Drawing upon wisdom from scriptures, explore the profound truth that each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made. By cultivating a heart of gratitude and focusing on our personal journey of growth and fulfillment, we can experience true freedom from the burden of comparison and step into the abundant life that awaits us through Jesus.

SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:

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

Drawing upon wisdom from scriptures, explore the profound truth that each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made. By cultivating a heart of gratitude and focusing on our personal journey of growth and fulfillment, we can experience true freedom from the burden of comparison and step into the abundant life that awaits us through Jesus.
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 Can I Live a Life Freed from Self-Comparison?

Condemnation can quietly weigh down even the most faithful believers, especially when perfectionism and performance replace grace. Romans 8:1 offers freeing truth: for those in Christ Jesus, condemnation no longer exists because Jesus already carried the full weight of sin and shame on the cross.

Highlights


Perfectionism often disguises itself as faith but leads to exhaustion and emptiness.


Guilt and shame push us away from God, while grace draws us closer.


Self-condemnation is a burden Jesus never intended believers to carry.


Romans 8:1 declares complete freedom from condemnation for those in Christ.


Jesus paid the full debt for sin—nothing more is required from us.


Our identity is found in Christ’s finished work, not our performance.


Grace is a gift to rest in, not something to strive to maintain.

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:

Carrying the Unnecessary Weight of Condemnation

By: Emily Rose Massey

Bible Reading:

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, ESV).  

For many years, I was driven by perfectionism and the feeling that I had to work successfully or perform well in life to be loved by other people… and to be loved by God. On the outside, I looked like I had it all together- high honors throughout school, hyper-involvement in extracurricular activities, serving in any ministry I was asked to be involved in, star of the high school plays and musicals, head cheerleader, first chair clarinet player in the band, and the list goes on and on. But on the inside, I was so empty and constantly searching for true fulfillment. I knew God was there for me, but somehow, I thought I could be perfect in my own strength on my walk with Him. 

Because we are human, we fail time and time again. We make a mess of things more often than not. Guilt and shame can often push us further away from God, instead of closer. For so long as a Christian, I was allowing self-condemnation to take root in my heart, and it weighed me down as I walked around carrying all of the baggage of my past sins and failures, thinking that I had to continue to strive to keep God’s forgiveness. Thankfully, today, I no longer live burdened by a work-based mentality. I find my identity in the finished work of Christ, and I want to encourage you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, you should too. Grace is a gift that cannot be earned, and you do not have to strive to keep it either.

In Romans 8:1, the Bible tells us that we do not have to carry condemnation in our lives when we’re truly in Christ. If you are a born-again believer, condemnation does not exist because the punishment for our failures and sins does not exist. 

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, ESV). 

This means that when we embrace and believe what Jesus did for us on the cross, as He took the punishment for our sin that we deserved, our lives are now hidden in Christ. When we come to God with a heart full of repentance, resting in this glorious, finished work of the cross, we can stand before the throne of God without any shame because Jesus bore all of it for us. The debt we owed has been paid in full- we are free from all bondage.

Intersecting Life & Faith:

Jesus took all of your sin and your shame upon Himself and cast it as far as the east is from the west, friend. Do you struggle with thoughts of shame from your past? Fix your eyes on the finished work of the cross. Christ bore the weight of your sin; you no longer have to live with the weight of your failures. You can come boldly to the throne of grace, beloved, because it is grace that did the work for you. You can rest assured that God sees you as blameless and perfect because you are in Christ. There is no reason to carry that heavy burden of condemnation upon your shoulders… surrender it to Christ today. Let’s pray that you learn to no longer walk around carrying the weight of your past and stop striving for perfection. Remember, Jesus is blameless and perfect for you… lean upon Him.

Condemnation can quietly weigh down even the most faithful believers, especially when perfectionism and performance replace grace. Romans 8:1 offers freeing truth: for those in Christ Jesus, condemnation no longer exists because Jesus already carried the full weight of sin and shame on the cross.
Highlights
<ul data-start="331" data-end="860">
<li data-start="331" data-end="419">
Perfectionism often disguises itself as faith but leads to exhaustion and emptiness.
</li>
<li data-start="420" data-end="491">
Guilt and shame push us away from God, while grace draws us closer.
</li>
<li data-start="492" data-end="566">
Self-condemnation is a burden Jesus never intended believers to carry.
</li>
<li data-start="567" data-end="646">
Romans 8:1 declares complete freedom from condemnation for those in Christ.
</li>
<li data-start="647" data-end="717">
Jesus paid the full debt for sin&mdash;nothing more is required from us.
</li>
<li data-start="718" data-end="791">
Our identity is found in Christ&rsquo;s finished work, not our performance.
</li>
<li data-start="792" data-end="860">
Grace is a gift to rest in, not something to strive to maintain.
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Carrying the Unnecessary Weight of Condemnation
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
&ldquo;There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus&rdquo; (Romans 8:1, ESV). &nbsp;
For many years, I was driven by perfectionism and the feeling that I had to work successfully or perform well in life to be loved by other people&hellip; and to be loved by God. On the outside, I looked like I had it all together- high honors throughout school, hyper-involvement in extracurricular activities, serving in any ministry I was asked to be involved in, star of the high school plays and musicals, head cheerleader, first chair clarinet player in the band, and the list goes on and on. But on the inside, I was so empty and constantly searching for true fulfillment. I knew God was there for me, but somehow, I thought I could be perfect in my own strength on my walk with Him.&nbsp;
Because we are human, we fail time and time again. We make a mess of things more often than not. Guilt and shame can often push us further away from God, instead of closer. For so long as a Christian, I was allowing self-condemnation to take root in my heart, and it weighed me down as I walked around carrying all of the baggage of my past sins and failures, thinking that I had to continue to strive to keep God&rsquo;s forgiveness. Thankfully, today, I no longer live burdened by a work-based mentality. I find my identity in the finished work of Christ, and I want to encourage you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, you should too. Grace is a gift that cannot be earned, and you do not have to strive to keep it either.
In&nbsp;Romans 8:1, the&nbsp;Bible&nbsp;tells us that we do not have to carry condemnation in our lives when we&rsquo;re truly in Christ. If you are a born-again believer, condemnation does not exist because the punishment for our failures and sins does not exist.&nbsp;
&ldquo;There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus&rdquo; (Romans 8:1, ESV).&nbsp;
This means that when we embrace and believe what Jesus did for us on the cross, as He took the punishment for our sin that we deserved, our lives are now hidden in Christ. When we come to God with a heart full of repentance, resting in this glorious, finished work of the cross, we can stand before the throne of God without any shame because Jesus bore all of it for us. The debt we owed has been paid in full- we are free from all bondage.
Intersecting Life &amp; Faith:
Jesus took all of your sin and your shame upon Himself and cast it as far as the east is from the west, friend. Do you struggle with thoughts of shame from your past? Fix your eyes on the finished work of the cross. Christ bore the weight of your sin; you no longer have to live with the weight of your failures. You can come boldly to the throne of grace, beloved, because it is grace that did the work for you. You can rest assured that God sees you as blameless and perfect because you are in Christ. There is no reason to carry that heavy burden of condemnation upon your shoulders&hellip; surrender it to Christ today. Let&rsquo;s pray that you learn to no longer walk around carrying the weight of your past and stop striving for perfection. Remember, Jesus is blameless and perfect for you&hellip; lean upon Him.

Carrying the Unnecessary Weight of Condemnation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/006959a0-13c3-452a-b5d5-b3d20126c2de/transcript

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! 

Sign Up Today!

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>
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:
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! 

Sign Up Today!

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>
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God looks for humility when He wants to accomplish great things through someone.
</li>
</ul>
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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

How Can I Live a Life Freed from Self-Comparison?

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