Jesus alone can free us from hell’s claim. By accepting His sacrifice on our behalf, we acknowledge He is the only One who has the authority to save us. - Lynette Kittle

SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:

Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/

Jesus alone can free us from hell’s claim. By accepting His sacrifice on our behalf, we acknowledge He is the only One who has the authority to save us. - Lynette Kittle
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

Jesus Cancels Our Reservations in Hell

Fear doesn’t disappear because life gets easier—it loosens its grip when we learn to rest in a love that cannot be taken away. This Crosswalk Devotional, Held by a Love Stronger Than Fear by Sarah Frazer, centers on 1 John 4:17–18 and reveals how God’s perfect, unconditional love drives out fear at its root. For anyone shaped by fragile or conditional relationships, this devotion offers reassurance that God’s love is steady, secure, and permanent.

Highlights


God’s love is not fragile, conditional, or temporary


Perfect love drives out fear rooted in punishment and loss


God’s love can be known and fully relied upon


Fear grows when we doubt the security of God’s love


Confidence replaces anxiety when we rest in who God is


God’s love is part of His unchanging nature


We are held by a love stronger than rejection, doubt, and fear

Do you want to listen ad-free?

When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! 

Sign Up Today!

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today.  Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org

Full Transcript Below:

Held by a Love Stronger Than Fear
By Sarah Frazer

Bible Reading:
And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. - 1 John 4:17-18

Many of us carry a fear we rarely name: the fear that love can leave. The only love we see is often a love that is distant and disappointing. For me, sometimes love feels fragile. That’s because the love we often experience is a conditional love. It is a love that depends on how we act, perform, or even our moods. 

How many relationships have been broken and lost because love was withdrawn, withheld, or just abandoned? Human relationships are indeed fragile, weak, and easily broken. Even if we experience a love that lasts, we still distrust the true kind of love we see in the Bible. Friend, God’s love is not fragile. 

The apostle John gives us a picture of God’s love here. He says, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world, we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  1 John 4:16-18

The book of 1 John was a letter written to Christians in the first century. The new church was experiencing intense persecution and suffering. When we face hardships, we question God’s love for us. John spends so much time in this letter explaining God’s love to them, so they would rest in a love that was strong, eternal, and not rooted in fear. 

John uses the word know here. We do not guess or hope in God’s love. We can know it! We also rely on it. This word means to rest our entire weight on it. We can sit down, rest, and be confident in this type of love. 

Human love can waver, disappear, or get lost. Fear grips our hearts when we think about the loves that have left. Whether by death or choice, human love will always be vulnerable. Only God loves us fully, completely, and without condition. God’s love is something we are invited here, in John’s letter, to depend upon! 

John also says that “God is love.” That means that God is more than just loving, but His very nature is one of love. What makes God who He is has to include love. There is a permanence here. His love cannot leave because it is woven into the fabric of who He is. God would not be God unless He loved us. That means that this love is never revoked; nor is it ever threatened by our weakness, doubt, or fear. 

Fear grows when we lose sight of God’s love for us. If we continually see our inadequacies as a measure of God’s love for us, we will always fear. We will always be afraid that we will lose God’s love. But when we begin to see how secure God’s love for us is - that’s when fear begins to shrink! Fear is tied to punishment and loss. 

In 1 John 4:17-18, he makes it clear that love has “made us complete.” This type of love leads to confidence, not anxiety. Fear whispers: What if I lose love? God’s love answers: You are held. This is the power of God’s love over fear. We are held by a love that is stronger than fear. 

I’ll admit, fear feels very strong in my life. It seems to start small, but then grow if I allow the worries and doubts to take over my mind. If I ever encounter a love that is uncertain, or when I face the sting of rejection by someone else, I have to guard against fear. Fear likes to settle into our hearts. If we allow that to happen, we lose sight of God’s love and begin to guard ourselves away. 

John reminds us that as Christians, we are shaped by a love that is beyond all fear. As we learn to rest in the love God offers us, we can feel our fears give way to faith. We can find ourselves confident, grounded, in a love that is steady, secure, and strong enough to hold us.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Our experiences with people often shape how we expect love to behave. If love has been inconsistent or even withheld, fear can quickly influence the way we relate to God as well. But God’s love is something we can rely on. How have your past or present relationships shaped the way you expect love to behave? In what area of your life might God be inviting you to replace fear-driven striving with deeper reliance on His love?

Further Reading:
Psalm 27:1
Isaiah 54:10
John 14:27
Romans 8:15

Fear doesn&rsquo;t disappear because life gets easier&mdash;it loosens its grip when we learn to rest in a love that cannot be taken away. This Crosswalk Devotional, Held by a Love Stronger Than Fear by Sarah Frazer, centers on 1 John 4:17&ndash;18 and reveals how God&rsquo;s perfect, unconditional love drives out fear at its root. For anyone shaped by fragile or conditional relationships, this devotion offers reassurance that God&rsquo;s love is steady, secure, and permanent.
Highlights
<ul data-start="987" data-end="1386">
<li data-start="987" data-end="1043">
God&rsquo;s love is not fragile, conditional, or temporary
</li>
<li data-start="1044" data-end="1106">
Perfect love drives out fear rooted in punishment and loss
</li>
<li data-start="1107" data-end="1156">
God&rsquo;s love can be known and fully relied upon
</li>
<li data-start="1157" data-end="1212">
Fear grows when we doubt the security of God&rsquo;s love
</li>
<li data-start="1213" data-end="1271">
Confidence replaces anxiety when we rest in who God is
</li>
<li data-start="1272" data-end="1319">
God&rsquo;s love is part of His unchanging nature
</li>
<li data-start="1320" data-end="1386">
We are held by a love stronger than rejection, doubt, and fear
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
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>
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. &nbsp;Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
TrinityCredit &ndash; Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Held by a Love Stronger Than Fear By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading: And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. - 1 John 4:17-18
Many of us carry a fear we rarely name: the fear that love can leave. The only love we see is often a love that is distant and disappointing. For me, sometimes love feels fragile. That&rsquo;s because the love we often experience is a conditional love. It is a love that depends on how we act, perform, or even our moods.&nbsp;
How many relationships have been broken and lost because love was withdrawn, withheld, or just abandoned? Human relationships are indeed fragile, weak, and easily broken. Even if we experience a love that lasts, we still distrust the true kind of love we see in the Bible. Friend, God&rsquo;s love is not fragile.&nbsp;
The apostle John gives us a picture of God&rsquo;s love here. He says, &ldquo;And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world, we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.&nbsp; 1 John 4:16-18
The book of 1 John was a letter written to Christians in the first century. The new church was experiencing intense persecution and suffering. When we face hardships, we question God&rsquo;s love for us. John spends so much time in this letter explaining God&rsquo;s love to them, so they would rest in a love that was strong, eternal, and not rooted in fear.&nbsp;
John uses the word know here. We do not guess or hope in God&rsquo;s love. We can know it! We also rely on it. This word means to rest our entire weight on it. We can sit down, rest, and be confident in this type of love.&nbsp;
Human love can waver, disappear, or get lost. Fear grips our hearts when we think about the loves that have left. Whether by death or choice, human love will always be vulnerable. Only God loves us fully, completely, and without condition. God&rsquo;s love is something we are invited here, in John&rsquo;s letter, to depend upon!&nbsp;
John also says that &ldquo;God is love.&rdquo; That means that God is more than just loving, but His very nature is one of love. What makes God who He is has to include love. There is a permanence here. His love cannot leave because it is woven into the fabric of who He is. God would not be God unless He loved us. That means that this love is never revoked; nor is it ever threatened by our weakness, doubt, or fear.&nbsp;
Fear grows when we lose sight of God&rsquo;s love for us. If we continually see our inadequacies as a measure of God&rsquo;s love for us, we will always fear. We will always be afraid that we will lose God&rsquo;s love. But when we begin to see how secure God&rsquo;s love for us is - that&rsquo;s when fear begins to shrink! Fear is tied to punishment and loss.&nbsp;
In 1 John 4:17-18, he makes it clear that love has &ldquo;made us complete.&rdquo; This type of love leads to confidence, not anxiety. Fear whispers: What if I lose love? God&rsquo;s love answers: You are held. This is the power of God&rsquo;s love over fear. We are held by a love that is stronger than fear.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ll admit, fear feels very strong in my life. It seems to start small, but then grow if I allow the worries and doubts to take over my mind. If I ever encounter a love that is uncertain, or when I face the sting of rejection by someone else, I have to guard against fear. Fear likes to settle into our hearts. If we allow that to happen, we lose sight of God&rsquo;s love and begin to guard ourselves away.&nbsp;
John reminds us that as Christians, we are shaped by a love that is beyond all fear. As we learn to rest in the love God offers us, we can feel our fears give way to faith. We can find ourselves confident, grounded, in a love that is steady, secure, and strong enough to hold us.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Our experiences with people often shape how we expect love to behave. If love has been inconsistent or even withheld, fear can quickly influence the way we relate to God as well. But God&rsquo;s love is something we can rely on. How have your past or present relationships shaped the way you expect love to behave? In what area of your life might God be inviting you to replace fear-driven striving with deeper reliance on His love?
Further Reading: Psalm 27:1 Isaiah 54:10 John 14:27 Romans 8:15

Held by a Love Stronger Than Fear

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/e67f86a4-f416-480e-bbe8-b3e2012a3ab9/transcript

God’s strength is not reserved for elite athletes or extraordinary moments—it’s available for everyday life. This Crosswalk Devotional, God’s Strength Will Empower You by Whitney Hopler, draws from 1 Chronicles 16:11–12 to remind believers that lasting strength comes from continually seeking God’s presence, not relying on limited human ability. Whether facing pressure at work, health challenges, family tension, or personal uncertainty, God’s power meets us right where we are.

Highlights


God’s strength empowers believers beyond human limits


Seeking God’s presence should be continual, not crisis-driven


Spiritual endurance grows through daily dependence on God


Remembering God’s past faithfulness fuels present faith


Temporary success never replaces eternal relationship with God


Our worth is rooted in being God’s beloved children, not performance


God walks with us through both victories and failures

Do you want to listen ad-free?

When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! 

Sign Up Today!

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today.  Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org

Full Transcript Below:

God’s Strength Will Empower You
By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered.” - 1 Chronicles 16:11-12, ESV 

The 2026 Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina 2026) shine a spotlight on some of the strongest athletes in the world. No matter what sport they compete in, Olympic athletes are constantly seeking strength. Many of them pray for God’s help to be the best they can be, both physically and mentally. That includes help from God for the discipline and endurance they need to practice and compete well. 

But you don’t have to be a downhill skier or a figure skater to understand why it’s important to be strong. Whether you’re launching a new project at work, dealing with a challenging health situation, trying to resolve a family conflict, or facing any other stressful situation in this fallen world, you know how much God’s strength can empower you. God’s help is vital to succeeding with whatever you’re trying to do, whether or not you’ll get a gold medal when you win. 

In 1 Chronicles 16:11-12, the Bible encourages you to look beyond your own limited power to seek God’s strength, which can empower you without limits. These verses call you to seek God’s presence continually. Instead of just saying a one-time prayer during a crisis, you should notice God’s presence with you throughout your day and check in with God regularly through prayer. When you make a habit of seeking God’s strength, you’ll find the power you need to help you with any kind of situation – even the most challenging situations that seem like they would be impossible to overcome. 

These Bible verses also encourage you to remember the wondrous works God has done, like his miracles and judgments. Olympic commentators love to talk about an athlete’s “track record.” They look back at each athlete’s past competition results and other information from the past (like injuries and recoveries) to predict future success. You can do the same with your faith. When you feel overwhelmed by a challenge you’re facing right now, look back on how God has helped you in the past. Think of the times when you’ve already experienced the wonder of God’s work in your life – like when God provided exactly what you needed, or when God empowered you to do something you couldn’t do on your own. The more you remember God’s past faithfulness, the more that will fuel your faith to look for the wonder of God’s work in your life every day and let that evidence inspire you to trust God now. 

In this year’s winter Olympics, thousands of athletes will chase gold, silver, and bronze medals. But those prizes are temporary. God’s presence with you is something you can enjoy both now and forever. As you work toward your own goals and pursue your own adventures this year, don’t get so caught up in trying to achieve temporary results that you miss your wonderful Creator and Heavenly Father walking right beside you. 

Whether you reach the podium of success or make mistakes that hurt like falling on ice, God will be there with you, empowering you with his strength. You can afford to bravely take big risks to keep learning and growing, just like Olympic athletes do. Your worth doesn’t come from your performance; it comes from your relationship with God as one of his beloved children. So, whatever challenge you’re facing today, seek God and his strength. God is with you, and he’s ready to give you everything you need for the journey ahead. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider why it’s important to seek God and his strength, reflect on these questions: 
If you were training for your current life season like an Olympian, what’s the one area where you most need God’s strength right now? 
How can you seek God’s presence “continually” rather than just when you’re facing a challenge? What will help you remember to ask God for more strength on a regular basis? 
Think of one “wondrous work” or miracle God has done in your past. How does remembering that help you face a fear you have today? 
What’s one way you can celebrate this week to thank God for answering a prayer you prayed in the past? Can you plan to look at old photos that remind you of God’s answer, post about it on social media, or share the story with a friend? 

Further Reading:
Isaiah 40:31
Philippians 4:13
Psalm 105:4
Hebrews 12:1
Psalm 77:11

God&rsquo;s strength is not reserved for elite athletes or extraordinary moments&mdash;it&rsquo;s available for everyday life. This Crosswalk Devotional, God&rsquo;s Strength Will Empower You by Whitney Hopler, draws from 1 Chronicles 16:11&ndash;12 to remind believers that lasting strength comes from continually seeking God&rsquo;s presence, not relying on limited human ability. Whether facing pressure at work, health challenges, family tension, or personal uncertainty, God&rsquo;s power meets us right where we are.
Highlights
<ul data-start="1042" data-end="1485">
<li data-start="1042" data-end="1099">
God&rsquo;s strength empowers believers beyond human limits
</li>
<li data-start="1100" data-end="1165">
Seeking God&rsquo;s presence should be continual, not crisis-driven
</li>
<li data-start="1166" data-end="1227">
Spiritual endurance grows through daily dependence on God
</li>
<li data-start="1228" data-end="1287">
Remembering God&rsquo;s past faithfulness fuels present faith
</li>
<li data-start="1288" data-end="1354">
Temporary success never replaces eternal relationship with God
</li>
<li data-start="1355" data-end="1427">
Our worth is rooted in being God&rsquo;s beloved children, not performance
</li>
<li data-start="1428" data-end="1485">
God walks with us through both victories and failures
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
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>
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. &nbsp;Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
TrinityCredit &ndash; Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
God&rsquo;s Strength Will Empower You By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading: &ldquo;Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered.&rdquo; - 1 Chronicles 16:11-12, ESV&nbsp;
The 2026 Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina 2026) shine a spotlight on some of the strongest athletes in the world. No matter what sport they compete in, Olympic athletes are constantly seeking strength. Many of them pray for God&rsquo;s help to be the best they can be, both physically and mentally. That includes help from God for the discipline and endurance they need to practice and compete well.&nbsp;
But you don&rsquo;t have to be a downhill skier or a figure skater to understand why<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/focus-on-whats-strong-not-wrong-the-crosswalk-devotional.html"> it&rsquo;s important to be strong</a>. Whether you&rsquo;re launching a new project at work, dealing with a challenging health situation, trying to resolve a family conflict, or facing any other stressful situation in this fallen world, you know how much God&rsquo;s strength can empower you. God&rsquo;s help is vital to succeeding with whatever you&rsquo;re trying to do, whether or not you&rsquo;ll get a gold medal when you win.&nbsp;
In 1 Chronicles 16:11-12, the Bible encourages you to look beyond your own limited power to seek God&rsquo;s strength, which can empower you without limits. These verses call you to seek God&rsquo;s presence continually. Instead of just saying a one-time prayer during a crisis, you should<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-notice-god-with-you-throughout-your-day.html"> notice God&rsquo;s presence with you throughout your day</a> and check in with God regularly through prayer. When you make a habit of seeking God&rsquo;s strength, you&rsquo;ll find the power you need to help you with any kind of situation &ndash; even the most challenging situations that seem like they would be impossible to overcome.&nbsp;
These Bible verses also encourage you to remember the wondrous works God has done, like his miracles and judgments. Olympic commentators love to talk about an athlete&rsquo;s &ldquo;track record.&rdquo; They look back at each athlete&rsquo;s past competition results and other information from the past (like injuries and recoveries) to predict future success. You can do the same with your faith. When you feel overwhelmed by a challenge you&rsquo;re facing right now, look back on how God has helped you in the past. Think of the times when you&rsquo;ve already experienced the wonder of God&rsquo;s work in your life &ndash; like when God provided exactly what you needed, or when God empowered you to do something you couldn&rsquo;t do on your own. The more you remember God&rsquo;s past faithfulness, the more that will fuel your faith to<a href="https://amzn.to/4fbNBmU"> look for the wonder of God&rsquo;s work in your life every day</a> and let that evidence inspire you to trust God now.&nbsp;
In this year&rsquo;s winter Olympics, thousands of athletes will chase gold, silver, and bronze medals. But those prizes are temporary. God&rsquo;s presence with you is something you can enjoy both now and forever. As you work toward your own goals and pursue your own adventures this year, don&rsquo;t get so caught up in trying to achieve temporary results that you miss your wonderful Creator and Heavenly Father walking right beside you.&nbsp;
Whether you reach the podium of success or make mistakes that hurt like falling on ice, God will be there with you, empowering you with his strength. You can afford to bravely take big risks to keep learning and growing, just like Olympic athletes do. Your worth doesn&rsquo;t come from your performance; it comes from your relationship with God as one of his beloved children. So, whatever challenge you&rsquo;re facing today, seek God and his strength. God is with you, and he&rsquo;s ready to give you everything you need for the journey ahead.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As you consider why it&rsquo;s important to seek God and his strength, reflect on these questions:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">If you were training for your current life season like an Olympian, what&rsquo;s the one area where you most need God&rsquo;s strength right now?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How can you seek God&rsquo;s presence &ldquo;continually&rdquo; rather than just when you&rsquo;re facing a challenge? What will help you remember to ask God for more strength on a regular basis?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Think of one &ldquo;wondrous work&rdquo; or miracle God has done in your past. How does remembering that help you face a fear you have today?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">What&rsquo;s one way you can celebrate this week to thank God for<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/does-prayer-really-work.html"> answering a prayer</a> you prayed in the past? Can you plan to look at old photos that remind you of God&rsquo;s answer, post about it on social media, or share the story with a friend?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Further Reading: Isaiah 40:31 Philippians 4:13 Psalm 105:4 Hebrews 12:1 Psalm 77:11

God’s Strength Will Empower You

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/71d0dc4b-24f2-4706-a4f7-b3e2012a3ab5/transcript

When words fail and grief feels overwhelming, God does not leave us alone. This Crosswalk Devotional is rooted in Romans 8:26–27, reminding us that the Holy Spirit actively meets us in our weakness—interceding, comforting, and strengthening us when we don’t know how to pray. For believers walking through loss, anger, exhaustion, or spiritual dryness, this passage offers deep reassurance: God’s Spirit is already at work within us.

Rather than being distant or passive, the Holy Spirit is fully God—our Helper, Comforter, and constant companion. From the moment we place our faith in Christ, He dwells within us, guiding our hearts back toward peace, hope, and renewed strength. Even in seasons of confusion or emotional pain, the Spirit faithfully prays on our behalf according to God’s perfect will.

Highlights


The Holy Spirit meets believers in moments of weakness


God understands our prayers even when we cannot find the words


The Holy Spirit intercedes according to God’s will


Grief, anger, and doubt do not disqualify us from faith


The Spirit brings comfort, peace, and renewed strength


God is always present—especially in seasons of loss


Believers are never alone in their pain

Do you want to listen ad-free?

When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! 

Sign Up Today!

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today.  Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org

Full Transcript Below:

Finding Comfort in the Holy Spirit
By Vivian Bricker 

Bible Reading:
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). 

When I first became a Christian, I had trouble finding peace due to the grief I was experiencing. Living in the aftermath of the death of a loved one changed me, and I began to struggle with anger. Instead of conducting myself with kindness, love, and grace, I often lashed out or said something I would later regret. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take comfort in knowing you are not alone. 

This does not mean we are not believers. Rather, it simply means we will face more challenges in growing in our faith. At these times, we need to find comfort in the Holy Spirit. 

Sadly, many people, including believers, are unfamiliar with the Holy Spirit. They may even view the Holy Spirit as an inferior person within the Trinity. However, it’s essential to understand that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, which means He is God. The Holy Spirit is an especially important Person in our Christian walk as He is our Helper, Protector, and Comforter (John 14:26). Instead of distancing ourselves from Him, we need to draw closer to Him. This is especially true when we are feeling alone or disconnected from God.

The Holy Spirit is our friend, and He is already living inside of us from the moment we place faith in the Lord (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19). For all eternity, the Holy Spirit will be with us. He can give us comfort when our days feel overwhelming and bleak. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

The Apostle Paul tells us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). Allow these words to bring your heart comfort today.

Through this passage, we see that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. Whether we are struggling with our Christian walk, anger, or grief, we can rely on the Holy Spirit. Moreover, when we are too tired to pray or don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

We might not know what to pray for, but the Holy Spirit does. During times of intense emotional turmoil or overwhelming pain, it can be hard to pray. The Holy Spirit will intercede for us at these times and bring comfort to our hearts. Instead of doubting Him, we can find great comfort and peace in His presence. The Holy Spirit will bring joy, hope, and renewed strength back into our hearts. 

Dear Father, I praise You for always being with me. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit. Please give my heart and soul comfort today. Sometimes I don’t know what to pray for, or I’m too weak to pray. Please help the Holy Spirit to intercede for me and bring my concerns to You. Thank You, Father, Amen.

After reading this devotional, do you feel your attitude toward the Holy Spirit has changed? How can you find comfort in the Holy Spirit today?

Further Reading:

Galatians 5:22-23

Luke 11:13

2 Corinthians 3:1

When words fail and grief feels overwhelming, God does not leave us alone. This Crosswalk Devotional is rooted in Romans 8:26&ndash;27, reminding us that the Holy Spirit actively meets us in our weakness&mdash;interceding, comforting, and strengthening us when we don&rsquo;t know how to pray. For believers walking through loss, anger, exhaustion, or spiritual dryness, this passage offers deep reassurance: God&rsquo;s Spirit is already at work within us.
Rather than being distant or passive, the Holy Spirit is fully God&mdash;our Helper, Comforter, and constant companion. From the moment we place our faith in Christ, He dwells within us, guiding our hearts back toward peace, hope, and renewed strength. Even in seasons of confusion or emotional pain, the Spirit faithfully prays on our behalf according to God&rsquo;s perfect will.
Highlights
<ul data-start="834" data-end="1233">
<li data-start="834" data-end="892">
The Holy Spirit meets believers in moments of weakness
</li>
<li data-start="893" data-end="959">
God understands our prayers even when we cannot find the words
</li>
<li data-start="960" data-end="1014">
The Holy Spirit intercedes according to God&rsquo;s will
</li>
<li data-start="1015" data-end="1074">
Grief, anger, and doubt do not disqualify us from faith
</li>
<li data-start="1075" data-end="1133">
The Spirit brings comfort, peace, and renewed strength
</li>
<li data-start="1134" data-end="1189">
God is always present&mdash;especially in seasons of loss
</li>
<li data-start="1190" data-end="1233">
Believers are never alone in their pain
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
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>
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. &nbsp;Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
TrinityCredit &ndash; Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Finding Comfort in the Holy Spirit By Vivian Bricker&nbsp;
Bible Reading: &ldquo;In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God&rsquo;s people in accordance with the will of God&rdquo; (Romans 8:26-27).&nbsp;
When I first became a Christian, I had trouble finding peace due to the grief I was experiencing. Living in the aftermath of the death of a loved one changed me, and I began to struggle with anger. Instead of conducting myself with kindness, love, and grace, I often lashed out or said something I would later regret. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take comfort in knowing you are not alone.&nbsp;
This does not mean we are not believers. Rather, it simply means we will face more challenges in growing in our faith. At these times, we need to find comfort in the Holy Spirit.&nbsp;
Sadly, many people, including believers, are unfamiliar with the Holy Spirit. They may even view the Holy Spirit as an inferior person within the Trinity. However, it&rsquo;s essential to understand that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, which means He is God. The Holy Spirit is an especially important Person in our Christian walk as He is our Helper, Protector, and Comforter (John 14:26). Instead of distancing ourselves from Him, we need to draw closer to Him. This is especially true when we are feeling alone or disconnected from God.
The Holy Spirit is our friend, and He is already living inside of us from the moment we place faith in the Lord (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19). For all eternity, the Holy Spirit will be with us. He can give us comfort when our days feel overwhelming and bleak.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
The Apostle Paul tells us, &ldquo;In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God&rsquo;s people in accordance with the will of God&rdquo; (Romans 8:26-27). Allow these words to bring your heart comfort today.
Through this passage, we see that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. Whether we are struggling with our Christian walk, anger, or grief, we can rely on the Holy Spirit. Moreover, when we are too tired to pray or don&rsquo;t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.
We might not know what to pray for, but the Holy Spirit does. During times of intense emotional turmoil or overwhelming pain, it can be hard to pray. The Holy Spirit will intercede for us at these times and bring comfort to our hearts. Instead of doubting Him, we can find great comfort and peace in His presence. The Holy Spirit will bring joy, hope, and renewed strength back into our hearts.&nbsp;
Dear Father, I praise You for always being with me. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit. Please give my heart and soul comfort today. Sometimes I don&rsquo;t know what to pray for, or I&rsquo;m too weak to pray. Please help the Holy Spirit to intercede for me and bring my concerns to You. Thank You, Father, Amen.
After reading this devotional, do you feel your attitude toward the Holy Spirit has changed? How can you find comfort in the Holy Spirit today?
Further Reading:
Galatians 5:22-23
Luke 11:13
2 Corinthians 3:1

Finding Comfort in the Holy Spirit

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/27526ff3-2a11-41a0-a173-b3e2012a3ab2/transcript

Jesus Cancels Our Reservations in Hell

In 1 playlist(s)

The Crosswalk Devotional

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips