The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Have you ever looked back and felt the sting of a missed opportunity? In Missed Opportunities and Growth, Vivian Bricker reflects on Ephesians 5:15-17 and reminds us that while fear can cause us to step back from God-given opportunities, His grace still leads us to growth. Even when we stumble, God redeems our regrets and uses them to strengthen our walk with Him. Highlights Ephesians 5:15-17 calls us to live wisely and make the most of every opportunity. Fear often blocks us from stepping into new seasons of growth. Missed opportunities can lead to regret—but also reflection and transformation. God provides continual chances to grow in wisdom, courage, and faith. Learning from setbacks prepares us for future opportunities aligned with His will. Join the Conversation Have you missed an opportunity God placed in your path? How did He use that moment to help you grow? Share your story and encourage others to walk in wisdom and courage. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #FaithAndOpportunities #GodRedeemsRegret #WalkInWisdom to join the conversation. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Missed Opportunities and Growth By Vivian Bricker Bible Reading: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).  Typically, we only think of growth and change during the year's beginning or end. However, there can be opportunities for growth throughout the year. Most of these opportunities are given to us by the Lord. He is always giving us opportunities to try new things, meet new people, and grow in our walk with Him. As Christ followers, we need to make sure we are taking advantage of these opportunities and not wasting them. Most of us turn away from opportunities due to fear. Fear blocks our path and causes us to steer away from something new. I have seen this in my life, and you might have seen it in yours as well. Maybe God placed an opportunity for a new job, a new friend, or a new connection group at church. However, you walked away due to fear in your heart. Rather than using these opportunities to grow, we run away. This is entirely normal, but we must fight against it as much as possible. I have wasted many opportunities for growth in the Lord because I was afraid. Fear of rejection or not being good enough polluted my mind, so I turned these opportunities down. I feel a lot of regret over missing out on these opportunities, and one in particular sticks with me still. I was supposed to go on my second mission internship during my master’s degree, yet my opportunity was missed. My only choice was to give all my donated funds to someone else who was still trying to raise enough support or donate it to the mission board. I felt ashamed over the fact that so many people had donated to my mission fund, and they weren’t even going to get their funds back. It was embarrassing and challenging to say the least.  Even though I lost the chance to go on this mission trip, I learned from it and began working on myself because of it. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Apostle Paul tells us, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:15-17). As Paul says in this passage, we need to be careful in how we live and to be wise. We need to make the most of every opportunity because evil is so prevalent in the world. Rather than being foolish, we need to understand the Lord’s will and hold fast to it.  Think about what you are going through today. Maybe you are expressing grief over a past opportunity you missed. Bring these regrets over to the Lord; however, also apply the biblical teachings to be careful, wise, seize every opportunity, and understand the Lord’s will. In the future, Jesus will continue to give you many opportunities for growth and help you stand strong. While you might miss some, Jesus will still ensure you experience growth through it.  “Dear Lord, please give me opportunities for growth and the wisdom to accept them when I can. Please also help me to learn from missed opportunities, and still help me to grow. I want to make the most of every opportunity and to understand Your will. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.” Have you missed out on an opportunity? How did this make you feel? Even though you missed this opportunity, did it help you grow as a follower of Jesus?  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Grief and loss can feel like ashes, but God promises to bring beauty, strength, and hope out of our pain. In Become Like an Oak Tree, Whitney Hopler reflects on Isaiah 61:2-3, reminding us that God grows us into “oaks of righteousness”—deeply rooted in His love, resilient through life’s storms, and a living display of His splendor. Highlights God transforms mourning into joy and despair into praise (Isaiah 61:2-3). Oak trees symbolize strength, endurance, and deep-rooted faith. Trials and grief become the soil where God plants new hope. Spiritual roots—through prayer, worship, and trust—anchor us in storms. Our testimony of faith gives others shade, comfort, and encouragement. Join the Conversation Where have you seen God bring beauty out of your ashes? Share your story and encourage others to stay rooted in faith. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #OaksOfRighteousness #BeautyFromAshes #FaithThatEndures to join the conversation. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Become Like An Oak TreeBy: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading:“… to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” – Isaiah 61:2-3, NIV  Walking across the Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland one day, I was struck by how beautiful the place was. The ugly reality was that it was the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, on September 17, 1862. Yet despite the fact that more than 22,000 men died there, the rolling hills and fields of bright green grass dotted with wildflowers made it look like I was just strolling through a gorgeous park. Beauty surrounded me everywhere. But the old trees – some of which were old enough to have witnessed the Civil War – were especially beautiful. Some of those old trees were oak trees, with branches stretching out wide and another year’s worth of new leaves growing from those strong and graceful branches.  In Isaiah 61:2-3, God promises his people that he will bring beauty out of their painful grief, and that they will become “oaks of righteousness” – strong and beautiful people who display the power of God’s work in their lives.  What kinds of grief are you going through in your life? Maybe you’re grieving the death of someone you loved. Maybe you’re carrying the weight of another important loss, like a job layoff, an illness, or a broken relationship. Life can feel like a battlefield, where hope can seem hard to find as you’re struggling with suffering. But God promises to comfort you. God will take the ashes of your pain and transform them into something beautiful. Where the pain of grief has touched your life, God will pour out the oil of joy. Where there was despair, God will clothe you in praise. God doesn’t forget your pain, just like God doesn’t forget the painful history that happened at Antietam. But God will seeds of hope in the soil of your suffering, and over time, he will grow them into something as strong as an oak tree. The process of becoming an “oak of righteousness” involves trusting God’s timing and staying persistent in prayer while you wait for God’s answers to arrive. Oak trees grow slowly. Their roots reach deep into the earth, anchoring them against harsh conditions like strong winds. Likewise, God wants to establish a deep faith in you so you won’t be uprooted when you face challenges. This growth won’t be easy. There will be seasons of drought when you feel spiritually dry, and storms that test your faith. But challenges like these are opportunities for you to learn to trust God more deeply. As you lean into your relationship with God, he will strengthen you, expand your spiritual roots, and prepare you for what he knows you’ll face in the future. Over time, you’ll find that the situations that once upset you no longer have the same power to do so. That’s because you’ll be grounded in a close relationship with God, who has unlimited strength. Just as oak trees give those around them the refuge of shade, your testimony of faith in action will give other people hope. The wonderful ways God has worked to transform you will show everyone who knows you a display of God’s splendor, just as the Bible says in Isaiah 61:2-3. No matter how much pain you suffered in the past, God will bring something beautiful out of it, while healing you and making you stronger in the process.  So, if you’re grieving right now, remember that God isn’t finished with your story yet. The ashes in your life won’t last forever. God will bring beauty out of your ashes and help you grow to become strong like an oak tree – deeply rooted in God’s righteousness and showing others the power of God’s work in your life. Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider how God will grow your faith when you go through grief, reflect on these questions: What specific “ashes” that you’re grieving right now would you like to ask God to transform into something beautiful?  Oak trees grow slowly and are anchored by deep roots. What spiritual practices (like prayer and meditation) help you deepen your roots in faith, especially when you feel spiritually dry or threatened by storms?  In what ways have you seen God bring new life out of a difficult past situation without ignoring the reality of the pain that was there?  How does the idea of becoming an “oak of righteousness” change your perspective on the challenges and waiting periods in your life? Do you see them more as opportunities for growth?  How can your story of God’s faithfulness give hope to someone else who’s grieving right now? Further ReadingJeremiah 17:7-8Matthew 5:4Romans 5:3-4Ephesians 3:17-19Psalm 34:18 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Conflict within the church can be painful and complicated. Michelle Lazurek’s Be True Peacemakers walks believers through biblical conflict resolution using Matthew 18:14-18. This devotional emphasizes private confrontation, mediation, and, when necessary, church discipline—all with the goal of restoration and reconciliation. Highlights Address conflicts directly and privately first Bring a trusted leader as a mediator if initial attempts fail Church discipline is for restoration, not revenge Avoid gossip, triangulation, and slander Seek integrity and humility in all steps to maintain unity in the body of Christ Join the Conversation Are you currently navigating conflict with a brother or sister in Christ? Reflect on steps you can take toward reconciliation today. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #TruePeacemakers #Matthew18 #FaithfulConflictResolution to share your experience and encouragement. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Be True Peacemakers By: Michelle Lazurek Bible Reading: “If your brother or sister sins,  go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:14-18 In a previous church, concerns were raised about relationships within the church. When my husband sat down with the leaders, we quickly knew this was no ordinary meeting. As each person spoke, it was clear that rumors and gossip had been flying for quite a while. While there were grains of truth to some statements and outright lies in others, one thing was clear: No one had confronted my husband directly.  Once the rumors were cleared up, and the situation went back to normal, we couldn't help but reel from the fact that people choose to gossip and spread rumors and lies, disparaging my husband's reputation, with no thought or consideration to him at all. If they had come to him, he could have cleared the air, and we could have been spared much more time and energy working to dispel rumors and working toward the Kingdom. After that, it was clear there was a lack of trust from both sides. Matthew, in his gospel, outlines a straightforward way to lovingly confront someone, point out their sin, and work toward reconciliation and purity of the church. Although many people take the above verse as the model for conflict resolution, that's not the purpose for which it was written. It was written for people to point out someone's sin so that the purity of the church can be maintained.  The above verse explains that the first step in lovingly confronting someone always begins with a one-on-one private confrontation. This spares the offender from shame or public humiliation. Those things do not belong in a church body. If the person will not listen, then it instructs that a person should bring another person along. Ideally, an elder or a pastor should be the person in that situation.  The leader or the pastor should act as a mediator to resolve the conflict. The mediator mustn't have a bias toward the person offering the complaint. In some ways, it's a way to gang up on the offender. God sees the bigger picture and knows the full intention of each person's heart. No one person has all the truth. That's why it's essential to bring a mediator along to help diffuse the situation and extract the truth from it. If the situation remains unresolved, then church discipline can be instituted. This does not mean a person is allowed to bring a person up in front of the church when leaders disagree with their complaint. If their complaint is unfounded, it does not mean the person should take the next step to fulfill what is written in the above verses.   If you are embroiled in a conflict with someone and are unsure of how to proceed, the above verse provides an excellent guide for handling conflict effectively and biblically. Here are some ways to effectively deal with your conflict: Confront Them Privately Do not triangulate other people into your situation. That means the first step in Matthew 18 has not been followed. Go to that person in love and directly confront them with gentleness and respect. Name the offense using I statements. Let them know how you feel and how the situation has affected you. Listen to what the offender has to say. Sometimes there is an explanation or reason behind the situation. Consult Another Leader  If the person will not acknowledge anything regarding the incident, meet with an elder or a leader in your church. Make them aware of the situation and explain it in the same way you described it to the offender. Listen and solicit the advice of the elder or leader. If the elder or leader will not approach the situation or feels the problem is unwarranted, do not triangulate other people into this situation. This only breeds dissension and gossip.  If you want to maintain your integrity and credibility by truly seeking reconciliation with the person, you must listen to the advice of the leadership. If you disagree with the decision, it is best to let either the situation go or leave the church. Holding on to an offense simply because you want justice or disagree with the decision is not a reason to hold on to it.  If the leader is not willing to face the situation directly, but there is something warranted, consult a leader who is above the offender. If the offender is a pastor, consult with their district regarding their model for addressing conflict and resolving issues within the church. Consult the Church If a leader advises to bring it up in front of the church, then church discipline will be instituted. Do not use manipulative tactics such as gossip or slander to get your way. Triangulating other people who don't know both sides of the situation is not only unfair but also slanderous and libelous towards someone's reputation. The Bible warns us against these types of people.  Seek church discipline only in the case of reconciliation and restoration for the person to separate themselves from their sin and turn from their ways. Do not use it as an avenue to get justice or revenge. In this case, you are no better than the offender. Conflict can be complex and can lead to hurt feelings and soul wounds that only Jesus can heal. Do your best to work through your issues before confronting a person directly. Make sure you are right with the Lord before you go and talk to someone else about their unrighteousness. Father, let us be people who resolve conflict gently. Allow us to use the model outlined in Matthew 18 as a guide for conflict resolution. Help us to be people who seek the restoration and reconciliation of the body of Christ. Amen. Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you have conflict with another brother or sister in Christ? What steps can you take towards reconciliation? Further Reading: Galatians 6:1-5 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Feeling distant from God? Megan J. Conner reminds us in Hide and Seek that even when we hide from Him—whether through sin, fear, or heartache—He is patiently waiting to be found. Drawing on Deuteronomy 4:29, this devotional encourages believers to seek God with their whole heart and soul, trusting that He is always near. Highlights Hiding from God is natural, but His presence is never absent Childhood hide-and-seek illustrates how we often distance ourselves from the Lord God patiently waits for us to reach toward Him, even in dark or difficult seasons Scripture reassures us of God’s unwavering presence: Deut. 31:6; Matt. 28:20; Acts 17:27 Seeking God wholeheartedly leads to restoration and intimacy with Him Join the Conversation Are you hiding from God today, or seeking Him with your whole heart? Share your reflections and encourage others to trust in God’s presence. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #SeekGod #FaithInTheWilderness #FoundInHim to join the conversation. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Hide and Seek By Megan J. Conner Bible Reading:“But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deut. 4:29, (NKJV) Over the summer, my husband and I were blessed to host three special littles and their parents. They stayed with us for eleven days and thought Uma and Umpa’s house was THE best. Why? Because they said it was the perfect house to play hide and seek. And oh, did we play hide and seek! Round after round, we took turns hiding while the chosen seeker sought us out. Sometimes, the players concealed themselves so well, the game lasted quite a while.  One round, I was assigned the role of hiding and scrunched myself into a tiny corner of our basement laundry room, tucked underneath the ironing board. It was a pretty good hiding spot, if I do say so myself. Well, it ended up being so good that it took all three of the kids and my teenage daughter almost 30 minutes to finally discover me. Relief and a hint of frustration were on the faces of my seekers as they grabbed my hand and helped me exit my small, uncomfortable space.  “Uma!” they declared. “It was so hard to find you!” “Well, thank goodness you found me,” I replied. “I was getting lonely down here all by myself in the dark.” “We’ve got you now, Uma!” they laughed triumphantly as they rescued me with smothered hugs. What an interesting comparison between this innocent children’s game and our walk with the Lord. Perhaps you can recall moments when you have been in a similar circumstance. When heartache, disappointment, or the slippery slope of sin has drawn you intentionally or unintentionally away from God. Why is it that when we face challenges, we tend to distance ourselves from the Lord? Utilizing our own expert hiding spots, we curl ourselves inward and assume the darkness will provide a respite from the pain.  Then, before we know it, we long for the complete opposite. Where is our rescuer? Why can’t we find the Lord in the midst of all that is plaguing our hearts and minds? We remain secluded in isolation and assume God is intentionally remaining aloof and does not want to be found by us. But the truth is, He is there patiently waiting for you to reach out towards the light, to reach out to Him. The Word of God assures us, “the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you,” (Deut. 31:6, NIV), that He will be “with you always, even to the end of the age,” (Matt. 28:20, NLT). There are seasons where our Heavenly Father allows us to wander in the desert, but He has not left us there alone. “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:27 (NIV) Whether you have been called to a wilderness season or simply have separated yourself from God, He is ready and waiting for you to turn your heart towards Him. He desires to be found. If your heart feels distant from the Lord today, ask yourself who is the one who is really hiding. If you are truly longing for connection with the Lord, all you need to do is “seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul,” Deut. 4:29, (NKJV).  Intersecting Faith & Life: Where is your heart today? Are you hiding from the Lord? Or perhaps you feel that He is hiding from you? How does today’s scripture remind you that God is present and available if you are willing to seek Him out?  The scripture from Deut. 4:29 says that the Lord can be found, but only when we seek Him with all of our hearts and all of our souls. “All” is a big word here… Take some time today to evaluate the position of your heart. Perhaps make a list of the things that you value most. Are you prioritizing your time, talents, and treasures for your own purposes first? No matter where you find yourself today, know that the Lord is patiently and graciously ready to pull you out of your hiding place and into His arms. Further Reading: John 17:20-26 Heb. 13:5-6  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When fear and weakness threaten to overwhelm us, God calls us to courageous obedience. Just as He told Gideon in Judges 6:13-14 to “go in the strength you have,” the Lord invites us to trust His power, not our own. Jennifer Slattery shares how God’s presence transforms impossible situations into testimonies of His strength and victory. Highlights Gideon’s story shows God calls ordinary, fearful people to extraordinary purposes “Go in the strength you have” reminds us our weakness is the stage for God’s strength Personal story of stepping into a difficult calling with limited resources God doesn’t expect perfection—He expects obedience and trust True victory comes from God fighting our battles for us Join the Conversation What’s one area where God is calling you to step out even though you feel weak? Share your reflections and encourage others to trust God’s strength. Tag @LifeAudio and use #CourageousObedience #FaithOverFear #StrengthInChrist to join the discussion. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Courageous Obedience When We Feel Weak and Afraid  By Jennifer Slattery Bible Reading: When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:13-14, NIV Have you ever sensed God asking you to do something you knew would be incredibly difficult, say yes, and find yourself in what felt like an impossible situation? One that took every ounce of strength you had, and you still felt like you were perpetually failing? That was precisely where I landed, years ago, when my husband and I opened our home to a teenager with a really rough background, and numerous behavioral challenges for which we weren’t prepared. As is often the case, this situation came in the middle of an already stressful season, and for the youth, this was an emergency. We were empty nesters at the time, I was leading an international ministry, completing my Christian ministry degree, working to meet numerous writing deadlines, and preparing for speaking engagements I’d accepted long before we answered God’s call to love on this deeply wounded, and incredibly angry teenager. To complicate matters, this was a busy time for my husband as well, as he was doing a lot of traveling for work—leaving me to parent this kid alone. Adding to the chaos was the fact that the teenager hated women and, frankly, was bigger and stronger than me. As you can imagine, I was more than overwhelmed and, sadly, often reacted to the teenager from my overwhelm rather than allowing God’s love and grace to flow through me. But, on those occasions when I paused my frantic efforts to manage it all in my wisdom and strength and sought God’s presence, I received instant peace, clarity regarding the situation, a Holy Spirit glimpse into the youth’s wounded and frightened heart, and the strength I desperately needed to overcome my fears, insecurities, and unhealthy tendencies. Reading Gideon’s story, recorded in Judges 6-9, reminded me of that difficult but enlightening season during which I needed to “go in the strength I had”—not so I could win the victory, but rather, so I could reveal Christ’s supernatural strength at work in me and through me.   You might recognize this biblical account. This occurred during a dark period in ancient Israel’s history during which they repeatedly rebelled against God, experienced oppression from other people groups, cried out to the Lord for rescue, received the divine help they so desperately sought, only to rebel against Him yet again.  When Scripture introduces us to Gideon, we find him hiding in a wine press, threshing wheat. His behavior makes sense, considering the circumstances. Judges 6 tells us that the Midianites oppressed ancient Israel for 7 years—destroying their crops and stealing their sheep, goats, cattle and donkeys. Meaning, their source of survival. Facing starvation, the people finally cry out to God. Like I said earlier, He responds by calling Gideon to fight on the nation’s behalf.  He began with these words, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” He called the man hiding in a winepress a hero—because the Lord saw past Gideon’s current position to the victorious man of God he would become. Then He added, ‘The Lord is with you!” To which Gideon responds, in essence, “Really? Then why are we in this mess?” I find it intriguing that God never answers his question. Instead, He issues this directive:  “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14, NIV, emphasis mine). He said this during a time when Gideon appeared to possess zero strength and a whole lot of weakness. Yet, as the story continues, we see that this was the point. God wasn’t expecting Gideon to fight his oppressors in his wisdom and strength. He was simply telling him to engage. To obey and allow God’s supernatural strength to flow in him and through him.  Intersecting Life & Faith: The Lord Himself won the battle. He fights our battles as well. He sees our weakness and understands why we might be figuratively hiding in a winepress. He doesn’t get frustrated by our anxiety, fear or overwhelm, but neither does He leave us stuck. Instead, He invites us to step out in faith, to go in whatever strength we possess, trusting Him for the victory. Because we aren’t destined for defeated. As Romans 8:31 states, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.  Further Reading: Romans 8:31-39 Philippians 4:13 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God still performs miracles today—and He invites us to pray big, bold prayers. In Habakkuk 3:2, the prophet asks God to repeat His wondrous deeds in their own time. Whitney Hopler shares a powerful personal story of her mother’s healing and salvation, showing how God responds when we dare to pray for something awesome. Highlights Habakkuk 3:2 reminds us to pray with awe and boldness Story of miraculous healing that led to salvation Why we often settle for small, “safe” prayers God’s power is the same yesterday, today, and forever How to expect God’s awesome work daily Join the Conversation What’s one bold prayer you’re asking God to answer? Share your story and encourage others to pray expectantly. Tag @LifeAudio and use #PrayBoldly #FaithInAction #GodStillMoves to join the community conversation. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Pray for Something Awesome By: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading: “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” – Habakkuk 3:2, NIV  I’ll never forget the day my mother told me that she had seen an angel! After 23 years of praying for her to come to faith in God, I had grown frustrated wondering if God would ever answer my prayers. Mom eventually did come to believe in God, but she still struggled to believe that God would love her enough to save her. She still hadn’t started a relationship with God by the time she was diagnosed with leukemia and hospitalized – fighting both the blood cancer and pneumonia in her lungs. But one night, she saw an angel appear in heavenly form and send glowing bits of energy into her chest. The next day, tests revealed that the leukemia was in remission and the pneumonia was gone! But Mom’s physical healing wasn’t the biggest miracle. What was even more miraculous was that God had convinced Mom he loved her personally by sending her one of his heavenly messengers to minister to her. Mom was in awe of God’s deeds, and she finally placed her faith in him.  The wonderful way God helped Mom showed me that God is just as willing to do miracles today as he was in earlier times. Habakkuk 3:2 reminds us that, when we think about God’s famous miracles, we can ask God to do something awesome in our own lives right now. When we face big problems – like health struggles, broken relationships, or money worries – we pray small prayers too often. We might just ask God to help us get through the day as we deal with problems we don’t expect to be solved. But Habakkuk shows us that we can pray bigger prayers. We can look back at God’s mighty deeds and dare to believe he can do something awesome for us right now.  God is the same God now that he always has been. He’s the same God who performed all the wondrous miracles from the Bible, such as feeding thousands of people with just a few fish and loaves of bread, raising Lazarus from the dead, and opening prison doors for Paul and Silas. This same awesome God listens to your prayers today and does wonderful work in your life every day.  Even when we remind ourselves that God is still powerful and merciful, sometimes we hesitate to pray big and bold prayers because we’re afraid of being disappointed. What if God doesn’t answer the way we hope? But God can see what’s really best in any situation.  Praying like Habakkuk involves praying for God’s best and truly expecting that God will answer our prayers by doing something awesome.  What would happen if you began to pray for God to do something awesome in your own life? What if you prayed not just to survive, but to thrive? What if you looked beyond your circumstances to the God who is in control of them? God has unlimited power, and he uses that power for good in your life, because he’s good and he loves you!  Instead of dreading the stressful situations in your day, you can ask: “God, what awesome way will you work in my life today?” Then you can pay close attention, expecting that the wonder of God’s work will show up for you during every single day. Sometimes you’ll experience dramatic answers to prayer, and sometimes you’ll find quiet inspiration – but you’ll always find God’s deeds somehow when you look for them. That’s something to celebrate!  Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider how you can expect God to do something awesome when he answers your prayers, reflect on these questions: What past awe-inspiring answers to prayer can you remember and thank God for today?  In what areas of your life are you tempted to pray small, safe prayers instead of big, bold prayers?  How does Habakkuk’s prayer inspire you to see your current challenges differently?  How can you live with the daily expectation that God will do something awesome in your life?  How can you encourage other people to trust God for awe-inspiring answers to prayer in their lives? Further Reading: Ephesians 3:20 Jeremiah 32:27 Mark 11:24 Psalm 77:14 Isaiah 43:19 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God’s provision and faithfulness are unshakable, even in life’s hardest seasons. Isaiah 46:4 reminds us that the Lord carries us, sustains us, and rescues us from beginning to end. In this devotional, Michelle Lazurek shares her story of church planting, financial struggles, and moments of doubt—only to discover God’s sustaining hand through every sacrifice, setback, and unexpected blessing. Highlights Isaiah 46:4: God promises to sustain us through every stage of life How financial struggles and sacrifice can test our faith Stories of unexpected provision through God’s people Why gratitude and reflection reveal God’s faithfulness in hindsight A reminder that God never forgets us and always has a plan Join the Conversation How has God sustained you during a season when you felt abandoned or overwhelmed? Share your story with the LifeAudio community and encourage others to trust God’s provision. Tag @LifeAudio and use #FaithfulGod #ChristianLiving #GodProvides to join the conversation. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: God Sustains Us By: Michelle Lazurek Bible Reading: “Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah. 46:4 Many years ago, my husband and I planted a church. We planted it from a mother church where he originally pastored as an associate pastor. It became challenging to find people to be sent out to join us in our endeavor. We recruited 12 people from various backgrounds and areas of our lives, as well as a few from the church we were currently attending. From day one, it was a challenging experience.  We moved several times, had to take several pay cuts, and experienced frequent turnover among our congregation members. Many people who came to us had previously experienced hurt in a church and were seeking a new kind of church. However, that emotional baggage that they brought with them, they dropped right at the church's doorstep. Because of all the financial, emotional, and mental issues involved in it, it was tough for us to deal with all the issues surrounding it.  After the first pay cut, there were times when we couldn't always pay our bills. There were moments when my husband didn't eat dinner that night because there wasn't enough food.  In those moments, it felt as if God had abandoned us. We were making all these sacrifices; why did we have to make those sacrifices when everyone else got to live their lives how they wanted? The church plant had a profound impact on my spiritual life. I became angry at God for the things I thought I was entitled to or deserved.  God had called me to sacrifice, but it was clear he wasn't calling anyone else to make those same sacrifices. Because of this, I grew resentful. It deeply affected my spiritual life. I stopped praying and was going through the motions of the faith.  As I look back now, I understand more completely the distinction between the two. As I reflect in the mirror now, donning many gray hairs, I know that even through the challenging stages, God has been with us. Looking back, I remember so many times when God provided for us. He had friends bring us food when there wasn't enough to eat. He had people give generous donations to us to help us make ends meet.  Although I don't want to go through that difficult time again, I can see all the ways that God provided for us and sustained us during that difficult time. One time, we didn't have enough money to pay for a home repair. A couple from our congregation heard of our plight and surprised us with a check for the exact amount to get our roof fixed. We were elated! We were forever grateful to that couple for sacrificing and giving of themselves so that we could live another day in our home.  It is not always easy during trials to see where God is at work. However, when we successfully resolve our emotions associated with trials and look back soberly at the situation, there are always moments where we can see God at work. Being able to reflect on what God is doing amid a difficult time in our lives helps strengthen my faith. It shifts my mindset and allows me to look upon God in his character, who never forgets, always sees, always provides, always sustains. Look at your life. In what ways has God sustained you through difficult times, in areas where God performed a mini miracle, providing for you in a way that you never thought possible? Did God use people in your life to speak a word of encouragement, remind you of God's word, or provide for you in a way you never expected? In all those ways, God is to be praised because he is at work in our lives, even when we don't see it. As we reflect in our old age, we are reminded that God never forgets about us. He always has a perfect plan for our lives, until the day we return home. Father, let us be people who remember your sovereignty, provision, and goodness. Remind us of all the ways you sustain us and provide for us, even in challenging circumstances. Allow us to wake up each day grateful for your presence in our lives, knowing that you have a perfect plan for us. Amen. Intersecting Faith & Life: Analyze your life. In what ways has God sustained you through difficult circumstances? Further Reading: Philippians 4:19 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A cheerful heart is more than a good mood—it’s God’s prescription for hope and healing. Proverbs 17:22 reminds us that joy can strengthen our spirit, while negativity can crush us from within. This devotional explores the power of perspective, gratitude, and God’s wisdom to transform how we walk through trials. Highlights Discover why Proverbs calls joy “good medicine” for the soul How your outlook impacts mental, spiritual, and physical health The danger of letting negativity spiral into despair Practical ways to cultivate gratitude and a cheerful heart in hard times Encouragement that God can shift your heart from hopeless to hopeful Join the Conversation What helps you keep a cheerful heart when life feels heavy? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram and Facebook @LifeAudio, and encourage someone else who may need this reminder today. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to help others find biblical encouragement. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: The Best Medicine By Megan J. Conner Bible Reading: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Prov. 17:22 (NIV) Proverbs is one of the most interesting books in the Bible. Often referenced for “one-off” quotes like this, but, in some cases, ignored as a work of wisdom in its entirety. It seems as if most of us aren’t really sure what to do with the Book of Proverbs, so we simply skim over the content or only digest it in small doses of daily scripture reading.  I have had the true privilege of editing and consulting for a beautiful Christian author who is incredibly passionate about the works of Solomon, specifically Ecclesiastes and his contributions to the Book of Proverbs. Her work and message have transformed my entire perspective on the value of this ancient wisdom, especially in light of the eternal nuggets of truth that it offers us. Today’s scripture is one of these prized nuggets.  “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Prov. 17:22 (NIV) The first part of this quotable quip could be a cute bookmark or slogan on a coffee cup. Perhaps you have run across one at a bookstore or boutique. However, the latter part of the passage hits hard. The contrast of these two paradigms is so stark that it is actually startling. They are extremes at opposite ends, but I sense that is exactly what the author was aiming for.  Why? Because that is how strongly the position of our hearts can influence our overall mental, spiritual, and even physical states.  When you face challenges, disappointments, or hardships of any kind, it is very easy to become overwhelmed by negativity. Especially if the struggles you are facing are serious or life-altering. There is a strong pull beckoning you to crawl back under the covers and hide away from it all. Anxious and depressing thoughts start to convince you that all is lost, things will never change, or the pain will never go away. If you are not careful, you can be drawn into a dark, downward spiral that will begin, a little at a time, to fully crush your spirit and dry up your bones. How do I know this? Because I have lived it. Not once or twice, but repeatedly throughout my own twenty-year journey through trials. It has taken me years, literally years, to learn the power of a cheerful disposition in the midst of heartache. On this side of my shift in perspective, I can assure you the truth of this proverb is valid.   Does this mean I am suggesting we placate and pretend that all is well when it is not? No, not at all. I am a firm believer in recognizing and validating the reality of our emotions. But that does not mean there is no way to control them.  Feelings help us recognize there is something that needs our attention.  And we need that.  Sometimes, we don’t comprehend how much an experience or circumstance has impacted us until those emotions start rising up and drawing attention to it. However, while they are helpful tools, they do not have to dictate our overall outlook. No matter what is going on in your life right now, EVERTHING is not bad. Good still remains; you just have to look up and out to discover it. You also have to be intentional about your search for the existing blessings. They really are there, but it is the disposition of your heart, a desire to even discover these treasures, that compels you to be cheerful. And while this practice may not alter your circumstances at the moment, it will drastically transform how you are walking through your disappointments or struggles.  Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you believe it is possible for your outlook to be different when faced with difficulties? Even if you aren’t sure you believe your dark thoughts and deep disappointments can be changed, sometimes we have to choose to begin and trust that God will prove Himself faithful along the way. If we wait until we think we are ready, or we finally have enough “faith,” we will remain stuck indefinitely. Decide today to choose a cheerful disposition. This does not mean you force yourself to “be happy,” but it is a conscious decision to recognize and celebrate at least one small blessing each and every day. Many call this the practice of gratitude. During one of my darkest seasons, I employed this practice every day for an entire year, and the alteration was truly effective. Did it happen overnight? Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, it took a while for me to even consciously recognize the change. But the change did occur, and my heart moved from disgruntled to grateful, from disillusioned to hopeful, and from negative to cheerful.  What God is faithful to do for one, He will do for another. May you also discover that a cheerful heart is the best medicine for whatever you are facing today. Further Reading: Proverbs 15:13 Psalm 51:12 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God’s love is relentless, personal, and healing—even when we run, rebel, or reject Him. In Hosea 2:14–16, we see a God who pursues His people with grace, redemption, and restoration, offering hope when we least deserve it. Just like Israel’s story of betrayal and reconciliation, we are pursued in love by a Savior who refuses to let us go. Highlights Discover the depth of God’s faithful love in Hosea 2:14–16 Why God compared His relationship with Israel to a broken marriage The powerful picture of grace in the face of betrayal and rejection How God turns judgment into restoration and hope What it means to be pursued by God in your own faith journey Join the Conversation How has God pursued you in moments of failure or rebellion? Share your story with us on Instagram and Facebook @LifeAudio and connect with others walking this journey of grace. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to help more people discover encouragement from God’s Word. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: You Are Pursued in Love By Jennifer Slattery Bible Reading: “Therefore I am now going to allure her;    I will lead her into the wilderness    and speak tenderly to her.15 There I will give her back her vineyards,    and will make the Valley of Achor[b] a door of hope.There she will respond[c] as in the days of her youth,    as in the day she came up out of Egypt. 16 “In that day,” declares the Lord,    “you will call me ‘my husband’;    you will no longer call me ‘my master.’ Hosea 2:14-16, NIV We’ve all experienced the pain of shattered relationships, of betrayal and rejection. Sometimes, these experiences shock us and leave us battling indignation. Other times, we expected the relationship to fracture and the other person to withdraw—because of how we behaved. But oh, what healing when we encounter someone who sees us at worst and chooses to not only stay, but reaches for us, bridging the canyon our hurtful actions created and meets our ugliest deeds with grace. The Lord’s ever-present, never-ending, oh-go-gracious love has, and is, bringing healing to the wounded places in my soul and is helping to shatter the shame from some of my, relationship-harming behaviors—including those things that I know grieved the Lord’s heart and abused His grace. A grace He lavishes, in abundance, upon each of us. He pursues us when we regularly read our Bibles, pray, give and serve. He also pursues us—in love—when we choose His gifts over His presence, turn our backs on Him, and rebel. As we see again and again and again in His response to ancient Israel. For thousands of years, they treated His faithful kindness with contempt, disdained His life-giving commands, and only pursued Him when they landed in an insurmountable crisis.   Hosea, the Old Testament prophet who wrote the book from which today’s passage comes, stepped into ministry during a challenging season in ancient Israel’s history. Delivering God’s message when his contemporaries Micah and Isaiah did the same, he conveyed similar warnings of judgment and promises of restoration and reconciliation with the Lord, but in a unique and powerful way. God told him to marry a “harlot”, which some commentators believe meant she worked as a prostitute, while others suggest the name points to a promiscuous lifestyle. The shocking and scandalous marriage revealed the depth of relationship God desired with His people and the intense grief He experienced from their betrayal.  The text invites the reader to pause and consider their most intimate human relationship, and how they’d feel with an unfaithful spouse. If you’ve ever experienced this type of rupture, you know the intense pain this causes. Infidelity shatters trust and any sense of emotional safety once held, often leading to divorce or a long, arduous road of repair.  God wanted His people to understand the damage they’d caused when they not only enjoyed all the blessings He provided—rain and sunshine for their crops, wheat and grapes for their bellies, and warm homes to sleep in each night—while attributing them to idols.  Having read Judges, 1 and 2 Chronicles, and 1 and 2 Kings in chronological order, page by page, I was stunned and touched by the Lord’s continual grace. Generation after generation, His people rejected Him and His love and behaved in horrific ways. They oppressed the weak, committed violent acts against one another, engaged in temple prostitution and even child sacrifice. Those sins alone demand quick justice. But what made them even more atrocious was the fact that the ancient Israelites were the only people, on the planet, whom the Lord chose to live out His mission and reveal Him, His heart and His ways to the watching world. This would be like your church sending missionaries to another country, paying for all their living expenses, only to find out they’d used their home to throw wild parties and their salaries for drugs and alcohol.  One wouldn’t expect someone engaging in such a manner to keep their position, let alone receive a second, or third, fourth, or twenty-first opportunity to try again.  Yet, that is precisely what God offered His people. Yes, judgment would come, but like I said, so would redemption, restoration and, most importantly, reconciliation with their heavenly Father and faithful husband.  Pause to read today’s passage again, reflecting on what it reveals regarding our Savior’s heart: “Therefore I am now going to allure her;    I will lead her into the wilderness    and speak tenderly to her.15 There I will give her back her vineyards,    and will make the Valley of Achor[b] a door of hope.There she will respond[c] as in the days of her youth,    as in the day she came up out of Egypt. 16 “In that day,” declares the Lord,    “you will call me ‘my husband’;    you will no longer call me ‘my master.’ In mentioning the wilderness, the Lord was reminding them of how He’d freed them from slavery and oppression in Egypt—through a series of unforgettable miracles that became cemented in the nation’s history. Then, after liberating his helpless and oppressed children, He led them personally, faithfully, and tangibly, making His presence known in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. And while in the wilderness, He met their every need. He wasn’t just ensuring their survival. He was also teaching them to trust in and rely on Him. Intersecting Life & Faith: That was the depth of relationship He’d always wanted. That was the type of relationship our Father grieved and longed to restore. Most importantly, that’s the depth of relationship He wants with us—one built on trust, dependence, and the emotional intimacy enjoyed in the healthiest and holiest marriages.   Reflecting upon this, and the Lord’s unchanging character revealed throughout history, encourages me to turn to Him when I mess up, to rest in Him when I’m overburdened, to trust in Him when I’m afraid, and to celebrate His presence in difficult and joyous seasons.  Further Reading: Luke 19:10 Matthew 23:37 Psalm 23:6 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Worry doesn't have to rule your life. Transform anxious thoughts into prayers and discover the freedom found in communication with God. Learn how to shift your focus from problems to divine strength and find courage in challenging times. Whitney shares practical tips for quick prayer responses and emphasizes that while circumstances may remain unchanged, God can strengthen us. Reflect on your fears and turn them over to Him for a deeper trust and peace. It's all about making prayer a daily habit!