The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Anxiety has a way of whispering lies that feel louder than truth. In today’s devotional, Aaron D’Anthony Brown shares how even after seeing God show up time and again—in his own life and in the lives of others—those anxious voices still try to take center stage. Whether it’s fear of failure, rejection, or just not being enough, anxiety loves to hijack our thoughts. But Scripture reminds us of a different reality: “Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.” —Proverbs 12:25 (CSB) God’s Word is that good word. When anxiety lies, truth restores. It reminds us we are not unloved, not forgotten, not beyond hope. The truth is—we are known, chosen, and secure in Christ. Join the Conversation: What lie has anxiety tried to sell you recently, and how has God’s Word helped you push back? Share your thoughts @LifeaudioNetwork or send us an email. We’d love to hear how God’s truth is transforming your thinking. 🎙 🙏 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Discover more Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: The Lies Anxiety Tells By Aaron D’Anthony Brown “Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.” (Proverbs 12:25, CSB) Working part-time as a writing consultant affords me many opportunities to converse with college students. Unsurprisingly, these youth, fresh out of high school, are still finding out who they are and discovering their way in the world. As they have reminded me, there’s plenty of uncertainty to experience, and with uncertainty, fear. Countless times, they express worry over failing a particular class or assignment. And countless times, they come back to me, recounting how well they actually performed. Even after they are able to contrast fear with reality, they often end up in the same place when uncertainty rolls back around again. They fear. I could look at these students and wonder, “Why don’t they get it?” However, I was a student just like them. At times, as an adult, my anxiety still lies to me, and I still listen. As believers today, we often look back on the Israelites and wonder why they constantly strayed from God. We question how fear could lead them to worship false idols and lack faith when God pulled them through hard times again and again. We may have even wondered the same about ourselves. God shows His hand, but we still forget His works. That’s because of the lies anxiety tells, or more accurately, the lies we choose to believe. We hear them, we believe them, we internalize them. Our inner monologue looks something like, “You are unloved,” “You are unworthy,” “You don’t belong,” “You’re not good enough,” and much more. Whatever that voice is speaking to you in whatever area of your life, know that the only way to counteract a lie permanently is with the truth. Intersecting Faith & Life: Overcoming your worries means grounding yourself in truth. Only then will the lies that anxiety tells become less potent. Here are two steps to follow and make into a daily habit. Discover truth. One way to discover truth is through God’s Word. Anxiety and other forms of fear tell you things about your character and worth, things that aren’t true. God’s Word also speaks to who you are and who you can become. If you had to choose between the two, which would you pick? We might say God is the obvious answer, but when anxiety is pelting our brains, we often don’t think about God’s truth. We aren’t recounting verses about our worth or God designing us with purpose. However, we should. The more we know the Word of God, the more we will know what He thinks of us. Not only that, but we will also discover what He wants us to think of ourselves. Another way to find out what is true is through experience. If you find yourself constantly worried about money, but your finances always work out, take note of that. If you think everyone is out to get you, when in reality, no one bothers...

Motherhood may be one of the most sacred roles God has given—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood in today’s culture. In today’s devotional, Lynette Kittle invites us to take a closer look at what the Bible really says about motherhood and how God designed it with both purpose and power. Despite society's mixed messages—telling women to prioritize success, beauty, or convenience—Scripture reminds us that life itself begins in the womb, shaped by the hands of God: “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” —Psalm 139:13 While childbirth comes with pain—a result of the fall in Genesis 3—God still calls it a blessing, a sacred invitation to partner with Him in the miracle of life. Even Jesus came through a mother, because that’s how God designed humanity to flourish. We encourage you to pray: “Lord, thank You for the gift of life. Help me honor the role of motherhood—whether I’m a mom, have one, or am still healing from what motherhood has meant in my life. Remind me that You are the Giver of every life, and that no person is here by accident.” In a world that often minimizes motherhood, God elevates it. He sees, honors, and blesses the mothers, the births, and every life created in love. Let this be your reminder: Whether you were born through natural means, technology, or adoption—God formed you. He knows you. He chose you. Join the Conversation: How has your view of motherhood been shaped by culture or by Scripture? What gives you hope when thinking about life, legacy, and God’s design? Let us know @LifeaudioNetwork or by email—we’d love to hear your story and walk with you in faith. 🎙 💬 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Explore more Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Taking a Closer Look at Motherhood (719 words) By Lynette Kittle “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world”--John 16:21 Motherhood has taken a hit over the years with women’s careers and educational pursuits taking the forefront, along with abortion, convincing women that being a mother isn’t worth the time, effort, or cost it takes to carry, birth, and care for a child. But without mothers, of course, none of us would experience life, except Adam and Eve, who were the only people in the history of the earth to enter life without one. Genesis 1:27 explains how they came to life. “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” Since then, even if babies are created in a Petri dish or test tube, they’ve needed a woman to make it possible. Even Jesus came to earth through a mother, because that’s how God designed humanity to multiply. Motherhood’s Curse Because of the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, sin brought with it a curse affecting childbirth. As Genesis 3:16 describes, “To the woman He said, ‘I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Because of the pain and suffering attached to giving birth, some women opt out of carrying a child, afraid to experience the pain and discomfort associated with it, some fearful of the bodily changes that occur with new life growing within one’s body brings with it. More and more mothers today are finding surrogates to bear the brunt of childbirth risks for them, some for health and infertility reasons and concerns, others so carrying a child doesn’t interfere with their careers or affect their physical appearance. Motherhood’s Gift Even though motherhood comes with a curse, it also comes as a gift, too. 1 Timothy 2:15 explains, “But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.” God, the Giver of all...

What’s keeping you in chains today—sin, fear, or something else? Vivian Bricker reminds us that Jesus has already won our freedom, but too often we live as if we’re still locked in a self-made prison. It’s time to step into the light, leave behind old patterns, and walk confidently in the freedom Christ provides. 🔑 3 Key Takeaways ✅ Jesus’ freedom is eternal and unshakeable. Christ died to free us from sin, fear, and bondage. ✅ We build our own prisons when we stay in sin or fear. Even when we think we’re in control, sin controls us. ✅ Freedom means walking in obedience and confidence. Let go of fear and sin, and embrace the abundant life God offers. 🛠️ Intersecting Faith & Life Are you walking in the freedom Jesus offers—or stuck in a prison of sin or fear? What steps can you take today to walk away from what’s holding you back? Pray and ask Jesus to help you live in the full freedom He’s already given you. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Christ Has Set Us Free By Vivian Bricker “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). When we think of freedom, we normally think of America gaining independence from Britain. In America, this is what we celebrate on the Fourth of July—our independence. It is common for us to celebrate our independence and freedom on this day, yet most of us are still living in a prison we have constructed for ourselves. Despite the Lord having already set us free by blessing us with salvation, we are still living in a manmade prison. Whenever we are actively living in sin, we are building a prison around ourselves. Even if we might think we have everything “covered” or “controlled,” we really do not. We are never in control of sin—it is controlling us. This is why we must not become calloused to sin. Sin is sin, no matter what sin it might be. Many people think certain sins are more severe than others, but all sins are equal. If we commit one sin, it is just as bad as committing all of them. This is because God does not treat sin lightly. There are consequences for our sins that will prevail in our lives. We might think we have everything under control, yet when things start turning sour, we can only blame ourselves. Sin is not good, and as Christians, we don't need to promote it. I have seen too many people turn away from God by engaging in a life of sin, and it only eats away at their hearts. Rather than continuing to live in a state of slavery to sin, we need to step out of the chains. The Lord has already set us free, and we need to continue to walk in this freedom. Jesus’ Freedom The Apostle Paul tells us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). As Paul says in this passage, Jesus has set us free. With this freedom, we need to stand firm and not allow ourselves to be burdened again by the yoke of slavery. The freedom the Lord has given us is eternal, constant, and steadfast. Instead of locking ourselves away in our own prisons, we need to step out into the light. In this light, we see Jesus and the freedom He died for us to possess. Freedom is never given for nothing. Rather, Jesus had to die for our sins in order for this freedom to come to us. With this in mind, we need to take hold of this freedom, turn away from sin, and bring glory to the Lord. Praise Him, thank Him, and walk in obedience to His Word. The more we do this, the more we will begin truly living in the freedom of Christ. Maybe we are not struggling with a specific sin right now, but we are dealing with fear. We don't need to let fear keeps us in prison, either. With the Lord’s freedom, we can step out of our prison of fear and walk in the confidence of the Lord....

Ever felt like God is distant or silent in your struggles? Megan J. Conner reminds us of the powerful truth from Romans 8: absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love. Whether you’ve drifted through busyness, pain, or doubt, God’s presence remains constant and faithful. 🔑 3 Key Takeaways ✅ God’s love is constant—even when we can’t feel it. His nearness doesn’t depend on our emotions or circumstances. ✅ Distractions and pain can cloud our awareness of God. We may drift away, but He never leaves. ✅ Nothing in all creation can sever God’s love. Not sin, failure, hardship, or even death can break His commitment to us. 🛠️ Intersecting Faith & Life Have you been distracted or discouraged, feeling far from God? How does Romans 8 reshape your view of God’s nearness and faithfulness? Take time today to reflect and invite God back into every corner of your heart. 📚 Further Reading Romans 8 Psalm 145 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Inseparable By Megan J. Conner “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword...? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:35-39 (NIV) Have you ever felt like God was nowhere to be found? Chaos and confusion seem to be your constant companions, yet it appears you are battling through it all alone. Despite your best efforts, you fail to recognize the presence of the Lord in it with you. The silence and His apparent absence leave you discouraged and disappointed. Where is the Lord? The Word of God assures us that “…the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you, (Deut. 31:6, NIV).” Even when we can’t see it, He is with us. His Holy Spirit remains within us. His Word also promises, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” If these promises are true, why then do we feel so distant from our Heavenly Father? The perceived chasm between us and the Lord is likely the result of our own choices and actions. Often, our disappointment, hurt, or confusion about circumstances in our lives cause us to retreat from our true source of comfort. We may be fully aware of this withdrawal if there is clear resentment or frustration present. Perhaps we are questioning God’s goodness and justice when faced with unwelcome and sometimes shocking dilemmas. In other seasons, we find ourselves far from the Lord and have no idea how we got there. We believe God has abandoned us but the truth is, we allowed distraction, the busyness of life, and the things of this world to consume our thoughts. Before we know it, our hearts have waxed cold, and we struggle to feel a sense of intimacy with the One we love. Regardless of how or why we may have wandered away from the source of Living Water, there is less distance than we imagine in between us of the Lord. Our scripture today from Romans chapter eight boldly declares there is NOTHING that can separate us from the love of God. Not hardship, not persecution; not famine or sword, not height or depth, not even death or life… There is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of God. Isn’t that so incredibly powerful? There is nothing you can or cannot do that would cause the Lord to abandon you. There are no circumstances that would compel Him to distance Himself from you. No failures, no sin… not even the finality of death itself can disconnect you from your Heavenly Father. This kind of constancy is unfathomable to us. In a world where divorce rates are high, loved ones are lost to disease, and everything here on earth comes to...

Are you stuck in a cycle of working hard but feeling empty? Deidre Braley unpacks Haggai’s powerful message to the Israelites—and to us: when we neglect God’s presence, our efforts fall flat. This episode reveals why shifting your priorities to build the Lord’s house first can break cycles of frustration and lead to true fruitfulness. 3 Key Takeaways ✅ Misplaced priorities drain your life. Busyness without God leads to frustration and burnout. ✅ Making space for God invites His blessing. When we shift focus to God—through rest, prayer, and obedience—He promises to be with us. ✅ Fruitfulness flows from God, not just effort. Only God can make our work truly thrive and satisfy. Intersecting Faith & Life Are you busy building your own “house” while neglecting God’s? How can you intentionally make space for God this week—through rest, prayer, or obedience? What’s one step today to reorder your priorities toward Him? Further Reading John 15:1-8 Ecclesiastes 4:6 Isaiah 55 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Build the Lord’s House First by Deidre Braley Haggai 1:7-9: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. In 586 BCE, the nation of Israel officially fell to the Babylonian Empire. King Nebuchadnezzar and his cronies sacked the temple and carried many of Judah’s inhabitants back to Babylon, where they lived as exiles for nearly fifty years. But in 539 BCE something interesting happened: the power shifted to King Cyrus of the Persian Empire, and under this new ruler, the Israelite exiles were allowed—even encouraged—to return to Jerusalem and rebuild God’s temple. At first, the returned exiles got right down to business with rebuilding. But before long, they began to experience threats from surrounding people groups. Under the weight of this opposition, work on the temple ceased, and for sixteen years, it continued to lay in ruins. In 520 BCE, however, a prophet named Haggai began to rouse the spirits of the returned Israelites again. Through Haggai, the Lord gave the Jewish people a very clear message: it was time to start building his house again. During their sixteen-year hiatus from reconstruction, it seems that the Jews had concerned themselves with seeking all the ordinary essentials for living: growing food, eating, drinking, dressing, working, and building homes for themselves. But as the Lord pointed out through Haggai, none of these pursuits had been as fruitful as they could have been. He said, “Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes” (1:5-7). Have you felt like no matter how hard you work, it feels like your wages are going into a bag with holes? Or that no matter how earnestly you plant, you just seem to keep pulling up weeds? In my life, I’ve certainly experienced this type of fruitlessness—and it’s exhausting. Though it seems like we’re doing all the right things, at the end of the day we come up feeling empty and spent. Now, this is where the world might hand us self-help books, or coach us on how to be more effective, or tell us to just work harder. But through Haggai, we learn that the answer to our fruitlessness is not to double down and do even more; rather, it is to shift our priorities. According to the Lord, his people’s frustrated efforts were a direct result of their misplaced priorities....

Ever tossed and turned at 4 a.m., stuck between two decisions or weighed down by life’s seemingly unchanging routine? You’re not alone—and more importantly, you’re not stuck without purpose. In today’s devotional, Sarah Frazer beautifully reframes those “stuck” seasons we all experience. Drawing wisdom from Psalm 25, she reminds us that even when we feel like we’re not moving forward, God is at work. He’s teaching, loving, leading, befriending, and ultimately saving us in ways we often can’t see at the time. What if this pause in your life isn’t punishment—but preparation? ✨ Key Takeaways ⏸️ “Stuck” doesn’t mean God has stopped working in you 📖 God uses still seasons to teach us new or deeper truths 💛 His love and forgiveness are steady—even when we feel like we’re failing 🧭 Waiting can be God’s way of guiding us to the next step 👥 God draws near as a friend when we need Him most 🔁 Intersecting Faith and Life How can you reach out to God right now and make Him your refuge in this waiting season? What would change if you stopped measuring your worth by productivity and started resting in God’s faithfulness? 💬 Let’s Reflect God’s faithfulness isn’t dependent on your performance, your progress, or your pace. Wherever you are right now—moving, waiting, or wondering—you are seen, loved, and led by a God who never gets stuck. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: God’s Faithfulness When We Are Stuck By Sarah Frazer Bible Reading: “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” Psalm 25:1 (ESV) Devotional My eyes were wide open but I couldn’t see in the dark. As I lay in bed, I glanced at the clock. 4am. With a sigh, I rolled over. Making a decision always keeps me awake at night. For hours my husband and I talked through the decision, looking at it from one angle and then another. We decided to pray about it and sleep on it. Praying was easy, sleeping was not. I listened to my husband snore softly and envied his ability to just put off the thoughts for the morning. My heart struggled to find peace because I could see both sides and didn’t know which path to take. Whether the decision is a big one or a small one, feeling stuck is not a good feeling. Sometimes we are forced to wait because life needs us to stay the course, even if we want to make a decision to move. When my children were very little my days felt like a constant repeat of the same day over and over. I felt like I wasn’t making “progress” at all. My dream to write, create, and publish books was on hold. My spiritual life felt non-existent because time with God was put on the back burner. I didn’t have many friends and rarely left the house. In all areas of my life I felt stuck. If you have found yourself in that position, it might be time to sit down, stop striving, and “be still,” as Psalm 46:10 says. God often leads us to a place where we might feel “stuck” but actually, it is a place we need to be so that He can show us something about Himself. Over and over again, during seasons of my life where I didn’t feel like I was moving forward, God has remained faithful. It is actually God’s faithfulness that is brought into deeper clarity during times when we feel stuck. Looking at Psalm 25 we see many areas where God is faithful and this faithfulness fuels us when we feel stuck. First of all, God is faithful to teach us His truth. In verses 4-5 the psalmist rejoices in the fact that even though he feels stuck, God is teaching him. Maybe our time of feeling “unproductive” or the fact that we aren’t really moving forward is actually a time where we learn new truths or are reminded of old truths pertaining to God. God is always faithful to teach us, no matter what season we find ourselves in. God is also faithful to love and forgive us. The psalmist says that God’s faithful mercy and steadfast love are “from of old.”...

Have you ever faced something new—whether a trip, job, or big decision—and felt both excited and a little afraid? In today’s devotional, we’re reminded that no matter where we go or what we face, we’re never alone. God isn’t just sending us out—He’s going with us. Drawing from Psalm 139 and a personal story about traveling through the Middle East, Whitney Hopler unpacks how God’s presence is unshakable, even in unfamiliar places. Whether your next journey is physical, emotional, or spiritual, you can walk boldly into it knowing that the Creator of the universe is not just beside you—He’s already ahead of you. ✨ Key Takeaways 🗺️ God is already where you're going — and He’s not leaving your side 🧳 New opportunities can feel uncertain, but His presence makes them possible 🕊️ Whether you're in a foreign land or facing a new role, God travels with you 👐 You are never out of reach from His hand—He holds you fast 🚶 Courage grows when you trust that God walks every step with you 🔁 Intersecting Faith and Life What new thing is God nudging you toward? Are fear or uncertainty holding you back from stepping into it? 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: God Goes with You By: Whitney Hopler “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” – Psalm 139:7-10, NIV Before our family took a trip I’d planned to the Middle East, a family member told me she was worried that we would be in danger there. She asked me to consider canceling the trip because of ongoing conflicts in that part of the world. But we went ahead with the trip. It was a pilgrimage I believed God was leading us to take. While we were there, we saw soldiers with guns in the streets, and we even saw smoke rising in the distance from an active conflict across a border. But we never worried that we weren't safe, because God had led us there – and even more importantly, God was with us there. Have you ever stood on the edge of a new opportunity, and felt a mix of excitement and fear? The unknown has a way of stirring up uncertainty. You may wonder if you’re truly ready to step into that opportunity. Maybe you sense God leading you to take a leap of faith, but you wonder if something will go wrong because you’re alone and unable to manage a situation on your own. Psalm 139:7-10 encourages you with a powerful truth: You are never alone! King David, who wrote Psalm 139, described noticing God’s presence in awe-inspiring ways. No matter where David thought of going, he knew God was already there. If he soared to the heavens, God was there. If he found himself in the deepest abyss, God was there. Even if he traveled to the farthest reaches of the sea, he knew God would still be there with him, as well. God’s presence isn’t limited by space or time. There is no place too far, no environment too foreign, and no situation too overwhelming for God. Whether you find yourself in a busy city or in a remote wilderness, God will be there. If you visit a foreign country, someone who knows you well – your Heavenly Father – will be there. When you’re not traveling to a new physical place but are simply stepping into a new opportunity at work, church, or home, God will be there. God has already gone before you, preparing the way, and he will be with you in every step you take. You can count on the fact that God goes with you, anywhere and anytime! So, if you want to explore a new opportunity God is making possible – either far away on a trip, or locally through a new challenge at home, work, or church – don’t be afraid to go for it! When you travel, you won’t be alone. God’s Holy Spirit...

Sometimes what we think we see clearly is actually being filtered through a distorted lens — whether it’s our perspective on life, suffering, or even God. In this episode, we reflect on spiritual blindness, drawing from a powerful story about a child’s first experience seeing trees clearly — and how it mirrors our own journey from blurry spiritual sight to eternal clarity. With Jesus as our healer and restorer, we’re reminded that it’s not just our eyes that need correction — it’s our hearts. Through Scripture and real-life parallels, today’s devotional invites you to shift your gaze from what is temporary to what truly lasts: the unseen and eternal promises of God. ✨ Key Takeaways 👓 Spiritual blindness often goes unnoticed — until we truly “see” 🌲 Our perception is shaped by what we focus on — and that can be distorted by the world 💡 Jesus restores sight both physically and spiritually 🕊️ Shifting our eyes from the temporal to the eternal brings peace, perspective, and hope ⏳ Today is a gift — how would you live differently if you saw it through eternity’s lens? 🔁 Intersecting Faith and Life What in your life are you seeing through a blurry lens right now? Are you focusing more on what’s fading or on what’s everlasting? How would your choices shift if you saw today as a stepping stone toward eternity? 📚 Further Reading 2 Corinthians 4 John 9:35–41 Mark 8:22–25 Matthew 6:22–23 Hebrews 12:2 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: What Do You See? By Megan J. Conner “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18 (NIV) One day, while riding in the car with my mother-in-law, she shared a story with me from her younger parenting years, when she unexpectedly discovered her only daughter needed glasses. Apparently, at the time, my sister-in-law was so accustomed to the vision she was born with that it took years for anyone to recognize her eyesight was rather poor. It was all she had known, so she compensated for her unrealized lack of clarity without much notice. Once her challenges were revealed, she was taken to an eye doctor and properly diagnosed. Glasses were ordered, and they waited anxiously for the frames to come in. After the fitting was complete, my mother-in-law buckled her young daughter back into the car, and they headed home. As they were driving, she heard from the backseat, “Mommy… is that what trees look like?!” All this time, her vision had been so blurred, she had no idea trees were comprised of individual leaves. Sometimes, it can be exactly the same for us. What we believe is seen with clarity is actually viewed through a distorted lens. The Bible is full of literal and metaphorical references to blindness. There are countless stories where individuals are plagued with this physical limitation. One example can be found in the gospel of Mark. “They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, ‘Do you see anything?’ He looked up and said, ‘I see people; they look like trees walking around.’ Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” Mark 8:22-25 (NIV) Through this miraculous work, Jesus grants the blind man the gift of literal sight, demonstrating His restorative power in this world. However, there are also several biblical examples referencing those who are spiritually sightless. John shares another version of this same healing account in his gospel, followed by an investigation conducted by the Pharisees. During His interaction with the religious leaders of the day, Jesus declared their...

we dive into a direct and deeply reflective question Jesus asked a man who had been unwell for 38 years: “Do you want to get well?” This isn’t just about physical healing — it’s about soul healing too. Many of us know what needs to change in our spiritual lives, but instead of action, we offer excuses. Like the man at the pool, we may have valid challenges — but that doesn't mean we're powerless. ✨ Key Takeaways ✅ Excuses feel safe, but they keep us stuck ✅ Jesus meets us in our stuck places — but He invites us to move ✅ Spiritual growth isn’t passive — it takes intention, repetition, and surrender ✅ Time with God is never wasted — it's what fuels real transformation ✅ Intimacy with God requires space, silence, and a commitment to be present 🔁 Intersecting Faith and Life What excuses have you been making that are stunting your spiritual growth? Are there rhythms in your day you can repurpose for time with God (your commute, morning routine, evening wind-down)? Who can walk alongside you and help keep you spiritually accountable? 📚 Further Reading Proverbs 16:9 James 4:8 Matthew 6:33 Psalm 46:10 Romans 12:1–2 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Do You Want to Be Well? “When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” John 5:6 “You should go to the doctor.” I urged a friend to go to the doctor since he hadn't had any blood work or a wellness checkup. He needed to maintain his physical health, including having an annual checkup and blood work. When the blood work returned that he had some areas he needed to improve, he made excuses. He didn't have time to make a healthy dinner. His job didn't allow him to have a break to go to the gym. He didn't need medication; he could fix his issues on his own. Excuse after excuse abounded. Although he did tweak his diet, it wasn't enough to significantly improve his numbers. After one try, he gave up. Unfortunately, this is quite common among people. Jesus saw this in his day. A man who had hung out at the pool for a long time made every excuse for not getting well. Because he was blind, it was difficult for him to get to the pool alone. But he could have easily asked someone else for help. He could have someone bring the water to him. Someone could have created a way to carry him to the pool. This is why Jesus asked him this poignant question. So many of us know what to do during spiritual growth, but few do the work required to grow in that area. We often fuel our prayer time with excuses rather than the hard work and dedication it takes to grow in the Lord truly. Excuses can sound like: I have a stressful job, so I don't have time to read my Bible. I get home too late from work to cook a healthy dinner. The Lord can heal me instantaneously; I don't have to care for my body. I prayed while I was on my ride to work. That's all I have time for. It's these excuses that keep us from actual spiritual growth. Jesus went to the man. He didn't allow his excuses to prevent him from healing him completely. While it is true that Jesus comes to us in our time of need, we must work to grow spiritually. And we must read the Bible more than once a week. Weekly church attendance is not enough to supplement our spiritual walk. We not only need to pray, but we also need to stay silent and be ready to hear his still, small voice. Do you make excuses when it comes to your spiritual walk? Do you justify why you don't read the Bible often? Do you tell yourself you don't have time to pray and hear God's voice? We are all motivated by certain desires. If we're not careful, these desires for money, power, fame, possessions, or anything else will quickly rule our lives. Soon, the necessary spiritual work to increase our growth will fall by the wayside as we...

we’re reminded through Psalm 147:1-5 that God sees the brokenhearted, binds their wounds, and lovingly gathers the outcast. His love doesn't discard — it restores. Healing might take time, but you’re never walking through the process alone. ✨ Key Takeaways 💡 God gathers the outcast — you are never beyond His reach or concern 💡 He binds up wounds that others can't see and that you may carry silently 💡 Jesus moves toward the rejected, never away from them (John 9:35) 💡 Healing from deep relational hurt often takes time, but God walks with you each step 💡 God's love and faithfulness are rooted in His character, not your past 🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life Have past wounds distorted how you view God’s love for you? What truths from Scripture can you speak over your emotions when feelings of rejection or shame rise up? Could journaling through key verses about God's love and pursuit help reshape how you see yourself in His eyes? What would it look like to let God into those places you’ve long kept closed? 📖 Further Reading Jeremiah 31:1–14 | Romans 8:1–4, 31–39 | Isaiah 61:1–3 | John 9:1–38 | 2 Corinthians 5:17 💬 Join the Conversation Have you experienced God’s healing in a season of emotional or relational pain? Your story can be a lifeline for someone else. Share with us @LifeAudioNetwork or on Crosswalk.com — and let’s keep encouraging each other to trust the God who gathers, heals, and restores. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is beautiful. 2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their [e]wounds. 4 He counts the number of the stars; He [f]gives names to all of them. 5 Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is [g]infinite (Psalm 147:1-5, NAS). When I first read this passage, particularly verse two, it hit deep and brought me to tears. After an intensely painful year that revealed some significant cracks in some of my closest relationships, exacerbated some of my unhealed wounds, and intensified remnants of dysfunction with me, I sought help from a therapist. With her help, I came to recognize ways in which I became the scapegoat in my family of origin. That role, and circumstances it created, caused me to feel perpetually rejected and abandoned. I felt like the unwanted, discarded child left to navigate life alone. In times of pain and stress, those old wounds, and the lies attached to them, pushed to the surface. This used to cause me to react from a place of brokenness, rather than empowered by grace. But I’m no longer the throw away kid because I belong to the God who gathers the outcast. While the Psalmist was likely referring to God’s people, once exiled to Babylon, his words reveal a powerful truth regarding our Savior’s heart. He sees when others treat us poorly and as if we lack worth. He sees the shame lurking in our souls and that holds us captive. He knows precisely how deep every cruel statement and every hurtful act cut. And He moves toward us in our pain. He seeks us out and draws us close. I’m reminded of an event recorded in John 9. To paraphrase, one day, Jesus encountered and healed a man born blind. This miracle left everyone amazed. Astounded, they brought him to the religious leaders who questioned him as to how he’d received his sight. After a tense conversation that probably felt more like an inquisition, the Pharisees declared, “You were steeped in sin at birth …” (John 9:34a, NIV). They basically called him cursed by God, implying that he had deserved his blindness. But notice verse 35: “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (NIV). Jesus sought the rejected man out and invited...

Aaron D’Anthony Brown challenges us to reflect honestly on how well we really know God. True intimacy with Him isn’t just about worship on Sundays — it’s about staying close when life feels upside down. Knowing God deeply means choosing Him in every season, especially the hard ones. ✨ Key Takeaways 💡 Saying we know God is different than truly trusting Him in trials 💡 Our faith can grow cold if we stop praying, reading, and staying connected to God 💡 Knowing God requires consistent relationship — not just when life feels good 💡 Scripture helps us learn God’s heart and equips us for seasons of doubt 💡 Reminders of truth (verses, prayers, routines) help us return to God when we wander 🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life When was the last time you felt close to God? What was different about that season? How can you build rhythms into your life — like daily prayer or scripture reading — that keep your relationship with God strong? What truths do you need to write down or post somewhere to keep your mind focused on who God is? How might preparing spiritually during “good times” help you stand firm when hard times come? 📖 Further Reading Psalm 27:4 | Romans 5:8 | Jeremiah 29:11 | Hebrews 10:23 | John 15:4 💬 Join the Conversation What’s one way you’ve learned to stay connected to God when life feels heavy? Share your experience with us @LifeAudioNetwork or on Crosswalk.com — your story might encourage someone walking through their own valley. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Knowing God By Aaron D’Anthony Brown “But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:30-31, CSB) How well do you know God? Your immediate answer might be something approving but give the question some thoughtful consideration. There’s a young woman I know, a college student, who grew up in church. Her father was a preacher, and her mother was the church’s librarian. She read plenty and sang plenty. If you asked her at the time, she would have told you that she knew God. Not only that, but her relationship with Him was also seemingly tight. Then time passed. She applied for college and did not get into the music school she wanted. Other things started to happen. Other bad things. Suddenly, she was on a path she never requested. Ever since, the woman who once knew God now often only mentions His name as an exclamation or joke. Time after time, I’ve witnessed believers much like her who see themselves as having a profoundly deep relationship with God, and then something terrible happens, and that faith vanishes. I’ve noticed this trend even within myself. We claim we know God, but when crap hits the fan, we forget who He is. We stop trusting, stop praying, stop hoping in the one who gives peace. From there, we turn to our vices, idols, and fellow sinners. While we may like to say we know God well, a more apt answer would be not well enough. If we knew God well, why wouldn’t we always trust Him? He’s always good, isn’t He? Thankfully, there are sure ways to amend this flawed mindset. Intersecting Faith & Life: Finding intimacy with God means knowing Him both when life is great and when life feels terrible. Let’s devise some practical steps to put that idea into practice. Pray Without Ceasing Scripture tells us to pray always. If nothing can separate us from God’s love and He always wants a relationship with us, then there is no good reason to ever stop praying. Prayer is how we communicate, give thanks, make petitions, and in essence, draw closer to Him. Think about your relationships with other people. When you stop talking to friends regularly, there’s a chance that you will grow apart and, at the very least, you won’t think about them as often. We’re not on this Earth to think about God a little or only when convenient....

Ever feel overwhelmed by what’s ahead and unsure how you’ll manage it all? In today’s devotional, Keri Eichberger reflects on John 14:5–6 and reminds us that Jesus doesn’t just show us the way — He is the way. When we stay close to Him, we don’t have to figure it all out alone. He’ll guide us, strengthen us, and walk with us every step of the way. ✨ Key Takeaways 💡 Jesus isn’t simply giving you directions — He is the path through your challenges 💡 God doesn’t open doors without also providing what you need to walk through them 💡 Your inner doubts don’t cancel out your divine calling 💡 Even when you feel underqualified, God’s presence qualifies you 💡 Faith means trusting that where God leads, He also equips 🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life Are you facing a new opportunity or responsibility that feels like too much? What would it look like to rely on God’s strength rather than your own today? In what areas have you seen God make a way for you in the past — and how can that encourage your next steps? What small prayer or reminder could help ground you when doubts rise up? 📖 Further Reading Isaiah 30:21 | Proverbs 16:9 | Psalm 32:8 | Philippians 4:13 | Romans 8:14 💬 Join the Conversation Where has God shown up for you when you didn’t see a way forward? Share your story with us @LifeAudioNetwork or on Crosswalk.com. Let’s keep encouraging each other to trust Jesus — the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: God Will Make a Way Because He is the Way By Keri Eichberger Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:5-6) I feel something brewing. Some fresh glimmers of hope and encouraging change on the horizon. And following a slow stretched out season of what has felt like the same ole, same ole, laced with increased chronic pain, dwindling energy, and swelling isolation, any potential change is welcome. And I give God all the glory for the prospective opportunities that have arisen, including promising pain relief. But even still, there’s this thick thorn that remains in my side. A raging roadblock in my spirit, weighing me down and instilling doubt. It’s the narrative in my inner being. Words of insufficiency and incompetence and flat out inability. I’ve been praying relentlessly for God to work in me and through me—to show me his way. And he has certainly opened some sun-shiny doors. But if I’m being honest, I just can’t see how I can carry out and work through all the things he seems to be calling me to. Do you ever wonder how you will conquer the quests in front of you? How you’ll take on the commitments you’ve committed to. How you’ll take the steps toward the dream opportunities stirring up desire within you? Or just wonder how you'll do it all well? I do. I asked myself, Where will I find the time, the energy, and the mental and emotional capacity? I bet you’ve had similar thoughts. But, I think we are neglecting a truth amidst these circumstances and contemplations. If God truly is the one leading us to these things, won’t he also lead us through these things? I read a familiar verse the other morning in my devotion time, and it spoke truth directly to my wondering wearying heart. In verse five of Chapter 14, in the book of John, the disciple Thomas says to Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Which is a sentiment many of us feel when we’ve come to a confusing crossroads of potential choices, tasks, or opportunities, joined with what seems to be a lack of ability, margin, and resources. We might ask God, What is all this, and how am I supposed to handle it? But as I kept reading, it was my fresh perspective to the first statement of the following verse—that is so very familiar to us...

Elijah’s story reminds us that God’s provision often shows up in the most unexpected places—and through the most unlikely people. Whether it’s ravens delivering meals or a desperate widow offering her last meal, the message is the same: God is faithful, even when the method doesn’t make sense. ✨ Key Takeaways 💡 Obedience opens the door to provision. Elijah didn’t question God’s instructions—he obeyed, even when the command defied logic. 💡 God prepares us in private before stretching us in public. Time spent in quiet reliance (like Elijah at the brook) builds faith for bold obedience later. 💡 God meets others’ needs through our obedience. Elijah’s faith not only sustained him but revived hope in a grieving, starving mother. 💡 Provision isn’t always comfortable. God sent Elijah to a hostile region, into the home of a Gentile, yet there—His provision waited. 💡 God specializes in showing up in our lack. When the widow had nothing left, that’s when God showed up and multiplied her resources. 🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life Have you ever felt like God was calling you to something that didn’t make sense on paper? Where in your life are you relying more on logic than obedience? How might your step of faith spark hope or provision in someone else’s life? 📖 Further Reading Philippians 4:19 | Psalm 23:1-6 | Luke 12:24 🎙️ Don’t miss an episode of The Crosswalk Devotional — your daily encouragement to trust, obey, and lean into God’s goodness, no matter the season. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: 2 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 1 Kings 17:2-8 Imagine losing your job and all of your savings in a nonexistent job market and sensing God say, “Go to an empty warehouse in west Las Vegas, an area notorious for gangs and drug users, and ask a woman sleeping in a back corner on the floor for food.” Would you obey, or would you question your ability to hear the Lord’s voice? And what if reaching that place required a long, solitary walk, during which you had ample time to feed your doubts, questions, and anxiety, or to practice a sacred silence in which to draw closer to God and receive His assurance and much needed confirmation for your journey. I wonder how Elijah, the Old Testament prophet introduced in 1 Kings 17, used his 75-90 mile trek, which likely took several days, on foot, from the Kerith Ravine to Zarephath, in the pagan land of Sidon. Did he wrestle with doubt? He had ample reason to do so. First, this occurred during a drought severe enough to cause the brook where he’d been resting to dry up, and God had instructed him to embark on a physically demanding journey that would’ve burned at least 75,000 calories and made him quite thirsty. Third, God told him to go to Queen Jezebel’s hometown. She was a wicked woman married to the equally wicked Ahab, king of Israel. Fourth, the people of Sidon considered Baal, a false god believed to govern the sky and weather the most important deity. And lastly, a widow would’ve been the least likely person to support a hungry man, at any time, let alone during a drought-induced famine! Based on what we read in Scripture, however, Elijah appears to obey God without hesitation or question. No doubt, his time at the brook during which the Lord fed him, miraculously, through ravens, prepared him for the faith-filled journey that followed. I find it equally intriguing that God used a bird He’d previously declared...

In today’s world of endless to-do lists, notifications, and responsibilities, it’s easy to miss the awe-inspiring work God is doing all around us. This devotional invites you to slow down, open your heart, and notice the countless ways God reveals His wonder in your everyday life. ✨ Key Takeaways 💡 Wonder isn’t lost — it’s often overlooked. Make room in your heart and schedule to notice God’s handiwork. 💡 Luke 5:26 reminds us: God’s extraordinary power is active and present today, just as it was when Jesus healed the paralyzed man. 💡 God’s awe-inspiring work can be seen in nature, relationships, answered prayers, and quiet moments. 💡 Simple, intentional practices like “wonder walks,” mindful prayer, and rediscovering childlike joy can reawaken a sense of amazement. 💡 Gratitude shifts your perspective from scarcity to abundance, helping you recognize God’s continuous blessings. 🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life When was the last time you truly felt awe in God’s presence? What sparked it? What would it look like to schedule time each day to slow down and seek out God’s wonder? How can you intentionally encourage those around you to pause and notice the incredible things God is doing? 📖 Further Reading Job 37:14 | Psalm 65:8 | Psalm 104:24 | Psalm 111:2 | Romans 1:20 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Let God Amaze You By: Whitney Hopler “And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen extraordinary things today.’” – Luke 5:26, ESV How often do you take breaks from your busy activities to think about how incredible God’s work is? It’s easy to shrink each day God gives you down to the level of your to-do list, allowing your time to be consumed by your responsibilities and causing you to miss out on experiencing wonder. In this fallen, stressful world, you can also become desensitized to wonder. The constant flow of messages competing for your attention can constantly distract you, dulling your awareness of what God is doing. In order to discover glimpses of God’s wonderful work around you, though, you need to intentionally make room in your life to look for it. The experience of noticing God at work is awe-inspiring! In Luke 5:26, the people who witnessed Jesus heal a paralyzed man responded with amazement and awe. They glorified God because they recognized his wonderful power on display before their eyes. That same power is still active today, working in your life and shaping the world around you. The question is: are you paying attention? Maybe you catch a glimpse of God’s work in the beauty of the sky, such as while you’re watching a colorful sunrise or sunset, or on a clear night when you can see the stars. You may see God at work through the love in your relationships with family and friends. Maybe you recognize God providing for you through an answered prayer. There are countless ways God works in your life – some of which you can see, and much more that God is doing behind the scenes. You can find wonderful evidence of God at work everywhere, but you must be willing to see it. When you intentionally open your heart to let God amaze you, you can experience awe anywhere and anytime, since God is constantly doing something wonderful! Here are some practices to help you experience God’s wonder around you every day: Enjoy “wonder walks” in nature: Wonder walksInclude prayerful mindfulness in your daily activities: asking the Holy SpiritRediscover childlike wonder:Learn something new:Practice gratitude: Practicing gratitude Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider how God is always doing something amazing that you can discover, reflect on these questions: Further Reading Job 37:14 Psalm 65:8 Psalm 104:24 Psalm 111:2 Romans 1:20 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about...

When life hits hard — through mental health battles, illness, or deep loneliness — it’s easy to wonder if God’s against us. Today’s devotional is a powerful reminder that God is never our enemy. He is always for us, and His love is constant, even in our darkest moments. ✨ Key Takeaways 💡 Mental health struggles are not rooted in sin — they are real health issues that deserve compassion, care, and proper treatment 💡 God’s Word promises: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) 💡 Our emotions are valid, but God’s truth is steady — He has never and will never abandon us 💡 God showed His immense love by giving up His Son for us; how could He not also graciously give us what we need for this life and eternity? 💡 Problems arise because we live in a broken world, not because God is punishing us 🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life Have you ever struggled with the feeling that God was against you? What helped shift your perspective? Are you navigating a difficult season — mental health, illness, loss — and need a reminder that God is on your side? How might reflecting on Romans 8:31-32 reshape the way you face today’s challenges? 📖 Further Reading Romans 8:37-39 | Hebrews 13:5-6 | Psalm 46:1 | Isaiah 41:10 💬 Join the Conversation We’d love to hear how you’ve experienced God’s presence in difficult seasons. Share your story @LifeAudioNetwork or at Crosswalk.com — your journey could encourage someone else today. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: God Is for Us By Vivian Bricker “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32). A few years ago, I hit rock bottom. I felt alone in life and I was struggling immensely with my mental health. I had just started recovery for my eating disorder and it was a difficult road ahead. What I didn’t know was that when you enter recovery, you have to cope with your feelings in different ways, rather than restricting your food intake, not eating, or excessively exercising. Due to the self-hate I had, it was hard for me to make this change at first. If you have also gone through recovery for an eating disorder, you know how difficult it can be. It can make you feel alone, isolated, and scared. Eating disorders are often based out of a source of control and once that control is gone, it can be very frightening. Through God’s help, I have been able to continue to do recovery and I don’t struggle as much as I used to. However, this trust didn’t happen overnight. At first, I was extremely mad at God. I came to the conclusion that He hated me and didn’t want what was best for me. I also thought that He might be turning a deaf ear to my prayers because I was a bad person for struggling with an eating disorder for so long. Due to unhelpful comments from other Christians, I was convinced that I was struggling with a sin problem rather than a real mental health disorder. Eating disorders, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and all other mental health disorders are not rooted in sin. They are all mental health disorders that deserve proper treatment and care. If everyone started seeing mental health disorders for what they are—mental health disorders—then we could start moving forward in helping others who are struggling. It only brings harm upon others when they are told their struggles are the result of sin in their life. If anyone has ever said that to you, know they are wrong. Statements such as these show their lack of biblical knowledge and their lack of relationship with the Lord. Don’t take these things to heart as these individuals are not knowledgeable about mental health disorders. Choose to reflect on the truth: yes, we...

Ever felt stuck waiting on God’s direction, wrestling with decisions, or worrying you might be missing His voice? You’re not alone. Today’s devotional reminds us that discovering God’s will isn’t about striving harder — it’s about surrendering deeper. Did you know that today's host, Jennifer Slattery, has a podcast of her own? Check out Faith Over Fear, where Jennifer helps us see different areas of life where fear has a foothold, and how our identity as children of God can help us move from fear to faithful, bold living. ✨ Key Takeaways 💡 A pure, surrendered heart hears God more clearly than one tangled in pride, fear, or self-reliance 💡 Whole-self worship means offering our time, emotions, resources, and decisions to God in view of His mercy 💡 Trust grows when we reflect on God’s radical love revealed through the cross — the more we remember, the more freely we surrender 💡 There’s a cause-and-effect relationship: when we offer ourselves fully to God, we position ourselves to discern His good, pleasing, and perfect will 💡 It’s not about perfect trust, but about moving closer to Jesus daily, letting His love quiet our fears and guide our hearts 🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life Is there an area of your life you’re holding back from God’s direction out of fear or uncertainty? How might remembering Christ’s sacrifice help you surrender that area with greater trust? What practices can help you keep your heart pure and receptive to God’s voice this week? 📖 Further Reading Matthew 5:6-8 | Psalm 51:10 | Psalm 19:12-14 | Psalm 29 💬 Join the Conversation How has God’s mercy transformed your ability to trust and surrender to His will? Share your story with us @LifeAudioNetwork or at Crosswalk.com — we’d love to hear how you’re walking this out. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2, NIV). We’ve probably all had times when we felt stuck in indecision, waiting for God’s leading. We’ve probably also felt the angst that comes from fretting that we’ve missed His guidance, that we’re maybe unable to hear His voice, or that we’ve heard Him incorrectly. I’m currently seeking His direction for a decision that could drastically affect my life for the foreseeable future. I know the stress, anxiety, and futility of living misaligned with Christ and the joy and fruitfulness that comes from anchoring ourselves in Him and yielding however He leads. Frankly, that is the only way to experience the thriving life He promised in John 10:10—a life characterized by love, joy, peace, kindness, and eternal impact. A life of ever-increasing intimacy with our Lord. Therefore, if we want to fully receive all the blessings He died to give us, it’s imperative we live the life He assigned. But what if we don’t what that is? What if we’re not certain whether He wants us to pursue additional training to prepare for a promotion that might allow more career autonomy, or to step away from a demanding position to free up more time to spend with teenaged children? Or maybe we’re working through a really difficult, painful and confusing relationship not knowing whether to speak hard truths or offer grace, to step back and initiate some firm boundaries, or to simply wait. When I find myself in those types of situations, I’m challenged and encouraged by today’s passage. First, it reminds me that a pure heart “hears” God more clearly than one consumed with pride, selfishness, and fear. Romans 12:1 invites me to offer my entire self—my time,...

Ever felt totally lost — physically or spiritually? In today’s devotional, Alexis Goring shares a memorable story of getting lost in another state before smartphones and GPS, and how that real-life navigation mishap mirrors our spiritual journey. Just like she needed a trustworthy guide to get home safely, we need to follow Jesus closely through the twists and turns of life. ✨ Key Takeaways 💡 Life is a journey — and we’re pilgrims passing through, with Heaven as our final destination 💡 Jesus is our trustworthy guide, leading us safely if we stay close and refuse to let distractions get in the way 💡 Prioritize your relationship with Christ through daily quiet time, Bible study, and prayer 💡 Use worship, gratitude, and reflection as tools to stay spiritually grounded 💡 God promises protection, peace, and guidance for those who actively seek Him 🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life How does it change your outlook to know you have a Heavenly Guide leading you through life’s unfamiliar territory? What practices can you put in place to stay spiritually close to Jesus, even when life gets hectic? Is there anything you’ve allowed to come between you and your relationship with Jesus? How can you realign Proverbs 3:5-6 | Psalm 32:8 | Isaiah 58:11 | Psalm 25:9-10 | Psalm 119:105 Have you ever had a “lost without a guide” moment in life — and how did God lead you through it? Share your story with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or at Crosswalk.com. Let’s encourage one another to keep following Jesus closely. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Following Jesus By Alexis A. Goring “I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map—and your commands are my chart and guide. I long for your instructions more than I can tell.” — Psalm 119:19-20 TLB It was a dark Saturday night when I left my house, settled into the driver’s seat of my car, gathered my printed map with directions to my destination and pulled out of my driveway onto the road. I was driving to a friend’s birthday party. According to my map, it was about an hour and a half drive from my house to their apartment in another state. I hadn’t visited their home state before nor had I spent time in their abode. But I wasn’t worried…until I got lost in their state. Nothing looked familiar to me. I tried talking to a taxi driver at a stoplight but he couldn’t help me. At one point I ended up on the wrong side of the road but by a miracle of God, I returned to the right side of the road without being in an accident. Somehow, I ended up in the parking lot of a coffee shop. It was then that I called my friend and said I was lost. She sent her brother to meet me in the parking lot of the coffee shop. I then followed his car to their apartment. I wished her a happy birthday and spent time with the other guests but when our mutual friend (we’ll call her Tiana), prepared to leave, I asked her if I could follow her home since we lived near each other in the same state. She agreed and we left the party together. From the moment I settled into my car, I aligned my vehicle directly behind Tiana’s car, I zeroed in on her car’s features and memorized the license plate so I 2would know who I was following then I drove close behind her car, never taking my eyes off it. I didn’t let any other car get in between me and the car I was following closely. I matched Tiana’s driving pace and drove like my life depended on it because it did. I was in such unfamiliar territory that far from home, but I knew if I stayed close to the driver who knew the way home then I would get to my destination. This experience happened when I did not have GPS and the printed map I had failed me. But gratefully, God led me to follow this friend back into familiar territory in my home state and I arrived safely to my house that night. I don’t want to think about what could...

Ever feel like you’ve only scratched the surface of what God’s doing in your life? In today’s devotional, Whitney Hopler reflects on John 21:25 and reminds us that Jesus is constantly at work — in ways we can see and in countless ways we can’t. The beauty of following Christ is that the story isn’t finished, and there’s always more to discover, learn, and experience with Him. ✨ Key Takeaways 💡 Jesus’ work didn’t stop when His earthly ministry ended — it continues every day in your life 💡 The Bible is an endless well of wisdom, but Jesus is also writing His story through your life experiences 💡 Pay attention to the “small miracles” — the peace, the encouragement, and those perfectly timed answers to prayer 💡 Journaling God’s faithfulness can help you track His hand in your daily life 💡 Faith is an ongoing, lifelong journey of discovery, growth, and awe 🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life Recall a moment when God answered a prayer in an unexpected way — how did that shift your faith perspective? What simple habits could help you notice Jesus’ work in your life more consistently? Could you carve out a weekly check-in with yourself and God to reflect on what He’s doing in your heart and circumstances? How might you intentionally keep learning and growing in your faith, year after year? 📖 Further Reading Psalm 40:5 | Job 5:9 | Romans 11:33 | Ecclesiastes 3:11 | Ephesians 3:20 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: There is Always More to Discover with Jesus By: Whitney Hopler “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” – John 21:25, NIV This is one of my favorite Bible verses, because it sparks my curiosity so much! I love how it points out that there’s much more for us to discover about Jesus. Not only did Jesus do so much during his earthly life that the world wouldn’t have room for all the books to tell us about it, but Jesus is constantly working now. Our wonderful Savior is doing so much, all the time, that we always have something more we can learn about it. That means we can be lifelong learners who are constantly going on exciting learning journeys with Jesus! Day by day, we see Jesus’ work in various ways, such as through his guidance, inspiration, and love. But how much more is happening behind the scenes? How many prayers is Jesus answering in ways we won’t fully understand until we get to heaven? How many times is Jesus protecting us from danger we don’t even know is near? Jesus is always working to accomplish good purposes in our lives – and often, he does so in mysterious ways. When you realize that you only see a fraction of the work Jesus is doing, an important question to consider is: Are you paying attention? Since Jesus’ work is so vast, you should never stop seeking to know him more. No matter how much you grow in your faith, there will always be more to discover about Jesus – and with Jesus, as you walk with him through each day of your life. Think about it this way: If there were books upon books filled with Jesus’ works, wouldn’t you want to keep reading them? Wouldn’t you want to keep exploring to learn more about Jesus’ wonderful wisdom? The Bible itself is filled with stories and teachings that you can study for a lifetime and still discover fresh insights. But beyond the Bible, Jesus is writing a record of inspiring work in your life, and it’s important for you to read it. The key to experiencing the daily wonders of God’s work in your life is to pay attention to the ways Jesus moves on a regular basis. Jesus’ miracles weren’t just occasional dramatic healings or supernatural events. They were also small yet significant experiences of positive change that happened regularly – enlightening conversations with people, acts of...

Family — it’s a gift, a challenge, and sometimes a complicated mix of both. In today’s devotional, Aaron D’Anthony Brown reflects on the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 37:3-4, unpacking how even the most dysfunctional family situations can be met with grace, wisdom, and faith. If you’ve ever wrestled with family tension, painful words, or unresolved conflict, this episode offers perspective, encouragement, and biblical wisdom to help you navigate those tough relationships. ✨ Key Takeaways 💡 God values the family unit — even when it’s messy 💡 Joseph’s story reminds us that betrayal and brokenness don’t have to be the end of the story 💡 Prayer keeps us anchored when family drama threatens to overwhelm us 💡 Open, honest communication is a brave and essential step toward healing 💡 True reconciliation begins with listening well and extending forgiveness 💡 No matter how unreliable people may be, God remains steadfast, loving, and good 🌿 Intersecting Faith & Life Who in your family might you need to have an honest conversation with? Are there hurts you’ve held onto that it’s time to forgive? How does Joseph’s story encourage you to keep trusting God, even in tough family dynamics? Is there someone you’ve overlooked that God might be prompting you to reconcile with today? 📖 Further Reading Exodus 20:12 | Psalm 27:10 | Ephesians 6:4 | 1 Timothy 5:8 | Matthew 5:38-39 | Matthew 10:35-37 | Matthew 18:15-17 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: When Family Weighs You Down By Aaron D’Anthony Brown “Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because Joseph was a son born to him in his old age, and he made a long-sleeved robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not bring themselves to speak peaceably to him.” (Genesis 37:3-4, CSB) “We’re supposed to get along,” Dad used to say a lot to my sisters and me growing up. That was his reminder to prioritize our family bond over any reason for strife. Whenever I asked “Why?” with childish curiosity, my father’s answer was simple: “We’re family.” Since those youthful days, at times I’ve still wondered why we should remain committed to family despite all odds. I’ve wondered while observing the ways family members turn on each other, gossip, and all sorts of drama they cause. Today, however, the answer to my question is much clearer. We should value our households because God esteems the family unit. One great example that makes the case is the story of Joseph and his brothers. In Genesis 37, Scripture introduces us to Joseph as a boy who receives prophetic dreams. After sharing these visions with his brothers, his own flesh and blood turns on him. First, they consider killing him before settling on just selling him into slavery. Not only did Joseph’s siblings commit the initial atrocity, but as later passages reveal, they also kept up the ruse for years to avoid any consequences. They only came clean when a famine hit the land, and circumstances forced them to come to terms with their sin. By then, Joseph was a young man whom Pharoah placed in charge of all of Egypt. The story concludes with reconciliation, forgiveness, and a bond between brothers that is surprisingly rekindled. Like Joseph, we don’t get to pick our families, and thus, we often don’t get to choose what kind of problems they drag us into. While prophecies may not be the reason family weighs you down, other circumstances are to blame. Some trivial, some quite significant. If we are to learn from Joseph, how exactly do we stay afloat when family weighs us down? Intersecting Faith & Life: There are several takeaways from the story of Joseph that we can implement into our own familial relations. Talk to God Hearing prayer as a response to your circumstances probably sounds like...

Ever find yourself sensing a nudge from God to do something that feels… well, a little off-the-wall? Maybe you’ve prayed, waited, and still felt unsure. In today’s devotional, Keri Eichberger shares a personal story of unexpected promptings, hesitant obedience, and the comforting truth found in Psalm 33:10-11 — that God’s good plan for us is firm, unshaken by our uncertainty or decisions. If you’re facing a big decision, wrestling with mixed emotions, or waiting for a clear answer, this message will meet you right where you are. ✨ Key Takeaways 💡 God’s plans stand firm — no matter our uncertainty 💡 When we genuinely seek God’s will, we can move forward in faith knowing He’ll direct or redirect our steps 💡 Psalm 33:10-11 reminds us that God can foil or thwart any plan not aligned with His purposes — and that’s a good thing 💡 We can live with peace, taking faithful steps, because God’s ultimate plan for our good will always prevail 💬 Join the Conversation Have you ever wrestled with a decision and sensed God nudging you forward in faith? Or maybe you’ve watched Him thwart a plan that wasn’t His best for you. We’d love to hear your story! Connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a message on Crosswalk.com. Let’s encourage one another with how God’s faithful hand has guided us through life’s twists and turns. 🎙️ Be sure to follow The Crosswalk Devotional podcast on your favorite app — new episodes every Monday through Friday. Don’t miss a single word of encouragement and truth rooted in God’s Word. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Your Choice Won’t Change God’s Good Plan By Keri Eichberger The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:10-11) I wasn't necessarily even looking for a job. But for some odd reason the opportunity kept randomly bursting into my thoughts. It seemed so bizarre that I never spoke a word of it to anyone. My husband would have been my first friend to share the strange promptings, but I was certain he would simply look at me sideways, laugh it off, and say how super off the wall the notion was. But nonetheless, about an hour after my regular morning prayer time of seeking God's will for my day and life, it popped up again. And I had to let it spill. I told Mike I almost didn't say a word about this absurd idea, except that in some strange way this crazy thought reminded me of my initial series of promptings before God called me to have my last baby-turned-twins. And considering the divine way that worked out, it was the resemblance of stirrings and signals that got my attention. The crazier part was what followed my confession. Mike didn't think I’d lost my mind—like he may have when I first announced God's call to a baby—but he was intrigued instead. And before I knew it, he was encouraging me to inquire. I knew the drill from here—lots of prayer would have to follow. But in the end, though the promptings were still strong, I just wasn't sure. Determining whether or not to have a baby I had as much time as I wanted to discern and decide. But in this case, the job opening would close in a couple of days, so I had to apply ASAP. I begged God to be clear with what to do. On one hand, this undertaking didn't seem to fit in my plans and current conditions. But on the other hand, the desire to do it anyway remained. Have you ever noticed a nudge or strong desire to do something that in many ways made no sense? Or have you asked God to be clear if you should or shouldn't, and the desire neither deepened nor dimmed? And maybe like me, you felt you didn't have time to sit and wait for more cues and clues. I have to say, it's in these difficult decisions that I am so thankful for God's word. My...