We were made with a purpose that is much bigger than ourselves, to worship God and love others. - Amanda Idleman

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/

We were made with a purpose that is much bigger than ourselves, to worship God and love others. - Amanda Idleman
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

Considering Others Better Than Yourself

Today's episode is a special bonus from the On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse hosted by Kristy Graham.

What does it look like to trust God when He calls you into some of the world's most difficult and dangerous places? In this powerful episode, Kristy experiences firsthand what Samaritan's Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team members endure as they prepare to serve during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Bev Kauffeldt, who has served on the last two Ebola responses, led Kristy through the training.

Kristy got into the many layers of personal protection equipment to experience the process our DART members go through in the field. This inspired Kristy as she experienced the discomfort our teams willingly step into as they fight this dangerous outbreak. It also helped her know how to pray for our teams more specifically.

At the training, Bev talked with Kristy about a passage of Scripture that has been on her heart:

“This verse—I shared it with the team today because it's so perfect. In Acts 20:24, Paul says my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others of the good news about the wonderful grace of God.”

— Bev Kauffeldt, paraphrasing Acts 20:24

As believers, we must have a posture of humility. Someone who speaks into this posture in this Ebola response is Dustin Martin, a water, sanitation and hygiene technical advisor who supports Samaritan's Purse field offices around the world. Dustin will likely go to the DRC soon. He shared how he is preparing both physically and spiritually to be deployed and why he desires to go serve in this dangerous situation.

“I want to be able to go to the ends of the earth for people that I haven't even met before because that's what Christ did for me. He took on humility. He took on human form when He had no need to. And if He did that for me, there's just no appropriate response but to do that for others.”

— Dustin Martin

Once Kristy was out of the personal protective equipment, she met Kate Allen, an emergency doctor, who the Lord has called and sent to many DART responses, including Ukraine and Iraq.

They spoke about putting on the armor of God, trusting that the Lord goes before us. We are not promised safety, but God does promise that He is with us always.

“God doesn't say you're going to be absolutely fine … but He does promise that He goes with us. And He promises that He goes ahead. And He promises He hems us in from behind. So, we go with His Spirit, and we go knowing that He has a plan, and that He has already paid the ultimate price.”

— Kate Allen

If you'd like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse, please visit SamaritansPurse.org

Today's episode is a special bonus from the <a href="link.pscrb.fm/0f410/July2026FeedDrop">On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse</a> hosted by Kristy Graham.
What does it look like to trust God when He calls you into some of the world's most difficult and dangerous places? In this powerful episode, Kristy experiences firsthand what Samaritan's Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team members endure as they prepare to serve during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Bev Kauffeldt, who has served on the last two Ebola responses, led Kristy through the training.
Kristy got into the many layers of personal protection equipment to experience the process our DART members go through in the field. This inspired Kristy as she experienced the discomfort our teams willingly step into as they fight this dangerous outbreak. It also helped her know how to pray for our teams more specifically.
At the training, Bev talked with Kristy about a passage of Scripture that has been on her heart:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;This verse&mdash;I shared it with the team today because it's so perfect. In Acts 20:24, Paul says my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others of the good news about the wonderful grace of God.&rdquo;
&mdash; Bev Kauffeldt, paraphrasing Acts 20:24
</blockquote>
As believers, we must have a posture of humility. Someone who speaks into this posture in this Ebola response is Dustin Martin, a water, sanitation and hygiene technical advisor who supports Samaritan's Purse field offices around the world. Dustin will likely go to the DRC soon. He shared how he is preparing both physically and spiritually to be deployed and why he desires to go serve in this dangerous situation.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I want to be able to go to the ends of the earth for people that I haven't even met before because that's what Christ did for me. He took on humility. He took on human form when He had no need to. And if He did that for me, there's just no appropriate response but to do that for others.&rdquo;
&mdash; Dustin Martin
</blockquote>
Once Kristy was out of the personal protective equipment, she met Kate Allen, an emergency doctor, who the Lord has called and sent to many DART responses, including Ukraine and Iraq.
They spoke about putting on the armor of God, trusting that the Lord goes before us. We are not promised safety, but God does promise that He is with us always.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;God doesn't say you're going to be absolutely fine &hellip; but He does promise that He goes with us. And He promises that He goes ahead. And He promises He hems us in from behind. So, we go with His Spirit, and we go knowing that He has a plan, and that He has already paid the ultimate price.&rdquo;
&mdash; Kate Allen
</blockquote>
If you'd like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse, please visit <a href="SamaritansPurse.org">SamaritansPurse.org</a>

Bringing Hope In: DRC Ebola Response | Bonus Episode |  On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/d52932a5-f03c-4fe3-901c-b49400fb3ed8/transcript

We reflect on 1 Peter 4:8, which reminds us that “love covers over a multitude of sins.” While discernment is important, a critical spirit can quietly keep us guarded, distant, and unable to love others the way Christ has called us to.

Past hurts and disappointments can cause us to constantly evaluate, judge, and protect ourselves from being hurt again. But God does not call us to carry the burden of figuring everyone out. He calls us to love. Through prayer, humility, and trust in God’s protection, we can move from criticism toward compassion and reflect the heart of Jesus.

Highlights:
Discover how 1 Peter 4:8 reveals the power of love to cover and restore relationships.
Learn how past wounds can create a habit of judgment and constant criticism.
Understand the difference between biblical discernment and a critical spirit.
Explore five practical steps to replace judgment with love, including prayer, encouragement, and believing the best.
Be reminded that God—not our ability to evaluate others—is our ultimate source of protection.
Find freedom in loving others the way Jesus loves us, even when it feels difficult.

Join the Conversation

Where do you find yourself becoming more critical than loving toward others? What is one way you can choose compassion and grace in a relationship this week?

Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/

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:

5 Steps to Stop Being Overly Critical 
By: Kelly Balarie

Bible Reading:
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8 NIV

Have you ever been hurt by an authority figure?

I remember it, almost clear as day… I was in third grade. Somehow, the teacher always seemed proud of her classroom power. I liked to talk. She didn’t like talking. And there I went – I started up talking…

My punishment? She had me kneel before a statue on hard, cold linoleum for hours (or for what felt like hours). It hurt. It was embarrassing. 

Here, and amongst other times like this, I learned something: You can’t trust everyone in a position of spiritual authority. Just because they have a position of power doesn’t mean they’ll use it for good.

As a kid, I took the lesson and stuffed it deep in my pocket. Be careful, Kelly. You may get hurt.Even holy people can’t always be trusted.

I started to keep my antennae up. I won’t get hurt or embarrassed like that again.   

Safety, now, became hyper-awareness as I talked to people in authority. I’d ask:
- Are they speaking the truth?
- Do they have the right motives?
- Will they dupe me?
- Are they living what they say, or are they a fraud?
- Are they trying to profit for themselves, and do they even really care?

In an effort to protect myself from future hurt, I started to live as a constant judge. A critic. A person continually sizing up good or bad. Right or wrong. Theologically correct or not right at all.

People became either good or not so good. 

One morning, something hit me: I can’t be loving when constantly judging.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Pet. 4:8)

God doesn’t require me to figure everyone out; He calls me to love. God doesn’t ask that I know every motive; He asks that my highest motive be love. 

Love is powerful. Love actually covers. It does something. It is a cause that always has an effect.

Yet, a critical spirit? It can easily hide under the guise of good intent, while being all wrong. Jesus was not a fan of the Pharisees, who showed themselves pious, but underneath were void of true understanding.

What can I do instead? I can:
1. Pray that I can see what God loves in each person.
2. Authentically bless them in prayer.
3. Encourage them where they may need help or ministry.
4. Believe the best and hope the best about them.
5. Love them anyway.

The highest understanding is love. The highest pursuit is love.

WE don’t have to entirely know a person to love them. We don’t have to have it all figured out to show love. 

Love is simple.
Judging is complex.

Plus, it is a lot to uphold. It’s a lot to manage. It keeps the heart guarded. It blocks God’s outpouring and sin-covering love.

At the end of the day, being critical doesn’t keep us safe.  God is the only protector, and when we trust Him to protect us, we can begin to love others, even when it may feel scary.

Will everyone treat us right? Will everyone do right? Not at all. 
But do we always act right and always do right? No, we don’t.

We love the way Jesus loved us.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Where do you find yourself judging more than you are loving people? How might believing the worst about others be preventing you from seeing their best? Identify ways that your judgment has impacted relationships…  What would it look like for you to do something new?

We reflect on 1 Peter 4:8, which reminds us that &ldquo;love covers over a multitude of sins.&rdquo; While discernment is important, a critical spirit can quietly keep us guarded, distant, and unable to love others the way Christ has called us to.
Past hurts and disappointments can cause us to constantly evaluate, judge, and protect ourselves from being hurt again. But God does not call us to carry the burden of figuring everyone out. He calls us to love. Through prayer, humility, and trust in God&rsquo;s protection, we can move from criticism toward compassion and reflect the heart of Jesus.
Highlights:
<ul data-start="833" data-end="1385">
<li data-section-id="j9grar" data-start="833" data-end="925">Discover how 1 Peter 4:8 reveals the power of love to cover and restore relationships.</li>
<li data-section-id="1dlcfzw" data-start="926" data-end="1004">Learn how past wounds can create a habit of judgment and constant criticism.</li>
<li data-section-id="dc7lqu" data-start="1005" data-end="1084">Understand the difference between biblical discernment and a critical spirit.</li>
<li data-section-id="1j94dm8" data-start="1085" data-end="1203">Explore five practical steps to replace judgment with love, including prayer, encouragement, and believing the best.</li>
<li data-section-id="1ajtqi0" data-start="1204" data-end="1299">Be reminded that God&mdash;not our ability to evaluate others&mdash;is our ultimate source of protection.</li>
<li data-section-id="1q31xqr" data-start="1300" data-end="1385">Find freedom in loving others the way Jesus loves us, even when it feels difficult.</li>
</ul>
Join the Conversation
Where do you find yourself becoming more critical than loving toward others? What is one way you can choose compassion and grace in a relationship this week?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: <a href="https://forums.crosswalk.com/">https://forums.crosswalk.com/</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:
5 Steps to Stop Being Overly Critical By: Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading: &ldquo;Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.&rdquo; &ndash; 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Have you ever been hurt by an authority figure?
I remember it, almost clear as day&hellip; I was in third grade. Somehow, the teacher always seemed proud of her classroom power. I liked to talk. She didn&rsquo;t like talking. And there I went &ndash; I started up talking&hellip;
My punishment? She had me kneel before a statue on hard, cold linoleum for hours (or for what felt like hours). It hurt. It was embarrassing.&nbsp;
Here, and amongst other times like this, I learned something: You can&rsquo;t trust everyone in a position of spiritual authority. Just because they have a position of power doesn&rsquo;t mean they&rsquo;ll use it for good.
As a kid, I took the lesson and stuffed it deep in my pocket. Be careful, Kelly. You may get hurt. Even holy people can&rsquo;t always be trusted.
I started to keep my antennae up. I won&rsquo;t get hurt or embarrassed like that again. &nbsp; Safety, now, became hyper-awareness as I talked to people in authority. I&rsquo;d ask: - Are they speaking the truth? - Do they have the right motives? - Will they dupe me? - Are they living what they say, or are they a fraud? - Are they trying to profit for themselves, and do they even really care? In an effort to protect myself from future hurt, I started to live as a constant judge. A critic. A person continually sizing up good or bad. Right or wrong. Theologically correct or not right at all.
People became either good or not so good.&nbsp;
One morning, something hit me: I can&rsquo;t be loving when constantly judging.
&ldquo;Above all, love each other deeply,&nbsp;because love covers over a multitude of sins.&rdquo; (1 Pet. 4:8)
God doesn&rsquo;t require me to figure everyone out; He calls me to love. God doesn&rsquo;t ask that I know every motive; He asks that my highest motive be love.&nbsp;
Love is powerful. Love actually covers. It does something. It is a cause that always has an effect.
Yet, a critical spirit? It can easily hide under the guise of good intent, while being all wrong. Jesus was not a fan of the Pharisees, who showed themselves pious, but underneath were void of true understanding.
What can I do instead? I can: 1. Pray that I can see what God loves in each person. 2. Authentically bless them in prayer. 3. Encourage them where they may need help or ministry. 4. Believe the best and hope the best about them. 5. Love them anyway.
The highest understanding is love. The highest pursuit is love.
WE don&rsquo;t have to entirely know a person to love them. We don&rsquo;t have to have it all figured out to show love. Love is simple. Judging is complex.
Plus, it is a lot to uphold. It&rsquo;s a lot to manage. It keeps the heart guarded. It blocks God&rsquo;s outpouring and sin-covering love.
At the end of the day, being critical doesn&rsquo;t keep us safe.&nbsp; God is the only protector, and when we trust Him to protect us, we can begin to love others, even when it may feel scary.
Will everyone treat us right? Will everyone do right? Not at all. But do we always act right and always do right? No, we don&rsquo;t.
We love the way Jesus loved us.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Where do you find yourself judging more than you are loving people? How might believing the worst about others be preventing you from seeing their best? Identify ways that your judgment has impacted relationships&hellip;&nbsp; What would it look like for you to do something new?

5 Steps to Stop Being Overly Critical

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/9d5b7da5-c810-4f0f-8eba-b48a01235890/transcript

When life feels overwhelming and you don’t know what decision to make, where do you turn for wisdom? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on James 1:5, where God promises to generously give wisdom to those who ask. Whether we are navigating major life choices, parenting challenges, or seasons of uncertainty, we are never without access to the guidance of our Heavenly Father.

The world offers endless opinions and advice, but God’s wisdom is different. His wisdom brings peace, produces good fruit, and draws us closer to Him. When we humbly admit our limitations and seek His direction, we discover that God is faithful to provide exactly what we need.

Highlights:
Discover the promise of James 1:5 and how God generously gives wisdom to those who seek Him.
Learn why humility is essential when asking God for guidance and direction.
Understand the difference between worldly wisdom and the peace-filled wisdom that comes from God.
Be encouraged that feeling uncertain or overwhelmed can become an opportunity to grow in trust.
Explore how Scripture and godly counsel help us apply God’s wisdom to everyday decisions.
Remember that our weakness creates space for God’s strength and grace to work.

Join the Conversation

What area of your life do you need God’s wisdom for today? How can you make more room to seek His guidance through prayer, Scripture, and godly counsel?

Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/

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:

Heavenly Wisdom Is Available to You

By: Emily Rose Massey

Bible Reading:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5, ESV).

Motherhood: a time in my life when it became really apparent to me that I had no idea what I was doing. Babies don’t come with a user manual, so sometimes it feels like you are learning how to be a parent by trial and error. As a new mom, it is so easy to become overwhelmed and anxious because you feel like you have more questions than answers, especially when your baby has sleeping issues or colic. And don’t forget when they get their first cold!

Instead of letting overwhelm overtake us, we must remember that we have access to the wisdom of God; All we must do is ask.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5, ESV).

We receive wisdom through the Word of God and the counsel of godly mentors and friends. God’s wisdom isn’t anything like what the world offers us; Ultimately, it is full of peace and brings about good fruit. 

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17, ESV).

Intersecting Faith & Life:

When we approach God with humility, asking Him for guidance and direction, He is faithful to generously give us wisdom from above. We have been given the gift of leaders in the church who help us understand God’s Word so that we can apply its wisdom in our lives. They are also charged to care for our souls and can help us through difficult times, equip us, and encourage us. Do you fall into the ditch of pride, thinking you have it all figured out and are unteachable? More often than not, when we face challenges that make us realize we don’t know everything, the Lord uses that situation to sanctify us, humble us, and build our trust in Him. When we humble ourselves before the Lord, He gives us grace that strengthens us in the midst of our trials and difficult seasons. Grace is always available to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). 

In a culture (yes, even within the visible church) where positive affirmations and self-empowering declarations are the norm, admitting your weaknesses, limitations, and failures is seen as negative and perhaps even harmful to your soul. 

Yet, the Bible reveals that we are not enough in and of ourselves or in our own abilities or wisdom; We are but dust (Psalm 103:14-16). The Lord is the One who gives us the breath, ability, and wisdom to accomplish anything, walk through a difficult situation, or make major life decisions. Admitting our “not enough-ness” provides an opportunity to look to God because He is, in fact, more than enough, and His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12). Ultimately, the Lord is glorified in my weakness and in my feeling of emptiness and “not enough-ness.” 

Are you weighed down with the cares of this life? You must run to God in humility, knowing that you do not have the answers for everything that you are facing; God does. His word tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom, we can come to Him and ask for it. He is such a faithful and generous Father. His abundant wisdom is what we need when we don’t know where to turn. He will guide you and strengthen you with His grace when you are overwhelmed or confused. We also have the gift of godly counsel. What godly leaders has the Lord placed in your life that can help you when you are faced with difficult decisions?  God has equipped them to care for your soul and teach you more about God and His ways. Ultimately, when we have reached our limit and don’t know where to turn, let us run to the One who holds all wisdom and grace!

Further Reading:

Proverbs 2:6-8

Psalm 90:12

When life feels overwhelming and you don&rsquo;t know what decision to make, where do you turn for wisdom? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on James 1:5, where God promises to generously give wisdom to those who ask. Whether we are navigating major life choices, parenting challenges, or seasons of uncertainty, we are never without access to the guidance of our Heavenly Father.
The world offers endless opinions and advice, but God&rsquo;s wisdom is different. His wisdom brings peace, produces good fruit, and draws us closer to Him. When we humbly admit our limitations and seek His direction, we discover that God is faithful to provide exactly what we need.
Highlights:
<ul data-start="769" data-end="1316">
<li data-section-id="hv2517" data-start="769" data-end="867">Discover the promise of James 1:5 and how God generously gives wisdom to those who seek Him.</li>
<li data-section-id="1xdol6r" data-start="868" data-end="945">Learn why humility is essential when asking God for guidance and direction.</li>
<li data-section-id="761qeu" data-start="946" data-end="1045">Understand the difference between worldly wisdom and the peace-filled wisdom that comes from God.</li>
<li data-section-id="4uqeul" data-start="1046" data-end="1143">Be encouraged that feeling uncertain or overwhelmed can become an opportunity to grow in trust.</li>
<li data-section-id="up3bze" data-start="1144" data-end="1235">Explore how Scripture and godly counsel help us apply God&rsquo;s wisdom to everyday decisions.</li>
<li data-section-id="1ytms1n" data-start="1236" data-end="1316">Remember that our weakness creates space for God&rsquo;s strength and grace to work.</li>
</ul>
Join the Conversation
What area of your life do you need God&rsquo;s wisdom for today? How can you make more room to seek His guidance through prayer, Scripture, and godly counsel?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: <a href="https://forums.crosswalk.com/">https://forums.crosswalk.com/</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:
Heavenly Wisdom Is Available to You
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
&ldquo;If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him&rdquo; (James 1:5, ESV).
Motherhood: a time in my life when it became really apparent to me that I had no idea what I was doing. Babies don&rsquo;t come with a user manual, so sometimes it feels like you are learning how to be a parent by trial and error. As a new mom, it is so easy to become overwhelmed and anxious because you feel like you have more questions than answers, especially when your baby has sleeping issues or colic. And don&rsquo;t forget when they get their first cold!
Instead of letting overwhelm overtake us, we must remember that we have access to the wisdom of God; All we must do is ask.
&ldquo;If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him&rdquo; (James 1:5, ESV).
We receive wisdom through the Word of God and the counsel of godly mentors and friends. God&rsquo;s wisdom isn&rsquo;t anything like what the world offers us; Ultimately, it is full of peace and brings about good fruit.&nbsp;
&ldquo;But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere&rdquo; (James 3:17, ESV).
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
When we approach God with humility, asking Him for guidance and direction, He is faithful to generously give us wisdom from above. We have been given the gift of leaders in the church who help us understand God&rsquo;s Word so that we can apply its wisdom in our lives. They are also charged to care for our souls and can help us through difficult times, equip us, and encourage us. Do you fall into the ditch of pride, thinking you have it all figured out and are unteachable? More often than not, when we face challenges that make us realize we don&rsquo;t know everything, the Lord uses that situation to sanctify us, humble us, and build our trust in Him. When we humble ourselves before the Lord, He gives us grace that strengthens us in the midst of our trials and difficult seasons. Grace is always available to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).&nbsp;
In a culture (yes, even within the visible church) where positive affirmations and self-empowering declarations are the norm, admitting your weaknesses, limitations, and failures is seen as negative and perhaps even harmful to your soul.&nbsp;
Yet, the Bible reveals that we are not enough in and of ourselves or in our own abilities or wisdom; We are but dust (Psalm 103:14-16). The Lord is the One who gives us the breath, ability, and wisdom to accomplish anything, walk through a difficult situation, or make major life decisions. Admitting our &ldquo;not enough-ness&rdquo; provides an opportunity to look to God because He is, in fact, more than enough, and His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12). Ultimately, the Lord is glorified in my weakness and in my feeling of emptiness and &ldquo;not enough-ness.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Are you weighed down with the cares of this life? You must run to God in humility, knowing that you do not have the answers for everything that you are facing; God does. His word tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom, we can come to Him and ask for it. He is such a faithful and generous Father. His abundant wisdom is what we need when we don&rsquo;t know where to turn. He will guide you and strengthen you with His grace when you are overwhelmed or confused. We also have the gift of godly counsel. What godly leaders has the Lord placed in your life that can help you when you are faced with difficult decisions?&nbsp; God has equipped them to care for your soul and teach you more about God and His ways. Ultimately, when we have reached our limit and don&rsquo;t know where to turn, let us run to the One who holds all wisdom and grace!
Further Reading:
Proverbs 2:6-8
Psalm 90:12

Heavenly Wisdom Is Available to You

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Considering Others Better Than Yourself

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