The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Aaron D’Anthony Brown reminds us that even in the midst of fear, suffering, or societal pressures, we can trust in God’s light. Drawing on Psalm 56:3, this devotional encourages believers to approach God honestly, commit to Him consistently, and seek strength in community so that darkness does not have the final word. Highlights Darkness and suffering are inevitable in a fallen world, but God’s faithful love remains constant. Honest, earnest prayer aligns our hearts with Christ and brings hope even in difficult circumstances. Commitment to God involves daily devotion, prayer, and active participation in His community. Surrounding yourself with supportive believers strengthens faith and reduces the grip of fear. Trusting God allows His light to shine through life’s challenges, replacing fear with faith. Join the Conversation How do you respond when darkness creeps into your life? Are you leaning into God’s presence and trusting His light, or trying to face struggles alone? Share your reflections, encourage others, and join the conversation with @LifeAudioNetwork using #TrustInGod #FaithOverFear #GodsLightShines. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Trusting God’s Light When Darkness Creeps In By Aaron D’Anthony BrownBible Reading:“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3, CSB) Imagine dwelling in a society where people cheer on death and violence. Imagine that this excitement is directed at people like you, with your values and beliefs. Now, imagine society actively trying to bring about death and violence in your life and the lives of those you love. There are places like that in this world. That’s a harsh truth on top of the everyday things that already make us feel sad, lonely, hurt, and afraid - relationships, financial struggles, loss. No matter when you come into this world, or where, there’s always suffering. When the darkness creeps in, there are a few steps you should take to ensure the darkness doesn’t win. We may be tempted to give up, and tempted to give in, but we certainly don’t have to. We never do. Talk Earnestly to God Perhaps you know this, but don’t quite believe it. God wants to hear from you. Yes, He knows what darkness has crept into your life, and the truth is, He has allowed it. Yet, at the same time, God cares. And if He cares, then there must be a reason for the suffering. Ask Him why. Talk openly and honestly about the pain. In Psalm 13, David sings to God, asking some rather tough questions about his suffering. “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” Imagine saying that to someone or someone saying that to you. We don’t talk to God to inform Him but rather to conform ourselves to the image of Christ. David knew he could approach the throne, but knew that God was in control of everything. That’s why, after these deep questions for God, he ends on a note of optimism. He has decided to “trust” in God’s “faithful love.” Commit Yourself to God Yes, committing yourself to God involves prayer, but it also involves so much more. Many who consider themselves to be Christians only talk to God when calamity hits. They plead for God to help and often thank Him when He does, but afterward, the Lord is yet again an afterthought until the next crisis hits. If you want solid trust in God, then you have to start with commitment. Pray when life is down, but also when things are looking up. Go to church and get involved, even in a small capacity. Read Scripture and meditate on God’s Word daily. The more you think about the Lord and His righteousness, sovereignty, and power, the less of a stranglehold the darkness will have over you. You’ll be tempted to fear, but you won’t because you’ll remember the Truth. Find Strength in Others God did not design the first man to be alone, nor did he create us to be alone. He made us for community. When you fall short, and you will, because we all do, find support in those around you. Surround yourself with people who will bring out the best in you. Likewise, seek to bring out the best in them. When we strengthen one another, the bad times don’t hurt as much. Intersecting Faith & Life: No matter how many devotionals you read, how much time you spend in the Word, or how often you pray, darkness will creep into your life. We reside in a fallen world, which means suffering is inevitable. No matter how low or high we are in society, we all face some form of suffering. The question is, how will we respond? As a believer, you have the choice of giving into the darkness, but the better, and obviously wiser option is to choose God. Remember how he has come through for you in the past. Write those blessings down. Get a friend to remind you. Remember, and whenever the darkness appears again, you won’t forget. Further Reading: John 15:18 Proverbs 3:5-6 Proverbs 27:17 Psalm 9:10 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Whitney Hopler reminds us in Run Hard and Fast in Faith that each day is a gift from God, and we are called to live it with purpose, wonder, and faith. Drawing from 1 Timothy 6:11-12, this devotional encourages believers to seize the life God has called them to, embracing His love, pursuing righteousness, and living intentionally for eternal impact. Highlights Every day is a gift from God, filled with opportunities to live intentionally. Pursue a righteous life marked by wonder, faith, love, steadiness, and courtesy (1 Tim. 6:11-12). Recognizing God’s work in our lives strengthens faith and inspires action. Living with intention helps us focus on what has eternal value, despite daily distractions. Running hard in faith brings us closer to Jesus and aligns our lives with His purpose. Join the Conversation What does “running hard and fast in faith” look like in your daily life? How can you focus more on God’s work and presence today? Share your reflections, inspire others to live intentionally, and join the conversation with @LifeAudioNetwork using #RunInFaith #SeizeTheDay #FaithInAction. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Run Hard and Fast in FaithBy: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading:“Pursue a righteous life – a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.” – 1 Timothy 6:11-12, The Message These Bible verses were on the front page of a memorial service program for one of my father’s close friends. Aubrey (who went by the nickname “Smitty”) was known for living each day to the fullest. He found a lot to enjoy as he lived each day with an awareness of God’s presence. As a high school English teacher, Sunday School teacher, father, husband, and community volunteer, Smitty passed along his joy to lots of people during his earthly life. He was able to do so because he was intentional about pursuing a righteous life of running hard and fast in the faith, as the Bible encourages us all to do in 1 Timothy 6:11-12. Every new day God gives us is a gift. The fact that the sun rises in the morning is only because God designed it to do so. Even the fact that we can take our next breath when we need it is because God gives it to us. Each day, and all the opportunities it brings us, are gifts from our loving and generous God. When we really think about it, we can see how every day is a miracle! God wants us to open the gift of each day and use it to the fullest, not drift through it casually without appreciating its value. God calls us to do much more than live dull, routine lives. These Bible verses encourage us to live righteous lives where we pursue wonder, faith, love, steadiness, and courtesy. Each of these qualities is an important part of making the most of our time each day. When we open our eyes to the wonder of God’s work around us, our faith can grow stronger because the more we see of God’s wonder, the more we’re inspired to seek closer relationships with him. Our stronger faith opens us up to receive more of God’s love and share it with others. Then, as we put God’s love into action, we can live with more steadiness and courtesy in all situations. Living like this – running hard and fast in faith – we can experience the meaningful lives God wants us to enjoy. We can seize the life God has called us to and spend our valuable days focusing on what matters most. On some days, we may get distracted as we deal with challenges that come up in our schedules. But if we go into each day with the intention to run hard and fast in faith through it, we’ll usually be able to take advantage of the best opportunities God gives us. We’ll be able to set our minds on what has eternal value, live into our God-given purpose, and enjoy the process! Running hard in faith is worthwhile because Jesus is worth it. Every step we take in faith brings us closer to Jesus and closer to the life we were created for. So, let’s open and enjoy the gift of each day God gives us. Let’s live each day like the miracle it truly is! Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider how to run hard and fast in faith to live each day to the fullest, reflect on these questions: What would “running hard and fast in the faith” look like in your daily life? Where are you most tempted to chase after activities that don’t last, and how can you redirect your focus toward God? How can you discover more of the wonder of God’s work in your daily life and become more aware of God’s presence with you? In what ways can gratitude for what God is doing in your life change your perspective on the challenges you face right now? Who can you encourage this week to keep running their own race of faith to the fullest? Further Reading:John 10:10Hebrews 12:1-2Psalm 118:24Colossians 3:23-24Philippians 3:13-14 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Wondering about the power of God’s Word and your own calling? Megan J. Conner reflects on John 1:1-5, showing how God’s Word has been present since the beginning, creating life and shining light into the darkness. This devotional reminds us that we carry God’s light within us and are called to bear it in the world. Highlights God’s Word existed from the beginning and created all life (John 1:1-3). The light of God penetrates darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:4-5). Believers carry God’s light within them, called to be ambassadors of His mission (Matt. 5:14). God’s Word guides, transforms, and shapes our lives, even fulfilling dreams He places in our hearts. Personal stories illustrate how God fulfills His promises in unexpected and meaningful ways. Join the Conversation What dreams or callings has God placed in your heart? How are you letting His light shine through your life today? Share your reflections and encourage others to trust God’s Word. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #LightInTheDarkness #GodsWord #CalledToShine to join the conversation. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: In the Beginning…By Megan J. Conner Bible Reading:“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 (NIV) It was 2001, and I was working in a faith-based coffeeshop and bookstore (a revolutionary concept back then), when a man struck up what would be a life-altering conversation with me. He had traveled up from Los Angeles to my city and stumbled across our unique shop. He started chatting and shared with me that he had formed his own Christian theater company. As an actor, dancer, choreographer, and director within the performing arts arena myself, this was beyond inspiring. Something in my spirit leaped inside of me, and I had this glimpse, this knowing, that one day I would walk in similar footsteps. I daydreamed while he continued to talk, and I imagined a dark stage illuminated by a single light and this exact scripture from John chapter 1, echoing through the auditorium. To this day, nearly 25 years later, the impact of that scripture has never left me. It has become deeply etched into my heart and has served as an anchor to my soul in both the good times and the bad. In the beginning was the Word. The Bible tells us that God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. The One who was, and is, and always will be (Rev. 1:8). He was there before the foundations of the world, and through his WORD all life was created (Gen. 1). Isn’t that incredible? As someone who studies and practices the craft of writing and spends most of her days considering, sharing, and utilizing words, it is beyond humbling to recognize the weight of language and its power to form and transform. Yet God did not just create the world with words; He gave us His Word to guide and direct us through life, to share His unfathomable love for us, and to direct us towards Him at all times. Truly, nothing has been made, nor will be made, without His expressed direction, acknowledgment, and permission. He then goes on to establish that all of these works were made by and through Him, that in Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. That light pierces through the darkness of the world, of hearts, of lives, and the darkness cannot overcome it. God boldly declares that all life, every aspect of creation, from the smallest atom to the vast constellations, was made through Him. And, in the midst of all life is the light of God, Himself. That means that you and I carry the weight and the glory of the Lord within us. Within the very fiber of our beings, we carry with us the light of the Lord. We are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14). What a weighty and holy calling! The infinite, universe-creating God has embedded into you His Word and His light. He came before us to make a way so that we could follow in His footsteps and continue on as ambassadors for His mission. You are His own. He created and chose you to bear His light to the world. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,” John 1:5 (NIV). For those interested, nearly ten years after that initial dream of a stage production beginning with this treasured scripture, I did in fact write, direct, and produce a full-length work that shared the gospel through the story of Christmas. It opened with this very scripture, a dark stage, and a single light. Don’t give up on the dreams God places in your heart. You never know when He will bring them to fulfillment. Intersecting Faith & Life: What has been your understanding of today’s scripture? How did today’s devotional shine a new light on the eternal power of this famous passage? Are there dreams you felt the Lord placed in your heart that remain unfulfilled? If so, ask the Lord if there are steps He is calling you to take to bring those dreams into fruition. Further Reading:John 1:1-18Matt 5:14-16 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Feeling powerless amid upheaval or uncertainty? Jennifer Slattery reflects on Daniel 1:6-9, showing how God remained with Daniel during exile and worked through him to influence a nation. This devotional reminds believers that even in times of political, social, or personal turmoil, God is sovereign, present, and always working for the good of His children. Highlights Daniel’s faithfulness in exile demonstrates God’s ability to protect, elevate, and use His people, even in foreign or difficult circumstances. God’s favor can work through unlikely individuals—including secular leaders—for His purposes. Biblical truth affirms God’s control over earthly powers (Proverbs 21:1). Darkness—whether personal, societal, or global—cannot overcome God’s light (John 1:5). Anticipating God’s work in our lives fosters hope and resilience, even amid chaos and hardship. Join the Conversation How have you seen God work in unexpected ways during challenging seasons? Share your reflections and encourage others to trust His sovereignty. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #FaithInTheChaos #GodRemains #LightInTheDarkness to join the conversation. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: The God Who Remains with Those Who Feel Exiled By Jennifer Slattery Bible Reading: Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel. - Daniel 1:6-9 Political change, company takeovers and buyouts, national or global unrest often leave us feeling unsettled and anxious, and understandably so. Those who lead our state and country wield significant power—but not even the most powerful earthly institutions and officials can thwart God’s plans for us or His kingdom. He remains on His heavenly throne, regardless of who sits in the Oval Office—or holds the position of CEO in the company for whom we work. He is our Father and King who loves to lavish His children with favor and grace, as He did with Daniel, the exiled Hebrew teenager selected to receive special training to enter the royal service. The chief of staff also gave him a Babylonian name, as the IVP Bible Background Commentary states, to “exercise authority over them and their destiny,” adding that “since names often made statements about deity, Babylonian names would impose at least a subtle level of acknowledgement of the Babylonian gods on the young men.” This is, in part, why today’s passage holds such significance. According to Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs, “the faith of one man, Daniel, influenced and helped preserve the faith of a nation. He took his stand for God and was rewarded for his faith. He became, in effect, the prime minister (Dan. 2:48). And he continued in some sort of leadership role until the first year of Cyrus (Dan. 1:21) and even into his third year.” His courage, position, and influence likely allowed the other exiles to practice their faith in a foreign land with decreased fear. Intersecting Life & Faith: As I said at the beginning of today’s reflection, upheaval and change, nationally, and globally, economically, and in our workplaces, can leave us feeling vulnerable and defenseless, like our well-being rests in someone else’s hands. But God’s protection and elevation of Daniel, and all the Lord did through him during the exile, assures us this is never the case. God remains on His eternal throne, advancing His will, always and forevermore. He never abandons His children. Because of Christ, who surrounds us and resides within us, we are never defenseless. We belong to, are held and carried by, and provided for by the Almighty. He sees us in our fear and pain, understands our most intense emotions, moves toward us in our need, and promises to bring good out of today’s chaos and hardship. Daniel’s story, and the favor and compassion he received from the Babylonian official, verify the truth in Proverbs 21:1, which reads, “In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.” God can, and often does, work through the most unlikely individuals, pagan leaders included, for the good of His people. Through the exile, perhaps the darkest season in ancient Israel’s history, we see His light breaking through, because, as John 1:5 states, His light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not, and cannot, overcome it. His light has the power to break through our darkness as well. The darkness we might feel internally, when depression, sorrow, or grief weighs heavily on our souls. The darkness is attempting to destroy families battling dysfunction, estrangement, betrayal, or addiction. The darkness is creeping into our workplaces, cities, state, and nation through violence, injustice, corruption, and oppression. Lastly, Daniel’s story encourages us to anticipate miracles and, when all hope seems lost, to fix our eyes on the God of hope who is always working on our behalf and loves to replace ashes with beauty. Further Reading: Psalm 90:17 Isaiah 58:11 Psalm 5:12 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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

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

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

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

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

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