Épisodes

  • Overcoming the Monday Morning Blues

    Overcoming the Monday Morning Blues
    Feb 3 2025

    In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we discuss "Overcoming the Monday Morning Blues." Many of us struggle with a sense of dread as the weekend comes to an end and the workweek begins. We’ll delve into the root causes of these feelings and explore practical strategies for finding joy and purpose at the start of each week. By sharing personal experiences and biblical wisdom, we’ll highlight the importance of setting intentions, embracing gratitude, and seeking God’s guidance in our daily tasks. Together, we’ll discover how to transform Monday mornings into opportunities for renewal and growth.

    Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you combat the Monday morning blues in your life? Share your tips and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What practices have helped you find motivation and joy as you begin your week?

    🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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    6 min
  • When God Doesn't Answer Prayers As We Expected

    When God Doesn't Answer Prayers As We Expected
    Feb 2 2025

    In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we tackle the challenging topic of "When God Doesn't Answer Prayers As We Expected." Many of us have faced moments when our heartfelt prayers seem to go unanswered or take unexpected turns. We’ll explore the reasons behind these divine delays and the lessons they can teach us about trust and perseverance. Through personal stories and biblical insights, we’ll discuss how these experiences can deepen our faith and reshape our understanding of God’s timing. Together, we’ll uncover practical strategies for finding peace and hope in the waiting, reminding ourselves that God’s plans are often far greater than our own.

    Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! Have you navigated times when God’s answers didn’t align with your expectations? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How have these experiences transformed your prayer life and your relationship with God?

    🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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    6 min
  • Watch the Lord Work

    Watch the Lord Work
    Feb 1 2025

    In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, it's easy to lose sight of God's active presence in our lives. We’ll reflect on the ways God orchestrates events, answers prayers, and performs miracles—often in ways we least expect. Through personal testimonies and scriptural examples, we'll encourage you to remain hopeful and attentive to the signs of His handiwork, even amid trials. Together, we’ll explore how faith can help us recognize and celebrate God’s movements in our everyday lives, reminding us that He is always at work behind the scenes.

    Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! Have you experienced moments where you witnessed God's work in your life? Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How has your faith helped you see His presence during challenging times?

    🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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    5 min
  • Subtle Sin Steals Our Strength and Sets Us Back

    Subtle Sin Steals Our Strength and Sets Us Back
    Jan 31 2025
    In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we examine the quiet yet powerful impact of subtle sin on our spiritual lives. Often, it's the small compromises we make that can lead us away from God's intended path. We’ll discuss how these hidden struggles can drain our strength and disrupt our relationship with Him. By sharing personal stories and biblical wisdom, we’ll highlight the importance of self-reflection and vigilance in our faith. Together, we’ll explore practical ways to recognize and confront these subtle temptations, helping us to regain our spiritual momentum. Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! Have you faced subtle sins that have impacted your journey? Share your insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What steps have you taken to strengthen your faith in the face of distractions? 🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Full Transcript Below: Subtle Sin Steals Our Strength and Sets us Back By Keri Eichberger Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1) There’s a bible verse I keep getting tripped up on. Though, I’ve continued to feel flames of encouragement when I read a certain portion of these well-known words in Hebrews Chapter 12. It’s the ones about running the race marked out for us with perseverance. It seems many like to isolate that snippet, which is really a section of a longer scripture. And I’ve at times wondered why that is. I love this part of the verse for the desire it stirs up in me to embrace perseverance. But when I look to the preceding words to clue in on how we might tap into such resilience, it puzzles me. Because it talks about sin. Saying we should throw it off and that it hinders us. Well, what does sin really have to do with perseverance? I’d definitely like to know if it’s what sets us back and squashes our ability to persevere. Because I’ve felt the weighing and wearing down of the world lately, and I sure need perseverance to keep moving on the road God has marked out for me. Do you need swells of strength and stamina to plow through too? Sure you do. Life wears us all down sometimes. I opened my bible, sat, and stared at the entirety of the verse yesterday. Specifically the words “sin” and “easily entangles.” And simultaneously considering the words that followed about running with perseverance, I pictured myself on a road getting tangled and tripped up. Acknowledging there would have to be something specific in my path in order to hold me back or down. I was seeing this verse telling me that sin does that. The NLT version says “let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” The bible is clearly saying sin sets us back. Which means if we can rid ourselves of sin, we might experience an opposite effect, a releasing of resistance allowing us to move forward. With more strength. We know that sin separates us from God. And that God is our strength. Therefore, because he is our source of strength, the more we stay in sin, the more we’re separated from our ability to persevere. And as I kept leaning in, I began to wonder if that had anything to do with my weariness. I want to persevere, and have been praying for this reinforcement. But am I being held back because of my own sin? I never thought of myself as a blatant sinner, but I also think this is the way the enemy is sneaky with us. Because actually, we are all guilty—myself included. But it’s the subtle sins woven through our everydays that we easily become blind to. I kept digging deeper into what God wanted to reveal. I wanted to expose every sin Satan was trying to hide from me, to throw off every hindrance, and run my race. So I did a quick search on biblical sin. And there it was. There they were. Many of my struggles staring me square in the face. Pride, comparison, and greed name a few that convicted my heart. Just as ugly and guilty as the seemingly worst of them. Little weights and trip ups holding me down and setting me back. What subtle sins can you confess that might be causing weight and weariness in the marathon of your life? Consider the not so obvious. Comparison that strives to the point of crash and burnout. Envy that constantly covets what others have. Greed that hungers for more and knocks you down with discontentment. Pride that drives you harder to be the best and slaves you to success and people-pleasing. Or anger, laziness, lack of forgiveness. You name it, every subtle sin weighs us down and steals our strength. It became clear. All sin drives us away from God and away from his strength that allows us to sail more smoothly through. This verse tells us that. And it tells us to get rid of it. Then what I also ...
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    7 min
  • In Praise of Friends

    In Praise of Friends
    Jan 30 2025
    In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we celebrate the invaluable gift of friendship and the profound impact it has on our spiritual journey. Friends are not only companions but also sources of encouragement, accountability, and joy. We’ll discuss the biblical foundations of friendship, exploring how God intended for us to support one another through life’s challenges. Through heartfelt stories and scripture, we’ll highlight the qualities of true friendship and how cultivating these relationships can enrich our lives and strengthen our faith. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! What role do friends play in your faith journey? Share your stories and appreciation for your friends with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How have your friendships impacted your relationship with God? 🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Full Transcript Below: In Praise of Friends By Aaron D’Anthony Brown“One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, CSB) The Making of a Friend There’s nothing quite like the feeling of reconciliation, especially when that reconciliation involves two friends. There’s a certain euphoria that happens when misunderstandings get resolved, and you’re suddenly on the same page again. These moments bring us closer. Not only that, but they put life into perspective. The friend that we thought meant something means so much more. And that prior conflict so much less. There’s no sure way to find a friend, even in church or through tireless prayers and countless attempts. Yet, even without a precise formula, we know a friend when we find one. We know that friends are made through hard times and tough conversations. We know that they are present when we need them the most and even when we don’t need them at all. Not every time, but definitely when it counts. These great people enrich our lives in more ways than one. We ought to thank God for the opportunity to receive them. Moreover, if Scripture is any indication, we ought to show them praise for being who they are. Intersecting Faith & Life: If we reflect long enough, why we ought to appreciate our friends is clear, but what’s not always so obvious is how we can show them our appreciation. Here are some practical ways you can shower your friends with praise today: One important thing to do is spend time together. When life gets busy, sometimes relationships unintentionally fall by the wayside. Texts we once exchanged with friends become less frequent. As do our phone calls. When there’s less communication, chances are, you’re not hanging out as much. This doesn’t mean the relationship is over, and you’re no longer friends, but there’s value in continuing to invest in one another, no matter the stage of life. Why? Quality time is a sign of gratitude, importance, and a way of serving others. Friends benefit from receiving that the same as we do. Today, give your friend a call and spend five minutes, or longer, talking on the phone. If you’re feeling really ambitious, bust out the planner and find a day to get together. Go for a walk in the park, dine in at a restaurant, or just schedule a visit. Another way to show praise is to tell your friend what he or she means to you. For some, actions are more than enough to say I see you, and I love you. For others, words of affirmation go a long way. They like to hear about your love, not just see it. If you want to tell someone what they mean to you, consider calling them up to tell them over the phone or in person. If you have a creative bone in you, you could write something out in a letter or song. Don’t forget to also thank God for your friends. He blesses us with these relationships, comforts us when we’re in need of them, and guides us when we want to restore them. Whether you have one, two, or more, in a culture where everyone foolishly calls everyone friend, it is a blessing from on high to just have one. Pray for your friends too. They do so much for us. Advice, encouragement, accountability, keeping us company, the list goes on and on. We should thank God for them, but we should also pray that He would bless them. We can give them good gifts, but what God can give them is so much better. Pray for them and their families, their health, their goals, and even their friends. Do right by them. Or, in other words, be for them what they have been for us. Just as we hope that our friends will keep us on the straight and narrow, we ought to do the same for them. Doing so ensures that we will have a relationship that stands the test of every trial and even time itself. Further Reading (and Listening): Proverbs 17:171 Corinthians 15:33Proverbs 13:20Proverbs 27:6Psalm 27:17“Friends” by Marvin Winans & The Perfected Praise Choir Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about ...
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    6 min
  • Pursuing God's Presence

    Pursuing God's Presence
    Jan 29 2025
    In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the beautiful and transformative journey of pursuing God's presence in our daily lives. Our relationship with God is not just about rituals or routines; it’s about cultivating a deep, personal connection with Him. We’ll discuss the significance of seeking His presence through prayer, worship, and reflection, and how these practices can enrich our spiritual walk. Through inspiring stories and biblical examples, we’ll discover the joy and peace that comes from being fully present with God, and how His presence can guide us through life’s ups and downs. Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you pursue God’s presence in your life? Share your experiences and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What moments have you felt closest to God, and how has that impacted your faith journey? 🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Full Transcript Below: 12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” 14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. Exodus 33:12-15 While at an event intended to encourage and inspire women in ministry, I sensed God asking me to step down from mine. This was both difficult and welcomed. I grieved as I reflected upon all the ways the Lord had grown the organization from four local speakers to a team of 30 with global impact. But I knew it was time to walk away. I’d been rushing from one event and project to the next for so long, I’d lost my joy and my vision. Worse, obligation had clouded God’s voice. I needed space to simply rest in Him, and so I relinquished my position and my team to someone else and spent the next year rediscovering the beauty and goodness of God. While the Lord never asked Moses, the man called to lead His newly freed people, to abdicate his role, today’s passage indicates he would’ve done so without hesitation. If you’re familiar with Scripture, you might remember the circumstances surrounding his and God’s conversation. Shortly prior, God summoned Moses to Mt. Sinaia to give him and the ancient Hebrews instructions regarding how to love Him and one another well. Moses remained on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. In his absence, the people regressed to their old ways, talked Moses’s brother into making them a calf idol, and worshiped it in shamefully sinful ways. God was not pleased! He told Moses that He would do everything He’d said. He would bring the Israelites to the agriculturally rich land He’d long promised them and their forefathers, and He would drive out all of its occupants. Only, He would do this through an angel. He Himself wouldn’t accompany them. In other words, Moses could receive all of the blessings—achievement, respect, and prestige—without God. Moses determined such success came at too high a cost. He prioritized God’s presence above everything else, and was willing to relinquish all else to retain it. I used to think this was because he recognized he couldn’t complete his assignment without the Lord. But remember, God had already assured him of the outcome. It seems, then, that Moses valued his relationship with the Lord more than anything God could or would do for him or through him. Moses had experienced the truth later recorded in Psalm 16:11, which reads, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (NIV, emphasis mine). Intersecting Life and Faith Many, if not most of us, recognize our desperate need for God. We’ve experienced the sweetness of praising Him in a sanctuary filled with His Spirit and His people. We know the peace of privately, silently, kneeling before Him. We’ve benefited from His supernatural strength replacing our weakness, and we’ve relished the comfort of His tender embrace. Those are moments we wish would never end, while we’re in them. But then, we get busy and distracted by our calendars and agendas. And suddenly, we forget. At least, I do. I lose sight of how beautiful life is, when lived in close connection with my Savior, until my soul becomes depleted. Then, I remember how much I not only need Him, but crave Him. Thankfully, He remains with us, even when we forget Him, gently, but steadily, drawing us back. But I’d rather turn to Him before I land in that spiritual desert. One of the best ways to avoid that harsh and ...
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    6 min
  • Forbid Money to Be Your Master

    Forbid Money to Be Your Master
    Jan 28 2025

    In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we tackle the important topic of financial stewardship and the dangers of allowing money to dictate our lives. While financial resources are essential for daily living, Scripture warns us against letting wealth become our master. We’ll discuss how to cultivate a healthy perspective on money, emphasizing generosity, contentment, and trust in God’s provision. Through biblical insights and real-life stories, we’ll explore practical steps to ensure that our relationship with money honors God and enriches our lives rather than controls them.

    Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! How do you keep money from becoming your master? Share your stories and strategies with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What lessons have you learned about financial stewardship that you wish you had known earlier?

    🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/

    Full Transcript Below:

    Forbid Money to Be Your Master

    By Kelly Balarie

    “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matthew 6:24

    Sharing coffee, my friend revealed a deep struggle with me.

    “Kelly,” they essentially conveyed, “I fear when I only have a little money. When I see only a couple hundred dollars in my bank account, I get stressed and afraid. Money rules my countenance. Yet, now I am seeing that I have made money more of a lord, than the Lord. Money rules over how I feel, act, react and it causes me tangible stress.”

    My friend feared money. And my friend was right – what we fear, lords over us. Fear makes it seem like -- what we fear -- has the greatest dominion. It gets right up in our face. Then, because this overwhelming feeling seems so real, fear makes us serve that fear – more than the Lord.

    Instead of asking, “God, what do you will me to do today,” a person in these shoes may say, “What can I do to be okay? How do I save my life?” Their mind gets preoccupied with the problem.

    Fear makes self-preservation a top priority. Fear makes itself master. Fear sends its subjects into endless ruminations on how they can make everything okay.

    How is fear lording over you? Is money being raised up as your master?

    Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matthew 6:24

    With prices going up and with the cost of living increasing, for many, money is tighter than ever. But, still, money is not lord; the Lord is Lord of all. He is Lord of of heaven and earth just as much as He is Lord of all finance.

    We never serve money – neither the lack or abundance of it. Instead, our money serves Him and His cause. All the money we have is from Him and by Him. He owns it all. In this, we can give thanks. God knows exactly what we need, when we need it, and money is a tool for His glory.When we lack finances the best thing to do is to surrender all our finances to God, and to put our trust in God. Here, we get back on track. We remember it is not money that is in charge, because God is always in charge.

    God knows exactly what we need; His nature is Provider.

    Intersecting Faith & Life:

    What are you fearing? How might money be lording over your life? Are you trusting your bank account more than God? What might it look like to surrender afresh to God? What would it look like for you to really trust Him?

    Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; find encouragement by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, creator of the “Hear God’s Voice” podcast, is also a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly, a real cheerleader of faith, loves seeing the power of prayer in live action. She loves seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize –God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.

    Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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    5 min
  • Let the Word Light Your Path

    Let the Word Light Your Path
    Jan 27 2025
    In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the transformative power of Scripture in guiding our lives. The Bible serves as a lamp for our feet and a light for our path, illuminating our journey through the challenges and uncertainties we face. We’ll discuss how engaging with God’s Word can provide clarity, direction, and comfort, especially in moments of doubt or confusion. Through personal testimonies and biblical insights, we’ll uncover practical ways to deepen our relationship with Scripture, allowing it to shape our decisions and illuminate our daily lives. Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! How has the Word of God guided you in your life? Share your stories and favorite verses with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What impact has Scripture had on your journey? 🎙 🎉 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Full Transcript Below: Let the Word Light Your Path “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 “Should I take this new job or not?” This was a difficult decision for me to make. Taking on more responsibility meant less time for me to be available for my family, and I wanted to take it seriously. I prayed about it, but I received nothing but silence from God. I didn't know what to do, so I searched Scripture. As I searched scripture, I read John 6:27, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that gives you eternal life…” I realized that I was taking the job because I was finding my worth and value in how much I made. I was working to earn money, which quickly faded away, disregarding the eternal impact God cares about. I quickly realized my identity was forged from how much money was in my pocket. If I made less money than I felt I was worth, my identity was in cash, not God. I'd forgotten that God is Lord of all. He's the one who gives us our daily bread. He's the one who provides for us and gives us everything we need. Our worth and value are not formed in what we do but rather who he is. That's the type of identity God wants for all of us. Whether we make a lot less money for the work we do or make a lot of money for the work we do, our identity will never be formed through cash. Money comes and goes. Money does not define us. Once I realized the more profound issue behind why I was struggling with taking the job, I realized that by taking the job, I would forge my identity in my career and not in God. By consulting the Lord in scripture, the scripture illuminated my mind to the deeper issue that was going on. Often, we have deeper issues that fuel the decisions we make in life. If we have problems unprocessed within our soul: unforgiveness, resentment, rage, anger, and unforgiveness, we will allow those deep issues to skew how we see the world. It will become a hindrance between knowing God and living each day as a child of the king. Scripture is not something to merely check off a to-do list. Its purpose is to illuminate our life. It is to illuminate our past to see how to get where we want to go. God calls us to proclaim the gospel to the masses. But we can't do that when we have unprocessed issues in our soul. When our greed for money and deep feelings of worth and value are rooted in things other than God, the Scriptures cannot illuminate our path. However, when we effectively deal with the issues in our soul, process our hurt, forgive others, and embrace our identity as God's children, the word of God can genuinely illuminate our path. Take a moment and analyze your life. Are there any issues in your soul that you have not fully processed? Do you have unforgiveness toward others? Do you have unprocessed trauma that you have stuffed rather than dealing with effectively? Have you allowed bitterness, rage, or anger to rule your life? Carve out sometime within the next week to spend some quiet time with God. Take your time with him. Spend extended times simply praying. Ask the Lord to recall anything hindering you from having a relationship with him. When these issues come to mind, deal with them. Cry if you must. Pour out your heart to God. Tell him everything that's going on in your life. You may be surprised to find how cathartic it is. At worst, you'll leave your time feeling lighter because God has carried your burdens. At best, you will have given your issues to the one who can turn any situation around for his good. Father, let us be people whose word illuminates our path. Please help us understand the deeper reasons we do what we do. Let us allow scripture to penetrate our hearts, transform our minds, and lead us to repentance. Let us be different people because we read your word and allowed it to transform our hearts. Amen. Intersecting Faith and Life Are there areas in your soul that have gone unprocessed? In what ways can you process that trauma today? Further Reading Proverbs 3:5-6 Discover more ...
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    5 min