Confront the insidious power of shame and discover how to overcome it through the transformative grace of God. Embrace the freedom and redemption that God offers to all who seek it.

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/

Confront the insidious power of shame and discover how to overcome it through the transformative grace of God. Embrace the freedom and redemption that God offers to all who seek it.
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 to Kill Shame Once and for All

What should you do when God doesn’t answer your prayers the way you hoped? When a door closes, a relationship doesn’t work out, or a long-awaited opportunity never comes, it’s natural to feel disappointed and question God’s plan. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Even when we cannot understand why He says “no” or asks us to wait, He sees the bigger picture of our lives. Learning to trust God with unanswered prayers means surrendering our expectations, bringing our disappointment honestly to Him, and believing that His wisdom reaches beyond what we can see in the moment.

Highlights


Trust God when He says no: Understand why a closed door doesn’t necessarily mean God has abandoned you or forgotten your prayers.


See unanswered prayers from a new perspective: Discover how God may be protecting you from a path you cannot yet see clearly.


Surrender your expectations to God: Learn to release your grip on a specific outcome and trust His wisdom with your future.


Find encouragement in Paul’s transformation: Explore how God turned Saul, a persecutor of Christians, into one of the early Church’s most influential apostles (Acts 9).


Remember that God’s grace is sufficient: Reflect on 2 Corinthians 12:9 and the reminder that God’s power can work through weakness, even when He doesn’t remove a struggle.


Practice gratitude during disappointment: Consider how thanking God for closed doors can help you grow in faith while you wait for clarity.


Pray for a trusting heart: Ask God to change your heart and strengthen your faith, even if He doesn’t change your circumstances.

Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

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:

Thanking God for the Prayers He Answered Differently

By Hannah Benson

Bible Reading:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV).

I’ve always been a storyteller. I love classic period dramas where the protagonist gets their happily-ever-after and the villains get what they deserve.

After I graduated high school, I prayed for a door to open that I thought would be the right one for me in that season. I filled dozens of pages in my prayer journal, begging God to open this door.

Would God answer my prayers the way I wanted?

Looking back, I can’t help but chuckle at my naivety.

Was I disappointed when God closed that door and led me in a different direction?
Absolutely.

I didn’t understand why God said “no” when I prayed so hard and for so long.

All I could see in that moment was what I thought was best. But looking back, I am so grateful that God didn’t answer the way I’d wanted Him to.

If God had given me what I wanted when I wanted it, I would’ve missed out on so much. He had different plans for me, adventures to embark on, callings to pursue, and people to meet that never would’ve happened had He said “yes” back then.

While I thought I knew what was best, I see now that it was God’s protection that closed the door.

What are you praying for today? Even when we pray for something good, we may find that God answers differently than what we’d hoped for. When He says “no” or “wait,” His higher perspective sees the whole story while we only see the page we’re on.

Think of what you are praying for most in this season, maybe a career, a relationship, or a change in your circumstances. What if God says “no”?

What is your initial response?

I’m not talking about the response we know we should have. We know we should trust the Lord and be grateful for the doors God has shut for our protection. But do we thank God when He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want?

Honestly ask yourself these questions.

To be transparent with you, sometimes I struggle with anger when God tells me “No.”

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Recently, God showed me that I’m clinging to something I’m praying for far too tightly. I know God is the only One Who can change my circumstances, and I felt a twinge of distrust as I realized that God might not answer my prayers the way I want.

If this door closes, I know I should praise Him anyway and be grateful for His protection. My prayer is that He’ll change my heart even if He doesn’t change my circumstances. But I need God’s help to trust Him as I navigate this current season.

What if God says “no”? 

Will I trust He will work everything together for my good (Romans 8:28) even if the answer is not what I’ve asked for?

When I look back on my life and the miraculous “yeses” God gave me, I know God will open every door that He wants me to walk through. I’ve seen Him do it countless times and know He will do it again. It doesn’t matter how impossible something seems; God can make a way where there is no way.

I’ve also seen how the “no’s” were blessings in disguise. How the prayers I prayed fresh out of high school, when met with a “no,” turned out to be one of the greatest blessings in my life at that time.

Consider Paul, originally called Saul, for instance. He was zealous and persecuted Christians. I imagine many believers in the early Church prayed either for him or about him. Perhaps they expected God to stop their persecutor and to remove him.

Instead, God did what seemed impossible: He transformed the persecutor into a preacher.

God met him on the road to Damascus and flipped his future on its head (Acts 9). God allowed Paul to become temporarily blind so that his spiritual eyes would be opened to the Lord. Paul then went on to become one of the most influential apostles in the early Church.

I’m sure people were shocked when Paul became zealous to share the good news of Jesus. No one could’ve changed his heart, not even Paul himself. God alone was the only one who instigated a heart change.

Paul later writes in 2 Corinthians 12 of a thorn he begs God to remove for Him. God responds instead, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (v. 9).

Sometimes, God answers our prayers the way we want, but other times, He doesn’t. But even when we receive a “no,” we can thank God and trust that His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts greater than anything we could ever imagine.

Pray with me: Dear Father God, thank You for the times You answer differently. Please help me to be grateful for each “no” and each redirection. Please help me to trust that Your grace is sufficient for me in my weakness. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

What should you do when God doesn&rsquo;t answer your prayers the way you hoped? When a door closes, a relationship doesn&rsquo;t work out, or a long-awaited opportunity never comes, it&rsquo;s natural to feel disappointed and question God&rsquo;s plan. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God&rsquo;s thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Even when we cannot understand why He says &ldquo;no&rdquo; or asks us to wait, He sees the bigger picture of our lives. Learning to trust God with unanswered prayers means surrendering our expectations, bringing our disappointment honestly to Him, and believing that His wisdom reaches beyond what we can see in the moment.
Highlights
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Trust God when He says no: Understand why a closed door doesn&rsquo;t necessarily mean God has abandoned you or forgotten your prayers.
</li>
<li>
See unanswered prayers from a new perspective: Discover how God may be protecting you from a path you cannot yet see clearly.
</li>
<li>
Surrender your expectations to God: Learn to release your grip on a specific outcome and trust His wisdom with your future.
</li>
<li>
Find encouragement in Paul&rsquo;s transformation: Explore how God turned Saul, a persecutor of Christians, into one of the early Church&rsquo;s most influential apostles (Acts 9).
</li>
<li>
Remember that God&rsquo;s grace is sufficient: Reflect on 2 Corinthians 12:9 and the reminder that God&rsquo;s power can work through weakness, even when He doesn&rsquo;t remove a struggle.
</li>
<li>
Practice gratitude during disappointment: Consider how thanking God for closed doors can help you grow in faith while you wait for clarity.
</li>
<li>
Pray for a trusting heart: Ask God to change your heart and strengthen your faith, even if He doesn&rsquo;t change your circumstances.
</li>
</ul>
Click to Listen to Signs of Life:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Thanking God for the Prayers He Answered Differently
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading: &ldquo;For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts&rdquo; (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV).
I&rsquo;ve always been a storyteller. I love classic period dramas where the protagonist gets their happily-ever-after and the villains get what they deserve.
After I graduated high school, I prayed for a door to open that I thought would be the right one for me in that season. I filled&nbsp;dozens&nbsp;of pages in my prayer journal, begging God to open this door.
Would God answer my prayers the way I wanted?
Looking back, I can&rsquo;t help but chuckle at my naivety.
Was I disappointed when God closed that door and led me in a different direction? Absolutely.
I didn&rsquo;t understand why God said &ldquo;no&rdquo; when I prayed so hard and for so long.
All I could see in that moment was what I thought was best. But looking back, I am so grateful that God didn&rsquo;t answer the way I&rsquo;d wanted Him to.
If God had given me what I wanted when I wanted it, I would&rsquo;ve missed out on so much. He had different plans for me, adventures to embark on, callings to pursue, and people to meet that never would&rsquo;ve happened had He said &ldquo;yes&rdquo; back then.
While I thought I knew what was best, I see now that it was God&rsquo;s protection that closed the door.
What are you praying for today? Even when we pray for something good, we may find that God answers differently than what we&rsquo;d hoped for. When He says &ldquo;no&rdquo; or &ldquo;wait,&rdquo; His higher perspective sees the whole story while we only see the page we&rsquo;re on.
Think of what you are praying for most in this season, maybe a career, a relationship, or a change in your circumstances. What if God says &ldquo;no&rdquo;?
What is your initial response?
I&rsquo;m not talking about the response we&nbsp;know&nbsp;we should have. We know we should trust the Lord and be grateful for the doors God has shut for our protection. But do we thank God when He doesn&rsquo;t answer our prayers the way we want?
Honestly ask yourself these questions.
To be transparent with you, sometimes I struggle with anger when God tells me &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Recently, God showed me that I&rsquo;m clinging to something I&rsquo;m praying for far too tightly. I know God is the only One Who can change my circumstances, and I felt a twinge of distrust as I realized that God might not answer my prayers the way I want.
If this door closes, I know I should praise Him anyway and be grateful for His protection. My prayer is that He&rsquo;ll change my heart even if He doesn&rsquo;t change my circumstances. But I need God&rsquo;s help to trust Him as I navigate this current season.
What if God says &ldquo;no&rdquo;?&nbsp;
Will I trust He will work everything together for my good (Romans 8:28) even if the answer is not what I&rsquo;ve asked for?
When I look back on my life and the miraculous &ldquo;yeses&rdquo; God gave me, I know God will open every door that He wants me to walk through. I&rsquo;ve seen Him do it countless times and know He will do it again. It doesn&rsquo;t matter how impossible something seems; God can make a way where there is no way.
I&rsquo;ve also seen how the &ldquo;no&rsquo;s&rdquo; were blessings in disguise. How the prayers I prayed fresh out of high school, when met with a &ldquo;no,&rdquo; turned out to be one of the greatest blessings in my life at that time.
Consider Paul, originally called Saul, for instance. He was zealous and persecuted Christians. I imagine many believers in the early Church prayed either for him or about him. Perhaps they expected God to stop their persecutor and to remove him.
Instead, God did what seemed impossible: He transformed the persecutor into a preacher.
God met him on the road to Damascus and flipped his future on its head (Acts 9). God allowed Paul to become temporarily blind so that his spiritual eyes would be opened to the Lord. Paul then went on to become one of the most influential apostles in the early Church.
I&rsquo;m sure people were shocked when Paul became zealous to share the good news of Jesus. No one could&rsquo;ve changed his heart, not even Paul himself. God alone was the only one who instigated a heart change.
Paul later writes in 2 Corinthians 12 of a thorn he begs God to remove for Him. God responds instead, &ldquo;My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness&rdquo; (v. 9).
Sometimes, God answers our prayers the way we want, but other times, He doesn&rsquo;t. But even when we receive a &ldquo;no,&rdquo; we can thank God and trust that His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts greater than anything we could ever imagine.
Pray with me:&nbsp;Dear Father God, thank You for the times You answer differently. Please help me to be grateful for each &ldquo;no&rdquo; and each redirection. Please help me to trust that Your grace is sufficient for me in my weakness. In Jesus&rsquo;s Name, Amen.

Thanking God for the Prayers He Answered Differently

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/0ff3935e-b22f-4d5a-ab73-b4f201277ba9/transcript

Through a powerful story about a painting called Peace in the Midst of the Storm and a personal experience of finding unexpected shelter during a rainstorm, this devotional explores how God brings peace in difficult seasons. Sometimes He changes our circumstances, and other times He calms our hearts through His presence while the storm continues. Jesus acknowledges in John 16:33 that we will face trouble in this world, but He also offers the lasting peace that comes from knowing He has overcome it. Discover how to trust God for protection, recognize His care in everyday moments, and find reassurance when you need peace the most.

Highlights


Understand what biblical peace really means: Learn why true peace is not the absence of hardship but the security of knowing God is with you through it.


Find refuge in God during difficult seasons: Explore Psalm 46:1 and its reminder that God is always present to provide strength and help in times of trouble.


Trust God when life feels chaotic: Discover how God can calm the storms around you or bring calm to your heart while you face them.


Recognize God’s unexpected provision: Reflect on a personal story of finding shelter during a sudden rainstorm and seeing God’s care in an ordinary moment.


Remember Jesus’ promise of peace: Find encouragement in John 16:33, where Jesus acknowledges life’s troubles while reminding us of His victory over the world.


Turn to God when fear takes over: Consider how prayer and trust in His presence can help you face uncertainty without feeling alone.


Reflect on songs about God’s peace and protection: Explore “Sometimes He Calms the Storm,” “A Secret Place,” and “Peace” as musical reminders of God’s comfort during life’s storms.

Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

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 God Calms You

By Alexis A. Goring 

Bible Reading:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the storms of life? Do you desperately seek refuge only to not find relief? If so, then this message is for you. 

There’s a story about a king who hosted a contest for artists. They were asked to paint a picture that represents peace. While I haven’t seen the original artwork from the king’s contest, I learned about a modern-day artist, Jack E. Dawson, who heard the story and was inspired to paint a picture of peace. “Artist Jack E. Dawson did not enter or win an actual art contest for his famous painting ‘Peace in the Midst of the Storm’; rather, he was inspired to paint it after hearing a traditional parable about a king's art contest. Dawson heard a story years prior during a church revival about a king who held a contest for artists to paint the best representation of ‘peace.’ While most artists submitted calm lakes, sunsets, and peaceful meadows, the winning painting depicted a harsh, roaring waterfall, a stormy sky with lightning, and a rugged cliff. Upon closer inspection, a tiny bird was tucked safely in a nest within a crack in the rock behind the rushing water. The king explained that true peace is not the absence of noise, trouble, or hardship, but rather being completely calm and secure in the middle of chaos.”

What can we learn from this? I believe this story and painting teach us that God can calm us and shelter us in the midst of raging storms. Like the song by Scott Krippayne says (and I paraphrase): God will either calm the storm around us, or He will calm us with His Presence in the storm. Just like the painting of a bird being sheltered in the storm, we too are safe with God in the storms of life.

I remember when I was in college, I had to walk a few miles to an assignment for class. I usually checked the weather before walking anywhere, but that day I didn’t. So, I was totally unprepared for the rainstorm that poured down at the time I had to return to the dorm where I lived as a student. Accepting that I’d be completely waterlogged by the time I reached my destination, I focused on walking slowly so I wouldn’t slip on the wet pavement of the sidewalks. After walking carefully for a few minutes, the rain began to soak my clothes. But before I was completely drenched in water, a small bus slowly pulled up beside me. The door opened, and without hesitation, I entered the bus and thanked the driver for the ride that was going to provide shelter for me in this storm. He drove me back to the front entrance of the dorm where I was staying, keeping the conversation about the weather lighthearted during the entire five-minute ride. I thanked him again as I exited the bus and walked a few steps into the dorm, where I was now completely safe from the storm. Looking back on that day, I sensed God in it. 

God knew that I needed shelter and safety, so He provided it. The same God who did that for me then can do that and more for you now. Whether you are going through a physical storm outdoors with rain drenching you, thunder booming that’s scaring you, and lightning flashing before your eyes…or you’re experiencing the trials and tribulations of life, I encourage you to remember that you are not alone. Jesus Christ tells us He is with us in John 16:33 (NIV). He says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

If you’d like to see the famous, modern-day painting representing peace and learn more about it in the words of the artist, visit Jack E. Dawson’s website.

In closing, I’d like for you to listen to and reflect on these three songs:

Song of Reflection #1: “Sometimes He Calms the Storm” by Scott Krippayne. Listen to it HERE.

Song of Reflection #2: “A Secret Place” by Karen Clark Sheard. Listen to it HERE.

Song of Reflection #3: “Peace” by Dr. Juanita Bynum. Listen to it HERE.Intersecting Faith & Life:

The next time you feel afraid while experiencing a storm, and you need shelter, will you ask God to provide refuge? How does it feel to know that Jesus Christ can give you perfect peace in the midst of any storm?

Further Reading:
Ephesians 2:14
Philippians 4:7
John 14:27
Isaiah 9:6
Isaiah 26:3

Through a powerful story about a painting called Peace in the Midst of the Storm and a personal experience of finding unexpected shelter during a rainstorm, this devotional explores how God brings peace in difficult seasons. Sometimes He changes our circumstances, and other times He calms our hearts through His presence while the storm continues. Jesus acknowledges in John 16:33 that we will face trouble in this world, but He also offers the lasting peace that comes from knowing He has overcome it. Discover how to trust God for protection, recognize His care in everyday moments, and find reassurance when you need peace the most.
Highlights
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Understand what biblical peace really means: Learn why true peace is not the absence of hardship but the security of knowing God is with you through it.
</li>
<li>
Find refuge in God during difficult seasons: Explore Psalm 46:1 and its reminder that God is always present to provide strength and help in times of trouble.
</li>
<li>
Trust God when life feels chaotic: Discover how God can calm the storms around you or bring calm to your heart while you face them.
</li>
<li>
Recognize God&rsquo;s unexpected provision: Reflect on a personal story of finding shelter during a sudden rainstorm and seeing God&rsquo;s care in an ordinary moment.
</li>
<li>
Remember Jesus&rsquo; promise of peace: Find encouragement in John 16:33, where Jesus acknowledges life&rsquo;s troubles while reminding us of His victory over the world.
</li>
<li>
Turn to God when fear takes over: Consider how prayer and trust in His presence can help you face uncertainty without feeling alone.
</li>
<li>
Reflect on songs about God&rsquo;s peace and protection: Explore &ldquo;Sometimes He Calms the Storm,&rdquo; &ldquo;A Secret Place,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Peace&rdquo; as musical reminders of God&rsquo;s comfort during life&rsquo;s storms.
</li>
</ul>
Click to Listen to Signs of Life:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
When God Calms You
By Alexis A. Goring&nbsp;
Bible Reading: &ldquo;God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.&rdquo; - Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the storms of life? Do you desperately seek refuge only to not find relief? If so, then this message is for you.&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s a story about a king who hosted a contest for artists. They were asked to paint a picture that represents peace. While I haven&rsquo;t seen the original artwork from the king&rsquo;s contest, I learned about a modern-day artist, Jack E. Dawson, who heard the story and was inspired to paint a picture of peace. &ldquo;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=jack+e+dawson+peace+in+the+midst+of+the+storm&amp;rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1181US1184&amp;sca_esv=2cd7c0326b86c6e2&amp;sxsrf=APpeQnso_IaCjS1PTvwDr9-dFfNg77W9yA%3A1791555430288&amp;udm=50&amp;fbs=ABfTbFVyMZGZf1hfvX9uKjN_-G8c4u0nXx4bEIpwm1lnNH832VstEKsVDqPorK0Gahnm2no1YAFtlsByIZaJlK7yr6gIShz8_nfnRyCFKBFanfbilXpMs-cznwqr4eRh15jLYnTekuGngrvd7aGxFZ_jG_NbB0xIU4q8G07gZ2QxAiRm0ELNkc1GrWM54pUJT8S9WE_xuFpwCR0jsacgLRy-XUk5cAVO3g&amp;vsint=&amp;aep=1&amp;ntc=1&amp;cs=1&amp;sa=X&amp;sqi=2&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjmzJGIkK2XAxXvN1kFHWhNJrcQ2J8OegQIFxAD&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=911&amp;dpr=1&amp;mstk=AUtExfDOemfCkPc1niKUPhIsqfu2bifYsXIkAMaDUJjaG5amhh6lUcL2m_I149O6My69KdsdCZyYAk2CKgGkBy3CyL5SSMG6AzUjMS9n5lOfQa5tFKK7v4eRW2InEA4DVgAzzcTNonTQlRrxoS6ku8rvmukJSq1uXnfc15x08sk9sBbHYk-rna7oSHwVJ9Xp01fYkNHpt_ELpLrF2hKNoKkJOY5YuLt19Mepo3OhKdG9BM4s3vpjBTaXqNGrOQ&amp;csuir=1">Artist Jack E. Dawson</a> did not enter or win an actual art contest for his famous painting &lsquo;Peace in the Midst of the Storm&rsquo;; rather, he was inspired to paint it after hearing a traditional parable about a king's art contest. Dawson heard a story years prior during a church revival about a king who held a contest for artists to paint the best representation of &lsquo;peace.&rsquo; While most artists submitted calm lakes, sunsets, and peaceful meadows, the winning painting depicted a harsh, roaring waterfall, a stormy sky with lightning, and a rugged cliff. Upon closer inspection, a tiny bird was tucked safely in a nest within a crack in the rock behind the rushing water. The king explained that true peace is not the absence of noise, trouble, or hardship, but rather being completely calm and secure in the middle of chaos.&rdquo;
What can we learn from this? I believe this story and painting teach us that God can calm us and shelter us in the midst of raging storms. Like the song by Scott Krippayne says (and I paraphrase): God will either calm the storm around us, or He will calm us with His Presence in the storm. Just like the painting of a bird being sheltered in the storm, we too are safe with God in the storms of life.
I remember when I was in college, I had to walk a few miles to an assignment for class. I usually checked the weather before walking anywhere, but that day I didn&rsquo;t. So, I was totally unprepared for the rainstorm that poured down at the time I had to return to the dorm where I lived as a student. Accepting that I&rsquo;d be completely waterlogged by the time I reached my destination, I focused on walking slowly so I wouldn&rsquo;t slip on the wet pavement of the sidewalks. After walking carefully for a few minutes, the rain began to soak my clothes. But before I was completely drenched in water, a small bus slowly pulled up beside me. The door opened, and without hesitation, I entered the bus and thanked the driver for the ride that was going to provide shelter for me in this storm. He drove me back to the front entrance of the dorm where I was staying, keeping the conversation about the weather lighthearted during the entire five-minute ride. I thanked him again as I exited the bus and walked a few steps into the dorm, where I was now completely safe from the storm. Looking back on that day, I sensed God in it.&nbsp;
God knew that I needed shelter and safety, so He provided it. The same God who did that for me then can do that and more for you now. Whether you are going through a physical storm outdoors with rain drenching you, thunder booming that&rsquo;s scaring you, and lightning flashing before your eyes&hellip;or you&rsquo;re experiencing the trials and tribulations of life, I encourage you to remember that you are not alone. Jesus Christ tells us He is with us in John 16:33 (NIV). He says, &ldquo;I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.&rdquo;
If you&rsquo;d like to see the famous, modern-day painting representing peace and learn more about it in the words of the artist, <a href="https://jackdawson.com/product/peace-in-the-midst-of-the-storm-fine-art-prints-2/">visit Jack E. Dawson&rsquo;s website.</a>
In closing, I&rsquo;d like for you to listen to and reflect on these three songs:
Song of Reflection #1: &ldquo;Sometimes He Calms the Storm&rdquo; by Scott Krippayne. Listen to it <a href="https://youtu.be/xf-LYslTJWI?si=zBnfDOlhtwva05qf">HERE</a>.
Song of Reflection #2: &ldquo;A Secret Place&rdquo; by Karen Clark Sheard. Listen to it <a href="https://youtu.be/Arpe-DdVY10?si=FNURLGzO09XDxo4p">HERE</a>.
Song of Reflection #3: &ldquo;Peace&rdquo; by Dr. Juanita Bynum. Listen to it <a href="https://youtu.be/vac1DqBQdx0?si=QHhRCwm0Pcc0L7oO">HERE</a>.Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
The next time you feel afraid while experiencing a storm, and you need shelter, will you ask God to provide refuge? How does it feel to know that Jesus Christ can give you perfect peace in the midst of any storm?
Further Reading: Ephesians 2:14 Philippians 4:7 John 14:27 Isaiah 9:6 Isaiah 26:3

When God Calms You

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/58cf3d46-a87a-4df0-9149-b4f201277827/transcript

Gratitude is more than thanking God for your blessings—it also means thanking the people He uses to bring love, encouragement, and support into your life. When someone offers kindness, helps you through a difficult season, or inspires you to grow, their actions can reflect God’s love at work. Yet it’s easy to appreciate people silently without ever telling them how much they mean to us. Philippians 1:3 offers a powerful example of putting gratitude into words, reminding us to thank God for the people who have made a difference in our lives and to express that appreciation directly to them.

Highlights


Recognize God as the source of love: Learn to see the kindness of others as one way God’s love reaches into your life.


Thank the people God uses to bless you: Discover why gratitude should extend beyond prayer to the people who encourage, support, and help you.


Learn from Paul’s example in Philippians 1:3: See how Paul expressed thankfulness for others even while facing loneliness and hardship in prison.


Understand the power of appreciation: A sincere thank-you can encourage someone who feels overlooked, tired, or unsure whether their efforts matter.


Build stronger relationships through gratitude: Expressing appreciation can deepen trust, strengthen friendships, and help relationships grow.


Notice God’s goodness in everyday life: Practicing gratitude can redirect your attention from stress and problems toward the blessings around you.


Put biblical gratitude into action: Find simple ways to thank family members, friends, coworkers, and others who have made a positive difference in your life.

Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

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:

Thank God and People Too

By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” – Philippians 1:3, NIV

I visited my high school journalism teacher, Margo Tyree, years after high school – when I was working as a professional newspaper reporter. God had worked through Mrs. Tyree to show me my career path. Not only that, but Mrs. Tyree encouraged me to overcome my shyness and grow to become more courageous and confident. She also taught me important journalism practices and inspired me to do my very best work. So, I returned to my old classroom to thank her and speak to her class about what it was like to work as a journalist. I also thanked God that day (and many other days) for bringing such a caring teacher into my life.

God is the ultimate source of everything good in the universe. Every single act of love begins with God. When a friend is kind to you, for example, that kindness is ultimately a reflection of God’s love reaching out to you. Recognizing God at work in those experiences helps you remember where your blessings come from.

Most of the time, God chooses to work through his people. God’s love flows through people’s lives, inspiring them to help, listen, or share when other people need something. When people step up to care for you because of love, they’re serving because it was God who led them to do so. Wherever real love is in action, God is the reason, because God is the source of all love.

Because God works through people to bless us, it’s very important that we don’t stop at thanking God alone. We should also thank those people, too! It’s easy to assume people know we appreciate them, but even if they do, we can bless them powerfully by writing or speaking words of gratitude to them. Putting gratitude into action matters.

In Philippians 1:3, the Apostle Paul shows us how to put gratitude into action well. He was sitting in a dark, lonely prison cell. But when he thought of his friends in the church at Philippi, he felt grateful. Paul made sure to tell his friends directly: “I thank my God every time I remember you.” He said he was so thankful for them that every single time he remembered them, he thanked God for letting them be part of his life.

Think about how much good it does when you thank someone. When you let someone know you appreciate their kindness, you give them a wonderful gift. You encourage them to keep doing good things to shine God’s light into the darkness of this fallen world, where lots of people don’t feel appreciated. Many people around you work quietly every single day without knowing if anyone actually cares about the good work they’re trying to do. They might feel tired and discouraged. When you thank them for the positive difference they’ve made in your life, you can remind them that their efforts are truly seen and valued.

Expressing gratitude also changes you. When you make a habit of looking for things to thank people for, you’ll then start noticing the wonder of God’s work in your life instead of focusing on your problems and stress. Gratitude can turn your ordinary relationships into close, lasting friendships built on love and trust.

Today, look around at the people God has placed in your life. Thank God for sending them to walk beside you, and then take the next step: go tell those people how much they mean to you. Send a text, write a short note, give them a call, or visit them in person to thank them for who they are and for what you appreciate about what they’ve done. By thanking God and thanking people too, you can help God’s love flow through your life and into other people’s lives!

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider why it’s important to thank God for the kind people in your life and to thank those people too, reflect on these questions:

 

Who is one person in your life that God has used to encourage or help you recently? 
Why do you sometimes forget to say “thank you” to the people who help you every day? 
How does it make you feel inside when someone takes the time to thank you for something kind you did? 
What are some simple, creative ways you can express gratitude to your family, friends, or coworkers this week? 
How does praying for the people who help you change the way you appreciate them?

Further Reading:

Philemon 1:4

Ephesians 1:16

Romans 1:8

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Colossians 3:15

Gratitude is more than thanking God for your blessings&mdash;it also means thanking the people He uses to bring love, encouragement, and support into your life. When someone offers kindness, helps you through a difficult season, or inspires you to grow, their actions can reflect God&rsquo;s love at work. Yet it&rsquo;s easy to appreciate people silently without ever telling them how much they mean to us. Philippians 1:3 offers a powerful example of putting gratitude into words, reminding us to thank God for the people who have made a difference in our lives and to express that appreciation directly to them.
Highlights
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Recognize God as the source of love: Learn to see the kindness of others as one way God&rsquo;s love reaches into your life.
</li>
<li>
Thank the people God uses to bless you: Discover why gratitude should extend beyond prayer to the people who encourage, support, and help you.
</li>
<li>
Learn from Paul&rsquo;s example in Philippians 1:3: See how Paul expressed thankfulness for others even while facing loneliness and hardship in prison.
</li>
<li>
Understand the power of appreciation: A sincere thank-you can encourage someone who feels overlooked, tired, or unsure whether their efforts matter.
</li>
<li>
Build stronger relationships through gratitude: Expressing appreciation can deepen trust, strengthen friendships, and help relationships grow.
</li>
<li>
Notice God&rsquo;s goodness in everyday life: Practicing gratitude can redirect your attention from stress and problems toward the blessings around you.
</li>
<li>
Put biblical gratitude into action: Find simple ways to thank family members, friends, coworkers, and others who have made a positive difference in your life.
</li>
</ul>
Click to Listen to Signs of Life:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Thank God and People Too
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading: &ldquo;I thank my God every time I remember you.&rdquo; &ndash; Philippians 1:3, NIV
I visited my high school journalism teacher, Margo Tyree, years after high school &ndash; when I was working as a professional newspaper reporter. God had worked through Mrs. Tyree to show me my career path. Not only that, but Mrs. Tyree encouraged me to overcome my shyness and grow to become more courageous and confident. She also taught me important journalism practices and inspired me to do my very best work. So, I returned to my old classroom to thank her and speak to her class about what it was like to work as a journalist. I also thanked God that day (and many other days) for bringing such a caring teacher into my life.
God is the ultimate source of everything good in the universe. Every single act of love begins with God. When a friend is kind to you, for example, that kindness is ultimately a reflection of God&rsquo;s love reaching out to you. Recognizing God at work in those experiences helps you remember where your blessings come from.
Most of the time, God chooses to work through his people. God&rsquo;s love flows through people&rsquo;s lives, inspiring them to help, listen, or share when other people need something. When people step up to care for you because of love, they&rsquo;re serving because it was God who led them to do so. Wherever real love is in action, God is the reason, because<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/god-is-love-the-crosswalk-devotional.html"> God is the source of all love</a>.
Because God works through people to bless us, it&rsquo;s very important that we don&rsquo;t stop at thanking God alone. We should also thank those people, too! It&rsquo;s easy to assume people know we appreciate them, but even if they do, we can bless them powerfully by writing or speaking words of gratitude to them.<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/things-to-do-to-have-an-attitude-of-gratitude.html"> Putting gratitude into action</a> matters.
In Philippians 1:3, the Apostle Paul shows us how to put gratitude into action well. He was sitting in a dark, lonely prison cell. But when he thought of his friends in the church at Philippi, he felt grateful. Paul made sure to tell his friends directly: &ldquo;I thank my God every time I remember you.&rdquo; He said he was so thankful for them that every single time he remembered them, he thanked God for letting them be part of his life.
Think about how much good it does when you thank someone. When you let someone know you appreciate their kindness, you give them a wonderful gift. You encourage them to keep doing good things to<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/reminders-about-light-when-you-feel-surrounded-by-darkness.html"> shine God&rsquo;s light into the darkness of this fallen world</a>, where lots of people don&rsquo;t feel appreciated. Many people around you work quietly every single day without knowing if anyone actually cares about the good work they&rsquo;re trying to do. They might feel tired and discouraged. When you thank them for the positive difference they&rsquo;ve made in your life, you can remind them that their efforts are truly seen and valued.
Expressing gratitude also changes you. When you make a habit of looking for things to thank people for, you&rsquo;ll then start<a href="https://amzn.to/4fbNBmU"> noticing the wonder of God&rsquo;s work in your life</a> instead of focusing on your problems and stress. Gratitude can turn your ordinary relationships into close, lasting friendships built on love and trust.
Today, look around at the people God has placed in your life. Thank God for sending them to walk beside you, and then take the next step: go tell those people how much they mean to you. Send a text, write a short note, give them a call, or visit them in person to thank them for who they are and for what you appreciate about what they&rsquo;ve done. By thanking God and thanking people too, you can help God&rsquo;s love flow through your life and into other people&rsquo;s lives!
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As you consider why it&rsquo;s important to thank God for the kind people in your life and to thank those people too, reflect on these questions:
&nbsp;
Who is one person in your life that God has used to encourage or help you recently?&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why do you sometimes forget to say &ldquo;thank you&rdquo; to the people who help you every day?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How does it make you feel inside when someone takes the time to thank you for something kind you did?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">What are some simple, creative ways you can express gratitude to your family, friends, or coworkers this week?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How does praying for the people who help you change the way you appreciate them?</li>
</ul>
Further Reading:
Philemon 1:4
Ephesians 1:16
Romans 1:8
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Colossians 3:15

Thank God and People Too

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/3a056085-c1c6-4e4d-ac28-b4f2012773e4/transcript

How to Kill Shame Once and for All

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