How have you yielded the fruit of righteousness in your life?  - Emma Danzey

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How have you yielded the fruit of righteousness in your life?  - Emma Danzey
 SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts: Your Daily Prayer: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/</a> Your Daily Bible Verse: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/</a>

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

A Good Father's Discipline That leads to Growth

Learning doesn’t stop when school ends. Even after we finish our formal education, start careers, raise families, and settle into familiar routines, there is still so much to discover. God calls us to remain teachable, curious, and willing to grow, because wisdom isn’t about reaching a point where we know everything—it’s about recognizing how much we still have to learn. Proverbs 1:5 encourages the wise to keep adding to their learning and seeking guidance.

A busy life can make it easy to become comfortable with what we already know and stop challenging ourselves. But lifelong learning can strengthen both our minds and our faith, helping us see God’s creativity, wisdom, and character in new ways. Whether through Scripture, books, conversations, podcasts, new skills, prayer, or simply paying closer attention to the world around us, every day offers an opportunity to learn something new and grow closer to God.

Highlights
Why learning and personal growth shouldn’t end when formal education does
What Proverbs 1:5 teaches about remaining teachable and seeking guidance
How comfort and busy routines can keep us from continuing to grow
Why a stagnant mind can contribute to a stagnant faith
Simple ways to keep learning without going back to school
How curiosity and humility can help us recognize what God is teaching us
Why lifelong learning can deepen our sense of awe and appreciation for God’s wisdom

Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter.

Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword

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!

Full Transcript Below:

Learn More Every Day

By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance…” – Proverbs 1:5, NIV

Every time a new semester starts at George Mason University, where I work, I’m inspired by seeing students excited about learning. Watching them walk around campus and hearing them discuss new ideas reminds me that education is a powerful gift. It makes me grateful that even though I’m not the one taking university classes anymore, my own education never actually ends. God is always teaching me something new if I’m just willing to keep a clear mind and a teachable heart.

This back-to-school season reminds us that learning is a lifelong calling. In Proverbs 1:5, the Bible encourages the wise to add to their learning and the discerning to get guidance. Truly wise people never reach a point where they decide they finally know enough. People who have discernment know they always need God’s guidance.

No matter how old we are, how many degrees we hold, or how much career experience we’ve accumulated, God calls us to learn more every day.

Unfortunately, it’s easy for us to let our lives shrink down to the level of our to-do lists. Once we finish our formal education and settle into our careers and family routines, we can easily stop challenging ourselves. We may get comfortable living our lives the same way every day and close our minds to fresh perspectives. If we let ourselves become overwhelmed by our responsibilities, we can neglect to make time for learning and growth in our busy schedules. Then we won’t be able to learn what God is trying to teach us.

A stagnant mind leads to a stagnant faith. God is infinitely creative, so there’s always more of God’s character to discover and more of God’s world to understand. When we stop learning, we limit our capacity for God to use us in new and exciting ways.

So, it’s important to follow the advice in Proverbs 1:5 and add to our learning. Every day that God gives us to live is a valuable opportunity to learn more.

We don’t need to enroll in graduate school or read massive textbooks to add to our learning. We just need to have curious and humble attitudes as we go about our daily lives. We can learn something new by reading a book, listening to a podcast during our commutes to and from work, or learning a skill we want to develop – like cooking better meals – by asking someone we know to teach us. Spiritually, we can add to our learning by studying the Bible, taking a wonder walk in nature, or strengthening our prayer and meditation practices. Every piece of new inspiration God gives us can help us appreciate the wonderful world God has made.

Lifelong learning can lead us to feel awe, because it shows us that our human understanding is very small compared to God’s unlimited knowledge and wisdom. When we approach each day asking God to teach us something new that day, we can become quicker to listen, slower to judge, and much more adaptable to life’s changes than we would be otherwise. So, as the children and young adults in our communities head back to school, let’s join them in their commitment to learn more. Let’s never stop being students of God’s truth by adding to our learning each and every day!

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider why lifelong learning is important, reflect on these questions:
What’s one specific topic that you’ve been wanting to learn more about lately? 
In what areas of your daily routine have you become too comfortable, and how can you challenge yourself to grow there? 
How can you create regular time in your busy schedule to acquire more knowledge and seek God’s guidance more? 
Think of someone in your life who has a very teachable spirit. What qualities do you admire most about his or her attitude? 
What’s one step you can take today to learn something new from a friend, family member, or coworker?

Further Reading:

Proverbs 9:9

Proverbs 18:15

Psalm 119:66

2 Peter 3:18

Philippians 1:9

Learning doesn&rsquo;t stop when school ends. Even after we finish our formal education, start careers, raise families, and settle into familiar routines, there is still so much to discover. God calls us to remain teachable, curious, and willing to grow, because wisdom isn&rsquo;t about reaching a point where we know everything&mdash;it&rsquo;s about recognizing how much we still have to learn. Proverbs 1:5 encourages the wise to keep adding to their learning and seeking guidance.
A busy life can make it easy to become comfortable with what we already know and stop challenging ourselves. But lifelong learning can strengthen both our minds and our faith, helping us see God&rsquo;s creativity, wisdom, and character in new ways. Whether through Scripture, books, conversations, podcasts, new skills, prayer, or simply paying closer attention to the world around us, every day offers an opportunity to learn something new and grow closer to God.
Highlights
<ul data-start="948" data-end="1444" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">
<li data-section-id="145esdh" data-start="948" data-end="1023">Why learning and personal growth shouldn&rsquo;t end when formal education does</li>
<li data-section-id="1yv2pex" data-start="1024" data-end="1098">What Proverbs 1:5 teaches about remaining teachable and seeking guidance</li>
<li data-section-id="3qfkgo" data-start="1099" data-end="1166">How comfort and busy routines can keep us from continuing to grow</li>
<li data-section-id="163by5q" data-start="1167" data-end="1223">Why a stagnant mind can contribute to a stagnant faith</li>
<li data-section-id="1azspse" data-start="1224" data-end="1283">Simple ways to keep learning without going back to school</li>
<li data-section-id="1as71ah" data-start="1284" data-end="1358">How curiosity and humility can help us recognize what God is teaching us</li>
<li data-section-id="hjo0dh" data-start="1359" data-end="1444" data-is-last-node="">Why lifelong learning can deepen our sense of awe and appreciation for God&rsquo;s wisdom</li>
</ul>
Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">The Good Word,</a> LifeAudio&rsquo;s free weekly newsletter.
Sign up at <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">LifeAudio.com/thegoodword</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Learn More Every Day
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading: &ldquo;Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance&hellip;&rdquo; &ndash; Proverbs 1:5, NIV
Every time a new semester starts at George Mason University, where I work, I&rsquo;m inspired by seeing students excited about learning. Watching them walk around campus and hearing them discuss new ideas reminds me that education is a powerful gift. It makes me grateful that even though I&rsquo;m not the one taking university classes anymore, my own education never actually ends. God is always teaching me something new if I&rsquo;m just willing to keep a clear mind and a teachable heart.
This back-to-school season reminds us that learning is a lifelong calling. In Proverbs 1:5, the Bible encourages the wise to add to their learning and the discerning to get guidance. <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/wisdom-begins-with-awe-the-crosswalk-devotional.html">Truly wise people</a> never reach a point where they decide they finally know enough. <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/things-i-learned-about-discernment.html">People who have discernment</a> know they always need God&rsquo;s guidance.
No matter how old we are, how many degrees we hold, or how much career experience we&rsquo;ve accumulated, God calls us to learn more every day.
Unfortunately, it&rsquo;s easy for us to let our lives shrink down to the level of our to-do lists. Once we finish our formal education and settle into our careers and family routines, we can easily stop challenging ourselves. We may get comfortable living our lives the same way every day and close our minds to fresh perspectives. If we let ourselves become overwhelmed by our responsibilities, we can neglect to make time for learning and growth in our busy schedules. Then we won&rsquo;t be able to learn what God is trying to teach us.
A stagnant mind leads to a stagnant faith. God is infinitely creative, so there&rsquo;s always more of God&rsquo;s character to discover and more of God&rsquo;s world to understand. When we stop learning, we limit our capacity for God to use us in new and exciting ways.
So, it&rsquo;s important to follow the advice in Proverbs 1:5 and add to our learning. Every day that God gives us to live is a valuable opportunity to learn more.
We don&rsquo;t need to enroll in graduate school or read massive textbooks to add to our learning. We just need to have curious and humble attitudes as we go about our daily lives. We can learn something new by reading a book, listening to a podcast during our commutes to and from work, or learning a skill we want to develop &ndash; like cooking better meals &ndash; by asking someone we know to teach us. Spiritually, we can add to our learning by <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/get-excited-about-the-bible-again-the-crosswalk-devotional.html">studying the Bible</a>, <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/wonder-walks-the-crosswalk-devotional.html">taking a wonder walk</a> in nature, or strengthening our <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/how-to-start-prayer-and-meditation-habits-youll-enjoy.html">prayer and meditation practices</a>. Every piece of new inspiration God gives us can help us appreciate the wonderful world God has made.
Lifelong learning can lead us to feel awe, because it shows us that our human understanding is very small compared to God&rsquo;s unlimited knowledge and wisdom. When we approach each day asking God to teach us something new that day, we can become quicker to listen, slower to judge, and much more adaptable to life&rsquo;s changes than we would be otherwise. So, as the children and young adults in our communities head back to school, let&rsquo;s join them in their commitment to learn more. Let&rsquo;s never stop being students of God&rsquo;s truth by adding to our learning each and every day!
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As you consider why lifelong learning is important, reflect on these questions:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What&rsquo;s one specific topic that you&rsquo;ve been wanting to learn more about lately?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">In what areas of your daily routine have you become too comfortable, and how can you challenge yourself to grow there?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How can you create regular time in your busy schedule to acquire more knowledge and seek God&rsquo;s guidance more?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Think of someone in your life who has a very teachable spirit. What qualities do you admire most about his or her attitude?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">What&rsquo;s one step you can take today to learn something new from a friend, family member, or coworker?</li>
</ul>
Further Reading:
Proverbs 9:9
Proverbs 18:15
Psalm 119:66
2 Peter 3:18
Philippians 1:9

Learn More Every Day

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/607c59dc-5ae2-4ecb-a5c7-b4b700cd4bc7/transcript

Loneliness can feel especially painful when you’re surrounded by people yet still feel like you have no one who truly understands or knows what you’re carrying. You may long for deeper friendships, meaningful community, or simply someone you can call when life gets difficult. But feeling lonely does not mean you are alone. Scripture reminds us that God is near to the lonely and afflicted, and Jesus promises to remain with His followers always.

God created us for relationship—with Him and with one another. While faith in Jesus doesn’t eliminate our need for human friendship and community, it gives us an unshakable foundation when relationships feel distant or absent. When loneliness weighs heavily, we can turn that pain into prayer, draw closer to God, and ask Him to bring trustworthy, Christ-centered people into our lives.

Highlights
What Scripture says about loneliness and God’s presence
Why feeling lonely doesn’t mean you are truly alone
How a relationship with Jesus can provide lasting hope and security
Why God created us for both relationship with Him and healthy community with others
How to turn feelings of loneliness into opportunities for prayer
Practical ways to seek meaningful friendships and Christ-centered community
Encouragement to trust God to bring the right people into your life

Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter.

Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword

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!

Full Transcript Below:

Lonely But Not Alone

By Alexis A. Goring 

Bible Reading:
“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” - Psalm 25:16 NIV

Lately, God has helped me realize that when I feel lonely, I am never alone because He is always with me, as are His Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.God doesn’t want us to feel lonely. He built us for community and support—first with Him, then with others whom He created. English poet John Donne said, “No man is an island.” He may have spoken those words in the 17th century, but such wisdom is still true today for all of us. 

According to an article published online in March 2026 for “WashU The Source” under the Newsroom section, Deb Parker wrote, “In 2023, the World Health Organization declared loneliness a global public health concern and launched a commission focused on strengthening social connections. That same year, the U.S. surgeon general warned that loneliness carries serious health risks, comparing its mortality impact to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Research increasingly links loneliness not only to mental health challenges but also to physical health risks, including heart disease, stroke, and early death.”

According to an article by Ann Friedman published online in May 2026 for Call Your Girlfriend, “Loneliness can affect anyone, but the sheer scale at which people are getting trapped by the modern malaise of loneliness is concerning. So much so that loneliness has become the defining health crisis of our times… According to the WHO's June 2025 report, loneliness is associated with around 100 deaths per hour globally. That's not all — stress-related absenteeism from work costs US employers an estimated $154 billion annually. These numbers point to a more grave situation than one can imagine. Each statistic reflects a lonely person eating their dinner alone, another who has millions of online connections but no one to call in a moment of crisis, yet another who weeps alone and has no shoulder to cry on. The ripple effects of loneliness extend far beyond mere sadness, as many chronic lifestyle diseases are added on due to the condition, such as coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. That's not all — loneliness gives rise to cognitive decline and several mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.”

How can we solve this dangerous problem? Friedman said, “Loneliness can be eased by a multi-pronged approach. Individuals can take personal steps by reaching out to friends and family, joining social clubs, or taking part in group activities that align with their interests. They can also participate in volunteer or community work, which can create meaning and a sense of belonging.”

I believe that the loneliness crisis can also be solved through a genuine relationship with our Savior (Jesus Christ). He died so that we may have life (John 3:16) and have it abundantly (John 10:10). While our mortal enemy (Satan/the devil) is trying to destroy us (making us feel alone and lonely is only one of his tactics), our Savior is constantly wooing us to Him. According to Romans 5:10, He is working hard to reconcile us with our Maker (God).

When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and decide to live for Him, it’s like we get a new wind, a new outlook, and purpose in life. We are finally secure in something (faith) and in someone (God) who is unshakable. God cannot die. He lives forever, and all His promises to us are true. One of His promises is to be with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). This means our relationship with Jesus Christ is one that will span the ages and last forever. He is our most Faithful Friend who will literally never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus is the only one who will never let you down and never abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:8).

This doesn’t mean that Jesus wants to be your only friend. As I said earlier, He created us for a healthy and safe community with each other. If you are feeling lonely, reach out to God and ask Him to send good friends into your life. Friends who genuinely love the Lord and who truly care about you. When I learned to do this, God began to bless me above and beyond with a wonderful community found through friendships with other Christians. It is a joy and honor to experience life with them. God can do the same for you if you let Him.

So, when you’re feeling alone, remember that you’re never alone because Jesus is always with you. Turn your pain into prayers and ask Him to help you be friends with Him first, and others, second. Ask God for the community you crave and trust Him to send the right people into your life.  

In closing, I’d like for you to listen and reflect on these three songs (listed below).

Song of Reflection #1: “Jesus Loves Me” by Whitney Houston. Listen to it HERE.

Song of Reflection #2: “You’re Not Alone” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it HERE.

Song of Reflection #3: “God Loves You” by Jaci Velasquez. Listen to it HERE.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

How does it feel to know that when you feel lonely, you are never alone because God is always with you?

Further Reading:
Isaiah 41:10
Hebrews 6:17-18
Deuteronomy 31:6
1 Timothy 6:16
Psalm 90:2

Loneliness can feel especially painful when you&rsquo;re surrounded by people yet still feel like you have no one who truly understands or knows what you&rsquo;re carrying. You may long for deeper friendships, meaningful community, or simply someone you can call when life gets difficult. But feeling lonely does not mean you are alone. Scripture reminds us that God is near to the lonely and afflicted, and Jesus promises to remain with His followers always.
God created us for relationship&mdash;with Him and with one another. While faith in Jesus doesn&rsquo;t eliminate our need for human friendship and community, it gives us an unshakable foundation when relationships feel distant or absent. When loneliness weighs heavily, we can turn that pain into prayer, draw closer to God, and ask Him to bring trustworthy, Christ-centered people into our lives.
Highlights
<ul data-start="861" data-end="1343" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">
<li data-section-id="owepd4" data-start="861" data-end="918">What Scripture says about loneliness and God&rsquo;s presence</li>
<li data-section-id="1jqrcm2" data-start="919" data-end="972">Why feeling lonely doesn&rsquo;t mean you are truly alone</li>
<li data-section-id="9llkdb" data-start="973" data-end="1042">How a relationship with Jesus can provide lasting hope and security</li>
<li data-section-id="1327j58" data-start="1043" data-end="1128">Why God created us for both relationship with Him and healthy community with others</li>
<li data-section-id="8hlf8d" data-start="1129" data-end="1195">How to turn feelings of loneliness into opportunities for prayer</li>
<li data-section-id="h4h0s7" data-start="1196" data-end="1273">Practical ways to seek meaningful friendships and Christ-centered community</li>
<li data-section-id="ipebts" data-start="1274" data-end="1343" data-is-last-node="">Encouragement to trust God to bring the right people into your life</li>
</ul>
Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">The Good Word,</a> LifeAudio&rsquo;s free weekly newsletter.
Sign up at <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">LifeAudio.com/thegoodword</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Lonely But Not Alone
By Alexis A. Goring&nbsp;
Bible Reading: &ldquo;Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.&rdquo; - Psalm 25:16 NIV
Lately, God has helped me realize that when I feel lonely, I am never alone because He is always with me, as are His Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.God doesn&rsquo;t want us to feel lonely. He built us for community and support&mdash;first with Him, then with others whom He created. English poet John Donne said, &ldquo;No man is an island.&rdquo; He may have spoken those words in the 17th century, but such wisdom is still true today for all of us.&nbsp;
According to an <a href="https://source.washu.edu/2026/03/nearly-half-of-young-adults-report-loneliness-in-eight-country-study/">article</a> published online in March 2026 for &ldquo;WashU The Source&rdquo; under the Newsroom section, Deb Parker wrote, &ldquo;In 2023, the World Health Organization declared loneliness a global public health concern and launched a commission focused on strengthening social connections. That same year, the U.S. surgeon general warned that loneliness carries serious health risks, comparing its mortality impact to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Research increasingly links loneliness not only to mental health challenges but also to physical health risks, including heart disease, stroke, and early death.&rdquo;
According to an article by Ann Friedman published online in May 2026 for <a href="https://www.callyourgirlfriend.com/blog/loneliness-statistics">Call Your Girlfriend</a>, &ldquo;Loneliness can affect anyone, but the sheer scale at which people are getting trapped by the modern malaise of loneliness is concerning. So much so that loneliness has become the defining health crisis of our times&hellip; According to the WHO's June 2025 report, loneliness is associated with around 100 deaths per hour globally. That's not all &mdash; stress-related absenteeism from work costs US employers an estimated $154 billion annually. These numbers point to a more grave situation than one can imagine. Each statistic reflects a lonely person eating their dinner alone, another who has millions of online connections but no one to call in a moment of crisis, yet another who weeps alone and has no shoulder to cry on. The ripple effects of loneliness extend far beyond mere sadness, as many chronic lifestyle diseases are added on due to the condition, such as coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. That's not all &mdash; loneliness gives rise to cognitive decline and several mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.&rdquo;
How can we solve this dangerous problem? Friedman said, &ldquo;Loneliness can be eased by a multi-pronged approach. Individuals can take personal steps by reaching out to friends and family, joining social clubs, or taking part in group activities that align with their interests. They can also participate in volunteer or community work, which can create meaning and a sense of belonging.&rdquo;
I believe that the loneliness crisis can also be solved through a genuine relationship with our Savior (Jesus Christ). He died so that we may have life (John 3:16) and have it abundantly (John 10:10). While our mortal enemy (Satan/the devil) is trying to destroy us (making us feel alone and lonely is only one of his tactics), our Savior is constantly wooing us to Him. According to Romans 5:10, He is working hard to reconcile us with our Maker (God).
When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and decide to live for Him, it&rsquo;s like we get a new wind, a new outlook, and purpose in life. We are finally secure in something (faith) and in someone (God) who is unshakable. God cannot die. He lives forever, and all His promises to us are true. One of His promises is to be with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). This means our relationship with Jesus Christ is one that will span the ages and last forever. He is our most Faithful Friend who will literally never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus is the only one who will never let you down and never abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:8).
This doesn&rsquo;t mean that Jesus wants to be your only friend. As I said earlier, He created us for a healthy and safe community with each other. If you are feeling lonely, reach out to God and ask Him to send good friends into your life. Friends who genuinely love the Lord and who truly care about you. When I learned to do this, God began to bless me above and beyond with a wonderful community found through friendships with other Christians. It is a joy and honor to experience life with them. God can do the same for you if you let Him.
So, when you&rsquo;re feeling alone, remember that you&rsquo;re never alone because Jesus is always with you. Turn your pain into prayers and ask Him to help you be friends with Him first, and others, second. Ask God for the community you crave and trust Him to send the right people into your life.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In closing, I&rsquo;d like for you to listen and reflect on these three songs (listed below).
Song of Reflection #1: &ldquo;Jesus Loves Me&rdquo; by Whitney Houston. Listen to it <a href="https://youtu.be/BIh97WKnYW4?si=N0eemxQz9DhjfPKI">HERE</a>.
Song of Reflection #2: &ldquo;You&rsquo;re Not Alone&rdquo; by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it <a href="https://youtu.be/8FXLo3aCkuQ?si=sIk9VPRm7pjawrW5">HERE</a>.
Song of Reflection #3: &ldquo;God Loves You&rdquo; by Jaci Velasquez. Listen to it <a href="https://youtu.be/fu48CCyP1sg?si=bpQJ_h76J5LNlAoC">HERE</a>.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
How does it feel to know that when you feel lonely, you are never alone because God is always with you?
Further Reading: Isaiah 41:10 Hebrews 6:17-18 Deuteronomy 31:6 1 Timothy 6:16 Psalm 90:2

Lonely But Not Alone

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/8277510c-dc02-4b36-879b-b4b700cd47dc/transcript

We all make plans for our lives. We dream about the career we’ll have, the relationships we’ll build, the family we’ll create, and the goals we’ll accomplish. And when those plans fall apart despite our best efforts, the disappointment can be profound. Unanswered prayers, unexpected detours, and unfulfilled dreams can leave us wondering whether we missed God’s plan or whether He is doing something we simply cannot see yet. Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that while we may have many plans, it is ultimately the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

That truth can be both challenging and comforting. Our perspective is limited, but God sees the entire picture. A path that feels like a setback may actually be His redirection, and a dream that doesn’t come to pass may make room for something He knows is better. When our plans don't unfold the way we imagined, we can look back at God's faithfulness, surrender our expectations, and trust that His purpose is still at work.

Highlights
Why unmet expectations and unfulfilled dreams can be so difficult to process
What Proverbs 19:21 teaches about our plans versus God’s purpose
Why our limited perspective makes it difficult to understand God’s direction
How unexpected detours can become opportunities to trust God more deeply
The importance of looking back at how God has redirected your path in the past
How surrendering our plans can help us embrace God’s purpose for our lives
Encouragement to trust that God’s design for your life is good, even when the path looks different than expected

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Full Transcript Below:

Prevailing Purpose
By Megan J. Conner

Bible Reading:
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” - Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

I don’t know about you, but I love a good plan. There is something so satisfying about witnessing dreams or goals become reality.  Even better when you feel a sense of accomplishment as they are fulfilled. Perhaps you spent years researching, studying, preparing, praying, and planning for your future. Then the day finally arrived! All your patience and hard work paid off. You received the diploma, started the new job, married the mate of your dreams, or filled that final seat at the family dining room table. What an incredible feeling! You planned, you pursued, you sacrificed, you worked, you waited… and the desires of your heart became reality. Like the last puzzle piece fitting perfectly into place, the framework you designed produced your anticipated outcome.

Sounds incredible, right? But how many of us can say our picture-perfect ideas have become reality? If your life has been anything like mine, I would speculate that things haven’t always worked out as planned. Maybe you prearranged, pursued, worked, and then overworked, struggled, dug deep, fell down, and then pulled yourself back up by your bootstraps, adamantly refusing to give up on the vision you saw for your future. Yet despite your passionate efforts, it simply was not to be. Unmet expectations or unfulfilled longings can be disappointing, frustrating, and for some, even devastating. Where then can we find comfort or gain understanding when our dreams are dashed?

Today’s scripture comes to us from the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is believed to be written by King Solomon, David’s son, who succeeded him as the next ruler. Solomon was known worldwide for his sage wisdom. In the opening chapter of Proverbs, the writer shares the purpose of his communication.

“The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young…” - Prov. 1:1-4 (NIV)

Solomon clearly communicates that the purpose of these writings is to help others gain insight and knowledge. He is not trying to boast or grandstand; his goal is to teach. Solomon concludes his introduction with a powerful reminder that the true origin of all wisdom is the Lord when he states, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” (Prov. 1:7, NIV). If we truly long for insight and understanding, God is the only source. He is not only the founder of all knowledge, but He sees what we don’t see. He understands what we fail to comprehend.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,” (Isa. 5:8-9, NIV).

Our vision for our own lives is limited, at times, maybe even flawed. We are mortal beings. We reside in a framework designed by the Creator of the Universe. With such limited human understanding, it is impossible for us to accurately measure our lives and their meanings. As such, the plans and pursuits we select for ourselves may not be what God would choose. Like the potter who looks at a lump of clay and sees the masterpiece it will become, our Lord recognizes the vessel He is creating in each of us. He crafted us in our mother’s womb, uniquely different and for His good pleasure (Ps. 139:13). We can trust that His design for us is good. He has a prevailing purpose for each and every one of us. 

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” - Prov. 19:21 (NIV)

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Have you felt like the plans you had for your own life were thwarted? If so, did your unmet expectations prompt disappointment and heartache, or were you able to recognize God was working for good on your behalf? 

Take some time today to look back upon your life and identify the times when you clearly thought your life was going to go one way, yet the Lord diverted your path. How does recognizing His direction in past circumstances help you to trust in His will for your future?

Further Reading:
Isaiah 5:8-13
Psalm 139:13-18

We all make plans for our lives. We dream about the career we&rsquo;ll have, the relationships we&rsquo;ll build, the family we&rsquo;ll create, and the goals we&rsquo;ll accomplish. And when those plans fall apart despite our best efforts, the disappointment can be profound. Unanswered prayers, unexpected detours, and unfulfilled dreams can leave us wondering whether we missed God&rsquo;s plan or whether He is doing something we simply cannot see yet. Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that while we may have many plans, it is ultimately the Lord&rsquo;s purpose that prevails.
That truth can be both challenging and comforting. Our perspective is limited, but God sees the entire picture. A path that feels like a setback may actually be His redirection, and a dream that doesn&rsquo;t come to pass may make room for something He knows is better. When our plans don't unfold the way we imagined, we can look back at God's faithfulness, surrender our expectations, and trust that His purpose is still at work.
Highlights
<ul data-start="991" data-end="1563" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">
<li data-section-id="8zku6w" data-start="991" data-end="1069">Why unmet expectations and unfulfilled dreams can be so difficult to process</li>
<li data-section-id="11kzsp6" data-start="1070" data-end="1136">What Proverbs 19:21 teaches about our plans versus God&rsquo;s purpose</li>
<li data-section-id="xqdt38" data-start="1137" data-end="1215">Why our limited perspective makes it difficult to understand God&rsquo;s direction</li>
<li data-section-id="1yrfdg" data-start="1216" data-end="1290">How unexpected detours can become opportunities to trust God more deeply</li>
<li data-section-id="h8fef0" data-start="1291" data-end="1371">The importance of looking back at how God has redirected your path in the past</li>
<li data-section-id="fgjov8" data-start="1372" data-end="1448">How surrendering our plans can help us embrace God&rsquo;s purpose for our lives</li>
<li data-section-id="42swl2" data-start="1449" data-end="1563" data-is-last-node="">Encouragement to trust that God&rsquo;s design for your life is good, even when the path looks different than expected</li>
</ul>
Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">The Good Word,</a> LifeAudio&rsquo;s free weekly newsletter.
Sign up at <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">LifeAudio.com/thegoodword</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Prevailing Purpose By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading: &ldquo;Many are the plans in a person&rsquo;s heart, but it is the LORD&rsquo;s purpose that prevails.&rdquo; - Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
I don&rsquo;t know about you, but I love a good plan. There is something so satisfying about witnessing dreams or goals become reality.&nbsp; Even better when you feel a sense of accomplishment as they are fulfilled. Perhaps you spent years researching, studying, preparing, praying, and planning for your future. Then the day finally arrived! All your patience and hard work paid off. You received the diploma, started the new job, married the mate of your dreams, or filled that final seat at the family dining room table. What an incredible feeling! You planned, you pursued, you sacrificed, you worked, you waited&hellip; and the desires of your heart became reality. Like the last puzzle piece fitting perfectly into place, the framework you designed produced your anticipated outcome.
Sounds incredible, right? But how many of us can say our picture-perfect ideas have become reality? If your life has been anything like mine, I would speculate that things haven&rsquo;t always worked out as planned. Maybe you prearranged, pursued, worked, and then overworked, struggled, dug deep, fell down, and then pulled yourself back up by your bootstraps, adamantly refusing to give up on the vision you saw for your future. Yet despite your passionate efforts, it simply was not to be. Unmet expectations or unfulfilled longings can be disappointing, frustrating, and for some, even devastating. Where then can we find comfort or gain understanding when our dreams are dashed?
Today&rsquo;s scripture comes to us from the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is believed to be written by King Solomon, David&rsquo;s son, who succeeded him as the next ruler. Solomon was known worldwide for his sage wisdom. In the opening chapter of Proverbs, the writer shares the purpose of his communication.
&ldquo;The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple,&nbsp;knowledge and discretion to the young&hellip;&rdquo; - Prov. 1:1-4 (NIV)
Solomon clearly communicates that the purpose of these writings is to help others gain insight and knowledge. He is not trying to boast or grandstand; his goal is to teach. Solomon concludes his introduction with a powerful reminder that the true origin of all wisdom is the Lord when he states, &ldquo;The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge&hellip;&rdquo; (Prov. 1:7, NIV). If we truly long for insight and understanding, God is the only source. He is not only the founder of all knowledge, but He sees what we don&rsquo;t see. He understands what we fail to comprehend.
&ldquo;For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,&rsquo; declares the LORD. &lsquo;As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,&rdquo; (Isa. 5:8-9, NIV).
Our vision for our own lives is limited, at times, maybe even flawed. We are mortal beings. We reside in a framework designed by the Creator of the Universe. With such limited human understanding, it is impossible for us to accurately measure our lives and their meanings. As such, the plans and pursuits we select for ourselves may not be what God would choose. Like the potter who looks at a lump of clay and sees the masterpiece it will become, our Lord recognizes the vessel He is creating in each of us. He crafted us in our mother&rsquo;s womb, uniquely different and for His good pleasure (Ps. 139:13). We can trust that His design for us is good. He has a prevailing purpose for each and every one of us.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Many are the plans in a person&rsquo;s heart, but it is the LORD&rsquo;s purpose that prevails.&rdquo; - Prov. 19:21 (NIV)
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Have you felt like the plans you had for your own life were thwarted? If so, did your unmet expectations prompt disappointment and heartache, or were you able to recognize God was working for good on your behalf?&nbsp;
Take some time today to look back upon your life and identify the times when you clearly thought your life was going to go one way, yet the Lord diverted your path. How does recognizing His direction in past circumstances help you to trust in His will for your future?
Further Reading: Isaiah 5:8-13 Psalm 139:13-18

Prevailing Purpose

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/ce325c6c-1074-41db-8176-b4b700cd4298/transcript

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