We are to be imitators not of the world but of Christ. After the Apostle Paul explains how the body of Christ is to be knit together and show Christ’s love and mercy toward one another, he echoes that sentiment as he encourages the church at Ephesus to imitate God. - Emily Rose Massey

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We are to be imitators not of the world but of Christ. After the Apostle Paul explains how the body of Christ is to be knit together and show Christ’s love and mercy toward one another, he echoes that sentiment as he encourages the church at Ephesus to imitate God. - Emily Rose Massey
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

Imitating Christ

It’s easy to lose track of time without realizing where it went. A few minutes on social media becomes an hour, notifications interrupt meaningful conversations, and endless content competes for our attention. Technology can be a helpful tool, but when our phones, screens, and constant stream of information begin controlling our attention, they can quietly pull us away from God, our families, and the people and purposes He has placed in front of us. Ephesians 5:15-16 calls us to walk wisely and make the best use of our time.

Redeeming our time doesn't necessarily mean eliminating technology—it means becoming intentional about what receives our attention. When we create space to pray, read Scripture, invest in relationships, and serve others, we begin using our time for something greater than simply staying busy or entertained. God has given us the gift of time, and we can ask Him for the wisdom and self-control to spend it in ways that honor Him and help us live faithfully.

Highlights
Why smartphones, social media, and constant information can quietly steal our time and attention
What Ephesians 5:15-16 means when it calls us to make the best use of our time
How technology can become a distraction from God, family, and meaningful relationships
Practical ways to develop healthier screen-time habits and greater self-control
Why intentional time with God should be protected from digital distractions
How fasting from technology can help reset our attention and priorities
Encouragement to redeem the time God has given us for His glory and the work He has called us to

Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter.

Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword

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:

Redeeming, Not Wasting, Our Time

By: Emily Rose Massey

Bible Reading:

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV).

As a millennial, I find myself reflecting upon a time before the technological boom we seem to be facing, specifically before AI, smartphones, and social media. I remember taking a walk or riding my bike after school without the anxiety of accidentally leaving my phone at home. I remember the excitement of turning in my disposable camera from the school dance and then looking through my friends’ photo albums when I was hanging out at their house. I remember soaking up the most mundane moments without feeling the need to document them. Some of that could very well be what it was like to be younger, but I cannot ignore how much the simplicity of life has become more complicated and distracted with these portable devices that seem to control us and steal our time. 

About six months ago, I started to feel convicted about the lack of self-control regarding my screen time with my phone, so I purchased a little device that literally turns your phone into a brick when your phone hovers over it, depending on how much you want to limit its functionality. You can customize specific functions and apps that you want to limit, and for me, it was quite simply shutting down my social media usage. After six months of using this limiting device, I can see how it has helped me create healthier habits that have helped me prioritize my time more wisely. Instead of my phone controlling me, I have been able to start controlling it and using it as the tool that it is. My prayer to the Lord is “I want to be found faithful.” I have asked Him very frequently how I can use my time to glorify Him and be a fruitful disciple of Jesus. 

The Apostle Paul lovingly warns the church at Ephesus:

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV).

Intersecting Life & Faith:

If the days were evil during Paul’s day, they most assuredly are evil today! 

Although our cellphones, tablets, laptops, etc are not evil, I do believe we need to be cautious as to how much time we are devoting to them. We need to be aware of where we are directing our focus. We need to be attentive to what is capturing our attention that may be causing us to make unwise choices. For me, the distraction from my phone was keeping me from intentional time with my sons and causing me to become captured by covetousness and discontentment with the swath of influencers pushing product after product. 

As we live in the great information age, we are bombarded with opportunities to fill our time and our minds with so many things that can so easily replace our time of fellowship with the Lord, as well as distract us from the very thing He has called us to do: make disciples! 

Perhaps you may not have an issue with technology distracting you from the Lord- praise God! Stay strong and be an accountability partner for those around you who are easily pulled away from the things of God because of the ever-increasing information age and the age of social media influencers promoting materialism and vanity.  

But if you are like me (a stay-at-home/work-from-home mom) and you are finding yourself with limited time to spend with Jesus in prayer and the Word, I challenge you to ask the Lord if there is something you can arrange in your schedule to allow better time management. Also, ask Him if He would like for you to fast (technology, that is), something that could be causing division between you and Him.

Devote specific time every day to spend some quiet time in fellowship with God and reading your Bible, without your cellphone or iPad within reach- turn them off during that time and perhaps put a timer on the most-used apps that you access throughout your day. You might just need extra help with self-control, like me!

Be thankful for the benefits of the tools and global connections that technology brings us, but don’t allow technology to rob you of your connection to Jesus or distract you from all the blessings He has put right in front of you. We have been given the precious gift of time here on this earth; let’s not waste our time but redeem it all for God’s glory!

Further Reading:

Matthew 6:33

Hebrews 12:1-2

It&rsquo;s easy to lose track of time without realizing where it went. A few minutes on social media becomes an hour, notifications interrupt meaningful conversations, and endless content competes for our attention. Technology can be a helpful tool, but when our phones, screens, and constant stream of information begin controlling our attention, they can quietly pull us away from God, our families, and the people and purposes He has placed in front of us. Ephesians 5:15-16 calls us to walk wisely and make the best use of our time.
Redeeming our time doesn't necessarily mean eliminating technology&mdash;it means becoming intentional about what receives our attention. When we create space to pray, read Scripture, invest in relationships, and serve others, we begin using our time for something greater than simply staying busy or entertained. God has given us the gift of time, and we can ask Him for the wisdom and self-control to spend it in ways that honor Him and help us live faithfully.
Highlights
<ul data-start="1015" data-end="1619" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">
<li data-section-id="wahkxg" data-start="1015" data-end="1113">Why smartphones, social media, and constant information can quietly steal our time and attention</li>
<li data-section-id="1vyc45c" data-start="1114" data-end="1194">What Ephesians 5:15-16 means when it calls us to make the best use of our time</li>
<li data-section-id="1yxgf1a" data-start="1195" data-end="1283">How technology can become a distraction from God, family, and meaningful relationships</li>
<li data-section-id="18gkzr5" data-start="1284" data-end="1365">Practical ways to develop healthier screen-time habits and greater self-control</li>
<li data-section-id="duf675" data-start="1366" data-end="1443">Why intentional time with God should be protected from digital distractions</li>
<li data-section-id="1qk3d41" data-start="1444" data-end="1517">How fasting from technology can help reset our attention and priorities</li>
<li data-section-id="1jjhmuc" data-start="1518" data-end="1619" data-is-last-node="">Encouragement to redeem the time God has given us for His glory and the work He has called us to</li>
</ul>
Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">The Good Word,</a> LifeAudio&rsquo;s free weekly newsletter.
Sign up at <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">LifeAudio.com/thegoodword</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:
Redeeming, Not Wasting, Our Time
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
&ldquo;Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil&rdquo; (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV).
As a millennial, I find myself reflecting upon a time before the technological boom we seem to be facing, specifically before AI, smartphones, and social media. I remember taking a walk or riding my bike after school without the anxiety of accidentally leaving my phone at home. I remember the excitement of turning in my disposable camera from the school dance and then looking through my friends&rsquo; photo albums when I was hanging out at their house. I remember soaking up the most mundane moments without feeling the need to document them. Some of that could very well be what it was like to be younger, but I cannot ignore how much the simplicity of life has become more complicated and distracted with these portable devices that seem to control us and steal our time.&nbsp;
About six months ago, I started to feel convicted about the lack of self-control regarding my screen time with my phone, so I purchased a little device that literally turns your phone into a brick when your phone hovers over it, depending on how much you want to limit its functionality. You can customize specific functions and apps that you want to limit, and for me, it was quite simply shutting down my social media usage. After six months of using this limiting device, I can see how it has helped me create healthier habits that have helped me prioritize my time more wisely. Instead of my phone controlling me, I have been able to start controlling it and using it as the tool that it is. My prayer to the Lord is &ldquo;I want to be found faithful.&rdquo; I have asked Him very frequently how I can use my time to glorify Him and be a fruitful disciple of Jesus.&nbsp;
The Apostle Paul lovingly warns the church at Ephesus:
&ldquo;Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil&rdquo; (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV).
Intersecting Life &amp; Faith:
If the days were evil during Paul&rsquo;s day, they most assuredly are evil today!&nbsp;
Although our cellphones, tablets, laptops, etc are not evil, I do believe we need to be cautious as to how much time we are devoting to them. We need to be aware of where we are directing our focus. We need to be attentive to what is capturing our attention that may be causing us to make unwise choices. For me, the distraction from my phone was keeping me from intentional time with my sons and causing me to become captured by covetousness and discontentment with the swath of influencers pushing product after product.&nbsp;
As we live in the great information age, we are bombarded with opportunities to fill our time and our minds with so many things that can so easily replace our time of fellowship with the Lord, as well as distract us from the very thing He has called us to do: make disciples!&nbsp;
Perhaps you may not have an issue with technology distracting you from the Lord- praise God! Stay strong and be an accountability partner for those around you who are easily pulled away from the things of God because of the ever-increasing information age and the age of social media influencers promoting materialism and vanity.&nbsp;&nbsp;
But if you are like me (a stay-at-home/work-from-home mom) and you are finding yourself with limited time to spend with Jesus in prayer and the Word, I challenge you to ask the Lord if there is something you can arrange in your schedule to allow better time management. Also, ask Him if He would like for you to fast (technology, that is), something that could be causing division between you and Him.
Devote specific time every day to spend some quiet time in fellowship with God and reading your Bible, without your cellphone or iPad within reach- turn them off during that time and perhaps put a timer on the most-used apps that you access throughout your day. You might just need extra help with self-control, like me!
Be thankful for the benefits of the tools and global connections that technology brings us, but don&rsquo;t allow technology to rob you of your connection to Jesus or distract you from all the blessings He has put right in front of you. We have been given the precious gift of time here on this earth; let&rsquo;s not waste our time but redeem it all for God&rsquo;s glory!
Further Reading:
Matthew 6:33
Hebrews 12:1-2

Redeeming, Not Wasting, Our Time

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/878a8b2a-ffb2-4da7-853c-b4b700cd3a3f/transcript

Change can be exciting, but it can also leave you feeling like the ground is constantly shifting beneath your feet. A new job, changing relationships, family challenges, uncertainty in the world, or simply trying to keep up with a rapidly changing culture can create stress and anxiety. When everything around you feels unpredictable, Isaiah 33:6 offers a powerful reminder: God Himself is your stability. You don't have to predict every change or have every answer before you can move forward.

God's character doesn't change even when your circumstances do. While the world may offer conflicting advice and plenty of reasons to panic, God promises to provide the wisdom, knowledge, and strength you need for whatever is in front of you. When you make God your ultimate treasure, you can face changing times with confidence because your foundation isn't changing with your circumstances.

Highlights
How to find stability when your work, relationships, or circumstances are constantly changing
Why God's unchanging character provides confidence in uncertain times
What Isaiah 33:6 teaches about God's provision of wisdom, knowledge, and salvation
How relying on God can help you navigate challenges you've never faced before
Understanding what it means to have “the fear of the Lord”
How the Holy Spirit provides peace and stability in the middle of change
Practical questions to help you slow down, reconnect with God, and seek His wisdom

Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter.

Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword

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:

Find Stability in Changing Times

By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:
“And he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” – Isaiah 33:6, ESV

Right now, I’m leading a project at work to increase the visibility of our university center’s website content in artificial intelligence search results. For years, my focus was on traditional SEO – optimizing our pages for classic search engines. While those traditional methods are still important, we’re currently living through a massive communications revolution. People are moving away from traditional online search. They’re increasingly using AI tools to find online content. Being on the cutting edge of change is exciting, but it’s also stressful. The best practices for AI visibility are evolving as AI evolves, so my team and I must adapt to constant change. While I lead this effort, I’m grateful to God for being my stability. I know I can always rely on God’s unchanging strength to help me with whatever I need in these rapidly changing times.

What kind of changes are you dealing with in your own life right now? Maybe you’re going through a change at work, in your relationships, or with something else that’s important to you. Even dealing with all the uncertainty of events in the news can be stressful. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re dealing with lots of change happening around you. But you don’t need to worry about whether or not you’ll be able to manage change well if you rely on God as your source of stability.

Isaiah 33:6 promises that God himself will be your stability in your changing times. When everything around you seems uncertain, God remains completely reliable. This verse also describes how God will give you stability by providing an “abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.” If you look to the world for answers in changing times, you’ll often find conflicting opinions and panic. But if you look to the Lord, he will generously pour out the wisdom and knowledge you need to manage change well. If you face a problem at work that you’ve never encountered before, God will help you solve it. If you’re trying to parent a child through a challenging season, God will teach you how to do so well. You don’t have to try to predict where all the change around you will lead, because you‘re connected to God, who leads you well because he loves you.

Finally, Isaiah points out that “the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” In the Bible, the fear of the Lord doesn’t mean being afraid of God. Instead, the fear of the Lord means being in awe of who God is so you’re inspired to relate to God with reverence. When you make the Lord your ultimate treasure, you realize that while your circumstances in this world can change quickly, God’s character never changes. You don’t have to be stressed by all the change around you when you remember that the Holy Spirit lives inside you, offering you a strong and peaceful stability in the middle of change.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider how God gives us stability in these changing times, reflect on these questions:
In what area of your life right now – such as at work, or in your family – are you feeling the most stress because of a change that’s happening?
How does the truth that God promises to be your stability give you the confidence to trust God to help you with the challenges you’re currently facing? 
Think back to a past season of your life when you went through a major change. How did God’s Holy Spirit guide you through it, and how can remembering that give you confidence today? 
How can you slow down this week to take the time you need to connect with the Holy Spirit and receive an abundance of wisdom and knowledge for managing change well? 
Isaiah mentions that the fear of the Lord is a treasure. How can you look for God’s wonder in your daily life so you’ll be inspired with a sense of awe that will help you relate to God with reverence?

Further Reading:

Hebrews 13:8

Malachi 3:6

Psalm 46:1-3

James 1:17

Matthew 7:24-25

Change can be exciting, but it can also leave you feeling like the ground is constantly shifting beneath your feet. A new job, changing relationships, family challenges, uncertainty in the world, or simply trying to keep up with a rapidly changing culture can create stress and anxiety. When everything around you feels unpredictable, Isaiah 33:6 offers a powerful reminder: God Himself is your stability. You don't have to predict every change or have every answer before you can move forward.
God's character doesn't change even when your circumstances do. While the world may offer conflicting advice and plenty of reasons to panic, God promises to provide the wisdom, knowledge, and strength you need for whatever is in front of you. When you make God your ultimate treasure, you can face changing times with confidence because your foundation isn't changing with your circumstances.
Highlights
<ul data-start="914" data-end="1467" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">
<li data-section-id="dngo0d" data-start="914" data-end="1009">How to find stability when your work, relationships, or circumstances are constantly changing</li>
<li data-section-id="1w1z08f" data-start="1010" data-end="1081">Why God's unchanging character provides confidence in uncertain times</li>
<li data-section-id="1g6bboq" data-start="1082" data-end="1166">What Isaiah 33:6 teaches about God's provision of wisdom, knowledge, and salvation</li>
<li data-section-id="1jyylfj" data-start="1167" data-end="1246">How relying on God can help you navigate challenges you've never faced before</li>
<li data-section-id="1cl6e9v" data-start="1247" data-end="1307">Understanding what it means to have &ldquo;the fear of the Lord&rdquo;</li>
<li data-section-id="10b8c0m" data-start="1308" data-end="1382">How the Holy Spirit provides peace and stability in the middle of change</li>
<li data-section-id="1ax7czb" data-start="1383" data-end="1467" data-is-last-node="">Practical questions to help you slow down, reconnect with God, and seek His wisdom</li>
</ul>
Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">The Good Word,</a> LifeAudio&rsquo;s free weekly newsletter.
Sign up at <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">LifeAudio.com/thegoodword</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:
Find Stability in Changing Times
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading: &ldquo;And he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion&rsquo;s treasure.&rdquo; &ndash; Isaiah 33:6, ESV
Right now, I&rsquo;m leading a project at work to increase the visibility of our university center&rsquo;s website content in artificial intelligence search results. For years, my focus was on traditional SEO &ndash; optimizing our pages for classic search engines. While those traditional methods are still important, we&rsquo;re currently living through a massive communications revolution. People are moving away from traditional online search. They&rsquo;re increasingly using AI tools to find online content. Being on the cutting edge of change is exciting, but it&rsquo;s also stressful. The best practices for AI visibility are evolving as AI evolves, so my team and I must adapt to constant change. While I lead this effort, I&rsquo;m grateful to God for being my stability. I know I can always rely on God&rsquo;s unchanging strength to help me with whatever I need in these rapidly changing times.
What kind of changes are you dealing with in your own life right now? Maybe you&rsquo;re going through a change at work, in your relationships, or with something else that&rsquo;s important to you. Even dealing with all the uncertainty of events in the news can be stressful. It&rsquo;s easy to feel overwhelmed when you&rsquo;re dealing with lots of change happening around you. But<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/bible-verses-that-taught-me-not-to-worry-and-how.html"> you don&rsquo;t need to worry</a> about whether or not you&rsquo;ll be able to manage change well if you rely on God as your source of stability.
Isaiah 33:6 promises that God himself will be your stability in your changing times. When everything around you seems uncertain, God remains completely reliable. This verse also describes how God will give you stability by providing an &ldquo;abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.&rdquo; If you look to the world for answers in changing times, you&rsquo;ll often find conflicting opinions and panic. But if you look to the Lord, he will generously pour out the wisdom and knowledge you need to manage change well. If you face a problem at work that you&rsquo;ve never encountered before, God will help you solve it. If you&rsquo;re trying to parent a child through a challenging season, God will teach you how to do so well. You don&rsquo;t have to try to predict where all the change around you will lead, because you&lsquo;re connected to God, who leads you well because he loves you.
Finally, Isaiah points out that &ldquo;the fear of the Lord is Zion&rsquo;s treasure.&rdquo; In the Bible, the fear of the Lord doesn&rsquo;t mean being afraid of God. Instead,<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-does-the-bible-means-when-it-says-the-fear-of-the-lord-is-the-beginning-of-wisdom.html"> the fear of the Lord means being in awe of who God is</a> so you&rsquo;re inspired to relate to God with reverence. When you make the Lord your ultimate treasure, you realize that while your circumstances in this world can change quickly, God&rsquo;s character never changes. You don&rsquo;t have to be stressed by all the change around you when you remember that<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-receive-the-holy-spirit.html"> the Holy Spirit lives inside you</a>, offering you a strong and peaceful stability in the middle of change.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As you consider how God gives us stability in these changing times, reflect on these questions:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">In what area of your life right now &ndash; such as at work, or in your family &ndash; are you feeling the most stress because of a change that&rsquo;s happening?</li>
<li aria-level="1">How does the truth that God promises to be your stability give you the confidence to trust God to help you with the challenges you&rsquo;re currently facing?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Think back to a past season of your life when you went through a major change. How did God&rsquo;s Holy Spirit guide you through it, and how can remembering that give you confidence today?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How can you slow down this week to take the time you need to connect with the Holy Spirit and receive an abundance of wisdom and knowledge for managing change well?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Isaiah mentions that the fear of the Lord is a treasure. How can you<a href="https://amzn.to/4fbNBmU"> look for God&rsquo;s wonder in your daily life</a> so you&rsquo;ll be inspired with a sense of awe that will help you relate to God with reverence?</li>
</ul>
Further Reading:
Hebrews 13:8
Malachi 3:6
Psalm 46:1-3
James 1:17
Matthew 7:24-25

Find Stability in Changing Times

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/5f235195-aeb9-4438-95e9-b4b700cd357b/transcript

Fear about the future can make us question whether God will provide what we need. Financial uncertainty, unanswered prayers, changing circumstances, and long seasons of waiting can make fear louder than faith. But 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us that God’s divine power has already given us everything we need for life and godliness. That doesn't mean we will always know how our needs will be met or when the answer will come. It means we can trust the God who knows what we need before we do.

Jesus points us to the birds of the air as a reminder of God's care and provision. When we focus on fear, we can lose sight of the ways God has already been faithful. But when we intentionally remember His goodness, practice gratitude, and focus our minds on what is true, our perspective begins to change. God may provide through unexpected circumstances, generous people, simple acts of kindness, or opportunities to become an answer to someone else's prayer. Whatever today holds, we can trust that God has equipped us for what He has called us to face.

Highlights
What 2 Peter 1:3 means when it says God has given us everything we need for “life and godliness”
How fear about finances and the future can become louder than our faith
Why remembering God's past faithfulness can help quiet anxiety
What Jesus teaches about God's provision through the birds of the air
How gratitude and focusing on God's truth can change our perspective
The unexpected ways God may provide for our practical and spiritual needs
How simple acts of obedience and kindness can become part of God's provision for someone else

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Full Transcript Below:

Equipped for Today: What "Life and Godliness" Really Means

By Hannah Benson

 

Bible Reading:
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3 ESV).

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of fear, isn’t it?

To focus on the limited knowledge we can see rather than the truth of what God says. I often find myself guilty of this. There are times when faith is louder than fear, yes, but there are other times when fear gets louder than my faith. 

What are you afraid of? Finances, or lack thereof, or the future?

The list could go on and on.

I’ve been thinking a lot about God’s provision recently, inspired by a much-needed conversation with a good friend. As someone who works in the creative industry, income can ebb and flow and sometimes be inconsistent, and it’s easy to let the fear of the financial future get louder than my faith.

And that fear hits even closer to home right now as I watch my family navigate a similar season. You see, my dad was laid off from his job late last year, and no matter how many doors he’s knocked on, as I write this, nothing yet has come through.

We know God will provide and that He’s never failed us, but as the days continue with seemingly no answers in sight, sometimes, we wrestle with fear.

Dwelling on fear, as easy as it can be to fall into that trap sometimes, is quite unhealthy. Whatever we dwell on and choose to think about will naturally affect what we believe and how we live. This means if we choose to fix our eyes on things above, then that will naturally affect what we believe about God, ourselves, and the circumstances we find ourselves in.

I had a moment recently where fear threatened to consume me. I’m talking about anxiety physically gripping my heart, even though at church the previous day we’d talked about the importance of believing God’s truth over the lies in our heads. Yes, the timing was quite “convenient.”

There’s a reason Scripture reminds us to focus on: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8 ESV).

Instead of worrying God won’t provide, why not reflect on what He has done in our lives already? It’s good to remember and recount what the Lord has done.

When I chose gratitude and to remember His goodness instead of fear, my anxiety began to ease.

The truth is, God always provides for everything we need. Often it comes at what we call “the last minute,” but it is certainly never too late.

I love what Peter reminds us of in this passage here. God has granted us everything we need for life and godliness.

In addition to caring for our spiritual needs, God cares about our material needs as well.

When it comes to the practical side, what do we need for life?

In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells the disciples not to worry about what they will eat, wear, or drink. And in verse 26 (ESV), he says: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Let that soak in.

If God cares for the birds of the air and provides everything they need, how much more will He provide for His children?

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Look around you. Do you have food to eat? Clothes on your back?

Maybe you don’t know how you’ll pay the bills this month, but maybe you’re not supposed to know right now. I heard a story once about a man who needed money for his little son’s birthday party, but he and his wife didn’t even have that. They didn’t know what to do, but they wanted to bless him. While out on a walk, the Lord led him to the exact amount of money he needed to bless his little boy.

When you need it, God will provide it.

Sometimes, He’ll provide through a family that gives eggs from their farm to yours all summer. Or who invites you over and offers to pray over you. Or maybe God will use the kindness of a friend who introduced my dad to leadership at the company he works for, in hopes it may open a door for a job. Or what about my friend who took 2 hours out of his day to point me to the Lord and be a listening ear when I didn’t even realize how much I needed it?

Sometimes, it’s simple things. Sometimes, we get to be that person for someone else, not realizing how a simple act of obedience can truly bless someone’s day and be what we didn’t even realize they needed. Other times, the Lord allows us to be on the receiving end of His goodness through His children.

Pray with me: Dear Father God, please help me to trust that You will give me everything I need for life and godliness. You care about the sparrows and lilies of the field, so how much more do you care for me and provide for me? Thank You for Your provision in my life. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

 

Fear about the future can make us question whether God will provide what we need. Financial uncertainty, unanswered prayers, changing circumstances, and long seasons of waiting can make fear louder than faith. But 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us that God&rsquo;s divine power has already given us everything we need for life and godliness. That doesn't mean we will always know how our needs will be met or when the answer will come. It means we can trust the God who knows what we need before we do.
Jesus points us to the birds of the air as a reminder of God's care and provision. When we focus on fear, we can lose sight of the ways God has already been faithful. But when we intentionally remember His goodness, practice gratitude, and focus our minds on what is true, our perspective begins to change. God may provide through unexpected circumstances, generous people, simple acts of kindness, or opportunities to become an answer to someone else's prayer. Whatever today holds, we can trust that God has equipped us for what He has called us to face.
Highlights
<ul data-start="1069" data-end="1621" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">
<li data-section-id="3jyzjo" data-start="1069" data-end="1167">What 2 Peter 1:3 means when it says God has given us everything we need for &ldquo;life and godliness&rdquo;</li>
<li data-section-id="18ivwcq" data-start="1168" data-end="1241">How fear about finances and the future can become louder than our faith</li>
<li data-section-id="cxu4ra" data-start="1242" data-end="1306">Why remembering God's past faithfulness can help quiet anxiety</li>
<li data-section-id="13lqa9b" data-start="1307" data-end="1378">What Jesus teaches about God's provision through the birds of the air</li>
<li data-section-id="1vo4wvi" data-start="1379" data-end="1449">How gratitude and focusing on God's truth can change our perspective</li>
<li data-section-id="6nc8y5" data-start="1450" data-end="1525">The unexpected ways God may provide for our practical and spiritual needs</li>
<li data-section-id="txnxji" data-start="1526" data-end="1621" data-is-last-node="">How simple acts of obedience and kindness can become part of God's provision for someone else</li>
</ul>
Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">The Good Word,</a> LifeAudio&rsquo;s free weekly newsletter.
Sign up at <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">LifeAudio.com/thegoodword</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:
Equipped for Today: What "Life and Godliness" Really Means
By Hannah Benson
&nbsp;
Bible Reading: &ldquo;His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence&rdquo; (2 Peter 1:3 ESV).
It&rsquo;s so easy to fall into the trap of fear, isn&rsquo;t it?
To focus on the limited knowledge we can see rather than the truth of what God says. I often find myself guilty of this. There are times when faith is louder than fear, yes, but there are other times when fear gets louder than my faith.&nbsp;
What are you afraid of? Finances, or lack thereof, or the future?
The list could go on and on.
I&rsquo;ve been thinking a lot about God&rsquo;s provision recently, inspired by a much-needed conversation with a good friend. As someone who works in the creative industry, income can ebb and flow and sometimes be inconsistent, and it&rsquo;s easy to let the fear of the financial future get louder than my faith.
And that fear hits even closer to home right now as I watch my family navigate a similar season. You see, my dad was laid off from his job late last year, and no matter how many doors he&rsquo;s knocked on, as I write this, nothing yet has come through.
We know God will provide and that He&rsquo;s never failed us, but as the days continue with seemingly no answers in sight, sometimes, we wrestle with fear.
Dwelling on fear, as easy as it can be to fall into that trap sometimes, is quite unhealthy. Whatever we dwell on and choose to think about will naturally affect what we believe and how we live. This means if we choose to fix our eyes on things above, then that will naturally affect what we believe about God, ourselves, and the circumstances we find ourselves in.
I had a moment recently where fear threatened to consume me. I&rsquo;m talking about anxiety physically gripping my heart, even though at church the previous day we&rsquo;d talked about the importance of believing God&rsquo;s truth over the lies in our heads. Yes, the timing was quite &ldquo;convenient.&rdquo;
There&rsquo;s a reason Scripture reminds us to focus on: &ldquo;whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things&rdquo; (Philippians 4:8 ESV).
Instead of worrying God won&rsquo;t provide, why not reflect on what He has done in our lives already? It&rsquo;s good to remember and recount what the Lord has done.
When I chose gratitude and to remember His goodness instead of fear, my anxiety began to ease.
The truth is, God always provides for everything we need. Often it comes at what we call &ldquo;the last minute,&rdquo; but it is certainly never too late.
I love what Peter reminds us of in this passage here. God has granted us everything we need for life and godliness.
In addition to caring for our spiritual needs, God cares about our material needs as well.
When it comes to the practical side, what do we need for life?
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells the disciples not to worry about what they will eat, wear, or drink. And in verse 26 (ESV), he says: &ldquo;Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?&rdquo;
Let that soak in.
If God cares for the birds of the air and provides everything they need, how much more will He provide for His children?
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Look around you. Do you have food to eat? Clothes on your back?
Maybe you don&rsquo;t know how you&rsquo;ll pay the bills this month, but maybe you&rsquo;re not supposed to know right now. I heard a story once about a man who needed money for his little son&rsquo;s birthday party, but he and his wife didn&rsquo;t even have that. They didn&rsquo;t know what to do, but they wanted to bless him. While out on a walk, the Lord led him to the exact amount of money he needed to bless his little boy.
When you need it, God will provide it.
Sometimes, He&rsquo;ll provide through a family that gives eggs from their farm to yours all summer. Or who invites you over and offers to pray over you. Or maybe God will use the kindness of a friend who introduced my dad to leadership at the company he works for, in hopes it may open a door for a job. Or what about my friend who took 2 hours out of his day to point me to the Lord and be a listening ear when I didn&rsquo;t even realize how much I needed it?
Sometimes, it&rsquo;s simple things. Sometimes, we get to be that person for someone else, not realizing how a simple act of obedience can truly bless someone&rsquo;s day and be what we didn&rsquo;t even realize they needed. Other times, the Lord allows us to be on the receiving end of His goodness through His children.
Pray with me:&nbsp;Dear Father God, please help me to trust that You will give me everything I need for life and godliness. You care about the sparrows and lilies of the field, so how much more do you care for me and provide for me? Thank You for Your provision in my life. In Jesus&rsquo;s Name, Amen.
&nbsp;

What "Life and Godliness" Really Means

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