Our hearts are the wellspring of our thoughts, words, and actions, and what fills our hearts will ultimately shape our lives. We’ll explore the importance of cultivating a heart aligned with God’s love and truth, and how this overflow can impact those around us.

Join the Conversation:

We want to hear from you! What do you find fills your heart the most? Share your insights and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How do you ensure your heart overflows with love and gratitude? Let’s encourage one another to nurture our hearts in faith!

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

Our hearts are the wellspring of our thoughts, words, and actions, and what fills our hearts will ultimately shape our lives. We&rsquo;ll explore the importance of cultivating a heart aligned with God&rsquo;s love and truth, and how this overflow can impact those around us.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! What do you find fills your heart the most? Share your insights and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. How do you ensure your heart overflows with love and gratitude? Let&rsquo;s encourage one another to nurture our hearts in faith!
🎙 ❤️ SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/" data-start="832" data-end="928">https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/</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

From the Overflow of the Heart

Ever felt like you were called… but stuck in a season of “not yet”? You’re not alone. Whether it’s King David or King Jesus, even God’s greatest waited between their anointing and appointing. But take heart—your “in-between” is never wasted.

Key Takeaways


You’re Sealed and Claimed – God put His Spirit in you as a guarantee of what’s to come (2 Cor 1:21-22).


Anointed ≠ Immediately Appointed – David waited decades; Jesus waited years. Waiting doesn’t mean forgotten.


God Doesn’t Rush – He moves in perfect timing (Isaiah 60:22). You’re not behind schedule—you’re being prepared.


Your Wait Has a Purpose – David gathered strength and support; Jesus discipled and taught. Your delay is part of your development.

Join the Conversation

How are you holding onto faith in your waiting season? What has God been refining in you while you wait? Share your reflections using #LifeaudioNetwork. And remember: if He’s anointed you, He will appoint you—right on time.

🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer

🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts:Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews

Full Transcript Below:

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered 

by Deidre Braley 

2 Corinthians 1:21-22: Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 

Have you ever experienced the tension of knowing that God has set you apart for a certain role, calling, or assignment in your life—only to have to wait for an extended period of time for it to happen? 

It can be confusing, frustrating, and even maddening to stand by while you wait for the moment when God will finally say, “Now!” But if you’re currently in an in-between season such as this, know that you’re in good company. In Scripture, we see multiple examples of people who were anointed by God for a specific purpose long before they were actually appointed to that role. 

Two that immediately come to mind are King David and King Jesus. 

David was first anointed to become king of Israel when he was just a teenager; the prophet Samuel set him apart for this work in private (1 Samuel 16:1-13) long before he would be publicly appointed king by the people of Israel in his thirties (2 Samuel 5:3). 

And though Jesus was anointed by God when he was baptized by John (Matthew 3:17), it would be another 2-3 years before he was crucified and then resurrected from the dead—accomplishing the mission that he’d been set apart by God to complete. 

The truth is that sometimes the anointing comes longs before the appointment. While we wait, it can be easy to become restless and even to despair. We might begin to wonder whether God has forgotten about his promise, worry that he’s changed his mind, or doubt that we ever even heard him in the first place. But when we look back at the way God has moved in Scripture and also 

examine what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about God’s actions and character, we can find solid footing to reassure our restless hearts while we stand in the interlude. 

Intersecting Faith & Life 

The stories of David’s and Jesus’ own periods of interlude (along with so many other biblical giants) supports the 3 following truths about God’s character and providence: 
 God does not rush. 

Isaiah 60:22 says, “I am the Lord; in its time I will hasten it.” David experienced incredible tumult in the years between his anointing and public appointing as the king of

Israel. There were likely times when he thought, “When will God make me king, already?” But God orchestrates the timing of events outside of our human demands. And though he often does not move as quickly as we would like him to move, when he does decide it’s time, he puts it into action with perfect precision. 
 God has had a plan from the beginning. 

God sees how everything will play out. While our purview is limited to what we can see, experience, and imagine of our own lives, God is able to see how all things work together—a complex system within a single organism. We see a hint of this when Jesus says to his pleading mother at the wedding in Cana, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). Although it was well within his power to turn water to wine, Jesus’ words imply that once this miracle occurred, a new string of interconnected events would be set into motion. 
 In the time between anointing and appointing, God is still at work. The in-between time is never wasted; while David waited to become publicly acknowledged as king, Saul’s power and influence began to crumble and David gathered more supporters. This had to happen before he sat on the throne of Israel. And between the time of Jesus’ baptism and crucifixion/resurrection, he taught the disciples, the Jews, and the Gentiles about himself, establishing leaders and acting as a catalyst for what would become the early church. This period of time was essential. 

As we meditate on God’s character in our own in-between seasons, we can also return to Paul’s words to the Corinthians, which remind us that God has not left us alone in the time between our anointing and what is to come. Rather, he says that God has “set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit…” (2 Corinthians 1:22). In other words, he has claimed us as his own, and he has put his own Spirit inside us as a down payment; this is our assurance that he has set us aside for good and that he intends to use us for good purposes, as well. He has linked himself to us in ways that cannot be revoked as a sign that he is good for his word. 

Knowing this, we can surrender ourselves to his work even in the interludes of our lives; though we may not understand the purpose of every season nor the length of time we’ll be asked to remain there, we can trust that he’s using these moments to prepare the appropriate circumstances for us to be able to fulfill whatever it is that he’s set apart for us since the beginning of time. 

Further Reading 
Genesis 12-21 
1 Samuel 16:1-13 
Acts 7:23-8:1

Ever felt like you were called&hellip; but stuck in a season of &ldquo;not yet&rdquo;? You&rsquo;re not alone. Whether it&rsquo;s King David or King Jesus, even God&rsquo;s greatest waited between their anointing and appointing. But take heart&mdash;your &ldquo;in-between&rdquo; is never wasted.
<hr data-start="338" data-end="341">
Key Takeaways
<ul data-start="368" data-end="853">
<li data-start="368" data-end="479">
You&rsquo;re Sealed and Claimed &ndash; God put His Spirit in you as a guarantee of what&rsquo;s to come (2 Cor 1:21-22).
</li>
<li data-start="480" data-end="596">
Anointed &ne; Immediately Appointed &ndash; David waited decades; Jesus waited years. Waiting doesn&rsquo;t mean forgotten.
</li>
<li data-start="597" data-end="716">
God Doesn&rsquo;t Rush &ndash; He moves in perfect timing (Isaiah 60:22). You&rsquo;re not behind schedule&mdash;you&rsquo;re being prepared.
</li>
<li data-start="717" data-end="853">
Your Wait Has a Purpose &ndash; David gathered strength and support; Jesus discipled and taught. Your delay is part of your development.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="855" data-end="858">
Join the Conversation
How are you holding onto faith in your waiting season? What has God been refining in you while you wait? Share your reflections using #LifeaudioNetwork. And remember: if He&rsquo;s anointed you, He will appoint you&mdash;right on time.
🎙🎶&nbsp;SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW &mdash; <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/">Your Nightly Prayer</a>
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/crosswalk-talk-celebrity-christian-interviews/">Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered&nbsp;
by Deidre Braley&nbsp;
2 Corinthians 1:21-22: Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.&nbsp;
Have you ever experienced the tension of knowing that God has set you apart for a certain role, calling, or assignment in your life&mdash;only to have to wait for an extended period of time for it to happen?&nbsp;
It can be confusing, frustrating, and even maddening to stand by while you wait for the moment when God will finally say, &ldquo;Now!&rdquo; But if you&rsquo;re currently in an in-between season such as this, know that you&rsquo;re in good company. In Scripture, we see multiple examples of people who were anointed by God for a specific purpose long before they were actually appointed to that role.&nbsp;
Two that immediately come to mind are King David and King Jesus.&nbsp;
David was first anointed to become king of Israel when he was just a teenager; the prophet Samuel set him apart for this work in private (1 Samuel 16:1-13) long before he would be publicly appointed king by the people of Israel in his thirties (2 Samuel 5:3).&nbsp;
And though Jesus was anointed by God when he was baptized by John (Matthew 3:17), it would be another 2-3 years before he was crucified and then resurrected from the dead&mdash;accomplishing the mission that he&rsquo;d been set apart by God to complete.&nbsp;
The truth is that sometimes the anointing comes longs before the appointment. While we wait, it can be easy to become restless and even to despair. We might begin to wonder whether God has forgotten about his promise, worry that he&rsquo;s changed his mind, or doubt that we ever even heard him in the first place. But when we look back at the way God has moved in Scripture and also&nbsp;
examine what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about God&rsquo;s actions and character, we can find solid footing to reassure our restless hearts while we stand in the interlude.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life&nbsp;
The stories of David&rsquo;s and Jesus&rsquo; own periods of interlude (along with so many other biblical giants) supports the 3 following truths about God&rsquo;s character and providence:&nbsp;
<ol>
<li> God does not rush.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
Isaiah 60:22 says, &ldquo;I am the Lord; in its time I will hasten it.&rdquo; David experienced incredible tumult in the years between his anointing and public appointing as the king of
Israel. There were likely times when he thought, &ldquo;When will God make me king, already?&rdquo; But God orchestrates the timing of events outside of our human demands. And though he often does not move as quickly as we would like him to move, when he does decide it&rsquo;s time, he puts it into action with perfect precision.&nbsp;
<ol>
<li> God has had a plan from the beginning.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
God sees how everything will play out. While our purview is limited to what we can see, experience, and imagine of our own lives, God is able to see how all things work together&mdash;a complex system within a single organism. We see a hint of this when Jesus says to his pleading mother at the wedding in Cana, &ldquo;My hour has not yet come&rdquo; (John 2:4). Although it was well within his power to turn water to wine, Jesus&rsquo; words imply that once this miracle occurred, a new string of interconnected events would be set into motion.&nbsp;
<ol>
<li> In the time between anointing and appointing, God is still at work. The in-between time is never wasted; while David waited to become publicly acknowledged as king, Saul&rsquo;s power and influence began to crumble and David gathered more supporters. This had to happen before he sat on the throne of Israel. And between the time of Jesus&rsquo; baptism and crucifixion/resurrection, he taught the disciples, the Jews, and the Gentiles about himself, establishing leaders and acting as a catalyst for what would become the early church. This period of time was essential.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
As we meditate on God&rsquo;s character in our own in-between seasons, we can also return to Paul&rsquo;s words to the Corinthians, which remind us that God has not left us alone in the time between our anointing and what is to come. Rather, he says that God has &ldquo;set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit&hellip;&rdquo; (2 Corinthians 1:22). In other words, he has claimed us as his own, and he has put his own Spirit inside us as a down payment; this is our assurance that he has set us aside for good and that he intends to use us for good purposes, as well. He has linked himself to us in ways that cannot be revoked as a sign that he is good for his word.&nbsp;
Knowing this, we can surrender ourselves to his work even in the interludes of our lives; though we may not understand the purpose of every season nor the length of time we&rsquo;ll be asked to remain there, we can trust that he&rsquo;s using these moments to prepare the appropriate circumstances for us to be able to fulfill whatever it is that he&rsquo;s set apart for us since the beginning of time.&nbsp;
Further Reading&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Genesis 12-21&nbsp;</li>
<li>1 Samuel 16:1-13&nbsp;</li>
<li>Acts 7:23-8:1</li>
</ul>

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

Still labeling yourself by past mistakes or family baggage? In Christ, “the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). You are not “just that way” anymore—God rewrote your story the moment you trusted Him.

Key Reflections


New Creation, New Identity – Gal 2:20 says your old self was crucified; Christ now lives in you.


Let God Define You – Scripture, not your past, assigns your worth. (See Eph 1.)


Capture Toxic Thoughts – Take every thought captive (2 Cor 10:5) and replace lies with truth.


Progress Requires Renewal – Daily renew your mind (Rom 12:2) to walk in who you already are.

Join the Conversation

What negative label do you need to lock up today? How are you choosing to see yourself through God’s Word instead of past mistakes? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram using #LifeaudioNetwork—let’s encourage one another to live as new creations!

🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer

🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts:Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews

Full Transcript Below:

Stop Believing You Can’t Change 

by Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer

If anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB)

Are you letting your past mistakes define you? And are you believing that you will always be a certain way?

I will admit it that I’ve found myself saying, at times, “That’s just the way I am.” But I realize now how pathetic that sounds. It’s another way I let this culture’s message to “Do you” and “Express your individuality” excuse my failure to grow spiritually. 

Maybe, like me, you’ve found yourself saying things like:
"I have control issues. That's just the way I am." 
"I am an adult child of an alcoholic and I struggle with certain dysfunctional behavior. That’s just the way I am." 
"Because of what I’ve been through in my past, I’ll always be insecure. I'm just that way." 
"I will never trust another person. That’s just the way I am.”
“Sorry I got so defensive. You should know I’m just that way.”

A sure sign that we are stuck from pain in our past is when we excuse our behavior by saying “That’s just the way I am.” Or, when we continue to believe that we can never grow beyond a certain place, emotionally or spiritually. 

A crucial step to healing and wholeness is to renew your mind to think differently. If you have a relationship with God, the old you that was “just that way” is gone. And the new you is now “just like Him.”

In Galatians 2:20, the apostle Paul gave us a goal, perspective, and motto for our old selves. He wrote: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” And the song of our new identity is found in Second Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Intersecting Faith and Life 

So why are we not living like new, regenerated creatures? In my experience, I've found that it's easy to go back to the old way of thinking if I'm not making a conscious effort to remember who I really am (because of my regeneration in Christ), and to redirect my thoughts. 

You can renew your mind and receive your new identity—the one that is just like Him—when you do these two things:
Let God define who you are. This happens when you read and begin to understand the Scriptures. Let God define who you are—not your parents, your past, a teacher from long ago, a friend who used to criticize you, a boyfriend or husband who walked out on you, a therapist’s diagnosis, or a boss who thought you weren’t capable of much. The more you read in the Bible of God's heart for you, the more you will begin to see yourself as a regenerated, transformed child of His and act like it. Discover in God’s Word not only howHe sees you, but how to start living like His child.  
Lock up the negative thoughts. In order to let God—and not the voices in your head—define you, you must learn to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). When you hear negative thoughts from your head defining you, capture them instead of letting them run loose. Be determined to only hear the thoughts that are obedient to God, the thoughts that are consistent with His Word’s description of you. Tune your ear to hear the thoughts of God's that say “I have loved you with an everlasting love…” (Jeremiah 31:3); “I have called you friends” (John 15:15); and "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). 

Who are you really when you are in Christ? Renew your mind—and receive your new identity—with the beautiful descriptions of you found in God’s Word. And walk with your head higher, focused on the fact that you are not just that way. You are, instead, just like your Heavenly Father.

Lord, my own labels–and those that others have given me—are much harsher and critical than the loving labels You have given me in Your trustworthy Word. Help me to see myself as You see me—redeemed and renewed.

Further Reading: Ephesians 1

For more on living according to your true identity, see Cindi’s book, When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts.

Still labeling yourself by past mistakes or family baggage? In Christ, &ldquo;the old has gone, the new has come&rdquo; (2 Cor 5:17). You are not &ldquo;just that way&rdquo; anymore&mdash;God rewrote your story the moment you trusted Him.
<hr data-start="304" data-end="307">
Key Reflections
<ul data-start="336" data-end="733">
<li data-start="336" data-end="440">
New Creation, New Identity &ndash; Gal 2:20 says your old self was crucified; Christ now lives in you.
</li>
<li data-start="441" data-end="528">
Let God Define You &ndash; Scripture, not your past, assigns your worth. (See Eph 1.)
</li>
<li data-start="529" data-end="630">
Capture Toxic Thoughts &ndash; Take every thought captive (2 Cor 10:5) and replace lies with truth.
</li>
<li data-start="631" data-end="733">
Progress Requires Renewal &ndash; Daily renew your mind (Rom 12:2) to walk in who you already are.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="735" data-end="738">
Join the Conversation
What negative label do you need to lock up today? How are you choosing to see yourself through God&rsquo;s Word instead of past mistakes? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram using #LifeaudioNetwork&mdash;let&rsquo;s encourage one another to live as new creations!
🎙🎶&nbsp;SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW &mdash; <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/">Your Nightly Prayer</a>
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/crosswalk-talk-celebrity-christian-interviews/">Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Stop Believing You Can&rsquo;t Change&nbsp;
by Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer
If anyone is&nbsp;in Christ,&nbsp;this person is&nbsp;a new&nbsp;creation;&nbsp;the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB)
Are you letting your past mistakes define you? And are you believing that you will always be a certain way?
I will admit it that I&rsquo;ve found myself saying, at times, &ldquo;That&rsquo;s just the way I am.&rdquo; But I realize now how pathetic that sounds. It&rsquo;s another way I let this culture&rsquo;s message to &ldquo;Do you&rdquo; and &ldquo;Express your individuality&rdquo; excuse my failure to grow spiritually.&nbsp;
Maybe, like me, you&rsquo;ve found yourself saying things like:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">"I have control issues. That's just the way I am."&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">"I am an adult child of an alcoholic and I struggle with certain dysfunctional behavior. That&rsquo;s just the way I am."&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">"Because of what I&rsquo;ve been through in my past, I&rsquo;ll always be insecure. I'm just that way."&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">"I will never trust another person. That&rsquo;s just the way I am.&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">&ldquo;Sorry I got so defensive. You should know I&rsquo;m just that way.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
A sure sign that we are stuck from pain in our past is when we excuse our behavior by saying &ldquo;That&rsquo;s just the way I am.&rdquo; Or, when we continue to believe that we can never grow beyond a certain place, emotionally or spiritually.&nbsp;
A crucial step to healing and wholeness is to renew your mind to think differently. If you have a relationship with God, the old you that was &ldquo;just that way&rdquo; is gone. And the new you is now &ldquo;just like Him.&rdquo;
In Galatians 2:20, the apostle Paul gave us a goal, perspective, and motto for our old selves. He wrote: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.&rdquo; And the song of our new identity is found in Second Corinthians 5:17: &ldquo;If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!&rdquo;
Intersecting Faith and Life&nbsp;
So why are we not living like new, regenerated creatures? In my experience, I've found that it's easy to go back to the old way of thinking if I'm not making a conscious effort to remember who I really am (because of my regeneration in Christ), and to redirect my thoughts.&nbsp;
You can renew your mind and receive your new identity&mdash;the one that is just like Him&mdash;when you do these two things:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Let God define who you are. This happens when you read and begin to understand the Scriptures. Let God define who you are&mdash;not your parents,&nbsp;your past, a teacher from long ago, a friend who used to criticize you, a boyfriend or husband who walked out on you, a therapist&rsquo;s diagnosis, or a boss who thought you weren&rsquo;t capable of much. The more you read in the Bible of God's heart for you, the more you will begin to see yourself as a regenerated, transformed child of His and act like it. Discover in God&rsquo;s Word not only how He sees you, but how to start living like His child.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Lock up the negative thoughts. In order to let God&mdash;and not the voices in your head&mdash;define you, you must learn to bring &ldquo;every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ&rdquo; (2 Corinthians 10:5). When you hear negative thoughts from your head defining you, capture them instead of letting them run loose. Be determined to only hear the thoughts that are obedient to God, the thoughts that are consistent with His Word&rsquo;s description of you. Tune your ear to hear the thoughts of God's that say &ldquo;I have loved you with an everlasting love&hellip;&rdquo; (Jeremiah 31:3); &ldquo;I have called you friends&rdquo; (John 15:15); and "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
Who are you really when you are in Christ? Renew your mind&mdash;and receive your new identity&mdash;with the beautiful descriptions of you found in God&rsquo;s Word. And walk with your head higher, focused on the fact that you are not just that way. You are, instead, just like your Heavenly Father.
Lord, my own labels&ndash;and those that others have given me&mdash;are much harsher and critical than the loving labels You have given me in Your trustworthy Word. Help me to see myself as You see me&mdash;redeemed and renewed.
Further Reading: Ephesians 1
For more on living according to your true identity, see Cindi&rsquo;s book, <a href="https://strengthforthesoul.com/product/when-a-woman-overcomes-lifes-hurts/">When a Woman Overcomes Life&rsquo;s Hurts</a>.

Stop Believing You Can’t Change

Ever feel like you’re stuck in a cycle of “I know better, but I still mess up”? You’re not alone. Even the Apostle Paul wrestled with doing the very things he didn’t want to do. This devotional reminds us that the Christian walk isn’t about flawless performance—it’s about daily surrender and steady growth.

📖 “So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”
– Romans 7:14-15 (NLT)

Key Reflections:


You’re not alone in your struggle—Paul felt the exact same way.


Being in Christ frees us from sin’s penalty, but not its presence.


Perfection isn’t the goal—progress is.


God’s grace isn’t an excuse to stay stuck, it’s the fuel to keep going.


Each new day is a fresh opportunity to start again—His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

💬 Join the Conversation:

What’s one area where you feel stuck right now? Instead of focusing on failure, write down one small step you can take today to grow in that area.

And remember: You’re not defined by one moment of weakness. You’re being refined by a lifetime of grace.

Let us know what “progress over perfection” looks like in your life today. Use the hashtag #LifeaudioNetwork to share your story.

🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer

🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts:Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews

Full Transcript Below:

Progress Over Perfection

By: Laura Bailey 

“So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Romans 7:14-15 NLT

Reluctantly, I stepped on the scale. I already knew the number would be higher than I’d hoped. Sighing, I shuffled towards the kitchen, poured my coffee, and scanned the pantry. Last week, I failed miserably at making good food choices. Does it matter what I choose now? Even if I make the right choice now, I will likely slip up later and have to start over again. 

A few weeks prior, my doctor suggested that I try a low-inflammation diet since I was experiencing a great deal of joint pain. If you aren’t familiar with this diet, it means avoiding sugar. And while I don’t have an overly sweet tooth, I enjoy ice cream after a long day, a bowl of cereal as a midnight snack, or a freshly baked pastry with my morning cup of Joe. For the most part, after the first few days, I found that it wasn’t challenging for me to avoid sugar, especially since my cravings were almost non-existent.

 It had been almost a month without anything sweet when I saw my daughter munching on my favorite candy. I thought, “It wouldn't hurt just to have one; you deserve it; you’ve done so well.” Reaching for the bag, I knew it wasn’t a good idea, yet I proceeded, and before I knew it, I’d polished off the remaining candy. I immediately felt physically and mentally sick. “ Why did I do that? Why didn’t I just stop after one? I am failing at so many things,” I chided myself.

If only the battle with sugar was the only one I fight regularly. 

I want to read my Bible more, so I set my alarm 30 minutes earlier every day. However, I more often than not hit the snooze button, choosing sleep over time with the Lord. 

I want to spend more quality time with my girls, but I gravitate towards unanswered emails and text messages, prioritizing things that could wait over them. 

I want to give more money to missions and be more generous, but I often buy things I don’t need because “it was on  sale.”

Yes, I struggle to do the things I do not want to do daily, yet I still do them! Have you ever felt that way? The Apostel Paul most certainly did. 

Paul shares in the letter to the Romans that he is frustrated that he continues doing the things he doesn’t want to do. Why does this keep happening? For those of Christ, we are freed from the penalty of sin but still live in the presence of sin. He openly shares his ongoing struggle with sin, the internal battle within him. The same battle that we all fight. 

Many believe that once they accept Christ, all their problems and struggles will disappear. The reality is that the battle has just begun. Later in Ephesians, Paul describes how we prepare for the spiritual battle that wages war against our hearts and minds by putting on the whole armor of God ( Ephesians 6: 13-17). We must suit up as we fight sin, but there will be times when we lose that battle. That’s where God’s grace and mercy meet us.

While we have the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we are still humans. Our fleshly desires, spiritual attacks, and longing for Godly obedience coexist. God’s grace is not a license to sin but a reminder of how much we need a savior. Our goal is not perfection but progress, looking more like Jesus today than yesterday. 

Back to my earlier story: I couldn’t erase the consequences of the last few days of poor care, but I did have an opportunity to hit the refresh button and start again. Today was new; therefore, my choice to do the right thing for my body mattered. The same for us as believers. God’s mercies are new every morning ( Lamentations 3:22-23). Let’s celebrate the good news of the Gospel; we aren’t just redeemed and restored for salvation, but every day. Amen

Intersecting Faith and Life:

Can you think of an area where you are experiencing a sin struggle?  Instead of feeling defeated, write down some goals and focus on your progress, not perfection.

For Further Reading:

Romans 7

Why Do I Do What I Hate?

Ever feel like you&rsquo;re stuck in a cycle of &ldquo;I know better, but I still mess up&rdquo;? You&rsquo;re not alone. Even the Apostle Paul wrestled with doing the very things he didn&rsquo;t want to do. This devotional reminds us that the Christian walk isn&rsquo;t about flawless performance&mdash;it&rsquo;s about daily surrender and steady growth.
<hr data-start="539" data-end="542">
📖 &ldquo;So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don&rsquo;t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don&rsquo;t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.&rdquo; &ndash; Romans 7:14-15 (NLT)
<hr data-start="823" data-end="826">
Key Reflections:
<ul data-start="851" data-end="1241">
<li data-start="851" data-end="922">
You&rsquo;re not alone in your struggle&mdash;Paul felt the exact same way.
</li>
<li data-start="923" data-end="997">
Being in Christ frees us from sin&rsquo;s penalty, but not its presence.
</li>
<li data-start="998" data-end="1046">
Perfection isn&rsquo;t the goal&mdash;progress is.
</li>
<li data-start="1047" data-end="1126">
God&rsquo;s grace isn&rsquo;t an excuse to stay stuck, it&rsquo;s the fuel to keep going.
</li>
<li data-start="1127" data-end="1241">
Each new day is a fresh opportunity to start again&mdash;His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="1243" data-end="1246">
💬 Join the Conversation:
What&rsquo;s one area where you feel stuck right now? Instead of focusing on failure, write down one small step you can take today to grow in that area.
And remember: You&rsquo;re not defined by one moment of weakness. You&rsquo;re being refined by a lifetime of grace.
Let us know what &ldquo;progress over perfection&rdquo; looks like in your life today. Use the hashtag #LifeaudioNetwork to share your story.
🎙🎶&nbsp;SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW &mdash; <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/">Your Nightly Prayer</a>
🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/crosswalk-talk-celebrity-christian-interviews/">Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Progress Over Perfection
By: Laura Bailey&nbsp;
&ldquo;So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don&rsquo;t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don&rsquo;t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.&rdquo; Romans 7:14-15 NLT
Reluctantly, I stepped on the scale. I already knew the number would be higher than I&rsquo;d hoped. Sighing, I shuffled towards the kitchen, poured my coffee, and scanned the pantry. Last week, I failed miserably at making good food choices. Does it matter what I choose now? Even if I make the right choice now, I will likely slip up later and have to start over again.&nbsp;
A few weeks prior, my doctor suggested that I try a low-inflammation diet since I was experiencing a great deal of joint pain. If you aren&rsquo;t familiar with this diet, it means avoiding sugar. And while I don&rsquo;t have an overly sweet tooth, I enjoy ice cream after a long day, a bowl of cereal as a midnight snack, or a freshly baked pastry with my morning cup of Joe. For the most part, after the first few days, I found that it wasn&rsquo;t challenging for me to avoid sugar, especially since my cravings were almost non-existent.
&nbsp;It had been almost a month without anything sweet when I saw my daughter munching on my favorite candy. I thought, &ldquo;It wouldn't hurt just to have one; you deserve it; you&rsquo;ve done so well.&rdquo; Reaching for the bag, I knew it wasn&rsquo;t a good idea, yet I proceeded, and before I knew it, I&rsquo;d polished off the remaining candy. I immediately felt physically and mentally sick. &ldquo; Why did I do that? Why didn&rsquo;t I just stop after one? I am failing at so many things,&rdquo; I chided myself.
If only the battle with sugar was the only one I fight regularly.&nbsp;
I want to read my Bible more, so I set my alarm 30 minutes earlier every day. However, I more often than not hit the snooze button, choosing sleep over time with the Lord.&nbsp;
I want to spend more quality time with my girls, but I gravitate towards unanswered emails and text messages, prioritizing things that could wait over them.&nbsp;
I want to give more money to missions and be more generous, but I often buy things I don&rsquo;t need because &ldquo;it was on&nbsp; sale.&rdquo;
Yes, I struggle to do the things I do not want to do daily, yet I still do them! Have you ever felt that way? The Apostel Paul most certainly did.&nbsp;
Paul shares in the letter to the Romans that he is frustrated that he continues doing the things he doesn&rsquo;t want to do. Why does this keep happening? For those of Christ, we are freed from the penalty of sin but still live in the presence of sin. He openly shares his ongoing struggle with sin, the internal battle within him. The same battle that we all fight.&nbsp;
Many believe that once they accept Christ, all their problems and struggles will disappear. The reality is that the battle has just begun. Later in Ephesians, Paul describes how we prepare for the spiritual battle that wages war against our hearts and minds by putting on the whole armor of God ( Ephesians 6: 13-17). We must suit up as we fight sin, but there will be times when we lose that battle. That&rsquo;s where God&rsquo;s grace and mercy meet us.
While we have the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we are still humans. Our fleshly desires, spiritual attacks, and longing for Godly obedience coexist. God&rsquo;s grace is not a license to sin but a reminder of how much we need a savior. Our goal is not perfection but progress, looking more like Jesus today than yesterday.&nbsp;
Back to my earlier story: I couldn&rsquo;t erase the consequences of the last few days of poor care, but I did have an opportunity to hit the refresh button and start again. Today was new; therefore, my choice to do the right thing for my body mattered. The same for us as believers. God&rsquo;s mercies are new every morning ( Lamentations 3:22-23). Let&rsquo;s celebrate the good news of the Gospel; we aren&rsquo;t just redeemed and restored for salvation, but every day. Amen
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Can you think of an area where you are experiencing a sin struggle?&nbsp; Instead of feeling defeated, write down some goals and focus on your progress, not perfection.
For Further Reading:
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%207&amp;version=NIV">Romans 7</a>
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/why-do-i-do-what-i-hate-romans-715.html">Why Do I Do What I Hate?</a>

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