The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

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

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

His grace is greater than our worst sins in the past and big enough to cover whatever sins we commit tomorrow. We know Him and have a Spirit-bound relationship with Him, again, through faith. And finally, through Christ and all we have in Him, we have the power and authority to resist the devil’s most relentless schemes.  SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Living With Assurance by Jennifer Slattery “I am writing to you, dear children,    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.13 I am writing to you, fathers,    because you know him who is from the beginning.I am writing to you, young men,    because you have overcome the evil one. 14 I write to you, dear children,    because you know the Father.I write to you, fathers,    because you know him who is from the beginning.I write to you, young men,    because you are strong,    and the word of God lives in you,    and you have overcome the evil one” (1 John 2:12-14, NIV). Early in my faith journey, I carried an underlying fear that perhaps I wasn’t really saved. This fear intensified when I went through a season of doubt. I worried that the very fact that I was questioning certain tenants of my faith, including the authority of Scripture, meant I didn’t truly belong to God and hadn’t actually yielded my life to Him. I wonder if you can relate. I have not yet met anyone who has completely yielded to Christ. We all have sinful behaviors that hinder our intimacy with Him, doubts we need Him to replace with truth, and fears that hinder our obedience.  Simply put, we are all in the process of transformation. And if we’re not anchored in God’s grace, our weaknesses, flaws, and the constant accusations from the devil can cause us to doubt our salvation.  This seems to be a challenge experienced by the people to whom John wrote the above passage. I understand why, considering the influence evil was trying to wield in their community. False teachers had risen among them and were spreading a counterfeit gospel known as Gnosticism. Among other things, these heretics claimed salvation through enlightenment rather than through faith in Christ. This, apparently, caused those who hadn’t received some “special knowledge” to doubt their salvation.  John wrote to them to counter this destructive teaching and to assure the first century Christ followers of their eternal security. Notice all the ways he affirmed them. First, he addressed them as “dear children”, an endearment that emphasized their standing in God’s family. Contrary to the Gnostics’ claims, these men and women weren’t outsiders. They were adopted sons and daughters (Romans 8:15), chosen by Christ (Eph. 1:4), and united by His blood. He also told them, clearly, that they’d received forgiveness not because of any exclusive “revelation” but “on account of His name.”  Next, John highlighted their relationship with Christ, stating that they “[knew] Him who is from the beginning.” Throughout this letter, John used two Greek words for “know.” One, eidó, refers to a factual, cognitive knowing, such as that the earth is round or plants grow from seeds. In 1 John 2:13, he used a different word, ginóskó, which refers to an understanding or recognition that comes through personal experience. Therefore, he emphasized that they knew Jesus personally. They hadn’t just learned about Him cognitively. They’d developed a relationship with Him.  Notice, also, John told them they’d overcome the evil one, the force driving the false teachers and the believers’ doubts and insecurities. The devil didn’t want those men and women to gain a sense of eternal security. He wanted them to live in fear. Understand, his tactics don’t change. While he doesn’t have the power to separate us from God, he can, and does terrorize us to keep us from experiencing the soul-deep peace gifted to us through Jesus’s death. When we understand evil’s strategy and our authority in Christ, we’re able to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16).  In verse 14, John told the Christ-followers they knew the Father, using the same phrasing as he did for their relationship with Christ. And he ended this poetic section stating that they were strong, filled with truth, and overcomers. Again, while the devil was harassing them and trying to defeat them, he was and always will be a defeated foe.  Intersecting Life and Faith Here’s what I find precious and beautiful. God preserved these words in Scripture so that you and I could live confident in our standing in Christ, secure in our salvation. When we begin to doubt those realities, may we speak the words in 1 John over ourselves, reminding ourselves that, because of our faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross, we are forgiven. His grace is greater than our worst sins in the past and big enough to cover whatever sins we commit tomorrow. We know Him and have a Spirit-bound relationship with Him, again, through faith. And finally, through Christ and all we have in Him, we have the power and authority to resist the devil’s most relentless schemes.  As we reflect on those truths, our confidence will increase, as will our peace. Further Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10 John 10:1-10 Ephesians 6:10-18 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When you know Jesus, it changes your life for the better. When you truly invite Jesus into your heart and have real conversations with Him, He renews your mind, strengthens your heart, and refreshes your soul. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Knowing Jesus By Alexis A. Goring “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”— John 17:3 NIV When I studied Journalism, one of the first rules I learned was when you refer to a person in a news story, you need to mention their first and last name for the first time. After that, you are to refer to them by their last name only. However, if you know the person personally then you may refer to them by their first name only (depending on the in-house style guide rules for the print publication).  One summer evening, I was reflecting on that lesson learned and realized a spiritual parallel: Jesus Christ wants us to know Him personally. He wants us to know Him and refer to Him on a first name basis. But this goes beyond writing rules. Jesus went to great lengths to save our souls. He desires to know us and for us to know Him intimately. He wants a closer walk with each of us because He loves us and, when you love someone, you want to know everything about them. You don’t refer to a loved one with a professional sounding last name. You may even have a fond nickname for that person that reflects their personality or shows what they mean to you. How does it feel to know that the Savior of the world wants to know us on those terms? What does it mean to know Jesus? I hear Christian influencers and musicians say to know Him is to love Him, and I agree that nothing else could be closer to the truth! When you know Jesus, it changes your life for the better. When you truly invite Jesus into your heart and have real conversations with Him, He renews your mind, strengthens your heart, and refreshes your soul. There is a deep joy that can only come through an intimate relationship with the Lord. And a relationship with Jesus doesn’t just change you, it changes the people around you. They start to notice a difference in you and want to know what happened. When you tell them about your love for God and invite them to read The Holy Bible, with the Holy Spirit’s help they can also get to know Jesus. They, too, can become on fire for Him. The process of observing a life changed by Jesus causes people to want to know Him as well, carrying on like a ripple effect. Before we know it, we see Him  changing the world for the better!  I got to know Jesus on a personal level when I was recovering from a health crisis at age 16. Despite growing up in a Christian home, I only knew a lot about Jesus. But when He came into my life and met me in the depths of a difficult time, His Light pushed back the darkness and His love for me—and all humankind—changed me from the inside out! He blessed me with this devotional writing ministry as if He, the Master Teacher, had enrolled me in His classroom. God helped me learn life lessons, then inspired the words for me to share in devotions that were exactly what I and my readers needed to hear! I fell in love with Jesus as my Lord and my love for Him propelled me to tell everyone about my Savior! I still feel called to do that today. Since my transformation from knowing about Christ to knowing Jesus on a first-name basis, people have commented on how the changes they saw in my life have inspired them to know Jesus too. This is what God wants: for us to make disciples and share His love, grace, and mercy with the world. He doesn’t want any of us to be lost. Jesus wants us to follow Him all the way to Heaven (John 3:16-17). “Knowing You, Jesus,” by Graham Kendrick is a song that also celebrates a close relationship with Christ. I encourage you to listen to it. (Note to the Editor: Would you please insert the YouTube link below to this song? https://youtu.be/pTTlSx6zXio?si=VRrrc6x0jLzdbCUh) Intersecting Faith and Life: Do you know Jesus? What difference in someone’s life have you seen after they started following Him? Further Reading: 1 Peter 2:9 2 Peter 3:18 John 1:1 John 8:12 1 John 2:3 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How do we stand against these attacks? How do we stop being pulled into defeat, discouragement, and doubt? How do we continue to walk in the freedom Christ afforded us? Galatians 5:1 tells us that we must, “stand firm”.  This means that we keep standing no matter how hard Satan’s pulling. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Shutting Down Enemy Attacks Against You By Kelly Balarie “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.” – Gal. 5:1 NIV Have you ever played a game of tug of war? In this game there are two groups of people pulling on each side of the rope.  One side pulls and the rope, along with the people, go left. The other side pulls and the rope, along with the rope-holders, go right. Whatever team has the stronger amounts of tugs, the one who gains the most ground, eventually wins. If they can pull the other team to their side, they are victorious.The enemy tries the same strategy with us.  He tries to pull us to his side and off the ground of God’s truth. The devil says to us, “You are a horrible person, why try?” He tugs at our heart left. He adds, “You can’t really believe that God will answer your prayer.” He tugs a little more and gains traction. He hits us again, saying, “Why go to church anymore? People only hurt you there.” The devil’s goal is to pull us off the ground of God’s truth so that we can be yoked to his lies. It is subtle.   “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.” – Gal. 5:1 NIV God’s side offers us freedom, even for today. Satan’s side offers us slavery and burdens in life. How do we stand against these attacks? How do we stop being pulled into defeat, discouragement, and doubt? How do we continue to walk in the freedom Christ afforded us? Galatians 5:1 tells us that we must, “stand firm”.  This means that we keep standing no matter how hard Satan’s pulling. Practically, we can do these three things to continue to stand: Wait on the Lord. New life for Jesus looked a lot different on day 3 than it did on day 2. Sometimes, just giving it a day offers a fresh perspective, coupled with resurrection life power. Use Scripture as a weapon. Remember Jesus in the wilderness? He did not just listen to the enemy’s temptations, He defeated them with scriptural declarations. Memorize God’s Word and then speak it aloud over feelings of defeat or disillusionment. Pray. You are not powerless; you are powerful in prayer. Pray that the devil will get behind you and that God will strengthen you to stand. Intersecting Faith & Life: How do you feel attacked by the enemy? What is coming against you that you know is not from the Lord? What would it look like for you to stand? You know, if we stand through a storm, eventually the storm moves on. No storm lasts forever. Nature shows us this.  Likewise, what remains beyond the dark clouds is the sun. God is always there. He will never leave or forsake you, even if all you can see is gloom and doom. Don’t give up. Stand. Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God calls us to be trustworthy messengers ourselves. Our words, actions, and commitments should reflect the reliability and integrity of Jesus. Whether it’s showing up on time, keeping promises, or standing by others in times of need, we can be a valuable source of refreshment to those around us. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: How to Refresh People By: Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer  “A messenger you can trust is just as refreshing as cool water in summer.” – Proverbs 25:13, CEV  In many parts of the world this summer, people are dealing with intense and unrelenting heat waves. Cities are experiencing record-high temperatures, and the sweltering heat has brought discomfort and distress to countless people. It has been so hot lately that whenever I’m outside I find myself craving cool water. As soon as I get home, I pull out one of the cans of seltzer water our family has stored in our refrigerator. The moments when I drink my first sips of that cool water are wonderful! As I swallow the water, my whole body feels refreshed. The cool water brings me much-needed relief from the heat and revitalizes my energy. I’m so grateful for it that I often silently thank God as I’m drinking the water and feeling completely refreshed.  In Proverbs 25:13, the Bible says that a trustworthy messenger is just as refreshing as that cool water in the middle of a scorching summer. We crave trustworthy people in our lives like we crave cool water during summer. Both are vital to our well-being. Just as we cherish water during oppressive heat, we value people who keep their promises and follow through on their commitments. These people are reliable, dependable, and consistent. They offer stability in a broken world that can often be unpredictable and chaotic. Their presence can soothe and encourage us, offering us a sense of peace – much like a cool drink quenches our physical thirst.  Jesus is the ultimate trustworthy messenger. Throughout his earthly life and ministry, Jesus delivered God’s message of love and truth with complete faithfulness. Jesus then faithfully made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, in order to make our salvation possible. Jesus’ reliable trustworthiness is an important part of his mission. He gives hope to everyone who listens and believes. We can always count on Jesus to keep his promises. Jesus is the perfect role model of trustworthiness that we are called to emulate.  Consider the impact of reliable friends in our lives. These are people who keep their promises, showing up when they say they will, and following through. People like them become a valuable source of comfort and strength – people we can rely on in times of need. Their reliability builds trust and deepens relationships. These are the kind of people Proverbs 25:13 describes – those who refresh us as we deal with the heat of stressful situations.  God calls us to be trustworthy messengers ourselves. Our words, actions, and commitments should reflect the reliability and integrity of Jesus. Whether it’s showing up on time, keeping promises, or standing by others in times of need, we can be a valuable source of refreshment to those around us. Being trustworthy helps us honor God and bless our friends, family, and community. Trustworthiness not only strengthens our relationships with people, but also helps us reflect God’s holiness to the world. God is completely trustworthy. By being trustworthy ourselves, we bear witness to God’s faithfulness.  Imagine the impact we can have when we embody trustworthiness in our daily lives. Our relationships and communities can grow stronger and our testimonies can grow more powerful. In a fallen world where trust is often fragile, being a trustworthy person can shine God’s light in the darkness. So, let’s try our best to be as refreshing to others as cool water on a hot summer day, by reflecting the trustworthiness of our Savior.  Intersecting Faith and Life  As you consider how to refresh people by being trustworthy, reflect on these questions:  When was a time when someone’s trustworthiness brought you peace or relief. How did that experience impact you? How does the trustworthiness of Jesus influence your faith and daily life? Consider the areas of your life where you may have fallen short in being reliable or honest. What steps can you take to restore trust? How can you become a refreshing presence to others through your words and actions?  Further Reading Proverbs 11:13 Matthew 5:37 Luke 16:10 1 Corinthians 4:2 2 Timothy 2:2 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Praise God, our faith in Christ transforms us into new creations, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit that resides within us. This means we can learn, through practice and an ever-deepening relationship with and reliance upon Him, to love others with the same gentleness and mercy our Savior bestows upon us.  SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: The Healing Power of Curiosity by Jennifer Slattery “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19, NIV).  Looking back over my parenting, one of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t practice today’s verse more consistently. I spent way too much time talking and teaching, and often from a place of frustration, rather than pausing to listen with a desire to truly understand and hear my daughter’s heart. In a recent conversation, she shared an instance when my quick and faulty assumptions brought her pain. She’d recently received an eight-month coop position, which was like an internship, and was living in another state. This meant she was separated from her friends and faith community. She was also pursuing an engineering degree, and therefore, engaged in strenuous coursework. Plus, the company she interned with gave her, at age 19, responsibilities and leadership roles most people don’t receive until their mid-twenties or later.  In other words, she was buried by numerous and compounding challenges. That fall, I attended a leadership summit hosted by my church. Inspired by one of their speakers, I purchased her book, devoured it, and decided my daughter should read it, too. When she declined my invitation, I became irritated and assumed she simply didn’t want to put in the effort. It grieves me to say this, but in my frustration, I called her entitled. I spoke hurt into her already struggling heart. Had I approached her from a place of curiosity rather than judgment, I could’ve offered her the emotional support she needed. I also would’ve realized that she’d already been living the book’s message as best as she was able.  Sadly, my being quick to speak, quit to become irritated, and slow to listen hurt her and hindered true and open communication.  I wonder if James, Jesus’ half-brother and the author of the letter from which today’s verse comes, carried similar regrets. We know from the gospels that he often responded to the Lord with disdain. Prior to Jesus’ resurrection, did James ever truly hear Christ’s words or had he already decided to close his ears to the Lord’s message? Scripture doesn’t tell us how much truth, if any, sank into James’ soul prior to Jesus’ crucifixion. However, the Bible does reveal James’s dramatic transformation after the Lord’s resurrection. He came to not only accept Christ’s message but also to live it out, and in his letter to Jewish believers scattered throughout Rome, he urged them to do the same. In short, he was calling the men and women he led to more consistently love God and others. Whereas selfishness and pride motivates unfiltered, and often hurtful words, the love of Jesus, first received then given, evokes a curiosity and desire to understand.  “Everyone should be quick to listen,” he wrote, indicating an automatic response. For most of us, such behavior doesn’t come naturally. We tend to interact from a place of distraction, defensiveness, or judgment. Often, we’re more focused on how we want to respond than on the heart behind another person’s words. At least, this is what characterizes us prior to our conversion. Praise God, our faith in Christ transforms us into new creations, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit that resides within us. This means we can learn, through practice and an ever-deepening relationship with and reliance upon Him, to love others with the same gentleness and mercy our Savior bestows upon us.  James also encouraged us to slow our tongues. Such advice stands contrary to our social media culture and its constant pull to “use our voice.” My pride tells me I have the answers others need or the wisdom they lack, and I therefore must be the one to dispense such knowledge. But reality says that God has numerous ways to speak to peoples’ souls and that He’s big enough to do so. That doesn’t mean He’ll never call me to share truth, but today’s verse does encourage me to take time to seek God’s will before I do so.  In times of relational conflict, I also need to invite Him to search and cleanse my heart, addressing my anger with Him. I need His perspective on it, and when necessary, His healing for whatever’s driving it so that I’m speaking from a place of love rather than malice. I’m reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:3-5 where He told us to first remove the plank in our eyes, those things that distort our vision, so that we can see clearly to remove the sawdust in someone else’s eye.  Intersecting Life and Faith Human anger, meaning anger that isn’t driven by a godly desire to protect others or pursue justice, is a huge vision distorter and “doesn’t produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:20). When we remain connected with the Holy Spirit and relationally focused on whoever we’re talking to, however, we become beautiful reflections of Jesus and, often, life-giving conduits of His love. May that always be our driving goal, and in our pursuit of it, may we also remember that love is patient, gentle, humble and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). Further Reading: Ephesians 5:15-17 Isaiah 30:21 Acts 1:8    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Our souls benefit from daily practice of gratitude for the seemingly small to the wondrous and everything in between. We must remind ourselves that God is GREAT! He is able to do more than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)!  SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Remember the Wonders By: Amanda Idleman    1 Chronicles 16:12 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, Have you found that as an adult your memory isn’t as good as it once was?  So many times a friend asks how my weekend was on Monday and it feels like every detail of what had just passed just fell out of my head! I joke that it’s because my brain is too full, new memories no longer stick as easily. The same is true of us as believers! How quickly do we forget the great things God has done for us and for those that we love? We proclaim to be people of faith but often behave in the same way as the faithless. We expect the worst forgetting that we have access to the power of God everyday to meet all our needs both big and small. The wandering Isrealites that God led out of captivity in Egypt with the help of his leader Moses had the same memory problem that we do. God showed up to redeem them, save them, provide for them, and guide them over and over again yet they consistently forgot, disobeyed, doubted, and reacted out of faithless fear. This pattern became such a problem that God sentenced them to life wandering the desert and only brought the next generation into the promised land (Deuteronomy 1:35). Are you stuck in the desert because of a lack of faith? Have you forgotten his wonders, miracles, and judgements? We are more like the doubting and forgetful Israelites than we often want to admit. We have to be intentional about taking note and giving God all the glory for what he has done for us! His miracles range from ones we take for granted like giving us breath in our lungs today from bending the rules of the universe to showing us his love. Our souls benefit from daily practice of gratitude for the seemingly small to the wondrous and everything in between. We must remind ourselves that God is GREAT! He is able to do more than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)!  Living with gratitude creates in us a posture of expectation so when we have a need our automatic response is one of faith. We remember that God is the one who provides all we need. God honors our faith. He tells us that all it takes is the faith of a mustard seed to see anything that we need happen (Matthew 17:20). Faith is key to seeing God’s miracle working power unlocked in our lives.  Remembering what God has done to bring us to the place we are in the moment encourages our hearts when the going gets tough.  My husband and I have five kids and two of them have joined our family through foster care and adoption. Sometimes being parents of all these kids is hard. All five of them come with their own personalities, needs, and I can begin to doubt God’s good plan in placing us altogether on those very hard days.  But then I remember all that he has done! He did so many miracles to put our family together in such a special way. Remembering encourages my heart, reminding me that I am exactly where God wants me to be. The hardness of this role does not mean I’m in the wrong place. God placed me where I am on purpose with a purpose. Remembering his miracles reminds me I am just where he wants me to be.  Intersecting Faith and Life  Take time to remember all God has done for you. What miracles have you observed in your life? How have you seen his wonder at work around you?  Pause for gratitude. Write down what you are grateful for as a daily practice.  Repent of faithless living. How have you doubted God’s ability and goodness? Let him know you are sorry for not remembering how great a God he is!  Further Reading  Exodus 15:22-18:27  Does God Still Perform Miracles Today? Mini-Miracles Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God is big enough to handle it. We thank God for this. We thank God that He hears our prayer, and that He, in all His might and power, is handling what we cannot effectively handle on our own. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: How to Defeat Worry By Kelly Balarie “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 4:6-7 NKJV I wanted my daughter’s birthday party to be perfect, but what if something went wrong? What if she didn’t like the bunk bed that we’d spent countless hours searching for? What if I spent too much money on it? What if it wasn’t stable when it arrived at the house?  I didn’t get her any bunk bed – I got her the super special one. The expensive one. I went above and beyond.  Now, there was pressure tied to this purchase. I will be upset if she doesn’t like it because of how much I have invested in this. I will be annoyed if we have to tear it down after all the assembly required.  Worrying wreaks havoc on joy. Worry is pressure. Worry is pressure because everything may go wrong. Worry is pressure to make things go a specific way. Worry is pressure to avoid the worst from happening. Worry is pressure that people respond how we want them to. Worry wrestles with the forces we cannot control. The worst part about worry is that it not only tear us up on the inside but it causes others to suffer the brunt of it as well. If my daughter doesn’t like this bed that I’ve invested so much into, I’ll feel annoyed at her. I’ll think she is ungrateful. Worrying wreaks havoc on joy. Where might we feel worried? Are we worried about work? A family member? A house issue? A future that looks dim?  And, what is the alternative to worry? “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 4:6-7 NKJV In this verse, God gives us a clear-cut way to defeat worry. Let’s break it down some. We first, tell ourselves, “I refuse to be anxious. I will not be anxious for anything.” In this, we decide and resolve that there is no thing worth us being anxious about. We draw a line in the sand. Further, we pray and ask God to handle the thing we need. As we pray, we rest our scary problem into his capable hands. By doing this, we fully release it. Just as you might catch a fish and release it back into the water, we release the burden entirely and let it float away from us. God is big enough to handle it. We thank God for this. We thank God that He hears our prayer, and that He, in all His might and power, is handling we cannot effectively handle on our own. Finally, because we recognize God’s bigness, we can receive His peace. He has this worry in His hands. He knows the best way. He will give us all we need to confront the issue. He has the equipping grace and will afford us what we need. He knows the end from the beginning. This brings peace. Intersecting Faith & Life: What do you tend to worry about? Worry is like a carousel of thoughts; the endless circling of a problem gets one nowhere. Just think: A carousel never travels any markable distance. It just runs circles around the center of the issue. How has worry ever helped you gain ground? How solved anything? What would it look like for you to put your worries into the hands of God. He created the whole world; don’t you think He can handle what you face today? Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God’s supportive strength isn’t reserved only for Olympians. God makes it available to each of us, as well. Just as athletes face different outcomes at the Olympics, we also encounter a spectrum of experiences in our own lives.  SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: God Will Strengthen You in All Situations By: Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer  “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13, NIV  As we watch the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, we see athletes from all around the world competing with impressive strength. The Olympic Games highlights some of the strongest people on our planet – athletes who have spent years working hard in training, to develop top skills in their sports. They’ve focused on strengthening themselves both physically and mentally to prepare for the pressure of intense competitions.  For some of these Olympic athletes, the Paris Games will lead to victory as they achieve their dreams of winning medals. They will celebrate moments of success, and so will their coaches, families, friends, and nations. Stories of their triumphs will be shared widely, inspiring people around the world.  For other athletes, these Olympics will lead to defeat as they lose competitions or even have to pull out of competing due to illness or injury. Athletes who don’t meet their goals – or who even suffer heartbreaking losses – may be profoundly disappointed from falling short after years of preparation. They may question their future in their sports, or even their own self-worth.  In Olympic moments of both victory and defeat, one truth remains constant: God’s love for each athlete is complete and unconditional. God’s love is not contingent on success or failure. It doesn’t require any medals won or records broken to earn. It can’t be lost like a sports competition can be. Instead, God loves all the athletes – both those who win, and those who lose – simply because of who they are. God sees beyond the outcomes of the competitions to the souls of each individual he has lovingly created. God cherishes them, supports them, and is ready to empower them with his unlimited strength to handle any situation well. Just like Phillipians 4:13 says, the athletes can do all things through God, who strengthens them. They can be strong in any type of circumstances – either good or bad – if they rely on God as their source of strength. For athletes who are victorious, God is there to bring them joy and to remind them that their worth is based on his love for them, not on their achievements. For athletes who face disappointment, God is there to offer encouragement and to remind them that their value is not diminished by a loss.  God’s supportive strength isn’t reserved only for Olympians. God makes it available to each of us, as well. Just as athletes face different outcomes at the Olympics, we also encounter a spectrum of experiences in our own lives. We sometimes win by achieving our goals and sometimes lose by missing out on what we want. Regardless of our circumstances, God’s promise remains true:  He is always there to strengthen us.  Phillipians 4:13 directs our attention to the limitless strength that God provides. Whether we are seeing our dreams come true or suffering through challenging situations, we can rely on God’s strength to see us through. The strength God gives us encompasses everything we need strength for – physical endurance, emotional resilience, mental fortitude, and spiritual sustenance. We can “do all things” – which means that we can handle any situation we encounter well – when we rely on God’s strength to help us do so. The more we connect with God’s presence with us in all circumstances, and the more we pray for God to help us when we need strength, the stronger we can become.  So, let Olympic athletes inspire you to seek strength from the ultimate source of strength: God himself. God’s strength will be there for you when your life is going well and you achieve your goals. It will also be there for you when you feel overwhelmed by stress or discouraged by disappointing situations. No matter what happens as you run the race of faith, God will empower you to handle it well.  Intersecting Faith and Life  As you consider how you can rely on God’s strength to help you in all situations, reflect on these questions:  What are some situations in your life where you need God’s strength the most? How have you experienced God’s strength in the past? Are there any areas in your life where you are trying to rely on your own strength rather than seeking God’s help? If so, how can you trust God more in those areas? How can you remind yourself to turn to God for strength during both the good times and the difficult times you encounter? What habits can you develop to stay connected to God’s strength on a daily basis?  Further Reading Isaiah 40:31 2 Corinthians 12:9 Psalm 46:1 Ephesians 6:10 Joshua 1:9 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.