The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we celebrate the theme of hope as we step into the new year. As believers, we are reminded that each new beginning offers us a chance to renew our faith and trust in God’s promises. Together, we’ll explore Scripture that inspires hope, discuss how to let go of past disappointments, and embrace the future with a heart full of faith. Join us as we discover practical ways to cultivate hope in our daily lives and uplift those around us. Join the Conversation:We want to hear how you’re finding hope as you enter the new year! Share your stories and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email—What new hopes and dreams are you embracing this year, and how can we pray for you in that journey? 🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Full Transcript Below: Newfound Hope for the New Year. Three Ways to Find it. By Keri Eichberger But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7) Hope isn’t something I’ve felt a whole lot of lately. Well, for a while actually. In fact, I honestly can’t remember when I last felt it, or when I seemed to lose it. Maybe it was a year ago when my first book was released, and the results didn’t quite match my efforts and initial excitement. And maybe a little more hope left me with the death of a beloved family member a few months later. Then more through the fear of Dad’s open heart surgery that followed. And some more with his sudden stroke too shortly after that. But I likely lost my final spark when we found out a huge investment crashed, leaving my family in a financial nightmare the very next season of sorrow. And I hate to highlight so much of the sad side of life, and neglect to share the good—because deep down I know there actually is always so much to be thankful for. But vulnerably speaking, sometimes our reality and human nature tend to bend a bit down in the dumps. The ugly truth is, I feel like I was on the verge of forgetting how to even feel truly hopeful altogether. But I want to be. I want to feel hope and joy and fresh, vibrant life budding and blossoming within. And I know God wants that. For all of his children. Plus, the alternative is just dark, depressing, and dreadful. Now these sentiments I am well acquainted with these days. Ugh, how horrible is that to admit? Do you feel like you are lacking some hope too? Or any hope? Are you tired of feeling this way? I sure am. I miss feeling alive with anticipation of blessings in the works. I miss excitedly expecting better days just ahead. I want to watch in joyful hope for the Lord‘s goodness and gifts, that I really do know are ever-flowing. You get it. Yes, we’ve all walked through some hard things. We’ve all cried out to God in our suffering more times than we’d like to be true. But here’s the thing. He has heard each and every cry. He has grieved and wept right with us. But he wants so much more for our lives. Because he loves us. He has better and bigger plans for our future. Because he loves us. He is pleased to share with us his glory and blessings right here on earth. Because he loves us. I want this year to be different, don’t you? Yes, we all want to be filled with hope in the Lord. Intersecting Faith and Life: Here’s what I’ve learned from God and his Word when it comes to hope. It starts with him. Hope begins by: Acknowledging him. Sitting silently in his presence. Sharing with Jesus what’s still causing you hurt and heartache. Releasing the disappointments of the past, your current season of sadness, your mistakes, mishaps, and misunderstandings. Acknowledging that he hears you and your cries. And then, Acknowledging him as savior. Accepting and professing that he is the sovereign one who loves you so much. Who wants good for you. And has all the power to bring your best to be. You can trust your life in his all-powerful hands. And because of this, you can practice, Waiting in hope for him. We wait because God is currently working out his plan. And we can do it with anticipation, patience, and hope because we know it will be nothing short of perfect. Because his love for you and me is nothing less than perfect. Like Micah 7:7 says, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Friend, let this be true of you too as we walk into the new year. Watch in hope for the Lord. Wait for our good, good God. The Almighty God who loves you. He is your savior. He has heard you, he hears you, and he always will. May we both not only be hopeful, but abounding with praise and joy today for the good things he is abundantly bringing our way. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we tackle the question that often arises as the new year begins: "Now what?" After the excitement of new resolutions fades, how do we maintain our momentum and purpose? Together, we’ll explore how to set realistic goals that align with our faith, the importance of prayer in our planning, and ways to stay accountable in our spiritual journey. Let’s discover how to embrace the opportunities this new year holds while remaining anchored in God’s Word. Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear about your plans and aspirations for the new year! Share your thoughts with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email—What steps are you taking to grow in your faith this year, and how can we support you in that journey? 🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Full Transcript Below: New Year, Now What? By Vivian Bricker “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” - Ephesians 4:22-24 Now that the New Year has arrived it is difficult to know where to go from here. The twinkling lights of Christmas have been packed up and we are sitting back at our work desk again. The dark, winter month of January has only begun and all we want to do is go back to Christmas Day. Most years I feel exactly like this, yet I know that I cannot return to the week prior. I have to move on—and so do you. When we leave the previous year behind, we need to see the new year as a new start. We are no longer bound to the events of the past year. Instead, we can start fresh. Maybe this means making New Year resolutions, but maybe this means something different this year. Personally, I don’t believe in New Year resolutions as it is impossible to uphold them throughout the year. Once we feel we have failed, we give up on them. Therefore, it is more beneficial to look at the new year in a different way. We can either choose to deem this year already a “bad year” or we can try to make the most of it. This can be hard, especially when it is cold and dreary, but there are things we can do to make the cold winter months a bit more bearable. Most of us have jobs either in person or at home, therefore, we can decorate our work desks to be a bit more cheerful. Letting in some natural light can do wonders or placing a flower vase on our desk can add a pop of color. Even these little things can make us see the new year in a different light. We don’t need to allow the darker days of January to make us think the rest of the year will be this hard. Instead, we can look forward to participating in winter activities, such as ice skating, skiing, or even staying at home under the covers reading a book. With this new year, we need to fight against the urge to automatically dismiss it as going bad. It’s only the first month of the year and many beautiful things can happen this year that we don’t even know about yet. This calls us to trust in God and not to lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). January is not a defining tool for the rest of the year and we need to let go of any post-Christmas sadness. Once we let go of this, we will be able to take hold of the new year. This is something that I’m learning to do, so we can do this together. Taking hold of this new year looks like letting the old year go and moving forward. We need to always be pushing forward in order not to fall back in our Christian walk with the Lord (Philippians 3:13-14). Intersecting Faith & Life: The Apostle Paul tells us, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). Our former year needs to be put away and we need to put on the new year with confidence. With this new year, we can become more dedicated followers of the Lord. By putting away the evil desires we once had, we can be made new in the attitudes of our minds. This is all part of the transforming work of God. Maybe last year wasn’t a good year for Christian growth or for life in general. See this new year as a chance to start over. This present year can be an opportunity to put on the new self, which is created to be like God in all of His righteousness and holiness. By pushing forward and continuing to fight the good fight, you will grow in your faith. Even though this new year starts with a dreary January, it might turn into your best year yet. Follow God faithfully and trust Him with the rest. Further Reading: Jeremiah 29:11 2 Corinthians 5:17 1 Timothy 6:12 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we embrace the fresh start that a new year brings and discuss how to cultivate a positive attitude grounded in faith. As believers, it’s vital to approach each day with a heart of gratitude and a mindset aligned with God's promises. We’ll explore biblical principles that encourage us to renew our minds and set our intentions for the year ahead, focusing on hope, purpose, and resilience. Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear how you’re setting your intentions for the new year! Share your thoughts with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email—What new attitudes or habits are you embracing to deepen your faith in the coming year? 🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Full Transcript Below: A New Year Attitude By Aaron D’Anthony Brown“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” - Psalm 90:12, CSB Finding Your New Year Attitude After the most wonderful time of the year, comes preparation for the year to come. Needless to say, we often anticipate the new year with excitement. We see the new as an opportunity to do away with the old. We replace diets, habits, relationships. Sometimes we’re not replacing anything, but starting something for the first time. Ideally, we move toward the new year looking forward to better things. This sounds great, but the issue with the New Year attitude is that anything new eventually wears off. The new car smell fades away. We often lose our initial excitement and all the new we had previously replaced, sadly makes a comeback. There’s a reason so many people fall off of their workout regimens and start eating all the food they previously swore off. The change that we pretended to want was conditional and the results show. They always show. However, chances are you have implemented change in your life that lasted for more than a season. You wanted something badly enough that you made some critical changes and the results are still visible today. You realized the need for change and the change became permanent. The truth is, we don’t actually have to wait until next year to improve ourselves. We shouldn’t. Jesus said that our life is, but a “mist,” here today and gone tomorrow (James 4:14). That means our time is limited. Therefore, we should be asking ourselves an important question. Why wait for the new year to become better, when the chance to change is available today? Intersecting Faith & Life: The New Year attitude is one we should strive to hold every day. Scripture tells us that we are called to do away with the “old self,” that the old has been crucified with Christ, and we have been raised to new life (Romans 6:6). With that in mind, here’s how you can start your new year before the new year. Recognize the need for change. The average life expectancy for men and women in America is around 80, yet, we all know someone who sadly passed before that time. The unexpected happens everyday. We also know people advancing in age who gave up on dreams and relationships, who have lived to regret their decisions. Why assume our lives are guaranteed to be long? Why assume that tomorrow is always available when we feel the desire to change today? Don’t wait. Some opportunities only come our way once. Not only that, but we only have one life to live. Seek Wisdom After you desire change, you’ll want to know what you should change. The world has plenty to say about what is morally correct or incorrect, but as believers, the one we should turn to is God. He wants to help us grow. The Bible says that He will grant wisdom to those who seek it (James 1:5). When we grow wiser we can become more like Christ and thus, we become better people. So if you’re not actively seeking wisdom, ask yourself why not. Even if you don’t realize it, we are always learning from either the people or things in our environment. Make sure God and His kingdom are a part of that learning. Reward Yourself Some say that growing is a reward in and of itself, and that’s true. However, giving yourself incentives to continue to make positive change is not unbiblical. Positive affirmation can encourage you to continue when you lose motivation, and if you’re like most people, you will lose motivation. Reward yourself with some material thing and if that doesn’t work, accountability will push you too. When You Fail, Try Again Change might be inevitable in life, but it’s also extremely difficult to manage when you’re in charge of it. The key is to not give up. God blesses us for our righteousness and becoming more like Christ is nothing but righteousness. There is not a certain time of year to aspire to be more like Jesus. God wants us to start today, so don’t wait. Start the new year you before you enter the new year. Further Reading: Psalm 51:10-11 Jeremiah 29:11 Romans 8:28 James 4:14 Romans 6:6 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, we dive into the theme of "What New Mercies Mean for the New Year," reflecting on the profound concept of God’s mercies being renewed each day. We’ll explore how these fresh mercies empower us to let go of past burdens and embrace new beginnings with hope and resilience. Discover practical ways to recognize and celebrate God’s faithfulness as you step into the new year. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear how you interpret the idea of new mercies in your life. What does it mean for you as you enter this new year? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How can we encourage each other to fully embrace the new mercies God offers us? 🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Full Transcript Below: By Sarah Frazer Bible Reading: “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV One of my favorite times in the morning is before the sun rises. I get up while it is still dark, grab my journal and Bible and head downstairs. I turn on the coffee and go sit on the couch while I wait for it to brew. Those are the moments when the house is quiet and I get to sit and just breathe and relax. Although I am still a little sleepy, I open my journal or my Bible and start with prayer. Over the past thirty years of walking with God I have met with God in a variety of ways and times during the day. But there is something special about getting up and watching the sun rise while meditating on His Word. The sun reminds us that God is faithful. Everyday we do not doubt the the sun will rise. We believe, no matter what is going on in our world, the sun will shine. It might be cloudy and stormy, but the sun eventually comes out. Every morning we have this physical reminder of a powerful truth from God’s Word. In the book of Lamentations the author mourns and cries out to God because horror and destruction surround him on a daily basis. He wakes up each morning and hears more bad news. We can surely relate to that! In the middle of this book we see a shift in His perspective. Instead of waking up and focusing on all of the bad news, the author of Lamentations says he wakes up and thinks about the faithfulness of God. Each morning we have a reminder in the sun that God will be faithful but when I think about a New Year I am also encouraged with the thought that “new mercies” are waiting for me as well. Yes, we have God with us each day, but each year, at beginning as we feel that fresh new start we can take moment and think about what new mercies mean for the new year. First, we see that God’s compassion and mercy are linked together. The word for “compassion” can also mean tender love, like a mother has for the child growing in her womb. God loves us so deeply, so tenderly, so intimately and this should give us reason to trust Him in the coming year. Maybe this past year has been hard when it comes to love. People tend to disappoint us and cannot love us perfectly. This is not God. In this new year may we come to God freely knowing that His compassion and tender love is waiting for us. We also see God’s mercies are directly related to God’s faithfulness. Maybe you are like me and don’t make new year’s resolutions. I often have a general idea of what kind of goals I want to accomplish. As I’ve gotten older I feel more discouraged at the end of the year if I make to many goals. I’m not always faithful to do the things I set out to do in the new year. When it comes to my faithfulness I am always falling short. God is not like that. His faithfulness is never wavering. We can trust and believe that God is working. Maybe we can’t see how He is working or if it will work out, but these verses give us this hope that God is faithful, even if we are not. Because of God’s tender love and faithfulness our response should be to wait and seek Him. Although this new year might mean we will face trouble or trials, we will not be out from under the hands of God. He is our salvation and He is good. No matter what bad news might be around the corner this year, we can rejoice in our faithful, merciful, and tender-loving God. May we allow Him to work this year in bringing us closer to Him! Even though the circumstances hadn’t changed but the author of Lamentations, still declared: “It is good that one should hope…” God’s tender love, mercy, and faithfulness is reason to hope. It isn’t up to us and God will always come through. No matter the disappointments that have followed us into this new year, you and I can have hope. John Piper says,“biblical hope is a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future.” Let’s enter this new year with that kind of hope - based on God’s new mercies. Each day the sun rises, hang on to the hope that we can expect good in our future! Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider how God’s faithfulness and mercy was a part of your life in the past year, reflect on these questions as they relate to the coming new year. In what ways did God show you His tender love in 2024? How did God reveal His faithfulness to you in 2024? What answer to prayers did you receive in 2024? What prayer(s) are you praying for 2025? Further Reading: Deuteronomy 7:9 2 Thessaliens 3:3 Hebrews 13:8 Revelation 19:11 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, we focus on the theme of "Beginning Again This New Year," exploring the concept of renewal and the fresh opportunities that come with a new year. We’ll discuss practical steps for letting go of the past and embracing new possibilities, drawing inspiration from Scripture. Learn how to set intentions that align with your faith, cultivate a spirit of gratitude, and trust in God’s guidance as you embark on this journey of transformation. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts on what it means to begin again this new year. How do you feel God is calling you to start fresh? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What steps are you taking to embrace new opportunities and experiences in the year ahead? 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: Beginning Again this New Year By Lynette Kittle “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness”—Lamentations 3:22-23 How many of us have waited, planned, and began a new year with our hearts and minds set on a new attitude, outlook, and goal, only to lose steam a few weeks or even days or hours into the new calendar year? Still, New Year’s Day offers individuals hopes of a fresh start, a new beginning, with the incentive of moving away from past disappointments and failures, a day that seems more than any other day of the year to encourage us to start anew and begin again with a clean slate. Sadly, though, many of us, if not most, give up if we falter or slip up on this new lease on life, thinking we’ll just have to wait until the next calendar year to start over again. Everyday With God Is A New Beginning But a new beginning doesn’t have to wait for another year to begin because God understands our weaknesses and frailties and doesn’t set us up to only have one opportunity a year to start over. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 explains, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” God is all for leaving the past behind us and starting anew, urging us in Isaiah 43:18 to “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. He is all about making things new again, as stated in Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Beginning Again Starts In Our Hearts But how does this happen in our lives? Exodus 36:26 describes what God wants to do for each and everyone of us, when we seek to start anew with Him. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” It’s a new life process God begins within us that is fulfilled by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. As the Apostle Paul explains, “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4). King David Knew How to Begin Anew Starting anew involves being open to God’s instruction. As Psalm 25:5 reveals, King David knew how to ask God for His instruction. “Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” For many, looking at David’s life is a mixed bag. Although it seemed he relied heavily on God to teach him to do His will, having a tender, teachable heart, as expressed through his passionate psalms. He seemed to be constantly asking God for guidance, understanding that he couldn’t do it on his own, relying on God to lead him. Likewise, in Psalm 119:12, David understood the importance of praise in preparing him to receive God’s instruction. “Praise be to you, Lord; teach me Your decrees.” Yet we also read of David’s weaknesses: of being led into temptation by worldly passions, committing adultery, stealing another man’s wife, and committing murder, giving in and following the lusts of his heart. In no way did God condone David’s sin, and as Christians, it can be hard for us to understand how an individual who God placed in power could so easily fall into sin and yet still be . called by God a man after His own heart. Acts 13:22 describes God’s thoughts on him. “After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” David’s life reveals how God truly gives us a way to begin anew each and every day, no matter the depth of our sins and weaknesses. Intersecting Faith & Life: If you’re struggling today to begin anew after falling short, feeling like you don’t deserve or have a right to ask for God’s help, be like David and reach out to God, asking Him to teach you His ways and start beginning again today. And if you fall tomorrow, don’t hesitate to ask God to help you start over again because His compassions never fail and are new every morning. Further Reading: Starting Over New Each Day https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/starting-over-new-each-day-the-crosswalk-devotional.html Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, we explore the theme of "What Will Truly Transform Your Life In 2025" by examining the various ways God communicates His transformative power, particularly through the Nativity story. Learn how God uses angels, the Holy Spirit, dreams, and confirmation to guide us. We'll unpack what these forms of divine communication mean for our lives today and how embracing God’s promises can lead to profound change in the upcoming year. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts on what you believe will truly transform your life in 2025. What aspects of faith and spirituality are you focusing on for growth? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How do you plan to seek God’s guidance and embrace transformation in the new year? 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: New Year, Old You? What will Truly Transform Your Life in 2025Written By: Emma Danzey Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” It is a new year again and you feel a little pessimistic about the new year’s resolutions, or doing that discounted gym trial, or breaking that bad habit once and for all. To be honest, the concept of a fresh start and a new year can be a wonderful motivator to evaluate the areas of our lives, but what is the heart behind our desire to change? Do we want to be more beautiful to the world’s eyes, do we desire to make more money this year, or do we have our hearts set on achieving a goal we’ve never quite met? If you feel like it is a new year, but you are still the old you, then you are not alone. If resolutions and January challenges haven’t stuck yet in your life, maybe there is something deeper to “missing the mark” for your goals. 1. Ask yourself what does God want my goal to be this new year? 2. Think of the New Year as a time of confession and repentance from areas that are either struggles, due to living in this fallen world or sinful decisions. Ask the Holy Spirit to transform your heart to be in line with His own. 3. Keep your main goal as seeking God with your heart by daily reading the Bible. Did you know that your relationship with God has everything to do with whether you find true success? He reminds us that our goals should be eternal, not temporary. Anything temporary that we accomplish through Him is ultimately nothing in comparison to the treasures and eternally impactful decisions that we make on this earth. If you want a transformed life in 2025, seek Jesus and He will bless the eternal work and empower you by His Spirit to achieve the temporary goals too. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The Bible, God’s Word, is alive and active. Its jobs is to divide what is true from what is false. It teaches us about our need for reconciliation to our Maker and the gospel of Jesus coming for the sins of the world for any who believe in Him. It reveals the sins and the attitudes of our hearts. I can set a physical goal all day long, but without the help of the Lord, I cannot accomplish this goal from an eternal mindset. My motivations will be from my flesh and not from the Spirit. Sure, someone could meet their goals and stick with them who is not seeking Christ, but think about the heart transformation that a believer in Jesus will experience if the new years goals come out of a heart of humility, seeking the Lord at His Word. His Word changes us, we cannot help but be transformed into His likeness when we read it with a pure heart. What if before we set our earthly goals, we make heavenly goals of the kind of son or daughter of God we hope to be this year, the ways we hope to grow in Spiritual maturity, or the daily choices we want His help to put into routine to mature in our faith through the Bible and prayer. Anything that we are trying to accomplish will be tested by Him. What are our motives? Are we in line with His will in them? If so, how can we rely on Him and the help of other believers to use these goals as platforms for the gospel? “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Nothing is hidden from the Lord. We are accountable to Him ultimately for how we live our lives and how we honor Him with them. May we be bold enough to ask Him to search our hearts and reveal sinful ways and boldly ask Him to transform us and lead us into true repentance that brings glory to Him. Intersecting Faith and Life: How will seeking Christ in the Bible regularly transform you this year? How does putting Christ first in your goal setting effect your personal goals? Why do you believe that it is only truly the work of the Spirit who can change your life and have eternal impact? Further Reading: Psalm 139:1-2 Romans 8:6 Galatians 5:17 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, we explore the theme of "What God Promises to Provide for the New Year" by examining the various ways God communicates His plans and provisions, particularly through the Nativity story. Learn how God uses angels, the Holy Spirit, dreams, and confirmation to guide us. We'll unpack what these forms of divine communication mean for our lives today and how we can trust in His promises as we enter the new year. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts on how you anticipate God's provision in your life as you approach the new year. What promises from Scripture give you hope and encouragement? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How do you plan to lean into God’s promises in the coming year? SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: What God Promises to Provide for the New Year (Matthew 6:26-34) By Sarah Frazer Bible Reading: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33, ESV My children lay their cups on the counter and I always fill them. If they are thirsty, I am happy to replenish their cups with a drink. Every time I do I think of my Heavenly Father who always provides for me as well. If we are in need, He will provide. You might be tempted to be think back to the pat year and wonder why God didn’t provide for you. Maybe there was no healing, or extra money, or closure. Maybe there are things in your l life that you think you need and they are not there. It is tempting to think that God’s provision is lacking. Matthew 6:26-34 is a great reminder from Jesus that God will always provide. In this passage Jesus says that God provides for even the sparrows, which were the most insignificant birds. Why would God not provide for His children, whom He loves? Jesus makes the case that if we need it, God will provide it! He says, “For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” Many times we need things from other people but they do not follow through or they fail to do the things we need them to do. God is not like that. He knows what we need. Not only that, He provides for it. What kinds of things does God provide for us? The Bible is filled with promises of God’s provision. Isaiah 41:10 - God provides help and strength. When we fear the future it is hard to believe that we will be able to endure it. God promises that He will help us, no matter what. John 16:33 & Isaiah 26:3 - God provides peace. When our minds are fixed and steady, thinking about God, God provides peace. We will have trouble, but Jesus has overcome the worst enemy: death, so we can have peace no matter what we face. Psalm 32:8 - God provides instruction. God will teach us! As we study and read the Bible God promises to provide us with the guidance we need to live and obey Him. Deuteronomy 31:8 & Hebrews 13:5 - God provides His presence. Over and over again, in the Old and New Testament God promises to be with us. He will never leave us. Matthew 7:11 - God provides answers to prayers. In the very next chapter of Matthew Jesus is still talking about provision but this time it is how God answers prayers. God is giving us good gifts and prayer is one way to see those from God. Philippians 4:19 - God provides contentment when we give. The context of this verse Paul telling the Philippines that God has always given him what he needed but God would do the same for them. Why? Because they were givers! In Philippians 4:10-18 Paul says that because of their gifts to him and the churches God would give them what they needed. 1 Corinthians 10:13 - God provides escape from temptation. When we are tempted to sin, we can trust that God will always provide a way out of the temptation. We are no longer slaves to sin. 2 Corinthians 9:8 - God provides grace. No matter what struggle or trial we face God provides the grace to help us. Whether we need forgiveness for sins, or comfort from pain, God provides the grace for us. 2 Peter 3:13 - God will provide a heavenly home. God has promised to take us to heaven and give us a place in His kingdom. We are promised that one day we will live with Him and worship Him forever. James 5:15 - God provides forgiveness. God promises to provide forgiveness. No past sin is too big or too bad for God not to forgive. Jesus’ death on the cross is sufficient and we can trust God will forgive us. John 14:26 - God provides the Holy Spirit. As Jesus was leaving this earth and getting ready to die on the cross, He promised that the “helper” would come. This is the Holy Spirit. We have this 3rd Person of the Trinity to guide us, teach us, and comfort us. Matthew 11:29-30 - God provides rest. We might be weary and limping into this new year, but God says that when we come to Him He will give us rest. In Matthew Jesus gives us something to do while we wait on God to fulfill His promises. He says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) All the things we need will be provided for us, all we need to do is seek God! Put God first in our lives because it is then we have contentment and are able to see God’s provision. Read more of God’s promises here. https://sarahefrazer.com/2020/05/10-of-gods-promises-for-you/ Intersecting Faith & Life: Which of the above promises speaks to your heart today? Write it on an index card and memorize that verse. As we think about God’s promises we can take heart that they will indeed come true. How? Because of Jesus! For thousands of years Jesus was promised to come as the Messiah. Then He did. Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we know that God keeps His promises. How does knowing this help encourage you as you think about what God has promised to provide for you? Further Reading: Psalm 36:5 Psalm 119:116 Psalm 145:13 1 Corinthians 1:9 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, we explore the theme of "Our Safe Place" by examining the various ways God communicates with His people, particularly through the Nativity story. Learn how God uses angels, the Holy Spirit, dreams, and confirmation to guide us. We'll unpack what these forms of divine communication mean for our lives today and how we can create space in our hearts for His voice. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts on how you find safety and comfort in God's presence, especially during the Christmas season. How does the truth that God is your safe place resonate with you? Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email. How do you celebrate this sense of security and peace in your life, particularly during the holidays? 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: Our Safe Place By Alexis A. Goring “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” —Psalm 46:1 NIV Safety. We all crave it, especially when our world feels like it is spinning out of control. There have been times in my life when I felt like there is no safe place for us here on Earth. But in recent years, God helped me see that He is our safe place. I realize that no matter how unsafe our circumstances are and no matter where we live on this planet, we can go to God for safety. The Bible says that He is our refuge and strength. God is present when we face trouble. He can protect us and deliver us from evil. We just need to trust Him. There is a song by Karen Clark Sheard called “A Secret Place”. The opening lyrics of this song touch on how cruel this world can be, filling you with pain that pierces your soul. But, Sheard sings, there is a secret place where we can go for refuge. It is a place filled with peace and safety that only God can provide. A place where God’s love for you surrounds and heals your hurting heart. Sheard calls this place a “tabernacle”. It is not always a physical place on Earth like a literal modern-day church building, sanctuary or Biblical tabernacle. I believe Sheard is singing about having a place where you and God can meet in secret. Some call this their “prayer closet”. This can mean you walk into your actual closet where you hang your clothes and keep your shoes then make space to meet with God there. After watching the Christian movie “War Room” many people were inspired to create a prayer closet like Miss Clara’s. For those of you who have not seen that movie, allow me to explain what I mean. In the movie, Miss Clara (played by Karen Abercrombie), is an elderly woman with a strong prayer life. During a tour of her house that she is trying to sell, she shows her real estate agent (Elizabeth Jordan, played by Priscilla Shirer) her closet. As Miss Clara opens the door to her closet that is located inside her bedroom, she tells Elizabeth that this is her “war room”. As Elizabeth enters the small but spacious closet, she sees how Miss Clara made room in it to post her handwritten prayer requests written on paper onto the previous empty walls inside her closet. There are years-worth of prayer requests and praise reports from the prayers God has answered. Miss Clara didn’t just pray for her husband when he was alive; she prayed for everyone God put on her heart. She didn’t allow her mind to ruminate over the pain and problems in the world; Miss Clara sought God in prayer for victories she knew only He could accomplish. This is how she fought and won all her battles over the years. I would say that Miss Clara’s prayer closet “war room” was also her secret place that Sheard sings about because that was where she could shut the noisy world out and commune with God in a private, quiet, safe place. It probably is also where—outside of a Bible-believing church—she felt God’s presence strongest. It is clear to me that God comforted Miss Clara’s troubled heart every time she sought His Presence in her prayer closet. Miss Clara is a fictional character but the concept about having a prayer closet in real life is Biblical. The Bible says in Matthew 6:6 (NIV), “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Now the Bible doesn’t say exactly how or when God will reward you for spending time in secret prayer with Him, but it does say that we are blessed when we take refuge in Him (Psalm 34:8). I believe those blessings can mean that we gain a closer relationship with our Creator. We get to know Him better as our Heavenly Father and we feel safe in His arms. The Bible describes God as our “fortress” (Psalm 46:11). And the good news is we don’t need to have an actual closet to pray to Him in because God is literally everywhere in this world. We can seek refuge in Him anywhere we are on this planet. He is always with us. There is nowhere we can hide from God. He sees all and knows all (Hebrews 4:13). We can trust that He sees our pain that we experience when the world is cold and cruel. God wants us to come to Him for comfort and healing. The Bible says in Psalm 34:18 (NIV), “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” When we go to God for safety, we can trust that with Him on our side, we are going to be okay. In closing, listen a song that Tasha Layton sings called “Into the Sea”. I believe it will encourage your heart. Intersecting Faith and Life: How does it feel to know that God is our safe place? Further Reading: Psalm 91:2 Psalm 9:9-10 Proverbs 18:10 Psalm 27:5 Psalm 107:28-31 "A Secret Place" by Karen Clark Sheard https://youtu.be/Arpe-DdVY10?si=CGkyWblG9f-xt1R7 "Into the Sea" by Tasha Layton https://youtu.be/8HznXBBCdBE?si=G0XDgGAMvEAt5WWu Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, we explore the theme of "Make Room for Jesus" by examining the various ways God communicates with His people, particularly through the Nativity story. Learn how God uses angels, the Holy Spirit, dreams, and confirmation to guide us. We'll unpack what these forms of divine communication mean for our lives today and how we can create space in our hearts for His voice. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts on the meaning of Immanuel and how you experience God’s presence in your life, especially during Christmas. Share with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How has the truth that God is with you made a difference in your life, and how do you celebrate His presence this Christmas season? 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: Make Room for Jesus By: Whitney Hopler “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” – Luke 2:6-7, NIV When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem for a census before Jesus was born, there was no room for them to stay. Despite centuries of prophecy, anticipation, and hope, no one made room for the newborn Jesus. Instead, Jesus was born in an animal stable, which was an unlikely beginning for the world’s Savior – yet one that reveals God’s loving humility. This lack of space for Jesus in Bethlehem has a message for us today. The Savior, then and now, seeks a place in our lives. But we, too, can often neglect making room for him when we’re too busy and stressed. Distractions and demands can crowd out Jesus, despite the fact that he offers us ultimate peace. If we don’t intentionally make room for Jesus in our hearts, minds, and lives, we risk missing out on the blessings Jesus wants to give us. Jesus wants to connect with us in our hearts. Yet emotions, attachments, ambitions, and even wounds can fill up our hearts and leave little room for receiving the love Jesus wants to give us. It’s easy to say we love Jesus, but are our hearts open to truly receive Jesus’ love day by day? Making room for Jesus in our hearts means allowing him to be our first love. It requires us to open our hearts vulnerably to Jesus, confessing and releasing the burdens, idols, and attachments that occupy valuable space. Only when we let go of these distractions can we experience the fullness of Jesus’ love. Jesus longs to give us a mindset that leads to peace and joy. However, too much of our mental energy can be consumed by worry, doubt, and the noise of endless information. Without realizing it, we might fill our minds with anxieties, trivial topics, or negative thoughts that push Jesus’ truth aside. Making room for Jesus in our minds involves consciously choosing to set our minds on what has eternal value. It means praying regularly, meditating on Bible passages, and asking the Holy Spirit to renew our minds. When we let Jesus transform our minds, we begin to view life through the lens of God’s wisdom, which enables us to trust Jesus more deeply. Finally, making room for Jesus in our lives means centering our daily decisions around our relationships with Jesus. It’s easy to keep Jesus in a “Sunday morning” or “quiet time” compartment, but true devotion calls us to integrate his presence into every part of our lives. What we fill our time and energy with speaks volumes about our priorities, and if our lives are full of lesser pursuits, it leaves little room for discovering the wonder of God’s work in our lives and joining that work by living with purpose. When we make room for Jesus, we become more aware of his guidance and more willing to follow where he leads – even if it takes us out of our comfort zone. When we make room for Jesus, we open ourselves to awe-inspiring transformation for the better. Jesus longs to work in and through us, but we must be willing to clear away the clutter that hinders his work in our lives. The people who didn’t make room for Jesus in Bethlehem likely had no idea they were turning away the Savior of the world. In the same way, we might overlook the small but vital ways Jesus wants to meet us each day. When we consciously invite Jesus into our hearts, minds, and lives, our spiritual growth accelerates. So, let’s make room for Jesus, and enjoy experiencing the blessings he wants to give us! Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider the importance of making room for Jesus, reflect on these questions: Are there specific areas of your life that you have not yet fully surrendered to Jesus? What’s taking up room in your heart and mind right now that you’d like to let go of to make more room for Jesus? How can you rearrange your priorities and your schedule to get rid of unnecessary activities and allow more time to communicate with Jesus in prayer and meditation? In what ways has Jesus already shown you that he is present in your life, and how can you respond to him more fully? Further Reading Matthew 6:33 Revelation 3:20 Psalm 37:4 Romans 12:2 John 15:5 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this special Christmas episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the profound truth behind the name Immanuel, meaning "God with us." The birth of Jesus marks the moment when God, in His love and grace, chose to dwell among us in human form. But what does it truly mean for us today that God is with us? How does the presence of Christ—Emmanuel—transform our lives, our faith, and our understanding of God’s closeness and care? Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear your thoughts on the meaning of Immanuel and how you experience God’s presence in your life, especially during Christmas. Share with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email. How has the truth that God is with you made a difference in your life, and how do you celebrate His presence this Christmas season? 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: Immanuel: How God is With Us?Written By: Emma Danzey Matthew 1:23 says, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means "God with us”). Did you know that when you woke up this morning God was with you? Did you know that when you received that horrible news God was with you? Did you know that when you reached that goal God was with you? One of the most beautiful gifts to give a loved one is quality time. This is one of my top love languages. It does not matter what we are doing, but simply being with my husband makes my heart happy. Being with someone implies closeness, availability and being on a team. One of the most unique blessings that Jesus gave to us was not just coming to be with us physically and die for our sins (Although vital to our salvation), but He also explained that He needed to ascend to the Father so He could send the Holy Spirit (The Helper) to be with all believers. When Jesus walked this earth, individuals sought after Him among crowds trying to be noticed or touch His robe or get just a moment of His time to talk with Him. Now that we have access to the Holy Spirit, we do not have to wait in line, get only a moment to speak or fly to Israel to connect with Jesus. We have His Spirit with us all of the time, no matter what. He is Immanuel, God with us. John 16:7 says, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." A Renewed Perspective on God’s Presence When was the last time that you had gratitude in your heart for being able to have immediate, uninterrupted, and full time connection to God? This is something that I forget is a blessing every day. It is easy to live after Pentecost and believe that this is just the norm and it is what we know. However, this presence, this Spirit within us came at a great cost. God left His perfect world to enter our broken one, He took on the weight of our sins when He was perfect, and He blesses us with the opportunity to be redeemed children who always have His presence with us. One of the most devastating moments in the garden of Eden was when God had to kick Adam and Eve out of His presence. They learned what it was like to miss Him. He used to walk among them and speak with them and they had perfect unity and safety in His created world. However, sin stole their ability and our ability to be in the presence of the perfect Lord. Jesus was the only way to be reunited with our Creator. We do not see Him yet, but He has given us the seal of His Holy Spirit as a deposit of His return. What are some ways that God Promises He is With Us? He is with us always: Matthew 28:20 His Spirit is sealed upon every believer. Ephesians 1:13 He is with us in trials. Isaiah 41:10 He is with us in our fears. Psalm 23:4 He is with us when we are alone. Deuteronomy 31:16 His Spirit is with us when we are gathered as believers. Matthew 18:20 As we approach this Christmas and we hear the name of Jesus read or sung as Immanuel, may it have an even deeper and richer meaning to us. He gave us Himself and now we have His full attention and love with us always. This is a beautiful gift of salvation that began at the little town of Bethlehem. Intersecting Faith and Life: How have you experienced God with you? How can you have peace that He fulfills this promise even when you are not physically seeing Him or feeling His presence? How can you ponder the beauty of Jesus, God coming in flesh to us as a baby this Christmas to be our Savior and give us His Spirit forever? Further Reading: Isaiah 7:14 John 1:14 Matthew 28:19-20 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.