Episodios

  • God Is All We Need
    Feb 15 2026
    Around Valentine’s Day, the world celebrates romantic love—but it can’t satisfy our deepest hearts. 1 John 4:19 reminds us that true love begins with God: “We love because He first loved us.” When we make romantic relationships the ultimate priority, we risk putting God on the back burner. The Bible calls us to love God above all else, cultivating a heart that reflects His love first—because only then can we truly love others. Intersecting Faith & Life What is your focus this Valentine’s Day—God’s love or romantic pursuit? How can you cultivate your love for God first, so that all other relationships are strengthened? Take time today to ask God to center your heart on Him, letting His love overflow into your interactions with others. 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 Is All We Need By Alexis A. Goring Bible Reading:“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19 (NIV) Earlier this year, I saw an illustration on Instagram of two women shopping in a store. One woman had overloaded her shopping cart with everything from cosmetics to jewelry. These were in the form of large, white boxes with the labels of worldly possessions on each box. She was looking at a woman walking beside her, carrying just one medium-sized box in her hands and walking with ease. The label on the box only had three letters that said, “God.” The woman with all the boxes in her cart labeled with words that symbolized every material possession we can chase after in this life on Earth, asked the other woman, “Is that all you need?” The woman smiled sweetly and said simply, “Yes.” This illustration reminded me of a real-life story that happened to me many years ago. A ministry leader at a church I attended gave everyone there a free, new Bible and told us to give it away to someone who needs it. I kept the Bible in my car and prayed for the perfect opportunity to share it with someone. One day, God answered my prayer as I sat in the driver’s seat of my car at a stoplight. I noticed a woman dressed in plain clothes who was standing on the median in the road by the stoplight, begging for money. I didn’t have any cash to give her, but I remembered I had a Bible. What better gift? So, I rolled down my window and waved until she saw me and walked over to my car. When I gave the Bible to her, she flipped through the pages with a wide smile, then looked at me and said with great enthusiasm, “If we have Jesus, we have everything! If we don’t have Jesus, we have nothing!” I said, “Amen!” Then drove away because the traffic light had turned green. Years later, I reflected on that memory and the truth of her simple yet profound statement. This caused me to reflect on my personal values and outlook on life. What was I chasing after? Worldly wealth so I could afford all my material needs, stability in the workforce with a job that’s fulfilling and purposeful, relationships, friendships…the list goes on. This reminds me of a quote I saw online that said something like, “If we chase Jesus as much as we chase people, then maybe He would give us people we don’t need to chase.” I found the same to be true when it comes to seeking Jesus Christ instead of worldly desires. The Bible says in Matthew 6:33 (NLT), “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” I’m learning to apply this verse to my daily living. It’s important to not just read the Bible and study it but to apply the advice written within it. When it comes to seeking God and His Kingdom first, I am doing that by starting my day with Him in Bible study and prayer, then continuing the conversation with God as I move through my day. You don’t have to pray to Him out loud. You can whisper a prayer or stay silent as you converse with God privately in your head. You don’t have to literally pray every second, 24/7, 365, but the point is for us to involve God in our day and make time for Him, just like we would for a ...
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    7 m
  • Finding True Love This Valentine's Day
    Feb 14 2026
    Some days, life feels like running on empty—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The to-do list never ends, responsibilities pile up, and hardships can feel overwhelming. But God’s love is not conditional on our strength. In Deuteronomy 1:31, Moses reminds the Israelites that God carried them through the wilderness “as a man carries his son.” This is a love that sustains, strengthens, and carries us through every season of life—from uncertainty to aging, from struggle to triumph. Intersecting Faith & Life Where have you tried to carry burdens God never intended for you to bear alone? How might you surrender those weights to Christ and rest in His sustaining love? Take a moment today to thank God for His constant presence and ask Him to carry the areas where you feel weak or depleted. 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: The Kind of Love That Carries YouBy Sarah Frazer Bible Reading:And you saw in the wilderness how the Lord your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place. - Deuteronomy 1:31 (CSB) My car flashed the empty light. I was almost out of gas. My heart sighed. The to-do list for the day felt never-ending. Life was really hard for our family. During seasons of busyness, I find myself running like a car on an empty tank of gas. Hardships faced everyone. Maybe you are facing sickness, loneliness, grief, fear, or even depression today. How do we continue to hold everything together when we run out of energy? The beautiful truth of the Bible is that we do not keep running and running by ourselves. Spiritually, emotionally, and even physically, we are not asked to endure everything on our own. We are not alone. God’s love comes with a promise. In the Book of Deuteronomy, we read some of Moses’ last words to the people. Before recounting the laws and telling them how to live, Moses reminded them of God’s love for them: “And you saw in the wilderness how the Lord your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place” (Deuteronomy 1:31 CSB). Good fathers carry their sons because of their love for them. Sometimes human fathers fail. Maybe you didn’t have a good father. Friend, if you are a Christian, God is your Father. This imagery is woven throughout the entire Bible. A good father will care for and love his son. I can remember my husband carrying each of our children up the stairs to bed every night when they were young. This type of carrying we see here is one of deep and lasting love. Notice that God carried the people in the wilderness, along a very uncertain road. No matter what they faced, famine, thirst, and enemies, God carried them each and every step. You and I have the comfort that God, as our Father, will carry us through life. God isn’t just there for guidance; He lifts us up and bears the weight of this life with us. When life gets too heavy, God carries us like a Father. Not only does God’s love carry us now, it also does so throughout our entire lives. The prophet Isaiah warns the people against running to their idols for safety. He says: I [God] will be the same until your old age,and I will bear you up when you turn gray.I have made you, and I will carry you;I will bear and rescue you. - Isaiah 46:4 (CSB) Notice the time span. From birth… to old age… to gray hairs. The older I get, the more I realize that my strength from twenty years ago just isn’t the same now that I’m in my forties. It doesn’t matter what our physical bodies are capable of; God’s love is a love that lasts throughout our whole life! God tells the Israelites, “I have made you and carried you.” No matter what happens, God will bear us up and rescue us. God’s love is not seasonal or situational. It does not withdraw as we age. It never weakens or changes. The one who created us commits Himself to carry us all the way through our lives. The idea of God carrying us is not just in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, we see this repeated as well. One of the ...
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    7 m
  • The Kind of Love That Carries You
    Feb 13 2026
    Do you feel like you’re running on empty—physically, emotionally, or spiritually? Life’s challenges can leave us depleted, but God’s love is designed to carry us through every season. In Deuteronomy 1:31, Moses reminds the Israelites that God carried them through the wilderness “as a man carries his son.” This isn’t a fleeting support—it’s a lifelong, sustaining love that holds us steady when we can’t hold ourselves. Intersecting Faith & Life Are there areas of your life where you’ve been trying to carry burdens alone? How might you invite God to carry what has been too heavy for you? Take a moment to rest in the assurance that Christ holds the details of your life, sustaining you with His 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: The Kind of Love That Carries YouBy Sarah Frazer Bible Reading:And you saw in the wilderness how the Lord your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place. - Deuteronomy 1:31 (CSB) My car flashed the empty light. I was almost out of gas. My heart sighed. The to-do list for the day felt never-ending. Life was really hard for our family. During seasons of busyness, I find myself running like a car on an empty tank of gas. Hardships faced everyone. Maybe you are facing sickness, loneliness, grief, fear, or even depression today. How do we continue to hold everything together when we run out of energy? The beautiful truth of the Bible is that we do not keep running and running by ourselves. Spiritually, emotionally, and even physically, we are not asked to endure everything on our own. We are not alone. God’s love comes with a promise. In the Book of Deuteronomy, we read some of Moses’ last words to the people. Before recounting the laws and telling them how to live, Moses reminded them of God’s love for them: “And you saw in the wilderness how the Lord your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place” (Deuteronomy 1:31 CSB). Good fathers carry their sons because of their love for them. Sometimes human fathers fail. Maybe you didn’t have a good father. Friend, if you are a Christian, God is your Father. This imagery is woven throughout the entire Bible. A good father will care for and love his son. I can remember my husband carrying each of our children up the stairs to bed every night when they were young. This type of carrying we see here is one of deep and lasting love. Notice that God carried the people in the wilderness, along a very uncertain road. No matter what they faced, famine, thirst, and enemies, God carried them each and every step. You and I have the comfort that God, as our Father, will carry us through life. God isn’t just there for guidance; He lifts us up and bears the weight of this life with us. When life gets too heavy, God carries us like a Father. Not only does God’s love carry us now, it also does so throughout our entire lives. The prophet Isaiah warns the people against running to their idols for safety. He says: I [God] will be the same until your old age,and I will bear you up when you turn gray.I have made you, and I will carry you;I will bear and rescue you. - Isaiah 46:4 (CSB) Notice the time span. From birth… to old age… to gray hairs. The older I get, the more I realize that my strength from twenty years ago just isn’t the same now that I’m in my forties. It doesn’t matter what our physical bodies are capable of; God’s love is a love that lasts throughout our whole life! God tells the Israelites, “I have made you and carried you.” No matter what happens, God will bear us up and rescue us. God’s love is not seasonal or situational. It does not withdraw as we age. It never weakens or changes. The one who created us commits Himself to carry us all the way through our lives. The idea of God carrying us is not just in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, we see this repeated as well. One of the most powerful examples of this is found in the book of Colossians. Paul says that ...
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    7 m
  • God’s Unwavering Love
    Feb 12 2026
    Have you ever felt too far gone for God to forgive or love you again? The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:20 reminds us that no matter how far we stray, God’s love never wavers. Before the son could even speak a word of repentance, his father ran to meet him, embraced him, and celebrated his return. This story isn’t primarily about the rebellious child—it’s about a loving Father whose compassion and patience are relentless. Intersecting Faith & Life How might you respond differently if you fully trusted that God’s love never wavers? Are there areas of your heart where you’ve kept the door closed to Him? What steps can you take today to run toward God and receive His compassionate embrace? 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 Unwavering Love By Cindi McMenamin Bible Reading: “When he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20 NASB) Do you ever feel that you have disappointed God too much for Him to give you another chance? Do you fear returning to Him because of the places you’ve been or the things you’ve done? Jesus told a moving story in Luke 15 about God’s tender forgiveness toward His loved ones when they go astray. We call it the story of the Prodigal Son. The word prodigal literally means one who spends money in a reckless, extravagant way. In this story, a younger son asked his father for his inheritance early. (In Jewish custom, that would be the equivalent of telling his father he wished he were dead.) He then took his share of what was still legally his father’s, and went to a faraway land and squandered his entire inheritance on foolish, reckless, raunchy living. He was living high on the hog, rich with money and “friends,” until he found himself sleeping with the pigs, penniless and alone. Starving, and upon realizing he was envying the pigs for the slop they got to eat, he decided to return home and ask if he could be his father’s hired hand. Then at least he’d be fed better than pigs and have a place to sleep among his father’s servants. It must have been a long, grueling journey home for this man, who by this time was smelly, scrawny, and had been homeless for quite some time. A long walk home without food, water, proper clothing, or even good shoes only increased his shame and humiliation. Perhaps he had a speech prepared, an admission of his wrongdoing, a pleading for his father to consider taking him in as a servant. Or, maybe he just intended to fall in shame, at his father’s feet, and beg to even be heard. But before he could utter a word, his father surprised, shocked, and overwhelmed him with the unexpected greeting he received. His father’s pride was at stake with the return of a son whom he should consider dead to him. How he reacted would set an example to other Jewish families when their rebellious sons acted with such disrespect and contempt. Yet this father, upon seeing from a distance that the scraggly man making his way up the road was not some homeless derelict or demon-possessed wanderer, but his long-lost son, picked up the ends of his robe and ran to meet him. Before the shamed son could even utter a word to express the humiliation in his heart, his father embraced him, held onto him like there was no tomorrow, and then ordered his servants to give his son a robe (representing his position as “sonship”) and a ring (indicating his authority once again as an estate holder). The father then ordered that plans be made to celebrate the homecoming of his wayward son. They literally threw a party. This son, who was once thought dead, was now alive. He had returned home. There was no punishment. No lecture, no shaming, no rebuke, and no harsh words. Just grace. Forgiveness. Abundant love. I used to think this story was about the warning to not rebel, the consequences of disobedience, and the importance of repentance. But the story isn’t so much about the rebellious child, but about the patient, persevering, forgiving love of a father—the one...
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    7 m
  • 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
    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
    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
    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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