Episodios

  • God's Love in the Ordinary Places

    God's Love in the Ordinary Places
    Feb 11 2026
    It’s easy to notice God’s love on monumental days, but what about the quiet, repetitive moments of life? From dishes to diaper changes, the daily grind can feel invisible—but God’s love never is. Psalm 136:1 reminds us that His love endures forever, not just on the big days, but in the ordinary ones too. Intersecting Faith & Life How can you notice God’s love in the ordinary moments of your day? What daily routines might become opportunities to experience His presence more deeply? How can small reminders—nature, relationships, or Scripture—help you thank God for His enduring love? Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: God’s Love in the Ordinary PlacesBy Sarah Frazer Bible Reading:“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” - Psalm 136:1 No one saw me most days. After my first child was born, I quit my teaching job and decided to stay home. Within four-and-a-half years, I had three little ones. Raising children at home is still a lot of work, but many days I wondered if anyone noticed all of the little, ordinary things I did. Things like the dishes, planning meals, cleaning up toys, and the endless piles of laundry. As a young college girl, I had dreamed of doing great things for God, but I also wanted motherhood. Could motherhood be grand and glorious? During that season, I leaned into the idea that the ordinary, everyday moments could be glorious. Within the regular rhythms of my life, I began to seek God in His word. I took online classes on how to study the Bible, even earning a degree. As I raised my children, loving them in the daily routine of life, I began to also see that God’s love for me was the same. In order for God to love me more, I thought maybe I had to do more. Instead, God’s love meets us right where we are - in the quiet, ordinary, everyday life. In a way, God has shown His love in the most extraordinary way—through the cross. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven have sealed our eternity and given us new lives and purposes here on earth. It is truly a magnificent source of comfort when we think about this powerful example of God’s love. But when life feels quiet, repetitive, or unremarkable, we may wonder, “Where is God’s love now?” In Psalm 23:6, David says that God’s loving mercy will follow him “all the days of my life.” Not just the grand days, but the daily grind as well. Not just the milestones, but the quiet mornings filled with routine. During our responsibilities and routines, God’s love quietly and completely follows us. The word “follow” suggests activity, not passivity. God’s love is present, and it pursues us! Psalm 55 reminds us that no one seeks God, but God seeks us! His love also follows close by us. It is not a distant love or occasional love. It walks with us, holds our hand, and never leaves. The idea of God’s love walking with us is found in other Bible verses as well. In Micah 6:8, we read, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” God is calling everyone to walk with Him, in His love! The Bible often describes faith not as a leap, but as a walk. As we walk with God and in His love, we are constantly moving, changing, and going. God’s love consistency shows us for us - no matter the season or life circumstance. You can’t walk through anything in this life without God’s love. Step by step, day by day, God’s love can be experienced over and over again. Psalm 136:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” God’s love is enduring. Forever! As a new mom, I would always have to refill my children’s juice cups. Over time, I realized that my spiritual cup was constantly running dry as well. It was during those moments when I felt weak, tired, and empty that I needed God’s love to fill me up! His love has no end. Unlike human love, which can grow tired or fade under pressure, God’s love is full and everlasting. God...
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    8 m
  • One Tip to Break a Critical Spirit

    One Tip to Break a Critical Spirit
    Feb 10 2026
    Judging others can feel instinctive—especially when we think we see someone’s motives clearly. Yet Scripture reminds us that our focus on others often reveals what’s in our own hearts. Matthew 7:3 challenges us to examine ourselves before pointing out the faults of others. This devotional explores how a critical spirit can be transformed into a heart of blessing, freeing us to walk in purity and God’s favor. Intersecting Faith & Life Reflect on these questions: When do you find yourself judging or critiquing others? How might God want you to adjust your heart and your perspective? What would it look like to bless someone who frustrates or challenges you? How can letting go of control over others’ actions deepen your relationship with God? Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: One Tip to Break a Critical SpiritBy Kelly Balarie Bible Reading:"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" – Matthew 7:3 NIV Who does she think she is? She is only on social media because she wants people to see her, not because she really cares about anyone or Jesus... She's really in it for herself, and she wants everyone online to know—where she's traveling, what she is doing, how she is looking. My mind started to go down this critical thinking track again. That is—until I stopped—and then I hung my head down in shame. The hard truth is—I have judged so many. I have sized up people's intent online. I have sized up and surmised people's wrong motives. I made judgments about people's hearts that only God can know. I have hardened my heart towards people who are even doing the will of God... by deciding they are doing it for attention, for public perception, or for their own recognition. I hung my head down, saying, "God, what do I know?" Only God knows. And what I am judging is what I am walking in. Meaning, I think it is about them, but what I am seeing is actually about me. It is worth taking a second to consider. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matt. 7:3) If I spot it, I likely got it. When push comes to shove, or when truth comes to light—I am doing what I am judging. I am seeking attention. I sometimes do things so others can see me. I have wrong motives. No wonder God has shut doors on me; in His grace and love, He wants me to see rightly, so I can then move powerfully with a pure heart. In His saying no, He has created a special room for me to examine my heart. I also see that as I rectify my heart, there is great hope for big, yes opportunities from God. The truth is, other people's motives are not my issue. My motive is. What they do is none of my business. Now I can see that I have been wrong. Dead wrong. But now I turn back to Christ. As I repent of this critical spirit and my wrong motives, they are removed as far as the East is from the West (Ps. 103:12). Here, I can do a new thing to defeat this critical spirit: I can bless rather than distress others... What does this look like? It looks like: Noticing when I am criticizing.Stopping that mental track.Ditching making them my business.Praying a blessing over them instead. Essentially, I can stop, bless, and then progress onward. Their motives are not my business. Me, keeping a pure heart? That's the business I am to be about. Intersecting Faith & Life: When do you find yourself judging or critiquing people? How might God want you to adjust course? What would it look like for you to bless those who curse you? What would it look like for you to let go of things or people you cannot control? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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    5 m
  • Held Within His Boundaries

    Held Within His Boundaries
    Feb 9 2026
    Feeling trapped by life’s circumstances is a struggle many of us know all too well—whether in jobs, relationships, health, or transitions between seasons. Yet Scripture shows us that God’s boundaries are not limitations, but instruments of His perfect plan. Drawing from Psalm 16:6 and the story of Joseph in Genesis 50, this devotional reminds us that what may feel like confinement can actually be a pathway to blessing, favor, and growth. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Held Within His BoundariesBy Megan J. Conner Bible Reading:“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” - Psalm 16:6 (NIV) Do you feel confined by your circumstances? Perhaps you are stuck in a job you dislike, or you can’t wait to move out of your home, town, or region. Maybe you are longing for a change within a relationship or the transition from one season of life to another. Or perhaps you are struggling with physical limitations or health challenges. Whatever your unique circumstances may be, none of us likes to feel limited. We believe “the world is our oyster” and we should have full access to all it has to offer. However, the Bible suggests a much different narrative. Throughout the Word, we see example after example of God’s people confined within boundaries. The Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years, then, generations later, were exiled to Babylon. David was forced into hiding to avoid the pursuit of Saul. Tamar and Leah were “trapped” in what appeared to be loveless marriages. Paul and many of the disciples were imprisoned for their faith. New Testament or Old, there have been multitudes of followers who have struggled to see how God was working for good within the boundaries He set for them. The story of Joseph is one illustration that I have personally looked to when wrestling with my own constrictive circumstances. Joseph was the second youngest son of the patriarch Jacob. He was incredibly talented and favored by his father. During his youth, Joseph had two dreams that foretold he would be in a position of authority over his family in the future. It appeared to be a glorious prospect. However, the reality looked nothing like he imagined. Shortly after Joseph shared his prophetic vision, his brothers sold him into slavery. Once carried off from his home country, Joseph spent over a decade enslaved and imprisoned. He endured persecution, mistreatment, and was reduced to the humblest of circumstances. There was no escape outside of God’s timely release and restoration. I would imagine there were moments when Joseph really grappled with his undesirable confinement and questioned how God was at work in any of it. Yet, on the other side of the story, we can see God was indeed working behind the scenes. Joseph was eventually released from prison and became a significant leader in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. His elite role positioned him to save his family from starvation during a devastating famine. Had Joseph not been forced into those unwanted circumstances, he would not have been able to rescue his family and the generational line of the Israelite people. Even further, the man Joseph became as a result of his confinement was a miracle in itself. His once haughty heart was transformed into a spirit of endless mercy and grace. When Joseph is later reconciled to his brothers, he offers compassion rather than spite. “His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘We are your slaves,’ they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” - Gen. 50:18-20 (NIV). What looked like imprisonment was actually favor and redemption. There are times when God draws boundaries around each of our lives. But the truth is, those boundaries are for our good. Even if it feels uncomfortable or frustrating, know that the Lord is ordaining your steps. You are in His hands. There are riches and ...
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    6 m
  • Keeping Your Mind on Guard

    Keeping Your Mind on Guard
    Feb 8 2026
    Staying spiritually alert matters more than ever in a world where temptation rarely looks dangerous at first glance. This Crosswalk Devotional, Keeping Your Mind on Guard by Aaron D’Anthony Brown, centers on 1 Peter 5:8 and offers a sobering reminder that spiritual battles are often subtle, internal, and persistent. Scripture calls believers to stay clear-minded and watchful because the enemy works quietly, appealing to our weaknesses rather than announcing his presence. Highlights The Bible emphasizes spiritual alertness over fear-based imagery Sin often entices quietly, masking long-term consequences Staying in God’s Word sharpens discernment and clarity Community helps redirect us when we drift off course Healthy relationships influence spiritual resilience Mindfulness and self-examination reveal hidden struggles God’s grace meets us when we turn back in awareness and humility Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Keeping Your Mind on Guard By Aaron D’Anthony Brown Bible Reading:“Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, CSB) People often imagine the Devil as a goat-like beast that strikes fear into the hearts of men. However, such renditions of Satan are the result of human creativity, how we think of him. On the contrary, Scripture doesn’t actually give us any physical description. We only know certain characteristics, such as his evil nature, pride, and deceitfulness. If Satan looked anything like how he is often depicted in popular literature and movies, wouldn’t people run in the opposite direction? Christian or not, that’s just plain scary. Yet, I think we can agree that the Devil is active in our world today. Very active. That means if he is to be successful, he has to be subtle. Such is the nature of sin. Sin is enticing because the consequences don’t speak as loudly as the supposed benefits. Thus, the Devil lures us in, and we fall for the trap. Now, perhaps we blame him for things that we ourselves commit willingly, due to our own flawed nature. However, I don’t think the Devil is off somewhere chilling and relaxing. He’s acting against us as we ourselves do the same. Therefore, as Christians, we need to remember an important lesson as we go about our lives - keeping our minds on guard. Whether we’re in a good season of life or a difficult one, there’s always the potential of being pulled away from God. We don’t always recognize the sin in our lives, but it’s there. So, how exactly do we guard our minds against the wiles of the Devil and the tempting nature of sin? Intersecting Faith & Life: Here are a few steps you can take today to guard against the sin that creeps so easily into our lives. Be in the Word. Someone recently told me that he’s confident in his prayers because he always gets what he prays for. What I also know is this man is not reading the Bible at all. As a result, he’s left with who he imagines God to be instead of who God is. That could be true of any of us who call ourselves Christians, but don’t follow God’s tenets. How can we know what He expects of us if we don’t know Him? Moreover, how can we know how to stand against sin if we don’t first turn to God? Yes, we can learn from the people around us, but they are sinners just like us. Their knowledge and wisdom are finite. Not God’s. And we know what is holy not because of them, but because He is holy. Be in community. There’s much to gain when we keep good company. Fellow believers have the ability to help us get back on track when we veer off course. They remind us of our worth to God and how to walk in wisdom. However, they can’t offer any of these gains if we don’t keep them around. That’s why the Bible encourages us to be mindful of who we keep around us. Everyone in our lives, especially those we engage with regularly, influences us. Let’s make sure they are influencing us for good, and that we, in turn, are doing the same. The better our company, the less we will fall ...
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    6 m
  • Held by a Love Stronger Than Fear

    Held by a Love Stronger Than Fear
    Feb 7 2026
    Fear doesn’t disappear because life gets easier—it loosens its grip when we learn to rest in a love that cannot be taken away. This Crosswalk Devotional, Held by a Love Stronger Than Fear by Sarah Frazer, centers on 1 John 4:17–18 and reveals how God’s perfect, unconditional love drives out fear at its root. For anyone shaped by fragile or conditional relationships, this devotion offers reassurance that God’s love is steady, secure, and permanent. Highlights God’s love is not fragile, conditional, or temporary Perfect love drives out fear rooted in punishment and loss God’s love can be known and fully relied upon Fear grows when we doubt the security of God’s love Confidence replaces anxiety when we rest in who God is God’s love is part of His unchanging nature We are held by a love stronger than rejection, doubt, and fear Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Held by a Love Stronger Than FearBy Sarah Frazer Bible Reading:And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. - 1 John 4:17-18 Many of us carry a fear we rarely name: the fear that love can leave. The only love we see is often a love that is distant and disappointing. For me, sometimes love feels fragile. That’s because the love we often experience is a conditional love. It is a love that depends on how we act, perform, or even our moods. How many relationships have been broken and lost because love was withdrawn, withheld, or just abandoned? Human relationships are indeed fragile, weak, and easily broken. Even if we experience a love that lasts, we still distrust the true kind of love we see in the Bible. Friend, God’s love is not fragile. The apostle John gives us a picture of God’s love here. He says, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world, we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:16-18 The book of 1 John was a letter written to Christians in the first century. The new church was experiencing intense persecution and suffering. When we face hardships, we question God’s love for us. John spends so much time in this letter explaining God’s love to them, so they would rest in a love that was strong, eternal, and not rooted in fear. John uses the word know here. We do not guess or hope in God’s love. We can know it! We also rely on it. This word means to rest our entire weight on it. We can sit down, rest, and be confident in this type of love. Human love can waver, disappear, or get lost. Fear grips our hearts when we think about the loves that have left. Whether by death or choice, human love will always be vulnerable. Only God loves us fully, completely, and without condition. God’s love is something we are invited here, in John’s letter, to depend upon! John also says that “God is love.” That means that God is more than just loving, but His very nature is one of love. What makes God who He is has to include love. There is a permanence here. His love cannot leave because it is woven into the fabric of who He is. God would not be God unless He loved us. That means that this love is never revoked; nor is it ever threatened by our weakness, doubt, or fear. Fear grows when we lose sight of God’s love for us. If we continually see our inadequacies as a measure of God’s love for us, we will always fear. We will always be afraid that we will lose God’s love. But when we begin to see how secure God’s love for us is - that’s when fear begins to shrink! Fear is tied to ...
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    7 m
  • God’s Strength Will Empower You

    God’s Strength Will Empower You
    Feb 6 2026
    God’s strength is not reserved for elite athletes or extraordinary moments—it’s available for everyday life. This Crosswalk Devotional, God’s Strength Will Empower You by Whitney Hopler, draws from 1 Chronicles 16:11–12 to remind believers that lasting strength comes from continually seeking God’s presence, not relying on limited human ability. Whether facing pressure at work, health challenges, family tension, or personal uncertainty, God’s power meets us right where we are. Highlights God’s strength empowers believers beyond human limits Seeking God’s presence should be continual, not crisis-driven Spiritual endurance grows through daily dependence on God Remembering God’s past faithfulness fuels present faith Temporary success never replaces eternal relationship with God Our worth is rooted in being God’s beloved children, not performance God walks with us through both victories and failures Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: God’s Strength Will Empower YouBy: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading:“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered.” - 1 Chronicles 16:11-12, ESV The 2026 Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina 2026) shine a spotlight on some of the strongest athletes in the world. No matter what sport they compete in, Olympic athletes are constantly seeking strength. Many of them pray for God’s help to be the best they can be, both physically and mentally. That includes help from God for the discipline and endurance they need to practice and compete well. But you don’t have to be a downhill skier or a figure skater to understand why it’s important to be strong. Whether you’re launching a new project at work, dealing with a challenging health situation, trying to resolve a family conflict, or facing any other stressful situation in this fallen world, you know how much God’s strength can empower you. God’s help is vital to succeeding with whatever you’re trying to do, whether or not you’ll get a gold medal when you win. In 1 Chronicles 16:11-12, the Bible encourages you to look beyond your own limited power to seek God’s strength, which can empower you without limits. These verses call you to seek God’s presence continually. Instead of just saying a one-time prayer during a crisis, you should notice God’s presence with you throughout your day and check in with God regularly through prayer. When you make a habit of seeking God’s strength, you’ll find the power you need to help you with any kind of situation – even the most challenging situations that seem like they would be impossible to overcome. These Bible verses also encourage you to remember the wondrous works God has done, like his miracles and judgments. Olympic commentators love to talk about an athlete’s “track record.” They look back at each athlete’s past competition results and other information from the past (like injuries and recoveries) to predict future success. You can do the same with your faith. When you feel overwhelmed by a challenge you’re facing right now, look back on how God has helped you in the past. Think of the times when you’ve already experienced the wonder of God’s work in your life – like when God provided exactly what you needed, or when God empowered you to do something you couldn’t do on your own. The more you remember God’s past faithfulness, the more that will fuel your faith to look for the wonder of God’s work in your life every day and let that evidence inspire you to trust God now. In this year’s winter Olympics, thousands of athletes will chase gold, silver, and bronze medals. But those prizes are temporary. God’s presence with you is something you can enjoy both now and forever. As you work toward your own goals and pursue your own adventures this year, don’t get so caught up in trying to achieve temporary results that you miss your wonderful Creator and Heavenly Father walking right beside you. Whether you reach the podium...
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    6 m
  • Finding Comfort in the Holy Spirit

    Finding Comfort in the Holy Spirit
    Feb 5 2026
    When words fail and grief feels overwhelming, God does not leave us alone. This Crosswalk Devotional is rooted in Romans 8:26–27, reminding us that the Holy Spirit actively meets us in our weakness—interceding, comforting, and strengthening us when we don’t know how to pray. For believers walking through loss, anger, exhaustion, or spiritual dryness, this passage offers deep reassurance: God’s Spirit is already at work within us. Rather than being distant or passive, the Holy Spirit is fully God—our Helper, Comforter, and constant companion. From the moment we place our faith in Christ, He dwells within us, guiding our hearts back toward peace, hope, and renewed strength. Even in seasons of confusion or emotional pain, the Spirit faithfully prays on our behalf according to God’s perfect will. Highlights The Holy Spirit meets believers in moments of weakness God understands our prayers even when we cannot find the words The Holy Spirit intercedes according to God’s will Grief, anger, and doubt do not disqualify us from faith The Spirit brings comfort, peace, and renewed strength God is always present—especially in seasons of loss Believers are never alone in their pain Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Finding Comfort in the Holy SpiritBy Vivian Bricker Bible Reading:“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). When I first became a Christian, I had trouble finding peace due to the grief I was experiencing. Living in the aftermath of the death of a loved one changed me, and I began to struggle with anger. Instead of conducting myself with kindness, love, and grace, I often lashed out or said something I would later regret. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take comfort in knowing you are not alone. This does not mean we are not believers. Rather, it simply means we will face more challenges in growing in our faith. At these times, we need to find comfort in the Holy Spirit. Sadly, many people, including believers, are unfamiliar with the Holy Spirit. They may even view the Holy Spirit as an inferior person within the Trinity. However, it’s essential to understand that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, which means He is God. The Holy Spirit is an especially important Person in our Christian walk as He is our Helper, Protector, and Comforter (John 14:26). Instead of distancing ourselves from Him, we need to draw closer to Him. This is especially true when we are feeling alone or disconnected from God. The Holy Spirit is our friend, and He is already living inside of us from the moment we place faith in the Lord (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19). For all eternity, the Holy Spirit will be with us. He can give us comfort when our days feel overwhelming and bleak. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Apostle Paul tells us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). Allow these words to bring your heart comfort today. Through this passage, we see that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. Whether we are struggling with our Christian walk, anger, or grief, we can rely on the Holy Spirit. Moreover, when we are too tired to pray or don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. We might not know what to pray for, but the Holy Spirit does. During times of intense emotional turmoil or overwhelming pain, it can be hard to pray. The Holy Spirit will intercede for us at these times and bring comfort to our hearts. Instead of doubting Him, we can find great comfort and peace in His ...
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    5 m
  • Loved First, Not Last

    Loved First, Not Last
    Feb 4 2026
    You are loved before you perform, before you obey, and before you understand. This Crosswalk Devotional centers on 1 John 4:19, unpacking the freeing truth that God’s love is not earned—it is initiated by Him. In a world shaped by rejection, comparison, and performance-based approval, Scripture reminds us that God’s love picks first, not last, and it becomes the foundation for genuine transformation. Rather than striving to earn affection through obedience or spiritual productivity, this devotional invites listeners to rest in the reality that God loved us while we were still sinners. His love is not the reward at the end of the Christian life—it is the starting point. From that secure place, growth, repentance, and obedience naturally flow. Highlights God’s love is the source of our love, not the result of it We are loved before belief, obedience, or understanding The gospel reverses performance-based love Growth flows from being loved, not striving for love Nothing can separate believers from God’s love in Christ God’s love moves first—even at our worst Obedience becomes a response, not a requirement for acceptance Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Loved First, Not Last By: Sarah Frazer Bible Reading:“We love because he first loved us.” - 1 John 4:19 (ESV) When you were younger, did you ever get picked last for a game? Or did you have your friends leave you out of a fun activity? A sleepover? A party? Even as adults, we get left out, too. Rejection feels horrible. It really does. Even people who might have stepped out of your life can hurt you, and that sometimes feels like a rejection. Over the years, if we let rejection be the narrative by which we formulate our lives, we might not believe the truth we read in 1 John 4:19. “We love because he first loved us.” This kind of love picks first, not last. This love isn’t something we earn. There isn’t something inside our hearts that can earn it either. We are so used to being loved because of what we do. Even in our faith circles, we see language such as “grow, repentance, and sanctification.” All of these are good things, necessary things. But those things have nothing to do with us being loved. What is this kind of love? It is not like a love we have ever experienced before; it is much deeper. In this verse, chapter, and book of the Bible, we get a glimpse of this amazing love. God’s love is not the result of our love for Him; it is the source of it. Notice that the Apostle John uses the word “first.” This means a couple of things. It means we are loved before we believe, before we obey, before we understand, before we cry out to God. God loves first. Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (ESV) There was no fixing ourselves or proving ourselves before God would love us. God loved us first, while we were still sinners. It also means God moved first. He did not wait for you and me to be spiritually or morally ready for his love. It existed before we had a chance to even change. God’s love came towards us when we were at our worst, not our best. Performance-based love focuses on doing better, and then you will be loved. A gospel-centered love says you are loved; therefore, you can change. Growth, repentance, and sanctification come after we experience God’s love! As a perfectionist, people-pleaser, I still find this amazing truth a source of great freedom. Although I had heard it all growing up at church, it never really sank in until later in my life. In my mid-thirties, I came to realize that my productivity, my goodness, and faithfulness never earned me one ounce of God’s love. In addition to that, my failings, faults, and sins could never lose me an ounce of His love either. While I grew up trying to earn the love of those around me, God loved me first. This means I’ll never have to earn more love, nor do I need to fear losing God’s love. Listen to what Paul says in Romans 8 about Christ’s love for us: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? ...
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