simplicity of life has become more complicated and distracted with these portable devices that seem to control us and steal our time. About six months ago, I started to feel convicted about the lack of self-control regarding my screen time with my phone, so I purchased a little device that literally turns your phone into a brick when your phone hovers over it, depending on how much you want to limit its functionality. You can customize specific functions and apps that you want to limit, and for me, it was quite simply shutting down my social media usage. After six months of using this limiting device, I can see how it has helped me create healthier habits that have helped me prioritize my time more wisely. Instead of my phone controlling me, I have been able to start controlling it and using it as the tool that it is. My prayer to the Lord is “I want to be found faithful.” I have asked Him very frequently how I can use my time to glorify Him and be a fruitful disciple of Jesus. The Apostle Paul lovingly warns the church at Ephesus: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV). Intersecting Life & Faith: If the days were evil during Paul’s day, they most assuredly are evil today! Although our cellphones, tablets, laptops, etc are not evil, I do believe we need to be cautious as to how much time we are devoting to them. We need to be aware of where we are directing our focus. We need to be attentive to what is capturing our attention that may be causing us to make unwise choices. For me, the distraction from my phone was keeping me from intentional time with my sons and causing me to become captured by covetousness and discontentment with the swath of influencers pushing product after product. As we live in the great information age, we are bombarded with opportunities to fill our time and our minds with so many things that can so easily replace our time of fellowship with the Lord, as well as distract us from the very thing He has called us to do: make disciples! Perhaps you may not have an issue with technology distracting you from the Lord- praise God! Stay strong and be an accountability partner for those around you who are easily pulled away from the things of God because of the ever-increasing information age and the age of social media influencers promoting materialism and vanity. But if you are like me (a stay-at-home/work-from-home mom) and you are finding yourself with limited time to spend with Jesus in prayer and the Word, I challenge you to ask the Lord if there is something you can arrange in your schedule to allow better time management. Also, ask Him if He would like for you to fast (technology, that is), something that could be causing division between you and Him. Devote specific time every day to spend some quiet time in fellowship with God and reading your Bible, without your cellphone or iPad within reach- turn them off during that time and perhaps put a timer on the most-used apps that you access throughout your day. You might just need extra help with self-control, like me! Be thankful for the benefits of the tools and global connections that technology brings us, but don’t allow technology to rob you of your connection to Jesus or distract you from all the blessings He has put right in front of you. We have been given the precious gift of time here on this earth; let’s not waste our time but redeem it all for God’s glory! Further Reading: Matthew 6:33 Hebrews 12:1-2 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Change can be exciting, but it can also leave you feeling like the ground is constantly shifting beneath your feet. A new job, changing relationships, family challenges, uncertainty in the world, or simply trying to keep up with a rapidly changing culture can create stress and anxiety. When everything around you feels unpredictable, Isaiah 33:6 offers a powerful reminder: God Himself is your stability. You don't have to predict every change or have every answer before you can move forward. God's character doesn't change even when your circumstances do. While the world may offer conflicting advice and plenty of reasons to panic, God promises to provide the wisdom, knowledge, and strength you need for whatever is in front of you. When you make God your ultimate treasure, you can face changing times with confidence because your foundation isn't changing with your circumstances. Highlights How to find stability when your work, relationships, or circumstances are constantly changing Why God's unchanging character provides confidence in uncertain times What Isaiah 33:6 teaches about God's provision of wisdom, knowledge, and salvation How relying on God can help you navigate challenges you've never faced before Understanding what it means to have “the fear of the Lord” How the Holy Spirit provides peace and stability in the middle of change Practical questions to help you slow down, reconnect with God, and seek His wisdom Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Find Stability in Changing Times By: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading:“And he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” – Isaiah 33:6, ESV Right now, I’m leading a project at work to increase the visibility of our university center’s website content in artificial intelligence search results. For years, my focus was on traditional SEO – optimizing our pages for classic search engines. While those traditional methods are still important, we’re currently living through a massive communications revolution. People are moving away from traditional online search. They’re increasingly using AI tools to find online content. Being on the cutting edge of change is exciting, but it’s also stressful. The best practices for AI visibility are evolving as AI evolves, so my team and I must adapt to constant change. While I lead this effort, I’m grateful to God for being my stability. I know I can always rely on God’s unchanging strength to help me with whatever I need in these rapidly changing times. What kind of changes are you dealing with in your own life right now? Maybe you’re going through a change at work, in your relationships, or with something else that’s important to you. Even dealing with all the uncertainty of events in the news can be stressful. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re dealing with lots of change happening around you. But you don’t need to worry about whether or not you’ll be able to manage change well if you rely on God as your source of stability. Isaiah 33:6 promises that God himself will be your stability in your changing times. When everything around you seems uncertain, God remains completely reliable. This verse also describes how God will give you stability by providing an “abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.” If you look to the world for answers in changing times, you’ll often find conflicting opinions and panic. But if you look to the Lord, he will generously pour out the wisdom and knowledge you need to manage change well. If you face a problem at work that you’ve never encountered before, God will help you solve it. If you’re trying to parent a child through a challenging season, God will teach you how to do so well. You don’t have to try to predict where all the change around you will lead, because you‘re connected to God, who leads you well because he loves you. Finally, Isaiah points out that “the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” In the Bible, the fear of the Lord doesn’t mean being afraid of God. Instead, the fear of the Lord means being in awe of who God is so you’re inspired to relate to God with reverence. When you make the Lord your ultimate treasure, you realize that while your circumstances in this world can change quickly, God’s character never changes. You don’t have to be stressed by all the change around you when you remember that the Holy Spirit lives inside you, offering you a strong and peaceful stability in the middle of change. Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider how God gives us stability in these changing times, reflect on these questions: In what area of your life right now – such as at work, or in your family – are you feeling the most stress because of a change that’s happening? How does the truth that God promises to be your stability give you the confidence to trust God to help you with the challenges you’re currently facing? Think back to a past season of your life when you went through a major change. How did God’s Holy Spirit guide you through it, and how can remembering that give you confidence today? How can you slow down this week to take the time you need to connect with the Holy Spirit and receive an abundance of wisdom and knowledge for managing change well? Isaiah mentions that the fear of the Lord is a treasure. How can you look for God’s wonder in your daily life so you’ll be inspired with a sense of awe that will help you relate to God with reverence? Further Reading: Hebrews 13:8 Malachi 3:6 Psalm 46:1-3 James 1:17 Matthew 7:24-25 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Fear about the future can make us question whether God will provide what we need. Financial uncertainty, unanswered prayers, changing circumstances, and long seasons of waiting can make fear louder than faith. But 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us that God’s divine power has already given us everything we need for life and godliness. That doesn't mean we will always know how our needs will be met or when the answer will come. It means we can trust the God who knows what we need before we do. Jesus points us to the birds of the air as a reminder of God's care and provision. When we focus on fear, we can lose sight of the ways God has already been faithful. But when we intentionally remember His goodness, practice gratitude, and focus our minds on what is true, our perspective begins to change. God may provide through unexpected circumstances, generous people, simple acts of kindness, or opportunities to become an answer to someone else's prayer. Whatever today holds, we can trust that God has equipped us for what He has called us to face. Highlights What 2 Peter 1:3 means when it says God has given us everything we need for “life and godliness” How fear about finances and the future can become louder than our faith Why remembering God's past faithfulness can help quiet anxiety What Jesus teaches about God's provision through the birds of the air How gratitude and focusing on God's truth can change our perspective The unexpected ways God may provide for our practical and spiritual needs How simple acts of obedience and kindness can become part of God's provision for someone else Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Equipped for Today: What "Life and Godliness" Really Means By Hannah Benson Bible Reading:“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3 ESV). It’s so easy to fall into the trap of fear, isn’t it? To focus on the limited knowledge we can see rather than the truth of what God says. I often find myself guilty of this. There are times when faith is louder than fear, yes, but there are other times when fear gets louder than my faith. What are you afraid of? Finances, or lack thereof, or the future? The list could go on and on. I’ve been thinking a lot about God’s provision recently, inspired by a much-needed conversation with a good friend. As someone who works in the creative industry, income can ebb and flow and sometimes be inconsistent, and it’s easy to let the fear of the financial future get louder than my faith. And that fear hits even closer to home right now as I watch my family navigate a similar season. You see, my dad was laid off from his job late last year, and no matter how many doors he’s knocked on, as I write this, nothing yet has come through. We know God will provide and that He’s never failed us, but as the days continue with seemingly no answers in sight, sometimes, we wrestle with fear. Dwelling on fear, as easy as it can be to fall into that trap sometimes, is quite unhealthy. Whatever we dwell on and choose to think about will naturally affect what we believe and how we live. This means if we choose to fix our eyes on things above, then that will naturally affect what we believe about God, ourselves, and the circumstances we find ourselves in. I had a moment recently where fear threatened to consume me. I’m talking about anxiety physically gripping my heart, even though at church the previous day we’d talked about the importance of believing God’s truth over the lies in our heads. Yes, the timing was quite “convenient.” There’s a reason Scripture reminds us to focus on: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8 ESV). Instead of worrying God won’t provide, why not reflect on what He has done in our lives already? It’s good to remember and recount what the Lord has done. When I chose gratitude and to remember His goodness instead of fear, my anxiety began to ease. The truth is, God always provides for everything we need. Often it comes at what we call “the last minute,” but it is certainly never too late. I love what Peter reminds us of in this passage here. God has granted us everything we need for life and godliness. In addition to caring for our spiritual needs, God cares about our material needs as well. When it comes to the practical side, what do we need for life? In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells the disciples not to worry about what they will eat, wear, or drink. And in verse 26 (ESV), he says: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Let that soak in. If God cares for the birds of the air and provides everything they need, how much more will He provide for His children? Intersecting Faith & Life: Look around you. Do you have food to eat? Clothes on your back? Maybe you don’t know how you’ll pay the bills this month, but maybe you’re not supposed to know right now. I heard a story once about a man who needed money for his little son’s birthday party, but he and his wife didn’t even have that. They didn’t know what to do, but they wanted to bless him. While out on a walk, the Lord led him to the exact amount of money he needed to bless his little boy. When you need it, God will provide it. Sometimes, He’ll provide through a family that gives eggs from their farm to yours all summer. Or who invites you over and offers to pray over you. Or maybe God will use the kindness of a friend who introduced my dad to leadership at the company he works for, in hopes it may open a door for a job. Or what about my friend who took 2 hours out of his day to point me to the Lord and be a listening ear when I didn’t even realize how much I needed it? Sometimes, it’s simple things. Sometimes, we get to be that person for someone else, not realizing how a simple act of obedience can truly bless someone’s day and be what we didn’t even realize they needed. Other times, the Lord allows us to be on the receiving end of His goodness through His children. Pray with me: Dear Father God, please help me to trust that You will give me everything I need for life and godliness. You care about the sparrows and lilies of the field, so how much more do you care for me and provide for me? Thank You for Your provision in my life. In Jesus’s Name, Amen. 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 remember the hurt and forget the help. Painful words, disappointments, and moments of betrayal can stay with us for years, while answered prayers, unexpected blessings, and reminders of God’s faithfulness can fade from memory. Scripture repeatedly calls us to remember what God has done—not because He needs reminding, but because we do. Remembering God’s goodness can steady your heart when circumstances make you question His presence. As you intentionally look back at His faithfulness, you’re reminded that God has been patient, kind, faithful, and present through every season. Taking time to remember His deeds can shift your focus from what has gone wrong to the God who has never stopped working in your life. Highlights Discover why remembering God’s faithfulness is an important part of maintaining a strong faith. Learn how forgetting God’s goodness can affect your heart and spiritual direction. Reflect on seven things remembering God’s deeds reminds us of, including His patience, kindness, faithfulness, and sacrifice. See how remembering God’s past work can bring perspective during difficult seasons. Consider practical ways to intentionally remember God’s goodness throughout the year. Be encouraged to look back at answered prayers, blessings, and moments when God has been faithful. Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Remembering the Lord’s Deeds By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” - Psalm 77:11 It seems that, as people, we so easily forget the good things in life much more quickly than the bad, like the cruel words someone spoke to us as a child or the way someone betrayed us. Whereas traumas, tragedies, heartaches, and disappointments sometimes seem impossible to forget, some even lingering for a lifetime, joyful and wonderful events and experiences are often easily forgotten. Maybe it’s why God calls us to purposefully remember His goodness and faithfulness in our lives, knowing the enemy can keep us focused and stuck in the sorrows and losses of life, forgetting all the ways God has been present and active in our lives. Often, we hear of individuals who, in life-and-death situations, say it seemed as if their life events flashed before them, reminding them of things they had forgotten. Like them, the prophet Jonah had a similar experience, where it took death’s threats to remind him of God’s goodness. “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to Your holy temple” (Jonah 2:7). But it doesn’t have to take us being at death’s door to remember God’s good deeds in our lives, especially since He calls us to remember them, knowing better than we do how forgetting them can lead our hearts astray. Remembering helps us stay on God’s pathway in our lives. Jeremiah 2:32 describes how easily people forget: “Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet My people have forgotten Me, days without number.” Forgetting has serious consequences as described in Deuteronomy 8:14: “Then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” In addition, Deuteronomy 8:19 points out: “If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.” What Remembering God’s Deeds Reminds Us Of The following are seven reasons why remembering is so important to us, and what we are reminded of when we remember: Remembering reminds us of God’s patience. 2 Peter 3:15 urges us to remember, “Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.” Remembering reminds us of God’s kindness. Romans 2:4 encourages us, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Remembering reminds us of how He has humbled and tested us. Deuteronomy 8:2 says, “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.” Remembering reminds us of God’s faithfulness. Psalm 119:90 proclaims, “Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.” Remembering reminds us that He is our source. Deuteronomy 8:18 points out, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” Remembering reminds us of God’s gifts. As Romans 11:29 reminds us, we want to take time to remember, “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.” Remembering reminds us of God’s sacrifices. 1 John 2:2 clarifies His sacrifice for us: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” As well, Ephesians 5:2 encourages, “And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Intersecting Faith & Life: Make time today, this week, and every coming week to remember the Lord’s deeds and remind yourself of why it’s good to remember. Commit to making time throughout the coming year to remember the good of the past. Further Reading: A Prayer to Remember Life Is But a Breath Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Fear can feel like a warning system we can't turn off. We worry about the future, replay conversations, imagine everything that could go wrong, and slowly discover that anxiety has taken more from us than we realized. It can affect our faith, relationships, peace, time, gratitude, and even our ability to experience joy. Yet Philippians 4:6-7 offers a different response: instead of carrying our fears alone, we can bring them to God through prayer and thanksgiving and trust Him with what we cannot control. The good news is that fear doesn't have to have the final word. When anxiety starts shaping the way we see God, ourselves, or the people around us, Scripture calls us back to truth. We can choose faith over fear, gratitude over constant worry, connection over isolation, and prayer over overthinking. God doesn't promise that we will never have reasons to be afraid, but He does promise a peace that can guard our hearts and minds even when our circumstances haven't changed. Highlights How fear can quietly rob you of faith and trust in God Why anxiety makes it harder to recognize and appreciate everyday blessings How fear can distort the way we see the people around us Why peace and persistent fear cannot comfortably occupy the same space How overthinking can consume valuable time without actually solving the problem Practical ways to shift your attention from fear toward gratitude, prayer, and positive action Finding lasting joy by focusing on God rather than everything that could go wrong Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Fear Robs YouBy Aaron D’Anthony BrownBible Reading:“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, CSB) Can you relate to worrying about something that you had no business worrying about in the first place? You knew everything would work out; perhaps the stakes were low, or maybe you were prepared for whatever happened. Still, nervousness ate at you. Anxiety grew. We hear that word so much these days. Anxiety. And it’s such an innate part of the human experience. Some struggle more than others, but we all have those pressure points that cause us to fret every now and again. What will the future bring, or what won’t it bring? The word anxiety didn’t come about until the 16th Century, but the concept isn’t new. God’s Word talks about human fear time and time again, from Adam and Eve to Peter denying Jesus. Fear of the future leads to us making silly, and even reckless, choices. So, while we have fear in common, what we also have in common is what fear takes away from us. This is especially true when we sit with our worries for a prolonged period of time. If you’ve been living like that, take hope. You’re not the first to struggle with rational or irrational fears. You won’t be the last. But each of us can find encouragement in the same place. Our Father in Heaven. Intersecting Faith & Life: Let’s go over a few things fear robs from each of us when we submit to it, and what we can do instead. Fear robs you of faith. The most obvious thing fear takes from us is faith, our ability to believe in and trust God. When fear’s talking, more than likely, our ears are not attuned to what God has to say. Instead of thinking fear is telling the truth, consider whether truth instead resides with God. Hint, it does. However hard it may be, keep a record of all the times your anxiety turned out to be true versus God’s Word. Fear robs you of gratitude. Anxiety always causes us to overanalyze, overestimate, and underappreciate. Rather than thinking about all the things that could go wrong, ask yourself what could go right. When you weigh what could go wrong versus right, which seems more likely? Fear robs you of connection. By its very nature, anxiety consists of thinking negatively. That often means we think negatively of other people, however justified we may feel. The issue is that oftentimes anxiety is inaccurate, and as a result, we’ve given in to an inaccurate view of the other person. Don’t dwell on their faults. Remember, they, too, are made in the image of God. Fear robs your peace. As mentioned, fear leads to negative thinking. You can’t be at peace while your mind is riddled with fear. You have to pick one and walk in that direction, doing all that you can to find it. Fear robs your time. How many times have you sat in one spot incessantly thinking about an issue, going over the ins and outs? How many times have you rehashed the same conversations over and over again with the same friend? There’s a better way to be. Focusing on our issues often exacerbates the problem. But more to the point, instead of dwelling on fear, we ought to keep moving. Doing positive things to focus on more positive thinking. Taking time to reflect and talk things out is important, but moderate yourself. Don’t give in to the urge to indulge. You won’t feel better, and the problem will just be more cemented in your thinking. Fear robs you of joy. Not only is peace impossible when you live life according to your fears. There’s also no way to be happy. Your mind is thinking about all that is going wrong, or could go wrong, instead of the myriad of blessings we experience every day. And we do experience them daily. You just have to get specific and keep reminding yourself of them day by day. Anxiety is natural for the human condition, but finding joy in God is better for the human condition. Further Reading: 1 Peter 5:7 Matthew 6:34 Proverbs 3:5-6 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When tomorrow feels heavy before it even arrives, worry can steal the peace God has given you today. The endless what-ifs—What if something goes wrong? What if I can't handle it? What if things don't work out?—can leave you exhausted from carrying problems that haven't happened yet. Jesus offers a different way in Matthew 6:34: “Do not worry about tomorrow.” He isn't telling us to ignore life's difficulties or pretend everything will be easy. He's reminding us that tomorrow belongs to Him. Letting go of tomorrow requires releasing our need for control and learning to trust God's care one day at a time. Jesus points to the birds and flowers as reminders that our heavenly Father knows what we need and faithfully provides. We don't have to figure everything out today. Through prayer, thanksgiving, and trust, we can bring our fears to God and find the strength and peace we need for the day in front of us. Highlights Why Jesus tells us not to carry tomorrow's worries today How worry and the desire for control can steal our peace What the birds and flowers teach us about trusting God's provision Why prayer and praise offer a better path than anxiety and overthinking How God meets us personally in the middle of our burdens Learning to trust God with the future, even when tomorrow may bring hardship A reminder that God's grace is sufficient for each day Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Tired of Carrying Tomorrow By Sarah Frazer Bible Reading: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Matthew 6:34 Walking down a crowded street, gazing across a stadium filled with cheering fans, or even standing among a group of believers raising their hands in praise we often don’t think of the burdens everyone carries. Jesus, in his ministry here on earth didn’t see the masses, He saw the person. When the crowds would gather at the feet of Jesus, begging for help, Jesus looked and touched each one. The healing didn’t happen in masses, but individually. He did not stand on a stage and declare the Words of God. He reached out and looked deep inside our souls to show us the truth of God’s love for each us. He helps carry our burdens personally. In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus talks about blessedness, prayer, and money. As he spoke to the crowds, did he see the worry, the stress, and the fatigue of each person? In the middle of His sermon He says to them: “don’t worry.” This phrase means to not be anxious or take on the cares of something. Although the idea carries with it a command, Jesus is not saying “try harder.” Instead, He invited them (and us) to let go. The birds and the flowers, which Jesus gives as examples here are not trying harder not to worry - they just don’t. They don’t work harder at gathering food. They work less. The flowers and birds were created by a loving God who meets all of their needs. Worry is about letting go. Because of God’s loving care for us, we have the peace we need to let go of tomorrow's cares. We do not have to carry it any longer. Jesus will later say in Matthew 11:28-30 to lay down our burdens and find rest, true rest, in Him. Anxiety comes from a heart that spends its time overthinking. In a world and age that is consumed with knowledge, we have bought into the lie that more knowledge means more control. And more control means safety. The birds and the flowers don’t control nature and you and I know we sometimes cannot control the circumstances of our lives. In Matthew 6 Jesus is specifically talking about possessions, money, and treasure. Our treasure is what our heart holds dear. Control can sometimes become our treasure. If we try to control our life, keep it in check, we will only be anxious about tomorrow. We are heavy and weary from carrying tomorrow’s questions. In the end, it is fear and not trust that keeps us from finding peace today. Paul uses the same word for anxious in Philippians 4:6. He says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Paul offers us a different path. Instead of worry or control, he invites us to prayer and praise. Carrying tomorrow’s worry not only clouds our view but keeps us from connecting with God. Jesus never promised that tomorrow would be trouble-free. In fact, He acknowledged that each day carries enough burdens of its own. But He also reminds us that we were never meant to carry tomorrow before it arrives. Worry pulls us out of the present moment and places us into an imaginary future where fear often goes unchecked. Prayer, however, brings us back to the presence of God. Look at the birds today. Remember that they depend on the care of their Creator without worry. The flowers bloom without a thought of concern. We, too, can trust our Creator, who loves us deeply. In fact, Jesus says in Luke that we are worth more than any other created being. God invites us to trust Him, and in our prayers, asking God to work, we find peace. God already knows what tomorrow holds, and He holds tomorrow. It isn’t ours to carry anymore. Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you live in fear of the future? All of the what-ifs are out of our control, but they are safe in the loving, sovereign hands of our Savior. Jesus died on the cross, securing our eternal home. We can trust Him with our tomorrows. Our tomorrows might be filled with sorrow, and today you might be facing a daily trial that you wish you could wake up tomorrow and it would be over. Tomorrow might come with hardship and pain. Take Paul’s advice and go to God in prayer. Trust that God’s grace will be sufficient for each day. More than that, we know our God says we do not carry our sorrows alone. What burden are you carrying today that God never asked you to hold alone? Take that worry to Him in prayer. Further Reading: Psalm 55:22 Lamentations 3:22-23 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.

When a dream falls apart or a door you prayed would open suddenly closes, it can leave you wondering what God is doing. Maybe you've worked toward a particular career, relationship, opportunity, or ministry, only to hear “no,” “wait,” or nothing at all. Closed doors can feel like rejection, but what if God is using them as redirection? Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that while we make plans, the Lord ultimately establishes our steps. Surrendering our plans to God isn't always easy, especially when we genuinely believe we've found the path we were meant to take. But God's “no” doesn't mean He has abandoned us. Sometimes He is protecting us, sometimes He is preparing us for something different, and sometimes we may never know why a particular door closed. The invitation is to trust the Author of our story, release our grip on the outcome, and pray, “Your will be done.” Highlights Why God's closed doors don't necessarily mean rejection Learning to trust God when your plans don't unfold as expected How a “no” from God can become a redirection or protection The challenge of wanting God's will more than our own plans Finding peace when you're facing a “not yet” or a season of waiting How to surrender specific outcomes and remain open to God's leading Three questions to help you discern where God may be leading next Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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, the Author, Rewrites Your Plans By Hannah Benson Bible Reading:“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9 ESV). I just returned from living in the beautiful state of Tennessee for over 4 weeks, working on a feature film project. As I’ve been processing all the Lord has done, I’ve reflected on this verse in Proverbs in particular. When I was a little girl, it was my dream to serve the Lord through media missions. As a young woman, how is that dream now a reality? Only God. The truth is, we all have dreams, hopes, and plans. There is nothing wrong with making plans and hoping for something. In fact, God often places these desires in our hearts. What about when our plans fall through? When we feel like we’re praying, begging for a breakthrough, but heaven seems silent, or worse yet, God says no? There have been times in my life when I found myself on my knees praying for something, only for the door to slam shut. When we have our plans, sometimes we can question why. Why would God withhold something good from us? I can’t claim to know God’s reasons. After all, His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-11). Sometimes, rejection is our protection. I have often found in my life that God will open doors that will draw me closer to Him and will bring Him the most glory. When He withholds something, it could simply be that I long for that thing more than I long for the will of the Lord to be done. That’s convicting. I want to desire God’s will far more than I desire anything else. That’s hard. When Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray in Matthew 6, He tells them to start by praying “Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (v. 9, 10 ESV). Notice the part about “your will be done.” God’s will is perfect. We should have a heart that desires to see God’s perfect will unfold here on earth as it does in heaven. We know God has good plans for us that are far better than anything we could dream or even begin to hope for. It’s one thing to agree with our lips, but quite another to truly desire in our hearts when God’s will isn’t always ours. What about when God says no? When God allows a door to quietly close? I wish I could say it’s easy to accept those no’s, but I don’t know that it ever gets easier. When we receive a no from God, sometimes, we may never understand why. Other times, we’ll look back and realize it was His protection or He had different plans that may’ve never unfolded otherwise. Intersecting Faith & Life: It can be incredibly difficult when our plans fall apart, when a dream begins to fade, or when a door we’ve knocked on stays firmly locked. It’s okay to grieve and to take our pain to Jesus. In fact, He wants us to share everything on our hearts with Him. But a closed door, a changed plan, or a dream that feels dead isn’t a sign of God’s abandonment. Instead, it’s proof of God, the Author’s hand over each of our lives, writing in each moment, caring for us so deeply as He sketches out all the details. Think about that. He cares about us so deeply that He’ll tell us no, shut a door, or change our plans. As I reflect on my own life, I can see the doors God has closed and others He has flung wide open. If it weren’t for the “no’s” of the past, I don’t think I would’ve received or appreciated all the “yeses” of today. That doesn’t mean there aren’t “nos,” “not yets,” or “waits” in this current season. But when there are, I want to remember that every closed door isn’t a rejection but a redirection, a beautiful gift from God. His plans aren’t always ours. His thoughts are often far beyond what we could imagine. And honestly? Thank God. If you are facing a closed door today, take some time to consider the following questions: Are you gripping a specific outcome so tightly that you’re missing where the Lord may be leading you next? Can you find peace in the truth that God’s "no" is an act of sovereign protection? How can you shift your prayers today from "Lord, do things my way" to "Your will be done"? Pray with me: Dear Father, thank You that Your plans aren’t always mine. Thank You for every "no," for every time You tell me to wait, or when You whisper, “not yet.” Thank You for the times You shut doors just as much as when You open them. Please help me surrender to Your leading and release my plans to You. Lord, please don’t let me miss where You are calling me next. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When your adult child is going through heartbreak, it can be difficult to know what to do. You want to protect them, take away their pain, and somehow make everything better—but you can't walk through the heartbreak for them. Whether they are grieving a breakup, betrayal, disappointment, or another painful relationship experience, Christian parents can learn to support their adult children while trusting God to carry them through the storm. Isaiah 43:2 reminds us that God doesn't promise a life without painful seasons, but He does promise His presence in the middle of them: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” As a parent, that means you don't have to fix your adult child's heartbreak. You can listen, offer a steady and loving presence, pray for them, and give their pain and future to God, trusting Him to bring healing, wisdom, and hope in His timing. Highlights How to support an adult child through heartbreak without trying to fix everything Why parents must learn to trust God with their grown children's pain How Isaiah 43:2 offers hope in seasons of grief and emotional pain Practical ways to be present for an adult child who is hurting Why listening can be more helpful than offering advice or pity How to cast your own anxiety about your child's pain on God Finding faith, hope, and love while waiting for healing and redemption Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Giving Your Adult Child’s Heartbreak to God By: Lia Girard Bible Reading: When you pass through the waters,I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you.When you walk through the fire,you will not be burned;the flames will not set you ablaze. – Isaiah 43:2, NIV As Christians, we know that Jesus doesn’t promise a trouble-free life here on earth. Which naturally means we can expect that there will be days or seasons of pain, heartache, confusion, or grief. However, just knowing that we’re human (and that hurt will find us eventually) doesn’t prevent the sadness and anger heartbreak causes—whenever and however it shows up. We can try to gird ourselves with gratitude, faith, and hope. Relying on this inclination can help us weather storms. But we can’t make the storms simply not come. Being a parent of two adult children, I deeply understand the desire to wish every hard thing away from your children’s lives. It starts early, before their very first injury, and continues through your entire parenting journey. And although you know that surviving struggles will help your children build compassion, wisdom, and strength, this can get dicey when it comes to someone mistreating them or breaking their heart. Because you’ve raised your child to be an adult, you know they’re “out there” in this world, taking chances, loving deeply, and making their own choices. Yet you still want to be there for them, whenever they may need you. But the role has shifted fully now, from daily provider to encourager as they chart their own path. You know it’s right to raise adults, and not “baby” your grown children, but it’s also a strange and somewhat tender passage. It means letting go of having a say-so and just being available for them as they seek direction from the ultimate parent, God. In Isaiah 43:2, God is reassuring the Israelites that he is carrying them through their exile, no matter how hard it seems. And he is assuring all of us today that no matter what your adult child is walking through, God promises to step right into the murky water with them. Later in Isaiah 43:18-19, God says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 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.” Some biblical scholars say that God is clearly stating here that when a situation is dire and feels unbearable, he will never abandon you and is working on something new for you. This is good news when your own heart is aching because someone has broken your adult child’s heart. It means you can be sure that God is in control of your child’s recovery. Remember, it’s a promise. And for your own heart, while you’re believing in God to carry your child through grief, you can lean into 1 Peter 5:7, and “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” When someone hurts your grown child’s heart, leaving them holding a heavy load of bewilderment or loneliness, let them know you love them and are right here for anything they want or need. Keep checking in and listening. It’s likely they’ve been through enough maturing to not want or need you to preach to them, offer them pity, or even cry with them—though I know you want to. Because God is with them, you can be the same present, interested, loving parent you’ve always been, and have faith in better days ahead. You may have been through to the other side of heartbreak yourself and seen the kind of redemption your child hasn’t. Yet. It’s certain they will encounter their own unique ups, downs, and renewals. So be patient. Be kind. And remember that the final verse of the famous 1 Corinthians 13 “love chapter” that tells us true love is patient and kind, also encourages us: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Remind your child that God loves them, and so do you. And that you believe God’s promise: that He will carry them through. Intersecting Faith & Life: When you want to “fix” your adult child’s relationship heartbreak, consider instead offering your loving presence in ways like these: Invite them to lunch, dinner, or dessert somewhere they’ve been wanting to try Find and suggest a nature hike to enjoy together Have them over to watch a show or sports game you both enjoy If they’re far away, send them something soothing, like socks, slippers, or a delivery dinner Interact with them the same way you always have—with love, joy, and interest in them Ask: Do you want to talk? And respect their wishes. Further Reading:Psalm 147:3 Psalm 55:22 Psalm 23 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Sharing your faith doesn’t have to mean having the perfect answer to every question about Christianity or knowing exactly what to say. Christian witness is about showing and sharing the love of Jesus with the people around you. But how can you talk about your faith without coming across as judgmental, pushy, or disconnected from where someone is? The Bible calls us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and that starts with the way we live, listen, and treat others. When we approach evangelism with kindness, humility, and genuine love, we create opportunities for meaningful conversations about God and the gospel. We may not see an immediate response, and we may not have every answer, but we can faithfully plant seeds of faith and trust God with the results. A Christ-centered witness isn't about winning an argument—it's about pointing people toward Jesus in a way that reflects His love. Highlights How to share your faith without being judgmental or pushy Why our actions and character can be a powerful Christian witness The importance of speaking biblical truth with love How to share your personal testimony with others Why listening and meeting people where they are matters when witnessing How even a simple conversation can plant a seed of faith Why we can trust God with the results of our witness Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Kinder Way to Witness By Alexis A. Goring Bible Reading:“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35 (NIV) One evening, as I was leaving the building where I worked in Washington, D.C., I saw a man standing in the middle of walking traffic, holding a megaphone and shouting at everyone as they passed by. He was telling them to stop sinning and was using a lot of words that only Christians who know the Bible understand. I also noticed that he had an angry demeanor. I walked away thinking, “That’s not how you get people to want to know Jesus Christ.” I’m not an expert nor an evangelist, but I believe there is a kinder way to witness. The Bible says we are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). God doesn’t tell us to hit people over the head with The Holy Bible, shout angry words of condemnation through a megaphone or microphone, nor tell people bluntly that they are going to hell or make them feel lesser than for not yet knowing Jesus. I would like to suggest a kinder way to witness. Here’s what I believe: First, we preach with our lives. John MacArthur, an American pastor, stated, “You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read.” According to Google, “This quote highlights the concept that for non-Christians, a believer’s daily actions, character, and life testimony serve as their very first (and sometimes only) exposure to the teachings of Jesus. The quote challenges believers to live a consistent, transparent life that accurately reflects God's Word. It emphasizes that a Christian's behavior should draw others toward Christ rather than drive them away.” Second, Christians should acknowledge that we are all sinners who need a Savior. But then speak the truth in love. Start by telling people about a King (God) who loves them so much that He left the glory and perfection of Heaven to come to Earth in human form to save our souls. Encourage them to read John 3:16-17 for details. Let the people know that this Eternal King offers them life after death in a place (Heaven) so wonderful that no human words in any language can describe. Let the people know that the way to have eternal life after death is through accepting the free gift of salvation offered through a relationship with God’s Son (Jesus Christ). Third, be prepared to share your testimony about why you believe in God and have accepted Jesus as your Savior. When I worked as a journalist, I had a conversation with a co-worker. He wanted to talk about my faith in God. After I told him why I believe in God and follow Jesus Christ, the conversation turned to the Bible. He told me that the Bible doesn’t make sense when you read it from a journalist's perspective. I didn’t know what to say then, but years and more life experience later, I realize I should have responded that you have to read the Bible through a lens of faith with help from The Holy Spirit to understand it because spiritual things are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). When I told him that God has sheep in other pastures (John 10:16), he became offended. He told me that he hates it when Christians say that because he is not dumb like a sheep. I realized then that I didn’t know how to reach him with God’s truth. I knew not to be aggressive in witnessing about Christ to him, and I did my best to speak the truth in love, but I didn’t have the life experiences and deeper wisdom that I have now. I wasn’t equipped to effectively win his soul to Jesus. But I believe I did plant a seed of faith in him during that conversation, and I know that God can send more Christ-followers to him and everyone else who doesn’t know Jesus yet, and those Christians can water the seeds I and others planted to the point where, if he is willing, he can have faith in Jesus that blooms. Finally, I’d like to say that people have to be willing to follow Jesus. God will never force anybody to believe in Him and follow Christ. He gave us all free will. But He does encourage us to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19). What I learned from my conversations with people over the years is that when witnessing, it is more effective if you meet unbelievers on their level and speak in terms they can understand. Just like an effective teacher learns the learning styles of each of their students, then tailors each lesson to speak to them in a way they will understand, we as Christians need to follow a similar suit when witnessing. In closing, I’d like for you to listen and reflect on three songs (listed below). Song of Reflection #1: “The Introduction” by Laos in Harmony. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #2: “Know Us By Our Love” by Moriah. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #3: “Forever” by Kari Jobe Carnes. Listen to it HERE. Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior? How can you, who know Jesus, tell the world about our Savior in a kind way? Further Reading: John 14:1-6 Romans 6:23 1 Peter 3:15-16 Matthew 5:16 2 Corinthians 5:20 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Through the story of Abraham, we see what it means to trust God before seeing the outcome. God promised Abraham descendants, a land, and a legacy that would bless generations. Yet many of those promises took years—and even generations—to unfold. Abraham did not always understand how God would fulfill His promises, and he did not live to see every part of them completed. Still, God remained faithful. When progress feels slow or the results of our work remain unseen, it can be tempting to quit. But a lack of visible results does not mean God is absent or inactive. Faith often means continuing to obey, trust, and move forward while we wait for God's purposes to unfold. Highlights What Abraham's story teaches us about trusting God's timing Why God's promises are not always fulfilled according to our preferred timeline How Abraham waited years to see the birth of Isaac Why faith means obeying God even when we do not know the outcome How discouragement can grow when we focus only on visible results Why a lack of immediate progress does not mean God is not working How remembering God's faithfulness can strengthen us while we wait Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Faith While We WaitBy: Laura Bailey Bible Reading: “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV) “I am done! I have spent hours investing in this ministry, and after a year, still nothing has changed,” I yelled into the air. I’d felt confident in God’s leading me to start this new program for the community, yet everywhere I turned, I was faced with opposition, roadblocks, and general disappointment. Admittedly, I am great at starting things but horrible at finishing them– especially when I can’t see the fruits of my labor. I shared with my husband that I was contemplating throwing in the towel; I’d obviously misheard God speaking to my heart. My husband, who, thank goodness, is always there to calm me and offer a word of encouragement or a different perspective, gently nudged me to recall what we’d been studying in Sunday School recently. A few months prior, my husband and I began teaching through the book of Genesis, line by line. Just the previous week, we covered God’s promise to Abraham to make him into a great nation. God promises to give Abraham a purpose, a place, and people, but God doesn’t tell him how or when He will fulfill them. ⁠ Let’s look at the first part of God’s promise to make Abraham into a great nation. This promise would have been difficult for Abraham to digest because at the time, he and his wife, Sarah, were childless. Abraham did have a son with his female slave, Hagar, but God is clear that he is not the one to whom God will fulfill his promise (Genesis 21:5). Eventually, God does give Sarah and Abraham a child, Isaac, but it is 25 years later! Talk about a test of patience and faith. The Lord also promises, “To your offspring I will give this land (Genesis 12:7). Abraham moves his family from the place they’ve always called home into a foreign land where they are strangers, temporary residents, all on a promise of future ownership. Abraham spends his life traveling through the Promised Land as a visitor; he never takes ownership in his lifetime. And, it will be many years before the Israelites inhabit it, after centuries of trials and tribulations. God does make Abraham’s name great so that he can bless the many generations before him. Yet, this doesn’t happen overnight; Abraham dies before he sees the fulfillment of God’s promises. But as we know, God was faithful to keep His promise. It’s easy to get discouraged when we don’t see earthly results, but that doesn’t mean God isn't at work. God works on His timeline, not ours. Abraham is listed in Hebrews 11 as a man who walked by faith. If you read through Abraham’s story, you will see that he didn’t always walk by faith flawlessly, yet he trusted in God to keep His promises. Abraham obeyed God’s commands without knowing the outcome. As I think about Abraham and the numerous others in Scripture who walked by faith, even when they didn’t see results, they continued to press on to what God called them to do. Selfishly, I pray I will be able to see positive movement in ministry visually, but if not, I’ll remind myself that even when I can’t see it, God is faithful. Intersecting Faith & Life: Has God called you to something, but you are struggling to remain faithful? Write down 3 promises that God fulfilled in Scripture and put them somewhere to encourage you when you're wavering. Further Reading: Unwavering Faith Amid Uncertainty Hebrews 11 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it mean to keep going when life takes an unexpected and painful turn? We reflect on Hebrews 11:1 and the importance of cultivating faith, hope, and confidence in God—even when we cannot see what lies ahead. Through the story of Otto Frank and the legacy he carried forward after unimaginable loss, we are reminded that pain does not have to be the end of our story. While we may face seasons of doubt, grief, uncertainty, or struggle, faith invites us to continue trusting God when the path ahead is unclear. The Bible reminds us that faith is more than simply believing when life is easy. It is confidence in God when we cannot yet see the outcome. Through prayer, Scripture, and an active relationship with Him, we can strengthen our trust and keep moving forward—one faithful step at a time. Highlights Discover what Hebrews 11:1 teaches about faith, hope, and trusting God. Learn how faith can help us keep going through difficult and uncertain seasons. Reflect on the difference between seeing the outcome and trusting God without seeing it. Find encouragement for moments when doubt and unbelief begin to take hold. Explore how prayer and Bible reading can help cultivate stronger faith. Remember the prayer from Mark 9:24: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 the Faith to Keep GoingBy Vivian Bricker Bible Reading:“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Otto Frank, the sole survivor of the eight Jews in hiding within the Secret Annex, would have felt intense loss upon his return to Amsterdam after the Allies' defeat of Nazi Germany. He was already notified by previous prisoners about the death of his wife, Edith. She had died in Auschwitz due to starvation. However, he had hope that his two daughters, Margot and Anne, were still alive. This was the hope that ultimately kept him alive. Through the Red Cross, sisters Janny and Lien Brilleslijper, contacted Otto and notified him of the death of his two daughters. They had both died of typhus in Bergen-Belsen. Unable to stand the pain, he confided in the helpers of the Secret Annex: Miep Gies, Jan Gies, Victor Kugler, Johannes Kleiman, Bep Voskuijl, and Johan Voskuijl. Although several of them had been taken by the Nazis after their hiding place was discovered, they were able to escape or be released based on medical reasons. Once Miep was notified that Anne had passed away in Bergen-Belsen, she handed Anne’s beloved diary to Otto. At first, Otto could not bring himself to read it, yet with time, he became absorbed in his daughter’s writing. He would later reflect that it was only through Anne’s diary that he truly knew her. In Anne’s Diary, Anne disclosed how there were two versions of herself: the outgoing, bubbly version and the quiet, reserved, and thoughtful version. Otto said he never knew his daughter held such expressive views and thoughts. He encouraged every parent to truly get to know their child, support them, and be the parent you wanted your parents to be to you. For the rest of his life, Otto dedicated his time and energy to bringing awareness to Anne’s diary, advocating for acceptance over hate, and the need to end anti-semitism. To prevent the past from repeating, we must learn from it. Although Otto had been through unspeakable pain, he used what resources he had to keep the memory of his daughter alive. Through Otto, the Anne Frank Fonds was founded in January 1963. He also founded the Anne Frank House, which attracts over 1.3 million people every year. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Bible tells us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Although Otto’s hope was dashed to pieces after hearing the news of his daughters’ deaths, he kept pushing forward in life. He had a purpose: to make his daughter’s memory known to the world and to fulfill her wish to become a writer. In our own lives, we must advance with this same confidence. If we have faith in God, nothing can hinder our lives. Cultivating faith in God can be challenging, especially if we have experienced a troubling time, but we are never without help. The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit can foster a steadfast hope within us. This hope is like an everlasting candle; a candle that can never burn out. What is currently bringing doubts into your heart? Perhaps you are doubtful that God will bring you out of this difficult season, or if you will overcome a certain sin you are struggling with. Rather than doubting God, believe. As the father of the sick child said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Overcoming doubts and unbelief can be realized by spending time with God in prayer and Bible reading. By actively participating in your relationship with God, your faith in Him will grow. There may be difficult times ahead, but if your faith in God is strong, you can overcome even the toughest of situations. As the writer of Hebrews says, “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). Foster hope in God; He will never fail you. Do you doubt God in your daily life? What are some ways you can cultivate hope, confidence, and trust in God? Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:7 Romans 15:13 Isaiah 43:2 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Strong relationships are not built simply by having the right advice or knowing exactly what to say. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is listen. Kelly Balarie explores the wisdom of James 1:19 and the importance of becoming a thoughtful listener instead of rushing to conclusions. It can be easy to hear only part of someone's words and fill in the gaps with our own assumptions. But truly listening requires patience. It means slowing down long enough to understand not only what someone is saying, but also what may be beneath their words and what they may genuinely need from us. Highlights Why jumping to conclusions can damage communication What it means to be “quick to hear” and “slow to speak” How assumptions can keep us from truly understanding others Three things to listen for: what is being said, what may be beneath the words, and what the person may need Why the right words can still hurt when delivered with the wrong tone or timing How being slow to anger helps create space for understanding Why seeking to understand is more powerful than simply trying to prove a point Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: One Tip to Forge Strong RelationshipsBy Kelly Balarie Bible Reading:“Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]…” – James 1:19 AMPC I heard the first half of what she said, “Mom, I really don’t want to…because…”. But what I didn’t hear was everything after she spoke the word “because”. All that? Her words were muffled. I entirely missed the last part of everything she said. So, I just filled in the gap with my own conclusion. And my conclusion was not positive. I figured the worst. “Mom, that’s not even what I am saying,” she said. “You’re not even listening. You’re getting it all wrong; I didn’t even say that.” She was right; I jumped to conclusions. Ever been there? Maybe I’m not alone. Sometimes it is easy to fill in blanks with our own thoughts. It’s hard to endure gaps, waits, and the unknown. It is easier to get to the point, the end of the story, the conclusion, and to wrap things up with a bow. I’m sure that most of us love to get to our favorite part of a song. The beginning lines hang in waiting until we can make it to the chorus that unloads the song. We don’t like waiting. However, I’m learning, waiting is wisdom. James 1:19 AMPC says, “Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]…” True understanding is thoughtful listening. Thoughtful listening often requires us to listen more deeply to understand more fully. It requires us to hear: What is being said on face value? What is under the surface of the speaker’s words? What the other person needs. Words have the ability to heal or hurt. How many of us can remember a mean word spoken over us in middle school? It’s funny, the kind words don’t last, but the mean ones seem to. We remember a word for decades, as if it were yesterday. God knows, this is why His Word instructs us to be slow to speak. Not everything we think needs to be said. In fact, the less we say, the more impact what we do say has. The key? Rightly discerning what God wants said. Rightly understanding what needs to be said. Rightly noticing the proper time to say it. A wise counselor could give the most biblical advice ever, but if it is said with the wrong tone, at the wrong time, or belabored in the wrong way, it most certainly will fall on deaf ears. We can be right in our words and absolutely wrong in our delivery. We can speak the truth and actually hurt someone with it if we do so from a spirit of anger. To build strong relationships is to seek to understand. People know when one wants to be right and when they want to understand; there is a difference. This is why we are quick to listen. Because loving is listening. Understanding lets others know we are there for them rather than proving a point. And love is what we are after. Intersecting Faith & Life: What would it look like for you to truly listen? Do you formulate comebacks in your mind before the other person is done speaking, or do you truly listen to what they are saying? Rather than giving advice or having all the answers, what would it look like for you to put yourself in their shoes – and care. Doing this forges strong and trustworthy relationships. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Parenting can come with plenty of unsolicited comments, especially when you're out in public with your children. In “Reminding Our Hearts That Children Are a Blessing,” Emily Rose Massey challenges us to look beyond cultural attitudes toward children and remember what Scripture says about their value. Psalm 127:3 calls children a gift from the Lord and a reward, giving parents a biblical perspective when the world may treat children as a burden or inconvenience. Our words matter, especially because children are always watching and listening. Emily encourages parents to respond to insensitive comments with truth and grace while also challenging Christians to become people who encourage other parents rather than add to their burdens. When we see children as God sees them, our response can become an opportunity to point others toward His goodness, faithfulness, and grace. Highlights Why common comments about parenting can affect both parents and children What Psalm 127:3 teaches us about the value of children How cultural attitudes can cause us to view children as a burden Why Christians are called to think differently from the culture around them How parents can respond to insensitive comments with truth and love Why children are paying attention to the way adults speak about them How everyday interactions can become opportunities to live out our faith Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Reminding Our Hearts That Children Are a Blessing By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3, NASB 1995). “You have your hands full!” If I had a dollar for every time I have heard that phrase in my ten years of being a mom when I was out and about with my kids in public, I would probably be a quasi-millionaire! Well, that might be an over-exaggeration, but I have heard it quite often! Although I know most people are just trying to find something to say to connect with a stranger, I do wish we could find a different phrase to say that encourages moms with little ones who take them out in public. A few times recently, that common phrase was followed up with some extremely rude and inappropriate remarks when they found out that I did not, in fact, have all my children with me and that I had more at home. Our children also hear those negative comments about them. They are much smarter and more observant than we give them credit for sometimes. How do we think their little hearts are being impacted by what strangers believe about their mere existence? It often makes me question how we, as a society, truly view children or big families in general. I only have four children, so I cannot imagine what moms with more than that might hear while grocery shopping! Truthfully, I think we need to pay attention to what the scriptures say about children because God created them. God calls children a blessing, a gift from the Giver of good gifts. Do we have eyes to see them as a blessing? “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3, NASB 1995). Intersecting Life & Faith: I understand that those who are not Christians dismiss what the Bible says about any topic, so we should not be very shocked when the world behaves in a worldly way or says unlovely things about what God has created. Unfortunately, our culture speaks more highly of pets than of children. As Christians, though, we need to live counter-culturally and not get swept up in the world’s ways or thinking. We all might be guilty of viewing children as a burden or annoyance from time to time. It’s human nature to be selfish and bothered by anyone (even those tiny ones) who may interrupt our plans or embarrass us in public. We must remind our hearts of what God says about these precious little souls, and we must lead by example. I have shared some of my thoughts regarding these comments in public with my friends who are moms of little ones to encourage them not to grow offended, but to meet these remarks with truth and love. One idea a dear friend shared with me was that when someone tells her that she has her hands full, she responds, “Not as full as my heart!” Friends, this is our opportunity to boast in the Lord’s goodness for blessing us with these children that He calls a reward! Our response to them testifies to our faith in Jesus Christ and can challenge their own thinking about how they view God’s blessings, especially if the person professes to be a follower of Christ. I think it is important to be prepared to have these kind and truthful responses when we are out in public with our children. What other phrases come to mind that you can offer to the strangers who might choose to connect with you about your kids? Ask the Lord for these opportunities to not only respond lovingly but perhaps even engage in conversation about God’s faithfulness and grace that you experience in parenthood. Let’s live our faith out loud when we are running errands at the grocery store, the post office, the doctor’s office, or waiting in line to order some lunch. How can you encourage moms and dads when they are in public with their kids so that they also know that their children are not seen as a burden or nuisance? Our kids are always listening and watching! What kind of response will they hear from your lips when someone tries to shame their existence? I hope they hear how much you love them and thank the Lord for giving you such amazing gifts from above. More importantly, the Lord is listening and watching how we speak of children in our lives or around us. Thank You, Lord, for our children… what abundant blessings they are to our lives! May You receive all the glory in our hearts and lives as parents to these precious souls. Further Reading: Matthew 18 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Stress can affect every area of life, from finances and work to family and relationships. But when pressure builds, where do we turn first? In “Staying Strong, Not Stressed,” Cindi McMenamin explains why taking our stress to God before placing emotional expectations on the people around us can strengthen both our faith and our relationships. God already knows every thought, frustration, and word before we express it, making Him the perfect place to bring our burdens first. Cindi shares three practical habits for navigating stressful seasons: tell God first, trust His promises, and thank Him constantly. While these practices may not immediately change our circumstances, they can change how we respond to them and help us become a source of encouragement rather than additional stress for those around us. Highlights Why stress can unintentionally create tension in our closest relationships How taking our frustrations to God first can provide stability and perspective Why we shouldn't expect our spouse, children, or friends to carry the full weight of our emotional needs The Three T's for handling stress: Tell God First, Trust God's Promises, and Thank God Constantly How Scripture provides encouragement when facing financial, relational, work, or health-related stress Why gratitude can change our attitude even when circumstances remain difficult How depending on God can help us become better encouragers to others Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Staying Strong, Not Stressed By Cindi McMenamin Bible Reading:Even before there is a word on my tongue,Behold, Lord, You know it all (Psalm 139:4 NASB). Stress—whether it’s physical, emotional, relational, or financial—can take its toll on any of us. But how do we handle stress so we don’t push others away from us? I used to find myself reaching out to my husband or my young adult daughter to get the relief, encouragement, or support I needed to get through stressful times. I would provide explanations for my stressed-out behavior and seek their understanding. But I’ve learned through the years that having such expectations of others can backfire. You and I can push our marriages over the edge if we let our spouses know they are not meeting our emotional needs or expectations at a time when they might be dealing with multiple frustrations as well. We can also damage our relationships with our children—regardless of their ages—when we expect them to be there for us, emotionally, when they might not feel equipped to do what it is we are expecting of them, or respond in a way that will meet our emotional needs. There have been many times in the past several years that I’ve had to make a conscious decision not to lay my expectations on my husband or daughter when I’ve felt particularly stressed, regardless of the source. And as I began to take my troubles and stressful times to God first, I found that I was not only more able and stable to deal with whatever came my way, but I could help others in my family through whatever they were going through, as well. David sang in Psalm 139:4 that God knows everything we are going to say, even before there is a word on our tongues. He knows our thoughts before we think them, our words before we say them, and our actions before we carry them out. Certainly, a God like that is the One we should be going to first when we begin to feel stressed. Intersecting Faith & Life: Today, when stress starts rearing its ugly head in my life, I practice these “Three T’s” on a daily basis to stay strong during difficult times: Tell God First—Sometimes you and I need to vent or just talk aloud about what we’re feeling. But our frustrations can come across as accusations or complaints if we’re not careful. And since it is natural for others who love and care about us to try to find a solution to fix our stressful situation, when we just wanted someone to listen, it’s better to go to God with the venting first. Sure, God already knows what we’re going to say, according to Psalm 139:4. But by telling God first all that is on our hearts and minds, He can be the “buffer.” Trust God’s Promises—The Bible is full of God’s promises about His provision and protection. So, when we become troubled about finances, or a work deadline, or health issues, we can find comfort just by remembering some of God’s encouraging words to His people. In Philippians 4:19, Paul says, “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” And Romans 8:28 tells us, “we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Keep stress sidelined by banking on the promises in the Bible and taking God at His Word. Thank God Constantly—No matter what the situation, there’s always something to be thankful for. One of my friends was discouraged that her husband’s new job didn’t pay as well as his previous one. But some income was better than none. Another friend complained about her teenager’s disinterest in school and his unwillingness to "apply himself,” yet he was still very interested in his church's youth group. We can become people of praise with a contagious positive attitude when we obey God’s command in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to “give thanks in all circumstances.” A thankful spouse, parent, or friend is pleasant to be around. When you and I practice these three T’s—telling God first, trusting His promises, and thanking Him constantly—our circumstances might not change immediately. But by depending on God—and not solely on others—we can not only alleviate the stress in our lives, but we can become encouragers who model to others how to handle stress in their lives as well. Further Reading:Psalm 62:5-8 To grow more dependent on God, and improve your relationships, 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.

Is your life part of a greater purpose, or can it sometimes feel like a collection of random circumstances? In this devotional, Megan J. Conner explores what Romans 8:28-30 teaches about God’s purpose, His sovereignty, and His ability to work through every part of our lives. Your story is not an accident, and your circumstances are not beyond God’s reach. From creation to the way God knows and loves each of us personally, Scripture points to a God who has been present throughout our entire story. Even when we cannot understand what He is doing, we can trust that He is working all things together for good and drawing us closer to Him. Highlights Why it’s natural to wonder whether your life has a purpose What Romans 8:28-30 reveals about God’s plan and purpose How creation points to the intentional design of our Creator Why your life is not simply a random collection of circumstances How God can use every part of your story to draw you closer to Him The importance of seeking biblical discernment when considering life's bigger questions How gratitude can help us recognize where God has already been working Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Working All Things for GoodBy Megan J. Conner 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. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” - Rom. 8:28-30 (NLT) Have you ever wondered if God has a plan and a purpose for you? Or does it seem like your life has aimlessly evolved over time? Do you believe the circumstances you are in now are the result of fate or predestination? Or do you think your journey on this earth has simply been happenstance, a completely random assortment of events with no rhyme or reason behind each occurrence? These are tough questions that many of us tend to wrestle with internally. Whether we share these musings with others or not, many of us ponder whether our lives really have a purpose, and, if so, who or what is behind it. The world offers boundless explanations for humanity’s origin and design. From pointless existence to eternal destiny, it seems there are ideologies ready to appease any appetite or preference. However, an abundance of theories can cause chaos and confusion rather than promote confident assurance. This is why we must carefully consider and ask for God’s help with discernment as we contemplate the deeper meaning of each of our lives, so that we… “won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth,” (Eph. 4:14, NLT). As you seek to understand your reason for being, the answers might be much closer than you think. You do not need to travel the world or climb the highest mountain peak in search of purpose. You don’t need to exhaustively study to ascertain the origin of wisdom. You simply need to look up and look out. The answers you seek are evident right in front of your very eyes through creation. Nature, in all of its glory, demonstrates the divine. Majestic, intelligent design causes the sun to rise and set, the earth to orbit through the universe, and each individual heart to beat without conscious thought or effort. John 1:3 states, “God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him,” (NLT). Our Maker separated the sky from the waters, established all manner of life from the smallest seed to the giant sequoias, and formed you personally, individually, uniquely in your mother’s womb (Ps. 139:13). He knew you before you spoke your first word. He treasured you before you were even aware of his existence. So great is God’s love for you that he chose to proactively cover your sin and separation from God through the sacrifice of his only Son (John 3:16, Rom. 5:8). Even further, he has caused all things to work together for your good. Your life is not an accident. It is not the result of an arbitrary series of events. He has known you and chosen you. His eye has been upon every moment of your life. He has predestined your steps so that you would be drawn closer to him and share in his glory. Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you feel that your life has meaning and purpose? Or do you wrestle with a lack of fulfillment and clarity? Have you wondered if your journey through life has been a haphazard assortment of random events? Or do you believe God has had a plan and a purpose behind every step? Regardless of which side you find yourself on, may I encourage you to take some time to reflect on today’s truths? If you read these words with confidence and assurance that God has been at work in your life, take some time to thank him for his good work. Think through specific circumstances where you know God was a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path (Ps. 119:05) and offer a prayer of gratitude. If today’s message was unfamiliar and challenged you to consider God’s presence in the design of your life, may I encourage you to recite this simple prayer below? As you pray, ask the Lord to give you eyes to clearly see how he has been at work in and through your life. Lord, I come to you today unsure of your plans and purpose in my life. Would you help me to visibly see how you have been present and at work in my journey thus far? Even though I am still a bit unsure, I choose to believe that you see me and know me. Help me to fully comprehend your love for me. Amen. Further Reading:Rom. 5:5-11John 3:16 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When someone breaks a promise or betrays your trust, forgiveness can feel far more difficult than simply saying, “I forgive you.” Laura Bailey shares how a broken confidence left her wrestling with hurt and resentment—and how a rainbow after a summer storm reminded her of God’s faithfulness, forgiveness, and promises. God remained faithful even when His people were not. Through the rainbow given to Noah and the ultimate promise fulfilled through Jesus Christ, Scripture reminds us that God is faithful to forgive and restore. Remembering how much God has forgiven us can change the way we respond when others hurt or disappoint us, helping us release resentment and pursue peace while still recognizing that forgiveness does not always require reconciliation. Highlights Why broken promises and betrayed trust can make forgiveness difficult How a rainbow became a reminder of God's faithfulness What Noah's covenant teaches us about God's promises How remembering God's forgiveness can help us forgive others Why forgiveness doesn't always mean reconciliation How healthy boundaries can coexist with forgiveness What Romans 12:18 teaches us about pursuing peace with others Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Promise That Teaches Us to ForgiveBy: Laura Bailey Bible Reading:I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. - Genesis 9:13 ( NIV) I’ll never forget one of the first times I experienced the heartache of someone breaking their promise. As I think back to the day my friend gave away the seat at the lunch table that had been promised to me, it seems so trivial. While I’ve moved on from past adolescent hurt, the reality is that the painful feelings of broken promises and unmet expectations are present in adulthood. Unfortunately, the stakes are much higher than eating lunch alone. A breach of confidence can lead to family tensions, severed relationships, and future mistrust of people. As an adult, I long for the simplicity of recess drama, where misplaced trust held little consequence. Recently, a close friend I confided in let slip some details of our conversation to a group of ladies. I’d specifically asked that she keep our conversation between us, and she assured me that she could be trusted. So, when, later that week, a mutual friend sent a text that read, “I am so sorry to hear you are having a hard time; I’ll be praying for you,” my initial response was not one of gratitude but grievance. I was deeply hurt by my friend's inability to keep her lips zipped. However, I decided not to say anything to her, but by my frosty “hello” at church the following Sunday, she knew something wasn’t right between us. She invited me to coffee and apologized profusely for her carelessness; she genuinely didn’t mean to overshare. I could tell that she was sincerely sorry, but even as I looked into her tear-pricked eyes, my heart remained hardened towards her. We left our time together with a hug, and I said that “all had been forgiven,” but truthfully, I was still fuming inside. While we were at the coffee shop, a summer storm came through, leaving a curtain of fresh steam, inescapable puddles, and a beautiful rainbow. On my drive home, I couldn’t help but feel like the rainbow was following me. “I know, God, I know,” I muttered into the air. One of the first stories we learn as children is about Noah and the Ark and God sending a rainbow– a reminder that God keeps His promises. I began to think about the first rainbow. I wonder if, as he looked to the sky, Noah questioned whether God would keep his promise never to flood the earth again. Scripture often speaks of God’s covenants with His people, His first being that He would send a Savior to save us from our sins (Genesis 3:15). We see the fulfillment of that promise through Jesus, and every rainbow we see is an affirmation that God is faithful in keeping all His promises. I began to recall the countless times I hadn’t kept God’s commandments, my word, or broken a promise. Yet God is quick to forgive me and even promises to remember my sins against Him no more (Hebrews 8:12). If God, the creator of the Universe, can forgive my many acts of disobedience, both unintentional and intentional, who am I to withhold forgiveness from my friend? I was stewing over a few misspoken words when my own sinful nature was the reason why God sent His son Jesus to cleanse me of my sin—the ultimate act of love and full redemption. I could forgive my friend because I’d been forgiven, and when I’d been unfaithful, God continued to be faithful. It can be difficult to move past hurt, especially at the hands of someone we trust. There will be times when forgiveness is appropriate, but reconciliation may not be due to the need for boundaries or distance. But let me encourage you: let us live out the words of Paul in Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Intersecting Faith & Life:How does remembering God’s faithfulness to His promises—even when we are unfaithful—help you when you struggle to forgive others?Further Reading:A Prayer When You Don’t Feel Like ForgivingHebrews 8:12 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Friendship can be easy when life is convenient, but biblical friendship calls us to something deeper: loyalty, intentionality, vulnerability, and sacrificial love. The relationship between Ruth and Naomi offers a powerful picture of faithful friendship rooted in a shared devotion to God. In this devotional, Emily Rose Massey explores how Ruth’s commitment to Naomi reflects the kind of steadfast love and loyalty Christians are called to demonstrate. Jesus gives us the ultimate example of faithful friendship. He invested His time, attention, affection, and ultimately His life in His friends, showing that genuine love is active and sacrificial. As we pursue Christ and allow His love to shape us, our friendships can become opportunities to encourage others, grow in faith, and point one another toward God. Highlights Discover what Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi teaches us about biblical friendship. Understand how loving God enables us to love others more intentionally. Explore why apathy—not hatred—can be one of the greatest obstacles to meaningful friendship. Learn how Scripture’s “one another” commands help us grow in Christlike relationships. Find practical ways to deepen friendships through conversation, shared activities, meals, and studying Scripture together. See how Jesus modeled sacrificial, selfless, and faithful friendship with His disciples. Consider how your friendships can ultimately glorify God and point others toward Christ. Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Becoming a Faithful Friend like Jesus By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (Ruth 1:16-17). “Biblical friendship exists when two or more people, bound together by a common faith in Jesus Christ, pursue him and his Kingdom with intentionality and vulnerability. Rather than serving as an end in itself, biblical friendship serves primarily to bring glory to Christ, who brought us into friendship with the Father. It is indispensable to the work of the gospel in the earth, and an essential element of what God created us for.” -Jonathan Holmes We see evidence of faithful and committed friendships like that in the scriptures: Paul and Timothy, Jesus and His disciples, David and Jonathan, and Ruth and Naomi. Let’s look at an example of loyalty in the life of Ruth in Ruth 1:16-17: “But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” John MacArthur calls these verses Ruth’s “hallmark expression of loyalty and commitment to Naomi.” These verses (verses 16, 17) are commonly read at wedding ceremonies to express the depth of faithfulness and commitment in the union of marriage. While there is nothing necessarily wrong with using these verses to express loyalty and love in a marriage relationship, the proper context is rooted in the friendship between these two women, Ruth and Naomi, but it is interesting to note that their friendship was a very intimate one, a soul-quality one- the type of commitment that one would find in a Biblical marriage because it’s foundation is the same, love for God. I believe it’s important to understand where Ruth’s ability to love and be loyal comes from. By God’s grace, Ruth turns away from the paganism of Moab and turns to Yahweh. This response is evidence of her repentance (a turning away from) and her faith (a turning towards) the One, True God. Her conversion to becoming a follower of God is where it all begins. By God’s grace, she becomes a lover of God and receives His love for her and then pours that out on Naomi. Oh, may we do the same! Intersecting Faith & Life: If we love God and we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, God’s love will be evident in our lives by how well we show His love: for Him, most importantly, and for others. If you are born again, God’s love is abiding in you through the Holy Spirit. If that is true for you, is God’s love being perfected in you? How well are you loving others… how purposeful? How intentional are you with reaching out and showing the love of Christ to others? My pastor recently said that the opposite of love is not hate, but apathy. If your love is being perfected, it is growing; it is not apathetic and idle. We can see how God’s love is being perfected in us by how we treat one another. The “One Anothers” in scripture help us to become better friends because they help us love like Christ! There are almost 60 of these verses in the New Testament. Clearly, the most common phrase in the list of “one anothers” is “love one another,” but really all of the verses are about loving one another—because love is an action, and because all of God’s commands can be summarized as loving God and loving your neighbor. Living out these verses in community is how we can love—and be loved—by one another. Ultimately, we must be committed to glorifying God in our friendships, which is a Christ-enabled commitment to love God and love one another. Some practical ways we can grow in our friendships are to look for shared activities that provide an opportunity for us to talk because it is conversation that will deepen the friendship: work days at church, beach days, working out together, shopping together, play dates, and shared meals. Meals slow things down to become people-oriented instead of task-oriented. Conversation is engaged sharing and engaged listening. Let’s find a good balance between the two! If conversation is difficult for you, especially if the friendship is new, think about what to ask your friend on the way to meet with them so you have a fruitful topic you both can talk about casually and openly. Another idea would be to study a book together and use that as a way to start a dialogue. Jesus is our perfect example of how to love others well. How did Christ love His disciples? Jesus taught that friendship is the greatest expression of love. Jesus sacrificed not only by pouring out His life in His devotion to His disciples, His friends, by giving them His time, affection, and attention, but also by literally laying down His life. He laid His life down for His friends. He sacrificed it all, ultimately, in obedience and love for the Father who sent Him, but also because of His great love for His own. By God’s grace, may we all learn how to be sacrificial, selfless, faithful friends just like Jesus! Further Reading: Matthew 22:37-40 John 15 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When life feels too heavy to handle, it can be tempting to believe we need to pull ourselves together and figure everything out on our own. But Psalm 61 gives us a different path. Sarah Frazer reminds us that when we are overwhelmed, weary, or facing a storm beyond our ability to control, we can cry out to God and trust Him to be our refuge. David’s prayer points us toward the “rock that is higher” than ourselves—a place of safety we cannot reach through our own strength. Like Peter walking on the water, we may become overwhelmed when we focus on the storm instead of Jesus. Yet Christ remains our strong tower and our hope, even when the waves continue to crash around us. Highlights Why we don’t have to pretend that everything is okay when life feels overwhelming What Psalm 61 teaches us about crying out to God in the middle of a storm Why David describes God as the “rock that is higher” than himself How remembering God’s past faithfulness can strengthen our faith during new trials What Peter’s experience walking on water teaches us about keeping our eyes on Jesus How Jesus offers refuge when we simply cannot rescue ourselves Why God invites us to stop striving and trust Him with what is too big for us Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Can’t Pull Yourself Together By Sarah Frazer Bible Reading:“... lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” - Psalm 61:2 No one likes to admit they can’t do something. In a world filled with social media, fake news, AI images, and doctored photos, who is really telling the truth about how hard life can be? Yes, we have this sense of transparency from some people online, but we know, deep down, we don’t have the full story. No one shows all of their cares or reveals all of their struggles, sorrow, and grief. Even if these people share their sorrow, there is little hope for us who suffer silently. What if we can’t pull ourselves together? The place I have found to be completely honest, but also provide complete hope, is the Book of Psalms. In Psalm 61, we read an honest prayer, filled with heart-wrenching troubles, but it doesn’t end there. David, the author, gives us a path forward. As New Testament believers, we see the fulfillment of David’s hope in the life of Jesus. Psalm 61 was written by King David, who had his fair share of trouble. We don’t know the exact circumstances David faced with many of his psalms, but I think that is the point. We have this cry of David recorded in scripture for us to use in any of our situations. David describes his heartache in the second verse. He says his heart is “faint.” The word means to be overwhelmed or covered. The very core of David’s life, his heart, was deeply troubled. Maybe you woke up this morning tired, weary, and overwhelmed with the things going on in your life. We all face burdens too big, sorrows too deep, and heartache that goes beyond words. We think about the trials we are facing, and maybe they feel like waves of the ocean. David mentions a rock in the last part of verse 2, and this word is actually the word for cliff. In the image David is creating for us in Psalm 61, we might see this trouble, this trial, this overwhelmed feeling as being caught in a storm or shipwrecked. Imagine swimming in an ocean of grief, with the waves pounding down on you relentlessly. Life can feel like that. Maybe it is the same trial, or various trials all happening at once. A man who is shipwrecked is a hopeless man. If the waves are too high and the depths loom below, no matter how strong he swims, the shore is impossible to get to. There are some things we face that we cannot rescue ourselves out of, and this is the situation David describes here in Psalm 61. In the midst of his flood of emotions, David asks God to bring him to the rock that is higher than himself. It is a cliff, at the edge of an ocean. If you’ve seen pictures or videos, you know that the ocean is rarely calm beside those types of rocks. And we all know cliffs are not easily climbed. David recognizes that he cannot rescue himself. You and I must come to the point where we stop trying to deliver ourselves from the trial and cry out to God. Four times, David mentions crying out to God in Psalm 61. This crying out to God is prayer. He begs God for help. Not because he has waited and now prayer is the last resort, but he says this is too big, too hard. He says that his only hope is God. He does this because in Psalm 61:3 David says, “For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.” The waters were rising, but David looked up. He remembered what God had done and believed God could save him. You and I might be facing a storm so big that we wonder if God really can rescue us. Maybe the trial you are facing is the first of its kind. You haven’t needed God like this before. How can you look back and have confidence? Take David’s. Take mine. I have walked through many storms and through many valleys. Never once has God left or stopped working. God will be a refuge and a strong tower. God will lead you to the rock that is too far and too high for you to reach on your own. This rock is Jesus. Our hope, our defense, our strong tower. The disciples in Matthew 14:22-34 faced the literal waves of the sea. They were physically in a storm, about to die. Jesus comes out to them, walking on water. Peter asks to join Jesus and jumps out of the boat. Looking at Jesus, Peter begins to walk on water as well. The waves and the wind drive Peter’s gaze from Jesus to the storm. It is then that Peter begins to sink. Jesus reaches down and saves him. You and I will face storms too big, too powerful, and amazingly hard. When our eyes are focused on Jesus, we find the rock on which to cling. The waves might still crash and the storm rage, but we can find rest in Jesus. Let us even now reach out in our hearts and ask God to save us. Intersecting Faith & Life: The storm might still be beating you down, but can you remember that you are safe in God’s hands? Jesus doesn’t ask you to pull yourself together. He invites you to come, cry out to Him, and know you will be held. How might you stop striving and be still before God? How does knowing He is with you in the storm and is more powerful than any waves comfort your heart? Further Reading: Psalm 18:1-3 Isaiah 40:28-31 Matthew 11:28-30 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Hebrews 6:18-19 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How can you experience God’s love in your everyday life? Kelly Balarie shares a practical way to recognize God’s love in ordinary moments, experience His presence, and allow His love to transform how you live and love others. God’s love is more than something we learn about—it’s something we can personally experience. In this devotional, Kelly Balarie reflects on Ephesians 3:19 and the importance of moving beyond simply knowing about God’s love to intentionally looking for His presence in the ordinary moments of everyday life. Highlights Discover the difference between knowing about God’s love and personally experiencing it. Learn how ordinary moments can become reminders of God’s presence and love. Consider how phones, distractions, and the noise of the world can keep us from noticing God. See how intentionally looking for God can cultivate greater joy and awareness of His faithfulness. Reflect on how receiving God’s love enables us to love others more genuinely and sacrificially. Practice looking for God’s love in creation, circumstances, people, and everyday experiences. Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Super-Practical Tip to Encounter God’s Love By 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 I wake, deep into the night hour. My mind circles one thought: All that matters is love. I can’t get my mind off this thought. Besides love? Everything else is like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. In this midnight hour, this thought both consumes me and compels me. I understand the sobering truth; I have one life to live. This is it! One grand stage to go all out for Jesus… It is here. I don’t want the world’s conveniences, accumulation of material items, or online contempt to drive me; I want love of Christ to compel me. I want to be so driven by love that people will reflect upon my life and say, “Wow. That could have only been Jesus.” Wouldn’t that be an amazing legacy: “We saw Jesus in her.” Theology studied will not produce that. Bible verses intellectually memorized will not result in that. More messages heard will not miraculously make this happen. Only love. Real love. Outpouring love. Genuine love. Caring love. Moving love. It is not just what we know; it is the love experienced in Christ Jesus that changes us. “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) Love transcends the mind to live out from our heart, in real action. This morning, provoked again by this thought, I came to terms with the fact that God’s love is beyond me. But still, He miraculously welcomes me into it. In my day, to see forth Ephesians 3:19, I can do something. I can look for God’s love in the minuscule, in the ordinary, and in the mundane. I can seek Him and find Him.What does it look like? I see a heart in the concrete of the sidewalk I walk on. Many would just see it as a small hole. I see and remember God’s love for me. God, you love me so very much. I notice the waves that are continual; they never stop or end. God’s faithfulness always works. Like those waves will never stop, so do His promises for me never stop or end. I was given grace on a speeding ticket and only given a warning. God, like this warning for a speeding ticket, your mercy has entirely let me off the hook, and your grace, even more, blesses me. I notice the bird with the worm in its mouth. Oh God, you always provide the daily bread needed, right on time. God is encountering me all the time… if I look for Him. And, to seek Him is to find Him. When I receive His love, I am filled with His love. When I am filled with His love, I can impart His love. If He floods me, then I can flood the world. This is life-changing, and even world-changing. The presence of His love is the starting point of real joy, contagious joy. Doing this requires one to move past the distractions of the world, to dive into the intentionality of God’s heart in creation, in people, in circumstances, in the skies above and the world around. He is speaking, though many miss Him. He is telling us, often, of how much He loves us. Intersecting Faith & Life: How does the world distract you? Are you buried in your phone or looking for God wherever you go? What would it look like for you to forgo the world to find His love? Perhaps, today, start with asking God to give you understanding of His love? Ask Him to show you His love. Ask Him to help you to receive His love. Then, keep your eyes open to what God may be doing or saying in your world. Notice Him. Permit Him to love you as He makes His Word come alive in your life. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Shame, guilt, and regret can make us feel like we are still paying for our past mistakes, but Jesus paid for our sins once and for all. Through His sacrifice on the cross, we can receive God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness, and freedom from condemnation rather than trying to earn our way back into God’s favor. When guilt makes you feel unworthy of God’s love, Scripture reminds us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Jesus is our Savior, Advocate, and Intercessor, and His sacrifice makes reconciliation with God possible. Discover what it means to stop carrying the weight of sins Christ has already paid for and learn how His grace can replace shame with freedom, hope, and peace. Highlights Why the belief that we must “pay for our sins” is not biblical How Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for our sins The difference between God’s discipline, consequences, and condemnation Why shame and guilt can make us feel like we need to earn God’s forgiveness What Romans 8:1 teaches about freedom from condemnation in Christ How God’s grace saves us through faith rather than our good works Why Jesus serves as our Advocate and intercedes for us before God How to respond when suffering makes us wonder if God is punishing us for our sins Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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! Resources Mentioned Song of Reflection #1: “Jesus Messiah” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #2: “Jesus Paid It All” by Fernando Ortega. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #3: “East to West” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #4: “Mercy Tree” by Lacey Sturm. Listen to it HERE. Full Transcript Below: Jesus Paid for Our Sins By Alexis A. Goring Bible Reading:“He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He does not repay us according to our guilty deeds.” - Psalm 103:10 EHV When someone was having a bad day, he said, “I am paying for my sins.” This statement and belief many people hold is not true because the Bible says Jesus Christ paid it all (1 Peter 2:24, Romans 6:23) and God doesn’t deal with us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:10). I know that I have struggled with this when shame, guilt, and despair hit me as my mind recalls everything I said or did wrong. While God doesn’t keep a record of our sins after we ask Him to forgive us, we sure can tally up everything in our minds. When we do that, it feels like we must pay for our sins. We may feel remorse and want to fix things. But the truth is, we cannot fix the past, the present, or our future. This is one of the reasons why we need Jesus Christ in our lives. He is our Savior. God is full of grace and mercy. While He will discipline us like a loving parent would (Hebrews 12:5-6), and while there are always consequences to our sins that we might experience, never do we have to feel the need to pay for our sins because Christ already did that on the Cross at Calvary. The Bible says He who knew no sin became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) so that we may be reconciled to God. Isn’t that wonderful to know? What a relief that our Savior has already done the heavy lifting. We just need to repent of our sins, turn away from our sins, believe in God, obey the Holy Spirit, and follow Jesus all the way to Heaven. When I shared with a Christian friend my struggle of feeling burdened by my past mistakes and sins, she reminded me of Romans 8:1-2 (NIV). It says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” The first time she told me this, I struggled to believe it because I felt guilty as charged concerning my sins and mistakes. I wanted to make things right with God. I felt like I had to work my way back into His grace and mercy. But the Bible doesn’t say that. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) says, “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.” God knows we’re not perfect because we’re only human. Even our best efforts to be perfect may eventually fail. No matter how hard we try, we cannot work our way into Heaven by our righteous acts and desire to please God. The Bible says in Isaiah 64:6 (NIV), “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” But thank God for His grace and mercy! He knows we need it. The Bible says that Christ is our Advocate when we sin and are guilty as charged (1 John 2:1). He knows we’re not perfect, and He wants to help us. The Bible says that Jesus is at the right hand of God, interceding for us (Romans 8:34). Jesus reminds God about His sacrifice for us (John 3:16-17). We are covered by the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7) so that God sees His perfect Son (Jesus) when He looks at us, not our imperfections and sins. Though this is not an excuse to keep sinning and take advantage of God’s grace, because eventually, time will run out, and when we see Jesus returning to earth to take His children home to Heaven, it will be too late to repent and ask forgiveness for our sins (Revelation 22:11-15). Let’s circle back to my original point, which I mentioned at the start of this devotional, about feeling like we suffer because we are paying the penalty for our sins. Oftentimes, we as humans believe that if we are suffering, then it is because God is punishing us for our sins. I invite you to dig deeper into this common misconception and receive an accurate Biblical perspective by listening to this “Dare to Be True” podcast episode hosted by Madison Prewett Troutt, where Anne Graham Lotz explains the truth about suffering and helps you realize that God isn’t making you pay for your sins by subjecting you to pain. In closing, I’d like for you to listen to and reflect on these four songs… Song of Reflection #1: “Jesus Messiah” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #2: “Jesus Paid It All” by Fernando Ortega. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #3: “East to West” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it HERE. Song of Reflection #4: “Mercy Tree” by Lacey Sturm. Listen to it HERE. Intersecting Faith & Life: How does it feel to know that we don’t have to pay for our sins because we have a Savior who paid for all of it? Further Reading: Psalm 103:11-14 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 Romans 5:10Colossians 1:21-22 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Emily Rose Massey explores biblical marriage, selflessness, forgiveness, and Christ-centered love, reminding us that marriage is one of the ways God shapes us to become more like Jesus. Through Philippians 2:3-5, we are encouraged to look beyond our own desires and consider the needs of others. Marriage reveals areas of selfishness while creating opportunities to practice humility, grace, and forgiveness. Rather than viewing marriage as a limitation, Scripture shows us that it is a gift God uses to transform our hearts and teach us how to love sacrificially. Highlights: Discover how marriage reflects Christ’s sacrificial love for the Church. Learn why humility and selflessness are essential for a healthy marriage. Understand how God uses marriage to reveal and transform selfishness in our hearts. Be encouraged to extend forgiveness and grace to your spouse. Explore how God’s grace empowers us to grow in Christlikeness. See marriage as an opportunity to reflect Jesus through love and sacrifice. Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 Sacrificial Beauty in Marriage By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “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. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5, ESV). Summertime in America is marked by so many celebrations and wonderful holidays: graduation parties, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, lots of pool days and BBQs with friends and family, and of course, weddings upon weddings! I’m sure you know at least one couple who is getting married this summer or who at least celebrate their anniversary in June, July, or August. It is truly a very popular time of year to get married– so much so that many people call it “wedding season.” I guess my husband and I wanted to go against the norm, as we so often do, and went to the opposite end of the calendar and got married in December. I truly look forward to celebrating with loved ones who “tie the knot” during this season. Almost 20 years later, I still get choked up witnessing someone else’s “big day.” Weddings are so lovely and fun, but they clearly represent something so much more important and beautiful that the Lord has providentially ordained that we should give our attention to outside of that one special day: marriage. The union of marriage is so important to God that His word equates it to the love that Christ has for the church, His Bride (Ephesians 5:22-33). Reflecting upon that kind of love that Christ has for His own, two words come to mind: humble and sacrificial. Christ modeled this kind of love and asks husbands and wives to walk in His footsteps. These verses in Philippians 2 capture this selflessness that we should long to foster in our homes and marriages: “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. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5, ESV). Intersecting Faith & Life: I have had two situations within the last handful of months where women who were much older than me (women I should be gleaning wisdom from) painted marriage in such a terrible light and boasted in their divorces and singleness. It truly made my heart heavy that because of their personal experiences, they could not see the beauty in marriage. When they should see it as a gift from God to sanctify us and make us less selfish and more others-focused, they saw it as bondage, keeping them from living their own life freely. As Christ followers, if we want a right view of marriage, we must look to the scriptures. We cannot rely on others’ experiences or even our own to determine what God says on a matter. The more we dive into His word, our naturally selfish minds are renewed to love sacrificially as He does, extending the same grace and mercy we have received from Him to others. The word transforms us from the inside out, all for the better, and we begin to see the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) develop and mature in our lives, which we need to fully love others in humility and sacrifice, preferring them above ourselves. What happens when our spouse hurts us? Because we have been forgiven through the cross of Jesus Christ, we must forgive others. We have received such great mercy; therefore, we must extend that same mercy to our spouse, even if they have wronged us or offended us. When we are quick to apologize because of humility and choosing the other person over ourselves, our hearts are free of bitterness, pride, and selfishness. None of us are made of that; God gives us the grace to do that. Many people would define grace as “unmerited favor” to the undeserving, especially in terms of salvation, which is true, but it doesn’t stop there- it is God’s power to conform us into the image of Christ, and God uses marriage to make us humble and sacrificial. This grace that strengthens us and trains us is what we experience in the majority of our Christian walk: in faith and obedience, with each step, we grow in holiness and Christlikeness, day by day. Truthfully, marriage gives us countless opportunities to reflect Christ by laying down our lives for our spouse, in humility and sacrifice. Oh, how beautiful! Further Reading: Ephesians 5:22-33 John 13:34-35 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Why does God allow difficult seasons? When life feels uncertain, painful, or unfair, it can be easy to question God’s character and wonder if our struggles are a result of something we did wrong. But Scripture reveals a different truth: God’s heart toward us is rooted in love, grace, and mercy—not punishment or condemnation. Vivian Bricker explores how knowing who God is helps us navigate suffering, uncertainty, and the lies we often believe about God’s intentions. Through Scripture, we are reminded that God’s love does not change based on our circumstances, and that hardship is not proof of God’s rejection or displeasure. Highlights: Why the unknown can make us question God’s goodness and control Understanding the difference between biblical truth and the idea of karma Why suffering is not always a reflection of God’s punishment How the New Covenant through Jesus changes our understanding of blessings and curses The importance of knowing God’s character so we can recognize false beliefs How God’s love remains constant even during difficult seasons Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Join the conversation: How can a deeper understanding of God’s character change the way you view hardship? 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: Understanding God’s CharacterBy Vivian Bricker Bible Reading:“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). In my opinion, the scariest thing in the world is the unknown. Whether that be an undiagnosed illness, starting over in a new city, or thinking about the future, the unknown can be terrifying. None of us can truly know what is ahead because we are not the ones in control. For some of us, there will be good times ahead and for others, there will be hard times. One cannot be dogmatic and say that those who have good times are in the will of God and those who are going through tough times are not. It is never within God’s will for us to be in pain, to be depressed, or to be sick. He never intended for us to go through any of these things, and it is not right for people to believe in the ideology that if you do good, good returns to you from God and if you do bad, bad returns to you from God. This is not biblical as this is actually a belief in karma. Karma is part of the religious beliefs contained within Hinduism and Buddhism. Although karma has become popularized within mainstream media, Christ followers do not need to endorse it. Karma is refuted in the Bible as Psalm 103:10-11 says, “he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Therefore, we don’t need to say that God blesses certain people while cursing others. The aspects of blessings and curses based on your actions were true within the Mosaic Covenant, but it is not true for us today. We are under the New Covenant by the blood of Jesus (Luke 22:20). Within the Mosaic Covenant, Israel was petitioned to obey God, and blessings would come to them; however, if they did not obey God and did evil, curses would come into their midst. Since we are not under the Mosaic Covenant, we don’t need to hold ourselves or others to this type of thinking. If we are having dreadful things happening in our lives, they are not caused by God. And if we are having good things happening in our lives, we cannot always be dogmatic to say it is caused by God either. To say that “God has blessed me because I’m doing well, but He has cursed you because you are not doing well” is not rooted in biblical truth. This is why Christians need to be more aware and not to flaunt things they believe are blessings. This only gives the idea that if you are struggling, you have done something terrible in the eyes of God, and you must be cursed. As Christ followers, this type of thinking needs to end. We all have free will, and with it, we have chosen to do terrible things (Romans 3:23). Additionally, we live in a fallen world that is covered in sin. This is why we shouldn’t be quick to say, “It is God’s will for you to suffer from (fill in the blank).” God never intended for evil, sin, or death to be in the world. He wanted us to live in perfect harmony with Him in the Garden of Eden. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Bible tells us, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). God’s character is found in love. Since God is love, why do we believe the lie that He brings curses into our lives or into the lives of others? This goes against His very nature. God is love, and He is not going to bring harm into our lives. As Christ followers, we need to be aware of who God is and His characteristics, as this can help us weed out lies that pull us away from Him. Even well-meaning Christ followers can say unhelpful and unbiblical things, which is why we must be level-headed and fully understand the Bible ourselves. Regardless of what you are going through, remember the truth that God is love, and you are loved by Him, and neither of these things will ever change. Have you ever thought a terrible thing happening in your life was due to God punishing you? What made you think like this? How can having a proper view of God’s character help you understand Him better? Further Reading: Romans 5:8 1 John 3:1 1 John 4:19 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A grateful heart can transform the way we see life, handle challenges, and grow closer to God. In this devotional, Cindi McMenamin explores biblical gratitude, why giving thanks in all circumstances matters, and how cultivating thankfulness can strengthen our faith. Highlights Discover why gratitude is an essential part of God’s will for your life. Learn how thanksgiving shifts your focus from struggles to God’s faithfulness. Understand how a grateful heart can protect you from bitterness and negativity. Reflect on seven prayers of gratitude for difficult seasons and everyday challenges. Be encouraged to thank God not only for what He gives but also for what He withholds and protects you from. Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 a Healthy HeartBy Cindi McMenamin Bible Reading:“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV). How healthy are you these days? And how healthy is your heart? While you can try to steer clear of germs, eat more nutritionally, and exercise regularly, one of the healthiest habits you can develop is to regularly express a grateful heart. That's right. Gratitude makes your heart healthier. Numerous studies have shown a direct correlation between a positive attitude and improved health (and even a longer life!). To be positive, in short, means to be grateful. To find the good in every situation. To be thankful in all things. I'm sure God had our physical, as well as spiritual, health in mind when He inspired the apostle Paul to write these words to the Thessalonians. After admonishing them to display proper Christian conduct, he wrote: “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB). Did you notice that Paul didn’t just say, “In every good circumstance, give thanks.” He also didn’t write, “When things work out well for you, give thanks.” He specifically said, “In everything give thanks.” In the good times, as well as the bad. In the pleasantries of life, as well as in the pain. During difficult times, trying times, and frustrating times, too. That’s because when we’re thanking God, we're focused on our blessings, rather than the bitterness of whatever else might be going on. There’s also another beautiful result of having a grateful heart. When we are thankful in all things, not just the good things, we are living out God’s will for us. That verse, after telling us to be thankful in all things, reinforces the reason to do so: “For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” It couldn’t be said any clearer. Being thankful in everything is how you and I display God’s will for our lives. Intersecting Faith & Life: As you and I focus on our circumstances, we can tend to become more depressed and more critical if we're not guarding our hearts and minds. So, all the more reason to be a person of gratitude rather than a bad attitude. I've found in my own life that when I'm praising God in the aches and pains, or the losses that seem more frequent these days, or just thanking Him during the mundane, it helps me become a person of gratitude in any circumstance. And that keeps me healthier and happier, overall. Here are seven simple prayers you can begin saying to practice gratitude when the bad attitude starts seeping in to steal your joy, harm your relationships, and attack your health: Thank You, Lord, for the things You have withheld from me. You have protected me from what I may never realize. Thank You, God, for the doors You have closed. They have prevented me from going where You would rather not have me go. Thank You, Lord, for the physical pain You've allowed in my life. It has helped me more closely relate to Your sufferings on my behalf. Thank You, Lord, for the alone times in my life. Those times have forced me to lean in closer to You. Thank You, God, for the tears I have shed. They have kept my heart soft and moldable. Thank You, God, for the times I haven't been able to control my circumstances. They have reminded me that You are on the throne. Thank You, God, for those people in my life whom You have called home to be with You. Their absence from this earth keeps my heart longing for heaven. Can you begin saying “Thank You" a few more times throughout your day? Start expressing gratitude toward others for their kindness, and remember to thank God, throughout the day as well, for everything He allows to come your way. As you do, you may find it lightens your load and makes you feel better physically as well. Further Study:Psalm 9:1 For daily encouragement to keep a healthy heart, 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.

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. Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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 LessBy 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. 20:1-19Rom. 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 ChristBy 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 27Galatians 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 18:1John 3:16-17John 11:25-26John 15:5Hebrews 4:16 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.