Life often takes us down unforeseen paths, and just as God called ordinary individuals for extraordinary tasks, He may be inviting us to step into roles we never anticipated. We’ll discuss the importance of being open to God’s leading and how these divine assignments can shape our faith journey.

Join the Conversation:

We want to hear from you! Have you ever received an unexpected assignment from God? Share your experiences and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What lessons did you learn from stepping out of your comfort zone? Let’s support each other as we embrace God’s surprising plans!

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

Life often takes us down unforeseen paths, and just as God called ordinary individuals for extraordinary tasks, He may be inviting us to step into roles we never anticipated. We&rsquo;ll discuss the importance of being open to God&rsquo;s leading and how these divine assignments can shape our faith journey.
Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! Have you ever received an unexpected assignment from God? Share your experiences and insights with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. What lessons did you learn from stepping out of your comfort zone? Let&rsquo;s support each other as we embrace God&rsquo;s surprising plans!
🎙 ✨ SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/" data-start="882" data-end="978">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

God’s Unexpected Assignments

Ever find yourself sensing a nudge from God to do something that feels… well, a little off-the-wall? Maybe you’ve prayed, waited, and still felt unsure. In today’s devotional, Keri Eichberger shares a personal story of unexpected promptings, hesitant obedience, and the comforting truth found in Psalm 33:10-11 — that God’s good plan for us is firm, unshaken by our uncertainty or decisions.

If you’re facing a big decision, wrestling with mixed emotions, or waiting for a clear answer, this message will meet you right where you are.

✨ Key Takeaways

💡 God’s plans stand firm — no matter our uncertainty
💡 When we genuinely seek God’s will, we can move forward in faith knowing He’ll direct or redirect our steps
💡 Psalm 33:10-11 reminds us that God can foil or thwart any plan not aligned with His purposes — and that’s a good thing
💡 We can live with peace, taking faithful steps, because God’s ultimate plan for our good will always prevail

💬 Join the Conversation

Have you ever wrestled with a decision and sensed God nudging you forward in faith? Or maybe you’ve watched Him thwart a plan that wasn’t His best for you. We’d love to hear your story! Connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a message on Crosswalk.com. Let’s encourage one another with how God’s faithful hand has guided us through life’s twists and turns.

🎙️ Be sure to follow The Crosswalk Devotional podcast on your favorite app — new episodes every Monday through Friday. Don’t miss a single word of encouragement and truth rooted in God’s Word.

🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer

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

Full Transcript Below: 

Your Choice Won’t Change God’s Good Plan

By Keri Eichberger

The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:10-11) 

I wasn't necessarily even looking for a job. But for some odd reason the opportunity kept randomly bursting into my thoughts. It seemed so bizarre that I never spoke a word of it to anyone. My husband would have been my first friend to share the strange promptings, but I was certain he would simply look at me sideways, laugh it off, and say how super off the wall the notion was. But nonetheless, about an hour after my regular morning prayer time of seeking God's will for my day and life, it popped up again. And I had to let it spill. I told Mike I almost didn't say a word about this absurd idea, except that in some strange way this crazy thought reminded me of my initial series of promptings before God called me to have my last baby-turned-twins. And considering the divine way that worked out, it was the resemblance of stirrings and signals that got my attention. The crazier part was what followed my confession. Mike didn't think I’d lost my mind—like he may have when I first announced God's call to a baby—but he was intrigued instead. And before I knew it, he was encouraging me to inquire. 

I knew the drill from here—lots of prayer would have to follow. But in the end, though the promptings were still strong, I just wasn't sure. Determining whether or not to have a baby I had as much time as I wanted to discern and decide. But in this case, the job opening would close in a couple of days, so I had to apply ASAP. I begged God to be clear with what to do. On one hand, this undertaking didn't seem to fit in my plans and current conditions. But on the other hand, the desire to do it anyway remained.

Have you ever noticed a nudge or strong desire to do something that in many ways made no sense? Or have you asked God to be clear if you should or shouldn't, and the desire neither deepened nor dimmed? And maybe like me, you felt you didn't have time to sit and wait for more cues and clues.

I have to say, it's in these difficult decisions that I am so thankful for God's word. My husband told me the other day he’d recently heard a speaker say, “If you want to hear the audible voice of God, open your Bible and read it out loud.” And I absolutely loved this, because I was certainly in need of God’s prompt audible instruction.

In light of that suggestion, if you need confirmation from God on a decision, here is a verse you may need to read out loud with me that came straight from my devotion the following morning. Psalm 33:10 says, “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.” Now, truth be told, before I actually applied this specifically to my situation, I had to look up the exact definition of foil and thwart. Google tells me that “foil” means to prevent something (considered wrong or undesirable) from succeeding, and similarly “thwart” means to prevent someone from accomplishing something. Relating these definitions to the verse, God is telling me that if I am truly unsure, it’s really not necessary to stress and mull over my choice for long, because if whatever I decide is not in line with God's plan, he won't allow it to happen anyway. He will foil and thwart my plan. So I can move forward following the promptings—and in peace. And so, I applied for the job. I obediently took a step in faith. And so can you.

Intersecting Faith and Life:

If you are wholeheartedly asking God what he wants, and wholeheartedly ultimately wanting what he wants, you can follow where he's steering your spirit. And with confidence. Because of the verse in Psalm 33 that follows. Which says, “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” You may have no idea where your choice will take you, just like I’m unsure where my recent decision will lead me. But what I do know, is that we can and should act in obedience toward where God is calling, because our choices–as Christians who remain in him–won’t change God’s ultimate plan or move us outside of his purpose. Because friend, God's good and prosperous plan for your life, and all those who love him, will always prevail. 

Ever find yourself sensing a nudge from God to do something that feels&hellip; well, a little off-the-wall? Maybe you&rsquo;ve prayed, waited, and still felt unsure. In today&rsquo;s devotional, Keri Eichberger shares a personal story of unexpected promptings, hesitant obedience, and the comforting truth found in Psalm 33:10-11 &mdash; that God&rsquo;s good plan for us is firm, unshaken by our uncertainty or decisions.
If you&rsquo;re facing a big decision, wrestling with mixed emotions, or waiting for a clear answer, this message will meet you right where you are.
<hr data-start="803" data-end="806">
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 God&rsquo;s plans stand firm &mdash; no matter our uncertainty 💡 When we genuinely seek God&rsquo;s will, we can move forward in faith knowing He&rsquo;ll direct or redirect our steps 💡 Psalm 33:10-11 reminds us that God can foil or thwart any plan not aligned with His purposes &mdash; and that&rsquo;s a good thing 💡 We can live with peace, taking faithful steps, because God&rsquo;s ultimate plan for our good will always prevail
<hr>
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever wrestled with a decision and sensed God nudging you forward in faith? Or maybe you&rsquo;ve watched Him thwart a plan that wasn&rsquo;t His best for you. We&rsquo;d love to hear your story! Connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a message on Crosswalk.com. Let&rsquo;s encourage one another with how God&rsquo;s faithful hand has guided us through life&rsquo;s twists and turns.
<hr data-start="2125" data-end="2128">
🎙️ Be sure to follow The Crosswalk Devotional podcast on your favorite app &mdash; new episodes every Monday through Friday. Don&rsquo;t miss a single word of encouragement and truth rooted in God&rsquo;s Word.
🎙🎶 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:&nbsp;
Your Choice Won&rsquo;t Change God&rsquo;s Good Plan
By Keri Eichberger
The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:10-11)&nbsp;
I wasn't necessarily even looking for a job. But for some odd reason the opportunity kept randomly bursting into my thoughts. It seemed so bizarre that I never spoke a word of it to anyone. My husband would have been my first friend to share the strange promptings, but I was certain he would simply look at me sideways, laugh it off, and say how super off the wall the notion was. But nonetheless, about an hour after my regular morning prayer time of seeking God's will for my day and life, it popped up again. And I had to let it spill. I told Mike I almost didn't say a word about this absurd idea, except that in some strange way this crazy thought reminded me of my initial series of promptings before God called me to have my last baby-turned-twins. And considering the divine way that worked out, it was the resemblance of stirrings and signals that got my attention. The crazier part was what followed my confession. Mike didn't think I&rsquo;d lost my mind&mdash;like he may have when I first announced God's call to a baby&mdash;but he was intrigued instead. And before I knew it, he was encouraging me to inquire.&nbsp;
I knew the drill from here&mdash;lots of prayer would have to follow. But in the end, though the promptings were still strong, I just wasn't sure. Determining whether or not to have a baby I had as much time as I wanted to discern and decide. But in this case, the job opening would close in a couple of days, so I had to apply ASAP. I begged God to be clear with what to do. On one hand, this undertaking didn't seem to fit in my plans and current conditions. But on the other hand, the desire to do it anyway remained.
Have you ever noticed a nudge or strong desire to do something that in many ways made no sense? Or have you asked God to be clear if you should or shouldn't, and the desire neither deepened nor dimmed? And maybe like me, you felt you didn't have time to sit and wait for more cues and clues.
I have to say, it's in these difficult decisions that I am so thankful for God's word. My husband told me the other day he&rsquo;d recently heard a speaker say, &ldquo;If you want to hear the audible voice of God, open your Bible and read it out loud.&rdquo; And I absolutely loved this, because I was certainly in need of God&rsquo;s prompt audible instruction.
In light of that suggestion, if you need confirmation from God on a decision, here is a verse you may need to read out loud with me that came straight from my devotion the following morning. Psalm 33:10 says, &ldquo;The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.&rdquo; Now, truth be told, before I actually applied this specifically to my situation, I had to look up the exact definition of foil and thwart. Google tells me that &ldquo;foil&rdquo; means to prevent something (considered wrong or undesirable) from succeeding, and similarly &ldquo;thwart&rdquo; means to prevent someone from accomplishing something. Relating these definitions to the verse, God is telling me that if I am truly unsure, it&rsquo;s really not necessary to stress and mull over my choice for long, because if whatever I decide is not in line with God's plan, he won't allow it to happen anyway. He will foil and thwart my plan. So I can move forward following the promptings&mdash;and in peace. And so, I applied for the job. I obediently took a step in faith. And so can you.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
If you are wholeheartedly asking God what he wants, and wholeheartedly ultimately wanting what he wants, you can follow where he's steering your spirit. And with confidence. Because of the verse in Psalm 33 that follows. Which says, &ldquo;But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.&rdquo; You may have no idea where your choice will take you, just like I&rsquo;m unsure where my recent decision will lead me. But what I do know, is that we can and should act in obedience toward where God is calling, because our choices&ndash;as Christians who remain in him&ndash;won&rsquo;t change God&rsquo;s ultimate plan or move us outside of his purpose. Because friend, God's good and prosperous plan for your life, and all those who love him, will always prevail.&nbsp;

Your Choice Won’t Change God’s Good Plan

Did you know that today's host, Jennifer Slattery, has a podcast of her own? Check out Faith Over Fear, where Jennifer helps us see different areas of life where fear has a foothold, and how our identity as children of God can help us move from fear to faithful, bold living.

In John 2:18-25, we witness a revealing moment early in Jesus’ ministry — a moment filled with admiration, opposition, belief, and rejection. While the crowds clamored for signs and the religious leaders challenged His authority, Jesus remained steady, anchored not in human praise or criticism, but in His unshakable union with the Father.

Today’s devotional invites us to reflect on how often we attach our identity and worth to the opinions of others — and how Jesus models a better way. He loved deeply, yet He didn’t entrust Himself to the crowds because He knew the fickleness of human hearts. Instead, He remained secure in the Father’s constant love and presence.

✨ Key Takeaways

💡 Learn how Jesus responded to both praise and rejection without letting either define Him
💡 Discover how our own attachment to human approval can keep us in bondage
💡 Be encouraged to entrust yourself fully to God, finding your identity and security in Him alone
💡 Reflect on the freedom that comes from resting in God’s unchanging love

💬 Join the Conversation

What is one burden of shame you’ve surrendered to Jesus? How has God reminded you of His grace and freedom? Share your story — we’d love to hear from you! Connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a message on Crosswalk.com. Let’s encourage one another with the hope and mercy we’ve found in Christ.

🎙️ Don’t miss a single episode of The Crosswalk Devotional!
Follow our audio podcast on your favorite podcast app and join us every weekday for fresh, faith-building encouragement rooted in Scripture.

🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer

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

Full Transcript Below:

18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. John 2:18-25 (NIV)

The more someone else’s praise can lift you up, the more their criticism can tear you down. If you grew up in a critical home, you probably know the truth of that statement from experience. Perhaps you’ve felt the emotional high of feeling like you made an often emotionally unavailable parent proud, and the grief that flooded your soul when they suddenly, without clear provocation, rejected you through harsh words or relational withdrawal. Or you’re enduring a lonely and unstable marriage where you find your longing for love and connection has caused you to grasp at the slightest display of affection. Or you frequently feel excluded in your social circle, judged in your faith community, or belittled in a toxic work environment. 

Those circumstances can exacerbate our unhealed wounds and the lies our enemy the devil often attaches to them. In my long-standing battle against shame and the fear of rejection it triggered, I found today’s passage intriguing. 

This occurred at the beginning of Jesus ministry and directly following His first recorded miracle at a wedding in Cana. Directly following, Jesus went to Jerusalem for Passover. At the Temple, He saw merchant and money changers clogging the one area permitted to Gentiles. In other words, they were limiting non-Jews’ access to God. In response, Jesus cleared the courts and overturned the tables. 

And the Jews responded to Him by demanding a sign, in essence, saying, “Who do You think You are?” 

And thus, opposition between Him and the religious power-players of His day began. But He also drew the admiration of the crowd. 

Here, we see adoration and animosity, respect and disdain, belief and rejection. And it is following this important contrast that we read, in verses 24-25, “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person” (NIV).

Notice, Scripture doesn’t say He wouldn’t love these people. Nor is this passage speaking of relationship. He knew what was in the heart of each of His disciples, as well, and that they’d abandon Him in His darkest hour, yet He intentionally built a deep connection with them. 

He loved deeply, freely, and unconditionally, those who accepted His message and those who relentlessly sought to discredit Him and trip Him up. But He didn’t entrust Himself to them. Instead, He entrusted Himself to the Father Who He knew would never leave (John 16:32).         

His constant and unbreakable union with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit enabled Him to love others well, from a place of wholeness, of confidence, not insecurity or fear. 

Jesus recognized the brokenness people carry. He saw every wounded, prideful, selfish, and deceived heart and humanity’s tendency to choose self-preservation, or elevation, over love. However, this supernatural, soul-deep knowledge didn’t provoke Him to judgment. Instead, it initiated a mercy and compassion that, ultimately, drew Him to the cross.  

I’m reminded of His words to the disciples in Matthew 26:41, when He said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Consider also His prayer for His executioners and the hateful crowd who’d previously chanted for His death. As He hung on the cross, He said, ““Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Again, Jesus loved everyone, including those who proclaimed His praises on Palm Sunday and chanted for His death less than a week later. He was able to do so because of His relationship with the Father and the fact that He didn’t entrust Himself to His flawed creation. In other words, He didn’t base His worth or identity on their subjective and obviously fickle opinions.   

Intersecting Life and Faith

That is the soul-state the Lord longs for us each to experience. He wants us to live so anchored in His love and grace, so secure in who we are to in Him and to Him, that we cease attaching our worth to the perspectives and behaviors of others. 

For many of us, this inner transformation and strength won’t come easily. But as we grow in our relationship with Christ and follow His lead moment by moment, day by day, and hurt by hurt, He frees us from those things, like fear of rejection, that holds us in bondage.    

Further reading:

Ephesians 1

Romans 8:37-39

Hebrews 13:5

Jeremiah 31:3

Did you know that today's host, Jennifer Slattery, has a podcast of her own? Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/faith-over-fear/">Faith Over Fear</a>, where Jennifer helps us see different areas of life where fear has a foothold, and how our identity as children of God can help us move from fear to faithful, bold living.
In John 2:18-25, we witness a revealing moment early in Jesus&rsquo; ministry &mdash; a moment filled with admiration, opposition, belief, and rejection. While the crowds clamored for signs and the religious leaders challenged His authority, Jesus remained steady, anchored not in human praise or criticism, but in His unshakable union with the Father.
Today&rsquo;s devotional invites us to reflect on how often we attach our identity and worth to the opinions of others &mdash; and how Jesus models a better way. He loved deeply, yet He didn&rsquo;t entrust Himself to the crowds because He knew the fickleness of human hearts. Instead, He remained secure in the Father&rsquo;s constant love and presence.
<hr data-start="931" data-end="934">
✨ Key Takeaways
💡 Learn how Jesus responded to both praise and rejection without letting either define Him 💡 Discover how our own attachment to human approval can keep us in bondage 💡 Be encouraged to entrust yourself fully to God, finding your identity and security in Him alone 💡 Reflect on the freedom that comes from resting in God&rsquo;s unchanging love
💬 Join the Conversation
What is one burden of shame you&rsquo;ve surrendered to Jesus? How has God reminded you of His grace and freedom? Share your story &mdash; we&rsquo;d love to hear from you! Connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a message on Crosswalk.com. Let&rsquo;s encourage one another with the hope and mercy we&rsquo;ve found in Christ.
<hr data-start="2066" data-end="2069">
🎙️ Don&rsquo;t miss a single episode of The Crosswalk Devotional! Follow our audio podcast on your favorite podcast app and join us every weekday for fresh, faith-building encouragement rooted in Scripture.
🎙🎶 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:
18&nbsp;The Jews&nbsp;then responded to him, &ldquo;What sign&nbsp;can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?&rdquo;
19&nbsp;Jesus answered them,&nbsp;&ldquo;Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.&rdquo;
20&nbsp;They replied, &ldquo;It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?&rdquo;&nbsp;21&nbsp;But the temple he had spoken of was his body.&nbsp;22&nbsp;After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said.&nbsp;Then they believed the scripture&nbsp;and the words that Jesus had spoken.
23&nbsp;Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival,&nbsp;many people saw the signs&nbsp;he was performing and believed&nbsp;in his name.&nbsp;24&nbsp;But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.&nbsp;25&nbsp;He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. John 2:18-25 (NIV)
The more someone else&rsquo;s praise can lift you up, the more their criticism can tear you down. If you grew up in a critical home, you probably know the truth of that statement from experience. Perhaps you&rsquo;ve felt the emotional high of feeling like you made an often emotionally unavailable parent proud, and the grief that flooded your soul when they suddenly, without clear provocation, rejected you through harsh words or relational withdrawal. Or you&rsquo;re enduring a lonely and unstable marriage where you find your longing for love and connection has caused you to grasp at the slightest display of affection. Or you frequently feel excluded in your social circle, judged in your faith community, or belittled in a toxic work environment.&nbsp;
Those circumstances can exacerbate our unhealed wounds and the lies our enemy the devil often attaches to them. In my long-standing battle against shame and the fear of rejection it triggered, I found today&rsquo;s passage intriguing.&nbsp;
This occurred at the beginning of Jesus ministry and directly following His first recorded miracle at a wedding in Cana. Directly following, Jesus went to Jerusalem for Passover. At the Temple, He saw merchant and money changers clogging the one area permitted to Gentiles. In other words, they were limiting non-Jews&rsquo; access to God. In response, Jesus cleared the courts and overturned the tables.&nbsp;
And the Jews responded to Him by demanding a sign, in essence, saying, &ldquo;Who do You think You are?&rdquo;&nbsp;
And thus, opposition between Him and the religious power-players of His day began. But He also drew the admiration of the crowd.&nbsp;
Here, we see adoration and animosity, respect and disdain, belief and rejection. And it is following this important contrast that we read, in verses 24-25, &ldquo;But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.&nbsp;25&nbsp;He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person&rdquo; (NIV).
Notice, Scripture doesn&rsquo;t say He wouldn&rsquo;t love these people. Nor is this passage speaking of relationship. He knew what was in the heart of each of His disciples, as well, and that they&rsquo;d abandon Him in His darkest hour, yet He intentionally built a deep connection with them.&nbsp;
He loved deeply, freely, and unconditionally, those who accepted His message and those who relentlessly sought to discredit Him and trip Him up. But He didn&rsquo;t entrust Himself to them. Instead, He entrusted Himself to the Father Who He knew would never leave (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2016%3A32&amp;version=NIV">John 16:32</a>).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
His constant and unbreakable union with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit enabled Him to love others well, from a place of wholeness, of confidence, not insecurity or fear.&nbsp;
Jesus recognized the brokenness people carry. He saw every wounded, prideful, selfish, and deceived heart and humanity&rsquo;s tendency to choose self-preservation, or elevation, over love. However, this supernatural, soul-deep knowledge didn&rsquo;t provoke Him to judgment. Instead, it initiated a mercy and compassion that, ultimately, drew Him to the cross.&nbsp;&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m reminded of His words to the disciples in Matthew 26:41, when He said, &ldquo;Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.&rdquo; Consider also His prayer for His executioners and the hateful crowd who&rsquo;d previously chanted for His death. As He hung on the cross, He said, &ldquo;&ldquo;Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.&rdquo;
Again, Jesus loved everyone, including those who proclaimed His praises on Palm Sunday and chanted for His death less than a week later. He was able to do so because of His relationship with the Father and the fact that He didn&rsquo;t entrust Himself to His flawed creation. In other words, He didn&rsquo;t base His worth or identity on their subjective and obviously fickle opinions.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Intersecting Life and Faith
That is the soul-state the Lord longs for us each to experience. He wants us to live so anchored in His love and grace, so secure in who we are to in Him and to Him, that we cease attaching our worth to the perspectives and behaviors of others.&nbsp;
For many of us, this inner transformation and strength won&rsquo;t come easily. But as we grow in our relationship with Christ and follow His lead moment by moment, day by day, and hurt by hurt, He frees us from those things, like fear of rejection, that holds us in bondage.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Further reading:
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%201&amp;version=NIV">Ephesians 1</a>
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208%3A37-39&amp;version=NIV">Romans 8:37-39</a>
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2013%3A5&amp;version=NIV">Hebrews 13:5</a>
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2031%3A3&amp;version=NIV">Jeremiah 31:3</a>

Overcoming the Fear of Rejection

In our hectic, pressure-filled lives, it’s easy to get tangled up in worry — about finances, relationships, health, and the future. But Jesus offers a gentle, beautiful reminder: look at the wildflowers. In Luke 12:27-28, He invites us to notice how God cares for even the most fleeting parts of creation and promises that His care for us is even greater.

In today’s devotional, Whitney Hopler reflects on the peaceful, unhurried life of flowers — and how their effortless trust in God’s provision challenges us to release our worries and rest in His faithful care. If God so carefully clothes the grass of the field, how much more will He clothe and care for you?

Key Takeaways:
🌸 Learn how observing flowers can offer practical lessons in trusting God’s provision
🌸 Discover why Jesus calls us to live free from worry by His faithful care.
🌸 Be encouraged to recognize the details God tends to in your life, big and small
🌸 Reflect on ways to cultivate peace and gratitude through simple moments in nature

💬 Join the Conversation

What is one burden of shame you’ve surrendered to Jesus? How has God reminded you of His grace and freedom? Share your story — we’d love to hear from you. Connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a message on Crosswalk.com. Let’s encourage one another with the hope and mercy we’ve found in Christ.

🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer

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

Full Transcript Below:

Consider How the Flowers Grow

By: Whitney Hopler

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith!” – Luke 12:27-28, NIV 

During May, I love to visit gardens to see flowers. It’s one of my favorite ways to relax. Flowers become so beautiful just by doing what they were made to do, without any stress. When I look at them, I’m reminded that I can trust God to take care of me, too. 

In our busy lives, we can get overwhelmed with everything we have to do. We might even start worrying about the future. But Jesus tells us not to worry and look at the simple beauty of nature to inspire us to make a different choice. He tells us to think about how wildflowers grow, as a reminder of how God cares for everything he made – including us. These verses remind us that God loves and cares for even the smallest parts of his creation. The flowers grow naturally, depending on God for everything they need. They don’t worry about whether they’ll have enough. They just trust what God provides for them – and in the process, they become beautiful. We may catch ourselves worrying about what we need for our health, our money, our relationships, and much more. But Jesus says to just look at the flowers and learn from them. They grow well under God’s care without worrying – just by being what God made them to be. 

If God cares so much for these short-lived flowers, how much more will God care for us, his children? Our worries can make us forget to trust God’s provision. Jesus asks us to have more faith. He challenges us to trust that God knows what we need and will provide it at the right time. Just like the flowers rely on God for everything, Jesus invites us to rely on God for everything we need. This means really believing that God knows our needs and is working to meet them in the best way for us. 

Beautiful flowers also show us how amazing God’s work is in our lives. God’s care for us includes paying attention to every little detail. If God puts so much care into making flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow look beautiful, how much more does God care about the details of our lives? This should make us feel grateful and give us peace, knowing that our lives are in the hands of a loving God. 

Just as flowers grow without effort, trusting God to provide, we can rest assured that God will meet our needs. We should still work hard on what God has given us to do. But we never need to worry about our needs being met, because we can always trust our loving Heavenly Father to provide what we need. So, let’s enjoy the simple beauty of flowers and let their beauty remind us of God’s beautiful care for us. May we grow in faith, knowing that the God who clothes the flowers so well will definitely take care of us!

Intersecting Faith and Life 

As you consider how flowers can inspire you to trust God more, reflect on these questions:
When you feel overwhelmed by worries, how can enjoying flowers help you relieve stress and find a fresh perspective?
What specific needs do you find most challenging to trust God to help you with? What steps can you take to practice trusting God more to meet those needs?
How does the idea that God cares for all the details of your life give you a sense of security?
Think of a time when God met a need for you in a surprising way. How can remembering that experience strengthen your faith?
How can you create more moments in your daily life to appreciate the simple beauty of God’s creation, and use those moments to connect with God?

Further Reading 

Matthew 6:33-34

Philippians 4:6-7

Psalm 23:1

1 Peter 5:7

Isaiah 40:8

In our hectic, pressure-filled lives, it&rsquo;s easy to get tangled up in worry &mdash; about finances, relationships, health, and the future. But Jesus offers a gentle, beautiful reminder: look at the wildflowers. In Luke 12:27-28, He invites us to notice how God cares for even the most fleeting parts of creation and promises that His care for us is even greater.
In today&rsquo;s devotional, Whitney Hopler reflects on the peaceful, unhurried life of flowers &mdash; and how their effortless trust in God&rsquo;s provision challenges us to release our worries and rest in His faithful care. If God so carefully clothes the grass of the field, how much more will He clothe and care for you?
Key Takeaways: 🌸 Learn how observing flowers can offer practical lessons in trusting God&rsquo;s provision 🌸 Discover why Jesus calls us to live free from worry by His faithful care. 🌸 Be encouraged to recognize the details God tends to in your life, big and small 🌸 Reflect on ways to cultivate peace and gratitude through simple moments in nature
💬 Join the Conversation
What is one burden of shame you&rsquo;ve surrendered to Jesus? How has God reminded you of His grace and freedom? Share your story &mdash; we&rsquo;d love to hear from you. Connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a message on Crosswalk.com. Let&rsquo;s encourage one another with the hope and mercy we&rsquo;ve found in Christ.
🎙🎶 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:
Consider How the Flowers Grow
By: Whitney Hopler
&ldquo;Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you &ndash; you of little faith!&rdquo; &ndash; Luke 12:27-28, NIV&nbsp;
During May, I love to visit gardens to see flowers. It&rsquo;s one of my favorite ways to relax. Flowers become so beautiful just by doing what they were made to do, without any stress. When I look at them, I&rsquo;m reminded that I can trust God to take care of me, too.&nbsp;
In our busy lives, we can get overwhelmed with everything we have to do. We might even start worrying about the future. But Jesus tells us<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/bible-verses-that-taught-me-not-to-worry-and-how.html"> not to worry</a> and look at the simple beauty of nature to inspire us to make a different choice. He tells us to think about how wildflowers grow, as a reminder of how God cares for everything he made &ndash; including us. These verses remind us that God loves and cares for even the smallest parts of his creation. The flowers grow naturally, depending on God for everything they need. They don&rsquo;t worry about whether they&rsquo;ll have enough. They just trust what God provides for them &ndash; and in the process, they become beautiful. We may catch ourselves worrying about what we need for our health, our money, our relationships, and much more. But Jesus says to just<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-is-the-lotus-flower-meaning-in-christianity.html"> look at the flowers and learn from them</a>. They grow well under God&rsquo;s care without worrying &ndash; just by being what God made them to be.&nbsp;
If God cares so much for these short-lived flowers, how much more will God care for us, his children? Our worries can make us forget to trust God&rsquo;s provision. Jesus asks us to have more faith. He challenges us to trust that God knows what we need and will provide it at the right time. Just like the flowers rely on God for everything, Jesus invites us to rely on God for everything we need. This means really believing that God knows our needs and is working to meet them in the best way for us.&nbsp;
Beautiful flowers also show us how amazing God&rsquo;s work is in our lives. God&rsquo;s care for us includes paying attention to every little detail. If God puts so much care into making flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow look beautiful, how much more does God care about the details of our lives? This should make us feel grateful and give us peace, knowing that our lives are in the hands of a loving God.&nbsp;
Just as flowers grow without effort, trusting God to provide, we can rest assured that God will meet our needs. We should still work hard on what God has given us to do. But we never need to worry about our needs being met, because we can always trust<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/reflections-on-gods-role-as-our-heavenly-father.html"> our loving Heavenly Father</a> to provide what we need. So, let&rsquo;s enjoy the simple beauty of flowers and let their beauty remind us of God&rsquo;s beautiful care for us. May we grow in faith, knowing that the God who clothes the flowers so well will definitely take care of us!
Intersecting Faith and Life&nbsp;
As you consider how flowers can inspire you to trust God more, reflect on these questions:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">When you feel overwhelmed by worries, how can enjoying flowers help you relieve stress and find a fresh perspective?</li>
<li aria-level="1">What specific needs do you find most challenging to trust God to help you with? What steps can you take to practice trusting God more to meet those needs?</li>
<li aria-level="1">How does the idea that God cares for all the details of your life give you a sense of security?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Think of a time when God met a need for you in a surprising way. How can remembering that experience strengthen your faith?</li>
<li aria-level="1">How can you create more moments in your daily life to appreciate the simple beauty of God&rsquo;s creation, and use those moments to connect with God?</li>
</ul>
Further Reading&nbsp;
Matthew 6:33-34
Philippians 4:6-7
Psalm 23:1
1 Peter 5:7
Isaiah 40:8

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