The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Keri Eichberger shares a vulnerable reflection on enduring seasons of deep emotional and physical discomfort. From her father’s sudden brain hemorrhage to chronic scoliosis pain and financial strain, she wrestled with losing every worldly comfort—only to discover that the true source of peace and strength is found in God alone. Based on 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, this episode invites listeners to rethink where they turn when life unravels. ✨ Highlights: Real-life encouragement on trusting God in suffering Why worldly comfort fades but God’s comfort is eternal A reminder that God meets us in our pain, not just to rescue us, but to refine us A powerful call to seek comfort in God Himself—not just relief 💬 Join the Conversation: Have you experienced a time when everything felt like it was falling apart? We’d love to hear your story. Tag us @LifeAudioNetwork and share how God became your comfort using #FaithInTheFire. Your testimony might encourage someone else walking through the same valley. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: The Comfort We Long For By Keri Eichberger Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)  I can clearly recall a moment last fall when I said out loud, with tear-filled eyes, I feel like God keeps stripping away comfort after comfort and I don’t understand why? Starting six months back I’d endured profound emotional discomfort through my Dad’s life-altering brain hemorrhage, an unexpected and detrimental loss of financial comfort, and then the loss of my best friend’s comforting companionship at home when my husband—who after five years of working remote—was called back into the office full-time and indefinitely. I literally felt like one thread at a time the comforts of my life were beginning to unravel beneath me.  I will thankfully say, through seasons of discomfort I had learned to understand two truths. One, that God didn’t promise comfort and ease in all situations and circumstances in life. In fact, he promised the opposite. And two, I understood that in our discomfort, God wants to remind us to look to him. So, though a bit slowly and reluctantly, I took heart in my confusion of adversity knowing this was part of the refining process that would lead to the blessings of a more resilient faith.  What has caused you discomfort? Have you had moments recently, or that you can remember, when you had comforts stripped away as well? Maybe something in your home surroundings shifted unfavorably, or you experienced a painfully stretching financial strain. Maybe you’ve dealt with the onset of a health or mental struggle that caused considerable difficulty. I bet you can recount many circumstances or memories of instances where you had to sort through and handle losses of comfort in your life. Personally, what I didn’t know last fall when I started to wear thin as the comforts kept crumbling, was that there was even more in store. Because a month later my scoliosis, which had been paired with manageable pain for years, finally passed the tip of tolerable and became debilitating to the point of surgery a few short months later.  But before I began to lash out at God once again for another layer of comfort peeled from my path, something struck me. I had been seeking comfort in all the wrong places. I had been blindly looking to the world for sufficiency and security. Sure, I understood that God never promised comfort from the world, and that he wanted me to rely on him for comfort. But he does not want me to seek him for the world‘s comforts. He wants me to seek him for him. For HIS comforts. Because he IS the comfort. And he is where I began to seek more and more of my comfort. He is where I am seeking my comfort today. And he is where I hope to continue to seek it. Him, who is our true source of comfort.      Intersecting Faith and Life: Where will you choose to seek comfort? The tough truth is, inevitably our years will deteriorate and our days will continue to contain discomfort. But the good news is this: When we truly understand, not only that worldly comfort is not promised here on Earth, but also that God is our true and only comfort, that is when we begin to truly seek him alone for the comfort for which we desire. And when we wholeheartedly seek him, we will find absolutely him, along with the true, lasting comfort of the soul we are all seeking, searching, and longing for.    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-

In this relatable devotional inspired by Psalm 23:1, we're reminded that God is our shepherd—even in everyday frustrations like broken lawnmowers and unexpected expenses. When everything felt like it was falling apart, this family discovered how God provides in unexpected ways, using others to show His faithfulness. Whether you're facing financial stress, emotional weariness, or simply trying to make ends meet, this story encourages us to trust God to provide exactly what we need—right on time. ✨ Highlights: Psalm 23:1 meaning – “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” God provides, even when the need feels small. Faith in hard times – God showed up through the kindness and integrity of others. God provides in unexpected ways – A broken mower became a reminder of His perfect timing and provision. Trusting God to provide – This story is a powerful example of relying on Him, even in the little things. Rest matters to God – Our physical and emotional needs are never overlooked by our Shepherd. 💬 Join the Conversation: Have you ever experienced God’s unexpected provision? What “impossible” situation has He carried you through?Tag @lifeaudionetwork and share your story with #TrustTheShepherd—your testimony could be just what someone else needs to hear today. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Trust the Shepherd “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1 Watching my husband spend endless hours cutting the lawn with a push mower each week after two weeks’ worth of torrential downpours, I knew it was time for a change. After working long hours, he had little time left for any recreation. Having to spend hours cutting the lawn and doing yard work was cutting into what little valuable free time he had left. “I think it's time to get a riding lawn mower,” I said. My husband had owned riding lawn mowers in the past but always got them used from social media sales markets. His luck had been less than stellar when it came to finding one that lasted. As he looked online, he found one that we could afford and felt it would last. He went over to the man's home, checked the motor, checked the gas, and took it for a spin. He was so happy he wouldn't have to spend long hours cutting the grass again. That was, until he started it up the following day. After one swipe around the yard, the engine started to race. He turned it off quickly, and a puff of white smoke came out of the end. As he lifted the motor cover, he quickly discovered a crack in the motor. An hour later, I went outside to find him pushing the push mower once again. My mind started racing with the thought of how we would find another riding lawnmower. After all, we had spent a few hundred dollars on this one, only to discover that it was broken after the first day. We certainly couldn't afford to get another riding lawn mower only to find it would do the same thing. My husband sat down next to me, dejected. “Why is my luck always like that?” he asked me. I tried to comfort him, but to no avail. Why was this happening to us? I asked him to contact the gentleman who sold it to him, and he let him know the situation. He got him in touch with the man who had serviced the lawn mower last fall. Before that, the owner had put it away for the winter. They worked out a deal, and the man was able to fix the mower and the motor under warranty.  The Bible promises us that God is our good shepherd. Shepherds lead and guide their flock. They don't leave them alone, as they are unable to find food or water. He leads them to good things because he is the ultimate provider. God knew the lawn mower would break. But he also provided a man of integrity who would promise to fix it under warranty. He could have easily refused or said it was too far past the service period, but the man, compassionate over my husband’s plight, chose to do the right thing and make it right. Not only had God provided a lawnmower, but He also provided a man who would honor his work. In today's world, where we live in a “you break it, you buy it” mentality, we thought we were sunk. We felt we'd wasted hundreds of dollars on a mower only to find that we'd have to buy another one. However, God, in his ultimate provision, not only provided us with a replacement but also provided a mechanic who would do his best to fix the problem.  It seemed like an impossible situation to us, but it was no match for God. He knew the situation before it even occurred. He also knew my heart was in the right place when I asked him to buy them or save him the effort. God honored both my good intentions and my husband's need for physical rest. Not only did we get a lawnmower we could afford, but also the work to ensure it would last a l

Trusting God to Guide Us Through Painful UnknownsWhen life feels like a dark, uncertain path, Isaiah 42:16 reminds us that we are never walking it alone. In this deeply personal devotional, Jennifer Slattery shares how God restored her marriage and led her and her husband through a season of brokenness they couldn’t fix on their own. Through Scripture and raw testimony, we’re reminded that God will guide you, even when the road ahead is unfamiliar and painful. His promises hold firm—even when we can’t see what’s next. ✨ Highlights: God lights the way in darkness – Isaiah 42:16 offers hope for those feeling lost or stuck. Faith in hard times leads to spiritual healing – God doesn’t just show the way, He walks with us. Healing in marriage is possible – Even toxic patterns can be restored by divine intervention. We don’t have to have it all figured out – Trusting God through uncertainty brings peace and direction. God’s promises are personal – He meets us in our pain and leads us forward with grace. 💬 Join the Conversation: Have you ever felt blind in a season of life? How has God led you when you couldn’t see the road ahead?Tag us @lifeaudionetwork and share your story with #GuidedByHisGrace—your journey could be the light someone else needs. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Trusting God to Guide Us Through Painful Unknowns  by Jennifer Slattery I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,    along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;I will turn the darkness into light before them    and make the rough places smooth.These are the things I will do;    I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16, NIV) About five years into our marriage, my husband and I almost got divorced. Although love, strong and pure, had drawn us together, our mutual dysfunction nearly tore us apart. We didn’t actually want to end things. But neither did we want our toxic patterns to continue. The problem was, we didn’t know how to repair the mess and heal the hurt we created.  One night, while my husband was at work and our daughter asleep upstairs, I sat in our dark, silent living room, feeling so alone. Knowing what Scripture said about divorce, I concluded that the Lord wanted me to remain miserable for the rest of my life. I simply couldn’t imagine my husband’s and my relationship getting better.  Frustrated, I told the Lord, “Fine. I’ll stay, but You’ve got to do this for me, because I’m done.”  Although the prayer was more flippant than genuine, the Lord heard the unspoken cries of my heart—the pain, ache for connection, and flickering hope I’d buried in anger and “offense.” He saw the longing in our souls, the untended wounds and deception fueling our fights, and our ignorance when it came to building a healthy marriage.  We were walking blind, stumbling along a foggy, uneven road marred with potholes, boulders and detours. We needed God’s supernatural vision, His hand to remove the obstacles too heavy for us to maneuver, and His guidance for our long, difficult and uncertain journey.  In short, we needed Him to fulfill His promise recorded in today’s verse. The Lord originally spoke these comforting words, through a prophet, to the ancient Israelites during a dark period in their history. The people had rejected God to turn to idols, chose violence and oppression over integrity and love, and were seeking aid from a pagan nation rather than their ever-faithful Creator. The Lord warned them, for generations, of the judgment to come. But He also promised them forgiveness, transformation, and restoration through His “Faithful Servant”, the Messiah, His Son.  In John 8:12, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (NIV). He’s the One who illuminates every shadow lurking within our soul and who lovingly lights the path before us.  Intersecting Life and Faith The Lord knows we’re hopelessly blind. Spiritually ignorant. He also realizes we can’t correct our vision ourselves. And so, He met us in our self-destructing, deceived state to lead us to better. God Almighty remains intimately involved in the lives of His people. While He provided us with an extensive instruction manual through Scripture, He didn’t just drop a written guide on our doorsteps, dust off His hands, and say, “Job done. Now on to the next.” Instead, through Jesus, He moved toward us in the middle of our mess to show us the way out. Yes, today’s verse refers to salvation and the New Covenant Jesu

When life feels like a relentless heatwave—physically and spiritually—Psalm 23 offers more than poetic comfort; it offers divine renewal. In this devotional by Whitney Hopler, we’re reminded that God doesn’t just see our stress and exhaustion—He meets it with peace, stillness, and strength. Just like a good shepherd cares for his sheep, God refreshes your soul when you allow Him to lead you beside quiet waters. ✨ Highlights: God is your Shepherd – He provides, protects, and leads you with purpose. Spiritual renewal is available – Real rest comes not from a nap, but from God’s peace. Quiet waters = soul restoration – Make room for moments of prayer, nature, or Scripture that invite stillness. You lack nothing – Believing this frees you from stress and opens the door to lasting peace. 💬 Join the Conversation: Where do you go for rest when life feels overwhelming? How has God refreshed your soul lately?Tag us @lifeaudionetwork and share your story using #SoulRefreshedByGod so we can walk this journey together. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: God Will Refresh Your Soul By: Whitney Hopler  “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul...” – Psalm 23:1-3, NIV  The summer heat can be so relentless that it drains away my energy. Whenever I come back to my air-conditioned home after being outside during summer, I crave some refreshment, so I pour myself a cold glass of water as soon as possible. On summer evenings, I take showers in cool water for more refreshment. This physical refreshment often reminds me of another kind of refreshment I need regularly – refreshment for my soul. Just like I need to recover physically from the heat of hot weather, I need to recover spiritually from the heat of stress that accumulates in my life from lots of work and other demands.  Psalm 23 describes God as a shepherd who helps us get the rest we need, leads us beside quiet waters, and refreshes our souls. God makes it possible for us to enjoy the spiritual revival and renewal we all need.  Here’s how you can rely on God to refresh your soul:  Verse 1 says: “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” When the Lord is your shepherd, he is guiding you, protecting you, and giving you what you need. Just like a good shepherd makes sure his sheep have what they need to thrive, God makes sure you have all that’s truly important for your well-being. When you really trust that God provides for your most important needs, a strong peace starts to settle in your soul, and that peace refreshes you from the inside out.  Verse 2 points out: “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” In this busy world, it can be hard to really rest. You might take a break to sit on a couch to scroll on your phone, but real rest – the kind that makes your soul feel new again – often escapes you. God knows you need this rest. He encourages you to lie down. Your “green pastures” can be refreshing times of prayer and meditation, experiences enjoying God’s wonder in nature, or other kinds of breaks that refresh your soul.  The second part of verse 2 declares: “he leads me beside quiet waters.” Quiet, still waters are peaceful. When your mind is racing and your spirit is troubled, God offers you his peace, which is much stronger than any stress you’ll ever face. You can enjoy following God to “quiet waters” by focusing on God’s peaceful presence with you.  Finally, verse 3 begins by saying: “he refreshes my soul.” This is the wonderful result of God being your shepherd. When God refreshes your soul, he sends you the strength you need for what’s ahead in your life. God has unlimited strength, so he can empower you in every way you need fresh strength from him.  So, ask God to refresh your soul whenever you need that. Just like you look for a cool drink when you’re thirsty, you can turn to God when your soul is tired. You can pray, tell him you’re exhausted, and invite him to lead you to his green pastures and quiet waters. This summer, when you feel the heat and want to cool down physically, let it remind you to seek spiritual refreshment too. God, your good shepherd, is waiting to lead you and to refresh your soul in ways nothing and no one else can!  Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider how to rely on God to refresh your soul, reflect on these questions:  What are some stressful situations in your life that are making your soul feel drained right now? In what ways do you currently try to find rest or refreshment? Are those ways really helping you spiritually? How can y

Pain may be part of our lives, but so is the presence of a compassionate Savior. In The Healing Compassion of Jesus, Keri Eichberger shares a heartfelt devotional from Matthew 9:36 that reminds us we’re never left alone in our suffering. Jesus sees us, feels our pain, and meets us with deep compassion. Whether you're dealing with emotional wounds, physical ailments, or the quiet ache of the everyday, this message speaks to your soul and offers comfort straight from the Shepherd who never leaves His sheep. ✨ Highlights 💔 You are seen: God sees your suffering, even when no one else does. 🕊️ Jesus feels with you: He doesn’t just notice—He cares deeply. 🐑 He is your Shepherd: Even when life feels isolating, His comfort is personal and real. 🙏 Find peace today: Let His compassion become the healing balm your heart has been longing for. 📲 Join the ConversationHave you experienced the healing compassion of Jesus during a hard season? Tag us @LifeAudioNetwork and share your story using #HeHealsWithCompassion — your testimony could encourage someone who needs it today. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: The Healing Compassion of Jesus By Keri Eichberger When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)  I’ve been suffering for sometime now with a specific physical pain I’m really ready to move on from. But who am I kidding, if I think about it, and reflect back far enough there’s always been something I’ve been actively suffering through. Like when I was in my teen years and experienced a bad break up that left deep lingering emotional pain for half a decade, or when I started having kids and began to live through a never ending roller coaster of mental strenuous stress and struggle. And the sad news for us all is that suffering and pain will continue to be a part of our lives until the good Lord calls us home. And I don’t know about you, but the longevity of this truth leaves me in constant longing for compassion and comfort. I deeply desire for someone to see me, see my hurt, and care enough to help or ease the difficulty and discomfort.  I would ask if you feel the hurts of life too, but I know you do. We all do. The question is, what are you currently suffering through and how are you handling it? Has your suffering been long and seemingly without hope? Or have you been living through yoyo bursts of trials since before you can remember? Let me say, I’m so sorry. I feel your pain. It’s real and you’re not alone. You’re not alone because we’ve all been there. Though the truth is, our struggles can still feel isolating and like not one really gets it. Because though we all have our hard stuff, we can’t possibly be feeling or experiencing the exact emotions. We are unique souls with unique situations. So, yes, at times it’s hard to convince ourselves we’ll ever find the compassion we’re sure would soothe our souls. But can I remind you—though no one will completely get it, and thus it will seem like no one can completely comfort us—God sees you. And you may believe this. You may know that God genuinely sees you, but you may not feel like he cares enough to do anything about it based on the seeming lack of movement in a more favorable direction. In this case I want to reassure us both that he sees, but he also cares. He has compassion on you as you walk through each challenge and suffer through every hurt and heartache. Matthew 9:36 says, When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. This is the Lord Jesus. He is the shepherd seeing his hurting, helpless sheep, and having compassion on them. And you are the sheep, and he is your shepherd.   Intersecting Faith and Life: Consider what you have been suffering through lately. And remember, for each moment you or I feel helpless, hopeless, heartbroken, or even harassed, this is when the Lord swells with compassion. Your compassionate caretaker is constantly watching over you, loving you, and caring deeply for you like a shepherd tending to his beloved sheep. I pray you feel this. Right now and forever, he is with you, and he is hurting with you. But he is always holding you with sufficient compassion. The ever-present, all-encompassing compassion of Jesus that, when acknowledged and accepted, will help and heal every hurting heart. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you feel like you’re running on empty—striving, pushing, juggling it all—and still feeling stuck? In this heartfelt Christian devotional on Matthew 11:28-30, Hannah Benson invites us to pause, breathe, and fall into the arms of Jesus. Through a personal moment of burnout and breakthrough, she reminds us that true rest isn't found in finishing the to-do list, but in trusting God’s timing and leaning into His presence. If you're craving soul-deep peace, this is your gentle invitation to come as you are—and find the rest your soul longs for. What You’ll Learn (Highlights): What it means to truly rest in Jesus, not just physically—but spiritually and emotionally Why doing things “for God” can never replace simply being with God How trusting God’s plan brings freedom from burnout, anxiety, and overachievement Practical encouragement for letting go of control and leaning into His embrace A reminder that your value isn’t in your productivity—it’s in being His beloved child 💬 Join the Conversation: What does it look like for you to fall into the arms of Jesus right now?Tag @LifeAudioNetwork with #RestInHisArms and share how God is inviting you to pause, trust, and rest today. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Fall into the Arms of Jesus A devotional by Hannah Benson ““Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) Recently, the Lord challenged me to fall into His arms. At first glance, that statement may sound odd, but allow me to clarify. What exactly does falling into the arms of Jesus mean? It’s not like I can literally fall into His arms. On a particularly stressful afternoon, I found myself staring at a blank screen instead of working on the writing project I needed to tackle. Honestly, I was kind of frustrated with myself. “I need to get this done”, I thought. Yet no matter how hard I tried to concentrate and move past the writer’s block, I either ended up staring at a blank screen or mindlessly scrolling through social media hoping inspiration would strike—which, by the way, never happens. As I sat there, the Lord quietly whispered to my spirit: “I want you to spend time with Me.” Yes, God, that would be a good idea except I needed to finish what I was doing first. Which was what? Oh yes. Overcoming writer’s block and actually getting words on the page. Ugh. Eventually, the Holy Spirit’s prompting won out, and I closed my laptop and picked up my Bible instead. I don’t know how to explain it, but it was as if my spirit did a trust-fall. And instantly I realized what the Lord had been trying to tell me all along. Perhaps I’d gotten so busy doing things for God that I’d forgotten to spend time with Him. Quality time is my love language. Why then would I not ensure I spent time with the One Who loves me more infinitely than I could ever know? Yes, I have a lot of things on my plate. As the old adage says, perhaps “I’ve bitten off more than I can chew”. But what is more important than anything I could ever do? Cultivating relationships. With God, first and foremost, and then with others. Loving God and others. Serving God and others. Sounds really simple, doesn’t it? Simple but often difficult to live out. I realized I’d been trying to do everything in my own strength instead of relying on the Lord. I’d been yearning to rush the journey, but God was challenging me with an alternative. What if instead of trying to do things in my own strength, why not lean on the Lord? Instead of rushing through life, what if I found joy in the journey? What if I learned to trust His process and plan for my life instead of what I could perceive? Intersecting Faith & Life: I love Jesus’s invitation in Matthew 11. “Come to me.” This is an invitation for all of us who feel weary, burdened by the sins or stresses of the world, or those of us who simply can’t carry ourselves anymore. Dear friend, we are not meant to carry it alone. He has offered to carry our burdens for us. Even when the world around us is thrown into chaos or our mind is running in circles trying to remember the next thing on our to-do list, breathe. Take time to sit at His feet because true rest is found in Him. Allow yourself to fall into the arms of Jesus, to do the best with what you have and let the Lord take care of the rest. Maybe our house isn’t spotless by the time our guests arrive (I know. We’ve all been there *grin*.) Maybe our career paths don’t look exactly li

We all thirst for something—but are we drinking from the right well? In this heartfelt devotional, Alexis A. Goring shares how a simple moment at a lemonade stand revealed a deeper truth about our spiritual lives. Reflecting on John 4:10, she draws a powerful parallel between physical thirst and the soul’s longing for the Living Water that only Jesus can provide. Whether you’re feeling spiritually dry, chasing worldly “quick fixes,” or just in need of renewal, this Christian devotional on John 4 offers refreshing encouragement: Only Jesus can truly satisfy. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Highlights): What the “Living Water” in John 4:10 really means for your daily walk with God How the Samaritan woman’s story shows Jesus meets us in our mess, not our perfection Why worldly pleasures can’t satisfy a spiritual need—and how to return to Christ How to recognize the “counterfeit comforts” we chase in place of God Encouragement to fill your soul with what it truly needs: a relationship with Jesus 💬 Join the Conversation: What “lemonade” have you been chasing to quench your soul?Tag @LifeAudioNetwork with #ThirstQuenched and share how Jesus has met your deepest need—or how you’re learning to turn to Him first. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: The Living Water We All Need By: Alexis A. Goring “Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” —John 4:10 NIV One hot and humid summer day, I attended a festival outdoors. After enjoying the various activities, my throat felt parched. To quench my thirst, I walked over to the lemonade stand and bought a big cup of lemonade. But that first cup didn’t quench my thirst, so I returned to the lemonade stand a few minutes later to buy another one, only to return again ten minutes later to buy one more. It was not until after trying to quench my thirst with three big cups of lemonade that I realized what I really needed was water to drink. Therefore, I returned to the lemonade stand one more time—this time to purchase a big cup of pure water. The ice-cold water started to quench my deep thirst from the moment it touched my tongue. As I gulped it down, my desperate thirst was quenched. It was like my body was saying, “Finally! She is giving me exactly what I need.” Looking back on this experience that taught me an important life lesson, I realized a spiritual parallel to this story: Just like my body needed pure water to keep it hydrated and protected in the intense heat of that day, my spirit and soul needs something only God can give. Scripture calls it Living Water (referring to our Savior, Jesus Christ). The Bible shows a story in John 4:1-42 about a Samaritan woman who was a social outcast not just because of her ethnicity and heritage (the Jews ostracized the Samaritans) but because of her sinful lifestyle that was gossiped about by the women in the town where she lived. Hoping to escape their scrutiny, this Samaritan woman would make the long trek to the town’s well to draw water during the time of the day when the heat was so intense that nobody else dared to go to there. She did this to avoid facing the women who treated her poorly.  We may go unnoticed in society and at times feel like an outcast but to Jesus Christ, we are always seen, heard, understood and supported—this Samaritan woman was no exception. The Bible says that Jesus took time out of his journey with his disciples to stay behind at this same well while they went to town. It wasn’t an accident or coincidence—He planned this one-on-one meeting with this woman who was in so much pain from her past. Long story short: Jesus revealed himself as the Messiah and offered her living water—the kind that satisfies your soul when you accept it. This woman came to know Jesus as not only the Messiah she had heard about but as her personal Savior who saw beyond cultural barriers, right into her heart. He gave her hope that she never knew she needed or could have and as she accepted Him as her Savior, she became like a missionary and evangelist, running back into town to tell everyone she knew and met along the way, that she met the Messiah who offers everyone living water and salvation.  Just like Jesus met the outcast Samaritan woman at the well, He wants to meet us where we are today and offer us water that will quench our souls for all eternity. But how often do we turn to—run to—counterfeits? We may think we can quench our need for Christ with worldly things and resources. Just like I kept returning to the lemonade booth to fill my physical need with that sweet drink, we as fl

What if you could pray with boldness, knowing God always hears you? In this encouraging devotional, Sarah Frazer reflects on Mark 11:24 and reminds us that prayer isn’t about how much faith we have—it’s about who we’re putting our faith in. Whether you're praying for peace in a stressful season or asking God for a life-changing breakthrough, this Christian devotional on prayer offers a powerful perspective: God answers because He is good, not because we are perfect. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Highlights): Why Mark 11:24 gives us confidence that God hears and answers our prayers The difference between faith in God vs. faith in outcomes Biblical examples that prove God’s character as a faithful responder Encouragement for when prayers seem unanswered or delayed How even “mustard seed faith” connects us to God’s unlimited power 💬 Join the Conversation: What are you asking God for right now—big or small? Has He answered a prayer in a surprising way?Tag @LifeAudioNetwork with #AnsweredByGrace to share your story and encourage others who are still waiting. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Praying with Confidence Because God Answers By Sarah Frazer Bible Reading: Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 (ESV) Devotional My children ask me all of the time for things. Most of the time they ask me for small things, like food or a drink. Sometimes they are looking for something like a specific shirt or shoes. Occasionally, especially as they have gotten older, the requests tend to be bigger.  “Will you drive me to the movies with my friends?” “Can you buy this for me?” “Can I go here for my birthday?” “Can you help me fill out this job application?” Those requests often require more than just a few minutes of my time. As a mother, I want to answer my children’s requests, even it means I am inconvenienced. Sometimes I can, but because I am only human, sometimes I can’t accommodate them. Aren’t you glad we have a Heavenly Father who is not limited by time, space, or ability?  God the Father never sleeps (Psalm 121) and is always listening to our prayers. (Psalm 116) Not only that, Jesus reminds us in Mark 11 that God answers our prayers.  Jesus’ declaration in Mark 11:24 is not a new teaching of scripture. All throughout the Old Testament we see reminders of God’s promise to answer His people’s cry. We see this in Exodus when God heard the cries of the Israelites while they were enslaved in Egypt. He heard them and acted to set them free.  We see this when Hannah cries out to God for a child and she gives birth to Samuel. Or when David asks God for victory, and God grants it. Over and over again the God of the Old Testament answers the prayers of His people. When Jesus comes on the scene in the Gospels, although He is bringing a New Covenant, not based on the law, we see so many things about God’s character that do not change.  Jesus says that the same God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament. God still answers prayer. It might be tempting to read a verse like Mark 11:24 and think that our prayers are only heard or answered because we believe. Is it our faith that makes the prayer possible?  No. It is not our faith, because in the same passage Jesus said that faith as small as a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed, can move mountains. It is not the size of the faith but who we have our faith in that matters.  When we come to God in prayer, we need not worry if we believe enough or have enough faith. So many times I’ve prayed for things and then they didn’t happen. God shut a door I wanted to be open or a person died who I wanted to live. Healing sometimes doesn’t come and dreams do die. Was it our lack of faith that caused the defeat?  I believe that as we lift our prayers to God, it is actually not about us at all. When we pray, we come to God with even the smallest faith, trusting that whatever He desires to do, He will do. We focus our hearts and minds on the power of God Himself. We rejoice in a God who hears, listens, and answers. We take comfort that no prayer we will ever pray will be ignored or unanswered, even if it feels that way.  I think that Jesus’ teaching on prayer gives us courage to believe that God longs to answer our prayers, but sometimes we need to trust His timing.  I understand that sometimes our prayers go unanswered year after year. Sometimes we pray for things and the answer is no. In those times, in those moments, may we cling to the promise that God is all-wise, all-knowing, and all-loving. He does not always give us an explanation, but H

What are the desires of your heart? Sometimes we think, “If I just had ___, then I’d finally be happy.”  Psalm 37:4 offers a different promise:“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” This powerful devotional by Megan J. Conner explores how God lovingly transforms our longings—helping us discover that what we truly desire is Him. If you’ve ever wondered why even your biggest wins still leave you wanting more, this message will speak to the deeper need in your soul: true contentment in God. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Highlights): Why our deepest longings often can’t be satisfied by success, status, or stuff How Psalm 37:4 reveals God’s process of shaping—not just granting—desires Encouragement to reflect on your current goals through an eternal lens The comforting truth that only God fills the “God-shaped hole” in our hearts Scripture-based hope to anchor you in seasons of unmet desires 💬 Join the Conversation: What’s something you’ve longed for—only to find it still didn’t satisfy? How has God shifted your heart over time?Share your story using #HeartCheckFaith and tag @LifeAudioNetwork to encourage others on the same journey. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: The Desires of Your Heart By Megan J. Conner “Delight yourself also in the LORD,And He shall give you the desires of your heart,” Ps. 37:4 (NKJV). We all know the legends in which a nod of the head, a rub of the lamp, or a drink of fantastic waters will allow someone’s greatest wishes to come true. While these stories are fiction rather than fact, in many ways, we yearn for such a reality.  We think that if we could just receive what we are longing for, our hearts would finally be satisfied. My husband often likes to joke, “If I can only win a million dollars, then life would be perfect. I don’t need to be greedy; I just want one.  Just one tiny million, and then I would never ask for anything else.”  Perhaps you can relate.  Maybe you aren’t dreaming of a million dollars or a grand house on a hill (that is fully paid off), but it is so easy to believe tangible items or outcomes will ease our angst. We project, if my children would just find the right spouse, then I would have peace.  If my parents’ health would improve, then I will stop worrying.  If I could just obtain that perfect job, then I would be happy. The list can go on and on. However, what we are really seeking is our version of what we think we want.  Thankfully, our Heavenly Father sees far beyond our momentary light afflictions (2 Cor. 4:17) and into the deep crevices of our souls. He, and He alone, understands the true desires of our hearts when we may not know them ourselves.  “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my bodyand knit me together in my mother’s womb… You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born.Every day of my life was recorded in your book.Every moment was laid outbefore a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.They cannot be numbered!” Ps. 139:13-18 (NLT)  God formed us and saw the path our lives would take while on this planet. He is intimately aware of the thoughts of our hearts and omnisciently redirects our lives so that we may receive the true desires of our hearts rather than our shallow substitutes. For many of us, the ultimate longing of our heart is oneness with Him.  There is a well-known Christian saying, “There’s a God-shaped hole in our hearts.” While it may sound cliché, there is profound truth in this statement. Nothing else will satisfy that innate craving each one of us carries within our souls other than the Lord.  Because of this, our Heavenly Father is so good to grant us rich, abundant treasure. Through trials or blessings, each circumstance is a gift from Him that draws us closer as He grants us the true desires of our hearts. The eternal treasure of Him.  Intersecting Faith & Life: Have you felt like no matter what goals you achieve or gifts you are granted, that nothing satisfies? Maybe you have taken the dream vacation, found the perfect spouse, or got into the exact college you were hoping for, and still, it feels like something significant is missing.  If that is you, may I encourage you to quietly reflect today on the true desires of your heart? Take some time today to consider the goals, circumstances, or possessions you are yearning for and write them down.  Once you have made your list, reflect on the outcomes you feel are connected to each item.  How will e

Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle you just couldn’t break—where freedom feels promised but not lived out? In today’s devotional, Jennifer Slattery shares her deeply personal journey through disordered eating and emotional wounds. But more than that, she reveals the key to lasting freedom: learning to rely not on our own strength, but on Christ's Spirit within us. 2 Corinthians 3:17 reminds us, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This isn’t just a feel-good verse—it’s a declaration of the abundant life we’re meant to walk in every day. 🌟 Highlights:🔑 Real talk on spiritual strongholds and emotional healing🛑 Why we self-sabotage even when we know better🙌 Freedom isn’t found through striving—but in surrender💡 How the Holy Spirit leads us toward healing, hope, and transformation 💬 Join the ConversationHave you ever experienced God setting you free from a mindset or habit? We’d love to hear your story. Share in the comments or tag us @LifeAudioNetwork using #FreedomInChrist to join the conversation. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Learning to Live in Christ’s Freedom  by Jennifer Slattery Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 In my teen years, I responded to my chaotic and painful environment by seeking control—through dieting. Soon, however, this unhealthy coping mechanism began to control me, and the very act that initially provided a sense of strength—pseudo strength—only added to the feelings of hopelessness from which I so desperately sought to escape. Initially, I tried to fight my eating disorder in my own strength, but this inevitably led to failure and shame. I began to experience the freedom I sought, not just from disordered eating, but the wounds driving it, when I invited God into my struggle and learned to rely, more consistently, on His power at work within me. While I’ve come a long way, praise God, since my self-destructing adolescence, my soul still contains wounds for which I need the Lord’s healing, and self-sabotaging patterns in need of His freedom. I gain the courage to follow Him in that transformative journey when I reflect not on the difficulty of obedience but instead on the heart of the One doing the leading.  Jesus longs to see me, and you, living in the freedom of grace. This is a beautiful gift bestowed upon everyone who’s trusted in Christ for salvation. His Spirit does indeed set us free—from the enslaving pull of sin, from the threat of death, and the punishment we deserve for all our moral failings.  Yet, if this is true, why do so many of us still struggle with self-sabotaging, unChrist-like behaviors? Like lashing out when we’re hurt, angry, or feel under attack, or withdrawing and isolating in self-protection? Comforting ourselves with a quart of ice cream, numbing out through hours of television watching or mindlessly scrolling through our social media feeds? We’ve received spiritual freedom through faith in Christ, but now we need to learn to live in it. We do this, in part, by becoming more alert to God’s presence within us and all around us. As today’s verse states, He is Spirit. This means He’s not bound by space or time. He remains present in our greatest challenges and regrets and plants within our souls hope for our future.  Today’s verse also reminds us of His heart toward us, His children. He longs to see us living vibrantly, beautifully free. That was why Jesus came.    Foretelling Christ’s mission, as if through His voice, the prophet Isaiah wrote:  The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,    because the Lord has anointed me    to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,    to proclaim freedom for the captives    and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor    and the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn,3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty    instead of ashes,the oil of joy    instead of mourning,and a garment of praise    instead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness,    a planting of the Lord    for the display of his splendor (Isaiah 61:1-3, NIV). Intersecting Life and Faith Jesus brings good news—a message of love

Whether you're facing a thunderstorm outside or a spiritual storm within, this powerful devotional reminds us of one unwavering truth: God is greater than any storm. Drawing from Psalm 77, author Whitney Hopler explores how the natural chaos of a thunderstorm mirrors the emotional and spiritual turmoil we all experience—yet ultimately, both point us back to God's unmatched strength and presence. As we weather life’s uncertainties—unexpected loss, broken relationships, anxiety, or burnout—this message offers real peace: the Creator who commands the lightning and thunder is right there with us in our storms, guiding us to calmer, more hopeful days. ✨ Highlights Psalm 77 imagery paints a vivid picture of God’s power, reminding us that no storm—physical or emotional—is stronger than Him. Life’s storms often come without warning, but they have purpose: spiritual renewal, clarity, and deeper trust in God. Whitney shares how even thunder, lightning, and chaos can become reminders of God’s sovereignty. Encouragement to lean into God’s strength when life gets loud, messy, and uncertain. A fresh perspective on hardship: storms can be wake-up calls, cleansing moments, and faith builders. 💬 Join the Conversation Have you weathered a spiritual storm recently? What did God teach you in it?Share your story with us and encourage someone else walking through the rain.Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #GodIsMyShelter to join the conversation. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: God Is Stronger than Any Storm By: Whitney Hopler  “The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.” – Psalm 77:17-18, NIV I watched in awe as a summer thunderstorm raged outside one afternoon. Safe inside my house, I looked through a window as dark clouds poured down water in blurry sheets. I listened as thunder rumbled so loudly that the sound vibrated in my body. Our cat was so scared by the thunder’s noise that she ran to hide in our coat closet. Our lights flickered, and then the power went out completely. Huge streaks of lightning flashed in the sky as the storm kept going with furious energy.  We often feel vulnerable when a big storm hits. We lose electrical power, roads flood, and trees fall. But even in the middle of that chaos, there’s something beautiful about how a storm reminds us of something greater than ourselves. The sense of awe we feel when we experience nature’s power points us to nature's Creator, God. Thunderstorms are incredibly powerful, but even the strongest thunderstorm is still just a part of creation and can’t match God’s strength as the Creator. Psalm 77:17-18 uses the imagery of a thunderstorm to describe God’s awesome power and give us a sense of how overwhelming it can be. God has unlimited power, so God is stronger than any storm.  Just as there are physical storms, there are also spiritual storms in our lives. These can come in many forms – such as a broken relationship, a sudden job loss, or a scary health diagnosis – in our fallen world. These spiritual storms can feel just as overwhelming as a raging thunderstorm. They can leave us feeling shaken and drenched in discouragement.  But here’s the wonderful truth: The same God who commands the thunder and lightning is the God who is always with you, even as you go through storms. You can count on God to help you with everything you need during storms, and you can look forward to God bringing good purposes out of them. Just like physical storms, spiritual storms can also serve good purposes. A thunderstorm clears the air and renews the earth. Our spiritual storms are painful when we go through them, but they also refresh us. They can wash away our complacency, clarify our priorities, and motivate us to trust God in fresh ways that help us experience spiritual renewal and revival.  Every thunderstorm ends, and when it does, the sun breaks through and we can see with a fresh perspective. After a spiritual storm, we can emerge with a fresh sense of hope because God has taught us something spiritually valuable during the storm. The “lightning” of a spiritual storm might light up a path we need to see, so we can make wise decisions. The “thunder” of a spiritual storm might be a wake-up call to take action on something God wants us to do.  So, the next time a thunderstorm rolls into your area, see it as a powerful reminder of God’s wonderful strength that can help you go through the spiritual storms in your life. Remember that the same God who’s in control of every part of creation is stronge

In this heartfelt devotional, look back on life’s milestones—not as random moments, but as powerful testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Inspired by Joshua 4, where stones were stacked as a memorial to God’s miraculous provision, the message encourages us to establish “stones of remembrance” in our own lives. Whether it's an anniversary, birthday, or a moment of personal breakthrough, every celebration becomes a spiritual marker of what God has done. Highlights: Biblical Encouragement: Reflects on Joshua 4:7 and how God called His people to remember His faithfulness. Personal Application: Through a 25th wedding anniversary celebration, we’re reminded to use joyful occasions as public testimony of God’s goodness. Spiritual Challenge: Encourages believers to boldly celebrate God’s faithfulness, not just in quiet reflection, but in community celebration and witness. Cultural Connection: Highlights how even in modern Christian living, we can reclaim the practice of pausing to praise. “Jesus’ ministry revolved around celebration. He even turned water into wine at a wedding!” Join the Conversation:What are the “stones of remembrance” in your life? How have you seen God's faithfulness over the years?Share your story with us by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #CelebrateGodsFaithfulness. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Celebrate the Lord “These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:7 As the DJ played our wedding song, we marched into the banquet hall to the sounds of our friends and family erupting in applause. After celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary in June, we decided to throw a party to celebrate all that God had done through that time. After we entered the room, I grabbed the microphone from the DJ. I thanked everyone for coming and told them how blessed we are to have such wonderful friends and family who took time out of their busy schedule to celebrate with us. I then said to them that at the bottom of their favor box, they would find a small stone.  The theme of the party was around Joshua 4, where the Israelites stacked twelve stones together at the place where the Lord had done something significant for their people: “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever,” Joshua 4:5-7. I ended by telling them that this was a celebration of all that God had done in and through us over the past twenty-five years. We wanted to use the party as a stone of remembrance for everyone in attendance. I wanted them not only to rejoice with us and all that God had done through us, but I also wanted to rejoice with them and what God had been doing through them. As I spoke with many of our guests, they shared stories of the things God has been doing over the past twenty-five years.  We all go through periods of great trial and grief. The church is a beacon of light that can be a source of comfort and hope to those who are truly grieving. However, the local church does not always celebrate the milestones and memories of the significant things God has done that deserve celebration. After all, Jesus' ministry revolved around celebration. He even turned water into wine at wedding feasts!  Jesus wants us to celebrate all the things that God does in and through us. He wants to use it as a testimony to who God is and how God works amid difficult circumstances. Our wedding is a testimony to God's faithfulness. As we chose to be obedient and could feel fulfilled in our commitment to our wedding vows, God was faithful and provided for us in every way during our marriage. Many people shared our triumph, commenting that it was a beautiful tribute to the Lord and a testament to what God had done. Above all, it was an example of love and faithfulness not only to one another but also to the Lord.  God deserves all our praise, honor, and glory. Even in times of celebration, such as a birthday party or wedding, we can attribute all our triumphs to the Lord. We can hold feasts and festivals in his honor. In all these things, God is glorified.  As you look back on your life, are there things to which you can testify to God's goodness? Are there ways in which you can celebrate his faithfulness to you in your life?

In a culture that often silences or shames believers, staying bold in your faith can feel exhausting. But Hebrews 12:3 gives us a lifeline: “Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” This devotional challenges Christians to stop hiding and start standing—especially when it’s uncomfortable. Whether you’ve faced ridicule, workplace pushback, or quiet pressure to compromise your beliefs, this message reminds you that you’re not alone—and that your strength comes from Christ, who faced opposition and never backed down. Stay firm. Stay faithful. Stay grounded in the One who understands your suffering. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why spiritual endurance is essential when facing rejection for your beliefs How Jesus models faithful perseverance through persecution Encouragement for believers navigating criticism or exclusion for their faith Ways to embrace religious freedom with courage and gospel-centered boldness How to find emotional and spiritual strength in Jesus when you feel weary 💬 Join the Conversation: Have you ever been criticized or left out because of your faith in Jesus? How did you respond—and what did God teach you through it? Share your story to encourage someone else. Tag us @lifeaudionetwork and use #StandFirmInFaith to join the conversation. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Don’t Grow Weary or Lose Heart By Vivian Bricker Bible Reading: “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3).  About a year ago, my family and I watched a series called “Torchlighters.” For each episode, they would tell the story of someone who died for their faith in Christ. Most of the time, these individuals were missionaries; however, some were persecuted in their own hometowns. After each episode, I was convicted by their amazing faith. They knew they were going to be persecuted for their faith and even killed, yet they continued serving the Lord. Not many of us are physically persecuted for our faith if we live in America; however, many of us are looked down upon or made fun of because of our faith in Jesus. Sometimes these individuals can take it further and cause problems for us at school or in the workplace. Sadly, this is to be expected. As Christians, the world will hate us. The Lord already warned us of this truth (John 15:18). It can be hard to face this reality, yet it is something we have to do. Being opposed by the world will continue throughout our lives, but we must be strong in the Lord. If we are blessed enough to live somewhere we have religious freedom, we need to take advantage of this opportunity and share our faith freely. Even though schools and the workforce might oppose us, we still have the freedom to share what we believe.  Similar to how a Muslim or a Buddhist could share his or her faith with others, we can share our faith too. As Christians, we need to take hold of this opportunity and truly start living out our faith. There are Christians throughout the world who are dying for their faith in Jesus. They are not tap dancing around whether someone would like them or not after they share the Gospel. Instead, they are boldly sharing the Gospel because of their love for the Lord.  Rather than continuing to be afraid of someone making fun of us or belittling us, we need to start being bold in sharing the Gospel. Jesus knows what it feels like to be mistreated and hurt, yet we often don't turn to Him when we are suffering for our faith. Sometimes, we even blame Him for our pain or hurt. Jesus is not the one to blame, and we don't need to accuse Him of doing wrong.  Jesus is our Savior and Lord. He surrounds us with His comfort, protection, and hope. Whenever others persecute us in any form, we need to run to Him instead of running away from Him.  Intersecting Faith & Life: Hebrews 12:3 tells us, “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” As the writer of Hebrews says, we need to consider the Lord, who ensured much opposition from sinners in order for us not to grow weary or lose heart. Being persecuted for our faith can wear us out, but we don't need to lose heart. We can look to Jesus and rest in the comfort that He has experienced the same things as us.  Jesus knows our pain. He knows exactly how we are feeling, and He wants to surround us with His love, peace, and comfort. Whenever we are faced with mean words or comments about our faith, we need to look to Him. Similar to how Jesus remains calm and peaceful, so do we. By thinking of Him during these times, we will not grow weary or lose heart.  “Dear Jesus, wheneve

When God calls us to something new, our first instinct is often to focus on what we lack—our insecurities, fear of rejection, or the possibility of failure. But Matthew 10 reminds us that confidence in God's calling is rooted not in our abilities but in His presence, power, and purpose. Jesus sent His disciples out with authority, without micromanaging their flaws. His instruction? Be wise, stay pure, and keep moving forward—even in the face of rejection. If you’ve ever felt unqualified or hesitant to pursue a new opportunity, this devotional reminds you that godly confidence is less about perfection and more about obedience. Shake off the dust, trust your calling, and walk boldly into your next assignment. Highlights ✨ God doesn’t wait for perfection—He works through our obedience.✨ The disciples were imperfect but sent anyway. So are we.✨ Jesus’ instruction to "shake off the dust" is a bold reminder: don’t carry rejection into your next opportunity.✨ Confidence in God’s call means focusing more on His power than our past mistakes.✨ Like the disciples, we are chosen, equipped, and sent to make an impact. Join the Conversation Have you ever shaken the dust off and stepped out in faith, even when you felt unqualified? Share your story with us and encourage someone else! Tag us @lifeaudionetwork and use #CalledWithConfidence to join the conversation. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Pursuing Opportunities with Godly Confidence  by Jennifer Slattery As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matthew 10:12-16 When God invites you to something new, what usually comes to mind first—His empowering and guiding presence within you, or your weaknesses and potential inability to meet the challenges ahead? I’ve shared in other episodes how, when I first sensed the call to speak and write, I felt incredibly anxious, for numerous reasons. Fear of failure, of rejection, or responding to potential rejection in unhealthy ways … In short, I overly focused on myself and under focused on the power and presence of the One calling me.  Perhaps that’s why I find Jesus’ instructions to the disciples in Matthew 10 so thought-provoking and encouraging. To paraphrase, about a year into His ministry, the Lord officially chose the 12 disciples to, according to Mark 3:13-15, spend time with Him, to preach, and to cast out demons. He then demonstrated how to do the very things He’d soon assign to them. They listened to His teaching on the beatitudes, forgiveness, and prayer. They watched Him heal the masses and set the demonized free.  Then, what seems like months later, if that long, He gathered these previously untrained men together, gave them the power and authority to advance God’s kingdom, then sent them out to talk to strangers. About religion, and to find someone, again, a stranger, with whom to stay, for as long as the person allowed.  How’s that for a job assignment?  That would’ve taken significant courage. Granted, they lived in a culture in which people were accustomed to hosting travelers, but still.  I admire their gumption in obeying, seemingly without protest—although based on Mark 3, they knew what they were getting into when they accepted Jesus’ invite. Then again, we probably did, as well. Following Jesus means learning to live as He did, while on earth.  Yet, that’s not what most strikes me about this event. I’m intrigued by the instructions Jesus didn’t give. We don’t see Him pulling Simon Peter, the Foot-in-Mouth guy aside to encourage him to listen more and talk less. Nor does the Bible show Him addressing James’s and John’s temper. If you’re familiar with Scripture, you might remember their nickname, sons of thunder, and the time they wanted to send fire from heaven to destroy a Samarian village.  Instead, He focused on the possible reactions displayed by those they encountered. He called those who responded positively to His message “worthy”, or, as the NIV states, “deserving” and therefore, allies. Those who rejected it, on the other hand, He termed “unworthy.”      Then, as if emphasizing this, He said, in Matthew 10:14, “If

In today’s devotional, Whitney Hopler draws a powerful parallel between environmental cleanup and spiritual renewal. Just like small pieces of litter accumulate to cause environmental damage, “little sins”—like gossip, white lies, or procrastination—can add up to serious spiritual harm. This episode reminds us that the seemingly small compromises in our faith walk can spread through our hearts like yeast in dough, impacting our thoughts, actions, and relationship with God. But the good news? Jesus, our Passover Lamb, has already made a way for us to be cleansed and renewed. If you’re wondering how to deal with those “no big deal” moments in your spiritual life—this one’s for you. Highlights ✨ Small sins can have big spiritual consequences – just like yeast spreads through dough (1 Cor. 5:6).✨ Sin left unchecked can damage your relationship with God and others—even if it seems minor.✨ Cleaning out sin is not about legalism—it’s about living in the freedom Jesus offers.✨ Confession, repentance, and grace are the steps to remove “old yeast” from your life.✨ We need the Holy Spirit’s help to see where sin may be subtly growing. 💬 Join the Conversation What’s a small but powerful step you’re taking this week to guard your spiritual health? 📲 Share your reflections and tag us @lifeaudionetwork using #CleanHeartChallenge. We’d love to hear how God is guiding you to clear out the “old yeast” and walk in truth. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Little Sins Can Lead to Big Problems By: Whitney Hopler  “… Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch – as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” – 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, NIV  Recently, I joined other volunteers to clean up trash in an area near a stream that flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Our goal was to reduce the amount of toxic runoff and pollution entering the bay. As I walked along, I picked up little bits of trash like cigarette butts, plastic straws, and discarded pieces of broken toys. Individually, each piece of trash seemed too little to cause much harm. But when I filled a huge trash bag with all those little pieces of trash – and when I saw all the bags that other volunteers were filling with trash – it became clear to me that all those little bits of trash added up to a big problem. They polluted the watershed, harmed wildlife, and contributed to a larger environmental crisis.  Just like a little bit of trash can add up to a big physical problem, little sins can add up to big spiritual problems in our lives.  The Bible makes that point in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 when it describes yeast in bread. We only need a little pinch of yeast when we’re baking. The yeast will steadily work its way through the entire dough, making it rise. The sins we may consider to be little – such as a few words of gossip, a so-called white lie, a quick burst of anger, or procrastinating when God is calling to act on something – might feel minor. We might think those sins are no big deal. But just like a little bit of yeast, even a little bit of sin can spread. If we don’t clean up our little sins, they can affect our entire spiritual well-being by corrupting our thoughts and damaging our relationships with God and other people.  So, how can we “get rid of the old yeast” and live with “unleavened bread of sincerity and truth”? We need to first be honest about the reality of sin, no matter how small it seems. We often downplay our mistakes by making excuses or comparing ourselves to others who are sinning more. But God’s standard is holiness. God wants us to be holy by doing our best to live in ways that honor him and reflect his holiness. We also need to regularly confess our sins to God in prayer and repent by turning away from our sins and back toward God. Finally, we need to embrace God’s grace to purify and refresh us. We don’t clean up our lives in our own strength. Jesus is the Lamb of God who has already paid the price for our sins – the big ones and the “little” ones alike. His grace is a powerful force that works within us to transform us.  Just like we have to remove trash from our homes and neighborhoods on a regular basis, we have to regularly clean up the sins in our lives. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to show us the areas of our lives where the “yeast” of sin might be

What would happen if we responded to the Holy Spirit immediately, without delay or second-guessing? In Running Toward the Holy Spirit, Deidre Braley shares a personal story about missing a divine prompting and contrasts it with Philip’s quick obedience in Acts 8. This powerful devotional reminds us that when the Spirit nudges us—whether it's to speak to a neighbor or extend an act of kindness—we are called not just to go, but to run. This devotional encourages believers to practice spiritual attentiveness and cultivate a “yes” mentality toward God’s promptings. If you’ve ever ignored a gentle nudge or wondered if it was really God speaking, this message is for you. Highlights ✅ Obedience to the Spirit: Philip didn’t wait for more context—he ran in obedience (Acts 8:29-30).✅ God's purpose unfolds in motion: Philip’s mission became clear only after he responded.✅ Every nudge matters: Even small promptings—like saying hello to a neighbor—can have eternal impact.✅ We often hesitate: Like Deidre’s real-life example, we can miss Spirit-led moments by overthinking.✅ Practice spiritual sensitivity: Learn to ask, listen, and act when the Spirit leads.✅ Scripture shows us the pattern: Throughout Acts, believers are used mightily when they respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading. 💬 Join the Conversation Have you ever responded (or missed a chance to respond) to a Holy Spirit nudge? What happened? How did it impact you? 📲 Tag @lifeaudionetwork and share your story with #RunWithTheSpirit. Let’s encourage one another to listen and move when the Spirit leads. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Running Toward the Holy Spirit: A Lesson from Philip and the Ethiopian Official by Deidre Braley  Acts 8:26-31: Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip,“Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  I live on a small, private lane with only two other houses, and today, I missed an opportunity to love my neighbor well.  Here’s how it happened: It was lunchtime, so I took a break from my desk, pulled on my sneakers, and stepped outside to take our dog for a walk. We took a stroll down the lane, and when we walked by our neighbor’s house, I noticed he was outside on his deck, grilling his lunch.  The Spirit nudged me, saying, “Go up and say hello.” Now, I wish I could say I zipped right up his driveway and popped in for a friendly chat, but do you know what I did instead? I said, “Lord, I don’t think that was you, right? I don’t have much time. I don’t want to bother him. He probably doesn’t even want to talk to me.” And then I walked right past his driveway and continued on with my day.  But as I walked, I could feel the Spirit continue to nudge me. I knew he had spoken to me—and that he had wanted to use me—but I had refused. I didn’t know why he had wanted me to say hello to my neighbor, but I had a sense that it was important. I resolved that if he was still outside when we got back from our walk, I’d go up and say hi. But when we returned, he was already gone.  How should we respond when we feel the Spirit prompting us? The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in the book of Acts may lead us to believe that the answer is…immediately!  In this story, the apostle Philip—following the leading of the Lord—went down into the desert. While he was there, a chariot passed by, carrying a court official of the Ethiopian queen. In this moment, the Spirit nudged Philip, saying, “Go over and join this chariot” (Acts 8:29). Now, did Philip hem and haw and say, “Lord, I don’t know this man, so may I please just go on with my day?” Of course not. Rather, Scripture says that “Philip ran to him” (Acts 8:30, emphasis mine).  Even before he knew what God would have him say to this man—or why he was asking him to interact with him in the first place—Philip responded in immediate obedience. He heard the word “go,” and so he ran.  When he got to the chariot, he found th

Have you ever tried to distance yourself from someone you’ve wronged—dodging interactions, avoiding gatherings, or putting on a smile while hiding the discomfort inside? “Are You Hiding?” explores the spiritual tendency we all share: hiding from God when we know we've fallen short. Through the lens of Adam and Eve’s story in Genesis, this devotional reminds us that God doesn’t abandon us in our shame—He comes looking for us with love, not condemnation. This message is for anyone who has drifted from God, avoided spiritual disciplines, or felt too ashamed to draw near again. God is not hiding from you—He’s calling your name. Highlights Hiding from God is a deeply human response to sin, rooted in fear and shame (Genesis 3:10). We may avoid Scripture, church, or prayer, thinking we can escape conviction—but God always sees us and still desires relationship. Even when we distance ourselves, God pursues us, calling out just as He did in the Garden: “Where are you?” Like the prodigal son (Luke 15), restoration comes not through hiding, but in returning with a surrendered heart. Fig leaves of distraction—our modern ways of covering sin—can’t replace the healing power of repentance and grace. When we stop running and respond to God, He covers our shame with love, mercy, and forgiveness. 💬 Join the Conversation Have you ever felt distant from God because of guilt or shame? What helped you find your way back? 📲 Tag @lifeaudionetwork and share your story using #NoMoreFigLeaves. You never know who might find healing through your honesty. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Are You Hiding? By Megan J. Conner “When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Gen. 3:8-10 (NLT) Can you recall a time when you purposely evaded someone because you had wronged or harmed them in some way? You decline invitations to events because you know they will be in attendance, or if being present together is unavoidable, you walk to the other side of the room when they arrive, pretending to be busy with an important task. Perhaps this individual is completely unaware of the offense you carry in your heart, so they continue to pursue relationship with you and are clearly confounded by your distance. It would be better in the long run to have the much-needed hard conversation and make amends, but fear holds you captive.  At the moment, it feels easier to hide. But is it really?  Because we are created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27) each and every one of us knows the difference between right and wrong. A measure of the Holy Spirit resides in every soul. Secular views coin this internal conviction as a conscience that measures and judges the motives of our hearts. Regardless of title or worldview, it is evident that humanity carries within them an organic sense of morality.  Think of a child at a very young age who desires a toy or an object they have been told they cannot have. Even though they know they aren’t supposed to have it, they will plot and plan a way to obtain it.  And once they have it in their possession, what is the first thing they do? They run away and hide.  Child or adult, none of us is any different. For thousands of years, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, when we willfully choose to sin, we separate ourselves from our Creator. We retreat; we go into hiding. Perhaps we stop reading our Bibles, stray away from godly relationships with others, or maybe even avoid attending church or other faith-based gatherings. Somehow, we deceive ourselves into believing this distance shields us from the knowing eyes of the Lord. But the truth is, we are only covering ourselves with fig leaves.  “The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.” Gen. 3:6-7 (NLT) The allure of sin, paired with the deception of the enemy, convinces us that we should not only give in to the desires of our flesh, but that when we do, God is not aware of misgivings. Even further, we should run away from Him rather than towards Him. Similar to our relationships with others, if we avoid reconciliation, we will continue on in a state of unsettle

Grief can be blinding. When sorrow settles over our hearts like a heavy fog, even the truth can be hard to see. In this heartfelt devotional, Sarah Frazer shares how grief can cloud our belief—just like it did for the disciples when they couldn’t accept Jesus’ resurrection. This message gently reminds us that even when we feel spiritually numb, God’s presence is near. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, lasting comfort and faith are still available to us—even when we feel broken. Highlights Grief can cloud faith, just as it did for Jesus’ disciples after the crucifixion. When loss or sorrow overwhelms us, we may struggle to believe God is still good—or still near. Mark 16 shows how even those closest to Jesus had moments of unbelief in their grief. God's presence—through the Holy Spirit—is our source of strength when belief is hard to muster. Jesus blesses those who have not seen, yet still believe (John 20:29). That’s us today. We are not alone in our sorrow. The Holy Spirit comforts, assures, and strengthens us through seasons of suffering. 💬 Join the Conversation Have you ever experienced a time when sorrow made belief difficult? What helped you feel God’s presence again? 👉 Share your story by tagging @lifeaudionetwork and using the hashtag #BeliefInTheStorm. Let’s encourage one another to keep believing, even when it’s hard. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: When Sorrow Clouds Belief By Sarah Frazer Bible Reading: “But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.” Mark 16:11 (ESV) Devotional My heart dropped at the news. Again!? That word echoed in my head as I read through the social media post. In just two years two young men had passed away who attended the same church. Again a family grieved the sudden loss of a son and brother. Again a church mourned the pain of a life cut too short.  Sorrow seemed to follow them and my heart ached to help in some way. It seemed all I could do was pray, but I knew that prayers were also powerful. At first I prayed that the people would be comforted. But then I began to pray that the people would believe. Yes, I prayed for the comfort of these families who were suffering, but also for church’s belief to remain strong.  Over the years I’ve faced many sorrowful events in my own life. Death, illness, broken dreams, and struggles not fit for social media. In the midst of the hardest days, belief is hard to come by. During one hard season I read this verse in Mark 16 about the disciples. “But when they [the disciples] heard that he [Jesus] was alive and had been seen by her [Mary Magdalene], they would not believe it.” Mark 16:11 On the third day after Jesus’ crucifixion, the women came to Jesus’ tomb and found it empty. At first the disciples and the women didn’t know what this meant. They were still grieving. When I read that verse in Mark 16:11 I realized that maybe the disciples couldn’t believe the truth about Jesus’ resurrection because they were still grieving.  Have you ever experienced such a sorrow, so deep and wide, that you doubted the faith you’ve held for so long? I know that the enemy likes to prowl and pounce on us when we are at our weakest, and during times of sorrow we are often clouded by grief and we struggle to believe.  Maybe you are in a season right now that feels too overwhelming, too hard, and filled with too much grief. I pray that you will not be like the disciples and harden your heart to unbelief. Jesus’ death was fresh on their hearts and minds. I think we can all identify with the followers of Jesus in those first few days. They struggled to believe and understand and sometimes grief can’t be explained.  The women had seen Jesus’ tomb, Mary Magdalene had seen Jesus alive, but the disciples, hiding in a room, struggled to make sense of the death of Jesus. In our grief we try so hard to make sense of it. We want to know why. But so often, in the middle of my my grief, it is less about why, and more about Who. Who is with me?  It says in Mark 16:12-13, “After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.” Again eye-witnesses told the disciples that Jesus was alive! How many times do people come to us, in the middle of our grief, and try to comfort us with truth.  Sometimes truth is hard to believe when we are sorrowing, and that is ok. What changed for the disciples? Jesus appeared to them. It was His presence that they believed. How I wish we could all experience the physical presence of Jesus here on earth, but we live in a differ

In a culture obsessed with fixing weaknesses, Whitney Hopler invites us to shift our focus to our God-given strengths. Drawing from Romans 12:6-8, this devotional encourages believers to identify, celebrate, and use their unique spiritual gifts and talents instead of dwelling on flaws. Embracing your natural strengths not only aligns you with God’s design but also empowers you to serve more confidently and effectively in your personal and professional life. Highlights Many people spend too much time trying to fix weaknesses, losing sight of the powerful strengths God has given them. Formal strength assessments or simple reflection can help you discover your unique spiritual gifts and natural abilities. Romans 12:6-8 encourages using your strengths faithfully rather than obsessing over weaknesses. God’s purpose for you is best fulfilled when you lean into what you’re naturally good at, making a greater impact for His kingdom. Focusing on your strengths leads to greater confidence, wise decisions, and freedom to be your true self in Christ. Strengths-based living helps overcome weaknesses without becoming paralyzed by them. 💬 Join the Conversation: Have you discovered your God-given strengths? How has focusing on your strengths changed your outlook or actions? 👉 Tag @lifeaudionetwork and use #StrengthInFaith to share your story or insights. Let’s inspire each other to live boldly in our unique gifts! 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Focus on What’s Strong, Not Wrong By: Whitney Hopler  “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” – Romans 12:6-8, NIV  The well-being center where I work at George Mason University manages a popular program where students and employees take free assessments to learn what their personal strengths are and how to use those strengths well. We’re currently training students to be “strengths counselors”, as well, so their fellow students can get help from their peers to use their strengths to the fullest, both personally and professionally. Often, we hear from the people we serve that they had focused mostly on their personal weaknesses before they learned to focus on their strengths instead. They had worried about their weaknesses and limited their plans because they lacked confidence. But the more they paid attention to their strengths, the less their weaknesses limited them, and the more they were able to accomplish in every part of their lives.  Many people are taught from a young age to identify their weaknesses and to work on them, to fix what’s supposedly wrong with them. Maybe that happened to you. While it’s true that you can always grow and improve, focusing on your flaws can prevent you from seeing and using the unique strengths God has given you.  But what if you changed your focus? What if, instead of dwelling on what you perceive as “wrong” with you, you started celebrating and developing what’s strong with you? God has given you a unique mix of strengths for a purpose, and he wants you to use them!  Romans 12:6-8 urges you to identify your God-given personal strengths and put them into action. It doesn’t advise you to work on your weaknesses. Instead, it says to figure out what you’re naturally good at doing, and then do it!  God, your Heavenly Father, has designed you uniquely. When you spend too much time and energy trying to fix something that isn’t your natural strength, you might miss out on the incredible impact you could be making by using your God-given talents. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t pursue lifelong learning or overcome challenges. Of course, you should! But it’s important to have the confidence, and positive impact, that God wants you to have.  You can start to put your strengths into action by identifying them first – either through a formal assessment like people at my university do, or just by reflecting on what comes naturally to you, what you enjoy, and what others often say you’re good at doing. Then, you can embrace your uniqueness by letting go of comparisons and celebrating the distinctively wonderful way God has designed you. Finally, ask God to help you live into your purpose by giving you opportunities to use your strengths in every part of your life – your relationships, your work, and more.  As you use the strengths God gave you, he will help you overcome your weaknesses, so you won’t h

Are you searching for lasting peace amid life’s storms? Stress, anxiety, and uncertainty are common struggles, but the peace Jesus offers is unlike anything the world can give. In this devotional, Vivian Bricker shares how the peace of Christ surpasses temporary fixes and brings lasting transformation. Through trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord, we can experience a profound peace that calms our hearts even in difficult times. Highlights The world offers fleeting relief through self-help tips and distractions, but Jesus offers lasting peace that truly satisfies (Philippians 4:7). Accepting Jesus as your Savior—believing in His death and resurrection—is the key to receiving His peace (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 3:1). Jesus’ peace does not fade or get taken away, even when life feels chaotic (John 14:27). You can surrender your worries, anxieties, and fears to Jesus and find rest at His feet (John 16:33). Lasting peace often grows gradually; remain open-hearted and patient as Jesus works in your life. Counseling and therapy can coexist with faith, complementing the peace Jesus provides. 💬 Join the Conversation: Have you experienced the peace of Christ in your life? How do you handle anxiety and stress with your faith? 👉 Share your story with us on Instagram and tag @lifeaudionetwork using #PeaceInChrist.Tell us: What does lasting peace look like in your life? How has trusting Jesus helped you overcome anxious moments? What advice would you give to someone seeking peace today? 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Can Jesus Give Lasting Peace? By Vivian Bricker Bible Reading: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Have you ever felt so stressed out that you were at your breaking point? Maybe you were going through a divorce, you failed a test at college, or you simply felt anxious about the future. Did you know that it doesn’t have to be this way? If somebody told you today that you could have lasting peace, would you accept it? The truth is that you can have lasting peace, but the only way is through Jesus Christ. The world today tries to give us temporary highs or self-help tricks to keep our minds off our stress and anxiety, but these quick fixes never last. While some of these techniques and tips can benefit us and we should utilize them, we have to know that they are not the same as Jesus’ peace. However, therapy should be continued and endorsed within the Christian community. We don’t need to believe that counseling and Jesus cannot co-exist, because they can.  Nonetheless, Jesus wants you to have the peace that only He can offer you. When you truly have the peace of Jesus, your life will be transformed, and you will feel a peace that you have never experienced before (Philippians 4:7). This peace will wash over you and provide your weary heart with what it needs.  We can obtain Jesus's peace by trusting in Him and giving all control to Him. We do this when we accept Him as our Savior and Lord. Accepting Him as your Savior and Lord consists of believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). After you believe that He is God and that He died and rose again, you become a child of God, and this is where peace begins (1 John 3:1). Everyone is looking for peace, but often in the wrong places. Jesus gives the peace that surpasses understanding. He wants you to come to Him and have peace. He never wants you to feel weighed down by the anxieties of life. Jesus gives lasting peace, and His peace begins as soon as you accept Him. This peace isn’t something that is hard to obtain, as it is freely given by the Lord Himself.  Intersecting Faith & Life: Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). The peace that Jesus has given us will never fade away nor can it be taken away. Even if everything around us is falling apart, His peace still remains. While it might take some time before you fully embrace His peace, it is already waiting for you. Go to Him today and tell Him about your feelings. All of your anxieties, worries, and fears, lay them at His feet. Jesus knows this world is full of hardships and troubles, and He is always more than happy to help us. As Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  Even amidst the troubles, Jesus still reigns, and His peace is still shining bright. This is the beauty of His peace. We will feel more at ease by knowing the Lord, fully tru

The God Who Knows Us Better Than We Know Ourselves is a powerful devotional that explores Peter’s journey from boldness to denial—and Jesus’ divine insight into his heart. It reminds us that even when we believe we’re ready, God’s timing is intentional. Jesus sees not only who we are now, but also who we are becoming. If you’re feeling stuck in a season of waiting or wondering why God hasn’t “put you in the game,” this episode will bring clarity, encouragement, and comfort. ✨ Highlights: Luke 22:31–34 sets the scene: Jesus warns Peter about Satan’s plans—and reveals Peter’s future denial. Peter, full of confidence, says he’s ready for prison or death… but Jesus knows the truth. The devotional reflects on how our zeal doesn’t always match our maturity—and how Jesus intercedes and lovingly guides us. Just like Peter, we may overestimate our readiness, but God sees the full picture of our hearts, trials, and future impact. Encouragement for believers who feel overlooked or underused: God plays the long game, and His plans are rooted in both mercy and foresight. 💬 Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! Have you ever felt like Peter—ready and willing, but waiting on God's timing? Or maybe you've seen how God used a failure to bring about growth in your life? 👉 Share your story with us on Instagram and tag @lifeaudionetwork using #FaithInTheWaiting.Let us know: What is God teaching you in this season? How has He revealed something deeper about yourself—something you didn’t even see? How are you learning to trust the God who knows you better than you know yourself? 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: "Welcome to The Crosswalk Devotional. We're glad to have you listening with us. Today's topic is [share a few words about the devotional's main theme/topic]. We'll return with the devotional after a brief message from our sponsors."  Take a 5-second pause, then say, "[Title of devotional] written and read by Deidre Braley." Then, proceed to read the devotional.  The God Who Knows Us Better Than We Know Ourselves  Luke 22:31-34: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”  Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you Peter, the rooster will not crow this day until you deny me three times.”  If our faith journeys had mantras, mine would be, “Put me in, Coach!”  I have always been chomping at the bit for God to put me in the game. If the world was a soccer match, I’d be the player on the sideline, jumping up and down with my hand raised screaming, “I’ve got this! Pick me! Pick me!” Sure, my footwork could use some precision and my endurance could stand a boost, but what I lack in raw talent I am certain I can make up for in spirit.  This is how I imagine Simon Peter, too. Peter was the disciple who boldly named Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 16:16), who jumped out of his boat to walk on water towards Jesus (Matthew 14:28-30), and then who leapt out of his boat again to reach Jesus on the shore after his resurrection (John 21:7). He was impulsive, zealous, and earnest, and he seemed to be eager to be used by God.  But on the night of his betrayal, Jesus turned to Peter and told him that Satan had demanded to “sift him like wheat,” and that he had prayed that Peter’s faith wouldn’t fail (Luke 22:31-32). Indignant, Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). It’s clear he believes his faith is solid as the rock he’s been named for; in this moment, he cannot conceive the possibility that it will falter.  This moment is important because it shows that our own understanding of our capacities, abilities, and firmness of faith is not always in alignment with reality. Peter seemed to truly believe that he would go to prison or even death alongside Jesus, but when the moment of testing came, he was not able. Yet Jesus always knows the state of our hearts and content of our character more clearly than we see it ourselves. He indicates this in the conversation with Peter when he predicts that he will, in fact, deny him three times before morning even comes (Luke 22:34). But here’s something else Jesus sees which we can not: our capacity for growth—where we will be, someday.  Jesus doesn’t turn to Peter and say, “You may or may not make it through this trial. Your faith may or may not crumble. Who knows how things will turn o

Taking the Marriage Plunge: Why Commitment Still MattersIn today’s culture of overthinking, swiping, and fear of missing out, many Christian singles view marriage as too risky. But Lynette Kittle reminds us that God's design for marriage is not based on feelings or flawless partners—it’s rooted in faith, courage, and self-sacrifice, just as Christ laid down His life for the Church (Ephesians 5:25). Whether you’re navigating modern Christian dating or wrestling with the fear of commitment, this devotional offers a fresh and faithful perspective on why marriage is still worth the plunge. ✨ Highlights ✅ Christian marriage isn’t about finding the “perfect” person, but being willing to trust God through the unknown. ✅ Fear of commitment and the “what-ifs” can keep many from embracing God's purpose for marriage. ✅ WWII couples embraced marriage even in crisis—proving love often requires sacrifice over certainty. ✅ Ephesians 5:25 calls husbands to love sacrificially—marriage is spiritual warfare, not emotional convenience. ✅ In a culture that fears lifelong decisions, trusting God in marriage is a powerful act of obedience. 💬 Join the Conversation Has fear of the unknown held you back from marriage?Share how God is shaping your heart toward commitment and faith-filled relationships. Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #MarriageIsWorthThePlunge and join others who are choosing to trust God's vision for love and lifelong partnership. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Taking the Marriage Plunge By Lynette Kittle  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her”-- Ephesians 5:25 Marriage seemed easier to attain decades ago, when high school sweethearts couldn’t wait to take the giant plunge into Holy Matrimony after graduation.  Young, hopeful, and optimistic, they weren’t really considering all that could go wrong in a marriage, or thinking of the fears and changes that could occur. They just fearlessly took the plunge into it free from over-thinking it and the heaviness of countless “what ifs.” Also, during WWII, soldiers facing going to war, took the plunge and had the opportunity to wed their sweethearts before shipping out and thank goodness they did, too, or many of us wouldn’t be here today. Their heartfelt choices to marry before going off to fight helped to keep our nation growing and moving forward, because although thousands of young men would never return from battle, losing their lives in war, many still live on through their wives and children left behind. Marriage Is for Risk Takers Sadly, it seems nowadays, marriage is too risky of a union for many singles who over-think and fear how it could go wrong, trying to figure out the worst-case scenarios, keeping individuals at a distance from the very thought of saying “I do.” It’s paralyzing to countless singles, men and women afraid of missing out or choosing the wrong person, fearful of discovering a spouse isn’t as perfect as they first thought and reluctant to face the unknowns of unexpected struggles and difficulties. They want a sure-fire guarantee that their spouse-to-be is the “right one” and will remain who they think they are in the moment.  As well, having the world at our fingertips has proven to be a bit overwhelming, with the possibility of finding a mate on the other side of the earth through social media, along with the available endless singles showing up daily on online dating sites, as well as the opportunity to swipe a new date multiple times a day. This global broadening of the dating pool, with the lookout for the next best girl or guy, is keeping men and women from committing, fearful of missing out on their dream person who might just be out there somewhere. Trending Plunges Although individuals clamored to join others around the world to take the “cold water plunge,” an act supposedly proving how gutsy and brave they are, are still running the other direction when it comes to taking the marriage plunge.  During WWII, marriage was trendy because it was fueled by thousands of men facing the possibility of going to war and facing death. In comparison, the risk of marriage seemed far less risky than the risks of war. Still, the commitment to marriage and war seems similar, in that, both in wartime and holy matrimony, men are called on to give their all, including their lives, as the Apostle Paul explains in Ephesians 5:25 calling husbands to love their wives just like Christ loved the Church and laid down His life for her. Men giving up their lives for their wives began in the Garden of Eden, as explained in Genesis 2:24. “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his

Why You’re Exactly Where God Wants YouIn Acts 17:26–27, Scripture reveals that God has intentionally placed you in this exact time and place in history. Your location, your generation, your circumstances—none of it is random. God designed your life with purpose so you would seek Him, grow in faith, and reflect His love to others. This devotional encourages you to stop wishing you were elsewhere and start recognizing the divine appointments in your everyday life. ✨ Highlights ✅ God’s divine timing is perfect—you were born for this generation. ✅ Your location matters—God placed you exactly where He wants to use you. ✅ Every opportunity and relationship is part of God’s bigger plan to draw you closer. ✅ Spiritual growth happens when we seek God in our current season, not a future one. ✅ You reflect God's light best right where you are. 💬 Join the Conversation How has God shown up in your here and now?Share your story on social and use #DivinelyPlaced to inspire others to trust God’s timing. Don’t forget to tag @LifeAudioNetwork so we can share how God is working through everyday lives! 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: God’s Appointments for You By: Whitney Hopler  “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” – Acts 17:26-27, NIV  I sometimes fantasize for fun about what it would be like to live in other times in history and places in the world. If I had access to a time and space travel machine, I would love to use it to visit all sorts of eras and locations. I would visit my grandfather Jim, who died before I was born, at one of the general stores he operated in the 1930s and 1940s here in Virginia. Then I’d travel over to California to visit some of the classic movie stars whose movies I’ve enjoyed. Dialing back farther in history, I’d travel to meet a variety of world leaders and inventors I admire. Of course, I’d also visit Jesus during his earthly life. Beyond the past, I’d also enjoy traveling to the future – maybe to meet each of my great grandchildren in the places where they’ll be living then. But there’s one important factor in all that: the ability to return to my own time and place. I’d cancel all my trips back into history or forward into the future if they wouldn’t be round trips back to my life here and now. That’s because I want to fulfill God’s purposes for my life as he planned it. Acts 17:26-27 reveals that God has intentionally placed every one of us exactly where we are, at this specific time in history. He has good purposes for the times and places he appoints for each of us.  God, in his unlimited wisdom and power, determined the exact time you would be born and the specific place where you would live. God has made divine appointments for your life! Why? The passage says it’s because God wants you to seek him and find him when you reach out. Every situation you face, every person you encounter, and every opportunity that comes to you in your life here and now is part of God’s plan to draw you closer to him by helping you grow spiritually. God knows the spiritual environment of your time and place. He understands the unique temptations and opportunities that exist when and where he’s appointed you to live. God has also given you everything you need to shine a light in the darkness of our fallen world here and now. The people around you – your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and more – are also there by God’s design. God has placed you among them for reasons that relate to his good purposes for all of your souls together. Your unique experiences and perspectives are shaped by your “appointed time and boundaries”. That helps you connect with the people you know in ways that someone from a different era or place couldn’t connect. Beyond giving you these specific appointments, God is present with you each day as you live them out. As this Bible passage says, God is not far from you. You can experience the wonder of God’s work in your life every day as you pay attention to it and let it inspire you with awe. So, the next time you find yourself fantasizing about living in another time and place, take a break to pray. Ask God what he wants to accomplish through you right here and right now. Embrace the reality that you are exactly where you’re meant to be, at exactly the right time in history. God has appointed you to live your life in this time and place, and he wants you to mak

A deep, personal devotional from Vivian Bricker. When life unraveled after the death of her mother, Vivian found herself standing at a spiritual crossroads. Her story is honest, raw, and deeply relatable. She trusted Jesus for salvation—but everyday faith? That was harder. Like many of us, she knew the truth in her head before it reached her heart. She believed God could heal and redeem, but wrestled with why He hadn’t stopped the pain in the first place. Yet through grief, studying Scripture, and time in His presence, her fragile faith grew into deep trust—one small act of belief at a time.  ✨ Highlights: We often trust God with eternity but struggle to trust Him with tomorrow. True faith isn’t blind; it’s based on knowing God’s heart and seeing His faithfulness. Jesus still turns toward us, sees us, and says, “Take heart, daughter.” Faith grows when we take our pain to Jesus instead of pushing Him away. 💬 Join the Conversation:How has Jesus strengthened your faith through hardship? Share your story with us using #FaithThatHeals and tag @LifeAudioNetwork. Let’s encourage each other to trust Him—one faithful step at a time. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: A Story of Great Faith By Vivian Bricker Bible Reading: “Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment” (Matthew 9:22).  When I turned eighteen years old, my entire life changed. What was once a life filled with routine and reliable schedules quickly unfolded into a confusing spiral of chaos. After my mom passed away, I didn’t know what to do, and I couldn’t find hope in anything or anyone. However, the one person I knew I could trust was Jesus. I placed faith in Jesus shortly after my mom passed away, and He brought hope into my heart. While accepting Jesus didn’t fix all my problems right away, He gave me comfort. I was already enrolled at a Christian Bible college, so I was able to start learning about Him more. I soaked up all the knowledge about the Lord, yet I still struggled with one vital piece: faith. I had faith in Jesus to save me from my sins, but I struggled to have faith in Him for the normal parts of everyday life. A part of me was still holding onto the argument that He could have prevented my mom from passing away, and the other part of me just wanted comfort from His love.  As I started to grow in my relationship with Jesus, I began to trust Him more. My faith started to grow, and I began having faith in Him for all things. No matter how big or how small the concern was, I trusted that Jesus could fix it. And He has and I have faith in Him to continue to be by my side. The same is true for you, as Jesus is always by your side and He is worthy of your faith. When we have faith in the Lord, we are not blindly trusting in Him. Rather, we have faith in Him because we know Him and we have seen His amazing work in our lives. While it is true that Jesus could have prevented my mom from passing, it was her time to go. She was young, but she is no longer in pain. I miss my mom very much, yet I’m glad she doesn’t have to be in pain anymore, and she is with the Lord.  It took me years to finally accept my mom’s death and to see any good that came from it, yet faith helps us to see these things. The more we trust in Jesus, the greater our faith will become. He can work all things out for His good, even bad things (Romans 8:28).  Intersecting Faith & Life: Matthew 9:22 records, “Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.” In broader context, the woman Jesus is speaking to was struggling with an issue of blood. She had been in pain and suffering for 12 years with no help from doctors (Luke 8:43-48). She thought if she could just touch Jesus’ cloak, she would be healed (Matthew 9:21). The Lord saw her great faith and told her to take heart; her faith had healed her. From that very moment, the woman was cured. Just because of her faith in the Lord, she was cured from her long 12 years of suffering. Through this example, we see the importance of having great faith. We all need to strive to have the same faith as this woman. We can start applying this type of faith in our lives by trusting the Lord. Rather than only trusting Him with our salvation, we need to have faith that He will provide, care, and protect us from all things. He is completely worthy of our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, read about Him in the Bible, and go to Him in prayer, the greater our faith will grow. With time, our faith can be as strong as the faith of the woman with the is

Don’t Let Anger Win: Reconciliation Over RetaliationMatthew 5:23-24 reminds us of something radical: God values restored relationships even more than religious rituals. In this heartfelt reflection, the author shares how God transformed her marriage—not through dramatic breakthroughs, but through a thousand quiet nudges toward humility, grace, and emotional honesty. Worship didn’t erase the tension overnight, but as she sat in God’s presence week after week, He slowly softened her heart. He gave her eyes to see her husband’s pain, not just her own. And in that holy space, she learned that bitterness may feel justified—but it will never satisfy. 🔥 Key Themes: Relationships matter deeply to God—so deeply He tells us to press pause on worship until we pursue peace. Anger escalates when left unchecked. Jesus knew that unchecked resentment often leads to destruction. Reconciliation doesn’t guarantee perfect resolution, but it keeps your heart soft, open, and aligned with God’s mercy. Emotional maturity means choosing connection over being right. 🕊️ “We experience the most peace, in our souls and relationships, when we learn to deal with our emotions before we begin to devalue the other person.” 💬 Join the Conversation:Where is God calling you to make the first move toward peace? Let’s talk about the beauty (and the bravery) of reconciliation using #FightForPeace and tag @LifeAudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-24, NIV). As someone navigating through some challenging and confusing relationships, this passage brings me comfort. While it doesn’t guarantee reconciliation, or a life filled with deep, safe, and fulfilling connections—even when I actively pursue such things—it does assure me that my relationships matter to God. In fact, they matter more to Him than my Sunday morning worship and my most generous and sacrificial tithe.  This was a message He often conveyed to me, back when I was a relatively new and extremely immature wife and Christ-follower who’d spent years learning to hold grudges rather than choosing to forgive. Back then, it seemed like my husband and I were always fighting about something. Sadly, in our selfishness and pride, we often cared more about winning an argument than investing in the health of our marriage. If not for God’s gentle, but steady, intervention, we probably would’ve divorced before our daughter’s fifth birthday.  Instead, the Lord nudged me to abandon my childish desire to prove myself right—getting my husband to admit to this, of course, with ample apology—and to choose gentle, gracious love instead. In short, to fight for our marriage, rather than against it.  This often occurred during church. I’d walk into the sanctuary frustrated, ruminating on some perceived injustice, expecting my husband to bridge the gap our anger had created between us. But then, inevitably, once the music started and I began to sing God’s praises, I’d sense Him softening my heart by allowing me to see my husband’s. As I sat in the Lord’s presence, He slowly replaced my bitterness and resentment with compassion and grace. In short, He brought a holy perspective to my otherwise selfish and deceived mind, while reminding me of times when I’d behaved in a similar fashion.  I find it challenging to remain upset with someone for hurting me in the same way I have them or someone else. Not only does this holy realization remind me of God’s mercy toward me, for a lifetime of thoughtless acts. But in that space, I’m also more apt to recall the reasons behind my past behaviors, which helps me view theirs with more curiosity and understanding and less contempt.  The Lord’s love, for me and my husband, and our relationship—elevates my view, helping me to respond to conflict less like a wounded toddler prone to lashing out and more like the mature, Spirit-led adult I am, by God’s grace, becoming. While this might feel like “losing” in the moment, it positions me to win in the ways that matter most.  Living this way also helps me avoid the sting of regret that comes when we feed and unleash, rather than prayerfully process, our anger and make the situation worse, potentially irreparably so.  This seems to be Christ’s warning in His words that follow. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court,” He said in ve

Your Light Matters More Than You Know: May Patterson paints a vivid picture of the firefly—tiny, unaware, yet radiant. It doesn't overthink or second-guess. It just shines. And that’s exactly what we’re called to do as believers. You don’t have to be flashy or famous. You don’t even need to feel impactful. You just need to let the light of Christ overflow in your everyday life—through kindness, faithfulness, sacrifice, and praise. When you do, you’re fulfilling a God-given purpose that makes this dark world just a little brighter. 💡 Key Takeaways: You don’t have to create the light—just reflect the One who is Light Small acts of love and faithfulness are sparks that push back the dark You may never see the full effect of your light—but it still matters deeply When we all shine together, the result is stunning 📖 “Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.” – Matthew 5:16 (TLB) 🕯️ So go ahead—shine on. The world needs your spark. 💬 Join the Conversation:How are you letting your light shine this week? Share your glow with us using #ShineAnyway and tag @LifeAudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Don’t Hide Your Light Today, Let It Shine! By May Patterson Bible Reading:“Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.” Matt. 5:16 TLB The firefly’s only purpose (that I know of) is to shine its light in the dark. But does it know how beautiful its light is?  No. The firefly doesn’t know how shining its one little light produces a wondrous spark in the inky darkness. It can’t see how its light combines with the lights of its pals to make a summer night beautiful. No, the firefly has no concept of any of these things. It simply shines. And when it does, it fulfills its God-given role. Maybe we’re like that.  As Christians, we also have a light to shine. It may not seem grand, or important, or impactful—and maybe, it’s not. But when you do what God calls you to do, when you take on an opportunity He places in your path, it provides light, beauty and even a bit of wonder to our dark world. If we all let our lights shine, it would be quite a show. Intersecting Faith & Life: So, what does it mean to “shine your light?” Here’s a few ideas: Recognize that you don’t have to produce the light, you simply have to reflect it. So, spend some time with the Lord today. Ask Him to make His face shine upon you and to fill you with His beautiful light. Then go out today and shine! Simply let the Lord’s light overflow from your heart. You can do this by reflecting God’s character in all that you do. Shine brightly today: By valuing your children.  By respecting your neighbor.  By helping a tired mother carry her load. By upholding your marriage vows. By being kind. By expressing gratitude to God and to others. By striving for purity in your speech and thoughts. By sacrificing for your family without complaining. By forgiving someone who has wronged you. By praising the Lord throughout your day. As you reflect God’s character, you will shine out like a star against the utter darkness of the world. Shining your light brings light, beauty and love into places that desperately need it.  The Bible says: “. . . Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Phil. 2:14 NLT Like the firefly, you may never realize how beautiful your light is. You may never see how it impacts others. You may never grasp how it fulfills God’s purpose. But that doesn’t matter. Simply let your light shine, today.  And if we all do that, it will be quite a show. Further Reading: Daniel 12:2-4 Phil 2:14-16 1 John 1:5-7 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Silence the Storm WithinMegan J. Conner writes and speaks with raw honesty about the inner chaos that often begins before our feet even hit the floor. With candid vulnerability, she describes anxious thoughts that arrive uninvited and swirl like storms. But through Scripture—especially Psalm 131 and the calming of the storm in Luke 8—she reminds us of the One who speaks “Peace, be still” to our restless minds. Even in our spiraling thoughts, God is present. He doesn’t condemn us for the clamor; instead, He invites us into quiet, into trust, and into peace. Like a weaned child resting in safety, our souls can find calm in His embrace. 🕊️ Key Takeaways: Like the disciples in the boat, we panic, but Jesus invites us to rest in faith The Lord speaks peace into our loudest, most anxious moments Identifying when and where anxious thoughts arise helps us proactively respond Time in God’s presence—through prayer, Scripture, and worship—brings soul-level quiet God is not overwhelmed by your worries; He’s already in the boat with you 📖 “I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.” – Psalm 131:2 (NLT) 💬 Join the Conversation:When does the “noise” hit you hardest—and how do you seek God’s peace in the middle of it? Share your quieting practices using #StillMySoul and tag @LifeAudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Quieting the Noise By Megan J. Conner “Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Ps. 131: 2 (NLT) “And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!”  I greet the day with clamoring, incessant thoughts. From the moment I open my eyes, I am bombarded with swirling shouts. Though silent to others around me, the projected worries and cares forecast every worst-case scenario I can imagine. Perhaps you can relate… Like a runaway train, your racing thoughts propel you far down the tracks of anxiety, where you feel the need to grasp for control of something… anything.  My heart feels battle-weary, and my feet have yet to even hit the floor. I grab my cup of coffee and my Bible, sit in my favorite chair, and begin to ask the Lord to calm the seas raging within me.  “One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:22-25 (NIV). Like the disciples in the gospel of Luke, I have a tendency to look at the wind and the waves and panic rather than rest in Him.  Why is it that our fears and unwieldy thoughts can so easily overshadow that which we know to be true? Despite my anxious state, I know that the Lord holds all things in His hands. That He is working for my good and not my demise (Rom. 8:28). I know that His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts (Isa. 55:8-9). Yet, when the noise arises, it demands attention. Often it creeps in unnoticed, one thought enters in, then another, until the volume is turned up so loud it starts to drown out my sanity. And then I hear that still small voice whisper, “Where is your faith?” Though convicted, I repent with gratitude. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, I wouldn’t recognize my downward spiraling thoughts. My mind was wandering towards the darkness, but He beckoned me back into the light. There, I intentionally quiet my soul.  I remind myself to be still, and know He is God (Ps. 46:10). And one incessant thought at a time, I surrender each care to the One who walks on water and calms the seas. He says, “peace be still.” He can be trusted. He, and He alone, is in control of all things. Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you struggle with clamoring thoughts that steal your peace? Do you feel like it is impossible to quiet your mind? If so, are you able to identify when and/or where you feel most plagued by doubts and concerns?  I have noticed I struggle the most early in the mornings, or when driving in the car. It is so easy to let my mind wander during both of these situations. Can you identify a similar pattern in your li

Faith Lit the Fire of Freedom. Lynette Kittle reminds us that the fight for liberty wasn’t just political—it was deeply spiritual. John Adams and other Founding Fathers understood that freedom begins with God. Influenced by the Great Awakening, their pursuit of independence was undergirded by prayer, Scripture, and a firm belief in God’s providence. From James Madison’s defense of religious liberty to Benjamin Franklin’s reflections on virtue and morality, America’s foundations were built on the understanding that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 🎇 Key Takeaways: The Declaration of Independence was born not just of revolution, but of revival John Adams envisioned July 4 as a day of “solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty” The Great Awakening helped prepare hearts for liberty Founders like Madison and Franklin saw virtue and faith as pillars of civil society Our freedom today rests on a foundation of spiritual conviction 📖 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13 💬 Join the Conversation:How does your faith inspire you to steward your freedom well? Share your reflections with us using #FaithAndFreedom and tag @LifeAudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: America’s Founders’ Faith behind the Declaration of Independence By Lynette Kittle “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love”--Galatians 5:13 On July 3, 1776, Founding Father and First Vice President and Second President of the United States John Adams wrote to his beloved wife, Abigail, about the high price of freedom paid to construct the Declaration of Independence. “You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not—I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States—Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.” Adams is also noted as saying that the American Revolution was preceded a generation or so by the spiritual revival in the hearts and minds of the people. America’s Spiritual Awakening Led to Freedom As Christian historians believe, the spread of “The Great Awakening” across the colonies greatly influenced and strengthened Patriot leaders leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, where prayer and fasting played a critical role in helping America to establish its freedom.  “The Great Awakening absolutely helped the cause of independence,” writes author, historian, and Providence Forum Executive Director Dr. Jerry Newcombe. “Even before the Great Awakening, the ministers, especially the ones from New England, helped shape the thinking of the Colonists as to their God-given rights. Meanwhile, a lot of Bible-based views were circulating long before the Great Awakening. That movement helped re-awaken people’s commitment to God and the Church.” Adams supported the spiritual awakening in our country, seeming to recognize and make the connection to where true freedom originates. As 2 Corinthians 3:17, explains, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” As well, in regard to the Declaration of Independence, Adams wrote to  his wife, “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other, from this Time forward forever more.” Faith of Our Founding Fathers Along with Adams, our Founding Fathers included men who believed in God and His providence in establishing the United States of America. Called the “Father of the Constitution,” James Madison, who became our nation’s 4th President, was pivotal in the drafting of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. Beginning as a state legislator in 1776, Madison worked heartedly to ensure there would be no federal religion imposed on citizens. He argued tirelessly for freedom of religion rights during the making of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, demanding the wording be changed from citizens having their religion fully tol

You were made to shine.In “Shine Your Light,” Whitney Hopler invites us to reflect on the purpose of our spiritual glow. Just as fireflies light up the night without effort, we’re called to radiate the hope, peace, and goodness of God. Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 5: your light isn’t for hiding—it’s for helping others see Him. When we live in kindness, walk in integrity, and reflect His love, people notice. And that’s the point—not to spotlight ourselves, but to glorify our Father in heaven. Key Takeaways: Your light is a gift from God—meant to shine Good deeds rooted in love and faith point people back to God Fireflies don’t strain to shine; they glow because it’s what they were created to do You were made to shine in the same way—naturally and boldly Don’t let the world’s darkness convince you to dim your light 📖 “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16, NIV. 💬 Join the Conversation:What does letting your light shine look like in your everyday life? Share your story with us using #ShineWithoutFear and tag @LifeAudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Shine Your Light By: Whitney Hopler  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16, NIV Every summer, I search for fireflies on my evening walks. I get excited every time I see the lawns in my neighborhood come alive with their tiny, dancing lights. Depending on the species, some fireflies shine white, and others shine yellow, as they illuminate the darkness. They don’t try to hide their glow. They simply shine, by instinct, as God designed them to do. For a few wondrous hours on summer nights, fireflies inspire us to think about how light is greater than darkness.  We often find ourselves facing spiritual darkness in this fallen and broken world. It can feel overwhelming, but we can always find light when we’re surrounded by darkness. That’s because Jesus is the Light of the World who offers everyone hope, and he tells us in this Bible passage that we have spiritual light in our souls that we’re meant to shine brightly.  When you invite Jesus into your life, his loving light begins to shine through you. Your life reflects the reality of God’s hope in a world that desperately needs it – as long as you let your light shine by living out your faith.  Jesus uses two powerful images to illustrate his point. He speaks of a town built on a hill, where it’s visible to everyone. Your God-given light isn’t meant to be hidden; it’s meant to be seen. Jesus also mentions lighting a lamp. No one lights a lamp only to hide it under a bowl. The point of lighting a lamp is to dispel the darkness to help people see. As Jesus says, people place a lamp on a stand, where its glow can reach everyone around it. Your light isn’t just for you. It’s meant to benefit others. What does it mean to “let your light shine before others”? It means living out your faith in ways that show people God’s light shining through your life. If you do your best to live a holy life, people will see God’s light shining through you. Spend time in prayer, read God’s Word, and seek to understand how God wants you to live. As you do, God’s Holy Spirit will empower you to live in a way that naturally reflects God’s light. You can ask Jesus to help you choose kind words and actions every day, make decisions with honesty and integrity, help people in need generously, forgive people instead of holding onto grudges, and everything else Jesus leads you to do, day by day. The more you do what Jesus inspires you to do, the brighter your light will shine to the people around you.  Jesus says that your good deeds are meant to point people to God. When people see the love, peace, and joy that radiate from you, they should be able to connect it back to the source of that spiritual light – God. Then, they’ll be inspired to glorify God.  Don’t let this world’s darkness dim your unique glow. God has called you to shine the light he has given you as brightly as you can, to show people the way to hope. Just as a town on a hill can’t be hidden and a lamp’s light is supposed to be seen well, your life is designed to reveal God’s love to people who need it. So, shine on, because the world needs your light!

What matters most when we show up to worship?In “Relationships Matter to God,” we’re reminded that unresolved conflict—especially in our closest relationships—matters deeply to God. In fact, Jesus said we should press pause on worship if we know someone has something against us. Why? Because our hearts, our humility, and our willingness to seek reconciliation are acts of worship too. One woman shares how God softened her heart during years of marriage struggles, leading her from resentment to grace—and from pride to peace. Key Takeaways: God prioritizes reconciliation over religious ritual We can’t truly worship when bitterness is brewing Conflict often becomes destructive when left unprocessed Christ calls us to deal with our emotions before they harden into contempt Forgiveness is a gift we give to others and ourselves 📖 “First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:24, NIV 💬 Join the Conversation:When has God led you to reconcile before continuing with worship? How did that change your heart—or your relationship? Share your story using #GraceBeforeTheGift and tag @LifeAudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-24, NIV). As someone navigating through some challenging and confusing relationships, this passage brings me comfort. While it doesn’t guarantee reconciliation, or a life filled with deep, safe, and fulfilling connections—even when I actively pursue such things—it does assure me that my relationships matter to God. In fact, they matter more to Him than my Sunday morning worship and my most generous and sacrificial tithe.  This was a message He often conveyed to me, back when I was a relatively new and extremely immature wife and Christ-follower who’d spent years learning to hold grudges rather than choosing to forgive. Back then, it seemed like my husband and I were always fighting about something. Sadly, in our selfishness and pride, we often cared more about winning an argument than investing in the health of our marriage. If not for God’s gentle, but steady, intervention, we probably would’ve divorced before our daughter’s fifth birthday.  Instead, the Lord nudged me to abandon my childish desire to prove myself right—getting my husband to admit to this, of course, with ample apology—and to choose gentle, gracious love instead. In short, to fight for our marriage, rather than against it.  This often occurred during church. I’d walk into the sanctuary frustrated, ruminating on some perceived injustice, expecting my husband to bridge the gap our anger had created between us. But then, inevitably, once the music started and I began to sing God’s praises, I’d sense Him softening my heart by allowing me to see my husband’s. As I sat in the Lord’s presence, He slowly replaced my bitterness and resentment with compassion and grace. In short, He brought a holy perspective to my otherwise selfish and deceived mind, while reminding me of times when I’d behaved in a similar fashion.  I find it challenging to remain upset with someone for hurting me in the same way I have them or someone else. Not only does this holy realization remind me of God’s mercy toward me, for a lifetime of thoughtless acts. But in that space, I’m also more apt to recall the reasons behind my past behaviors, which helps me view theirs with more curiosity and understanding and less contempt.  The Lord’s love, for me and my husband, and our relationship—elevates my view, helping me to respond to conflict less like a wounded toddler prone to lashing out and more like the mature, Spirit-led adult I am, by God’s grace, becoming. While this might feel like “losing” in the moment, it positions me to win in the ways that matter most.  Living this way also helps me avoid the sting of regret that comes when we feed and unleash, rather than prayerfully process, our anger and make the situation worse, potentially irreparably so.  This seems to be Christ’s warning in His words that follow. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court,” He said in verse 25. Otherwise, we might find ourselves hit with a heavy ruling, a verdict, we didn’t anticipate. Like relationships shattered over matters we could have, by God’s grace, resolved.  This is where I find His instructions in verses 21-22, where He equated hat

How do we respond when someone disappoints or offends us?In “Kindness and Compassion When Dealing with Others,” we’re reminded that while our instincts may push us toward harshness or confrontation, Scripture calls us to something higher—compassion, forgiveness, and restoration. One mom shares how she chose grace over anger after a trusted friend made a poor choice. The result? A restored relationship and a glimpse of God’s heart in action. Key Takeaways: God calls us to handle correction with grace (Eph. 4:32) Following Matthew 18 means addressing issues directly—and kindly Extending forgiveness models the grace we’ve received Gentleness can repair what harshness might destroy 📖 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32 💬 Join the Conversation:Have you ever had to confront someone in love? How did compassion change the outcome? Use #Love&Compassion and tag @LifeAudioNetwork to share your story. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Kindness and Compassion When Dealing with Others “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 My nineteen-year-old daughter came up to me during a wedding reception. “A friend tried to get me to drink alcohol,” she said. She assured me that she had not drunk it, but told me the offer made her feel uncomfortable. Not only that, but the friend told her she would block our view so that her father and I couldn't see what was going on. I was surprised and upset to hear this. I thanked her for telling me this and told her she was right to stand up for what she believed in and refuse the alcohol. Not only was this situation wrong, but the person who offered her the alcohol was someone who claimed to be Christian. She had just been baptized a few months prior and was a hard-working, intelligent individual. Although we had never had issues with this person before, it upset me that not only would she offer an underage person alcohol, but that she would go so far as to be deceitful about it. A few days later, I was still upset about this. I was tempted to go to her mother and let her know what had happened. I wanted her to apologize and assure me that it would never happen again. But as I prayed, I felt the Lord impressing upon my heart the need to deal with her in gentleness. Instead of going to her mother, I sent this person a text. I let her know that I loved her, but I also told her that the situation had been brought to my attention.  I asked her to respectfully refrain from ever doing that again. I also let her know that I would never think differently of her, and that all was forgiven. But I did want to let her know that the situation was unacceptable and should never happen again. A little while later, I received an apologetic response from this person. She told me she was wrong for doing it and let me know she would never do it again. In my flesh, I wanted to deal harshly with her, but as the above verse suggests, I needed to deal with her with kindness and compassion. I also needed to extend forgiveness freely to her, especially since we had never had to deal with this issue before. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and let her know that I still loved her despite the difficult situation, and also assured her I would not speak to her mother about it. Similar to the above verse, Matthew 18 commands us to go to a person and let them know when they are at fault. It is essential that in the first step of Matthew 18, we approach the person privately and discuss the matter with them alone. This gives them a chance to repent and express godly sorrow for what they've done. We also show them kindness in the wake of their sin. If they do so, we have won them over, and there's no need for future corrective action.  However, if someone is unwilling to repent or unable to do so, the next step in Matthew 18 should be taken. The person should then bring one or two witnesses with them and confront them again. If it remains an issue, it should be brought before the church. However, being brought before the church should be the last step in the process. The Bible does not want us to deal harshly with people. Many verses emphasize the need to restore people gently to the fellowship. We must never forget that we need forgiveness, just as everyone else does. My flesh wanted to deal harshly with this person, but the Holy Spirit led me to choose the latter option. As a result, our relationship was repaired and restored. She was able to express her feelings and ask for forgiveness, and I was more than willing to give it. Because of all this, God is glorified. Father, let us be people who treat others with kindness and

Are you doing all the right things—but missing the heart of it all?In “The Greatest Commandment,” Megan J. Conner reflects on Jesus’ simple but powerful call: Love God with everything, and love others as yourself. It’s easy to get swept up in serving, ministry, and spiritual performance—yet forget our First Love. If our actions aren’t rooted in love, we’ve missed the mark. Megan shares her personal story of learning this the hard way and invites us back to the source of it all: Jesus. Key Takeaways: Love is the foundation of every meaningful Christian action Our motivations matter as much as our service Ministry without love can drift into self-reliance or legalism Returning to Jesus renews both purpose and peace 📖 “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” – Matthew 22:37 💬 Join the Conversation:Where have you seen love make the difference in your walk with Christ? Use #Walkwithchrist and tag @LifeAudioNetwork to share your story. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Overwhelmed by life’s crashing waves?In “God’s Power is Stronger than Your Challenges,” Whitney Hopler shares the inspiring faith of a small island community literally disappearing beneath rising tides—and how their trust in God’s power sustains them. Psalm 93 reminds us that even when the storm surges, “the Lord on high is mighty.” When problems rise like pounding waves, God’s strength stands firm. 📌 Key Takeaways: Why God’s power is greater than even the fiercest storms How to find peace when your future feels uncertain Encouragement to focus on God’s might—not the magnitude of your problems A reminder that God’s power is limitless, even when we feel weak 📖 “Mightier than the thunder of the great waters… the LORD on high is mighty.” – Psalm 93:4 💬 Join the Conversation:What wave are you trusting God to carry you through? Share your story with us using #God'sTrust and tag @LifeAudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: God’s Power is Stronger than Your Challenges By: Whitney Hopler  “The seas have lifted up, LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea – the LORD on high is mighty.” – Psalm 93:3-4, NIV  Tangier Island, which sits in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, may not exist in a few decades. Rising sea water is eroding Tangier Island so quickly that two-thirds of it has already been lost since people started keeping track of the erosion in the mid-1800s. Scientists estimate that now, about 9 acres of the small island are disappearing under the waters of the Chesapeake Bay every single year. Despite lots of interest from people – including U.S. Congress members – to try to help, no one has raised the money so far to pay for the massive engineering project it would take to stop the erosion. So, the approximately 300 Tangier residents don’t know if they’ll lose their homes and need to move to the mainland. Some homes and yards are already being flooded, I noticed while visiting. Despite the fact that the sea water has lifted up pounding waves and the people of Tangier face a challenging future, their faith is strong. Many of the islanders are active in one of the two church congregations there. The people I talked with on my visit said they were at peace that, no matter what ends up happening to Tangier, they had hope for the future because God’s power would be there to help them. Either God would make a way for the engineering project to be funded and let them stay on the island they love, or God would help them adjust to life in a new place if they have to move. They knew that, somehow, God’s power would be stronger than the challenges they face from the rising sea.  Life often feels like a raging ocean, with waves of challenges crashing over us. Our problems can hit us with such force that they wash away our peace. But Psalm 93 describes God’s mighty power as “mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea”.  Think of the force of crashing waves that are so powerful they reshape coastlines. God’s power is much greater than waves like that. It’s so much greater, in fact, that it doesn’t have any limits at all. Even our hardest challenges are limited. But there is absolutely no limit to God’s power! The same God who created the universe and can calm any kind of storm is the God you can call on to help you with any kind of challenge.  So, when your challenges feel like overwhelming waves crashing over you, look beyond the powerful waves to the greater power of God. Choose to trust that God’s power is really available to you whenever you need it. Remind yourself that God’s power can help you even when waves are still crashing around you and you don’t know how your problems will be solved.  Don’t hesitate to confess your weakness to God and ask him to empower you through the Holy Spirit to overcome the challenges you face. Remind yourself of the truth Psalm 93 describes, that while waves of problems are washing over you, you can count on God’s mighty power to help you. God’s power can be like an anchor you rely on to stay strong and calm during the sea of challenges you go through in life.  Intersecting Faith and Life  As you consider how God’s mighty power is so strong that it’s strong enough to help you with any kind of challenge, reflect on these questions: What specific challenges are you currently facing that feel overwhelming? How does thinking about God’s power being mightier than the s

Feeling overwhelmed by the battles you’re facing?In “God’s Protection for Times of Crisis,” Jennifer Slattery shares a powerful reminder that we’re never alone in the fight. Drawing from Deuteronomy 3:21–22 and her family’s personal story of workplace adversity, she shows how God not only walks with us—but fights for us. Just like the Israelites in the wilderness, we can anchor our faith in the truth that our God is trustworthy, present, and powerful in times of trouble. Key Takeaways: Why hardship often grows our faith more than comfort How God uses crisis seasons to build deeper trust and freedom Encouragement to move forward even when fear creeps in The importance of remembering God’s past faithfulness to fuel present courage 📖 “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” —Deuteronomy 3:22 Listen now on LifeAudio.com or your favorite podcast app. 💬 Join the Conversation:Where have you seen God fight on your behalf? Share your story using #CrosswalkDevotional and tag @LifeaudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: God’s Protection for Times of Crisis By Jennifer Slattery Bible Reading: At that time I commanded Joshua: “You have seen with your own eyes all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. The Lord will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” Deuteronomy 3:21-22, NIV This was the message God gave our family years ago when my husband transferred into toxic work environment where certain individuals made it their mission to get him fired. Two years prior, he’d left the company to work for their competitors and had returned with a demotion that quickly turned into a promotion when railroad police escorted the former shop director off the property on numerous counts of fraud. Unfortunately, this left my husband with the difficult task of leading numerous workers who’d benefited from their previous boss’s corruption. They weren’t pleased with the necessary changes Steve implemented, nor the faith that drove him to do so. The union rep even went so far as to email the company president with a list of grievances, which he then tacked to the community board in the break room.  But while this was a stressful time, we chose to believe that God would bring good from it. And He did. The Lord protected my husband, provided for our family, and allowed those watching to catch a glimpse of Himself and His ways.  This has long been God’s pattern. Whereas we might prefer a trouble-free life, it’s often in seasons of hardship that our trust in Him grows the most. He’ll often remove those things that increase our self-reliance while allowing those things that deepen our dependence because He knows that is the only way we can thrive.  That always is, and always has been, His heart—to see His children living completely free; thriving. We see this in His interaction with the ancient Hebrews. The early books of the Old Testament record their story. To paraphrase, God used a man named Moses to liberate His people from 400 years of slavery in Egypt and to bring them into an intimate relationship with Himself. He wasn’t only breaking their physical chains; He was also seeking to free them from the shackles around their souls.  The men, women, and children who lived through the Exodus had experienced years, and for some, decades, of significant, chronic trauma. This hindered their ability to trust the Lord and Moses, their leader and their capacity to envision a hope-filled future. Add to this the fact that they’d spent their lives prior absorbing the influences of growing up in a pagan culture where people worshiped “gods” thought to be selfish, vindictive, fickle, and prone to jealousy.  Considering their background, their tendency to respond to frightening circumstances with a panicked and pathological fight for survival makes sense. As I’ve discussed numerous times on the Faith Over Fear podcast, throughout their wilderness journey, the Lord was teaching them that He was their Provider who they could trust. For forty years, He’d remained tangibly present, faithfully led them each day, satisfied their hunger and thirst in miraculous ways, and protected and defended them in times of danger.  By the time we get to today’s verse, those who left Egypt as adults have died, their children, now grown, have not only witnessed four decades of God’s faithfulness, but they also witnessed and experienced the painful results of their parents’ perpetual lack of faith. (Moses reminded them

Feeling the weight of change?In “To Everything There Is a Season,” Michelle Lazurek reflects on the bittersweet beauty of life’s transitions—whether you're letting go of childhood moments, entering a new stage of parenting, or simply learning to navigate life’s ever-changing rhythms. Based on Ecclesiastes 3:1, this devotional reminds us that God doesn’t waste a single season—even the hard ones. Key Takeaways: How to grieve and grow through life’s transitions Why every season (even the painful ones) has divine purpose What farmers, parents, and the Bible can teach us about spiritual seasons How to embrace where you are and trust God for what’s ahead 📖 “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” —Ecclesiastes 3:1 💬 Join the Conversation:What season are you currently in—and what is God teaching you through it? Share using #LifeAudioDevos and tag @LifeAudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: To Everything There Is a Season By Michelle Lazurek Bible Reading: “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 Tears welled up in my eyes as I waved goodbye to my daughter, who got on the big yellow school bus, and with its red flashing lights drove off into the distance for the last time. For ten years, I had stayed with my daughter at the bus stop to ensure she got on the bus to start her school day. But today was the last time she would ever get on a school bus. She had just gotten her license and was excited to drive to school. My mind recalled the many years I watched her run to the bus, sit by her friends, and giggle wildly as the bus took off. But there would be no more of that today. That season of her life—and ours—was over.  While it was exciting to watch her grow up and bask in the woman she was becoming, it was difficult not to grieve the loss of that season of life. The innocence of childhood was long past, giving way to the challenges of making new friends, attending high school, adjusting to classes, and navigating relationships. Just as we had always done, we stood by her and ensured that we saw her through every transition she would make. In life, everything has a season. We are promised that there will be good days and bad days.  Those endless days of changing diapers, folding laundry, and staying up for nighttime feedings give way to more exciting experiences, such as attending school, earning good grades, and eventually transitioning into adulthood.  Farmers understand the idea of seasons all too well. There are seasons throughout the year when they must plant the seed, moderate the growth, fertilize the soil, and then dig up the harvest. No farmer expects to remain in the harvesting season for the rest of their lives. They understand that to reach the harvest, there must be planting, weeding, and watering. If they skip a step in this process, their harvest will not be plentiful. It can impact their well-being and ultimately their ability to earn a living. Farmers understand that each season has its purpose, to prepare for the harvest that's to come.  In the same way, the difficulties you may be facing now will give way to better seasons in the future. Today will not always be difficult. There will be seasons in life that you love, and seasons in life that you simply endure. Don't skip through the seasons that are refining you and making you into the Christ-like person God wants you to be. Embrace those seasons and look back to reflect on all that God has done. What season in life are you in now? Are you in a season of raising children? Are you in the prime of your life, preparing to travel and explore the world? Are you going to work every day, saving up for the eventual season of retirement?  Seasons come and seasons go. To have a spring, there must be a winter. Dead leaves that fall to the ground in autumn must happen to allow new life and buds to sprout flowers for the spring.  But remember this: every season has its purpose. God does not waste our pain. Even in seasons of great trial and tribulation, they must happen so that we can get closer to Jesus. Those difficult seasons allow for new birth in our lives. The old self must die to give way to the new self. And it's essential to embrace each season of life as it comes, knowing that even in the worst seasons, there will always be room for better ones in the future. Father, help us to remember that every season has its purpose. If we are currently experiencing a difficult season of life, let us hold onto the hope that this will not last forever. Please help us to remember that you are using this difficult season to create new growth and new life. To experience new life, we must undergo old,

Is waiting wearing you down?In this devotional, Megan J. Conner reminds us that God’s delays are not His denials. Drawing from Habakkuk 2:3 and the fruit-bearing seasons of biblical heroes, Megan encourages readers to trust that every season—especially the slow ones—serves a sacred purpose in God’s perfect timing. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why spiritual growth often happens in the waiting How God uses delay to develop character and deepen trust Encouragement from Scripture for the dry or uncertain seasons A fresh perspective on why “the appointed time” matters more than your timeline 💬 Join the Conversation:Are you in a waiting season right now? What’s one way you’ve seen God at work behind the scenes? Share your thoughts and encouragement using #AppointedTime and tag @LifeAudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: An Appointed Time By Megan J. Conner “This vision is for a future time.It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently,for it will surely take place.It will not be delayed.” Hab. 2:3 (NLT) Have you ever longed for the arrival of something significant? Maybe it’s a vacation you have been saving and planning for, a graduation, an upcoming wedding, the birth of your first child, an employment transition, or a relocation across town or cross-country. When these impending milestones stretch out before us, it feels like they will never arrive. We are so excited to experience all that we imagine these moments will carry with them, that it feels like time slows down as we approach the anticipated dates. Creeping, crawling towards the finish line, there can be a sense that the day will never come.   Waiting can be so hard for some of us. Delayed gratification is something many of us struggle with in our modern culture. We are used to getting what we want, when we want it.  Though desirable to our flesh, instant fulfillment isn’t always the best thing for us.  In many cases, it can be to our detriment.  Think of a child who is granted all their heart's desires.  What kind of character is produced in such a child? Often, words like spoiled, entitled, demanding, and thankless come to mind. The true nature of the heart cannot help but overflow for others to witness. “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”  Matt. 7:15-20 (NIV). Our Heavenly Father understands the value of what is forged in seasons of denial and delay. There is something miraculous that occurs as we are forced to wait. The Israelites entered the desert a mixed group of disgruntled travelers, but when they crossed into the Promised Land they were a unified nation. It took forty years in the wilderness to fortify their faith and foster their maturity. It took Noah decades to build the ark.  Even Jesus went into the desert for forty days after His baptism before He launched His ministry. There is something sacred and holy about waiting for the appointed time.  A seed is buried in the darkness, with the weight of the soil pressing upon it. Once it has been inserted into the moist dirt, it can easily be forgotten.  But come spring and summer, the evidence of life bursts forth.  Eventually, those small buds grow into flowers and fruit. And when it has fully matured, and only when it has fully matured, is it ready for harvest.  It is the same with the character of our own hearts. If you find yourself in a season of waiting or uncertainty, know that the Lord is doing a good work in you.  Though the pruning may be painful, valuable fruit is being produced.   “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,” (Gal. 5:22-23, NLT). Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you find yourself in a season of waiting? If so, what specific emotions are you experiencing? Are you anxiously anticipating an exciting event? Or perhaps you feel a sense of impending doom as you look ahead toward undesirable circumstances? Or maybe you feel stuck, trapped, or are struggling with a lack of control?  How does understanding God’s good work through denied or delayed outcomes help you hold onto hope during this time? What other biblical stories come to mind when you consider others who were called to wait? How can their testimonies encourage you that you are not alo

What’s worth more than silver or gold?In this insightful devotional, Whitney Hopler explores the eternal value of a good name. Drawing on Proverbs 22:1 and examples from America’s founding fathers and mothers, she reminds us that a life of integrity is a legacy far more valuable than wealth. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why your reputation—your “good name”—matters more than riches How living with integrity reflects God’s character to the world The peaceful confidence that comes from an honorable life Why legacy built on character outlasts any financial gain 💬 Join the Conversation:How do you define a good name? Who in your life inspires you to live with integrity? Share your thoughts with @LifeaudioNetwork and tag #LegacyOfIntegrity to encourage others walking the same path. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: A Good Name Is Important By Whitney Hopler “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1, NIV I enjoy reading biographies of the people who helped start the United States – the so-called “founding fathers” and “founding mothers” of my country. One characteristic that connects them is how much they valued their good names over money. Back then, the United States wasn’t rich. The financial situation was unstable, and the people who worked hard to start this nation did so not for silver or gold, but because they believed they were serving an honorable cause. In all parts of their lives, many of the founders did their best to live with integrity. Their personal honor was very important to them. They cared more about being known for living honorable lives than about accumulating wealth.  We live in a fallen, broken world that constantly tells us money is the key to our fulfillment. But Proverbs 22:1 tells us that a good name is more desirable than great riches. It also tells us that to be esteemed – to be highly respected – is better than silver or gold.  What exactly is a “good name”? It’s not just the name your parents gave you. It’s your reputation and your character. Your good name is the positive way people see you and remember you, if you live an honorable life.  Why is a good name so important? It reflects God’s character. God is holy, and he wants us as his children to live holy lives. When we do so, we reflect God’s character to the world and draw people to him. A good name also opens doors, because it builds trust. People are more likely to be friends with you and to do business with you if they know you’re a person who lives with integrity. Living with a good name helps you live with peace, as well. You don’t have to worry about your past catching up to you or your secrets being exposed. There’s a peaceful confidence that comes from knowing you’ve done your best to live honorably with God and other people.  Valuing your good name will help you leave an important and valuable legacy behind. Wealth can disappear quickly. Any kind of crisis can hit you with big bills you didn’t expect and wipe out your savings. If you have any financial investments, market crashes can drain your wealth. There are all sorts of ways you can lose money. But if you’ve built a good name for yourself because you’ve lived an honorable life, your legacy can inspire people for many generations to come. Just like the founding fathers and mothers whose character and contributions inspire me, your own good name can be a powerful legacy of faith in action to people in the future.  You don’t need to be perfect to build a good name. We all make mistakes. But if you do your best day by day to seek God’s will for your decisions and follow through on those decisions with integrity, you’ll develop a good reputation – with God, and with the people who know you. It won’t be easy. Sometimes, you’ll have to make sacrifices in order to do what’s right. But the reward of enjoying a good name is far more valuable than any amount of silver or gold. It’s a treasure that truly lasts.  So, focus on living an honorable life that shows people some of the holiness of the God you serve. Let your reputation direct people’s attention to God’s goodness in your life!  Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider how important it is to live an honorable life, reflect on these questions:  What does “a good name” mean to you personally? How would you describe someone who has a good name? When was a time when someone’s good reputation influenced your decision to trust them or work with them? Have you ever witnessed someone sacrifice their inte

Feeling overlooked or pushed aside?Keri Eichberger shares a powerful reminder that being passed over by people doesn’t mean you’re passed over by God. Drawing from the story of Mordecai and insights from Kelly Minter, this devotional reveals how God’s perfect plan uses even the painful, unseen moments in our lives for His ultimate glory. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why feeling overlooked isn’t God’s final word on your story How God’s timing and plan work behind the scenes—even when we don’t see it The powerful example of Mordecai waiting for his moment of honor How God redeems our pain for His greater glory 💬 Join the Conversation:Have you ever felt pushed aside, only to see God’s plan unfold later? What helped you trust His timing? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #GodsGreaterGlory and share your story of hope and patience. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Pushed Aside for God’s Greater Glory By Keri Eichberger For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.  (Romans 11:36)  I dealt with a disappointment alongside one of my teenage kids last night. It wasn’t the first time we’d mulled over a similar circumstance. And to be honest, I don’t even need to mention which kid and what the exact situation was. Because on most days, at least one of the few is confessing a struggle with feeling overlooked by a coach, teacher, fellow student, or even a good friend. And as you may very well know, it can be painful to walk through such insecure moments with a child or someone you love. We want so much for them to be seen for the genuine potential that we see. Bottom line, we hurt deeply when our people hurt. And what makes it hit even harder is that we also know exactly how it feels to feel slighted. How much it hurts when we appear to be underappreciated and pushed aside.  You know this exact feeling don’t you? You’ve walked beside someone who has endured this rough road, and you yourself have had many first hand accounts of the sting of rejection too. Maybe there’s a situation in your midst at this very moment that seems unfair and you’re not quite receiving the treatment and attention you believe your intentions and efforts deserve. I’m there. As I navigate my own sense of questioning why something I’ve poured into has been pushed aside, while others’ seeming parrelled efforts are paying off. It wasn’t until this morning that conversation opened about the disappointment with said child. Allowing time for the ache of the wound to subside. But when the confession of exclusion finally surfaced this morning, I was ready to offer consoling words of apology for the letdown that must have been. And once I’d offered space for my comforts to sink in, I knew truth needed to be spoken to truly redeem some damage done. A truth I was not so coincidentally studying that prior morning about God’s authority and good plan for the overlooked moments of our lives. A truth we all need to hold on to.  While listening to a video teaching by bible teacher Kelly Minter, she stated, “Don’t mistake being passed over by a person for being passed over by God.” Kelly was working through the book of Esther and recounting the story of Mordecai being honored for saving the King’s life. But here’s the thing, Mordecai had actually saved the King’s life two years prior, without so much as a hint to his rescuer that entire duration. Can you imagine saving the literal life of a prominent person and no one noticing. I don’t know about you, but saving someone’s life doesn’t even compare to the things I’ve felt overlooked for. But eventually, after two years of probably thinking he’d take his deed to the grave—the King was divinely informed. And then celebrated and honored Mordecai in such an extravagant way that made the whole Kingdom aware. You see, what may have seemed pushed aside and passed over, was never actually passed over by God. He just had a bigger and better plan. The truth we need to take with us is this: God has ultimate authority always, and he is always interested in a redemption story that gives him the greatest glory. Intersecting Faith and Life: God’s goal of glory tells me that when you, I, or someone we love feels slighted and overlooked—when maybe it doesn’t even seem fair or deserved—there is purpose in each pain point in the process. Yes, in each less-than-ideal instance in our lives, God could have allowed a different scenario that may have been more pleasing to us in the moment. But the way whatever happened has happened, is part of a perfect plan for the best outcome. For his good and mo

Ever wonder what true faith really looks like?Kyle Norman explores how faith isn’t just something we hold—it’s something we do. Meeting the risen Jesus transforms lives radically, like it did for Saul, Ananias, and Peter. Through their stories, we see Jesus calling each of us to a new way of living marked by grace, change, and bold love. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why faith is an active, life-changing relationship, not just a belief How encounters with Jesus transform attitudes, actions, and purpose The stories of Saul, Ananias, and Peter as examples of radical change How Jesus meets us where we are—no one is beyond His grace 💬 Join the Conversation:Where has Jesus transformed your life? What change is He calling you to now? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #ChangedByJesus and share your story or favorite Scripture about transformation. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: When Jesus changes lives. Written and read by Kyle Norman “Immediately Saul began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:20) We often use the language of “having faith”, but that makes it seem like faith is a possession we hold. Or maybe faith is a tool that we keep in our spiritual utility belts, only to be used when we need to solve some spiritual problem. But faith, biblically, is a verb – it is an action, a way of life.  This is why the followers of Jesus were initially called “Followers of The Way.”  Meeting the risen Jesus naturally changes us. Jesus changes our habits, our behaviors, our attitudes, the very way in which we live. Here’s the thing, scripture continually tells the same story.  When people meet the risen Jesus, people meet a Lord who changes their life. There are many examples of this. Take Saul for example. Acts 9 begins by stating that Saul was breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples (Acts 9:1). But if you jump just 20 verses later, we hear that he is in the synagogues proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. That’s quite the change isn’t it!  Those two bookend verses highlight that something big must have happened to change this man so dramatically.  Of course, there was. Saul had an encounter with the risen Jesus.  The same thing happens to Ananias. As Saul is praying and fasting on Strait Street, trying to make sense of his experience on the road to Damascus, the Lord appears to Ananias. Jesus calls him to go to Saul and pray for him. But Ananias initially expresses some hesitation. He’s heard of Saul, he knows his reputation, he responds to the Lord, questioning if this is really the person he was to go see. But Jesus calls Ananias to step out in bold faith, and to witness and pray for someone he never thought he would.  And then of course there is Peter. Who can forget Peter, lovable, somewhat dim-witted Peter?  Not only does Peter deny knowing Jesus, not once, but three times, he does this immediately after he tells Jesus I will never do that! And not only does he deny his Lord, but he also curses himself while doing so.  And yet when he meets the risen Lord, affirming his love for him, Peter is called to a new life of ministry and leadership. All these people have their lives changed because they meet the risen Jesus. Jesus calls them to embrace a different way of life. Saul to accepting the risen Jesus, preaching what he once denied.  Ananias, to reach out to someone he never thought he would, and Peter to become the head of this rag-tag movement called “Followers of The Way”. In each person, in ways unique to what Jesus wanted to do in them and through them, Jesus works a transformation.  So, if Jesus changed the lives of all these people, don’t you think that he might come to us and change our lives to? Intersecting Faith and Life Isn’t it great that nobody ever works theirs way out of the graceful acceptance of Jesus? There is no one who is deemed unworthy, there is no one for whom Jesus will not come and meet in his grace. At times, it may be tempting to think that Jesus doesn’t want to work in us or through us. We may even fear that a sin, or some insufficiency in our life, may cause Jesus to refuse us.  But, let’s be honest, if Jesus would refuse anyone, wouldn’t he refuse the person breathing murderous threats against his followers? Or if not Saul, surely it would be Peter, right?  If there is anyone who would have done something to remove themselves from the blessings of Jesus, it’s that the one who denied him so boldly.  If Jesus does not reject Saul, or Peter, or any of the disciples who turned their backs and ran away, why would Jesus ever refuse us?  Where do you think that J

Cindi McMenamin reminds us that Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him—and find rest. With wisdom from Matthew 11:28-30, she reveals how God’s “burden” isn’t about endless tasks but a call to love Him passionately, freeing us from anxiety and exhaustion. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why Jesus offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light How loving God is the greatest “task” and the source of true rest The difference between God’s invitation and the heavy burdens we place on ourselves How to replace stress and striving with peace through faith and grace 💬 Join the Conversation:When have you felt weighed down by life’s demands? How do you find rest in God’s love? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #BurdenIsLight and share your story or a favorite Scripture that helped you find peace amid the chaos. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: When There’s Too Much to Do  By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)  Are you feeling today that there is just too much to do? I remember a time in my life when I felt like I was drowning under the pressures of my job, in addition to being a pastor’s wife, mother, director of women’s ministries, friend, sister, and daughter. There was so much to do to keep up with family relationships, to keep up the house, to keep up with my job, and to keep up in my walk with God. I literally felt I was drowning in obligations, and continually coming up short.  Today I know that when I begin to feel like that, I’ve taken on more than I was intended to bear. And certainly more than God wants me to bear.  In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus told His people to come to Him and find rest because they were carrying burdens too heavy to bear. They were frustrated and failing under the religious system of their day that put heavy burdens on them to live perfectly and obey every letter of the law. Jesus offered them His burden instead—a burden He said was light. What is the burden He offered them and the one God places on us today? What is the one thing He requires of us more than anything else?  One man asked Jesus that same question. And Jesus’ response was: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Matthew 11:28-30 in The Message reads like this:  “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Intersecting Faith and Life God’s greatest requirement of us is not to do things for Him. It is to love Him. And not to just love Him, but to love Him passionately, desperately, above any other person or thing.  God’s “burden” on us is not a heavy one. In fact, it isn’t a burden at all. It’s a privilege to love the God who sent His Son to die for us. The heavy burdens are the ones we place on ourselves:  Trying to work out everyone else’s problems when God simply calls us to pray for others and do what we can, and leave the rest to Him.  Working harder for the church, thinking we must earn His love and grace, when He has already saved us by our faith and His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) Seeking to make amends for our past when God has told us He has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12)  When I consider loving Him as my highest obligation and my heaviest burden, it makes all the other things I think I have to do pale in comparison. My to-do list, my project at work, my financial situation—none of those things is as important as loving my God. And therefore, I truly can take His yoke upon me and find rest. There is anxiety and stress in striving to carry my own burdens. There is peace and rest in simply loving Him. O Lord, for all the times we start to feel weary and weighted down, help us to remember Your invitation to come to You, lay our burdens at Your feet, and find true rest.  Further Reading: Mark 12:28-34 For more on growing closer to the God of rest, see my book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opp

Keri Eichberger invites us to pause and fix our eyes on the steadfast truths of God—even when all we see is cloudiness ahead. Drawing from Psalm 23:6, she reminds us that God’s goodness and love follow us through every shadowed step, offering a future filled with hope beyond what we can imagine. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): How to respond when life feels uncertain and the path ahead is unclear Why focusing on God’s unfailing goodness helps clear the fog of doubt What it means to “set up camp” on God’s promises amid restrictions and unknowns The assurance of God’s presence and blessings no matter how dim the view ahead 💬 Join the Conversation:Have you ever faced a season where your future felt clouded or confusing? How did you hold onto God’s promises? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #PathAheadIsCloudy and share a verse or story that helped you trust God’s goodness through uncertain time. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: When The Path Ahead is Cloudy By Keri Eichberger Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.  (Psalm 23:6)  The other morning I woke with more fog in front of me than usual. I sat in my recliner, peered out the window, and stared at the heavy layer of low clouds blocking every speck of sunshine. Shielding my view of what lay in the distance. And that was exactly the sense that had been settling in my mind and heart. An obstruction of what might be happening beyond my present moments and current focus—a strange swelling sensation of cloudiness within. I couldn’t quite see what God was doing and where he might be leading me. The path ahead seemed cloudier than ever and left me with a sense of shadowed entrapment. And I couldn’t put my finger on why. All I knew is that it felt extremely uncomfortable. And I longed for God's clear vision and sight of a paved path to hope and joy. I shared my confusion with my husband and suggested to him that maybe I was feeling this way because my current circumstances were so limiting, causing my future to feel more uncertain than ever. Thus, I couldn’t even guess what tomorrow would look like, much less what next week, a few months ahead, or the year’s end might bring.      Do your current surroundings look a little foggy? Is your view ahead clouded with restrictions. limitations. or tons of unknowns?  You might not necessarily feel super confined in your present moments, but even if you do have freedom to plot out the points toward your next desired destination, no one really knows what’s next. All we can truly be sure of is what we see right now. That, and the steadfast truths of God.  And this is precisely where I knew I needed to set up camp. Not staring at the thick layer of clouds dimming my uncertain circumstances. But at the truths of God. God’s unfailing, redeeming goodness. And it’s in that laser focus—eyes locked in on him—that we begin to see again. Staring at his perfect love, we start to see the light, gain clearer vision, and see beyond the present. And not the perfect worldly future we may have prior dreamt up—but a bright future nonetheless. Because here is what we can be sure of for our future. With the good Lord as our hearts’ and minds’ delight and desire, our future will be full of goodness.  Intersecting Faith and Life: When we choose to follow Jesus, and when we fix our eyes on him, we know our Lord will show up with so much goodness and boundless blessings. We know our good God will redeem all things that are hard and hurting right now.  Because the Bible promises… his goodness and love will follow us all the days of our life, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this challenging devotional, we’re invited to look beyond the familiar, graceful images of the cross and confront its raw, uncomfortable reality. Drawing from Hebrews 12:1-2, the author reveals how Jesus endured the shame, mockery, and cruelty of the cross — not as a symbol of beauty, but as a testament to His love and faithfulness. This is faith in its most extreme, honest form. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why the cross was the ugliest form of execution — and why Jesus chose it How enduring shame and derision reveals Jesus as the pioneer and perfecter of our faith Why the cross challenges us to embrace discomfort in our faith journey How Jesus meets us in our shame and brokenness, not just in our victories 💬 Join the Conversation:How has confronting the difficult truths of the cross impacted your faith? What does “enduring the cross” mean in your life today? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #UglinessOfTheCross and share your thoughts or a favorite hymn that helps you meditate on this truth. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: The ugliness of the Cross. “Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) How many crosses do you own? Where are they, and in what style? Writing and recording this today, I can see several crosses around me. There is the gold cross I wear on my finger and the silver one around my neck; I also have a wonderfully hand-crafted cross of nails hanging on my wall. These crosses are all artistic, and beautiful. Such majestic representations of the cross pair well with the regal language we use to describe the cross. We may speak about the victory we receive, or how the cross testifies to salvation, love, and forgiveness. We might sing about the Old Rugged Cross, and how we will cherish it deeply. A favorite hymn of my church growing up was described the cross as erected on “some green hill far away outside the city wall”; It all seems quite regal, quaint, and nostalgic, doesn’t it? Don’t get me wrong, there is truth in all of this. The cross is a moment of victory and truly love and forgiveness comes our way because of the Cross. But there is a deeper truth that we always must remember: The cross of Jesus was ugly. Jesus did not die upon some majestic religious symbol. In the ancient world, the cross was a tool of execution, reserved for those deemed unworthy of any respect or dignity. In fact, written in Roman law was the decree than no Roman citizen could be killed on the cross. The cross was reserved for the worst of the worst, declaring them less than nothing. The reason why Jesus died on the “green hill far away outside the city wall” wasn’t because this was a place of scenic beauty; no, it was a place wherein the crucified could be mocked. It was the place of the skull, signifying how cut off the crucified was from all life, love, and provision. When Jesus hung upon the cross, those standing by Jesus didn’t muse about the love of God, they mocked him. They derided him.  They insulted him. “You who could save others, save yourself!” they jeer.  “Come down from the cross, if you can,” they cry. And that grand sign above Jesus “This is the King of the Jews” was not written as some statement of faith. This was Pilate declaring defeat over any would be Israelite King.   No. Jesus didn’t take on that which was beautiful or majestic, as if it was something easy and dignified. He endured the cross, taking on its shame. On the cross, Jesus took upon himself, everything that makes us squirm, everything that makes us recoil, everything that makes us uncomfortable.  But it was this that testifies to who Jesus is. Intersecting Faith and Life Jesus shows his true nature, he reveals the fullness of himself as the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord of all, not because he escapes the cross, nor transforms it to some easy symbol. No, He proves who he is, and the salvation he brings, by hanging there, and by taking upon himself not an easy or beautiful cross, but one of derision, mockery, and shame. Jesus scorns all that the cross represents; he shows that he is the pioneer and perfector of our faith precisely because he endures the cross, because he takes it on and does not forsake it. The cross, therefore, is the symbol of faith precisely because it is ugly, because it is extreme, because it is a symbol of shame, abandonment, and derision. The cross is the symbol of faith, it represents everything that is not beautiful, or majestic, or surrounded by p

In this comforting and deeply personal devotional, Alexis A. Goring draws inspiration from a NOOMA teaching by Rob Bell to remind us that even when we feel forgotten or afraid, God is holding us close. Using Psalm 34:18 and a father’s love as the backdrop, she paints a powerful picture of how God shelters us—even when the thunder is loud and the way home feels far. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why your brokenness is not a barrier, but a bridge to God’s heart How Scripture shows God’s nearness in life’s hardest moments A moving analogy of God’s love through the eyes of a father carrying his son through a storm The reassurance that you’re not just seen by God—you’re held 💬 Join the Conversation:Have you ever sensed God holding you through a storm? What reminders help you trust Him as your guide? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #HeldByGod and share your story—or a worship song that brought you peace. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: When God Holds You Close By: Alexis A. Goring “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”—Psalm 34:18 (NIV) Have you ever felt like you were going through hard times alone? Do you ever feel like God is far away and doesn’t care about what you’re facing? Did you ever think that God abandoned you, leaving you to face the storms of life by yourself without adequate shelter and proper care?  If so, then this devotional inspired by a teaching by Rob Bell, is for you. Bell, an American author, once shared a real-life story illustration for NOOMA Small Group Bible Study titled, “Rain”. The story features a father holding his young son close to shelter him as they walk through a violent rainstorm in the woods.  Bell sets the scene: He was with his family as they were spending time in a cabin in the woods on the edge of a remote lake that was deep in the middle of nowhere. One morning, he and his son Trace set out to take a walk around the lake at a point of the day where there were clear blue skies, sunshine and birds chirping. At the time, Trace was a little over one year old and he seemed happy and content. Bell was carrying his son in one of those hiking backpacks strapped to Bell’s back. They set out through the woods to walk around the lake. As they reached the other side of the lake, they were the farthest possible point from the cabin. As they rounded the bend to head back to the cabin, Bell looked up and noticed clouds. Then, it started to rain. At first, only a few drops of rain fell. But soon after, the raindrops grew big and began to fall fast, leading to a downpour. Bell said it was the kind of rain that soaks you to the core, plasters your hair against your head and drenches your clothing.  At first, Trace was okay but as the downpour increased and it started thundering, Trace became more agitated. Soon, he went from whimpering to shrieking as the trees and leaves are no longer provided adequate shelter. The trees started to shake. Trace began to scream loudly with terror in his voice.  Bell then shares what Scripture says about our cries. God says that He listens to us when we cry out to Him. He never ignores the cries of people who feel afflicted. God even says that when you cry, He’s close to the brokenhearted. He’s close to those who cry out. He listens. God never ignores our cries.  Bell continues teaching saying, “There is this false, twisted idea out there among religious people that somehow, you’ve got have it all together to have a relationship with God. Like somehow, God’s only looking for people who have no problems and have it all nailed down and can put on the happy face all the time. Yet, the Scriptures speak directly against this kind of thinking. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden.” The essence of salvation is crying out to God and admitting, “I don’t have it all together.” Bell makes it clear that a key part of our Christian faith walk is about asking God to fix things and step in and rescue us. God invites us to let Him into our problems and trust Him to take care of it. Finally, Bell challenges his students to think about the storm from Trace’s perspective. He said, “For Trace, the storm is his reality. He sees nothing else! The lightning and the thunder and the trees swaying and the raindrops and the water just dripping off him, it’s all he knows. He sees no reality beyond the storm. What Trace doesn’t realize is that as his dad, I would do anything to get him home.” Bell goes on to say that when the storm grew more intense, he took his son out of his backpack carrier and wrapped his arms around Trace, pulling him close to

When the world feels broken and your soul is weary, how do you hold on to hope? In this moving devotional, Vivian Bricker reflects on the promise of Revelation 21:5 and shares how slowing down in the midst of personal illness opened her eyes to God’s presence—and His promise to renew all things. With raw honesty and eternal perspective, she offers encouragement for anyone walking through hard seasons. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why noticing God’s beauty in creation can shift your outlook How suffering reminds us that this world is not our forever home The biblical promise of complete restoration in the New Heaven and New Earth An invitation to trust God in the waiting, knowing He’s making all things new 💬 Join the Conversation:Where have you seen glimpses of God’s renewal in your life lately? What gives you hope when life feels heavy? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #AllThingsNewDevotional and share a moment that reminded you of God’s faithfulness. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: God Is Making All Things New By Vivian Bricker “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Revelation 21:5).  Whenever we spend time outdoors, we are reminded of God’s beauty. This is why I enjoy spending time outdoors. The beautiful blue sky, the shining sun, and the singing birds help me to remember that there is still hope in the world. Since my days are often spent in doctor's offices and clinics, it is a nice break to step outside and enjoy God’s craftsmanship.  However, if we do not pay careful attention to this beauty, we will miss it. I have noticed many times in my life that I have had a habit of rushing and missing out on these beautiful things. Rather than slowing down and fully absorbing the sky or the clouds, I'm just rushing from one place to the next. Ever since I was diagnosed with an autoimmune illness, I have slowed down and started to take note of these parts of God’s creation.  One of my symptoms during a flare-up is extreme lethargy. I cannot move as fast as I would like, so I must take it slowly. This has been a blessing in disguise because it helps me notice all the little things in life: the blooming of the flowers, a few storm clouds in the distance, or the happy face of a stranger as they pass by.  If we slow down enough, we will be able to notice all of these things. However, you don’t have to undergo a traumatic diagnosis to start appreciating all of the things God has placed in the world. Taking time to notice these things will help us have a healthier outlook on life. Even when things are not going upward, God is still good, and He is still in control.  On the other hand, sometimes we can notice all of the bad things in life. It doesn’t take much to notice this, such as seeing our loved ones in pain, being diagnosed with an incurable illness, struggling with mental health issues, or witnessing the death of someone we love. There is hate, bullying, and mass killings going on every day. When we look at these things, we see the world has come a long way from the way God created it.  God created the world perfect, but sin changed everything (Genesis 3:1-24). Illness, sickness, evil, and death sprang into being. This is why terrible things happen in the world. It is not because of God, but rather, it is because of sin in the world. The world has fallen, and it is filled with all of us who are fallen sinners. We get hurt by others, and we hurt others too.  Intersecting Faith & Life:  In the future, God will make all things new. The Bible tells us, “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Revelation 21:5). This is a wonderful promise given to us by God. The fallen world we are living in will be destroyed and created new.  The evil and pain we see today won’t continue for all eternity. There will come a day when light finally reigns. No longer will we see anyone get sick or die. Instead, we will be living with the Lord in perfect harmony. He has blessed us by dying for us, and for all those who place faith in Him, we will be able to see the beautiful creation that is to come.  Therefore, as you slow down and notice these things, trust in God. He is there through the good and the bad. We can appreciate the good while also being aware of sin in the world. Both the good and the bad can help us be encouraged and yearn for better days. One day, all things will be made new, and we will live in the New Heaven and New Earth with God.  We can all lift our heavy hearts

Where do you go looking for joy? In this heartfelt devotional, Whitney Hopler shares a personal story of travel disappointment that led to a powerful revelation: true joy isn’t found in plans or places—it’s found in God’s presence. Based on Psalm 16:11, this episode dives into how joy differs from happiness and why the world can never offer the kind of lasting joy our souls crave. 💡 Key Takeaways: Happiness fades. Joy is rooted in relationship, not circumstance. Psalm 16:11 reveals three truths: God guides your path, His presence fills you with joy, and His pleasures last forever. When everything else disappoints, God remains the source of deep, soul-anchoring joy. Join The Conversation:What’s one place you’ve looked for joy that didn’t deliver? How might your week change if you prioritized simply being in God’s presence? Share your reflections and tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #FindingJoy 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Where to Find Joy By: Whitney Hopler “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” – Psalm 16:11, NIV  I love to travel, and it’s a blessing whenever I have an opportunity to take a new trip. But I’ll always remember the time when I discovered that I couldn’t count on finding joy from a trip. I’d planned lots of fun activities for my family in Amsterdam that didn’t work out. For many months, I’d imagined us enjoying those activities together, only to have some of them fall through. We couldn’t even enjoy the activity we had looked forward to the most – riding bikes together along Amsterdam’s famous canals – because we hadn’t made advance reservations for bikes and they were all rented out from nearby bike shops. On top of that, my phone was stolen on a busy tram. I was so upset that I left my family in our rented townhouse and wandered the streets by myself to cry and pray. As I poured out my disappointment to God, I sensed God leading me to sit down on a bench and just focus on his presence with me. It only took a short time of paying attention to God’s presence to start feeling better. Soon, my sadness evaporated and an incredible amount of joy washed over me. It was just being in God’s presence – not anything else – that brought me the joy I was searching for. Everyone I know wants to enjoy their lives. But some haven’t found joy yet, because they’re looking for it in the wrong places, like I did when I thought I could find joy by planning a dream vacation. We can chase after achievements, relationships, vacations, and more while hoping that they’ll finally give us the joy we long for. They might make us happy temporarily. But after those happy feelings fade, we’re back to chasing something else.  That’s because happiness and joy are not the same. Happiness happens when our circumstances are good. Joy, however, comes from a deeper source than temporarily good circumstances. Joy is a gift that comes from being connected to God. It’s a deep sense of gladness that comes from knowing God loves us completely and unconditionally. We can experience joy in any kind of circumstances, no matter what.  Psalm 16:11 describes where to find joy. It starts by reminding us that God shows us the path we should walk. Even when we feel uncertain, God promises to lead us on a path that’s full of life – not just existence, but real life, where we live to the fullest. Then it points out that God will fill us with joy in his presence. God himself is the source of our joy! When we draw near to God by communicating with him in prayer and meditation, God meets us with his joy. That joy is strong enough for us to experience in any situation. Finally, Psalm 16:11 says that God gives us “eternal pleasures at your right hand.” The joy God gives us lasts for eternity! It never runs out. We can enjoy pleasures from God forever, because they’re the pleasures of being loved by our eternally loving God.  Looking for joy in this fallen world is bound to disappoint us. But searching for joy in God’s presence will reliably lead us to experiencing it. God gives us real joy, which is something that the world can’t offer and can’t take away. Even in suffering, we can rejoice, because God’s presence is with us in all circumstances. So, we don’t need to worry when we don’t find joy in other places. We can always find joy when we look for it in God’s presence!  Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider where to find joy, reflect on these questions:  When have you recently felt happy in good circumstances, but lost that happ

When everything feels like it’s falling apart, where do you turn? In this powerful devotional, Cindi McMenamin encourages us to place our hope not in answers or outcomes—but in the God who holds all things together. With Scripture, personal insight, and a look at sobering mental health trends, she makes a compelling case for anchoring our hearts in the “God of hope” (Romans 15:13). 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why hope is as essential to the human soul as food and water The difference between hoping for answers and hoping in God How Romans 15:13 offers a framework for emotional and spiritual resilience A call to deepen trust in the One who sustains you, even in the unknown 💬 Join the Conversation:Where have you found hope lately? What Scripture has helped you stay grounded in tough times? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #SourceOfOurHope and share a verse or story to encourage others. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: The Source of Our Hope By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer   “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NASB)  When life seems to fall apart, we can begin to wonder why we’re here and if there truly is Someone controlling the grand scheme of things. Where is God? we might wonder. And can He really hold this together?  Research says humans cannot live without food, water, and shelter. It usually takes 40 days or less without any of those elements for the body to die. But scientists and medical experts have now concluded there is one thing humans cannot live without for an even shorter amount of time and that is hope. Without hope, the spirit gives up far earlier.  We need hope—for the future, for a sense of purpose, for the assurance that there is a divine design to life and things really do happen for a reason in the grander scheme of things. We need hope that help will arrive soon for whatever is ailing us.   I’ve heard many believers say they hope that when they get to heaven that God will reveal to them why a loss or difficulty occurred. That sounds like hope in one day gaining answers to the questions we have, or hope in the assurance that there was a reason for our suffering. Yet what you and I really need is hope in the One who holds all things together, including us.  Romans 15:13 tells us He is “the God of hope.” And Colossians 1:17 tells us, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”  Intersecting Faith and Life  Because you and I know God in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, we should be the most hopeful people on the planet. And yet studies show that anxiety, depression, and a sense of despondency is at an increasingly high rate today—even among believers. According to Barna Research Group, the top two things U.S. adults are looking for spiritually are inner peace and hope, and that statistic is among believers, as well as unbelievers. (https://www.barna.com/research/year-in-review-2023/)  That tells me there’s a disconnect between believing in God and knowing Him and His character and realizing He is the God of all hope.  Scripture defines faith, in Hebrews 11:1 as “the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen” (NASB1995). If faith is believing what we hope for exists, then clearly having faith in the One who can do all things should make a tangible difference in our lives and our anxiety levels. It should give us hope.  The opposite of hope is doubt, pessimism, or despair. That last condition is one of the leading reasons behind suicide, which is now one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., represented by one death every 11 minutes. (The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher.) In 2021, an estimated 12.3 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.7 million attempted suicide. And this statistic is no longer represented primarily by seniors and veterans. In 2021, suicide was among the top nine leading causes of death for people ages 10-64, and it was the second leading cause of death for children ages 10-14 and adults ages 20-34! (https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html) Shouldn’t knowing the God who is in control of all things give us the hope and peace we need to survive this world, or at least one more day? Not unless we really trust this God we claim to know. When we truly get to know Him, through His Word, we can trust Him and realize our suffering is for a reason—it is shaping us into the likeness of Jesus. Don’t give up, my friend. The God of hope, whom Scripture says does no

In this heartfelt devotional, Lynette Kittle reflects on the power and purpose of honoring fathers—and how doing so honors God. Through Scripture and personal stories, she reminds us that God designed fatherhood as a reflection of His own love and authority. Even when our relationships with earthly fathers are difficult or broken, God invites us to healing, respect, and honor in ways that please Him. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why honoring your father isn’t just a cultural suggestion—it’s a command with a promise How honoring your father connects directly to your relationship with God What Scripture says about the cost of dishonor and the reward of respect Encouragement for those who have experienced father wounds and need healing 💬 Join the Conversation:What’s one way you’ve been able to honor your father—either in presence or in memory? Share your thoughts and tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #HonorYourFather as we reflect together on the importance of fatherhood and faith. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: How Honoring Fathers Honors God By Lynette Kittle “Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth”--Ephesians 6:2-3 Every few years or so, my birthday falls on Father’s Day, which is especially meaningful to me because it’s a reminder of my being born on my Father’s birthday. As a child growing up, I loved sharing my birthdays with him. Memories include my Dad and me splurging at Dairy Queen on our birthdays, being able to pick out whatever ice cream treats our hearts desired, whereas we usually just bought a chocolate covered ice cream cone. As an adult, often living miles apart, we spent fewer birthdays together, but even so, my Dad would send a special birthday card just from him, writing once again like he did every year, how I was the best birthday gift he ever received. Having a loving relationship with my Dad taught me how to have a loving relationship with God as my Father.  Honoring Fathers Is Not to Be Taken Lightly Sadly, countless individuals in the world don’t grow up having a loving father, but instead experience very different relationships with their earthly fathers, hindering many from receiving and having a loving relationship with God their Father. It’s heartbreaking to hear and understandable why some believe it’s okay to kick fathers to the curbside, seeing them as unnecessary and of no importance in their lives. Yet, in honoring fathers, we honor God by honoring His word. Scripture doesn’t brush over or take dishonoring fathers lightly. Rather, it comes with a heavy cost, as Proverbs 30:11-13 explains. “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; the eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.” Honoring Fathers Reveres God Fatherhood has definitely taken a hit over the years, with many individuals seeing men’s position and place in the family, and our culture, as non-essential. Unfortunately, social media has created platforms where it is way too easy for individuals to say and write whatever they wish about their fathers, and men overall to the world, disrespecting and dishonoring being taken to new levels. But even though some men may fail as fathers, God doesn’t support disrespecting them because it is dishonoring to Him. As Proverbs 20:20 warns, “If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.” The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:7 reminds us that man is the glory of God, and that even how we treat men old enough to be our fathers matters to God, as noted in 1 Timothy 5:1.“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers.” Likewise, as Leviticus 19:32 reminds us, “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” Honoring Fathers Honors God Although society may say it’s okay to dishonor fathers, God’s word does not, and He is still saying, “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old”—Proverbs 23.22 God created the family structure, setting fathers in a place of honor, calling us to honor Him by honoring them. “Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!&rd

Where do you find your worth? In today’s devotional, Vivian Bricker shares her personal story of searching for identity in sports, achievement, and relationships—only to discover that true, unshakable worth can only be found in the love of Christ. Rooted in 1 John 4:16, this episode reminds us that God is love, and He alone defines our value. If you’ve ever struggled with self-worth, this is your invitation to rest in the One whose love never fails. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why earthly accomplishments will never satisfy our need for true worth How understanding God's love transforms how we see ourselves The difference between conditional love and the unchanging love of Jesus How to recognize signs of God’s love in your everyday life 💬 Join the Conversation:What’s one way God has shown His love for you this week? Share your thoughts and tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #WorthInChrist — your story might be just what someone else needs to hear today. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Finding Your Worth in God’s Love By Vivian Bricker “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4:16). I didn’t come to know Jesus until I was eighteen years old. Prior to this time, I knew of Jesus, but I didn’t actually know Him. He was an abstract idea that didn’t make much sense to me. While my mom would talk about Jesus, I never really understood what she said about Him. In other words, I didn’t understand that He is God or that we can receive salvation through believing in Him.  Therefore, I spent the first seventeen years of my life not knowing about Jesus, the Father, or the Holy Spirit. As one could imagine, this negatively impacted my life in many ways. I wonder sometimes what my life would have looked like if I had known Jesus earlier in life. Maybe I would not have tried to find my worth in the things of this world.  As a kid and a teen, I found much of my identity in sports and music. When I was a kid, I prided myself in being a soccer player and gymnast. Since this worth was found in things I could do, I knew I could lose my worth. If I wasn’t good at these sports anymore, I would lose my worth—and this used to keep me up at night. I feared that if I wasn’t the “best,” all of my teammates wouldn’t like me anymore and that they would stop being my friends.  Now that I know Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I no longer find my worth in other things. Instead, I find my worth in Him. Since my worth is in Him, my worth doesn’t change or waver. It is firm and steadfast in the Lord. Anyone who is still living in a state of finding their worth in other things needs to turn back to the Lord. Your worth is only found in Him. Trying to find your worth in other things will leave you feeling drained and empty. Similar to how I found my worth in certain sports, maybe you found your worth in being a good student or a good artist. Rather than setting your worth in things that can change, find your worth in Jesus. Understanding His love helped me understand my worth in Jesus. Without knowing about His love, I would never have known He desired a personal relationship with me. If we are struggling with our worth, we need to turn to Jesus’ love. His love will help us understand our worth and value in His eyes. Unlike human beings, Jesus’ love for us is not based on outside factors. Instead, it is solely based on Him. The love Jesus has for us is not based on what we do or what we don’t do. It is only based on His sure, steadfast, and perfect love. This is the type of love we can depend on and find comfort in.  Intersecting Faith & Life:  The Apostle John tells us, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4:16). When John wrote this truth, he wrote it to us. It wasn’t only for the Christian readers who were alive after the death and resurrection of the Lord. Through John’s words, we can rely on God’s love because He is entirely trustworthy, and His love never changes. The focus of this passage is found when John says, “God is love.” As believers, we need to take this to heart. God is the exact being of love. Without God, there would not be any love. He is the Author of love, and He is also the Author of our lives. Therefore, as believers, we need to find comfort in His love and find our worth in Him. Take hold of the love He has for you; in doing so, you will also take hold of your worth in Him. Have you ever tried to find your worth in anything besides God in the past? What did this look like? What might change in your li

In a world that often feels unjust, how do we keep trusting a God who promises to be both just and loving? In today’s devotional, we turn to Psalm 17—David’s heartfelt prayer in the face of betrayal and injustice—and uncover a blueprint for trusting God even when life feels unfair. Whether you're facing false accusations, broken promises, or just the weight of injustice around you, this episode offers hope and healing in the hands of a just God. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why going to God in prayer is our first—not last—response to injustice How to pray boldly when you’ve been wronged, just like David did The power of declaring God’s character when everything feels out of control Why ultimate justice belongs to God—and why that’s a relief 💬 Join the Conversation:How has God shown you His justice in a difficult season? What does it look like to rest in His timing? Share your story and tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #TrustingGodInInjustice to encourage someone else walking through a hard season. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Trusting God When We Face Injustice By Sarah Frazer Bible Reading: “Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!” Psalm 17:1 (ESV) Devotional The world is filled with injustice. Just turn on the news or scroll through social media.  It doesn’t take long to see all of the problems everyone faces. Everyone is going through something. Most of it is unfair.  Even as Christians, we are not immune to times when people have acted unfairly towards us. In fact, the Bible says in the New Testament we should sometimes expect to be treated unfairly because we believe in Jesus as Savior. How do we trust God, who we believe is all-powerful, when we face injustice?  I believe Psalm 17 helps teach us how to trust God when we have been hurt by others. David is the author of Psalm 17 and this chapter is described as a prayer of David. A brief look at David’s life paints a very clear picture of injustice.  David was told he would be king by God, anointed by the prophet Samual, and for a time loved by King Saul. Over the course of the first part of David’s life, Saul changed his view of David. Saul began slandering, pursuing, and attacking David. In all of this, David had every reason to doubt God’s hand in his life. Yet in Psalm 17 we read a prayer from a man who obviously still trusted God. In this psalm we can see clearly that prayer is the key. David doesn’t go to his friends, or the people in charge, or even an army. David was wronged, but he goes directly to God. Not only does David cry out to God, he calls on God to act.  How many of us hesitate to call out to God? Maybe we struggle to believe that God is all-powerful. If God was all-powerful, couldn’t he have stopped the injustice? Or if he allowed it, doesn’t he have the power to make it right? Maybe it is because we believe that God doesn’t care. Do you believe that the reason God hasn’t stepped in to make your situation fairis because maybe God doesn’t love you? We might be guilty of believing both things about God, but not David.  David’s prayer cuts right to the chase. David says in verse 2, “Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.” (NKJV) He is saying:“God, I know you care about me and you know what they did was wrong, so do something!” David recognized that vengeance would not come from himself, but God would make things right! God would avenge the wrongs. Only God has the power to do so and David truly believed God loved him. David also tells God that he hasn’t done anything wrong. I think we are quick to just pray for forgiveness and we forget we are innocent in some situations. Being treated unjustly means that a wrong was done to us, without it being our fault. It is not prideful to tell God, “I didn’t do anything wrong!” God knows, of course, but reminding ourselves and saying it aloud to God helps to keep our hearts pure. To be able to pray this David must have examined his heart, and after doing so, he declared his innocence.  The rest of the psalm is focused on David declaring who God is and what God will do and has done. This is so important when we pray! It is easy to tell God, “This is what is wrong.” We also like to tell God how we think He should punish the wicked people. But David doesn’t focus on this. Instead, David declares to God, “You will hear me, you will save, you will keep me safe from my enemies.” These are things that reflect God’s character but also His actions.  Focusing our prayers on God’s charact

We’re all familiar with wanting more—but what if peace came not from getting what we want, but learning to be content with what we have? In this episode, we unpack Philippians 4:11–13 to discover what Paul meant when he said he had “learned the secret of being content.” Whether you’re in a season of plenty or in a season of want, this conversation points you toward the kind of soul-deep contentment that only Christ can provide. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why contentment is not the same as giving up on your desires How Paul found peace in both abundance and need Three practical steps to cultivate contentment: Remember the season, Practice gratitude, and Trust God Why Jesus—not circumstances—is the real source of lasting satisfaction 💬 Join the Conversation:Where do you find contentment? How has Christ helped you through a season of want or abundance? Share your thoughts using #InSearchOfContentment and tag us at @LifeaudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: In Search of Contentment By Aaron D’Anthony BrownI don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13, CSB)  If there’s one undeniable truth about the human condition, that truth would be that each of us always wants something. That something could be major or insignificant, like a new book, some fresh clothes, a relationship, more money, or a better job. There’s no way to produce an exhaustive list because of our unique desires, but also because our hearts never stop longing for more. We want as children, and we want as adults. All of this wanting is normal, but normal isn’t always moral or productive. In this case, normal means not being very content in life. Chances are, this describes you or many of the people that you know. However, this need not always be true. How do we become more content, and what exactly is it? Based on the aforementioned passage from Paul, contentment denotes a mindset of peace that is not contingent upon circumstances. Paul learned how to find peace when having much and with having a little. Based on this testimony, we can tell that to be content does not mean that you don’t want anything at all. Rather, contentment is finding peace with what you have. That can be true of us even while still desiring something else, something more. Paul also reveals to us the source of his contentment. Certainly, he has worked to attain his mindset, but the basis for this change is his belief that Christ will strengthen him. Contentment is possible because of Christ. Not because of himself or his possessions. That is something we need to recall today. So often, we find ourselves wanting, but how often do we find ourselves content? If that’s where you want to be, know that, as Paul’s words reveal, we, too, can be strengthened by Christ in this way. We can find peace wherever and with whatever we have in life. Intersecting Faith & Life: Regarding contentment, we know that we can be like Paul, but what practical steps can we take? Here are three: Remember the Season Remember the abundance when you have a little, and remember the little when you have abundance. When you do, you can manage your perspective. Naturally, we all go through various seasons of life. Don’t expect your money to always be the same, nor the condition of your relationships. We gain, we lose, sometimes we try again. Change in life is inevitable. Sometimes those changes are not good, or at least, not what we wanted. When that happens, remember it’s just a season.  Practice Gratitude You might consider yourself a grateful person, but chances are you can be an even more grateful person. Take some time to consider what you take for granted in life. Maybe you’re grateful to be married, or dating, or have a home or family. However, do you take time to thank God for running water, clean air, shoes to wear, owning a phone, or your ability to use the bathroom? The more reasons we find to be thankful, the fewer reasons we have to be discontent. Trust God Trusting God is easier said than done, but nonetheless possible. Paul grew in his faith and learned to believe that whatever ordeal he faced, he could overcome it when Christ strengthened him. That’s the kind of relationship we ourselves can find with Christ. Whether we have a lot or a little, Jesus knows our hearts. He knows what we need, and He’ll provide. If we turn to Him, He can help us overcome a