The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

When the enemy starts shooting his fiery darts at your heart and mind, reminding you of wounds from your past, or arranging circumstances to make you feel that you are defeated, don’t shrink from the attack. Don’t become a wounded one, who falls prey to his lies, accusations, and schemes. Instead, be a warrior. Know the truth of who you are and the power of Christ in you. Stand firm, clothed (abiding) in the character and identity of Jesus Christ. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Becoming Strong in Our Struggles by Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11) Are you struggling through some wounds right now? What if you were to think about it as a season of strengthening rather than a season of struggle? I was thinking the other day about how easily we can be wounded. Hurtful comments from others, disappointment in relationships, or a circumstance that seems unfair can make us cower in feelings of weakness and failure. In addition to these common everyday wounds, there are serious wounds that may impact us as well—deep hurts from our childhood, abuse in any form, abandonment or betrayal from someone we trusted, the sudden or premature loss of a loved one, chronic pain, rejection, and more. But those wounds don’t have to define us or dictate our character or our future. The Scriptures say our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against "the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12 NIV). That passage tells me two things: 1) Satan and the powers of darkness seek to wound and debilitate us, and 2) We are empowered to be warriors...not weaklings who remain wounded. Scripture exhorts us in Ephesians 6:10-11 to "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power" and to "put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes" (NIV). Then as we're given details in how to put on those pieces of armor, we're told to take the shield of faith "with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (verse 16 NIV). I started thinking about how many of us fall prey to the flaming arrows or "fiery darts" of the enemy because we believe his lies, like… No one will ever really love you, so just face it You are a pathetic example of a parent. Your spouse doesn’t really love you; they’re just going through the motions. You call yourself a child of God? Just look at the way you behave! You should be ashamed of all that is in your past. Everyone knows what a fake and phony you are. Just give it up! You can never live a life of meaning and purpose, so don't even try. Those fiery darts pierce our hearts, they stab our minds, they condition our thinking. They convince us that God's words are lies and the Satan's words (which are sometimes our own thoughts or words spoken to us through other people) are true. But Scripture tells us to put on the armor of God as a defense against these lies, accusations and fiery darts. Intersecting Faith and Life: For years, I wondered what the analogy meant and how to actually suit up in the armor of God. Then my husband, a pastor, explained it in a Bible study one evening. He pointed out that every piece of armor symbolizes Christ in some way. And therefore, putting on the armor of God is synonymous with clothing yourself in the character of Jesus Christ, or simply abiding in Him. We are to fasten the belt of truth around our waist, which means to know at the core of our being that Jesus is the truth. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). We are to wear the breastplate of righteousness, meaning we are to cover our heart with Christ who is called "The Lord our Righteousness" in Jeremiah 23:6. We are to take up the shield of faith in order to extinguish those fiery darts from the enemy. Psalm 84:11 tells us "The Lord is a sun and shield..." and Christ is the object of our faith. We are to put on the helmet of salvation by guarding our heads and minds with Christ because Acts 4:12 says "Salvation is found in no one else.” We are to take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God—and John 1:14 tells us Jesus is the Word made flesh. When the enemy starts shooting his fiery darts at your heart and mind, reminding you of wounds from your past, or arranging circumstances to make you feel that you are defeated, don’t shrink from the attack. Don’t become a wounded one, who falls prey to his lies, accusations, and schemes. Instead, be a warrior. Know the truth of who you are and the power of Christ in you. Stand firm, clothed (abiding) in the character and identity of Jesus Christ.

Has God spoken to you about something he wants you to do in your life? What steps can you take to obey him today? SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Be Quick to Hear and Obey “Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:36-37 Every year, I participate in a writer's conference where they award the year's best books. This year, I didn't have any books eligible for this award. But I watched expectantly as the live-streamed event gave out the awards of which many of my friends were recipients. Upon hearing a good friend's title of her book being called out to win the prize for best children's fiction book, I had a moment with the Lord. I heard the book's title with my ears, but it was as if my soul had heard it, too. Suddenly, I had an idea. I called my friend a couple of days later. “What would you think if we did a devotional based on your picture book of the same title?” My friend thought about this for a while. After deciding she would not do any more devotional writing for a while, she put an idea like that out of her mind. But something stirred in her soul the same as in mine. “I like this idea,” she said. At the end of our phone call, we agreed to send an e-mail to the publisher of that book. We wanted to see if they were interested in the idea before we put the work into creating samples and writing a proposal. Within minutes of her writing an e-mail, the publisher got back and said they loved the idea. They wanted to see a proposal and samples. Within a week and a half, we worked to create five sample devotions and a proposal. Although nothing is guaranteed, the fact that the publishers loved the idea before we sent the proposal and that her previous book has done well in sales bode well for us when it comes to them giving a green light on this new project. While it may get rejected by the publisher, I am called by God to be obedient to whatever he calls me to do, no matter the outcome. If the book gets rejected, it’s not that I misheard God; it wasn’t meant for that purpose or in that timeframe. When I began to feel that stirring in my soul when I heard that title, I could have ignored it. I could have justified it by saying I misheard God. I could have justified not wanting to do all the hard work by neglecting God's call. However, because of my obedience, the Lord gave us favor and worked on our behalf. Within a week, we were able to create a high-quality proposal that might come out in publication someday. I heard from the Lord and was careful to obey it. Peter had to obey God's word, too. Peter took a significant risk by proclaiming the gospel in the above passage. He told the people plainly who Jesus was and that they needed him for their salvation. Because of Peter's obedience, these words cut into the people's hearts. Their ears heard the words and allowed those words to pierce their souls. Because of the power of the word of God, many people were saved that day because of Peter's boldness in proclaiming the gospel. People were also saved because they were careful to obey it. If I had not been obedient to what I heard and had neglected my part in proclaiming the gospel to all generations, my friend and I would not be able to partner in that way. Although I have yet to determine if the book will be published, I am proud that I can hear the Lord in that way, and when he calls me to do something, I'm quick to obey it. Father, let us be quick to hear your word. When we read or hear the word of God, let us not only listen with our ears but also allow it to pierce our hearts. Allow the word of God to correct, encourage, and inspire us toward love and good deeds. Let us be people who hear your voice and quickly obey it. Amen. Intersecting Faith and Life Has God spoken to you about something he wants you to do in your life? What steps can you take to obey him today? Further reading Proverbs 3:5-6 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What feels so scary right now in your life? How can faith in God bring you courage? What do you need to do as a “next step” to push through the fear you hold? SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: How Faith Is the Opposite of Fear By Sarah Frazer “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.” Hebrews 11:23 (ESV) “Have courage every single day.” The plaque my mother had gifted me sat on the windowsill right in front of my kitchen sink. I looked at it every day and sometimes a tear would slide down my cheeks into the soapy water as I washed the dishes. I didn’t feel like having courage. Fear of the future and the unknown consumed my thoughts. Going through a hard year with our family taught me many things, but one of the most powerful lessons I learned was that the opposite of fear wasn’t courage, but faith. Faith is where we find the courage to keep going. When I think about my own story, which includes adoption, I also think about the story of one of the great heroes of the Bible: Moses. Moses was adopted by the pharaoh’s daughter when he was a baby. Moses is one of those men who will be always known for his amazing acts of bravery and courage. He faced the Pharaoh and miraculously led the people of Israel out of slavery from Egypt. He wrote the first five books of our Bible. Stories like the Red Sea parting, manna in the wilderness, and the Ten Commandments are accredited to Moses. Those parts of his life, although amazing, are not what resonates these days in my heart. The part of Moses’ story I see in my own story isn’t about him, but his mother. The Bible says in Exodus 2:3, “When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank.” Can you imagine how she felt when she gave her baby up? I think she felt afraid, but instead of being remembered for her fear, she is remembered for her faith. Hebrews 11:23 says, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.” In Exodus 6:20 we find out that her name was Jochebed. There have been times in my life where I’ve prayed: “God, I don’t know what you have planned for my life. This situation feels so hard, painful, and filled with grief. But I want to trust you. So I will try and trust you.” In Exodus 2:1-10 we read her story. I can imagine, as she placed her baby in the basket, she didn’t feel brave. But she put him in there. The author of Hebrews said she was not afraid of the king’s command to kill all of the male children. Why? Because of her faith. Each day, she chose to keep her baby alive. She chose faith. When we face each day, even when we feel afraid, we can step forward. One step at a time, we can take our fear by the hand and go confidently in faith. Each day, we have a choice to give in to fear or to step forward in faith. We can choose faith, too. Maybe you are thinking that your faith is too small. You might think that the fear is too big, but it isn’t about our faith at all. It is all about Who we have our faith in. The Object of our faith is God, the all-powerful, all-loving God of the universe! Jochebed knew that God was bigger than all the fears. God was bigger than the Pharaoh. God was bigger than the river. God was bigger than the uncertain future. She had faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” When Jochebed comes to the river, she doesn’t cast away her son. Instead of tossing away her child-like garbage, she intentionally and deliberately surrenders him to it. The basket was prepared ahead of time, carefully constructed with tar and a tight weave. It would not leak or sink. Jochebed prepared a place for Moses to be safe. In a sense, she obeyed the king’s edict as she put her son in the river. Instead of throwing him away, she gave him over to God. She surrendered her plans for herself, her son, and the future. Faith allows us to give our plans to God. Choosing to have faith in God means we hand our fears over to God and He will meet us right there. The opposite of fear is not courage, but faith. Even a small faith placed in a big God allows us to move forward. Have confidence in the things that are “unseen,” knowing that God is very real and present in your life. Intersecting Faith & Life: What feels so scary right now in your life? How can faith in God bring you courage? What do you need to do as a “next step” to push through the fear you hold? Further Reading: Isaiah 41:10 Psalm 27:1 John 14:27 Deuteronomy 31:6 Psalm 56:3-4 Discover more C

Trust that he has abundance in store for tomorrow. Like Lamentations 3:22–23 says, “for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Through the Hurt and Hard Times, Hold On to Him By Keri Eichberger Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23) I was walking through what felt like the hardest financial hardship of my life. Yet in the midst, I noticed something sweet, and actually sort of surprising. It was how well I seemed to be handling the storm. I would have a brief emotional outburst at least daily, but then I’d move on and get to work reversing the setback or just keep treading in assurance of God‘s provision and goodness always with me. I felt the strength of the Lord keeping my head and eyes above the dark water. Until the heaviness hit me. And all of a sudden, the reality of the black shadows that had steam rolled into my life like a tsunami of storm clouds, paralyzed me with grief. Sadness overtook me. I felt alone, on an island, where no one could reach me, see me, or help me. The lyrics of Lauren Daigle’s “Hold On To Me” had been playing in the background of my soul for twelve days since the unexpected blow. And now I needed to grasp these words forefront, and more than ever. Beautiful reminders to hold on to the Lord through the very hard season and moments swelling in my midst. You might be walking pretty well through a hard time like I was for a bit too. And if so, you’ll need to hang onto this message for when weariness does come for you. But, if you can relate more to an overwhelm of heaviness, you may just need to know right now that you are not alone in the hurt you are carrying. You’re not, trust me. I’m with you. But what we both really need to know more than that, is that our friend, Jesus, is with us too. Because even though there are hurting souls at every turn you take – yes everyone has something that weighs on them – no one is weathering your exact storm the exact way you are. No one totally gets it. But Jesus. He cries with you. Cries for you. Yes, he loves and adores you. And I need to remember how much he loves me too. So, let’s hold on to him. In him we will find comfort. In him we will find peace. In him we will find our strength. In him we will be redeemed and find joy again. I know how long the days drag on when sadness sweeps over your spirit and seems to dim all the lights within. But I also know that God‘s mercies are new each day. Today, the Lord just wants you to feel and receive his love. And to trust that he has abundance in store for tomorrow. Like Lamentations 3:22–23 says, “for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Intersecting Faith and Life: I understand how hard it is to hold on when you feel weakened by discouragement or despair. But, I hope today you will find encouragement in the truth of God‘s constant compassion and presence. And that you will hold on just a little tighter to him. Let’s release the pressure of feeling we have to pull our own selves up out of the pit and into the world of expectation. Let’s just hold on to him. And let him hold us. Friend, let him heal your heart today with his unconditional love. In time he will lift you up to where he wants to lead you. For now, just know you are absolutely never alone, and keep clinging to the good Lord who loves you. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Are you struggling to feel forgiven? Look to Jesus. It can be hard sometimes, to turn off the voice inside us that says we haven’t earned our forgiveness. After all, we live in a world that tries to rank and file everything, and everyone. We live in a world of merit and earning, one that says, “what goes around comes around”, “you get what you deserve” But Jesus reminds us that God’s love isn’t based on worldly principles. Jesus offers us a vision of hope and grace. You need not question your forgiveness. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: What if I don’t feel forgiven? “If you O Lord kept a record of our sins, O Lord who could stand. But with you there is forgiveness, so you are to be feared.” (Psalm 130.3-4) Forgiveness is one of the benchmarks of Christian faith. The Christian life doesn’t make a whole lot of sense if we have a faulty or unbiblical understanding of forgiveness. Forgiveness is fundamental to our faith, and one of the prime characteristics of God’s nature. Yet according to a 2018 survey by the Barna Group – close to 40% of practicing Christians don’t believe they have ever felt forgiven. There are two main reasons why someone might struggle to feel forgiven. First is they may have a faulty depiction of God. See, for a lot of people, even those who go to church, God is an angry cop in the sky who is out to catch us in our wrongs. Heaven contains a large filing cabinet containing our spiritual rap-sheet; if we step too far out of line, then the Lord will dole out some form of divine retribution. We may not even know we think that, until something unplanned or unwanted happens in our life, and our first thought is “is God punishing me?” Somewhere, there is a belief that mistakes and sins completely invalidate God’s love and grace. But scripture speaks a better word. Psalm 130 verse 3 says, “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord who could stand.” You know, scripture depicts God keeping records of all sorts of things: God keeps the number of our days, God keeps a record of all our tears, God even records the number of hairs on our head; But God does not keep a record of our sins. There is no rap-sheet that we need to try to work our way out of. We do not live our lives under the peering eye of an angry cosmic enforcer. With the Lord there is forgiveness. Forgiveness means that God radically reaches out to us in love and grace. Forgiveness means that when we come to God in faith, whatever spiritual burdens we carry, for whatever reason, are completely and eternally removed. This spiritual freedom isn’t because of anything we do, we don’t earn it or merit it, or work our way into forgiveness. Forgiveness is free, held out to us, because that is who God is. But if that is who God is, why don’t we all recognize this reality? Well, the second obstacle to feeling forgiven is ourselves. Sometimes, we think that we aren’t worthy of that forgiveness. We make the record of our sins, and because that record is longer than we would like, we actively remove ourselves from the offer of forgiveness. We all know the adage; “Forgive and forget”, but because we can’t forget, we don’t feel forgiven. Not only does the scripture make clear that it is God’s fundamental character to forgive our sins, Psalm 130 also speaks about the totality of that forgiveness. Psalm 130 concludes with ‘With the Lord there is unfailing love; and with the Lord, there is full redemption.” The forgiveness of God, rooted in God’s mercy and grace, is unfailing and full. It covers every spot or sin in our lives. And when our own hearts condemn us, we can remember that God is bigger than our hearts and will never revoke his love towards us. Intersecting faith and life The greatest examples of God’s radical and transforming forgiveness is Jesus on the cross. Jesus hung in front of the people who drove nails through his limbs, who spit upon him and mocked him. It would have been easy for Jesus to utter a word of condemnation or vengeance. But instead, in the face of all the world’s cruelty, as the world’s sin crushed him, Jesus voiced nothing but loving forgiveness. “Father forgives them.” In Jesus, fullness of forgiveness is always on display. Are you struggling to feel forgiven? Look to Jesus. It can be hard sometimes, to turn off the voice inside us that says we haven’t earned our forgiveness. After all, we live in a world that tries to rank and file everything, and everyone. We live in a world of merit and earning, one that says, “what goes around comes around”, “you get what you deserve” But Jesus reminds us that God’s love isn’t based on worldly principles. Jesus offers us a vision of hope and grace. You need not question your forgiveness. Like a Sentinel looking toward the horizon in the eager anticipation that the dawn will come just as it always does, you we can live you

Is God’s “gift” to you a difficulty, a loss, a frustration, or untreatable pain? We don't typically see those circumstances as gifts. They are more like disappointments, aggravations, or perceived rejection. But they may be gifts, nonetheless, given to grow us to a new level spiritually, or prepare us for something better to come, or even to help us see something extraordinary about God that we couldn't see before. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: The Gift in God's “No" By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer “No good thing will He withhold from those that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11 NASB) Have you ever asked God for something and He didn’t deliver? I know what that is like. And it hurts. But I've learned through the years that God's "no" often ends up being a gift greater than what I had originally asked for. Whether I was trying to get my first book published, trying to have a second child, or trying to pry open a door of opportunity, every time I received a "no" it turned out God was really saying "Wait—I have something far better than what you’ve asked for." Yet all I could see in front of me at the time was a rejection letter, another month of what I thought was unanswered prayer, or another closed door. More waiting. More disappointment. Discouragement. Hannah of the Old Testament knew that discouragement. She longed to have a baby. Yet we find twice in the first few lines of her story that the reason for Hannah's infertility was because “the Lord had closed her womb" (1 Samuel 1:5-6). Ouch! I would feel so much better if that verse gave us a reason like: “because Hannah wasn’t emotionally prepared for a baby.” Or, “because having a child would have broken Hannah’s heart.” Or even, “because Hannah could not have survived the birth of the baby,” But that verse specifically tells us that the Lord was the One withholding from Hannah the one thing she wanted most in life. And it didn’t tell us why. We'd like to think God is behind only the blessings we receive, and that He would never allow—or even arrange—difficulties to come our way. Yet that is one of the primary ways He awakens our need for Him and draws us closer to Himself. Hannah became so desperate to have a son that she poured out her heart to God in prayer, promising to give her son back to God if He were to finally give her one. It was then, after Hannah came to that place of complete surrender, that we read God's gracious, yet timely response: "And the Lord remembered her. It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son…” (1 Samuel 1:19-20). Hannah got her long-awaited son, but years later than she had anticipated. The no she had perceived from God earlier was really wait. And the wait turned out to be the best blessing of all. Hannah didn't have just any baby. She had a son named Samuel who became one of Israel's greatest prophets and priests. He not only anointed Israel's first two kings, but he helped turn the nation's heart back toward God. Hannah simply asked God for a baby. But God wanted to give her—and her son—a legacy. Hannah had a dream. But God had for her a destiny. What Hannah earlier perceived as no was a gift in terms of God's timing. God wanted to give her so much more than she asked for. So, He waited and did it in His timing, not hers. Intersecting Faith and Life Scripture tells us in Job 42:2 that God can do "all things. No plan is impossible for [Him]” Scripture also tells us in James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (NIV). So, if every gift is from God, and you're praying for something that is not arriving, God is the One who, for some reason, is deciding to withhold that gift. And, I have learned through the years that some of God's best gifts to us are the very things He decides to withhold. Is God’s “gift” to you a difficulty, a loss, a frustration, or untreatable pain? We don't typically see those circumstances as gifts. They are more like disappointments, aggravations, or perceived rejection. But they may be gifts, nonetheless, given to grow us to a new level spiritually, or prepare us for something better to come, or even to help us see something extraordinary about God that we couldn't see before. If your idea of a good thing differs from God’s right now, can you trust the wisdom in His withholding and be assured that the all-knowing, all-loving God is much more capable of managing your life than you are? God, thank You for the times You withhold Your blessings, out of a desire to bless me from another angle, or in a different way. Help me realize that the one thing I need the most—my one missing piece—is You. Further Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-20 For more on God’s wisdom in His withholding, see Cindi’s boo

The next time you feel triggered to store up food or supplies out of fear, panic, or worry, thank God for the daily bread He faithfully provides. Ask Him to calm your heart and mind in these situations and help you to turn daily to Him in faith, trusting His provision for your life. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Give Us This Day By Lynette Kittle “Give us today our daily bread”--Matthew 6:11 Y2K, COVID 2020, and end-of-the-world forecasts all invoke fearful, self-preservation, survivor thoughts, and feelings of needing to store up supplies in preparation of a coming, looming disaster. During the great toilet paper shortage of 2020, when store shelves, warehouses, and online shops were empty, people had to come up with creative replacements for it. From wet wipes to tissues to napkins, individuals found a way to make do. It was easy to get caught up in storing up more products than needed at the time just to be safe and prepared for the unexpected. But where does being prepared cross over to being fearful that leads to hoarding, greed, and selfishness? Jesus Addresses Hoarding In Luke 12:15-21, Jesus deals with this issue. “Then He said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions’” “And He told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’” “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God’” Receiving God’s Bread Daily During the Israelites 40 years in the wilderness, God taught them how to receive their daily bread, one day at a time, giving us, too, an example of how to receive His bread daily. Exodus 16:4 explains, “Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.” Like the Israelites, we may not recognize God’s provision at first glance. Exodus 16:15 describes their first reactions to the new bread. “When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.’” Exodus 16:31-32 describes what God’s heaven-sent bread looked like. “The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. Moses said, ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: “Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.’” Don’t Worry, Have Faith! Rather than compulsively store up supplies, Jesus tells us to not worry about our lives, what we’ll eat, or what we’ll wear, because life is more than food and our bodies more than clothes (Luke 12:22-23). Jesus points out how birds don’t sow or reap and have no storeroom or barn, still, God meets their needs by feeding them. He tells us that we are much more valuable to God than them, assuring us that worrying doesn’t add a single hour to our day, so why even bother to spend any time worrying? (Luke 12:24-25). Rather, Jesus said, “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you—you of little faith!” (Luke 12:27-28). As followers of Jesus, He tells us to not focus our hearts on what we’ll eat or drink, and most importantly, to not worry about them because our Father in Heaven knows what we need .Rather, God calls us to seek His kingdom first, and when we do, all these things will be provided for us (Luke 12:29-31). Intersecting Faith & Life: The next time you feel triggered to store up food or supplies out of fear, panic, or worry, thank God for the daily bread He faithfully provides. Ask Him to calm your heart and mind in these situations and help you to turn daily to Him in faith, trusting His provision for your life. Further Reading: Why Should We Pray for Our Daily Bread? https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/why-should-we-pray-for-our-daily-bread.html Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities a

God uses visions, dreams, and words to give people vision, direction, and hope for the future. What word may God be giving you to help you in your future? SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: A Prophetic Dream “In the last days, God says, I will pour my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17 “Can I talk to you?” Our daughter came to my husband and me one day and said she wanted to talk to us after church. Expecting the worst, we thought she would say something like she was walking away from God or having difficulty with someone in the church. Instead, she told us about a vision God had given her during worship in the church service. She said she felt the Lord gave her a vision of a camp where she used to work. She believed God told her to "remember the camp.” She'd previously worked at this camp as a counselor in training. She had not returned the year before because she was busy working and getting her driver's license. She felt strongly that the Lord was calling her back to become a counselor and minister to the kids at the camp over the summer. We were ecstatic. We were glad to hear that the Lord was working in her life and that he had a specific plan for her for service during the summer. She did return to the camp and came back completely transformed. Not only was she able to speak life into the kids of the camp, but she also felt the Lord spoke to her many times and used her powerfully to give morning devotions and lead worship. Although she was excited about the camp two years prior, she decided not to return to camp the year before. This decision to not return made her less enthusiastic about serving there. She would never have gone back if it hadn't been for the Lord speaking to her. Because of his vision, she went back and was used powerfully by the Lord, who was able to transform her life. After that year, she bought commentaries, studied the Word, and even started a small group with others to teach them about the Word, too. Although the above verse is given in the Book of Acts, it is a prophecy from the prophet Joel. Joel tells his prophecy to the people to encourage them that God will use younger and older people through dreams and prophetic words to impact people to believe in the Lord. The Acts Church was on fire and had manifestations of the miraculous gifts in people. People received the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues, and gave prophetic words. It was so abnormal they appeared to unbelievers like they were drunk. People of this church were accused of being intoxicated at 9:00 AM. But Peter gets up and corrects them. He reminds them that it's only 9:00 AM and that they are not drunk but that this is fulfilling the prophet Joel's words to his people. God uses prophetic words, visions, and dreams to instruct, comfort, and encourage his people. Not only are prophetic words a foretelling of the future, but they can also be a word that gives people hope and direction. These prophetic words encouraged Peter, and he used them as a word of instruction to those who had trouble believing that the people were not drunk but instead receiving the Holy Spirit. In the same way, God used the prophetic vision to encourage my daughter to return to her camp. Because of this, her life was forever changed. Not only this, but she could change other people's lives forever, too. It has been two years since that vision, and she has returned to camp. Both times, she has come back excited about what the Lord has for her in the future. At the time of this writing, she plans on going to college to begin her career in ministry. God uses visions, dreams, and words to give people vision, direction, and hope for the future. What word may God be giving you to help you in your future? God, let us take a moment to appreciate the profound way in which you communicate with us. Your words can pierce our hearts, provide correction, and offer encouragement when needed. Let us strive to listen and obey what we feel he is speaking to us. Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The way we thirst for God more is to spend more time with Him. The more we drink from the well that is His love and goodness, the more we want of it! SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Are You Thirsty for God? By Sarah Frazer O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you,as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (ESV) When my children were little, they were always thirsty. No matter how many times I filled their sippy cups, they always needed more. On those hot summer days or after an intense workout, we’ve all experienced deep thirst. Every living thing needs water to survive, but do we recognize the thirst of our souls? I’m talking about the ache we feel when life is fine on the outside, but deep inside, without our souls, we feel empty. The thirst we experience in our hearts is sometimes hard to recognize. There have been seasons in my life where I’ve been filled with so many activities, to-dos, and responsibilities that I don’t even recognize the thirst happening. My calendar fills up, and every week, I fill my days with good things like serving in church, caring for my family, and helping those in need. Sometimes, my work for God takes away from my relationship with God. If we find ourselves too busy to spend time in prayer and reading His Word, we might be too busy to even notice the thirst we have in our souls. If those things, even the good activities, were taken away, would we feel satisfied? The author of Psalm 63, David, understood that the true purpose in his life was to be filled with God. This psalm begins with this title: “A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.” Most commentaries believe this is either before David became king, (1 Samuel 23:14) or during the time later in his life when his son, Absalom, took over the kingdom. David had to flee for a brief period of time. (2 Samuel 15) Either way, David felt a thirst we often overlook in our own lives. Being in the wilderness, fearing for your life, isn’t something you and I face, but we have faced times in our lives when it seems as if everyone is against us, and we are all alone. Have you ever felt so alone that even God felt distant? I think David was feeling that when he wrote Psalm 63. The first verse reminds us that when we are all alone, we should not be seeking anything but God. David says, “earnestly I seek you…” In the King James Version, this Hebrew word is translated as “early will I seek you…” He is trying to convey the idea of seeking God first before turning to other sources of help. David says that when we face a wilderness season, it is easy to fill our lives with things, people, or activities. Instead, what our hearts should seek is God Himself. Psalm 63 goes on to describe the things about God that cause us to want to seek Him. Power and glory belong to God (Psalm 63:2), and God’s steadfast love (Psalm 63:3) is better than life itself. Anything in this world we would gain is better than God’s steadfast love. God has been his help and protection all of his life. (Psalm 63:7-8) All of these things, glory, love, and protection, give us reason to seek after God. David did not write Psalm 63 when life was easy. At the end of this chapter, we see that there were people who were seeking his life. (Psalm 63:9) They were lying about him (Psalm 63:11), but because David was seeking God, they would not triumph over him. We might not have people out to kill us, but we do have an enemy who would like to see us destroyed. (Ephesians 6:12) One of the ways he likes to attach us is to keep us busy. We cannot let our lives rush past us without being filled with God. I’ll admit sometimes, when I am facing a crisis or a period of deep sorrow and grief, the easy choice is to run to other things. Our world holds many distractions that keep us from seeing the thirst in our hearts. David recognized that the real thing his soul needed was God. There is a beautiful prayer by A. W. Tozer that says: “O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still….” Do we long for God like that? I admit that I am not thirsty for God like I should be, but we can pray for our hearts to long for Him more. The more time and attention David spent with God, both in scripture reading and prayer, the more David longed for God. The same can be said of us. The way we thirst for God more is to spend more time with Him. The more we drink from the well that is His love and goodness, the more we want of it! Intersecting Faith & Life: If your life feels too busy to hear from God, what can you

In what ways has pride gotten in the way of you embracing God’s generous grace in your life? How have you seen God use your weakness as a chance for him to display his power at work on your behalf? Is repentance a part of your daily life? Bring your failures to his feet and embrace the gracious power of forgiveness at work in your life today! SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Grace Upon Grace By: Amanda Idleman 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. The more time you spend on Earth the more aware you become of your great need for grace. We need grace upon grace to love God and love others as the Bible calls us to do. The beautiful thing about God’s kingdom is that he sees our weaknesses as an opportunity to show his great love for us. His power is made perfect when I fail! He is there for me when I am in need, when I don’t have the right answer to the problem, and the list goes on. As a biological, foster, and adoptive Mom I am learning to embrace grace in a whole new way. I am not enough for the task in front of me everyday. I am weak, I am impatient, I get tired, cranky, and I can’t always give my kids everything they need from me. I’ll be honest this reality that I am weak, that I need Jesus, and that he’s called me to a work that is more than I can handle on my own has left me feeling very discouraged. There are many days that I do not want to embrace grace. I just choose to wallow, feeling like a failure, and not trusting that God provides all that I need. My journey has highlighted one reality that when I live with pride I can’t grasp onto the grace that is always available to me through Christ. My pride says I can figure this out all on my own. It says I don’t deserve to be forgiven when I mess up. It keeps God at arms length rather than choosing to really trust that he is as good and capable as he says He is! Thankfully God’s Spirit is at work in me and he corrects my pride by gently showing me that the Bible invites me to participate in a beautiful exchange. Romans 6:14 reports, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Grace is what covers our sins and we cannot be forgiven until we ask to be forgiven. We have to participate in the opportunity we have to receive grace. We must release our sin to Him and accept his promise of forgiveness. In summary living a grace filled life starts with repentance. Many of us long-time-doing-good Christians forget that daily repentance is essential to our faith journey. I never outgrow my need for Jesus. As I mature in my faith what comes more clear is how dependent I am on his good gifts. How much my weakness is abundant and his grace makes something beautiful out of my brokenness. As we embrace repentance that grace then leads us into a relationship with our Creator. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”God does not stop at just making right our wrongs he invites us near to his throne of grace the place we can find mercy and relationship with Him. It’s in the presence of the King that we find the fruits of the Spirit. We experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Then we through the power of the Holy Spirit can embody the character of God. Grace upon grace is what we must cling to each day. When we realize this truth we can let go of some of the pressure we put on ourselves to ‘get things right.’ We can place that worry back onto Jesus and once again rely on his power to do what only he can do in our lives. I am so grateful for the great generosity of God at work in my life and your life everyday. Intersecting Faith and Life In what ways has pride gotten in the way of you embracing God’s generous grace in your life? How have you seen God use your weakness as a chance for him to display his power at work on your behalf? Is repentance a part of your daily life? Bring your failures to his feet and embrace the gracious power of forgiveness at work in your life today! Further Reading Grace Upon Grace What Grace Means This Is Amazing Grace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

One reason fear is such a common theme in the Bible is that fear is so basic to the human experience. All the way from Adam hiding in the garden to the various things we hide from today. Yet, just as commonplace as the scary things seem to be, we can make finding godly confidence commonplace too. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Saying No to Fear and Yes to God By: Aaron D’Anthony Brown “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10 The Fear That Binds Us Have you ever wanted more for someone so much that you wish you could, through some superpower, control them and guide them toward something better? A better relationship, a better job, a better future. If that’s just me, then perhaps that’s my selfishness showing. Nonetheless, I do have a relative I care for dearly, one who didn’t go back to school in January because she said college wasn’t for her. Instead, she was going to work, but here she is, eight months later, doing nothing. She’s at home day in and day out. Why? She says social anxiety holds her back. Despite being young, capable, and very talented, a fear of the unknown holds her back from a job. And worse, from a future. Whether she’s afraid of what people might say or do, I don’t know, but she doesn’t want me to criticize her. She doesn’t want criticism from anyone on the matter. I could easily look down on her behavior and the parents who enable it, and often I do, but her fear reminds me of what I encounter from others too. A fear I have experienced even within myself. For one reason or another, we all find fears to justify. We tell ourselves not to apply for certain opportunities. We decide not to have important conversations. We keep ourselves from making what would ultimately be beneficial decisions. The Bible mentions fear dozens of times from beginning to end. If you’re no stranger to Scripture, then you know that the Israelites often gave into this emotion. They thought God abandoned them, that they would succumb to their enemies, that the Lord would let them go hungry, and more. For each fear, they had what they felt were ostensibly valid reasons. Like them, we too find reasons to doubt God in our own lives. What’s crazy is that our reasons seem so real and logical to us. Yet, those who hear about the fear often disagree. The same applies when the roles are reversed. We hear someone tell us why they are afraid and we can’t help but think their perspective is limited, that they just aren’t taking into account the omnipotence of God. So, how exactly do we break free of the fear that binds us? Just as the Israelites provide an example of why we fear in the first place, we can also look at them and discover ways to break free from fear by finding confidence in God. Intersecting Faith & Life: If fear is slavery, then confidence in God brings us freedom. Here are three ways we can defeat our fears today. Defeat Fear through Prayer When we’re afraid, complaining and grumbling against God aren’t too difficult to manage. The Israelites did their fair share of complaining, too, which greatly displeased God. But let’s be honest, how often do we do the same? Instead of dwelling on the negative thoughts, we benefit ourselves and bring honor to God by choosing to pray instead. Submit yourself to Him. Seek His strength. And watch as the fear eventually fades away. Defeat Fear through Community When the Israelites constructed a golden calf to replace God, they were sinning as a community. When they chose to honor God through song, sacrifice, and ceremony, they were honoring God as a community. When we link up with other people, we can find ourselves doing bad things, worse than we would otherwise, but when we link up and our hearts and centered on God, the opposite is true. We honor Him and strive for more virtue than would be possible alone. Moreover, we find the motivation and accountability to overcome the fear that so easily ensnares us. Defeat Fear through Reminders One reason fear is such a common theme in the Bible is that fear is so basic to the human experience. All the way from Adam hiding in the garden to the various things we hide from today. Yet, just as commonplace as the scary things seem to be, we can make finding godly confidence commonplace too. We do that by giving ourselves reminders of God’s work in our lives. When the Israelites needed to be reminded of God, and when they wanted to pray, they could go to the tabernacle. We can view the church in a similar fashion, but we can also find for ourselves other reminders. Some people post Scriptures to their wall or mirror that help them overcome fears. Some people make a daily plan to read Scripture or journal The what is not as important as the

The King of Kings loved the world enough to perform demeaning tasks during His earthly ministry, serve a meal to impart spiritual truths, and ultimately sacrifice Himself. At the very least, can we not offer someone a cup of coffee or a glass of tea? Opened doors and shared meals will open hearts, lift burdens, and forge lasting friendships. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Trading Online for In-Person Relationships By: Laura Bailey “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’ " Genesis 2:18 NIV I recently listened to a talk by Sherry Turkle called Connected, But Alone, which made me think: Why do we hide behind our phones, texting instead of calling? Why do we meet people at Starbucks or Panera Bread instead of inviting them to our house? Why do we freely share opinions through our Facebook statuses but can barely manage a face-to-face conversation for more than five minutes? We are more connected than ever, but study after study shows that we are the loneliest generation. Why is this? People lack meaningful relationships, which they desperately need. People need a personal relationship with God for ultimate wholeness, but humans also need relationships, real connections, with other human beings. So if we know that God designed us to commune with others, especially to fellowship with other Believers, why do we neglect to open our hearts and homes to one another? Admittedly, I suffer from the “Martha complex.” When the hostess wants everything to be perfect for guests, she fails to enjoy the guests themselves. Time after time, I’ve told myself that one day, when I have a bigger house, more excellent furniture, or even something as silly as a good-smelling hand soap (sadly, that is a true story, but for another day), I will then invite more people over. Images of homes in magazines make me feel like my house is not “up to par,” not quite “guest-ready,” which is just a lie Satan uses to prevent us from practicing hospitality, one of the best ways to show God’s love to the lost and broken world all around us. For you, it may not be your home exactly; perhaps you are unsure about what to cook, or you fear no one will accept your invitation, or maybe you simply feel too tired to tidy up. But, friends, we have to stop making excuses because God’s Word is replete with verses that command us to be hospitable. Being in sales for nine years, almost every day, I heard the mantra, “Relationships matter.” It is vital to build trust and to connect with clients from the very first meeting. One of the best ways to do this is by eating meals together. My manager told us “to break bread” with our clients. Often. That term reminded me of Jesus breaking loaves of bread with His hands to feed the thousands gathered around Him. He understood the importance of feeding His followers both spiritually and physically. His disciples wanted to send them away, but Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Matthew 14:16 Jesus wanted to show his disciples two truths: first, He was in control of the situation, and second, feeding the crowd under those extraordinary circumstances would make a lasting impression. Reaching out to join someone for lunch or to invite someone into your home for a meal takes time, energy, and money. It’s much easier to order take-out, stream Netflix, and scroll through Facebook in your pajamas. Taking time to listen to others and be open with them reveals God's compassionate character. People see how much we care about them when we extend our arms to draw them close, ultimately demonstrating how much God values them and desires an intimate relationship with them. Our enemy wants us to put off inviting that coworker to dinner or starting a Bible study in our homes because he knows that through the Holy Spirit working in us, lost souls will come to Jesus, and hurt hearts will be healed. So, I encourage you to meet a friend for a cup of coffee, invite that new family at church over for lunch, or simply sit on your front porch (or back) with a neighbor, soaking in some rays and drinking iced tea while in good conversation. You may miss a few updates, but the time spent in one-on-one fellowship is well spent and will make you forget all about your #fomo (fear of missing out). Intersecting Faith and Life: Think for a minute. The King of Kings loved the world enough to perform demeaning tasks during His earthly ministry, serve a meal to impart spiritual truths, and ultimately sacrifice Himself. At the very least, can we not offer someone a cup of coffee or a glass of tea? Opened doors and shared meals will open hearts, lift burdens, and forge lasting friendships. Who can you invite to feel the love of Christ today? For Further Reading: 6 Ways to Rethink Biblical Hospitalit

If we are to be able to complete the good works that God has already prepared for us, we have to first walk in the understanding that we are the direct product of God’s irrefutable goodness. The Great Creator designed us. There is no question that we are valuable. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Worth More Than a Picasso By Deidre Braley Ephesians 2:10: For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. I once bought a Picasso print at Ikea. It features a handful of his famous animal sketches—single lines formed into dogs, horses, flamingoes. I liked the print well enough, but it was the fact that Picasso had done it that made me want to buy it and hang it on my wall. It’s interesting, yes? That the works of artists like Pablo Picasso are considered to be so inherently valuable—not for their content, necessarily, but rather for their creator. In truth, some of Picasso’s drawings are so simple they look like a child could have drawn them; I’m thinking now of such sketches as “Young Peasant Boy” and “Bull.” Still, they hang in museums and are universally applauded, pondered, and revered. At some point, Picasso became a household name; one with such indisputable merit that people would pay fortunes for his work. In fact, one of his paintings—“Femme à la montre”—even sold for $139 million at auction last year. Just as anything that Picasso put his hand to is considered to have intrinsic worth, so it is with us—the workmanship of God. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork…” So it is of no consequence whether the world looks at us and deems us rich in color or interesting in subject matter or worthy of a bidding war. We have been created by the greatest artist in the entire universe, and because of this fact alone, we could be scribbled on a napkin and still be worth an entire fortune. And not just that. We aren’t absent-minded doodles. The verse goes on to say that we are “...created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). We were formed with a purpose in mind. Long before this world could examine and critique and experience us—long before we were put on display—God crafted us to carry out good works. He put us into the world to make it better. Our value is undeniable. Intersecting Faith & Life It’s one thing to say we are inherently valuable; it’s another thing altogether to believe it. Often, we become so inundated with feelings of shame, inadequacy, and fear that we can hardly convince ourselves that we could be considered anything akin to art. At times like these, think back to Picasso. His art is considered valuable because it was his hand that created it—not necessarily because the content itself is perfect, stunning, or impressive. It is that way for us, too. We are God’s art, and whether we feel worthy of the acclaim or not, the fact is that we are a product of the outpouring of God’s mind, hand, and genius. It is indisputable: we are precious. And if we are to be able to complete the good works that God has already prepared for us, we have to first walk in the understanding that we are the direct product of God’s irrefutable goodness. The Great Creator designed us. There is no question that we are valuable. It is also helpful to remember this when it feels difficult to love others. When you must interact with someone who challenges you, try looking them in the eye and telling yourself, “This person is God’s handiwork. They (even they!) have good work set before them. God loves them and made them with a purpose in mind.” Watch to see how your attitude towards them softens. It is impossible to remain entirely bitter-angry-exasperated-critical when you recognize the Artist behind the creation in front of you. Further Reading Psalm 139 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

No matter what excuse we give ourselves, Jesus’ Great Commission includes His disciples today. You and I. As a pastor told me, where he sends us, He equips us. Choose to believe that. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Sharing the Gospel By Aaron D’Anthony Brown“But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” – 1 Peter 3:14-15 The Fear to Share I used to relish the fact that I didn’t even have to travel overseas to share the Gospel. That’s what a few different sermons taught me and I was grateful. In a way, I felt let off of the hook, but if I were to be honest about myself back then, I’d have to also admit that I didn’t want to share the Gospel at all. Not out of disrespect for my faith but because of a fear that sharing God’s Word would lead to problems. I grew up in a family who prayed together, but never talked about why we prayed. I’ve been around people who say that they are Christian but don’t read Scripture and are totally on board with non-Christian beliefs and values. In my mind, talking about what’s actually in the Gospel could only cause friction and who wants that? Perhaps knowing that Jesus may not want you to travel overseas gives you a sense of relief, too. But do you feel let off the hook entirely with sharing the Gospel? Hopefully not, but if so, know that Jesus’ Great Commission extends to all of His followers, including us. The same fears we have about going to a foreign land and talking about God are the same fears we feel right here at home. A fear of conflict. A fear of being ill-equipped. A fear of the unknown. The truth is we don’t know what will happen when we share and maybe we don’t know how best to share. Yet, what is just as true is that if we don’t share the Gospel at all, then the good that could have potentially occurred definitely will not. So, how exactly do we work through these fearful insecurities? Intersecting Faith & Life: Overcoming our fears isn’t easy, but the few steps we can take are simple. Know Why You Believe Ask yourself this question, “Why do I put my faith in God and His Word?” Chances are you have good reasons for believing. Some people come to the faith intellectually, others through family tradition, and some people simply have a life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit. However you got to the faith, you have chosen to continue believing. Maybe you have witnessed God’s hand at work in your life or someone else’s. Maybe you experienced a miracle. Maybe you have been convicted by God’s presence. Whatever good the Christian faith has brought you, know that the same could happen for someone else if they got to know Christ. Know What to Share Once you understand the why behind your beliefs, then comes the question of what. If you had the opportunity, what exactly would you want somebody outside of the faith to know about God, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit? Maybe you would share how much God loves them, or that the void they sense in their life could be tied to them lacking a relationship with Him. However, you choose to go about it, know that you can and should pray to God for discernment. He’ll give you direction. Get Uncomfortable One way or another, when sharing the gospel, you have to get uncomfortable. There’s no sugarcoating that reality. If you don’t already have the personality, that’s what’s bound to happen, especially if the Holy Spirit moves you to share with someone you know to be resistant or with someone you’re not close to. Whatever the case may be, realize that discomfort is normal and productive. Remember in Exodus when Moses was called by God and he felt ill-equipped because of his stutter and status? Or do you remember Paul being called to become an apostle after persecuting Christians? Imagine going from persecutor to disciple. Maybe you have a speech impediment or a background that makes you feel ashamed and unworthy. No matter what excuse we give ourselves, Jesus’ Great Commission includes His disciples today. You and I. As a pastor told me, where he sends us, He equips us. Choose to believe that. Further Reading (and Listening): Colossians 4:6 Matthew 28:18-20 “The Last Jesus” by Kirk Franklin Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Rather than looking to other people to encourage us today, let’s look to God by pursuing Him with our praise and worship, reading His word, and remembering His faithfulness. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: 3 Ways to Encourage Yourself Today By Lynette Kittle “May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word”--2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Many people have been conditioned in our culture to start their day looking at their phones and social media first thing in the morning. Sadly, the majority of postings are usually more discouraging than encouraging. Others, start their mornings reading and listening to national and international news, where the woes and chaos of the world are front-and-center, headlining the pages. Both can leave us feeling discouraged before we even set foot on the floor or out the door. So what is the answer? Where do we turn to find encouragement to start our day? 1 Samuel 30:6 describes what David did when he needed encouragement. “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.” Unlike David, too many of us are looking to others, dependent on their words, hoping and counting on them to constantly encourage us. But when encouragement doesn’t come and we feel alone, discouraged, and maybe even desperate, not knowing where to turn or what to do, we can encourage ourselves. David understood in his darkest, deepest hours, he wasn’t alone because he relied on his relationship with the Lord, knowing “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). 3 Ways to Encourage Yourself Reading through 1 & 2 Samuel and Psalms, we see how David knew how to encourage himself through focusing on his relationship with God. Through his life and words, we can learn to do the same. Following are three ways to encourage yourself today. Spend time praising and worshipping God. David’s heart longed after God, and he made time to spend with Him. In Psalm 42:2, he writes, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” David didn’t hold back when it came to expressing his love for God through worship. He is known for his over-the-top enthusiastic praise and worship of Him, 2 Samuel 6:14 describes. “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might.” As Psalm 95:2 invites, “Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.” Read the Bible. David spent time mediating on God’s word, as Psalm 119:15 describes, “I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways.” God’s word is alive and able to cut right through discouraging thoughts and feelings in our lives in a way that brings life to us. As Hebrews 4:12 explains, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Even though others’ encouraging words may come few and far between, we can rely on God’s word to refresh, renew, and restore our lives when we take it in on a daily basis. Remember God’s goodness and faithfulness. Remembering God’s faithfulness and goodness stirs our hearts to be encouraged for today and the days ahead. Psalm 27:13 reminds, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” David encouraged himself by remembering God’s goodness and faithfulness throughout the ages. “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago” (Psalm 77:11). Like David, during discouraging times, we can turn to the pages of the Bible to recall His mighty acts. As Psalm 119:90 reminds us, “Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.” As well, like Psalm 77:12 expresses, “I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds.” Intersecting Faith & Life: Rather than looking to other people to encourage us today, let’s look to God by pursuing Him with our praise and worship, reading His word, and remembering His faithfulness. Further Reading: How to Give the Encouragement You Give Others to Yourself https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-give-the-encouragement-you-give-others-to-yourself.html Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you feel freedom and security to pray honestly and continuously in your prayers with God? What holds you back from pouring out your heart to Him or coming to Him again with the same request? How can you trust in Him even if the answer is no like it was for Jesus? SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Pray Honestly and ContinuouslyWritten By: Emma Danzey Matthew 26:44 says, “So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.” Sometimes we might ask the question, “Am I allowed to pray what I really feel and think?” The truth is that God already knows our hearts and so there is no point in hiding what we are really going through from Him. However, we should recognize that our God does deserve respect and honor. We can trust Him. Jesus modeled prayer for us in multiple ways in Scripture. One particularly beautiful example is His prayers in the garden of Gethsemane before He was arrested. “So he left them and went away once more" Jesus knew that he wanted the support of His friends, but He also realized that He needed to have intimacy and space as He prayed personally to the Father. Sometimes in life we need to pray with others, but other times we need to pray alone with our God and ask others to advocate and intercede on our behalf in their own times of prayer. There is still a communal aspect of prayer, but it is also very personal to Jesus and should be to us as well. Do you try to “Get away” and pray? This might look like waking up before the kids or talking to God after they go to sleep. You might have a war room in your closet. You could have a special route you like to walk and talk to God on. You may love to pray while you commute to work. Whatever that looks like for you, or you hope it looks like in the future, keep fighting for that time to be focused in prayer. “And prayed the third time” Jesus was no stranger to the concept found in Luke 18:1-8 with the persistent widow or the concept found in Matthew 7:7-8 to keep asking and seeking. Jesus was not ashamed or afraid to go back to God and pray a third time. He knew the value in continuous intercession. Notice that we can pray consistently for others, but sometimes, we do this over our own lives. This is not selfish, this is good to put on the armor of God, to pray for direction, and to submit ourselves under Christ’s authority while sharing our greatest desires and needs. “Saying the same thing" The Bible makes it clear that Jesus repeated the same prayer to the Father. He went before Him and made His request three times and it was always the same. Matthew 26:36b says, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Why would Jesus, who knew His purpose and mission for coming to earth and knew that He had to die for our sins and would raise Himself back to life, pray this prayer? Do you also find it strange that He would be praying for the exact opposite of what He knew and had told His disciples was coming? Would that not be a waste of time? This makes us ponder our own prayers to God. Have you ever felt like what you were praying about was a waste of time? Or felt as if you were praying the same prayer over and over again? Did it seem like your words hit the ceiling instead of the ears of the Father in heaven? I believe Jesus prayed this prayer to show us that even if our outcomes are not a “yes” from the Lord, that our time spent communicating our hearts to God are significant. Prayer bonds us to God, reaffirms our trust in Him, and allows us to have a place to share about our circumstances. Even if we feel like we keep going to the Lord with the same prayer requests and the same concerns, we can remember that Jesus did this. He did not shy away from telling His heart to His Father (and He knew the outcome). There is value in prayer. Intersecting Faith and Life: Do you feel freedom and security to pray honestly and continuously in your prayers with God? What holds you back from pouring out your heart to Him or coming to Him again with the same request? How can you trust in Him even if the answer is no like it was for Jesus? Further Reading: Mark 26:36-56 Luke 22:39-53 John 18:1-12 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Taking regular breaks to focus on God’s presence is not a luxury. It’s a vital practice for your spiritual well-being. By taking breaks from your busyness, you can experience in that stillness that God is really with you right where you are! SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: How Breaks from Your Busyness Can Help You Find God By: Whitney Hopler “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” – Psalm 46:10-11, NIV In this fast-paced, constantly connected world, you can often find yourself engulfed in a whirlwind of tasks and distractions. Your schedule is packed, your to-do list is long, and finding time for rest can seem like an impossible luxury. Yet, in the middle of this busyness, God invites you to take regular breaks to focus on his presence with you. God urges you to “Be still, and know that I am God.” The command to “be still” is not just about physical rest. It’s also a call to mental and spiritual stillness. Being still involves creating moments in your day to pause, breathe, and shift your attention from your hectic schedule to notice God’s presence with you. This intentional stillness allows you to connect with God in ways that renew you spiritually. When you’re busy, it’s easy to lose sight of God’s constant presence. Your mind can be preoccupied with the demands of work, family, and other responsibilities. However, taking regular breaks to be still before God helps you to refocus. It’s in these moments of quiet reflection that you can truly come to know and experience the reality of God’s closeness. Regardless of how busy or overwhelmed you may feel, God is always with you, ready to give you peace and guidance when you ask for it. Taking breaks to pay attention to God’s presence can transform your perspective – helping you to discover the wonder of God’s work in every situation. So, imagine yourself pausing in the middle of a busy day to simply acknowledge God’s presence with you. This act of intentional focus can help you remember that you are not alone in your struggles and that God is actively involved in every part of your life. It’s a powerful reminder that God is not distant or disconnected, but intimately aware of your needs and concerns. In your moments of stillness, you can not only become more aware of God’s presence, but also of God’s protection and support. God is your fortress – your safe haven in stressful times. You can rely on God to be there for you, even in the middle of life’s chaos. Knowing that God is your fortress can give you the confidence to face your challenges with renewed courage and faith. Here are some ways to incorporate breaks into your daily routine: Schedule regular times throughout your day to pause and focus on God. These could be short breaks in the morning, midday, and evening. During your breaks, take time to thank God for his blessings and for being with you throughout your day. Use everyday activities – such as a walk, a coffee break, or a commute – as opportunities to turn your attention toward God and enjoy God’s presence with you. Reflect on God’s promises and listen for his voice. Allow God’s presence to fill you with peace and guidance. Spend a few minutes reading a Bible verse or a devotional, and then pray, asking the Holy Spirit to help you apply that wisdom to your life. Taking regular breaks to focus on God’s presence is not a luxury. It’s a vital practice for your spiritual well-being. By taking breaks from your busyness, you can experience in that stillness that God is really with you right where you are! Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider how breaks from your busyness can help you find God, reflect on these questions: How often do you take intentional breaks to focus on God during your day? What are some practical ways you can incorporate moments of stillness into your daily routine? How does recognizing God’s presence with you affect your approach to your daily responsibilities and challenges? What steps can you take to create a habit of pausing to enjoy God’s presence throughout your day? How does the assurance that God is your fortress give you confidence and peace when you’re busy? Further Reading Exodus 14:14 Isaiah 40:31 Matthew 11:28 Psalm 37:7 Philippians 4:6-7 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God loves you and He’s with you, staying by your side, and fighting this battle for you and with you! So, when life hits hard and the enemy’s attacks are relentless, go to God because He promises to be there for you. Remember, Jesus Christ has already defeated the devil and with Him, we will ultimately win! SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Holding On When You Want to Give Up By: Alexis A. Goring “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” — 1 Timothy 6:12 NIV Life can be tough for everyone. Nobody has it completely easy. And if you’re a follower of Jesus Christ then you know that you’re also in a battle, because the devil doesn’t want you to have the eternal life that Jesus offers. Often, the devil’s attacks are relentless. I know that we can become so worn down by the evil forces in this world that we feel like giving up. We might even allow ourselves to be attacked without fighting back. The Bible gives us weapons to use for this spiritual warfare and God hasn’t left us without help. But lately, I’ve realized that I haven’t been fighting as hard as I should. How often have I allowed the devil to beat me down while I stayed defenseless? It’s very easy to listen to negativity and throw yourself a pity party. But in recent years, God helped me realize that I am not defenseless; I can actively and effectively fight back! We have the power that raised Christ from the dead inside of us (Romans 8:11). Let’s exercise our authority as a Child of God and fight back with the Word of God! Ephesians 6:10-18 teaches us how to be prepared for this daily battle and to win with God on our side. It’s called putting on and activating the Armor of God: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Isn’t that a powerful promise to cling to? God has given us everything we need to defeat the enemy and to be victorious in Jesus Christ. I’ve learned to pray the Armor of God verses in the Bible at the start of every day. I’ve also learned some additional and practical steps to take to overcome attacks from the enemy. Step One: Go to God. He is our Heavenly Father and stronger than Satan (our ultimate enemy). Read John 16:33. Step Two: Ask Jesus Christ, our Savior, to pray for you. Read John 17:6-26. Step Three: Listen to Gospel music and worship God in song. Read 2 Chronicles 20:22. Step Four: Read the Bible and apply Scripture to overcome your struggle. Read 1 John 4:4. Step Five: Call a Bible-believing pastor, God-fearing friend, or Christ-following family member and ask them to pray for you. Read Ephesians 6:18. Step Six: Invest in Christian faith-based counseling services. Step Seven: Change your environment by going outdoors for a walk in nature. One of my favorite Gospel music artists, Dr. Juanita Bynum, says sometimes you need to “praise your way through” dark times and spiritual attacks. Listen to her song “I Don’t Mind Waiting” for the encouragement your heart needs. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/_hEiGEfm2uE?si=q0oZLbIXGHxNqph6 Another song that illustrates my devotional points today is “Hold On, Don't Let Go” by Richard Smallwood & Vision. I encourage you to listen to it too. Here’s the link: (https://youtu.be/jmPhHNQGjK4?si=G6JBwslbssixvGu2) Remember: God loves you and He’s with you, staying by your side, and fighting this battle for you and with you! So, when life hits hard and the enemy’s attacks are relentless, go to God because He promises to be there for you. Remember, Jesus Christ has already defeated the devil and with Him, we will ultimately win! Intersecting Faith and Life: How does it feel to know that the Creator of the Universe fights for you and with you against attacks from the enemy? Further Reading: Proverbs 21:3

God used Joseph to execute integral parts of his much greater plan for humanity. And it was during the times of waiting and holding and longing for a change that he prepared Joseph to do the important work he had ahead. Joseph chose to do what he could, where he could, while he waited to see what God had for him next. He made good use of the time in between. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Working While We Wait by Deidre Braley Genesis 39:22-23: And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. I have been attached to my phone for the last ten days, refreshing my email at consistent intervals between all my daily tasks. Unload the dishwasher—check my email. Walk the dog—check my email. Kiss the kids goodnight—check my email. I’m in the querying process, which for a writer means the period of time when you send your heart and soul and life’s work into the world and then wait to see whether anyone cares or if you should go back to your day job. When I left my career two years ago, I had my eyes set on one goal: to publish a book. I thought by now I’d be well on my way, would have something to show. But it turns out there have been a lot of slow-moving parts, like the gears on a clock moving at half-speed. How infuriating! I’ve been waiting for this email to let me know whether it’s time, finally time, to do the work I’ve been wanting to do for so long now. This holding pattern is nothing compared to what Joseph experienced, though. The son of Israel (Jacob), Joseph was his father’s favorite. As if it wasn’t already enough that his dad had given him a beautifully colored cloak, Joseph also started having dreams that his brothers and family would one day bow down before him. Ouch. His brothers decided to kill him. At the last minute, his brother Reuben stepped in with an alternate plan to try to spare his life—they’d just throw him in a pit and leave him. While Reuben was away, however, the brothers decided they might as well make some money from the whole ordeal, and sold Joseph to some Ishmaelites on their way to Egypt, instead. This could read as an incredibly cruel and frustrating tale—one in which a promising young man’s life is needlessly upended. Being sold into slavery in a foreign land sounds like the kind of holding pattern you don’t escape from. But Scripture tells us otherwise. “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master,” Genesis 39:2 says. In fact, Joseph was so respected and things went so well under his care that his master, Potiphar, put him in charge of everything he had. Later, when Potiphar’s wife wrongfully accuses Joseph of indecency, he is thrown into another holding pattern: this time, a jail cell. But just as he did after being sold to Potiphar, Joseph (with God’s help) finds favor with the keeper of the prison, who puts him in charge over everything there. And Genesis 39:23 tells us, “...whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.” Joseph is the embodiment of the old adage, “Bloom where you are planted.” It’s probably safe to assume that Joseph didn’t want to be sold to an Egyptian master, and would have preferred to spend that time otherwise. And it’s probably even safer to suggest he didn’t want to spend years of his life in a jail cell for a crime he didn’t commit. But what stands out about Joseph’s story is the way he used the time that others may consider ‘wasted.’ Rather than mope and wallow or wait for it to be over so he could just get on with his life, Joseph walked closely with God and worked at whatever was put before him with integrity and wisdom. It was his time served in Potiphar’s house and the jail cell that prepared him (though somewhat unconventionally) to eventually serve Pharoah as governor of all the land of Egypt. God used Joseph to execute integral parts of his much greater plan for humanity. And it was during the times of waiting and holding and longing for a change that he prepared Joseph to do the important work he had ahead. Joseph chose to do what he could, where he could, while he waited to see what God had for him next. He made good use of the time in between. When we find ourselves in our own holding patterns, we can look at how God was with Joseph in the waiting and be encouraged. Yes, it might be taking longer than we’d like and no, we might not understand how it’s going to result in anything of value, but our job isn’t to worry about all that. Our job is to put our hand to what’s before us with integrity and to walk with God while we do it. Whether we’re longing for career-changing news or freedom from existing commitments or

The Lord recognizes how much we long to please Him and how grieved we feel when we mess up. He sees our ongoing struggle against sin and the wounded places in our souls that cause us to react in fear and self-protection. And while He’s given us everything, in Christ and Scripture, to stand firm, whatever we face, He also understands how easily we become deceived. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: God’s Unchanging Heart for His Profoundly Imperfect People By Jennifer Slattery The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love (Psalm 103:8, NIV). Many of us have heard people talk about the Lord’s complete forgiveness and unconditional love but can expect Him to withhold both when we mess up. Most often, this stems from times in which others responded to our mistakes with some degree of emotional distance. I can relate. I struggled, for decades, to fully receive God’s grace, and sometimes still do. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I find today’s verse so beautiful. Written by David, ancient Israel’s second king, Psalm 103:8 reiterates the way God revealed Himself to a man named Moses around four hundred years prior. This occurred shortly after the Lord’s newly liberated people rebelled against Him to worship idols. Following, God told Moses that He wouldn’t accompany him and the Hebrews into the new land He’d promised them. But then He appeared to relent and in Exodus 33:15 stated, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Perhaps confused, or simply wanting to experience more of the God with whom he’d already come to converse with as a friend (Ex. 33:11), Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” One could phrase this as, “Reveal the essence of who You are.” God did, declaring Himself compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness. David likely knew how the Lord described Himself to Moses and how consistently He lived out those traits with the often faithless and rebellious Hebrew people. In today’s verse, He praised God for those same qualities. While Scripture doesn’t reveal David’s circumstances when he wrote Psalm 103, we do know from other passages that He landed in numerous situations that plunged him into despair and overwhelming fear. We also know that God faithfully cared for, protected, and defended David throughout His life. And, the Lord showed David grace when he failed as a father, a king, and chief commander over the Israelite army. In other words, David hadn’t simply learned of the Lord’s love, mercy and compassion from Scripture. He’d experienced those same traits when he’d desperately needed them. Likely reflecting on who God was and all He’d done, David began his prose with a praise that arose from his inmost being, the deepest and truest part of him. He then recounted numerous blessings God provided—forgiveness for even the worst of sins, emotional and physical healing, restoration of seemingly hopeless lives, provision, vitality, justice for the oppressed, and guidance for those who find themselves wandering about in desert places. In verse 4, we read that the God who “redeems [our] life from the pit” also “crowns [us] with love and compassion.” One might phrase this as, “He rescued us in our weakest and most helpless state and enveloped us in grace.” When the devil tries to bury me in toxic shame, I’m reminded that God’s favor toward us stems from His goodness alone, and not from anything we have or haven’t done. Because while He is the Almighty Creator of all that exists and the One who holds all authority in His powerful hands, that wasn’t how He most defined Himself to Moses, and therefore, to us. When we reflect upon who He is at His core, He doesn’t want us to think of His anger. Instead, He wants us to recognize, intellectually and from personal experience, that He is first and foremost a God of unfathomable love and grace. Expanding on this, David then drew an analogy between the Lord and caring parents (Psalm 103:13). Our heavenly Father views us with more tenderness than an attentive mother with an over-tired two-year-old and a patient dad with an emotionally dysregulated middle schooler. Because, as verse 14 states, “he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust” (NIV). In other words, He remains cognizant of our humanity. The Lord recognizes how much we long to please Him and how grieved we feel when we mess up. He sees our ongoing struggle against sin and the wounded places in our souls that cause us to react in fear and self-protection. And while He’s given us everything, in Christ and Scripture, to stand firm, whatever we face, He also understands how easily we become deceived. He has compassion for who we truly are, in all our weaknesses and sins, and responds to our greatest failures with mercy and forgiveness, rather than anger and condemnat

When we are under attack, stuck in one of Satan’s strongholds, we can break free with the help of Jesus Christ! But, as we see in the following verses, it is vital that we continually guard our minds, bathing ourselves in truth to prevent and shut down spiritual strongholds before they overtake us. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Fighting Spiritual Strongholds By: Laura Bailey “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV “I think I am stuck,” wincing as the words came out of my mouth, I waited to hear my husband’s response. “I’ll be up there in a minute,” he quickly replied. As my husband pulled up in his truck, assessing the situation, I could tell by the expression on his face that it wasn’t good. After a few minutes of trying to get the car out of the mud, he said, " You are going to need a tow truck.” I knew he was trying to control his irritation, but the truth was, I deserved it. I knew I shouldn’t have gone down that road. For the last few months, my road has been under construction. The road was blocked off just a few hundred feet from my driveway, causing us to take a 10-minute detour whenever we wanted to leave the house. Countless times in the past few weeks, I have seen cars drive around the “ road closed” barriers, so I thought I could, too. Except on this particular day, I didn’t consider that it had been raining all morning, making the clay dirt turn into a thick, gooey paste. To prevent washout, the construction team placed a large pile of gravel at the end of the path, making it impossible to get through. And the thing is, as I slowly inched my way around the barriers, I knew this wasn’t a good idea. Still, ignoring the quiet voice in my thoughts that encouraged me to turn back, I trudged ahead. At first, it wasn’t that bad, my tires quickly making their way through the mud, but when I saw the gravel barrier, I knew I was in trouble. That wasn’t the first time I’d taken that path; I’d cut through the closed-off road numerous times. Time after time, I sailed smoothly through the construction zone, avoiding the long detour; I knew it wasn’t the best decision, yet I still did it. Sitting there waiting for my husband, berating myself for my poor choices, I thought about a sermon I’d once heard about sin. The preacher said, “We dabble in sin; satan dominates.” We often convince ourselves that our sin isn’t that bad, especially compared to others. If they can do it, why can’t we? We didn’t get caught last time, so it must be okay. We try to rationalize our rebellion against God, knowing in our hearts that what we are doing is wrong. And that’s the thing about sin; typically, our little rebellion becomes more significant. The white lie morphs into a whopper. The occasional overspending leads to a snowball of debt. The innocent flirtation leads to an emotional affair. We have an enemy whose sole mission is to” kill, steal and destroy” ( John 10:10). He wants nothing more than to believe that we can control our sin, but instead, it often controls us. In our key verse, Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are fighting a spiritual battle. But they don’t fight with the flesh; they have divine power to demolish strongholds. A stronghold is a barrier; our enemy erects numerous strongholds to destroy biblical truth. As believers, we put on the armor of God, knowing that we don’t fight alone; we have the power of the Holy Spirit. When we are under attack, stuck in one of Satan’s strongholds, we can break free with the help of Jesus Christ! But, as we see in the following verses, it is vital that we continually guard our minds, bathing ourselves in truth to prevent and shut down spiritual strongholds before they overtake us. Graciously, a sister in Christ and her husband came to my aid that day. They worked for almost an hour and nearly got stuck themselves to free my car. The Lord taught me numerous lessons that day. Sin can quickly overtake us, but when we call on the name of Jesus Christ, we have the power to fight the devil’s schemes. Our Heavenly Father also gives us the gift of the body of believers. We are meant to support, lift, and pull our brothers and sisters out of sin if needed. The Lord granted me mercy that day; the situation could have been much worse. After a few days, I saw a car go around the barriers; as I quickly drove past, I prayed to the Lord for the lessons learned. Intersecting Faith and Life: Thinking about this quotation, “We dabble in sin; satan dominates,” is there an area in your life where your sin started small but has begun to take over completely? Ask the Lord for forgiveness and the power to fight this attack. Take it further; reach out to your local church or godly friend to help you overcome this spiritual

When the songwriter Asaph was going through a lonely time of feeling abandoned by God, he wrote this in Psalm 77:6 as the beginning of his mental process to convince himself God was still with him: “I remembered my songs in the night” (NIV). SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: God’s Comfort in His Songs By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer The Lord your God is in your midst—a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 CEB My daughter, Dana, was in college when she experienced her first real heartache from a relationship breakup. I had just finished speaking for a retreat out of state when I received her phone call from my hotel room. How it hurt my heart to hear her cry and to be so far away from her and unable to hug her or wipe away her tears. Dana knew God was good and that He was close, but still her heart was broken. I prayed with her on the phone and then continued to pray for her throughout the night, waking every few hours and calling on the Lord to comfort her with His presence. A couple nights later, after I was back home, she texted me from her college dorm room. She couldn’t sleep. Her heart was still hurting. In that moment, I remembered how music resonated with her like nothing else. Music had always been a huge part of her life and, at the time, she was studying to be a vocal performer. Music was often how she processed her thoughts. We all sense God’s presence in different ways. Perhaps she needed His songs. I texted her a few verses and told her to listen for her Heavenly Father singing over her. Zephaniah 3:17 gives us a beautiful description in the Old Testament of how our warrior God, who fights for our hearts, will also tenderly comfort us in our time of need. The New English Translation reads: “The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.” The New King James version translates those “shouts for joy” (which sound like a battle triumph) as a sweet love song of God’s for His beloved: “He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” “God sings over you, Dana,” I texted. “Listen for His songs.” God not only sings over us, He puts songs in our hearts to deliver us. In Psalm 32:7 (NKJV) David sang, “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.” In the Contemporary English Version, that verse reads: “You are my hiding place! You protect me from trouble, and you put songs in my heart because you have saved me.” In Job 35:10, we read God is the one who “provides us with songs in the night” (HCSB). Finally, I texted to my daughter Psalm 119:54: “No matter where I am, your teachings fill me with songs” (CEV) and Psalm 42:8: “The Lord will send His goodness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night.” Dana texted back: “I like the verses about Him giving us songs.” And with His music close to her heart, she was able to sleep. Intersecting Faith and Life: God sings over you too. He knows your broken heart, your disappointments, your feelings of loneliness when they strike. He is closer than a whisper on the nights you can’t sleep, on those days that drag on forever, and in the quiet when you feel forgotten and alone. When the songwriter Asaph was going through a lonely time of feeling abandoned by God, he wrote this in Psalm 77:6 as the beginning of his mental process to convince himself God was still with him: “I remembered my songs in the night” (NIV). Get quiet, my friend. Hush the questions going through your mind and listen. Listen for His song in the night, and His whisper of love through the breeze in the day. My prayer is that you will soon be declaring as the psalmist did: “You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 63:7 CEV). Lord, thank You for the gift of music that can comfort our souls. And thank You, too, for putting songs in our hearts—songs of comfort and songs of joy. On those days and nights when we need Your comforting presence, help us to sense You singing over us. And when those we love need Your songs, may You sing them clearly in their ears as well. For Further Reading: Psalm 77 For more on God’s comfort and care, see Cindi’s devotional book, God’s Whispers to a Woman’s Heart. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Are there moments when your life feels small? Take note of any patterns. Do you feel less than great whenever you get together with that one friend who seems to have a glamorous, exciting life? Or do you feel discontentment bubbling whenever you spend time on social media? SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: What to Remember When Your Life Feels Small by Deidre Braley Matthew 18:1-4: At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying,“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Does your life ever feel small? Mine sometimes does. Just last weekend, in fact, I had the unsettling experience of smallness at a country concert that was featuring a major artist. As the sun sank below the edge of the stadium, the crowd’s anticipation mounted. When the singer finally ran onto the stage, donning his guitar and saluting the audience, the stadium erupted. Girls clutched each other and screamed. Phone flashlights turned into constellations amongst the pulsing galaxy of people. Tens of thousands of lips moved in unison to sing the opening song together. Submerged in this world of smoke and lights and adrenaline, I had the unsettling feeling of being small. A longing began to stir deep in my belly—something like an exhilarating hunger. I suddenly wondered what it would feel like to live in this alternate reality called fame. Back at home, I knew that laundry was piled on our bedroom floor, that our toddlers would be wanting pancakes in the morning, and that the dishes would be nearly toppling in the kitchen sink. My line of work, in comparison to rocking and selling out this stadium, seemed so humdrum and un-noteworthy that I could hardly stand it. As it turns out, this hunger I was feeling—this longing to know what greatness feels like—came about long before electric guitars and jumbotrons. The disciples felt it too. One day, they even asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1) Jesus didn’t name a rockstar. He didn’t list off kings, or bible heroes, or professionals revered in their fields. Instead, he beckoned for a child to come and stand among them. “‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me…’” (Matthew 18:2-5). Earthside, we perceive greatness as notoriety and wealth, power and fanfare. It involves being or having more than someone else. But in the kingdom of heaven? Greatness looks like humility, trust, and inclusion. Greatness looks like a child, turning to the Father for everything. If we align our life’s work to what the world deems ‘great,’ then our days will be filled with striving and discontentment. We’ll be ever subjected to the fickleness of humanity. But when we align ourselves with what Jesus values—when we humble our souls and trust in the only one that is truly great—we are able to bask in an eternal greatness that gives our souls rest and contentment. So when we find ourselves caught in a pattern of discontentment, wondering when our time will come, or if anyone will ever notice us, or if our lives will ever possess that magnetic essence of greatness, let’s come back to that image of Jesus, pulling the child near and saying,“This. This is what greatness looks like in my kingdom.” Intersecting Faith & Life Are there moments when your life feels small? Take note of any patterns. Do you feel less than great whenever you get together with that one friend who seems to have a glamorous, exciting life? Or do you feel discontentment bubbling whenever you spend time on social media? Once you are able to identify when, where, or what makes you feel “small,” you can develop strategies to help you fight the lie that greatness comes from what the world hails, like fame and wealth or power and position. These strategies could include: Limiting how often you expose yourself to these people or situations.● Memorizing Scripture to pray over yourself when you’re feeling overcome withdiscontentment or inferiority. Surround yourself with others whose lives model humility and surrender to the Lord.● Finding solitude, then stopping to ask the Holy Spirit to reorient your priorities andremind you who are—and who he is. Further Reading Mark 10:35-45 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Jesus knows that on the inside, at the level of soul and spirit, we often hunger for something much deeper than physical bread. And that part of ourselves, that indescribable but ultimately recognizable part of who we are, can only be filled by a connection with the one who redeems us. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Finding The Bread of Life [Jesus said] “I am the bread of life, those who come to me will never be hungry, those who believe in me will never thirst.” (John 6:35) I once drove past a church with a large sign out front; you know the kind, the kind where you can type witty or inspiring messages for all to read. This church, however, chose a more aggressive tactic. One day the sign read “Jesus said ‘You either eat the bread of life or you’re toast!” Wait….is that, really what Jesus said? When Jesus calls himself the bread of life, was he setting up some divine criteria by which we get to judge who is right and wrong, in or out? There is a big difference between holding out an invitation to all and voicing a criterion of condemnation. When Jesus calls himself the bread of life in John chapter 6, there is no hint of judgement. And even when he says, “unless you eat the flesh of the son of man you have no life in you”, Jesus is only reinforcing his gracious invitation to all. Jesus invites the crowds around him to receive from him the life and the grace that he so freely offers. Jesus reaches out lovingly, not judgmentally. Of course, the crowds misunderstand what Jesus meant. They had previously been fed miraculously by five loaves and two fish, were hungry for more; they were hungry for miracles, and they were also physically hungry. Jesus knows this. Jesus says, “you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate and had your fill.” Simply put, Jesus proved he could give the crowd dinner, and now they want breakfast. Give us more bread, they say, and they would be satisfied. See, they thought that Jesus could only provide physical bread, and physical nourishment. They were concerned with their appetite, their bodily satiation, and their earthly life. This happens a lot. In John 4 we read about the woman at the well, who believed that living water just meant and endless flowing stream. Before we move on, let’s stop here and ask a question: is that how we treat the bread of life? Do we reduce the works of Jesus to simple actions designed to prop up our earthly existence. Do we think that the bread of life is given to us so that we can continue living our lives the way we want, pursuing what we want to pursue? What Jesus does in this passage, what Jesus always does, is invite us to enter a deeper life. Yes, Jesus can provide for our physical needs, the feeding of the 5000 proved that – but Jesus offers us more than simply propping up our earthly life. In calling himself “the bread from heaven” Jesus was inviting the crowd to enter a deeper relationship with their Lord. Jesus wanted to them, and us, to find in him the life that truly is life. Because the life that Jesus talks about, the life that he holds out for us, isn’t the life of days and weeks, it is the life of spirit and soul. Jesus offers us true life in that part of us that can’t be satiated by physical things. It is life that is in touch with our desire for hope, for love, for joy, for peace, for forgiveness and redemption. If all those things could be filled by earthly nourishment – by the physical breads of existence, then the more you eat the happier we would be. But I think we all know that’s not the case. Jesus knows that on the inside, at the level of soul and spirit, we often hunger for something much deeper than physical bread. And that part of ourselves, that indescribable but ultimately recognizable part of who we are, can only be filled by a connection with the one who redeems us. And so Jesus invites us to find in him everything our souls’ hunger for. Intersecting Faith and Life. The bread of God who comes down from heaven Jesus himself. The reason why the bread of life is eternal, the reason why we never hunger or thirst in the spiritual sense, isn’t because we have arrived at some heightened spiritual status, but because we are connected to the one who never leaves. We know that no matter what we face, the life of Jesus surrounds us and carries us. Jesus offers a love-filled invitation to come to him. Ask yourself: Is Jesus the bread of your life? As you come to physical bread daily; do you come to Jesus on a regular basis? Do you receive from him the life he offers? Do you engage with Jesus in a deep way, digesting his presence and his word at the deepest level of spirit? If we want to receive life he offers, the point is we need to take him deep -to allow Jesus to transform us into his likeness. Because Jesus is the only person who can fi

By actively pursuing God’s wonder and praising God when you find it, you can rise above your immediate concerns and experience God’s awesome presence. So, let praise raise your perspective, and enjoy how that changes your life for the better. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Let Praise Raise Your Perspective By: Whitney Hopler “He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” – Deuteronomy 10:21, NIV Life in this fallen world often feels stressful. As you manage all your different responsibilities, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Your perspective can shrink down to the level of your to-do list. If that happens, though, you can miss the bigger picture of God’s work in your life. Deuteronomy 10:21 reminds you that praising God can help you see a higher perspective. Praise can transform your perspective and bring you closer to experiencing God’s awe-inspiring presence. Praising God is much more than a religious duty. It's a powerful practice that shifts your focus from your problems to God’s greatness. When you actively praise God, your attention moves from your immediate circumstances to the wonderful ways God is working in your life. Praising God is an act of worship that directs you away from earthly concerns and toward heavenly truths. It reminds you that God is in control, and his plans are far greater than what you can humanly understand. When you praise God, you remind yourself of God’s past faithfulness and present power, which helps you trust God with your future. Awe is a profound feeling of reverence and wonder inspired by something majestic. It can transform your outlook on life, filling you with a sense of peace and purpose. When you take time to praise God, you open your heart to experience more of God’s majestic love and power. You can experience awe anytime you’re intentionally looking for God’s wonderful work around you. For example, consider a time when you stood in awe of God’s creation. Maybe you experienced a stunning sunset or enjoyed the intricate beauty of a flower. Those moments of wonder are reflections of God’s glory, because every part of creation teaches you something about your Creator. Another powerful way to feel awe is to reflect on some of the specific ways God has recently answered your prayers. You’ll find that God answered in the best ways and at the best times, doing more than you ever imagined when you first asked him to help you. Meditating on Bible passages that describe God’s wonderful qualities can also help you feel awe. Letting these truths sink into your heart helps you learn more about God and why he is worthy of your worship. Whenever you feel awe, don’t hesitate to praise God for who he is and what he is doing in your life! Starting your day with praise is a powerful way to set a positive tone. So, try to start each morning by thanking God for something you appreciate about him, or for something he has done recently. Throughout your day, take brief breaks to pause and praise God. You can do so however you like, such as by saying a silent prayer of thanks or singing a worship song. It’s possible to praise God on the go, as well – so go ahead and take a break for praise anytime and anywhere you feel inspired to do so. Keeping a praise journal can also be helpful. Regularly write down specific ways you see God working in your life. Over time, this journal will become a tangible record of God’s faithfulness. It can encourage you whenever you read it. Listening to worship music is another powerful way to infuse your day with praise. Let the lyrics of worship songs remind you of God’s awe-inspiring greatness. Allow the music to lift your mood and motivate you emotionally to praise God. By actively pursuing God’s wonder and praising God when you find it, you can rise above your immediate concerns and experience God’s awesome presence. So, let praise raise your perspective, and enjoy how that changes your life for the better. Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider how praising God goes raises your perspective, reflect on these questions: How has praising God in the past helped you gain a new perspective on a challenging situation? What is one situation you’re facing now that you could use a new perspective on? What is one way you’ve witnessed God’s wonderful work in your life recently that you can praise him for today? How can you plan to include more moments of praise in your daily routine? Further Reading Isaiah 25:1 Psalm 34:1 Psalm 150:6 Hebrews 13:15 Psalm 145:3 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The richer we are toward God, the more filled we become with all the things, like joy, peace, and soul-deep fulfillment, the foolish man thought he’d gain through storehouses of grain. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Flourishing Through Living Richly Toward God By Jennifer Slattery So is the man who stores up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:21, NASB) A few years ago, I endured a season so overwhelming, I temporarily lost hope things would get better. In my emotional gloom, I longed to quit all the activities through which I’d served Christ for nearly three decades. I wanted to find a job where I could show up, clock in and out, and perform tasks that didn’t require mental or emotional energy. But, I also strove to honor God, even in my pain, so I prayed. He directed me to the passage surrounding today’s verse. Initially, I felt frustrated, assuming He was telling me to put on my “praise face” and return to serving Him. I’ve since discovered, while He does want me to share His love through my gifts, being rich toward God goes deeper than volunteering, giving, and speaking truth. It’s about allowing His Spirit to permeate our depths and letting Him direct our steps and mold our thoughts. In short, God invited me to make much of Him, trusting Him to show me what that looked like in each moment. Trusting that He knew what I needed in each moment. Like the man who stockpiled wealth, I’d fallen into the trap of thinking I’d experience joy, security and fulfillment through our culture’s definition of life. Jesus told this parable in response to someone’s request for help with an inheritance dispute. We know from God’s interaction with two sisters in the Old Testament that He cares about fairness in these matters. We also know from numerous verses in Proverbs that He encourages us to make wise financial choices. Therefore, we can assume, Jesus was addressing another matter. Perhaps the man prioritized the family estate over relationships. Regardless, seeing his heart, Jesus told a story about someone with more wealth than he knew what to do with. After some thought, the man said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus of grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry’” (Vs. 18-19, NIV). Verse 20 states, “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’” (NIV). Jesus concluded the story with, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God” (V. 21, NIV). In other words, the man’s wealth wasn’t the problem. His obsession with it, with himself, and his complete disregard for the Lord left him spiritually bankrupt and, apparently, alone. (Otherwise, I assume God would’ve stated, in verse 20, “Then your children will get what you have prepared for yourself.”) The man stored up wealth, likely thinking this would bring him happiness, peace, security, and fulfillment. Then, he decided to mentally disengage and spend the rest of his days on a permanent vacation. He was deceived into believing he could find life in material things and momentary pleasure. I’m reminded of the contrast Jesus described in John 10:10, when He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (NIV). This tells me that whenever I move from Jesus and resist His guidance, I’m simultaneously moving toward increased dysfunction, spiritual depletion, and death. Death of relationships, of true and lasting peace and joy, of every good and perfect gift Christ died to give me, and eventually, an eternity spent separated from Him. The converse occurs as I grow closer to Him. Deepening our relationship through ongoing connection and trusting obedience, I experience “full” or as some translations phrase it, “abundant” life. In the original Greek, the word Jesus used has the connotation of something that has “excess all around,” is more than enough, and exceeds one’s expectations. This is like when someone fills a glass with refreshing ice water on a hot day and keeps pouring, so the water overflows. Intersecting Life and Faith The richer we are toward God, the more filled we become with all the things, like joy, peace, and soul-deep fulfillment, the foolish man thought he’d gain through storehouses of grain. When the devil says I’ll find happiness through an exotic vacation or expansive home, I’ll remember Jesus’ promise to give me a life that overflows. When I struggle to prioritize my relationship with God above my career or bank account, that demonstrates I don’t fully believe His promise or ability to fulfill it. I’ll then vi

If you aren’t usually a morning person, consider exploring the act of waking with the Spirit for one week. It might take a few days to get into the habit, so be patient. While Christian culture might portray a certain set of circumstances/materials as “essentials” for time with God (cue the coffee, candles, journal, and fancy pen), the truth is that the only thing that’s essential for time with God is a willingness to listen and be in his presence. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Walking (and Waking) in the Spirit by Deidre Braley Galatians 5:16-17: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. In the middle of the book of Romans, we find Paul making the world’s most relatable confession: “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (7:18-19). Poor guy. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was a parent, crying after bedtime and wishing he hadn’t lost his temper again. That’s always my shortcoming, at least. Maybe you have your own—that sin that keeps creeping into your days, hard as you try to kick it. Often referred to as a besetting sin, it’s the specific kind of brokenness that you’re especially prone to falling into—the kind that, as Hebrews 12 puts it, “clings so closely” (v.1). When the Holy Spirit comes to reside within us, we are thrown into a rather peculiar state: Our spirits desire the Kingdom of God, but our flesh desires the stuff of this world. And it’s as though the Spirit and the flesh are each holding onto one end of the same rope and then walking in opposite directions. The two want different things—and we are caught in the center of that tension. Is it any wonder that James gives such an ardent warning when he says, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” (4:4). We’re in the middle of a fleshly-spiritual battle. On any given day, the desires of the flesh could give a good hard tug on the rope and we’d go tumbling, once again, into the same brokenness Jesus came to free us from. Intersecting Faith & Life If there’s one thing I’ve discovered about this battle, it’s that my daily chances of walking with the Spirit are much better when I wake with the Spirit. On the mornings when I oversleep, our children barge into the bedroom and bombard me with requests, complaints, and noise. When I get out of bed, I am my full-flesh self: under-caffeinated, combative, and short-fused. It’s not pretty. And unless I am able to reset and spend some intentional time with the Lord, my day progresses in that fashion. I give in to the desires of my flesh—and end the day feeling an awful lot like what Paul is talking about. On my better mornings—the ones where I set my alarm and rise before everyone else—I brew a pot of coffee and tiptoe onto the back porch. I wrap up in a king-sized blanket and listen to the birds and to the crickets and to God. I feel a supernatural peace settle below my sternum, as though I have stepped into the Spirit and the Spirit has stepped into me. And when the kids wake, I am able to sing and laugh and smile. As the day goes on, I am drawn back, over and over again, into the conversation with God that began before the day did. The difference is immense. See, there is power in starting the day with God, inviting the the Spirit into every moment ahead of us. When we do this, we join the side of the Spirit in the tug of war that’s happening over our souls. We set ourselves up to walk by the Spirit for the day, rather than the flesh. James puts it this way: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8). If you aren’t usually a morning person, consider exploring the act of waking with the Spirit for one week. It might take a few days to get into the habit, so be patient. While Christian culture might portray a certain set of circumstances/materials as “essentials” for time with God (cue the coffee, candles, journal, and fancy pen), the truth is that the only thing that’s essential for time with God is a willingness to listen and be in his presence. So just allow yourself to go into this practice of “waking with the Spirit” with an openness toward experiencing him—perfectly curated environment, optional. At the end of the week, reflect on any changes you’ve noticed in your: perspective intimacy with God mood mental health overall sense of wellbeing ability to walk by the Spirit when temptations arise (especially in the area of any besetting sins) If you’ve noti

Continue to submit to Him, follow Him, and love Him. Choose to refrain from leaning on your own understanding and start leaning on God. Through studying the Bible, you will start seeing things as God sees them as well as you will understand His will better. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Is God Calling Me to Switch Careers? By Vivian Bricker “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Many people have a good idea of what they want to be after college. College prepares us for the workforce and equips us with everything we need in order to get hired. However, sometimes later in life, we want to change our career. This could be due to a change in leadership at the company where we are working or simply losing interest in the career. If you are finding yourself in a position where you feel God is calling you to switch careers, rest in the peace that this can happen. There are times when God calls us away from the field we are currently working in and wants us to move to a new career. If you feel God is leading you to switch careers, it would be wise to listen to His call. God knows what is best for us and it is good to include Him in all of our decisions. Even if we might not understand God’s direction at the time, we can trust in His goodness. He will never lead us into a bad situation. If you are afraid of leaving your current job, leave space for this fear, but also allow yourself to think about the beautiful things God has in store for you. If you are not sure God is calling you to change careers, go to Him in prayer. God hears and listens to every prayer. When you pray to Him, ask Him for His guidance and instructions. He will answer and make His paths known to you. Be specific in your prayers and do not be afraid to pray big prayers. If you are specifically asking God about a career change, ask Him clearly. By praying to God, you will be acknowledging your dependence on Him. God is ultimately in control and the more we depend on Him, the safer and calmer we will feel. We can trust God because He is fully reliable, faithful, and trustworthy. Take your prayers to Him today and ask Him to reveal His plans for your life. Intersecting Faith & Life: The best way to clearly understand God’s will and directions is by listening to Him through His Word. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” It is important for us to trust in God and lean on Him rather than our own understanding. In all our ways, we need to submit to Him and He will make our paths straight. These simple instructions from Proverbs 3:5-6 are applicable to us when we are looking for a change of career and feeling as though God is leading this desire. If we submit our ways to God and we follow His instructions, our paths will be made smooth. Focus on this truth and allow it to give your heart joy. God is going to make His will known to you. Continue to submit to Him, follow Him, and love Him. Choose to refrain from leaning on your own understanding and start leaning on God. Through studying the Bible, you will start seeing things as God sees them as well as you will understand His will better. In addition to seeking out God through prayer and Bible study, we also need to communicate and seek out confirmation from trusted believers in our life. Trusted believers will be able to help us in many ways. For one, they can pray for us and second, they can provide us with immeasurable advice, feedback, and suggestions. Schedule sometime this week to talk with a few trusted believers and listen to any thoughts they have about you changing careers. It is good to look for trusted believers who will actually tell you their thoughts. You don't need to be surrounded by advisers who will only tell you what you want to hear. This is not helpful and it can actually be extremely detrimental. Instead, choose to enlist help from trusted believers who will be discerning and thoughtful as they help you navigate this major life change. Some trusted believers might also feel God is leading you into a new career path; whereas, others might tell you this is not where God is leading. In other words, some might confirm your career change and others might tell you this is not a good move. Take special note of their thoughts and ponder each of them thoughtfully. Avoid starting arguments if they disagree with you. Instead of arguing, ask them why they feel as though God is not calling you to a new career. They could provide you with needed advice from the Bible or recently revealed answered prayers in their own life. Listen to them and value their opinions even if they

Ask God to open your eyes to the opportunities to serve and to give you the strength and wisdom to act on them. Pray earnestly for more laborers – including yourself – to be sent into God’s harvest. Your work will be worth it! SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Consumption or Contribution? By: Whitney Hopler “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” – Matthew 9:37-38, ESV In our materialistic world, we are constantly bombarded with opportunities for consumption. It’s easy to spend our valuable time on activities that bring us temporary entertainment but little lasting value – from scrolling on social media and binge-watching TV shows to shopping or eating too much. While moments of rest and recreation are important, we must guard against allowing these activities to dominate our lives and distract us from our higher calling. Jesus’ words in Matthew 9:37-38 remind us of the vast opportunities for meaningful work in God’s kingdom. The harvest is plentiful. There are countless ways we can make a positive difference in our communities, churches, and beyond. Yet, the laborers are few. Many people are caught up in consumption, missing the chance to contribute to God’s work. Just as farmers work diligently to gather their crops during harvest season before the cold sets in, we too must diligently make good use of the opportunities God places before us to reap a spiritual harvest. We have a limited window of time to plant seeds of faith, hope, and love that can help people grow spiritually. God calls us to be laborers in his harvest. This means prioritizing the work God has prepared for us over excessive consumption. When we focus on contributing rather than consuming, we fulfill God’s purposes for our lives. We become instruments of God’s love, shining God’s light into the darkness of a world in need. Consider how you spend your valuable time. Are you investing it in ways that contribute to God’s kingdom, or are you caught up in consumption? Are you using your God-given talents, or neglecting them? Seek God’s guidance to discern how he wants you to use your time – and what opportunities there are to use the distinctive talents God has given you. You may serve in your church, start a volunteer project in your community, mentor someone, or simply be present and available to those around you. Every small act of service contributes to the larger harvest. The harvest season is a time of hard work but also of great rewards and joy. As a laborer in God’s harvest, you are called to gather people into God’s kingdom and to help others grow in their faith. You can do so by sharing the Gospel and living a loving life that shows people the reality of God’s love in action. This work will not only fulfill you, but also will bring joy to your heart and to God’s heart. Imagine a field ripe for harvest but left unattended because the laborers were distracted by lesser things. The crops would wither and spoil. It would be a tragic situation of valuable opportunities lost. Likewise, when if you allow yourself to be consumed by trivial pursuits, you miss the chance to make a lasting impact for God’s kingdom. Our world is in desperate need of hope, compassion, and truth. You can help people find those treasures when you choose to contribute rather than consume. Remember that the call to be a laborer is not a burden but a privilege. God has uniquely equipped you with gifts and talents to make a difference. When you choose contribution over consumption, you step into a life of purpose and fulfillment. You become part of something much larger than yourself – God’s great plan of redemption and restoration. As you see fields being harvested, let it be a visual reminder of the spiritual harvest around you. Ask God to open your eyes to the opportunities to serve and to give you the strength and wisdom to act on them. Pray earnestly for more laborers – including yourself – to be sent into God’s harvest. Your work will be worth it! Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider how much the world needs what you can contribute as one of God’s laborers, reflect on these questions: How much time do you spend on entertainment and consumption each day compared to contributing to God’s kingdom? What specific talents and gifts has God given you that you can use to serve others? In what areas of your life do you feel God calling you to be a laborer in his harvest? How can you create a balanced schedule that allows for rest and recreation while also prioritizing meaningful contribution? What steps can you take today to shift from a mindset of consumption to one of contribution? Further Reading Ephesians 2:10 Colossians 3:23-24 Galatians 6:9 1 Peter 4:10 Romans 12:11 D

When we live through the word of God, the way he intended us to live, for him.. through him. That is when we experience true joy, and can use that joy to spread the word to the world. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Are you taking time to listen well to others before responding? How can you respond more like Jesus? Are you quick to listen to the Holy Spirit or do you jump to respond in your flesh? Pray and ask God to help you live this out. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Who Are You Listening To?Written By: Emma Danzey James 1:19 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Listening has never come naturally to me. I have grown tremendously in this skill and calling as a believer over the past couple of years especially. You can truly only build deeper friendships and invest in the next generation if you listen to them. When I was a young girl in school we would always take the dreaded end of the school year tests. I never thrived at reading comprehension since I was a slower reader and dealt with the insecurity with that. I also never performed well at the listening portion. Basically the fact that I am a professional Christian writer is only an act of God today. He can take the unlikely and use them for His glory alone. When the teacher would read the portions for us to listen and answer questions to afterwards, I would overthink, zone out and wonder what was the most important thing that I should have heard. I was so overly concerned with performing well that I missed the big picture and got hyper focused on often the wrong details. In life, we can easily do this in our walk with God. There are so many voices trying to speak into our lives and gain our attention that if we are not careful, we can turn our focus towards the wrong things and miss the voice of the Lord. Today as we break down James 1:19, may we remember that there are many opinions and thoughts in this world, but only one voice of God. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this” James begins this verse with an endearing message to his fellow believers. He calls them (and us today) brothers and sisters. His approach to the hard topic is kindness and humble care. He continues with the importance to take note of this. James wants his readers to know that what he is saying is important, so listen up! “Everyone should be quick to listen,” Everyone means all of us. James teaches us that by the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we should be quick to listen. I normally do not hear the adjective quick with listen. I feel like listening would pair more naturally with a word like patience, stop what you are doing and listen, or slow down and listen. Quick to listen reminds us that in a moment’s notice when we want to provide a knee-jerk response, we need to quickly listen. We need to be fast at doing what is unnatural to us in order to live by the Spirit and not our flesh. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do this and we need to pray to Him in moments when we need to hear what others are truly saying and also in times when God is speaking to us. We do not need to wait, but we need to have open ears and a fast response to hear our Lord just like a soldier would quickly listen to the instructions from His commanding general. Do we take the voice of the Spirit this seriously? We need to be on our guard and ready to hear Him, especially when we are trying to actively listen to others who need to hear the gospel. “Slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Where do we tend to go when we are not quick to listen? We speak too soon and often become angry. If we do not take the time to truly listen to others, we can be overly concerned with a response and an argument versus truly shepherding and caring for the other person’s heart. We see Jesus model this so many times with the Pharisees and religious leaders on this earth. He was quick to listen to them, even though often they were testing Him and questioning His authority. He did speak back to them and respond, but He was always strategic and allowed them to question Him first. Then, sometimes he did become angry, however He was slow to anger. Jesus exhibited humility, kindness, compassion, and confidence in His Father’s will and kingdom. We too can live this out in being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Intersecting Faith and Life: Are you taking time to listen well to others before responding? How can you respond more like Jesus? Are you quick to listen to the Holy Spirit or do you jump to respond in your flesh? Pray and ask God to help you live this out. Further Reading: Proverbs 18:13 Matthew 26:41 Galatians 5:17 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

You may or may not go to church looking for God's presence. You may or may not feel like you need God to reveal God's self to you in some way, but God’s presence, and God’s power define the church. The church, amid all its flaws and humanness, is like a big neon sign from the God saying, “If you want to find me, you can find me here.” Even today, the church is the house of the Lord. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Longing for the Church “My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Psalm 84:2 When you were young, did you ever find yourself giddy with excitement when going somewhere? Maybe it was a theme park, maybe it was grandma’s house, maybe it was a long trip, but internally you were fueled with joy and excitement. Like a kid before Christmas, you couldn’t fall asleep - and if you did, you dreamt of what you would do when you got there. Have you ever had that experience on your way to church? Every block you pass on your way makes your heart leap into your throat; you are filled with excitement. I am willing to be not many of us have had that experience. But this is exactly what Psalm 84 calls us to. Psalm 84 centers around a pilgrimage to the Temple. For the psalmist, there was no greater thing than approaching the house of the Lord. The joy that is felt is not because the temple was beautifully adorned. The psalmist has a divine longing to be in the temple because the temple was the dwelling place of God - and to be in the temple I was to be in God's presence. What is more, to be in God's presence was to experience the wonder of God's divine activity. Do we have a similar understanding when we step through the front doors of our local churches today? Or do we view the church only in human terms, as a place to sing religious songs, to hear scripture read, to touch base with faithful friends? If we view the church only through the lens of what we do, we might fail to recognize what God does in our midst. Because the church is the place where we gather to meet the God who created, redeemed, and sustains us. And God is present in the church. In many ways, contemporary society has lost an understanding of sacred space. Life with God has become so individualized, that we tend to downplay the importance of the church as a place of God. A common quip is 'I don't need to go to the church, I can worship God as much on the golf course as anywhere.' And that's true, but do you? Yes, God is everywhere, even the psalmists understood that, but scripture always holds that there is something special about God’s house. Psalm 84 begins 'How lovely is your dwelling place, O God;' how perfect, how wonderful, how magnificent is the place where God sets God's glory. See, for the psalmist, if God's presence was in the temple in some magnificent, unique, yet indescribable way – then there was no other place that he would rather be. We come to church to be in God's presence and to open ourselves to divine activity. Because God is not just some passive observer. God never naps in church. God is always moving, always active. Whatever the denomination, whether you meet in a building with a spire or in someone’s home, whether the church is liturgical, charismatic, this is the nature of the church that we are invited to enjoy. Intersecting faith and life Psalm 84 declares that the Lord bestows favor and honor and does not withhold good things. Are you needing good things in your life, a good resolution, a good report, a healing? Are you needing a reinvigoration of life, or a sense of protection from whatever you may be going through? It may sound odd, and it may sound countercultural, but have you tried going to church? After all, what is the church, if it is not the place where we gather to meet God's loving and grace-filled presence, and to receive good things from God’s hand. Of course, understanding God's presence and activity doesn't mean that things will turn around in a moment. Psalm 84 isn't a poem of prosperity declaring that God will make you healthy, wealthy, and glad all your days. No, life with God is a journey. The psalmist says “Blessed are the ones whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” The ones who receive God's activity are those who long to move closer to God, even when the path is ruff and the hill is steep, and even in those times that you think that the journey isn't worth it. We are called to keep reaching out to God. Because rough times never discount God's presence or activity. And through the church, God always invites us to God’s self. You may or may not go to church looking for God's presence. You may or may not feel like you need God to reveal God's self to you in some way, but God’s presence, and God’s power define the church. The church, amid all its flaws and humanness, is li

We can overcome the world and its struggles because Jesus already has. Rather than trying to take matters into our own hands, we need to trust in Him, allow Him to direct our steps, and apply His teachings into our lives. Whenever we feel without hope in our trouble or distress, we need to remember that the Lord has overcome the world and we can take heart in this promise. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Jesus Has Overcome the World By Vivian Bricker “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). If there is one thing I’m familiar with, it’s trouble. Growing up, I often found myself in the vice principal’s office for a myriad of reasons. Due to having a speech impediment when I was younger, I would often say things incorrectly, which would then be taken the wrong way. I was also notorious for coming up with different names for teachers and people at the school because I was never good with names. For example, instead of remembering Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones, or Mr. Hanks, I would make up a name for them, based on what they looked like, such as “turtle man,” “Mr. Giraffe,” and “the alien.” As one could imagine, the vice principal didn’t enjoy being called an alien. In addition to being sent to the vice principal’s office for mispronouncing words and referring to teachers by different names, I often had a hard time calming down if someone said something about my family. There was one specific girl who always tried to get me upset by saying something mean about my mom or my sister. One day, this girl made a very derogatory remark about my mother, to which I called her a few bad words that I had heard from my father. Yet again, this landed me in the vice principal’s office. “Vivian, you’re a good student. Why are you always in my office?” This is what I was asked each time I was in the vice principal’s office. I explained the situation to him and while he understood why I was upset, he told me it was never right to say bad words or to call people mean names. He validated my feelings that what she did was wrong and he would talk to her about it, but that it didn’t make it right for me to be mean back. Rather than following after anger, he cautioned me to follow after peace. I’m not sure if he knew how much his words affected me at 9-years-old, but it did change many of my future actions. When this girl would be mean to me, I would tell her that she was just mean. I didn’t go any further than that and I did my best to try to apply what the vice principal had told me. This girl was still mean to me, but I no longer fed into her cruelty. I chose to strive for peace. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Lord tells us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus tells us here that we will have trouble in this world, but we can take heart because He has overcome the world. Through the Lord, we can have peace. While we cannot fully obtain peace on our own, we can obtain peace through Jesus. Troubles will abound in our life, but we can trust in the Lord. He has already overcome the world, therefore, there is nothing for us to fear. We might cause trouble or we might be the victim of trouble, but we can take heart because of the Lord. Due to living in a fallen world, sin is ever present and we will face many difficult times. We will hurt others and they will hurt us. None of us want to hurt others, yet it is part of living in a sinful world. With this knowledge, we need to allow it to lead us to follow Jesus and strive for peace with all people. We can overcome the world and its struggles because Jesus already has. Rather than trying to take matters into our own hands, we need to trust in Him, allow Him to direct our steps, and apply His teachings into our lives. Whenever we feel without hope in our trouble or distress, we need to remember that the Lord has overcome the world and we can take heart in this promise. Challenge Questions: What does taking heart look like in your life? Are there any troubles you are facing today? How can you bring them to Jesus today? When life feels overwhelming, remember that Jesus has overcome the world. How can you praise Him for this today? “Dear Jesus, You have overcome the world! I praise You and I thank You. Please help me to remember this when trouble is at my door. I have often caused trouble for others and others have caused trouble for me. Help me to follow after Your example and to strive after peace. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When Joshua finally led the Israelites into the Promised Land, it was because of God’s powerful presence along the way. The new work you’re starting can also be successful when you trust God while you work. As you step out in faith, be encouraged that God is with you and will never leave nor forsake you. God’s presence is your strength, his promises are your hope, and his faithfulness is your assurance. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: God Goes with You By: Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer “Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’” – Deuteronomy 31:7-8, NIV September is a month of new beginnings. As summer fades into fall, many of us are considering taking on new projects and responsibilities at work, church, or community organizations. These transitions can bring a mix of excitement and apprehension, as we think about the important work God is leading us to start doing. In Deuteronomy 31:7-8, an older leader – Moses – addresses a younger leader – Joshua – in front of all Israel. Joshua is about to take on the monumental task of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. Moses encourages Joshua that God goes with him as he sets out to do what God is leading him to do. Just as Joshua faced the challenging task of leading a nation into uncharted territory, you too might be stepping into something new and unknown right now. Whether you’re starting a new job or new project at work, beginning a new volunteer role, or moving forward with another kind of new opportunity, uncertainty about the future can be stressful. However, the Bible’s assurance that God goes before you can bring you the encouragement you need. God is not only aware of your future, but he is actively involved in orchestrating every detail of it. God’s presence is not limited by time or space. God is already in your tomorrow, preparing the way and setting the stage for your success. By the time you get there, God will still be there, and God will be with you every step of the way as you do your new work. When you remember that God goes before you and with you, it relieves your stress and gives you courage. Your journey may have unexpected twists and turns, but none of them catch God by surprise. God has already mapped out your path and equipped you with everything you need to navigate it well. Moses’ encouragement to Joshua to “be strong and courageous” is a powerful reminder that your strength and courage come from your trust in God. You don’t need to worry about having what you need yourself. All you have to do is simply trust God. If you just trust God, you can be both strong and courageous. Joshua was stepping into Moses’ important yet challenging role, leading people to a vital destination while enduring complaints and rebellion. The task ahead was formidable. But Moses reminded Joshua that his confidence should be in the fact that God was going with them. In your own life, you may face situations that seem beyond your capability. You might feel inadequate, unprepared, or afraid of failure. Yet, it’s precisely in those moments that God calls you to trust him more deeply. Your strength comes from recognizing that God is with you, empowering you to fulfill good purposes. Since God is with you, you can do whatever God is leading you to do – even if you feel afraid. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward in faith despite fear, trusting that God will provide what you need every step of the way. As you step out in faith, remember that you are part of a larger story. The new beginnings you face are part of God’s larger plan for your life. Your journey may include some challenges, but God’s faithfulness ensures that God’s purposes for you will prevail. God is with you with every step you take – guiding, protecting, and providing for you. When Joshua finally led the Israelites into the Promised Land, it was because of God’s powerful presence along the way. The new work you’re starting can also be successful when you trust God while you work. As you step out in faith, be encouraged that God is with you and will never leave nor forsake you. God’s presence is your strength, his promises are your hope, and his faithfulness is your assurance. Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider how God goes with you as you step out in faith to do what God is leading you to do, reflect on these questions: What new beginnings are you facing right now? How can you remind yourself daily that God goes before you in

The purpose of fostering a Christ-like community is to share the same love God has shown us. He called us to spread the Gospel and the only effective way to do that is through community. What we must remember is that our time on this Earth is limited and so many of us don’t realize just how limited. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: How to Foster Christian Community By Aaron D’Anthony Brown“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, CSB) How We Neglect Community A lot of us have thoughts on community. What it is, what it is not, but most of us don’t know how to create community. Not exactly. We do know how to start or at least keep a few relationships. Namely our friends, close relatives. Yet, hardly ever do we venture out from within those oh-so-comfortable bubbles. Perhaps, that is why our country is more divided than during the Civil War. Perhaps that is why loneliness, especially for men, is at an all-time high. The church isn’t exactly the same as the culture, not yet, but we certainly do imitate society. And on the subject of sticking to our comfort zones, being afraid to meet new people, and avoiding those who don’t think like us, we fall right in line with the nonbelievers around us. Thus, we diminish our ability to foster community. If we are to live up to Jesus’ example, then we must recognize that creating communities happens when we make relationships with people, those with similar values like our friends, those we are familiar with like family, but also those with much less common interests. Community as Jesus created was not just the people who thought exactly as He did. Jesus knew those who loved Him, but also those were rejected by society, even the people living deep in sin. Now, to be clear, Jesus was not friends with everyone. He was clear about what was sinful and what was virtuous, and Scripture admonishes us not to be unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14). What we ought to take away then was that Jesus created community with those who were not opposed to community with Him. To be in community is to be in relationship with others. Relationships that may be deep or simplistic, but they are all intentional. As Christians we have a tendency to get excited when talking about community in the abstract, but when the opportunity comes to talk to strangers, estranged family members, people with different beliefs than us, suddenly the idea of community becomes much more difficult. However, difficulty is no excuse for inaction. Just as Jesus’ disciples learned how to interact with one another and carry on Jesus’ means of fostering community, we must do the same. Only after recognizing the ways in which we neglect community, we can then start finding ways to create it. Intersecting Faith & Life: If you genuinely want to foster community, but have not developed the skills needed to do so, then here are several practical steps you and I can take today to move in that direction. Start With Genuine Interest Many people spend more time talking about themselves as opposed to listening to another because of where their interest lies, in themselves. We can counteract this and form community by being curious about other people. Genuinely curious. Authenticity gives people a positive behavior to emulate and makes them feel more comfortable being around you. Asking Questions After curiosity comes questions, questions that help us get to know one another better. We don’t need to understand other people completely, but we should want to understand them enough. Enough to honor them and honor God, enough to make them feel like a part of the Body of Christ. Be sure to ask more than one question too. Listen to the information they provide and follow up based on the response. Listen to Understand Who can relate to the experience of sharing something personal only to be cut off by the very person who asked you the initial question? Some people listen to respond and not to understand. If we are genuinely curious about people, then we want to get to know them better. We already know our thoughts and values, but we don’t know the other person in the same detail. Look for Interaction Aside from asking questions and listening, you should aim to do stuff with people that offers other forms of engagement. Attend a social event where you will get a chance to interact with someone you know. Party games are another great way to get to know people with low stakes. Ask someone out for coffee or a walk or lunch, again, with the goal of community. Making People Feel Seen The purpose of fostering a Christ-like community is to share the same love God has shown us. He called us t

Take a moment to analyze your life. Are there any areas you realize are out of control? Are there areas that you indulge in that have become idols in your life? It is easy to have these idols creep into our lives. With God, we always hope to push those idols aside and allow ourselves not to be mastered by anything. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: “Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV As a writer, I need specific technology and equipment, including my computer. One ordinary day, I was writing several article assignments, and suddenly, the computer screen went blank. Curiously clicking keys and starting and restarting the computer, I found it would only start up to shut down and restart repeatedly. The screen went blank at that moment, and I froze in fear. I had many thoughts: what if I couldn't get my files off my computer? What if I've lost everything? What if I can't get my laptop to work? I started feeling fearful, but that fear began to overtake me. Racing thoughts and overthinking situations sometimes get the best of me. I talked it over with my husband, and he tried to reassure me that everything would be OK. He took the computer to the store, hoping to restore the files off my laptop. I had an extraordinary amount of peace. I had peace because even though I felt fear over what I had lost, I didn't want the fear to overtake me. This feeling of peace was not usual for me. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I had every reason to be fearful. I was in the middle of a project when the computer screen went black. I wondered if my computer had backed up all my files. Without it, I would have lost two years' worth of articles, book proposals, and other important documents that I could never recover. I prepared myself for the worst, thinking I had lost them all. But the computer store was able to get the computer started again, and when I checked my computer, all the files were there! I was so grateful. But I was still surprised at my unexplainable feeling of peace. In this life, we will always encounter fear. Anxiety and fear are a natural part of life. But it's our reaction to it is what God honors. Even when I feel anxious, I don’t have to give in to that fear. I can do what I can to face my fears and experience life despite my fears. When I run to God rather than run to my fear, God is glorified. In the above verse, we must understand that we have freedom in this life. We can do what we want because of Jesus’ death on the cross. However, we don't want anything to overtake us in life so much that we cannot worship God. Anything that takes over our thoughts, feelings, and actions more than it should become an idol in our lives. This verse refers to gluttony and sexual immorality. We don't want to indulge in any sinful behavior that may overtake us in the end. For example, we can certainly eat and enjoy our food. In the same way, within the proper context, sex is made to be enjoyed. However, when it is distorted, with practices such as pornography, lust, or other behaviors, or if we find ourselves lusting over dessert, our flesh has taken over. We don't have God in the proper place. When God is worshipped above all else, food and sex become behaviors that we can enjoy but don't overtake us. In this life, we hope that we cannot be mastered by anything. We can choose to do whatever we please. But when those things overtake our lives, they must be put in the proper perspective. Take a moment to analyze your life. Are there any areas you realize are out of control? Are there areas that you indulge in that have become idols in your life? It is easy to have these idols creep into our lives. With God, we always hope to push those idols aside and allow ourselves not to be mastered by anything. Father, help us not let simple behaviors overtake our thoughts, behaviors, or actions. Please help us know that you are to be first in every area of our lives. We always hope that even if everything seems out of control, you are a God who can heal and deliver us from sinful behaviors. Amen. Intersecting Faith and Life Do you struggle with fear? What steps can you take to trust God? What can you do to rid yourself of idols in your life? Further reading 2 Timothy 1:7 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Next time you wonder how a good God could allow such sorrowful moments and seasons, will you consider the beautiful blessings they also hold? Notice how those divine presents make you feel in the midst of the treacherous-at-times storms? If you look for him, look for them, you will find his continual blessings. Radiant touches of joy, heart swelling doses of love, generous infusions of peace, and invaluable portions of purpose. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: The Blessed Life With Jesus By Keri Eichberger Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. (Psalm 84:5) Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t know how they do it,” when referring to someone who doesn’t seem to place their faith in Jesus through difficult times, while they’re going through their own strenuous struggle? I have. And I’ve said it. Recently in fact. On multiple occasions. I 100% don’t think I could have survived the rough patches of my life without the Lord to lean on. Like last month, staring out the window as the paramedic lifted my dad on a stretcher into an ambulance while my family was on vacation. The site left me paralyzed with vicious waves of knock-your-breath-out fear. Weakened by the moment, I collapsed in the chair in our rental house, and all I felt I had was the Lord's name to call on, to beg for peace, mercy, and a miracle. I’m pretty sure I would’ve stopped breathing without his almighty calming hand to hold. And then there were the many days that followed – the unknowns, ups and downs, sleepless nights of worry and what ifs after Dad’s sudden stroke – that then slowly became sprinkled with blessings as I began to sturdy my gaze on the Lord. Without Jesus, the chaos of my heart, head, and surroundings would’ve missed the strength supplied through those around me, along with the peaceful reminders that my cares were being cared for. And regardless of me. Blessings. I would’ve missed so many blessings without the rock solid foundation of our good God. The Bible says, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you.” Blessed. Yes, I’m learning more and more what it means to have a blessed life. I’m learning it doesn’t necessarily mean we will live in a state of constant comfort, contentment, and happiness. Because I’m learning and understanding that quite the opposite is actually true. That this world is really hard, and it hurts. The more and more we live it, in fact. Also true, and I’ve seen this time and again, that the compounding weights we weather have the capability to crush most people unless they have eyes that see Jesus. An awareness of blessings born with, and beaming through, the burdens, tragedies, and traumas. Reflect with me for a minute. Consider some hard things you have endured or are enduring right now. Can you tie any blessings at all to those difficulties? Maybe an unpleasant, unexpected detour opened a door to a bit of goodness that would otherwise never have been. Possibly a relationship was formed or strengthened through the trial? Perhaps stronger bonds of intimacy were created with the Lord as you clung closer to him? Or you offered or received acts of service that blessed someone or gave you the sweet gift of purpose? These blessings are truly the greatest gifts. They are gifts that the world could never dare to give. This is the blessed life with Jesus. When visiting the hospital recently over my dad’s five week stay, when trying to encourage him with the good shining through his hard season, I shared how I’ve grown closer to the Lord through this difficult storm. Which is priceless. And I’ll soon let him know, now that he’s just returned home, how I’ve grown in a closer relationship and connection to my mom too. Yet another precious and priceless gift from God. Yes, God warned us of the trouble and trials to be in our time on earth, but he most certainly promised the good here, too. Aww, thank you, Lord. Intersecting Faith and Life: Next time you wonder how a good God could allow such sorrowful moments and seasons, will you consider the beautiful blessings they also hold? Notice how those divine presents make you feel in the midst of the treacherous-at-times storms? If you look for him, look for them, you will find his continual blessings. Radiant touches of joy, heart swelling doses of love, generous infusions of peace, and invaluable portions of purpose. God’s never failing faithfulness and always available abundance. The blessed life. Which only comes from a life lived close with him. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Lord sees everything we do! As believers, we don’t live for today; we have an eternal hope. For those of us alive in Christ, our eternal rewards are far greater than anything we can experience on this earth. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Finding Comfort in an Uncertain World By: Laura Bailey “Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.” Ephesians 6: 6 NIV Political tension has been high in the last few years, but recent events seem to indicate that people across parties are experiencing uncertainty and doubt in governing authorities. While it may be the first time we have experienced political unrest in our lifetime, the Bible is replete with examples of wicked leadership, divisiveness, and abuse of earthly authority. Not one to overly concern myself with the happenings in our national capital in the past, recently, I found myself gripped with fear and anxiety over the direction of leadership. When my heart begins to race, and I feel tempted to naw at my fingernails or grab the box of cookies, I’ve turned to the Scriptures for comfort. Specifically, I’ve meditated on Ephesians 6: 5-9 and the words of Paul on how we should submit to earthy authority. While this section of text speaks specifically to enslaved people, there is much we can apply to our lives today. Paul is telling enslaved people and servants the importance of obedience to the ones who are in charge of them: their masters. Paul shares three ways to obey: with respect and fear, sincerity of heart, and as if they were submitting to Jesus Christ. Paul is not advocating slavery or justifying the actions of those who enslave others, as Paul often speaks against slavery and works to free those in bondage. Remember, Paul was held in chains and jailed numerous times, encouraging us, no matter the circumstance, to live for the glory of God. Paul never let his circumstances, the countless times he was beaten, unjustly accused, or imprisoned, dampen his enthusiasm for Christ and sharing God’s love. Other texts often use the term “slave” or bondservant to describe one’s relationship with Christ. A bondservant always served with a heart’s desire to bring glory to God—not just when people were looking, not when it was advantageous for them, but when no one was around—because they knew they ultimately served the Lord. And the Lord sees everything we do! As believers, we don’t live for today; we have an eternal hope. For those of us alive in Christ, our eternal rewards are far greater than anything we can experience on this earth. As we think about this today, those in positions of authority need to take extra care and think of how they treat those they lead. Leadership shouldn’t be taken lightly, and it’s crucial that if we find ourselves in a position of authority, we continue to ask the Lord to create a clean heart, making our motives pure and our desires aligned with His will. While on earth, we make distinctions between social classes, job titles, and economic backgrounds, God makes no distinction; we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord. God is the ultimate righteous judge and requires that we live a life worthy of the gospel in whatever our authority position (or lack thereof). Abuse of authority is not to be tolerated. Instead, this relationship ( like a husband-wife) should be marked by a mutual desire to honor the Lord. I’ll be honest: this section can be hard to digest. They are, as I like to say, “ preach easy, live hard” kinds of messages. But, the key takeaway in these verses is that when we have the proper perspective, we understand that everything we do, the reason we were created, is to bring glory and honor to God. It is clinging to eternal hope in Christ that we can obey and submit to the earthly authority that the Lord places in our lives because we know that it is not human masters we serve but the Lord. Intersecting Faith and Life: As we embark on the upcoming political season, let me encourage you to find a healthy balance of media consumption. While it is important to understand current events and how they will affect our lives, remember who has the ultimate authority over your life. Be sure to start each day in Scripture and prayer. Pray for those in authority; pray that the Lord will guide their decisions. For Further Reading: Romans 13:1-6 As a Christian, How Involved Should I Be in Politics? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If we are fortunate enough to die of old age, perhaps we’ll be patiently or eagerly awaiting what is on the other side, but one thing we can do right now is have faith. God has not called us to live in fear of anything else but Him, and even that biblical fear is a reverential attitude towards the Lord. Loving, acknowledging, and trusting in His majesty. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Are You Afraid of Dying? By Aaron D’Anthony Brown“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2) The Greatest Fear I’ve been told that public speaking is a greater fear than death for most people. Perhaps that is true, but if you told someone they had to speak to a crowd or die at that very moment, my guess is that most people would stomach their discomfort and talk. They may fumble their way through the speech, but they would be alive. So many people enjoy being alive in the physical sense. But that enjoyment is fueled by a fear of what comes afterward. Does that describe you? Are you afraid of dying? I had a chat with a friend recently, and he spoke about his fear of death. Since he doesn’t believe in Christ or an afterlife, he talked about how after we die, we cease to exist. Imagine that. It’s true that most of us won’t go down in history books. The people we know and love will also eventually pass away. Any memory of us will fade. Ostensibly, we vanish into nothingness. This image of death is rather bleak, and I imagine that’s the case for anyone who doesn’t believe in something more. For them, this life is all there is. Once it’s gone, nothing awaits. However, the thoughts shared by my friend are not exactly unique. I know Christians who have been fearful of death. They avoid thinking about it as much as possible and focus on living life. Similarly, I, too, have, at different points in my existence, been afraid of death. However, God has not called us to live a life of fear. Not to death. In fact, God has given us reason not to fear death at all. Intersecting Faith & Life: Jesus conquered the grave. Perhaps the main reason believers should not fear death is the victory Jesus has claimed on our behalf. He died and was punished for our iniquities. The damnation that would have found us no longer will because of the sacrifice Christ made. If you believe in that sacrifice, then reaffirm your confidence that Christ has taken care of you. Death will find you, but Hell will not claim you. You are one of God’s children. Scripture talks about Heaven. I remember talking to my mechanic about his near-death experience. He told me that he actually did technically die, but was brought back. Before that happened, he spoke of a field that he was standing in. He said he had never felt so much peace and that he didn’t want to come back. That experience reassured him that Heaven is real. Now, I can’t advocate for believing in people who talk about coming back from the dead and recount experiences Of Heaven or Hell. Maybe some of them are telling the truth. What we can say with certainty, however, is that the Bible makes mention of Heaven a few times. We don’t get the full picture, but we definitely get hints. Jesus Himself talked about His father’s house having “many rooms.” He’s preparing a place for you and me. Maybe death will catch us by surprise, but not Jesus. God has not given you a spirit of fear. Whether you fear death, public speaking, or something else, God has not called us to live a life of fear. There’s a reason that Scripture tells us over and over again not to be afraid. Two reasons, actually. One, fear is a natural part of our sinful nature. It’s a consequence of not accepting what we can’t control or understand. The second reason is that God wants us to know that he is bigger than our fears. Any fear. We stop panicking when we start trusting. Fear the Lord, not death. If we are fortunate enough to die of old age, perhaps we’ll be patiently or eagerly awaiting what is on the other side, but one thing we can do right now is have faith. God has not called us to live in fear of anything else but Him, and even that biblical fear is a reverential attitude towards the Lord. Loving, acknowledging, and trusting in His majesty. When we do that, we realize that this life is meant to be enjoyed, but this enjoyment is but a fraction of what’s to come. Heaven is real, and it is so much greater than this life. Further Reading: Revelation 21:4 Isaiah 41:10 2 Timothy 1:7 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Ponder your own sin in light of Jesus’ healing power in your life. How can you live a life of gratitude and kindness to love those who are most avoided or forgotten like Jesus did? SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Jesus Goes to the Untouchable By: Emma Danzey Matthew 8:2-3 says, “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.” When we think about how horrific leprosy was, this poor man must have been suffering in isolation and pain. I remember back to the time of COVID when there was so much concern and distancing from those with the illness. Although it was not their fault, they were carriers of something threatening to others. They not only suffered, but many suffered alone. Leprosy was the “COVID” of Biblical times. Although less prevalent in the US, this disease is still around today. The American Academy Dermatology Association shares, “You may notice one or more of the following: Numbness in your hands or feet, fingers and thumbs curl (leaving you unable to straighten them), eye problems, eye sores, eventually blindness, and loss of a finger or toe.” This disease is very treatable today in the US, but was one of the worst diseases to catch in Biblical times. Everyone avoided you and lepers were often living in colonies on the outskirts of town. It was a challenging life. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ This man knew that his only hope was Jesus. The Messiah who had come would be his only opportunity to be healed of this awful disease. I love how this man boldly approached Christ and knelt before Him. The way that he asked Jesus, calling Him by the name Lord showed that he had faith that Jesus was God. Then, in his humble posture, he made a humble statement, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” This man acknowledged that Jesus could heal him, but he trusted that if it was God’s will then it would happen. Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. The incredible moment led Jesus to the response of touching the untouchable and telling the man that he was willing. If anyone should have been “afraid” of unclean people, it should have been Jesus, God is perfectly holy and unholy cannot be in His presence. However, this is why Jesus came, to step into our messes and our sinful states. When we surrender and declare that Jesus is Lord, He reaches out and rescues us from our sins. We are all spiritual lepers, without hope and cure, but Christ came to heal us and to restore us. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.” Jesus spoke the words to the man to be clean and this leper was no longer a leper anymore. His faith led him to freedom through Jesus. It was an immediate healing. When we accepted Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sins, we too have immediate healing from our sin. We are free. After these verses, we have the joy of reading in verse 4, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’” Jesus was not ready for others to know about Him yet. His time had not come. However, Jesus tells the man to go to the priest and present the offering for the Old Testament to be restored to the community. Jesus knew that this man was clean, but He still honored the law so that this man would be brought back and accepted into the town. Jesus restores us and then brings us into community with His church. We are called to be One in Christ with all believers. No matter how rough someone’s “sin disease” was before coming to Jesus, we are supposed to welcome them into the family of God. Intersecting Faith and Life: Ponder your own sin in light of Jesus’ healing power in your life. How can you live a life of gratitude and kindness to love those who are most avoided or forgotten like Jesus did? Further Reading: Luke 15:7 Luke 19:10 Romans 1:15-17 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Take a moment and look at your life. Do you taste and see that God is good? Do you see dire circumstances or trials as punishment by God? Or do you see them as a redirection where God is moving you into areas where you can better serve him? Do you know God is good, or do you see trials as punishment? SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Taste and See “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him (Psalm 34:8 NIV.) Because of some bad blood work results during a doctor's visit, I was informed that I needed to take control of my diet. My doctor recommended an anti-inflammatory diet, which meant no soy, gluten, or dairy. I told my husband it's called the “no fun” diet. With this news, I had to switch my mindset from having whatever I wanted to more specific foods. This caused me to go to the grocery store and be more vigilant about looking at labels and seeing what ingredients my foods contain. At first, I was sad about the change, unable to eat what I wanted or have fun, and I gave up many of my favorite foods. I adjusted to this new lifestyle and reflected on why God might do it. Reflecting and praying, I realized something: I put my worship into my food. There's nothing wrong with having things that you enjoy. Although there’s also nothing wrong with eating and enjoying food with friends while we are enjoying a fun activity, it becomes a problem when I would rather eat foods that I want and have fun that way than take charge of my health and make healthier choices so that I can live longer and serve the Lord. When I rebel and eat what I want out of convenience or preference, I make an idol out of food. At first, it felt like I was being punished, but I realized God was redirecting me to a healthier lifestyle to provide better service to him. Instead of tasting and seeing that the Lord is good, I was too busy tasting foods and allowing that desire to rule my life rather than my desire to serve the Lord. God gives us glimpses of who he is. In heaven, we will know God in full. But for the present, we may not experience him thoroughly to understand his goodness. Other things in my life that thwart my attention from experiencing God entirely are food, shopping, watching TV, etc. It hinders my ability to serve him wholeheartedly. My heart is divided between fleshly desires like eating and shopping and godly desires to serve him and see that he is good because the temporary fulfillment I find in eating and shopping fills the voids I feel when challenging circumstances cause me to become weary and tired. I must fully yield my life to him to taste and see God's whole goodness. This does not mean I can’t have fun activities like shopping or eating, but I must stop when they consume my thoughts or actions. If I have indeed tasted the Lord’s goodness, I’ll be able to stop fun activities from overtaking my life. When other things consume my life, I’ve made an idol out of them. Experiencing the Lord’s whole goodness means I can squash idol worship more easily. Take a moment and look at your life. Do you taste and see that God is good? Do you see dire circumstances or trials as punishment by God? Or do you see them as a redirection where God is moving you into areas where you can better serve him? Do you know God is good, or do you see trials as punishment? When our hearts are entirely devoted to him, we can taste and see that he is good. When our hearts are divided, we make idols in our lives that, when erected, become more difficult to knock down. Anchor yourself to the word. Read and know God intimately through the pages of the bible. Read and hear his voice regularly. Experience him as if he were your friend. Walk in step with him daily. Father, let us experience you fully. Let us taste and see that you are good. Let us see you in those moments that don't make sense for times when we feel like you are distant or punishing us. Let us know that you are always working things on our behalf. Your goodness extends every situation in our lives. Help us to see your goodness and experience that entirely in our lives. Amen. Intersecting faith and culture In what ways do you feel you have not experienced God fully? Are there things in your life where you may have erected an idol? How can you rid yourself of that idol today? Further reading 1 Corinthians 10:23 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Anything and everything we are given the ability to do, is a gift that we have the blessing to be a part of. But we should most certainly continue to call on God for direction, for what to start, and what to stop. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: God Wants Us to Let Go and Let Him By Keri Eichberger Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psalm 55:22) Bone tired. These were the first words that came to my mind this morning as I sank into my bedroom desk chair preparing to open my devotional and Bible. I quickly squeezed in fifteen minutes of prayer time to amp up my strength to face the day, then rushed off to begin knocking off my to-do list tasks. “Rush-rush” was the season of life I had found myself in. My family’s summer had made an abrupt sharp turn when my dad suffered a brain hemorrhage while we were vacationing and celebrating Mom and Dad‘s 50th wedding anniversary. Combine that with an already fully loaded three months with the kids off school, I was determined to step up my game, meet all predetermined needs, and fill-in any new additional gaps. For a few weeks, I sailed through the rough waters, seeming to settle each wave a bit as I passed through. In fact, as I reflect back, there were even a few bright rainbows amidst the storm. Reminders that God was the one doing the actual heavy lifting and that his blessings never ceased to pour out in various shapes and sizes, and at unexpected and most needed moments. But, a day quickly came that became apparent I was trying too hard to do too much. When life felt flipped upside down and I, with great honor, pride, and purpose, jumped in to serve my parents, I didn’t acknowledge my need to make sufficient life-space by letting something else loose. And, like I said, God divinely allowed me extra strength to keep all the balls in the air. But as the scales tipped from doing all things in love that were coming at me, to trying to control my whole world, I started to collapse. It’s almost as if God absolutely wanted, in his perfect grace, to gift me the ability to briefly go above and beyond, but he also absolutely never meant for me to assume all control of anything. And so I suppose he was A-OK to allow me to tire to the point of reminding me of just that. God wants us to let go and let him. How does this resonate with you? Do you feel tired right now? Are you trying to keep way too many balls in the air too? Trying to cut through the crest of one giant wave after the next in the deep dark waters of your life? It’s very possible God also wants to remind you to let go a bit. And let him do what he is already doing. Carrying and caring for all things. I’m feeling a bit convicted as I write because after zipping around town this morning to and from appointments and obligations, then returning to my two six-year-olds, yet again, zoning out on devices, I decided to take immediate control of that sore site too. No more brain rotting on my watch. Nevermind the fact that I was exhausted. Nevermind the 100% truth that God is absolutely the one who will ultimately shape my littles’ little minds. Yes, he has control of them too. But neglecting this sovereign truth, and the better choice to release control to God and rest, I forewent the pause in order to squeeze into the only one and a half hours I had to get the girls a little exercise, vitamin D, and a brain cleanse. So here I sit poolside while they splash and play device free. But hey, at least I decided to pick up my pen and a journal, which actually is quite therapeutic rest for me. So, I suppose in the best way I felt I could, I did work in and prioritize a sort of rest. But the point is this: I need to learn to pause. We all need to learn to pause. We need to let go when the overloads of life begin to wear us down. And remember God‘s already got all the things in his care. Anything and everything we are given the ability to do is a gift that we have the blessing to be a part of. But we should most certainly continue to call on God for direction, for what to start, and what to stop. Intersecting Faith and Life: Consider something with me today. If you’re feeling bone tired like I felt this morning, will you determine with the Lord what you need to let go of a bit? Will you release it and rest in the way that he is speaking to you to rest? Because, let us not forget, our loving Lord wants you to let go and let him. He will sustain you. Today and every day. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We can have confidence that our prayers aren’t falling flat or fading away into nothingness. Like Revelation 5:8 reveals, our prayers are preserved and still at work long after they are spoken. “And when He had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer By Lynette Kittle “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”--Galatians 6:9 Each morning, my husband and I pray together for each other, family members, neighbors, friends, acquaintances, leaders, world issues, and more, depending on how God is leading us. While praying for some individuals and situations for years, at times, it can seem like we are just going through a list, day-after-day, year-after-year. Yet we keep at it, knowing God hears, listens, and answers prayer. As Psalm 66:19 assures us, “But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.” Pushing Through the Hard Times in Prayer When prayers for someone or a situation seem to go on endlessly, the enemy often tries to discourage us from praying, urging us to give up and causing us to believe God isn’t going to answer or doesn’t want to answer our pleas. As well, it seems like the more we pray for an individual or situation, the worse it gets, like it’s headed in a completely different direction than we’re praying for. During this time, it can seem like our efforts are in vain, yet we know that 1 Thessalonians 5:17 urges us to “Pray continually.” When praying seems hard at times, we can look to Daniel in the Bible, who knew how to keep pushing through difficult times of prayer. As Daniel 9:3 describes, “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” What’s Happening When Answers Aren’t Coming Through? Often, we don’t understand what’s holding up answers to our prayers or why we aren’t seeing God fulfill our requests. The book of Daniel offers insight into what may be keeping our answers at bay. Daniel had a troubling vision that led him to some serious praying, yet it seemed that with all his efforts, he wasn’t receiving an answer. Not understanding why he wasn’t receiving answers, God sent Gabriel to give Daniel insight and understanding (Daniel 9:22), saying, “As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision” (Daniel 9:23). Then, later on, seeking answers again after three weeks of mourning (Daniel 10:2-3), Daniel experienced another divine encounter. “I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like topaz, His face like lightning, His eyes like flaming torches, His arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and His voice like the sound of a multitude” (Daniel 10:5-6). “He said, ‘Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.’ And when He said this to me, I stood up trembling. Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.’” (Daniel 10:12-14). Believing God Is At Work Through Our Prayers James 5:16, emphasizes the power of prayer, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” During times of pushing through prayer, Psalm 126:5 reminds us, “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” In Luke 18:1, Jesus encouraged His disciples to always pray and not give up. Like Winston Churchill urged people on October 29, 1941, his words ring true, too, when it comes to feeling discouraged and doubtful in prayer: “This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” The devil wants us to give up and stop believing that God hears and answers our prayers. But 1 John 5:15 urges us to hold on: “And if we know that He

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Honoring our Parents Well By: Laura Bailey “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV Paul’s gift of connecting orthodoxy( doctrine) to orthopraxy ( how to apply) is one of the reasons I love the book of Ephesians. Paul informs his audience about what they believe and guides them to a deeper understanding of why that matters and how that should change how they live. The first half of Ephesians is “informational training,” and the second half is “on-the-job training.” In chapter 6, Paul shares specific ways Christians should live, applying the truths he spoke about in previous chapters. Paul outlines how we can live like Christ's followers—specifically, in these verses, in our homes. We see a brief set of instructions for children in our key verses, Ephesians 6:1-3. It’s important to note that Paul speaks to children who still live in the home and are under their parent’s authority. While the biblical principles Paul addresses, such as godly obedience, apply to children of all ages— in terms of submission and being under parental authority, these instructions aren’t directed towards the adult children/parental dynamic. Growing up in church, I often heard that God desires children to obey their parents. These verses were usually used to encourage good behavior, focusing on a child's outward actions rather than the inward heart’s motivation—which is what Paul is addressing here. Paul shares that children are to exhibit godly obedience, one that is not rooted in blind submission but in the heart’s desire to submit to the Lord and those whom the Lord places in authority over their lives. The family dynamic between parental authority and child submission is an allegory for the relationship we all should have with our Father in Heaven. Why should children obey their parents? Because it’s the right thing to do! Paul drives home the point that children following their parents' instructions isn’t just a suggestion; it’s an expectation. Yes, there will be times, countless times, when it will be difficult to submit to their leadership. Parents often give instructions, guidelines, and rules that are difficult for children to digest; they want to know why, and it’s in our human nature to rebel against authority. But Paul gave this command under the premise that parents love and protect their children and that children obey them until they live independently. Paul then speaks about honoring our fathers and mothers, which refers to the 5th commandment (Exodus 20:12), which states, "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." The fifth commandment is the first one that comes with a promise—precisely when it was first given, the promise was to the children of Israel that they would live a long, blessed life in the promised land. However, in a broader application for us today, children who respect and honor their parents will likely have an easier time in life, as obeying our parents is the cornerstone of understanding submission to authority. It’s important to note that honoring our parents doesn't guarantee that we will live to be 100 years old, be rich, or have a life of ease. Instead, the promise shows us that the Lord both commands and rewards us to respect those in authority over us. We will experience less conflict, division, and personal strife—and ultimately, we will experience our eternal reward in Heaven. Intersecting Faith and Life: Take some time and read through Ephesians chapter 6; if you can, read through the verses in different translations of the Bible. Have you ever noticed that “instructions for Christian households” come right before Paul encourages us to put on the armor of God? Why do you think this? How might a firm understanding of the first half of chapter 6 prepare us to receive Paul’s closing remarks? For Further Reading:Ephesians 6 3 Reasons for Tensions Between Adult Children and Parents Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If we follow our selfish ambition or conceit, it will lead to destruction—at breakneck speed. Jesus, on the other hand, teaches us that the road to life looks a lot more like walking, stopping, talking, and allowing ourselves to move at the speed of love. Just like vehicles have built-in governors to prevent them from driving at dangerous speeds, God gives us speed governors for our lives, too—the people we’ve been entrusted to love. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Love: The Ultimate Speed Governor By Deidre Braley Luke 8:45: And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" I am a get-it-done girl. I come by it honestly; efficiency and tenacity have been passed down through the women in my family tree, and my genes are wired in a way that makes me want to get the most things done in the least time possible. So I often feel exasperated when I’m forced to slow down. The other day, my dog and I were out for a jog, and just as my favorite song came on and I hit my stride, he was hit by an irresistible smell from a passing bush. He came to a screeching halt—and I nearly popped my shoulder out of joint. Frustrated, I tried to drag him along, but he’s a stubborn little thing, and finally I gave up and let him sniff the bush, then the grass, then the clover. I thought to myself, It’s his walk too, I guess. I haven’t adapted that easily to the interruptions of motherhood though. I wish I could say that I’m naturally the type of mother who enjoys baking with her toddlers, who welcomes the dawdling independence of a two-year-old dressing herself, or who’s content with long, sprawling days spent playing blocks and make-believe. But I am not. In truth, as a dreamer and a doer, I’ve had more moments than I care to admit when I’ve thought, If only I could just do this on my own, it would be so much faster. I could get so much more done. When I catch myself putting projects over people, though, I remind myself of the interruptibility of Jesus. In Luke 8, Jesus is on his way to Jairus’ house. His daughter is dying, and it’s urgent. But as he’s moving through the crowd and people are pressing in on him from every side, a woman who’s had an issue of bleeding for twelve years reaches out and touches the hem of his cloak. She senses that she’s been immediately healed, even without a face-to-face interaction with Jesus. Now, Jesus could have kept moving, could have left it at that. But instead, amidst the great haste and urgency of the crowd, he stops. Luke 8:45 recounts, “And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” He puts aside his agenda and stops to have a conversation with the woman in order to heal not only her body—but her spirit. While he is stopped, someone comes from Jairus’ home to announce that his daughter has died. It seems, for a moment, that Jesus’ willingness to be interrupted has had fatal consequences. But then he goes to the little girl, raises her from death, completes his mission. From Jesus, we learn that loving others is the priority—even when that loving is inefficient, inconvenient, or downright untimely. Philipians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” It’s true that living this way slows us down, and that if we were only living for ourselves, we’d probably get a lot more done. But maybe that’s exactly why God gives us people to care for: in order to slow us down, limiting our propensity to run towards selfish pursuits, which is a road to disaster. If we follow our selfish ambition or conceit, it will lead to destruction—at breakneck speed. Jesus, on the other hand, teaches us that the road to life looks a lot more like walking, stopping, talking, and allowing ourselves to move at the speed of love. Just like vehicles have built-in governors to prevent them from driving at dangerous speeds, God gives us speed governors for our lives, too—the people we’ve been entrusted to love. Intersecting Faith & Life Today, practice being interruptible. Remember: people are more important than projects or progress. This could like: Talking with the person at the cash register ringing out your groceries.● Putting your phone in another room when you’re spending time with your children.● Looking your spouse in the eyes as they tell you about their day. Noticing people throughout your day (at work, in the coffee shop, on the bus) who looklike they could use a smile, a kind word, a listening ear—and giving that to them. Further Reading Luke 8 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What would it look like for you to take it easy and to let go of your record of wrongs? Perhaps, take a second to repent and then receive God’s grace for you. He doesn’t look at you and see every mistake you’ve ever made; He looks at you and sees the righteousness of Jesus. He loves you and will continue to help you. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: How to Move Forward when Sin Keeps Returning By Kelly Balarie “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” – Prov. 29:11 NIV I feel so angry at myself, and I can’t seem to let it go. Friends, I know, I know... God forgives me, so I need to forgive myself (in fact, I must forgive myself), but sometimes forgiving oneself is more easily said than done. The issue is -- I didn’t overlook an offense and, therefore, became explosive in my tone of voice. I unleashed it on one I love. The issue is that this wasn’t the first time this had happened either. It’s embarrassing to say that I have done it a couple times in the last few years. The issue is that I had resolved not to do this, ever, and I did it again. Oh, the frustration of it all… Have you ever given full vent to your offense? It’s so easy to do. In those moments where we’re wronged or a slighted, it’s easy to feel justified to be upset. The cause is righteous so, of course, we should stand up for it, with force. We know the action is right because we’re standing up for a person. We’re standing up for God’s truth, so we have every right to not let the other person believe a lie. The need to release offense and to stand up for something – can feel so right, yet it can be executed all wrong. That’s what I’m learning, anyway. For me? In those moments before I spoke, the words brewed inside, burning to be released. Finally, the second the other party provoked me – I hit a high-pressure point! Then, like a tea kettle screeching under the heat -- I gave full-vent to my anger. What pressures you to let loose your annoyance, anger or offense?“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” - Prov. 29:11 NIV Friends, I can’t help but be confronted with the thought: Two wrongs don’t make a right. There is a way that seems right to a man but leads to death (see: Prov. 14:12). And there also a way that seems wrong to man but leads to calm in the end. In order to go the right way, we cannot permit feelings of flesh to hinder us from heeding God’s Word. And, what do you do if, much like me, all the actions you thought were right have led up to a million repeated wrongs? How do you handle the face of all your mistakes? Here, Proverbs 29:11 comes to mind again, “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” We are foolish to give vent to anger, even towards ourselves. Wisdom embraces calm and extends itself the grace of Jesus. Letting go, we can choose to take it easy. Why? Because Jesus’ grace is always enough. Because Jesus’ grace is equipping, empowering and enabling. Because Jesus’ grace is alive and well. This means, He will help us going forward. God is the Author and the Perfecter of our faith story and, best of all, our story is not over. God is still perfecting it. Here, we can take it easy on ourselves and let it go…God always has for us a fresh start in Christ Jesus. It’s time to let go… Intersecting Faith & Life: What would it look like for you to take it easy and to let go of your record of wrongs? Perhaps, take a second to repent and then receive God’s grace for you. He doesn’t look at you and see every mistake you’ve ever made; He looks at you and sees the righteousness of Jesus. He loves you and will continue to help you. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The more we yield to God’s Spirit within us, and courageously yield to His promptings, the more we experience the abundant, beyond expectations, deeply fulfilling life Christ promised. God still advances His plan. Our disobedience won’t thwart that. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Seizing God Moments, written by Jennifer Slattery “From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. “On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us” (Acts 16:12-15, NIV). When my daughter was young, my marriage and my life were a mess. My husband and I fought all the time. He held a demanding, high stress position with the railroad that often kept him away and left him exhausted when he was home. I was lonely and battling roots of shame that often caused me to react to challenges and conflict with defensiveness instead of love. We were in significant debt yet continued numbing our pain through shopping. As you can imagine, that didn’t help our relationship. At one point, things became so bad, my husband and I met with a divorce attorney, ready to end it all. But then one day, while walking through our neighborhood with my daughter in her stroller, I encountered a woman who invited me to her church. She didn’t say much more than that. I didn’t know her, had never seen her before, and never saw her since, but I did go to church the following Sunday. That church, and the people there, changed my life, saved my marriage, and helped me learn an entirely new way of living. My daughter is now 26 and a precious woman of God. She and her husband lead a small group for young adults. Praise the Lord, they both have a lovely relationship with one another and me and my husband. And I wonder, where might she be, and how might her childhood have looked different, had that woman not responded to the God moment to invite me to church? And, if she’d reached out and I’d responded with hostility or disdain? While she might’ve felt a brief sting of rejection, I doubt she would’ve carried the heavy cloak of regret. Thinking of today’s passage, and all that occurred after, provokes similar questions. Where might Lydia and her family have ended up, had she, those with her, and Paul not responded to the Holy Spirit’s prompting on the Sabbath mentioned in Acts 16? In our culture where a decreasing number of Christ followers regularly attend church, I’m struck by the fact that Lydia and those women took time to meet at the river. Let me explain the historical background. Regardless of how many God-following women occupied a city, the location needed at least ten Jewish men to form a public faith gathering. Therefore, we can reasonably assume, fewer than ten Jewish men lived in Philippi. In such cases, Jews customarily met at rivers to pray, hoping a traveling Rabbi would stop by to teach them. I don’t know how many women gathered at the river the day Paul arrived, but people would’ve considered their number insignificant. I imagine there were numerous Sabbath’s during which these women didn’t encounter a Rabbi. And on those occasions in which they did, how many Jewish leaders stopped to teach a group of women? From my perspective, this seems unlikely. Did Lydia and her companions ever consider staying home? They certainly could’ve prayed there. Yet, they were at the river, connecting with God, the day Paul, led by the Spirit, happened by. Because of this, they heard and responded to the gospel. But Lydia did more than that. She also invited Paul to her house, which scholars believe became the first Christ-following church in ancient Europe. But I’m also struck by Paul’s behavior, especially when one considers how people viewed women at this time. As I mentioned, although they considered ten Jewish men sufficient to form a synagogue, they found the number of Jewish women irrelevant. Therefore, one might expect Paul to pass them by. But he didn’t. Responding to the Holy Spirit, he seized the God moment, told them about Jesus, baptized these new believers, and accepted Lydia’s invitation to stay at her house. This became the Philippian church, which, as I mentioned in a previous devotional, became a major source of support for Paul. Intersecting Life and Faith We all encounter numerous God moments each day; divine invitations

Every night we have the choice, as our head lays down on our pillows. We can cry out to God and pour our hearts out to Him, giving Him our burdens. Or we can bottle it up and toss and turn. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: What If We Really Gave Our Burdens to God? By Sarah Frazer “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” - Psalm 55:22 (ESV) “Do you need help?” I asked the toddler struggling with the groceries. He grabbed the bag with spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, and ranch dressing. “I got it!” was the confident reply. The next thing I knew, a jar of spaghetti sauce was rolling down the driveway. My son ran after it and caught it before it broke into pieces. The bag was too heavy, but the toddler insisted that it wasn’t. He needed to let me unload that burden for him. What heaviness do you hold today that needs to be unloaded? My toddler thought that he could carry it on his own, but that bag was too much. Often we face trials and burdens in our life that we think we can handle. In fact, we look at others and think they seem to be handling the same type of burdens just fine on their own. Only in our hearts we know that we can’t hold up on the weight of the heaviness. I wonder if some of us need to admit that we need help. The world says, “You’ve got this!” and “You are enough.” This is not the way of the Bible. Our lives weren’t meant to be lived independently. That isn’t how God created us. As Christians we have something even better than doing life on our own. We have a God who is ready to carry our burdens for us. The Bible talks a lot about what to do with our burdens. The word used in Psalm 55:22 for “cast” means “throwing away.” This can mean literally throwing something out like garbage or figuratively throwing something away from us to remove something from our presence. We are called to cast or throw out those things in our lives that weigh us down. A burden can be anything in our hearts or minds that keeps us from living freely in Christ. It is a load or a task that requires effort. Throughout the Old and New Testament, God tells us what to do with our burdens. Psalm 68:19 says, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” I love the word “daily.” It assumes that we have things weighing us down each day. You and I know what it is like to release something to God one day, but then the next day, we find ourselves worried and worn down from picking it back up again. God walks with us each day. He is there to help us each time we find ourselves weighed down. In the New Testament, Jesus talks about burdens in Matthew 11:28-30. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” We still might carry the weight of something, but sharing it with Jesus allows us to not bear the thing all by ourselves. Jesus calls us here in Matthew 11 to live a life dependent on Him. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says that we can cast our anxieties on him. Other translations change the word for anxieties to worries, fears, troubles, and cares. Those things that keep us awake at night or occupy our minds during the day are anxieties. Why can we bring them to God? Peter says it is because God cares for us. He loves us. Sometimes, we ask others around us to help carry our burdens, but they get tired, too. They have their own burdens to carry. God is never tired and nor does His love ever run out. We can always come to God and hand over our cares. How do we do this? We pray. Prayer is our connection to God. He is always listening (Psalm 116:1), and He answers us (Psalm 116:2). As we pray, we tell God everything in our hearts. You might think, “But He already knows it.” Yes, but He knows that when we share those cares and hurts and burdens with Him, we are lighter. Every night we have the choice, as our head lays down on our pillows. We can cry out to God and pour our hearts out to Him, giving Him our burdens. Or we can bottle it up and toss and turn. If I try to handle things on my own, I always end up failing. But if I rely on God, letting my burdens fall on His strong shoulders, I am able to rest each night. Intersecting Faith & Life: What is the burden that you are carrying right now? Pray, asking God, to take this burden away or lighten the load. Know that God is in control and is working everything for our good (Romans 8:28). How is knowing God is in control and working all things out a comfort for you today? Further Reading: Romans 8:28-29 Isaiah 41:13 Isaiah 40:11 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Psalm 18:6 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lif

Even though God is not the one tempting us, He allows us to be tempted, as we discover through the story of Job. It’s hard for us to fully understand why God would give permission for Job to experience such sorrow, loss, and hardship. But we do see through Job’s testimony, many truths about God are revealed, and He is glorified. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation By Lynette Kittle “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”-- James 4:7 In the 1960s and 1970s, comedian Flip Wilson created a character named Geraldine, who coined the phrase “The devil made me do it,” whenever she wanted to do anything wrong. His portrayal of human nature, to blame our sins on the devil, hit home and made people laugh at the truth of it. Although, like Geraldine, many of us also like to blame the devil for our sins, James 1:14 explains, “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” Even though we try to push it off on the devil to take the fall for our misconduct, God calls us to take responsibility for it. Like James 1:15 describes, going from temptation to sin is a growing process within us. “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” If Evil Desires Lead to Temptation, How Was Jesus Able to Be Tempted? Unlike us, who have been born with sin residing within us, Jesus wasn’t led to temptation by an inward desire because He had no sin. Matthew 4:1 explains, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Although He was led by the Holy Spirit, God was not the one tempting Jesus. James 1:13 explains how, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.” Jesus shows us how to submit to God by submitting to His word, as He did when tempted. Each time the devil tempted Him by distorting the truth about God, Jesus corrected him with the truth of God’s word. Who Tempts Us? Like 1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” As Job 2:2 describes, “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.’” Even though God is not the one tempting us, He allows us to be tempted, as we discover through the story of Job. It’s hard for us to fully understand why God would give permission for Job to experience such sorrow, loss, and hardship. But we do see through Job’s testimony, many truths about God are revealed, and He is glorified. Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 3 Steps to Take It seems submitting to God is the difficult part of resisting the devil, because when we are willing to do so, the fleeing part comes easy. Following are three steps to take when facing temptations that will help us submit to God. Rely on the faithfulness of God. 1 Corinthians 10:13 encourages us that “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Don’t depend on your own strength. Some temptations may seem so strong and attractive, that it doesn’t seem humanly possible for us to resist them, which is true; if we try to depend on our own strength, we’ll surely fall into them. Like Proverbs 3:5 instructs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” We need to resist thinking that we can handle temptations on our own, because we cannot. Philippians 4:13 directs us where to turn for that strength. “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Believe that God will give you a way out. When God allows us to be tempted, He promises it doesn’t have the power to overtake us unless we let it, because He will provide a way out. In times of temptation, we can believe what God has said and turn to Him, believing what He has assured us, that He will lead us out of temptation, like Jesus prayed, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). Intersecting Faith & Life: If you’re facing temptations in your life this week, ask God to stop them from growing into sin and death, trusting Him to help you submit to Him through the three steps discussed. Further Reading: How to Overcome Temptation: 4 Ways https://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/kelly-balarie/how-to-overcome-temptation-4-ways.html Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We try to satisfy the cravings we feel in so many ways, like food, social media, over-achievement, and television. But being attuned to—and in step with—the Father is often the true sustenance our bodies, brains, and souls are starving for. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Food of the Father by Deidre Braley John 4: 31-34: Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something." But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?" "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” On the day Jesus met the Samaritan woman by the well, his disciples eventually caught up with him and—right in the middle of his salvation business—they told him to stop and eat. “Meanwhile,” John 4:31 says, “his disciples urged him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’” They’re like Italian nonnas here, saying, “Eat, eat, I tell you!” They’re being practical, of course. They want to make sure Jesus’ needs are met. He’s likely done a lot of walking in the hot sun, and it could have been a long time since he’s last eaten. Like so many of us would, they’re thinking with their stomachs! But I have always found Jesus’ response fascinating. He didn’t take their bread or grab a handful of grapes. Rather, “...he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you know nothing about’” (John 4:32). The disciples were confused. Where could it have come from? They all looked at each other, asking, “‘Could someone have brought him food?’” (John 4:33) What—and who—could be feeding Jesus? As it turns out, the food Jesus was talking about wasn’t fish or figs, or anything else of that nature. “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34). Scripture doesn’t tell us how the disciples responded, but I imagine them standing mid-bite with their jaws open, probably with crumbs stuck in their beards. A revolutionary thought, yes? That something so spiritual as obeying God’s will could satisfy a need so physical within Jesus’ body? The disciples mistakenly believed that the food Jesus needed was the stuff of this earth, when really he was seeking the substance of Heaven—the food from the Father. How often do we have the same misunderstanding about what we need most? When we experience deep cravings within ourselves, or a hunger we cannot place, we have a habit of turning to the stuff of the world: chocolate cake, Instagram, overachieving at work, or marathon sessions of our favorite TV shows. But afterward—once the sugar high has passed, the promotion has come, or the social media post stops getting likes—that craving is still there, insistent as ever. As C.S. Lewis famously said, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” Indeed. While it’s true that our bodies need fuel, this shared human hunger goes far beyond the necessity for food: it’s a void that can only be satisfied by being in touch with and obedient to the Father. Intersecting Faith & Life: We try to satisfy the cravings we feel in so many ways, like food, social media, over-achievement, and television. But being attuned to—and in step with—the Father is often the true sustenance our bodies, brains, and souls are starving for. Today, take notice of your cravings, whether it’s the desire to go on social media, overindulge, overwork, or something else altogether. Ask yourself: What prompted this craving? What is at the heart of this craving? How will my body-brain-soul feel after I indulge this craving? Now, pause and pray. Ask God: Is this craving actually pointing me to a need I have in you? What do you want me to know today, God? What do you want me to do today? Will you please show me how to satisfy this desire in a way that is holy and pleasing toyou? Further Reading: Psalm 37:4 Matthew 6:25-34 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.