Consider joining a small group through your church. Watch how God uses the group of believers to further his kingdom for his glory. - Rachael Adams

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Consider joining a small group through your church. Watch how God uses the group of believers to further his kingdom for his glory. - Rachael Adams
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

How a Small Group Can Make a Big Difference

True revival doesn’t begin with better habits or stronger resolutions—it begins with humble repentance and a renewed pursuit of God. Drawing from 2 Chronicles 7:14, this devotional reminds us that healing, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal start when God’s people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their sin.

Highlights


Revival is deeper than emotion; it begins with repentance.


God’s call to humility starts with us, not others.


Pointing out sin in the world without self-examination blocks spiritual growth.


Repentance is an intentional turning away from darkness and toward God.


Revival flows from obedience, not performance or perfection.


When God’s people respond with humility, He promises forgiveness and healing.


Personal surrender can ignite widespread spiritual renewal.

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! 

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Full Transcript Below:

We Don’t Need a Resolution… We Need Revival.


By Hannah Benson

 

Bible Reading:
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

As we are in the midst of New Year’s resolutions, I want to challenge you with an alternative option: instead of simply making New Year’s resolutions, what if we prayed for revival?

Now don’t get me wrong.

There is nothing wrong with making New Year’s resolutions. There’s nothing wrong with saying “I want to do more of this” or “I want to do less of that”.

But more than making New Year’s resolutions, what if we prayed for revival?

We all need revival. We pray for it. We’ve seen it sweep across college campuses. We’ve studied the Great Awakenings in our history books, and now, we’re praying for it to happen again.

We have always needed God, and we’ll never stop needing Him.

But if we look around the shattered state of our country and our world, I think we can all agree we need Him now more than ever.

Revival isn’t based on feelings. We recognize our nation needs revival, yes. Our world needs it, yes. But revival doesn’t happen because we have an amazing pastor or top-notch worship leader. I think a lot of people hear stories of revival and want the feel-good emotions they think will come with it. 

But honestly, revival is messy.

Revival starts with us, and it starts with repentance.

So many people desire the revival, but they would prefer to ignore the call to repentance that precedes the revival.

Without repentance, there is no revival.

Sometimes, we may look at the people around us and think, “This person needs God. They need revival, and they need to change.”

Which is true. They absolutely need God, and maybe they do need to change.

We all do.

But look at what Jesus says in Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV): “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

This is a call of conviction. We are so quick to look at other people, at the rest of the world (and I’m not saying this world is not messy. It absolutely is).

But we all need Jesus.

Your kids’ nemesis at school who just won’t seem to leave them alone.
The politician who makes you so angry when he steps up to the podium.

The list could go on.

Me.

And you.

But revival starts with each one of us individually. If we want revival? We must repent.

What is the first thing God commands His children to do in 2 Chronicles 7:14?
Humble themselves.

Not their neighbor. Not the bully at school. Not the politician in the opposing party.

Themselves.
Next, they need to pray and seek the Lord’s face and turn from their wicked ways.

This is part of the repentance and is the decision to surrender the sin we cling to—the conscious turning away from the darkness that has crept into our hearts.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

If we do these things, then God promises: “I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV).

Don’t get me wrong.

Revival is not dependent on our good works. But we do need to be obedient to God’s call. If we keep pointing fingers and saying “They need to repent” while ignoring the log in our own eye, then we are no better than the hypocrites Jesus called out in the Bible.

That humble individual act of turning away from sin and seeking the Lord—that is what is going to fan the flame and spread genuine revival throughout the entire world.

Do we believe it? More importantly, do we live like it?

Pray with me:

Dear Father, we confess that we often desire the blessings of revival without repentance. We confess we are too quick to see the sins of others while ignoring the “log in our own eye.” Lord, make us humble. We lay down our self-righteousness today. Please help us to sincerely pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways. We ask You to forgive our sin and, starting with us, heal our land. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

True revival doesn&rsquo;t begin with better habits or stronger resolutions&mdash;it begins with humble repentance and a renewed pursuit of God. Drawing from 2 Chronicles 7:14, this devotional reminds us that healing, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal start when God&rsquo;s people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their sin.
Highlights
<ul data-start="363" data-end="853">
<li data-start="363" data-end="425">
Revival is deeper than emotion; it begins with repentance.
</li>
<li data-start="426" data-end="482">
God&rsquo;s call to humility starts with us, not others.
</li>
<li data-start="483" data-end="566">
Pointing out sin in the world without self-examination blocks spiritual growth.
</li>
<li data-start="567" data-end="642">
Repentance is an intentional turning away from darkness and toward God.
</li>
<li data-start="643" data-end="707">
Revival flows from obedience, not performance or perfection.
</li>
<li data-start="708" data-end="789">
When God&rsquo;s people respond with humility, He promises forgiveness and healing.
</li>
<li data-start="790" data-end="853">
Personal surrender can ignite widespread spiritual renewal.
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
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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:
We Don&rsquo;t Need a Resolution&hellip; We Need Revival.
 By Hannah Benson
&nbsp;
Bible Reading: &ldquo;If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.&rdquo; - 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
As we are in the midst of New Year&rsquo;s resolutions, I want to challenge you with an alternative option: instead of simply making New Year&rsquo;s resolutions, what if we prayed for revival?
Now don&rsquo;t get me wrong.
There is nothing wrong with making New Year&rsquo;s resolutions. There&rsquo;s nothing wrong with saying &ldquo;I want to do more of this&rdquo; or &ldquo;I want to do less of that&rdquo;.
But more than making New Year&rsquo;s resolutions, what if we prayed for revival?
We all need revival. We pray for it. We&rsquo;ve seen it sweep across college campuses. We&rsquo;ve studied the Great Awakenings in our history books, and now, we&rsquo;re praying for it to happen again.
We have always needed God, and we&rsquo;ll never stop needing Him.
But if we look around the shattered state of our country and our world, I think we can all agree we need Him now more than ever.
Revival isn&rsquo;t based on feelings. We recognize our nation needs revival, yes. Our world needs it, yes. But revival doesn&rsquo;t happen because we have an amazing pastor or top-notch worship leader. I think a lot of people hear stories of revival and want the feel-good emotions they think will come with it.&nbsp;
But honestly, revival is messy.
Revival starts with us, and it starts with repentance.
So many people desire the revival, but they would prefer to ignore the call to repentance that precedes the revival.
Without repentance, there is no revival.
Sometimes, we may look at the people around us and think, &ldquo;This person needs God. They need revival, and they need to change.&rdquo;
Which is true. They absolutely need God, and maybe they do need to change.
We all do.
But look at what Jesus says in Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV): &ldquo;Why do you see the speck that is in your brother&rsquo;s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?&nbsp;&nbsp;Or how can you say to your brother, &lsquo;Let me take the speck out of your eye,&rsquo; when there is the log in your own eye?&nbsp;&nbsp;You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother&rsquo;s eye.&rdquo;
This is a call of conviction. We are so quick to look at other people, at the rest of the world (and I&rsquo;m not saying this world is not messy. It&nbsp;absolutely&nbsp;is).
But we all need Jesus.
Your kids&rsquo; nemesis at school who just won&rsquo;t seem to leave them alone. The politician who makes you so angry when he steps up to the podium.
The list could go on.
Me.
And you.
But revival starts with each one of us&nbsp;individually.&nbsp;If we want revival? We must repent.
What is the first thing God commands His children to do in 2 Chronicles 7:14?
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Humble themselves.</li>
</ol>
Not their neighbor. Not the bully at school. Not the politician in the opposing party.
Themselves.
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Next, they need to pray and seek the Lord&rsquo;s face and turn from their wicked ways.</li>
</ol>
This is part of the repentance and is the decision to surrender the sin we cling to&mdash;the conscious turning away from the darkness that has crept into our hearts.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
If we do these things, then God promises: &ldquo;I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land&rdquo; (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV).
Don&rsquo;t get me wrong.
Revival is not dependent on our good works. But we do need to be obedient to God&rsquo;s call. If we keep pointing fingers and saying &ldquo;They&nbsp;need to repent&rdquo; while ignoring the log in our own eye, then we are no better than the hypocrites Jesus called out in the Bible.
That humble individual act of turning away from sin and seeking the Lord&mdash;that is what is going to fan the flame and spread genuine revival throughout the entire world.
Do we believe it? More importantly, do we live like it?
Pray with me:
Dear Father, we confess that we often desire the blessings of revival without repentance. We confess we are too quick to see&nbsp;the sins of others while ignoring the &ldquo;log in our own eye.&rdquo; Lord, make us humble. We lay down our self-righteousness today. Please help us to sincerely pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways. We ask You to forgive our sin and, starting with us, heal our land. In Jesus&rsquo;s Name, Amen.

We Don’t Need a Resolution: We Need Revival

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/38769cd5-6bad-4913-8de5-b3d20126b9fe/transcript

Humility creates space for God to work powerfully in and through our lives. In Luke 1:46–52, Mary’s response to God’s calling shows how choosing worship over worry allows fear to shrink and faith to grow, making room for God’s strength to shine through human weakness.

Highlights


God notices and honors a humble heart.


Mary’s worship shifted her focus from fear to God’s greatness.


Humility helps us trust God with outcomes we can’t control.


Fear keeps us focused on limitations; humility lifts our eyes to God’s power.


God often calls people forward through blessings that feel both exciting and scary.


Choosing worship over worry positions us to receive God’s plans with faith.


God looks for humility when He wants to accomplish great things through someone.

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! 

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Full Transcript Below:

God Looks for Humility
By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:
“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” – Luke 1:46-52, NIV

Mary had just received news that would completely turn her life upside down: an angel announced she would give birth to the Son of God. The news was wonderful, but also terrifying. Mary was a young, unmarried woman in a society where a pregnancy outside of marriage led to shame and even danger. The angel’s message was the best news possible for the world, but for Mary herself, it must have brought up feelings of fear about what her future would be like.

Still, Mary responds with faith, despite her fear. She focuses on God’s greatness and she celebrates that God has blessed her because God has been mindful of her humility. Mary overcomes her very real fears by changing her perspective. She moves her focus off her humble state and onto God, the Mighty One who is greater than her problems, and who can work through her in powerful ways. Mary’s song of praise is about God, rather than herself. She realizes that if God is powerful enough to save the world through the Messiah, he is certainly powerful enough to take care of her reputation and her safety. God sees humble people like Mary and acts through their lives with great power. 

When have you heard some good news from God that’s a blessing, but also scary? Maybe God is calling you to start working toward making a dream a reality, but you’re afraid that you won’t be able to accomplish that goal, so you’re considering letting that dream go to stay in your comfort zone. Or, maybe God is encouraging you to forgive someone and restore a relationship, but you fear getting hurt again, so you’re neglecting God’s guidance because you want to protect yourself. 

Fear can cause you to miss out on making the decisions God wants you to make, because it directs your attention to only your own circumstances and limitations. When fear is in control, you only perceive the threat and miss the miracle. God’s good news is right there, but you can’t fully receive it because you’re so busy listening to worries in your mind. 

In order to fully hear and embrace the good news God sends you, you must make the same choice Mary did: Choose worship over worry. You can do that when you’re humble, because humility helps you see beyond yourself to God, which inspires you with reverence and awe for God. When you can see how big God really is, your fear shrinks, and you can step into the great plans God has for you because you can trust that God will empower you. God looks for humility when he looks for people to serve in great ways. 

Don't let the fear of what might happen in the future stop you from embracing the blessings God wants to send you. Like Mary, be in a humble state that’s ready to serve God. Then look forward to what God will do through your life! 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider why it’s important to be humble for God to work in great ways through your life, reflect on these questions: 
What “good news” has God given you recently that’s both exciting and scary for you? 
What worries you about moving forward with how God is leading you, and what specific truth about God’s character (like his power or his love) can you remind yourself of to move past your fear? 
Like Mary, how can you focus on God’s unlimited strength rather than on your own limitations? 
In what areas of your life do you struggle to be humble, and how can you choose humility more so you can better hear and obey God’s messages? 
How does Mary’s celebration of God’s strength inspire you to choose worship over worry? 

Further Reading:
Isaiah 41:10
2 Timothy 1:7
1 John 4:18
Psalm 56:3
Philippians 4:6-7

 

Humility creates space for God to work powerfully in and through our lives. In Luke 1:46&ndash;52, Mary&rsquo;s response to God&rsquo;s calling shows how choosing worship over worry allows fear to shrink and faith to grow, making room for God&rsquo;s strength to shine through human weakness.
Highlights
<ul data-start="302" data-end="810">
<li data-start="302" data-end="344">
God notices and honors a humble heart.
</li>
<li data-start="345" data-end="411">
Mary&rsquo;s worship shifted her focus from fear to God&rsquo;s greatness.
</li>
<li data-start="412" data-end="475">
Humility helps us trust God with outcomes we can&rsquo;t control.
</li>
<li data-start="476" data-end="557">
Fear keeps us focused on limitations; humility lifts our eyes to God&rsquo;s power.
</li>
<li data-start="558" data-end="645">
God often calls people forward through blessings that feel both exciting and scary.
</li>
<li data-start="646" data-end="725">
Choosing worship over worry positions us to receive God&rsquo;s plans with faith.
</li>
<li data-start="726" data-end="810">
God looks for humility when He wants to accomplish great things through someone.
</li>
</ul>
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:
God Looks for Humility By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading: &ldquo;And Mary said: &lsquo;My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me &ndash; holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.&rdquo; &ndash; Luke 1:46-52, NIV
Mary had just received news that would completely turn her life upside down: an angel announced she would give birth to the Son of God. The news was wonderful, but also terrifying.<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/how-old-was-mary-when-she-had-jesus.html"> Mary was a young, unmarried woman</a> in a society where a pregnancy outside of marriage led to shame and even danger. The angel&rsquo;s message was the best news possible for the world, but for Mary herself, it must have brought up feelings of fear about what her future would be like.
Still, Mary responds with faith, despite her fear. She focuses on God&rsquo;s greatness and she celebrates that God has blessed her because God has been mindful of her humility. Mary overcomes her very real fears by changing her perspective. She moves her focus off her humble state and onto God, the Mighty One who is greater than her problems, and who can work through her in powerful ways. Mary&rsquo;s song of praise is about God, rather than herself. She realizes that if God is powerful enough to save the world through the Messiah, he is certainly powerful enough to take care of her reputation and her safety. God sees humble people like Mary and acts through their lives with great power.&nbsp;
When have you heard some good news from God that&rsquo;s a blessing, but also scary? Maybe God is calling you to start working toward making a dream a reality, but you&rsquo;re afraid that you won&rsquo;t be able to accomplish that goal, so you&rsquo;re considering letting that dream go to stay in your comfort zone. Or, maybe God is encouraging you to forgive someone and restore a relationship, but you fear getting hurt again, so you&rsquo;re neglecting God&rsquo;s guidance because you want to protect yourself.&nbsp;
Fear can cause you to miss out on<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/biblical-truths-to-guide-your-decision-making.html"> making the decisions God wants you to make</a>, because it directs your attention to only your own circumstances and limitations. When fear is in control, you only perceive the threat and miss the miracle. God&rsquo;s good news is right there, but you can&rsquo;t fully receive it because you&rsquo;re so busy listening to worries in your mind.&nbsp;
In order to fully hear and embrace the good news God sends you, you must make the same choice Mary did: Choose worship over worry. You can do that when you&rsquo;re humble, because humility helps you see beyond yourself to God, which<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/wisdom-begins-with-awe-the-crosswalk-devotional.html"> inspires you with reverence and awe for God</a>. When you can see how big God really is, your fear shrinks, and you can step into the great plans God has for you because you can trust that God will empower you. God looks for humility when he looks for people to serve in great ways.&nbsp;
Don't let the fear of what might happen in the future stop you from embracing the blessings God wants to send you. Like Mary, be in a humble state that&rsquo;s ready to serve God. Then look forward to what God will do through your life!&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As you consider why it&rsquo;s important to be humble for God to work in great ways through your life, reflect on these questions:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What &ldquo;good news&rdquo; has God given you recently that&rsquo;s both exciting and scary for you?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">What worries you about moving forward with how God is leading you, and what specific truth about God&rsquo;s character (like his power or his love) can you remind yourself of to move past your fear?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Like Mary, how can you focus on God&rsquo;s unlimited strength rather than on your own limitations?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">In what areas of your life do you struggle to be humble, and how can you<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/ibelieve-truth-a-devotional-for-women/humble-yourself-under-gods-mighty-hand.html"> choose humility more</a> so you can better hear and obey God&rsquo;s messages?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How does Mary&rsquo;s celebration of God&rsquo;s strength inspire you to choose worship over worry?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Further Reading: Isaiah 41:10 2 Timothy 1:7 1 John 4:18 Psalm 56:3 Philippians 4:6-7
&nbsp;

God Looks for Humility

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/1afd9866-ed96-4c93-bc59-b3ca01411d65/transcript

Feeling distracted, annoyed, or judgmental at church can quietly reveal places where freedom hasn’t fully taken root. John 8:36 reminds us that true worship flows from the freedom Christ gives—not from conformity, comparison, or comfort.

Highlights


Judgment can quietly imprison our hearts, even in worship.


What looks distracting on the outside may be evidence of deep healing and redemption.


God often invites us to love the very people we instinctively avoid.


Freedom in Christ doesn’t always look neat, quiet, or familiar.


Worship involves the whole person—heart, mind, and body.


Letting go of fear of others’ opinions creates space to encounter God more fully.


Jesus frees us not only from sin, but from rigid expectations and spiritual pride.

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:

When You Feel Annoyed at Church
By Kelly Balarie

Bible Reading:
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." – John 8:36 NIV

I tried to close my eyes. That was my best attempt to ignore the woman standing in front of me. If I close my eyes, I won't have to be bothered with her. That was my line of thinking, anyway. If I close my eyes, I can think about the words in the song, and the love for God in my heart—not her.

Yet, before long, I squinted my eyes open to catch a glance. She was still doing it. She was moving her body during worship. She wasn't standing still. She wasn't being like everyone else. She was swaying her body, unlike the rest of the church.

She's distracting. She is one hundred percent distracting. She shouldn't be allowed to do this.

I was bothered in my heart, perturbed in my mind, and critical with my words. In the car, I told my husband about it.

Later, though, at home, after praying about gathering a group of women at my house to experience God's love and the truth of His Word, she came to mind.

God, do you want me to invite… her?

Indeed, I had a strong impression on my heart that she is exactly who He wanted me to invite.

Anyone but her.

Despite my hesitancy, I obeyed. Once she was at my house, some of the ladies began to open up about their stories.

When it was the dancing girl’s turn, she shared, "I used to be a stripper. Then, I found Jesus. He saved me and rescued me out of that. Now, when I move during church worship, it is like He is redeeming all the dances I did before. He is redeeming me, as He looks upon me in worship, I just know it..."

My mouth wanted to drop.

How could I have judged her? God was doing something with her. How could I have declared her a stumbling block? Her story was now healing me of judgment. How could I have been such a Pharisee? It was people like this that Jesus came to save and love.

I was the one in the wrong.

While I was in a prison of judgment, she was experiencing the freedom of Christ Jesus.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NIV)

Maybe she knew something I didn't. Maybe moving during worship is part of experiencing freedom. Maybe moving breaks free of a room that may be conforming. Was she on to something?

During worship, I started to sway a little. I started to raise my hands. I started to break out of normal to pursue God, not only with all my heart, but with all my body. And, wow! God met me in that place. I felt His heart near me. I felt His grace around me.

Who knew?

Intersecting Faith & Life:

How might God be calling you to break a norm? How might He be encouraging you to worship Him with all your heart? What would it look like to stop fearing what you look like before man and to give Him more of yourself in worship? How do you fear what others think of you?

Feeling distracted, annoyed, or judgmental at church can quietly reveal places where freedom hasn&rsquo;t fully taken root. John 8:36 reminds us that true worship flows from the freedom Christ gives&mdash;not from conformity, comparison, or comfort.
Highlights
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<li data-start="271" data-end="333">
Judgment can quietly imprison our hearts, even in worship.
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<li data-start="334" data-end="423">
What looks distracting on the outside may be evidence of deep healing and redemption.
</li>
<li data-start="424" data-end="496">
God often invites us to love the very people we instinctively avoid.
</li>
<li data-start="497" data-end="564">
Freedom in Christ doesn&rsquo;t always look neat, quiet, or familiar.
</li>
<li data-start="565" data-end="625">
Worship involves the whole person&mdash;heart, mind, and body.
</li>
<li data-start="626" data-end="711">
Letting go of fear of others&rsquo; opinions creates space to encounter God more fully.
</li>
<li data-start="712" data-end="798">
Jesus frees us not only from sin, but from rigid expectations and spiritual pride.
</li>
</ul>
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Full Transcript Below:
When You Feel Annoyed at Church By Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." &ndash; John 8:36 NIV
I tried to close my eyes. That was my best attempt to ignore the woman standing in front of me. If I close my eyes, I won't have to be bothered with her. That was my line of thinking, anyway. If I close my eyes, I can think about the words in the song, and the love for God in my heart&mdash;not her.
Yet, before long, I squinted my eyes open to catch a glance. She was still doing it. She was moving her body during worship. She wasn't standing still. She wasn't being like everyone else. She was swaying her body, unlike the rest of the church.
She's distracting. She is one hundred percent distracting. She shouldn't be allowed to do this.
I was bothered in my heart, perturbed in my mind, and critical with my words. In the car, I told my husband about it.
Later, though, at home, after praying about gathering a group of women at my house to experience God's love and the truth of His Word, she came to mind.
God, do you want me to invite&hellip; her?
Indeed, I had a strong impression on my heart that she is exactly who He wanted me to invite.
Anyone but her.
Despite my hesitancy, I obeyed. Once she was at my house, some of the ladies began to open up about their stories.
When it was the dancing girl&rsquo;s turn, she shared, "I used to be a stripper. Then, I found Jesus. He saved me and rescued me out of that. Now, when I move during church worship, it is like He is redeeming all the dances I did before. He is redeeming me, as He looks upon me in worship, I just know it..."
My mouth wanted to drop.
How could I have judged her? God was doing something with her. How could I have declared her a stumbling block? Her story was now healing me of judgment. How could I have been such a Pharisee? It was people like this that Jesus came to save and love.
I was the one in the wrong.
While I was in a prison of judgment, she was experiencing the freedom of Christ Jesus.
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NIV)
Maybe she knew something I didn't. Maybe moving during worship is part of experiencing freedom. Maybe moving breaks free of a room that may be conforming. Was she on to something?
During worship, I started to sway a little. I started to raise my hands. I started to break out of normal to pursue God, not only with all my heart, but with all my body. And, wow! God met me in that place. I felt His heart near me. I felt His grace around me.
Who knew?
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
How might God be calling you to break a norm? How might He be encouraging you to worship Him with all your heart? What would it look like to stop fearing what you look like before man and to give Him more of yourself in worship? How do you fear what others think of you?

When You Feel Annoyed at Church

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/d664a2e1-e526-460f-a1bb-b3ca013ebbdb/transcript

How a Small Group Can Make a Big Difference

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