The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Just as our surroundings shift when a storm is coming, so too do our ordinary circumstances when the Lord comes onto the scene. 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: A Change in Atmosphere  by Deidre Braley  When I was just a bare-footed wild child growing up on the edge of a great Maine wood, I would relish the hot, midsummer nights when the sky would turn dark and turbulent as a blackened eye and thunder would begin its war drum in the distance. On these evenings, my parents would bring my sister and I out onto our covered porch and we’d sit there, watching and waiting with half-held breath until hot electricity finally struck its purple zing across the sky.  I was no meteorologist, but even as a child I knew there was a powerful shift happening in the atmosphere. The whole world felt pregnant, magnetic, anticipatory. In the storm-filled air, my breath felt different. Familiar objects like our house, our chairs, the rusty blue swingset—they seemed novel in this light. Even my mother and father seemed changed. I felt as though anything  could and would happen, here in this familiar-but-foreign environment.  When I hear people talk about God as if he’s boring—as though he is just a set of hymns stuck in the back of a stubborn old church pew—I want to grab their hands, pull them outside, and tilt their chins to the electric excitement all around them, just like my parents did for me when a storm blew in. I want to say, “Look! Listen! Feel! Can you sense it—this palpable change in the air when the Holy Spirit comes into our midst?”  Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”  Just as our surroundings shift when a storm is coming, so too do our ordinary circumstances when the Lord comes onto the scene. Our problems look different when examined under his light. Our hanging heads can’t help but lift toward the timbre of his voice. Our raging, fearful hearts settle in the presence of his quietude.  This is the wonder of God: that wherever he is, anything and everything can happen. Even our most commonplace lives can become electric with possibility when they’re brought into the midst of our great Creator. And even our most troubling problems can take on new form when we let God remold them in his hands.  That is why it is so important to be intentional about entering into God’s presence each day. If we spend all of our time looking at our lives from a worldly perspective, we’ll quickly become disoriented, disengaged, or just completely discouraged. But when we spend time with the Lord, he doesn’t make us stand at the threshold of the throne room—he hurries us in and shows us the world from his perspective. Even if nothing on the outside seems changed after these encounters, the air inside our souls will have undergone a tangible, atmospheric shift—allowing us to experience the same old world in a whole new way.  Intersecting Faith & Life:  Does it feel difficult to feel God’s presence in your life right now—and to believe he hasthe power to change the atmosphere of any of your current circumstances? Read throughJob 38-39, and mark which examples of God’s might and omniscience are most strikingto you. When you begin to doubt if he can make a difference in your life, practice saying, “If God can [insert one of the examples you marked], then he can [make a specific change in your life]. It might sound something like this: “If God can ‘loosen Orion’s belt’ (Job 8:31), then he can also provide the money I’ll need to service my car this week.”  Being in nature is an incredible way to remember God’s power and awe-inspiringattributes. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Take a walk on the beach, lay on your back beneath the stars, or—better yet—pull up a chair and watch a storm. Bring your awareness to God, and praise him. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When we think about someone becoming a disciple that means that the person accepts Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus did not say, rely on your pastor or the evangelist to share the gospel, He called you and me to go and make disciples of Jesus. A large reason why  church is not growing is because the enemy has caused the church as a whole to sit back and believe that the gospel is true but it is not our job to share. 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: One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan is Telling the ChurchWritten By: Emma Danzey Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Have you wondered why the church is not growing as rapidly as you hoped? Is it as shocking to you as it is to me that the church in America is not growing from conversion, but from church transfer? In 2015 Bonnie Kristian shared from Relevant Magazine, “So while the statistics about the American church are troubling, American Christianity is far from the only thing going. Consider: In 1900, Europe and North America housed 82 percent of Christians worldwide.• By 2010, just 38 percent of professed Christians lived on these two continents.• By 2050, that projected figure is a mere 27 percent.” She goes on to share how although the church is dying here, it is exploding in Africa, Asia and Latin America. This was almost 10 years ago, and today Emma Davis from Reach Right Studios shares, “Only 16% of churches in the US are experiencing growth or hyper expansion.” One of the sneakiest lies that Satan is telling the church is, “It is not my job to share the gospel.” Jesus’ last words to His disciples on earth was for them to go and make disciples of all nations and that He would be with them. This is still a command for every believer in Jesus today.  “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” When we think about someone becoming a disciple that means that the person accepts Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus did not say, rely on your pastor or the evangelist to share the gospel, He called you and me to go and make disciples of Jesus. A large reason why  church is not growing is because the enemy has caused the church as a whole to sit back and believe that the gospel is true but it is not our job to share. We do not want to “step on toes,” we fear what others will think about us, we like staying in our Christian circles, or we just simply do not know how to share our faith because no one has ever taught us.    We are all coming from different backgrounds and experiences, but the Lord wants to use us as His vessels to share the hope of heaven with others. He has invited us into building His kingdom. The response of another person is not on us, but we are called to offer the gospel and trust the Holy Spirit to move. We leave the results up to Him. I was recently speaking with a 60-year-old friend and he shared that if he heard that the results were left to the Holy Spirit, he would have felt freer sharing his faith growing up. Unfortunately, he was taught that if a person did not accept Christ, then it was his fault. This caused him to feel defeated at ever even trying to share the gospel. He had a defeated mentality. The enemy so often uses this lie and redirects our eyes to the wrong thing, instead of resting in the work of the Spirit and relying on the living and active Word of God. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, We do not just share the good news of the gospel with others, we disciple them. Just like Jesus taught and walked alongside the disciples, we too are invited to walk alongside others on their faith journeys. We celebrate when they are baptized, we help them when trials come up, we pray with and for them, we study the Bible with them, we are in genuine relationship with them. No, we cannot do this with everyone we meet. However, this is why it is not just the pastor’s job, this is the role of the church. We are the body of Christ, we function best when everyone is involved and connected. We know that we serve the Triune God who is still working and still baptizing people. And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. We disciple and we teach others to grow in God’s Word and relationship with Him. We also model to them how to share their faith with others. Spiritual multiplication happens when believers in Jesus begin to disciple others and send them out to share the gospel. It is the great commission. It is our calling as believers in Christ to share Him with the world. This starts right in our communities, thinking about who is around us who needs Him. Intersecting Faith and Life: Have you ever been tempted to believe that sharing your faith was a pastor or evangelist’s job and not yours? Who is someone specific that you believe God has placed in your life who needs the gospel? Begin praying for this person and spend some time asking into their faith, then share the gospel with them in the power of the Holy Spirit. There are many wonderful resources out there to guide your conversation, such as God Tools.   Further Reading: Mark 16:15 Psalm 96:3 Ephesians 2:8-9 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Despite our differences, we share a common purpose: to seek God, reach out to him, and discover that God is right there with us.  From the beginning, God made all nations from one person. 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’s Global Family By: Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer  “From one person God made all nations who live on earth, and he decided when and where every nation would be. God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him. He isn’t far from any of us, and he gives us the power to live, to move, and to be who we are. ‘We are his children,’ just as some of your poets have said.” – Acts 17:26-28, CEV  The Olympic flag, which displays 5 connected rings representing our planet’s inhabited continents, was designed to show how nations around the globe can come together in peace and friendship. The 5 different colors of the rings were planned so that athletes from every nation on earth could identify at least one color from his or her own nation’s flag. At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, athletes from more than 200 different nations worldwide are participating. The Olympic Games shine a powerful spotlight on the world’s nations. Watching the Olympics, we learn about both the diverse sports and the diverse national cultures represented there.  In Acts 17:26-28, the Bible points out that God has intentionally created and placed each nation and individual in their specific time and place on earth. The diversity we see around us is not accidental; it is a deliberate part of God’s design. The Bible also reveals that God’s plan for each of us is to search for him and find him. God is the loving Heavenly Father of a global family of humans. We’re all connected, by God’s design, and God wants to have close relationships with every one of us around the world. From the beginning, God made all nations from one person – Adam, the first human being – to show us our shared origin and interconnectedness. We are all a part of God’s global family. Each nation and each person makes a valuable contribution to our world. This diversity reflects the creativity and vastness of God’s nature.  Despite our differences, we share a common purpose: to seek God, reach out to him, and discover that God is right here with us. God’s proximity to us is a source of great comfort. He is not a distant deity, but a caring Father who empowers us to live, move, and be who we are. Our identity and existence are rooted in God. No matter where we are in the world, we have access to God’s love and guidance.  As God’s children, we are called to embrace our identity and live in a way that reflects God’s love and unity. We can honor this truth by recognizing the value in every person, regardless of their background. We can also celebrate the diversity of God’s creation while seeking to build bridges of understanding and compassion. By doing so, we fulfill our role as members of God’s global family, letting God’s love flow through us to a world that desperately needs it.  Let the Olympics inspire you to learn more about the different nations in our world, and the people who live there. Try food from different nations at ethnic restaurants. Listen to music from around the world. Watch documentaries about various countries. Talk with someone you know who is an immigrant and listen to his or her stories. If possible, plan to visit nations that especially interest you, so you can experience their distinctive cultures yourself. The more you learn about your global family, the more you can learn about the Heavenly Father we all share!  Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider how you’re a valuable part of God’s global family, reflect on these questions:  How does understanding that God made all nations from one person influence your view of humanity? What are some practical steps you can take to build bridges of understanding and compassion with people from different backgrounds? How can you celebrate and embrace the diversity of God’s creation in your community? How does knowing that God gives you the power to live, move, and be who you are impact your sense of identity and purpose? In what ways can you actively seek God and reach out to him in your daily life?  Further Reading Genesis 1:27 Psalm 139:13-14 John 17:21 Galatians 3:28 Ephesians 2:14 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Take some time alone with the Holy Spirit today. Tell him you want to feel his presence and spend time with him. Consider asking him some questions to get to know him better, like:  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: Soul Brother  By Deidre Braley  I studied abroad in Spain for one semester of college. One weekend, my friends and I made a short, cheap trip to Barcelona, where we spent most of our time hunting for free sightings of Salvador Dalí’s work and staying in a crummy hostel. And while I remember very little about where we ate, what we saw, or even how we afforded to get there, I’ll never forget the way I felt when I met a fellow traveler one evening as we were leaving our room.  This person was from England, and with a group of friends who were also traveling for the weekend. By chance, we’d all happened to exit our rooms at the same time, and as we bumbled through the narrow hallway we introduced ourselves, talking about where we were from and feeling quite jovial that we could drop our subpar Spanish skills and simply communicate in English for a while.  Have you ever met a total stranger whom you feel an instant connection with, as though you’ve known them your whole life? This is how I felt with one of the members of this group. On the outside, it would appear we had nothing in common, except that we spoke the same language. But on the inside, I felt my soul coming alive with recognition. I had the rare sensation of being completely seen and known—as though this person and I were kindred spirits, or that maybe we’d been cut from the same cloth when God was spinning us into existence. By the end of the night, we were strolling down the streets of Barcelona arm-in-arm, talking conspiratorially about inside jokes only we seemed to understand.  I never saw that person again, but thinking about that night reminds me that there is another who we can have this kind of soul connection with: Jesus.  I often find myself daydreaming about what it will be like to meet Jesus for the first time. I wonder what he’ll look like and what he’ll smell like, what he’ll say and how he’ll smile. But if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that he will feel like a soul brother.  1 John 4:13 says, “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.” See, when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, we don’t have to spend the rest of our time earthside waiting to meet him. He puts his Spirit inside of us, enabling us to connect with him on the most intimate of levels.  “In Christ you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed,” Ephesians 1:13-14 reads. “The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.” In this way, we can hear, know, and commune with his Spirit even as we wait for the fulfillment of our inheritance and our redemption. I imagine that the time we spend with the Holy Spirit in this life will prepare us for that familiar feeling of reunion with Jesus in the next.  As we wait and long to meet Jesus face-to-face one day, we needn’t wonder what he’ll be like. Rather, we can turn to the Spirit that he’s placed inside us and begin getting to know him better today. And when we do finally open a door and bump into Jesus one day? Why, he won’t feel like a stranger. He’ll be a soul brother—and we’ll be linking arms and exchanging secrets in no time.  Intersecting Faith & Life:  Take some time alone with the Holy Spirit today. Tell him you want to feel his presence and spend time with him. Consider asking him some questions to get to know him better, like:  What makes you smile? What would you like me to know about you? What do you ask of me today? Then, allow yourself to sit in silence and solitude. Record any specific impressions you feel, any words you hear, or any pictures you see in your mind. As you grow in this practice, you will likely grow in your awareness of his presence—and also your ability to hear and understand him.  Further Reading:  Romans 8  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God is focused on relationship. We tend to be focused on activity. He is the One who tells us to "be still" (Psalm 46:10) and to come to Him and rest (Matthew 11:28). We are the ones who are striving to do more.   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 More Does God Want Me to Do?  by Cindi McMenamin  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  (Matthew 22:37 NASB)  Do you ever feel burnt out with all that you’re doing for God? Perhaps your life revolves around ministry or maybe you just wonder sometimes if God’s pleased with you or if you should be doing more.  We live in a culture focused on doing to the point that busyness is our badge of success and multi-tasking in the church is what appears to others—and ourselves—as ultra-spiritual. But although a relationship with the living God produces a desire to obey Him and serve Him, that service results in joy and rest, not perpetual stress!  In my book, When Women Long for Rest, I point out that God would rather have us be with Him than do a bunch of things for Him. I see that in Jesus' response to a man who asked Him about the greatest of all the commandments. Jesus' answer was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."  God is focused on relationship. We tend to be focused on activity. He is the One who tells us to "be still" (Psalm 46:10) and to come to Him and rest (Matthew 11:28). We are the ones who are striving to do more.   Yet, as we spend time cultivating a love relationship with God, we will then know how to serve others and we will be able to discern His gentle voice saying, "This is what I have for you" or "Step in and help her with that." But it will never be at the expense of overlooking our primary responsibilities or feeling over-extended.  Jesus, after all, told His closest followers, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mark 6:31), not "Let's try to cover even more territory today by working even harder!" Intersecting Faith and Life:  If you are caring for young children, or working full time, or someone who constantly has your hands full (and who doesn't these days?), let me remind you of these three principles when it comes to doing more for God:   Grow in your love for Him and the labor will follow—but in the way He wants, not in the way your guilt determines. As you sit at God’s feet, He will eventually call you to get up and serve Him. But if we aren't taking time to be still, open His Word, and listen for His voice and direction, how can we possibly know how and where we are to serve Him?  Look for where He is calling you to serve and go where He leads. This is difficult if you tend to be a people-pleaser. Yes, there are Sundays when you may need to help in the church nursery because someone didn't show up and you know it's the right thing to do. But in terms of regular service for the Lord, wait upon God, pray for timing and clarity and walk through the doors that He opens, don't try to pry them open yourself or walk through them out of guilt. Ministry isn't limited to Sundays. When we think of "doing something" for God, we tend to think of activity in the church building. While each of us in the body of Christ is to exercise our spiritual gifts in a way that uplifts and encourages the rest of the body, that implies connection with a local church where you can be your "part" in the functioning body of Christ. But that doesn't mean that ministry occurs only within a church setting.  Ministry happens anywhere that you are salt and light on this earth and wherever Christ is glorified through you. Your greatest ministry right now may be to support and encourage your spouse or to invest spiritually in the lives of your children. If you have a job outside the church but feel you need to do more inside the church, find that balance so you can still be used effectively no matter where you are. Followers of Christ tend to forget the amazing ministry they can have simply by living next to and working alongside non-believers and continuing to live as followers of Christ.  Remember, our works and activity for God are not something we do to earn God's favor. Jesus did enough to secure God's forgiveness and acceptance of us when He gave His perfect life in exchange for ours as a penalty for our sin. Our service, in light of what Christ did for us on the cross, is simply to show our love and obedience to Him. It's our way of saying "I've been freed from the yoke of sin and I have a new master now...it's the Lord Jesus." Serving Him from that mindset brings joy, not stress.  Serve Him out of inspiration, not obligation, and you may find that instead of feeling guilt for not doing enough, you are feeling so very privileged to do the little that you can.  Lord, show us today how to serve You wherever we are, as a way of saying we love You.  Further Reading: Psalm 62. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Is there a bible verse that keeps coming to mind? Are you unable to get it out of your head? Maybe God is putting it there for good reason. Pray and ask Him what He wants you to know. Here are 3 ways to know when God is talking to you. 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 Ways to Recognize When God is Talking to You By Kelly Balarie “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalm 19:1 NIV I walked with a friend. Struggling with a sickness that was incredibly hard, I sought just the right words to encourage her.  No words would suffice. What do you say when there is nothing to say? I’ve learned, listening is always more powerful than speaking when one is going through the wringer of life.  So, I asked her questions and then let her speak. I actively repeated what she spoke to let her know that I was hearing her heart. Eventually, the moment of awkward silence arrived where I had nothing left to ask. I needed to say something. God, help me?!! I looked towards my feet, pondering what to say. A leaf caught my attention. Amazingly, it was shaped like a heart.  I knew God wanted me to share His love for her. He gave me an answer to my inner unsaid pleading for just the right words!! “God loves you so much.” I told her.  A well-spoken word at just the right moment has the ability to break through to a person’s heart like nothing else. God reminded me of His heart for my friend through nature. This is one of the many ways that God speaks to us.  Scripture says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalm 19:1 NIV How else does God speak? The second way that God speaks is through the Word of God. To store His Words in our heart is to hear them sound in our mind when the going gets tough.  When my kids act up, sometimes I feel afraid. When fear comes at me a mile a minute because I have stored God’s Word in my mind, I often hear a bible verse pop in my head. His Word kills my fear. The third way God speaks to us is through people. Have you ever experienced a repeat situation time and time again? Maybe it feels like people are always telling you the same thing. Once, I had a women’s minister at a church tell me that I was intense. Again, a friend, I prayed with told me I also was intense. I started to feel a little upset about that. People don’t want to be around intense people. However, the more I considered their words, the more I realized that Jesus was intense too.  God was communicating to me, through people’s words that what people noted about me, was something He loved and created. How might God be trying to reach you? Intersecting Faith & Life: Is there a bible verse that keeps coming to mind? Are you unable to get it out of your head? Maybe God is putting it there for good reason. Pray and ask Him what He wants you to know. Do you keep running into a similar situation with people? What might God be trying to say to you through this? Do you ever sit and look at God’s creation? What can you surmise about God’s character and nature based on how He has created the world?  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 plans are already being carried out through our lives. As you are presently in this tough season of life, lean on God. Find support in Him and trust Him with your life. The plans He has for you will prevail and they will be glorious. 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 Can I Take Comfort in God’s Plans for My Life? By Vivian Bricker  “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” – Jeremiah 29:11 Due to living in a fallen world, we are always coming across problems. Problems with work, our relationships, and our health can leave us feeling worn out. It never feels as though we can get a break. Instead of being relieved once one problem is resolved, a hundred new problems replace it. Whenever we are feeling like this, we need to turn to the Lord and know that He has a beautiful plan for our lives.  There have been many times in my life where I don't feel like there is a purpose to the pain I am experiencing—there is only suffering. We are often taught that pain makes us stronger, when sometimes it can actually make us weaker. Every pain, every tear, and every heartache does not lead us to something greater. Instead, it can lead us to meet the end of the road.  Plans we previously had for our lives seem to be non-existent and we don't even know how we are going to make it to the end of the month. When these issues arise, we can find lasting hope and purpose in God. He has great plans for our life. Through the pain, we can see His will more clearly and we take joy in knowing that our suffering is never forgotten by Him.  Recently, I had an issue in my life that God worked through. I thought I was going to have to make a major life change; however, God kept me where I was. He placed me on level ground and told me I was right where He wanted me to be. From that day, I felt the assurance of the Lord. His plans for me would never be sabotaged by anything or anyone, including myself or this season of suffering.  His goodness and his love will ensure all of the plans He has for our lives will be accomplished. Some of them might not be completed in the ways we once thought; however, we can trust in His plans. We might be lacking direction or guidance, but God never does. He will direct and guide each of our steps.  In Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord tells us He already knows the plans He has for us and that these plans will prosper us. They will not harm us in any way. Rather, these plans will give us hope and a future. Whenever we are unsure about the future, we need to rely on God’s plans for our lives.  Your present season of suffering will not endure forever because the Lord has beautiful plans for your future. This future will not harm you nor will it cause you problems. It will only give you hope and surround you with the Lord’s goodness. Choose to live out this truth today by walking confidently in Jesus’ promise.  The plans God has for our lives is far greater than anything we could ever imagine. If you are presently going through a season of suffering, rest in the truth that you will be brought out into a season of joy. Similar to how the physical seasons change, this season of life will change too. The suffering and pain you are experiencing now will not endure forever.  Intersecting Faith & Life: This season might last for a while, but you can continue to trust God. No matter what season of life we find ourselves in, we can know with confidence that God is working all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). It is not a pleasant season right now; however, God’s plans for your life are still being fulfilled. There is nothing we can do to mess up God’s plans for our lives nor is there any season of life that can separate us from His plans.  God’s plans are already being carried out through our lives. As you are presently in this tough season of life, lean on God. Find support in Him and trust Him with your life. The plans He has for you will prevail and they will be glorious. “Dear Jesus, I am going through a tough season right now. There only seems to be suffering at every corner. Please Lord, help me to have hope for the plans You have for my life. Bring my heart and mind to meditate on Your plans for my life rather than the tragedies I am currently going through. I know nothing can usurp Your plans for my life. I praise You, Amen.” During this present season of suffering, what has the Lord been teaching you?  God has many plans for your life. Does this bring you a sense of comfort? Why or why not?  How does knowing that God has plans for your life change your outlook during this present season of life?  Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Psalm 119:76 Romans 8:26-28 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you ever panic when circumstances look bleak, thinking that maybe God has forgotten you? Perhaps it’s an unexpected bill you have to pay or a deadline that takes you by surprise. Maybe it’s just something you’ve been praying for and you feel overlooked.  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: When You Feel Forgotten   By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer  “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 (NIV) Do you ever panic when circumstances look bleak, thinking that maybe God has forgotten you? Perhaps it’s an unexpected bill you have to pay or a deadline that takes you by surprise. Maybe it’s just something you’ve been praying for and you feel overlooked.  There are times I’ve started to feel forgotten. But looking back now, those are the times I’ve forgotten the God of Wonders and how He fights for those He loves.   I was reading in Exodus of God’s deliverance of His people from Egypt. As the Israelites were backed up against the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army hotly pursuing them, it didn’t look good. God's people were afraid of annihilation by the Egyptians. Moses' instructions to them were simple: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13-14).   God then told Moses to raise his staff and divide the waters of the Red Sea so His people could cross through the middle of it. He also told Moses that the Egyptians would pursue them right through the middle of the sea, but God would "gain glory" through it. Moses didn't know exactly what that meant. He only knew that God expected him to take the next step, and trust Him in the face of threatening circumstances.  All night, the Israelites walked through the parted sea while God, as a pillar of fire, went between them and the pursuing Egyptians, keeping the Israelites a safe distance away, yet still lighting the path before them. Then, when all of the Israelites made it safely to the other side, God sent the Egyptians into confusion and covered them with the giant walls of water, drowning every last one of them.  The Israelites witnessed the spectacular hand of God delivering them from their enemies! Yet only three days later they came to a spring in the desert and grumbled against Moses (and God) because the water was bitter and they had nothing to drink. How quickly they had forgotten the God who rescued them. Couldn't the God who separated the waters also sweeten them? In spite of the Israelites’ grumbling, God sweetened the water for them to drink, and then He brought them to Elim – where Exodus 15:27 says “there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.” God gave them a Palm Springs luxury resort! Right there in the desert! Intersecting Faith and Life:  How quickly you and I can forget God's amazing works too. How quickly we start to grumble, forgetting He is the God who always comes through.   God has told us in his Word He will never leave us, nor will He ever forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). And in Isaiah 49:15, God said “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you” (ESV).  There is only one thing we are told that God ever forgets—and that is our sin. (Psalm 103:12 tells us “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (NIV). God doesn’t forget us, only our sin when we’ve confessed it to Him and accepted His forgiveness of it once and for all.  When you start to feel forgotten, remember that there is nothing that God forgets but your sin. And that means even when you’re messing up, He hasn’t forgotten or rejected you, He’s still working on what will bring you closer to His heart and back to where you need to be with Him.  Lord, help me to remember today that You are with me, You are for me, and You have a reason for why I’m here. I will trust that You have not forgotten me, and that You are the God who always comes through. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.    Further Reading: Isaiah 49:15-16 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What wrong beliefs, assumptions or lies may be under your response? How might it benefit you to keep no record of wrongs?  Perhaps, take a moment to pray that God would show you His heart for that person when the going gets tough. 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: “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”  – Proverbs 19:11 ESV I knew the person was baiting me into an argument. How was I supposed to stay calm, cool, and collected when they were attacking me like a bull in an arena?  “You need help!” “You have problems.” “Everyone is upset at you!” Ahh!! With statements like these flying in my face, how could I not defend myself? How could I not get riled up? Arrows were flying a mile a minute. I didn’t know what to think or what to do in the midst of this verbal onslaught. I remained cool under pressure for a time, thinking of the various times that Jesus was attacked, yet said nothing…until the point that my mouth unloaded. I told the person everything they did wrong. So much for grace! Despite every impulse of the Holy Spirit within me, telling me to hold my own, I, too, reacted in anger, rather than responding in love. The second the words were out of my mouth; I knew I’d come to regret them. And I did. Later, I rehashed every word spoken.  Proverbs 19:11 says, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”   How do we actually see this verse through when in the moment all we see is red? It’s not easy. But, I am rediscovering that one (almost) never fail way – is to take your time. Wisdom is not rushed. It is never pressured. It always patient and thoughtful. For me, this looks like not being baited by attacking words. While they may be coming at me like arrows in the night, I can respond by saying, “Thank you for sharing. I’d really like to take some time to process what you have to say. Can we come back together when we are both calm? Let me take two hours to think about this.”  During that time, I can pray, read God’s Word, and think through what was brought up. I can consider how Jesus acted. I can understand where their condemnation may be coming from. I can position my heart to be humble and kind.  Have you ever noticed how wise people are slow to speak? Wisdom doesn’t rush to conclusions and reactions.  We never have to be pressured to respond. Love sets boundaries so it remains love (and doesn’t end up turning into wrath). Intersecting Faith & Life: What triggers you to react rashly? How might Jesus call you to respond differently? What wrong beliefs, assumptions or lies may be under your response? How might it benefit you to keep no record of wrongs?  Perhaps, take a moment to pray that God would show you His heart for that person when the going gets tough. 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.

The grace He extends to us will endure throughout all time and this is shown to us in how Gentiles are now part of the family of God. At one point only Israel was the family of God; however through Jesus’ grace all people can join the family of God.  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: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 From the moment we come to know Jesus, we are blessed. We are blessed because we now know the Savior of our souls, our Redeemer, and our greatest Friend. Although we are now just coming to know Him, He has loved us since before the beginning of time. When we were actively living in sin, He loved us (Romans 5:8). The love of Jesus is what enables us to live graceful lives.  While we ourselves might be lacking in extending grace in our lives, we know we never have to worry about this with the Lord. He is always extending grace to us in His actions. Even though we do not deserve His love and grace, Jesus still chooses to do this. Love is at the Lord’s core and there is nothing we can do to change this (Romans 8:37-39). From a biblical sense, grace is undeserved favor or unmerited favor. We did nothing to warrant Jesus’ love or favor. Rather, He simply chose to love us and He continues to do so every day. The grace He extends to us will endure throughout all time and this is shown to us in how Gentiles are now part of the family of God. At one point only Israel was the family of God; however through Jesus’ grace all people can join the family of God.  This is all because of God’s grace and His love. With this knowledge, we can live graceful lives. Rather than being fearful, doubtful, or even prideful, we can live lives of grace and love. God has given us grace, which is something we don't deserve. By all practical means, God could have eradicated the human race thousands of years ago because of our sin, but He didn't. Instead, He has chosen to give us chance after chance to come to Him.  The love of God is abounding and this is why He has not destroyed us. God’s love is what leads Him to give us grace because it is not by anything that we did. We cannot earn God’s grace just as we cannot earn our own salvation. If one was to say we could earn God’s grace, it would be implying that we somehow could win God’s favor and this is not true. We already have God’s favor because of who He is, not because of anything we have done or haven't done.  This is in line with our Bible passage of the day. The Apostle Paul tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Similar to as I was saying before, grace and salvation were given to us by God. It is by God’s grace that we have been saved and this is through faith. As soon as we place faith in Jesus and accept Him as our Savior, we are given salvation.  Grace overpowers our life and salvation becomes our new reality. As Paul goes on to tell us, this grace and salvation is not from ourselves. Rather, it is the gift of God. God’s grace and salvation are both gifts. We do not earn these things by our works in order that no one can boast. If God chose people based on their work, then it would give individuals a chance to boast about “how they earned salvation” or “earned God’s favor.” Neither of these things are biblical. Instead, they are rooted in pride. Salvation is a free gift given to us by the Lord Himself. We did not work towards this gift nor did we earn it. In the same way, grace was extended to us by Jesus out of His great love. When we look at these truths, we know we can step out into the day with a grateful heart. We have been given a graceful life and this is all because of the Lord.  May we all praise Him today and go to Him in prayer.  “Dear Jesus, I praise You for blessing me with a graceful life. Through Your love and grace, I have received salvation. None of this is due to my own work or efforts. Instead, it is done completely by You. Thank You, Lord, for Your wonderful gift of salvation and Your grace. Amen.” Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you currently living a graceful life? If not, how can you change this?  We cannot warrant God’s favor. Have you tried to do this in the past? If you have, how can you give up this practice?  Salvation is given freely by grace through faith. Have you accepted Jesus’ free gift of salvation yet? If not, do you think you might want to accept Him as your Savior today?  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.