The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Allowing Yourself to Be Unlike Any Other in a Peer-Pressure World Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Do you ever compare your life, career, appearance, or accomplishments with those around you and wonder if you are falling behind? In a world shaped by peer pressure, self-improvement, and constant comparison, it can be difficult to recognize your own God-given identity. The pressure to fit someone else’s expectations can leave you feeling inadequate, overwhelmed, or disconnected from the purpose God has designed for you. But Scripture reminds us that you were created with intention, unique gifts, and a meaningful role in God’s work.

First Corinthians 12:4-7 teaches that believers have different gifts, forms of service, and ways of working, yet the same God is active in all of them. Your value is not determined by matching someone else’s success, lifestyle, or abilities. Instead, God invites you to discover and faithfully use the gifts He has given you for the common good. By seeking His direction, resisting comparison, and embracing your God-given uniqueness, you can learn to live with confidence and purpose—even in a world that pressures you to become someone you were never meant to be.

Highlights

How peer pressure and comparison can distort the way we see our value
Why God created each person with unique gifts, purposes, and abilities
What 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 teaches about different gifts serving the common good
How career expectations and cultural definitions of success can lead to overwhelm
Why your worth is not determined by accomplishments, status, or fitting someone else’s expectations
Practical ways to seek God’s direction and discover what you are uniquely called to do
Encouragement to embrace your God-given identity rather than allowing comparison to define your life

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Full Transcript Below:

Allowing Yourself to Be Unlike Any Other in a Peer-Pressure World

By: Lia Girard

Bible Reading:
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

—1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Have you ever found yourself asking, “Why me, God?” or possibly, “Why not me, God?” You’re surely not alone, as we live in a world that’s often choking on comparison. Everywhere we turn, we hear and see messages about improving, doing better, letting go of things that aren't correct, picking up more correct things, developing new habits, buying the latest self-improvement tool, and so on.

This pervasive peer pressure—to follow someone else’s plan—can feel clamorous, confusing, and heavy. Which is why it’s worth reminding yourself of scripture that says you’re divinely designed, with holy intention, to be different. You and I are each here to serve our one-of-a-kind purpose. Tuck this in your heart: 2 Timothy 1:7 proclaims that God gave you a spirit of power and love, not a spirit of fear. So when you’re afraid you just don’t measure up to others, you’re choosing to ignore your God-given spirit.

To counteract this fear, I need to revisit 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 these days. This is because after a recent series of health struggles (although I eat clean and stay quite active), I made the difficult decision to step down from a high-stress, high-performance, full-time career and return to freelancing. My entire being was begging me to gather my senses. I needed to discern what I’m drawn to and what I’m made for.

I’d been laboring on a large, powerhouse team of creatives, relentlessly required to achieve unachievable metrics. It pushed me onto a path of continual self-criticism and overwhelm. I pressured myself against the make-believe standard that my career accomplishments represented my value before God. I was enmeshed in the corporate peer pressure and convinced myself that I owed “success” to my past, my spouse, and my children.

That was all until I was forced to start asking God what success looked like in his eyes.

Of course, I understand we all need to make a living, but spending your life as someone you’re not... is unlikely to be what God has in mind for you. That’s why it’s so refreshing to revisit Paul's truth in 1 Corinthians 12—that we are all created by the same creator, with a singularly original design. God himself purposely fills each of us with unique longings and gifts. What an honor it is to receive this! Just read Psalm 139, and you’ll know that God created a masterpiece when he knit you together in your mother’s womb.

What I feel Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 12 is that instead of complaining about what you can or can't do, you could discover and celebrate your handcrafted role in God's overall plan. Even while there's constant peer pressure to wear the latest fashion, drive a better car, live a certain lifestyle, achieve a specific status ... you can, and should, still be you.

All of us collectively are God's garden of life, and I can't imagine any garden with only one type of flower. God is continually revealing that every living thing is made by him with intention and balanced by him for the common good.

So, let me reassure you today: when you stay in communication with the one who made you to be unlike any other, you can feel good about living a life that looks like you.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

When you think about peer pressure to achieve or adapt in ways that don’t feel right to you, consider these suggestions:

Pray for God to reveal what feels good and fulfilling and well-suited to you
Start a bucket list of one new thing you’d like to try each week
Write down a scripture verse that feels affirming and calming to you (not what someone else tells you to write down), and tape it to your mirror

Further Reading:
Galatians 1:10

1 Peter 2:9

Psalm 139:13-14

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The Danger of Isolation Sep 27, 2026

Show notes

Isolation can seem like an easy response when we feel hurt, overwhelmed, busy, or disappointed by others. But prolonged loneliness and withdrawal can leave us spiritually discouraged and emotionally vulnerable. Proverbs 18:1 warns about the danger of isolating ourselves, reminding us that God did not create us to navigate life entirely on our own.

Christian community plays an important role in our spiritual growth, offering encouragement, accountability, support, and opportunities to reflect Christ’s love. While spending time alone with God is valuable, healthy faith also involves connecting with other believers who can strengthen us through difficult seasons. Whether unresolved hurts, a busy schedule, or fear of vulnerability is keeping you distant from others, God invites you back into meaningful relationships. As we encourage and support one another, we discover that connection is not only something we need to receive but also something we are called to offer.

Highlights

Why isolation can become an unhealthy habit after seasons of difficulty or disruption
What Proverbs 18:1 teaches about withdrawing from others and sound judgment
How isolation can pull us away from Christian community, encouragement, and accountability
Warning signs that loneliness may be connected to unresolved hurt, busyness, or unhealthy independence
Why balancing personal time with God and meaningful relationships with other believers matters
How Christians can sharpen, support, and encourage one another through life’s struggles
Why reaching out to encourage someone else can help us experience deeper connection and community

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Full Transcript Below:

The Danger of Isolation

By Cindi McMenamin

Bible Reading:

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He breaks out against all sound judgment. (Proverbs 18:1 ESV)

It was quite the thing to do to isolate from one another during that horrendous year of 2020. We sheltered in place to keep ourselves safe. We kept ourselves away from others to obey governmental authorities. We isolated because, for a time, we couldn’t do anything else.

But, during that time, we developed some isolation habits that are likely still holding onto us today. When difficulties arise, or you get hurt by another person, or you become very busy and focused on something and don’t want to be interrupted, it can be natural now to withdraw and shut others out.

The wise King Solomon told us in Proverbs 18:1 that isolating is not exercising sound judgment, and, in the NASB, we are told it “quarrels against all sound wisdom.” Look at that verse alongside Solomon’s words in Proverbs 27:17, which tell us: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (NASB). Scripture is telling us it’s not only unwise to isolate oneself, but it’s also dangerous. Isolation or withdrawing from others pulls us away from the body of Christ, where we can be encouraged by other believers, and it leaves us far more vulnerable to the attacks of Satan, who often seeks to first isolate us from other believers and then accuse us and discourage us further.

Until recently, I didn’t realize how quickly isolating tendencies can become a habit. I had been pretty independent over the past couple of years as my schedule got busier and my phone and Zoom coaching increased. I was spending less time face-to-face with my friends and more time in front of screens getting my work done or meeting remotely with clients. I was spending less time in my favorite booth at Chick-fil-A listening to others share what’s on their hearts, and more time cultivating my spiritual life apart from the accountability and encouragement from others.

And then I went through a health scare, followed by the news that my mother had less than six months to live. Going through difficulties can make you start wondering, Who do I call if I suddenly need a ride to the hospital and my husband isn’t available? and Who is in my life who can help me through this struggle and keep me trusting in my Lord, regardless of my circumstances?

You and I weren’t meant to go through life alone. So, when you start feeling lonely or the temptation to isolate from others, it’s an inner alarm that something is off. And it could be:

You aren’t cultivating enough friendships in your life.
You have some unresolved hurts that are keeping you from opening up with others.
You are unknowingly turning people away and living as a “loner.”
You’ve been prioritizing productivity over people (this is for the busy person who is lonely and doesn’t know it), and need to find a healthy balance.

It could also mean you are further from God than you should be (perhaps not communing with Him daily?), or you have been depending solely on God at the expense of no longer being among other believers.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

God didn’t intend for us to live in isolation. He created us to live in community. When you are among other believers who can encourage you and hold you up, you can continue to grow spiritually, as well as emotionally. Although God wants to draw us close to His heart through our struggles, we can grow spiritually through a healthy balance of alone time with God and time with other believers in their physical presence. God created us for a relationship with Him and with others who can help us grow, help us experience Him, and help us see Him in ways we couldn’t otherwise.

In a recent phone conversation with my Dad, in which he told me about a few opportunities he had to listen to hurting people, I thanked him for being Jesus to the people he interacts with every day. Dad was touched by those words. I realized, after I got off the phone, that he called that day to encourage me, but I was able to encourage him, too. That’s how it works in a family—especially in the family of God. God wants believers sharpening one another, supporting one another, helping one another, and “encouraging one another…all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).

If you aren’t experiencing spiritual encouragement and support from your natural family, it is waiting for you in your spiritual family—in the church, what Scripture calls the body (the human hands and feet) of Jesus. And if no one is being Jesus to you, start being Jesus for someone else. That’s often when you begin to feel less isolated and more connected with one another.

Further Reading:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

For more on growing closer to God and others, see Cindi’s books: The New Loneliness: Nurturing Meaningful Connections When You Feel Isolated, andThe New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.

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Why Repentance Is Good for the Soul Sep 26, 2026

Show notes

What is the importance of repentance, and how can turning back to God bring healing and spiritual renewal? In a culture where admitting wrongdoing can feel risky or uncomfortable, it’s easy to avoid confronting sin in our lives. We may carry guilt, become comfortable with unhealthy patterns, or assume that repentance is only necessary when we have made a serious mistake. But Scripture presents repentance as a gracious invitation from God—a pathway to forgiveness, restored fellowship, and refreshing for the soul.

Acts 3:19 calls us to repent and turn to God so that our sins may be wiped away and times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, God has made forgiveness possible, and we do not have to carry the weight of sin on our own. Genuine repentance involves humility, honest confession, and a willingness to turn toward God. As the Holy Spirit reveals areas that need change, we can trust God’s mercy and allow Him to renew our hearts, strengthen our faith, and lead us into a life of righteousness.

Highlights

Why genuine repentance involves more than simply saying, “I’m sorry”
How unconfessed sin can weigh on our hearts and affect our relationship with God
What Acts 3:19 teaches about repentance, forgiveness, and spiritual refreshing
The difference between godly sorrow that leads to repentance and worldly sorrow
How the Holy Spirit brings conviction and helps us recognize sin
Why Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the foundation of our forgiveness
Encouragement to regularly examine our hearts, confess our sins, and experience God’s renewing mercy

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Full Transcript Below:

Why Repentance Is Good for the Soul

By Lynette Kittle

Bible Reading:

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” - Acts 3:19

When was the last time we spent heartfelt time repenting? Not just a quick “I’m sorry” or “Please forgive me,” but heartfelt repentance before the Lord, with genuine sorrow and possibly tears for our sins?

If we can’t remember, then are we walking around under the weight of sin, unaware of our need to confess and repent of it? Have we become comfortable with it, no longer recognizing its presence in our lives?

Repentance isn’t a popular word in the Church today. Sure, we want revival, but when it comes to repenting for the sin in our lives, that’s another story because it means admitting that we sin.

The thinking today is that we don’t ever admit to being in the wrong in relationships, careers, business situations, traffic incidents, and more because, if we do, then we become liable, making ourselves vulnerable to being taken advantage of, held responsible, and put in the position of being asked to cover all the costs.

God’s Already Has Us Covered

Still, when it comes to confessing our sin, God has already covered all the costs for us. All we have to do is repent, and we are no longer liable. He’s already taken care of it all for us, paying in advance and providing a way for us to be set free and refreshed in the process.

Although we know we are already forgiven, repentance brings closeness and renewal in our relationship with the Lord. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 7:10, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

Scripture describes repentance as refreshing, like what comes in a revival, where we yield to the Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin and experience the refreshing that comes from the Lord after repentance. Jesus explains in John 16:8 what the Holy Spirit will do: “When He comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.”

As Micah 7:18 describes, “Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”

Repentance Comes in Measures, Steps, and Seasons

Repentance, too, may come in stages in our lives because if God revealed all our sins to us at once, it would overwhelm our hearts and minds. We couldn’t bear the weight of it; no one could. It’s why Jesus carried our sin for us, because God knows we cannot bear up under it, as the weight of sin is too heavy.

As 1 Peter 2:24 explains, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by His wounds you have been healed.’”

The High Price God Paid for Repentance

Without the high price God paid through Jesus’ sacrifice for our salvation, we could repent until our faces turned blue, but it wouldn’t cancel out our sin. As Isaiah 53:5 explains, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”

Paul also explains in Colossians 2:13-15: “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

Some argue that Jesus and the New Testament don’t preach repentance, but as Matthew 4:17 describes, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”

Likewise, Acts 2:38 says, “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Intersecting Faith & Life:

When was the last time you spent time in repentance? If it’s been a while, set aside some time to spiritually check your heart and mind to see if there are things you need to confess and repent of in your life. Ask God to lead you, wipe your sins away, and bring refreshing to you now.

Further Reading:

What Makes for A Repentant Heart?

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Walk in the Light Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

d, it can be easy to overlook the ways our choices pull us away from God. Scripture calls us to examine how we live, recognize the difference between darkness and light, and choose to follow God’s truth rather than simply conforming to the world around us.

First John 1:6-7 reminds us that walking in the light means living in fellowship with God, while 1 John 1:9 offers hope when we recognize our sin and need for forgiveness. No matter how long we have walked in darkness or how deeply shame has taken root, we can turn back to God through confession and repentance. By walking in the Spirit, obeying God’s Word, and relying on His forgiveness, we can experience restoration and grow in a life that reflects Christ.

Highlights

What it means to walk in the light rather than conforming to darkness
How normalized sin can influence the choices Christians make
What 1 John 1:6-9 teaches about fellowship, confession, and forgiveness
Why no sin is too great for God’s mercy and restoring grace
How walking by the Spirit helps us resist sinful desires
The importance of examining our lives and choosing obedience to God
Encouragement for anyone struggling with shame to turn back to God and experience His forgiveness

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Full Transcript Below:

Walk in the Light
By Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:
“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7).

As Christ followers, we have the choice every day of whether or not to follow the Lord. We must ask ourselves: Are we going to walk in accordance with darkness or light? Even though many Christians believe they are consistently walking in the light, upon closer reflection and examination, they may see that they are far from it. Because we live in a fallen world, much sin has been normalized.

Profanity, lying, and taking part in immoral behavior have all been accepted by society. Sadly, many Christians also engage in these behaviors and, in doing so, walk in conformity with the darkness. As Christians, we don’t need to use curse words, lie, or take part in immoral behavior (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:9-10; Ephesians 5:3). Within the world, we are told that it is “cool” to use curse words, “understandable” to lie, and “acceptable” to engage in sexual immorality.

If we walk in accordance with these teachings, we will be far from God. Living in alignment with sin will only bring trouble into our lives. Choosing to walk in the light can prevent us from falling into these problems. Even if we have been walking in darkness for a long time, we can still turn back to God and embrace His beautiful light.

If you are on the edge of shifting deeper into the darkness, remember that your sin is not too severe. You can turn back to God today, confess your sins, and repent. The Bible tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Never doubt the power of God’s forgiveness in your life or the lasting healing He can provide in your heart.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

The Apostle John tells us, “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7).

Upon reflecting on this passage, we see the divide between darkness and light. We either walk in darkness or in the light. Choosing light means choosing God, while choosing darkness means choosing sin. Each of us must decide whether we are going to walk in darkness or in the light. As Christ followers, we need to choose the light because this is where God is found.

The Apostle Paul gives us further instructions on the matter: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18). Walking in the light and in the Spirit means doing the right thing, obeying God, and faithfully following Him.

If you are continuing to walk in darkness, is it because you feel ashamed? If so, how can you bring these feelings to God and experience peace? God will forgive everyone who turns to Him and asks for forgiveness. What is holding you back?

Pray with me: Dear God, I have been walking in the darkness for too long. I am turning back to You today. The light is where I belong, not the darkness. Please forgive me for my sins and restore my soul. Help me to always choose the light and to walk in obedience to Your commands. Guide my soul and my heart, God. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.

Further Reading:

John 8:12

Ephesians 5:8-20

2 Corinthians 6:14

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The Faithfulness of God When We Are Unfaithful Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever made a decision out of fear, acted against God’s Word, or wondered whether your mistakes could disrupt His plan for your life? The story of Abram in Genesis 12 reminds us that human unfaithfulness does not cancel God’s faithfulness. Although Abram responded to fear with deception and failed to trust God’s protection, the Lord remained present and continued working through His promises.

God’s faithfulness does not excuse disobedience or remove the consequences of our choices, but it reminds us that our failures do not have the final word. Like Abram, we may struggle to trust God when circumstances feel uncertain, yet His purposes remain secure. Understanding God’s sovereignty, mercy, and grace can give us confidence to repent, pursue obedience, and trust that He is working for our good and His glory—even when we recognize how often we have fallen short.

Highlights

What Abram’s choices in Genesis 12 reveal about fear, deception, and unfaithfulness
How God remained faithful even when Abram failed to trust His promises
Why God’s sovereignty does not excuse our disobedience or remove personal responsibility
The relationship between human free will and God’s ultimate purposes
How God’s mercy and grace meet us when our choices fall short of His will
Why we can trust that our mistakes cannot ultimately thwart God’s plans
How recognizing God’s faithfulness can motivate us to walk in obedience and trust

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Full Transcript Below:

The Faithfulness of God When We Are Unfaithful
By: Laura Bailey

Bible Reading:

Pharaoh gave his men orders concerning Abram. They sent Abram away with his wife and everything that he had. - Genesis 12:20

My middle daughter, Abigail, is only 9 years old, but she can ask some deep questions. On the way to basketball one night, she asked, “Mom, you said that you made a lot of bad choices before you got married; thankfully, God protected you, and His purpose prevailed. Does that mean we can do whatever we want and God will still make things happen?” Whew, that’s a lot for a ten-minute car ride.

Gratefully, another example of God’s providence: I’d been studying about Abram and how even though he was unfaithful, God was still faithful. While God wasn’t pleased with Abram’s disobedience, God used Abram’s sinful choices in the fulfillment of his plan for his life. Genesis 12 is a beautiful example of how God uses humanity's sins to achieve His purposes. This chapter opens with God telling Abram to leave his country for a new land. God promises to make Abram into a great nation and to bless him; ultimately, all the families of the earth will be blessed through Abram (Genesis 12:1-3). That’s a pretty weighty promise! Abram responds by packing up his family and moving to the land of Canaan as instructed. Once settled, Abram builds an altar as a sign of worship and dedication to the Lord (Genesis 12:4-9).

It would appear that Abram is fully bought in and trusts in God’s plan, but we see in the following verses that’s not the case. Due to a drought, Abram and his wife Sarai had to travel to the land of Egypt. Sarai was very beautiful, and Abram was afraid that they would kill him to take her as Pharaoh’s wife. Abram decided it would be better for him if they claimed to be brother and sister. As a result, Sarai ends up living with the Pharaoh. Some time passes, and it is revealed that Abram and Sarai are not siblings but married. The Pharaoh gets pretty angry, rightfully so, considering God sent plagues on Pharaoh and his household. When confronted, Abram didn’t have a good excuse, not to the Pharaoh and not to the Lord (Genesis 12:10-20). His actions—his deception—were born out of fear; Abram didn’t trust that God would protect and provide, even though He said He would.
Even though Abram was unfaithful, God was still faithful. Abram could do nothing to disrupt or distract from God’s purposes. God is always present; He never leaves or forsakes His children (Deuteronomy 31:8).

It’s easy for me to look at Abram with a critical eye, “Why didn’t you just trust that God would protect you? He said he would. Look at the mess that could have been avoided if you had simply let God stay in control.” But someone could easily say the same was true for me. I had free will and used it to make decisions that ran counter to God’s Word, and could have faced consequences that would have radically changed the outcome of my life. I am eternally grateful that, because of God’s mercy and grace (the same He has shown throughout humanity’s existence), I ended up marrying my husband and becoming a mom to three beautiful blessings.
I admitted to Abigail that I don’t know how exactly it all works; we have choices, but God is in ultimate control. But what I do know is that as God’s children, we can trust that He is working all things for our good and His glory. No matter how hard we try, we don’t have the power to thwart God's plans or purpose–praise the Lord!

Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does knowing that nothing you can do can thwart God's plan give you the desire to walk in obedience to His will?

Further Reading:
Genesis 12

Unwavering Faith Amid Uncertainty

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Trusting God When Peace Cannot Be Found Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

When the world feels chaotic and peace seems impossible to find, where can you turn for relief from fear, anxiety, and uncertainty? News headlines, personal struggles, and troubling circumstances can leave our hearts unsettled. But the Bible reminds us that lasting peace does not come from our surroundings or from trying to control every situation. True peace comes through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and through trusting God even when life feels overwhelming.

Isaiah 26:3 teaches that God keeps in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in Him. While the world cannot guarantee safety or calm, God offers peace that guards our hearts and minds through Christ. By asking God for His peace, focusing on Scripture, rejecting false sources of security, and practicing peace in our daily relationships, we can learn to rely on Him in troubling times. Even when peace cannot be found around us, we can seek the steady peace God provides.

Highlights

Why the world cannot provide the lasting peace our hearts desperately need
How trusting God helps us find peace amid fear, chaos, and uncertainty
What Isaiah 26:3 teaches about keeping our minds steadfast in God
Why Jesus is the true source of peace and how His peace differs from what the world offers
Four practical ways to trust God for peace when life feels overwhelming
How prayer and studying God’s Word can calm our fears and remind us of His faithfulness
Why Christians are called to practice peace and become peacemakers in their daily lives

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Full Transcript Below:

Trusting God When Peace Cannot Be Found

By Lynette Kittle

Bible Reading:

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” - Isaiah 26:3

Listening to the news and reading social media reminds us what a troubling world we live in, filled with wars, natural disasters, civil unrest, mass shootings, assassinations, sickness, disease, accidents, and much more.

If we’re looking for peace in a world of chaos, we won’t find it there because the world can’t offer us something it doesn’t have to give. Peace isn’t something people can conjure up or find in things, situations, or even another person or group. It comes through only one source: Jesus, the Prince of Peace and Savior of the world.

As Isaiah 9:6 describes, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus Himself also assures us that He is our source of peace, saying in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Trusting God is where our hearts and minds find relief from the troubles, worries, and fears of the world we live in.

The High Cost of Peace

Jesus is the world’s source of peace, yet every day it seems millions are rejecting Him and His offer to give them peace.

Rather than receiving His gift of peace, they put up a barrier of unbelief between themselves and God, isolating themselves from the peace they so desperately seek in the world.

Jesus’ peace came at a high price, too, as Isaiah 53:5 explains, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”

Still, His peace is what guards our hearts and minds while we live in a harsh and cruel world, as Philippians 4:7 explains: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

4 Ways to Help Us Trust God for Peace

Some of us aren’t sure how to trust God in a peaceless world. The following are four ways to help us begin trusting God for peace when we cannot find it in the world.

Ask God for His peace. Sometimes we believe God doesn’t want us asking for His help, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

James 4:2 describes why some lack peace: “You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet, but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.”

Focus on God’s Word and His promises. Reading and studying God’s Word fills our hearts and minds with His truth and unfailing promises, reminding us of His faithfulness and calming our fears.

Proverbs 4:22 reminds us of the importance of feeding on them: “For they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.”

Resist following and practicing false offers of peace. Religions other than Christianity offer peace, saying it comes through various practices, including exercises, chants, and offerings. Although we may think some of these things are harmless, they can confuse our hearts and minds and lead us away from where true peace is found because there is only one way to find it.

As Isaiah 59:8 describes, “The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.”

Practice peace in our daily lives. Jesus walked in peace while on earth, and we can choose daily to walk in and practice peace, too, by choosing it over conflict, anger, and offense. When confronted with situations that cause us to feel anxious and unsettled, we can choose to practice peace instead.

As Jesus taught in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Are you experiencing God’s peace today, the peace that comes through knowing Jesus Christ? If not, receive it today by asking Him to come into your life.

Further Reading:

Finding Peace When Life Feels Out of Control

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Coping with Jealousy in a Comparison-Driven World Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

When you make a mistake and have to face the consequences, it can be easy to wonder whether God will still help you. Our poor choices can create difficult situations, strained relationships, and problems we cannot simply undo. But the consequences of our mistakes do not mean God has abandoned us. Scripture shows that even when we make wrong decisions, God can meet us in the middle of the situation and help us move forward.

Joshua 10:6 shows the Israelites asking Joshua for help after their decision involving the Gibeonites left them facing an unexpected battle. Instead of leaving them to deal with the consequences alone, God provided help and gave them victory. Their story reminds us that God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our perfection. When we have made mistakes, we can bring our circumstances to Him, seek His guidance, take responsibility for our choices, and trust that He can still work through difficult situations.

Highlights

Why making a mistake does not mean God has abandoned you
How our choices can create consequences we cannot simply undo
What Joshua 10:6 reveals about God’s help in difficult circumstances
Why taking responsibility for our mistakes is part of moving forward
How God can work through situations created by our poor decisions
The importance of turning to God instead of facing consequences alone
Encouragement to trust God’s faithfulness even when you are dealing with the results of a mistake

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Full Transcript Below:

Coping with Jealousy in a Comparison-Driven World
By Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16).

A sin I struggle with in my life is jealousy. I have often been jealous of others because they are happy and I’m not. I was talking to a friend a while ago about my jealousy issue because I was quite upset. Another friend of mine had the privilege of going to the once-in-a-lifetime Taylor Swift Eras Tour. This friend hadn't even been a fan for a year yet. I, on the other hand, have been a fan since I was eight years old, when her debut album was released. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend the Eras Tour because it was incredibly expensive and notoriously hard to get tickets. When my friend casually told me she had bought a ticket to see the Eras Tour, I was jealous, but also mad.

Since I already struggle with depression, I am a pro at hiding my emotions, and I hid my jealousy from her. However, when I was talking to my other friend about it, he told me that my feelings were valid, but that the jealousy issue was something I would need to work on. He helped me understand exactly why I was jealous and mad, and how to cope with these feelings in a healthy way.

I still struggle with feelings of jealousy at times, but I’m also aware of how bitter it can make us. It can also make us extremely unhappy. As my therapist friend told me, “Wouldn't it be better to focus on your own life rather than wanting what others have?” While this is something I’m still trying to apply, I am making small progress each day.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Something else I have found helpful with my jealousy is studying what the Bible says and asking the Lord to help me with these feelings. The Bible tells us, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16). These are the words of James, the half-brother of the Lord, and we need to take them to heart. Whenever we have envy and selfish ambition, we will find disorder and every evil practice.

I can certainly say James’s words are true because jealousy has never helped me in the slightest. Instead, it only makes our lives worse. Rather than enjoying our own lives, we will only focus on the things we don’t have. While there is nothing wrong with wanting better things in life, we don’t need to covet what others have or be jealous of others (Exodus 20:17).

This is the challenge being placed before us today: we need to replace jealousy with contentment. As Paul says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:6-7). Contentment can transform our lives into ones full of peace, serenity, and solace.

By going to the Lord in prayer, being honest about our jealousy, and seeking His guidance in the Bible, we will begin to see our lives change. Our hearts will be less prone to lean toward jealousy and will begin to shift toward contentment. Ask the Lord to help you today and find inner peace in what He has given you in life.

Jealousy is a common sin in many of our lives. Why do you think it is so easy to become jealous of others or what they have? Do you have a story of a time when jealousy turned you into somebody you are not? If so, what happened? How did you feel? What are some ways you can swap jealousy for contentment?

Pray with me: Dear Jesus, my heart is prone to roam after jealousy. Please forgive me for this sin. I ask that You transform my heart into a heart of contentment. Turn my heart away from yearning after what others have. Fill my heart with contentment, hope, and peace. I give You all the praise and thanks, Lord. Amen.

Further Reading:

Exodus 20:17

Proverbs 14:30

1 Corinthians 10:13

James 3:14-15, 4:2-3

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Find Hidden Treasures from God Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Where can you find God’s blessings when life feels ordinary, frustrating, or even painful? God’s goodness is often present in ways we overlook—the breath in our lungs, daily provision, protection, meaningful relationships, and quiet moments of peace. Like hidden treasures beneath layers of rock, these blessings become easier to recognize when we slow down and intentionally look for them.

Job 28:10 reminds us that treasures can be discovered when we are willing to search for them. The same can be true of our relationship with God. Even during difficult seasons, He can be developing spiritual treasures such as patience, kindness, perseverance, and deeper faith. Most importantly, God’s presence is with us in the darkness. When we learn to look beyond our circumstances and seek God’s work in our everyday lives, we can begin to notice the countless ways He is supporting, protecting, and loving us.

Highlights

How to recognize God’s hidden blessings in everyday life
Why slowing down can help us notice God’s goodness and provision
What Job 28:10 teaches us about searching for hidden treasures
How difficult seasons can produce spiritual treasures like patience and kindness
Why God’s presence is the greatest treasure we can discover in times of suffering
Practical ways to train yourself to notice God’s work instead of focusing only on problems
Questions to help you recognize the people, promises, and blessings God has already placed in your life

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Full Transcript Below:

Find Hidden Treasures from God

By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:
“They tunnel through the rock; their eyes see all its treasures.” – Job 28:10, NIV

On a trip to Norway, I went through so many tunnels while traveling in cars and trains that I completely lost count. As I traveled through the tunnels, I thought about the incredible engineering required to blast through all that hard rock. I also thought about all the natural treasures that are hidden deep inside rocks. More than 4,000 different kinds of beautiful minerals and gemstones can be buried in rocks all around our planet. When people tunnel through rock, they may discover quartz, garnet, amethyst, and many more varieties of treasures.

Job 28:10 points out that tunneling through rock reveals treasures. It’s necessary to make an effort to find treasures. But treasures are there, waiting to be discovered, when we’re willing to do the work of trying to find them.

God is constantly pouring blessings into your life, and every single one of those blessings is a treasure. But some of them may be hidden until you make an effort to search for them. If you explore and ask God to help you find the treasures he has given you, you’ll start to see that God’s goodness is glittering all around you. God’s goodness is in the breath filling your lungs right now, and the strength in your legs that lets you walk across the room. You can see it when you enjoy a good meal, turn on the tap for clean water, or drive home safely without any trouble. Even a frustrating red light can be God protecting you from danger ahead, and a quiet, boring day can be God’s way of giving you peace. Once you start looking, you’ll see that God is taking care of you in countless ways every single day.

Even when you find yourself traveling through a difficult season that feels like being stuck inside a dark tunnel, these hidden treasures are still there. In fact, some of God’s most valuable blessings are formed in the dark. Just as pressure and heat create diamonds deep beneath the earth’s surface, hard times can produce beautiful spiritual qualities like patience and kindness that help you grow in holiness. When you’re inside a dark tunnel of suffering in this fallen world, it’s easy to doubt God’s love for you. But if you look closely, you’ll find that God has placed the most valuable treasure of all – God’s presence with you – right there in the dark. By finding God’s presence with you, you can also discover God’s blessings for you, which you wouldn’t notice if you weren’t focused on your relationship with God.

You have to change how you look at your daily circumstances so you can find treasures from God. Instead of just trying to hurry through your days, ask God to help you notice his work in your life. You need to look closely at your life while praying for God’s guidance to find the hidden ways God is supporting, protecting, and loving you right now.

When you make an effort to seek God and look for the wonder of God’s work in your life, you can see all the blessings God is generously giving you. So, look beyond the surface of your life and seek God. Get excited about discovering all the beautiful, hidden treasures God has placed in your life!

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider how to find hidden treasures from God, reflect on these questions:

What’s one treasure God has already given you that you might easily overlook if you’re too busy, but can find it when you let yourself rest and focus on God more?
When you look back at a past difficult season, what spiritual treasures did God develop in you through that hard time?
How can you train yourself to see God’s daily goodness rather than just focusing on your problems?
Who are the people in your life who you realize are blessings from God when you make time to reflect on them? How can you thank them, and thank God for them, today?
What’s one of God’s promises from the Bible that you can carry like a hidden treasure in your heart and mind this week?

Further Reading:

Isaiah 45:3

Colossians 2:3

Proverbs 2:4-5

Matthew 13:44

Psalm 119:162

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Surprising Ways Pride Shows Itself Sep 20, 2026

Show notes

Pride doesn’t always look like arrogance or boasting. Sometimes it shows up in quieter ways—talking more than listening, only investing in people who seem useful, or constantly saying there isn’t enough time for others. These subtle forms of pride can reveal that our attention is more focused on ourselves than on loving and serving the people around us.

Philippians 2:3-4 calls Christians to replace selfish ambition with humility by considering others and their interests. Following Jesus means examining not only what we do, but also why we do it. When we become more willing to listen, make time for others, and engage with people without expecting something in return, we begin to reflect the humility of Christ. Recognizing subtle pride isn’t about condemning ourselves—it’s about allowing God to reshape our priorities, relationships, and hearts.

Highlights

How pride can appear in subtle ways we may not immediately recognize
Why only engaging with people who are useful can reveal selfishness
What listening more and speaking less can teach us about humility
Why “I don’t have time” may actually reveal our priorities
How Philippians 2:3-4 challenges us to consider others more important than ourselves
Why honest self-examination is essential for recognizing pride in our lives
Practical ways to replace selfishness and conceit with humility, generosity, and genuine care for others

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Full Transcript Below:

Surprising Ways Pride Shows Itself

By Aaron D’Anthony Brown

Bible Reading:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4, CSB)

In his epistle to the church of Phillipi, Paul urges fellow believers to be “united in spirit” with one another (Philippians 2:2). He wanted everyone to be on the same page with what they believed and how they lived as Christ followers. He goes on to say that such a life is lived by esteeming others as more important than ourselves. Don’t look to what brings you the most glory; do what benefits others. We hear the same sentiment preached in church today, but how many of us live this out?

While our pastors talk about loving our neighbors, building the church up from within, and sharing the Gospel with nonbelievers, we don’t often seem to be on the same accord. Even if we do these things, our motivations are sometimes selfish. We should be prioritizing others, but really, we’re interested in ourselves.

I’ve heard believers say things like “I enjoy hearing myself talk,” or claim they don’t have time to hang out with other Christians. Then suddenly they’re dating someone, which requires a lot more time. Or perhaps the only time they show genuine interest in you is when you’re going through a hard time. Otherwise, you’re simply not important.

Naturally, we won’t be close to or have deep conversations with everyone. However, it’s important to consider whether day-to-day relationships, conversations, and actions reflect selfish conceit or humility.

Perhaps, we have such a hard time esteeming others as more important because in our minds, no one is more important than ourselves. Pride is often called one of the most deadly sins, maybe the most deadly. When we start thinking we know best, it becomes a gateway for other sins.

You might not think of yourself as prideful - I generally don’t - but if we’re being honest, we can all be a bit prideful sometimes. C.S Lewis said, “There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which everyone in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else, and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves” (Mere Christianity). The sooner we acknowledge this truth, the sooner we can change our thinking and get ourselves on one accord.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Most people won’t need help identifying the major ways pride affects our lives, but who says pride can’t be subtle? Here are three ways we might not even realize:

Only engaging with people who are useful.

One mistake Christians make is only engaging with people at church who are useful. This means ignoring others until they join your team or become a friend of your friend, etc. Don’t we all have some measure of importance and worth given by God? Why not be open to speaking and engaging with people as the norm?

For those who don’t, when you finally decide to interact, you risk making the encounter uncomfortable, and more than that, disingenuous.

Talking as opposed to listening.

The Bible says to be slow to speak and quick to listen, but few live this out (James 1:19). God gave us two ears and one mouth. I’ve been told there should be a ratio for how we communicate: listen twice as much as you speak.

Not making time for others.

We’re probably all guilty of using the phrase, “I haven’t had the time,” but if we took time to consider what that statement means, we’d say something else instead. Everyone is given the same amount of time within a day. Twenty-four hours. However, we all use our time differently. The issue is not having enough time, but rather priority - what’s important and what’s not. Or at the very least, what is most important. We prioritize what we value most.

Therefore, we should stop telling people we don’t have time to do that favor, read that book, or do that thing. We simply haven't made the time yet. That’s the honest answer.

And the sooner we can be more honest, the sooner we can stop pride from stifling our callings.

Further Reading:

Proverbs 11:2

Proverbs 16:18

Proverbs 29:23

Jeremiah 9:23

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What Childhood Prayers Teach Us about God’s Goodness Sep 19, 2026

Show notes

How often do you stop to thank God for the prayers He has already answered? It’s easy to focus on what we’re still waiting for while overlooking the blessings, relationships, opportunities, and circumstances we once desperately asked God to provide. Remembering answered prayers can renew our gratitude and help us recognize God’s goodness in everyday life.

Psalm 103 calls us to remember God’s benefits and not forget His goodness. Sometimes God answers prayers immediately, while other times His perfect timing looks different from what we expected. Childhood prayers for something as simple as a kitten or a puppy can become reminders of a faithful God who hears us and knows what is best. When we intentionally look back at what God has done, we can move from taking His blessings for granted to cultivating a heart of gratitude and trust.

Highlights

Why we can be quick to remember hardships while forgetting God’s goodness
How answered prayers can become easy to take for granted
What childhood prayers can teach us about trusting God’s timing
Why God’s answer may be “not yet” rather than “no”
How reflecting on past prayers can strengthen gratitude and faith
Practical questions for recognizing the answered prayers you are living right now
An encouragement to slow down, remember God’s blessings, and thank Him for His faithfulness

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Full Transcript Below:

What Childhood Prayers Teach Us about God’s Goodness

By Hannah Benson

Bible Reading:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:2-5 ESV).

How quick are we to remember the sins of others when they have wronged us, or to remember the darkest tragedies in our lives? Even if we long to forget the terrible things, they don’t often easily slip from our minds.

Why is it then that we are so quick to forget the goodness of God? Why is it more difficult for us to remember all the good things God has done in our lives? Do we keep count? Do we thank Him for the blessings we take for granted? Do we remember the prayers we so desperately prayed that we are now living?

Do we stop to thank the Lord for those, or do we take them for granted?

I often find myself guilty of this.

I can get so caught up in praying for the next thing that I forget to simply bask in the Lord’s presence and remember everything He has done. There is nothing wrong with praying for something. God loves to hear from us! But He also desires that we cultivate a heart brimming with gratitude, remembering the goodness He has graced our lives with.

When I was a little girl, no more than 7 or 8-years-old, there was a mother cat who’d wandered the neighborhood for a few days, and we’d had a suspicion she’d had kittens somewhere in our backyard. My dad went out to look for them because we weren’t going to leave little helpless kittens alone (if they even existed).

And oh, how I prayed they existed.

I got on my knees behind my mom’s rocking chair, folded my hands, and pleaded with God for a kitten.

It was such a small, yet sincere, request.

Of all the things in life we actually need (jobs, food on the table, clothes), I love the sincerity and simplicity of my prayer as a little girl. Without a care in the world, I asked Him for what I truly wanted.

Told Him how I longed for a kitten.

I believed and hoped my daddy would find kittens so we could both save them and keep one (or two if we were really lucky).

Yet when my dad returned inside the house, he had to break the news to this little girl’s hopeful heart that there were no kittens to be found.

I didn’t understand.

Why didn’t God answer my prayer with a yes when I’d prayed so hard?

I couldn’t see it then, but God knew it wasn’t time.

At the time, we lived in the suburbs. Only when we moved out to the country 2-3 years later did God see fit to bless us with two little kittens, one of whom is now a still very healthy 13-year-old cat.

I also recall when I was a young teenager and prayed so hard for a dog.

For years, our parents told us, “Maybe someday,” but to be honest, none of us knew if it would ever happen.

But in 2020, when the world was thrown into chaos and turmoil, God told our mom that someday was now, and He directed our steps to the perfect little puppy for our family.

Simple prayers.

Yet prayers that God answered in His perfect timing. To be honest, as I reflect on these answered prayers among others, I realize how much I take them for granted. Yes, I’m grateful, but am I as grateful as I should be?

How often do I stop to remember the prayers I prayed that I’m now living?

Not often enough.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

I would challenge you to look at your life right now and reflect: what answered prayers are you living right now?

Perhaps the job you have now, even if it feels stressful at times, is an answer to a prayer you prayed years earlier.

What about your spouse who frustrated you this week? Wasn’t there a time you prayed for a husband or wife from the Lord?

How many times do we take what we once prayed for granted?

Let us resolve, by the grace of God, to cultivate a heart filled with gratitude for all the Lord has done in our lives.

Pray with me: Lord, please forgive us for how quickly we forget Your goodness. Please open our eyes today to see the answered prayers we are living. Help us to slow down to bask in Your presence and thank You for all Your blessings. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

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