In John 8, we see the Pharisees (the religious rulers) once again trying to test Jesus. They always seemed to be after Him to stump Him and make Him look bad. Literally, He was the Christ, the One they and their people were waiting on, but His words and His answers were not what they imagined. - Emma Danzey

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Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
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In John 8, we see the Pharisees (the religious rulers) once again trying to test Jesus. They always seemed to be after Him to stump Him and make Him look bad. Literally, He was the Christ, the One they and their people were waiting on, but His words and His answers were not what they imagined. - Emma Danzey 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

Jesus' Approach to Sin

Have you ever felt too far gone for God to forgive or love you again? The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:20 reminds us that no matter how far we stray, God’s love never wavers. Before the son could even speak a word of repentance, his father ran to meet him, embraced him, and celebrated his return. This story isn’t primarily about the rebellious child—it’s about a loving Father whose compassion and patience are relentless.

Intersecting Faith & Life


How might you respond differently if you fully trusted that God’s love never wavers?


Are there areas of your heart where you’ve kept the door closed to Him?


What steps can you take today to run toward God and receive His compassionate embrace?

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!

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today.  Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org

Full Transcript Below:

God’s Unwavering Love

By Cindi McMenamin

Bible Reading:

“When he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20 NASB)

Do you ever feel that you have disappointed God too much for Him to give you another chance? Do you fear returning to Him because of the places you’ve been or the things you’ve done?

Jesus told a moving story in Luke 15 about God’s tender forgiveness toward His loved ones when they go astray. We call it the story of the Prodigal Son. The word prodigal literally means one who spends money in a reckless, extravagant way. In this story, a younger son asked his father for his inheritance early. (In Jewish custom, that would be the equivalent of telling his father he wished he were dead.) He then took his share of what was still legally his father’s, and went to a faraway land and squandered his entire inheritance on foolish, reckless, raunchy living. He was living high on the hog, rich with money and “friends,” until he found himself sleeping with the pigs, penniless and alone. Starving, and upon realizing he was envying the pigs for the slop they got to eat, he decided to return home and ask if he could be his father’s hired hand. Then at least he’d be fed better than pigs and have a place to sleep among his father’s servants. 

It must have been a long, grueling journey home for this man, who by this time was smelly, scrawny, and had been homeless for quite some time. A long walk home without food, water, proper clothing, or even good shoes only increased his shame and humiliation. Perhaps he had a speech prepared, an admission of his wrongdoing, a pleading for his father to consider taking him in as a servant. Or, maybe he just intended to fall in shame, at his father’s feet, and beg to even be heard. But before he could utter a word, his father surprised, shocked, and overwhelmed him with the unexpected greeting he received. 

His father’s pride was at stake with the return of a son whom he should consider dead to him. How he reacted would set an example to other Jewish families when their rebellious sons acted with such disrespect and contempt. Yet this father, upon seeing from a distance that the scraggly man making his way up the road was not some homeless derelict or demon-possessed wanderer, but his long-lost son, picked up the ends of his robe and ran to meet him. Before the shamed son could even utter a word to express the humiliation in his heart, his father embraced him, held onto him like there was no tomorrow, and then ordered his servants to give his son a robe (representing his position as “sonship”) and a ring (indicating his authority once again as an estate holder). The father then ordered that plans be made to celebrate the homecoming of his wayward son. They literally threw a party. 

This son, who was once thought dead, was now alive. He had returned home. There was no punishment. No lecture, no shaming, no rebuke, and no harsh words. Just grace. Forgiveness. Abundant love. 

I used to think this story was about the warning to not rebel, the consequences of disobedience, and the importance of repentance. But the story isn’t so much about the rebellious child, but about the patient, persevering, forgiving love of a father—the one who wouldn’t think for a second to relegate his child from heir to servant. His child’s position in the family didn’t change through disrespectful actions or heinous circumstances. Only the son’s heart had originally changed—and become calloused—toward his father. His father’s love for him, however, had never wavered. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Do you realize that no matter what you and I do, we can’t “undo” God’s love for us? We can’t position ourselves out of our inheritance in Christ. We can’t disappoint Him to the point that He cancels us, or unfriends us, or relegates us to “outside-the-house” status and lets us visit once or twice a year at Easter or Christmas. The door to His home is always open. In fact, it never closes to us, once we’ve been allowed in to dwell with Him. Our door is the one we shut—the door to our hearts that causes Him to stand and knock and ask to come in (Revelation 3:20). 

Is the door of your heart constantly open to this Compassionate Father? If you’ve been gone a while, would you simply return to Him and dwell with Him continually? His invitation to you has never expired, His patience has never worn thin, His love has never run dry. Be the one who runs to Him and experiences His loving embrace. 

Lord Jesus, You have never allowed me to be a stranger to You; may You never be a neglected guest in my heart and home. Thank You for being the Father to whom I can run, ever trust, always love. 

Further Reading:
Luke 15:11-32
Jeremiah 31:3

For more on growing closer to your loving heavenly Father, see my book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.

Have you ever felt too far gone for God to forgive or love you again? The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:20 reminds us that no matter how far we stray, God&rsquo;s love never wavers. Before the son could even speak a word of repentance, his father ran to meet him, embraced him, and celebrated his return. This story isn&rsquo;t primarily about the rebellious child&mdash;it&rsquo;s about a loving Father whose compassion and patience are relentless.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life
<ul data-start="1441" data-end="1696">
<li data-start="1441" data-end="1529">
How might you respond differently if you fully trusted that God&rsquo;s love never wavers?
</li>
<li data-start="1530" data-end="1605">
Are there areas of your heart where you&rsquo;ve kept the door closed to Him?
</li>
<li data-start="1606" data-end="1696">
What steps can you take today to run toward God and receive His compassionate embrace?
</li>
</ul>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. &nbsp;Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
TrinityCredit &ndash; Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
God&rsquo;s Unwavering Love
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
&ldquo;When he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.&rdquo; (Luke 15:20 NASB)
Do you ever feel that you have disappointed God too much for Him to give you another chance? Do you fear returning to Him because of the places you&rsquo;ve been or the things you&rsquo;ve done?
Jesus told a moving story in Luke 15 about God&rsquo;s tender forgiveness toward His loved ones when they go astray. We call it the story of the Prodigal Son. The word prodigal literally means one who spends money in a reckless, extravagant way. In this story, a younger son asked his father for his inheritance early. (In Jewish custom, that would be the equivalent of telling his father he wished he were dead.) He then took his share of what was still legally his father&rsquo;s, and went to a faraway land and squandered his entire inheritance on foolish, reckless, raunchy living. He was living high on the hog, rich with money and &ldquo;friends,&rdquo; until he found himself sleeping with the pigs, penniless and alone. Starving, and upon realizing he was envying the pigs for the slop they got to eat, he decided to return home and ask if he could be his father&rsquo;s hired hand. Then at least he&rsquo;d be fed better than pigs and have a place to sleep among his father&rsquo;s servants.&nbsp;
It must have been a long, grueling journey home for this man, who by this time was smelly, scrawny, and had been homeless for quite some time. A long walk home without food, water, proper clothing, or even good shoes only increased his shame and humiliation. Perhaps he had a speech prepared, an admission of his wrongdoing, a pleading for his father to consider taking him in as a servant. Or, maybe he just intended to fall in shame, at his father&rsquo;s feet, and beg to even be heard. But before he could utter a word, his father surprised, shocked, and overwhelmed him with the unexpected greeting he received.&nbsp;
His father&rsquo;s pride was at stake with the return of a son whom he should consider dead to him. How he reacted would set an example to other Jewish families when their rebellious sons acted with such disrespect and contempt. Yet this father, upon seeing from a distance that the scraggly man making his way up the road was not some homeless derelict or demon-possessed wanderer, but his long-lost son, picked up the ends of his robe and ran to meet him. Before the shamed son could even utter a word to express the humiliation in his heart, his father embraced him, held onto him like there was no tomorrow, and then ordered his servants to give his son a robe (representing his position as &ldquo;sonship&rdquo;) and a ring (indicating his authority once again as an estate holder). The father then ordered that plans be made to celebrate the homecoming of his wayward son. They literally threw a party.&nbsp;
This son, who was once thought dead, was now alive. He had returned home. There was no punishment. No lecture, no shaming, no rebuke, and no harsh words. Just grace. Forgiveness. Abundant love.&nbsp;
I used to think this story was about the warning to not rebel, the consequences of disobedience, and the importance of repentance. But the story isn&rsquo;t so much about the rebellious child, but about the patient, persevering, forgiving love of a father&mdash;the one who wouldn&rsquo;t think for a second to relegate his child from heir to servant. His child&rsquo;s position in the family didn&rsquo;t change through disrespectful actions or heinous circumstances. Only the son&rsquo;s heart had originally changed&mdash;and become calloused&mdash;toward his father. His father&rsquo;s love for him, however, had never wavered.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Do you realize that no matter what you and I do, we can&rsquo;t &ldquo;undo&rdquo; God&rsquo;s love for us? We can&rsquo;t position ourselves out of our inheritance in Christ. We can&rsquo;t disappoint Him to the point that He cancels us, or unfriends us, or relegates us to &ldquo;outside-the-house&rdquo; status and lets us visit once or twice a year at Easter or Christmas. The door to His home is always open. In fact, it never closes to us, once we&rsquo;ve been allowed in to dwell with Him. Our door is the one we shut&mdash;the door to our hearts that causes Him to stand and knock and ask to come in (Revelation 3:20).&nbsp;
Is the door of your heart constantly open to this Compassionate Father? If you&rsquo;ve been gone a while, would you simply return to Him and dwell with Him continually? His invitation to you has never expired, His patience has never worn thin, His love has never run dry. Be the one who runs to Him and experiences His loving embrace.&nbsp;
Lord Jesus, You have never allowed me to be a stranger to You; may You never be a neglected guest in my heart and home. Thank You for being the Father to whom I can run, ever trust, always love.&nbsp;
Further Reading: Luke 15:11-32 Jeremiah 31:3
For more on growing closer to your loving heavenly Father, see my book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Loneliness-Devotional-Closer-Connection/dp/0736989250/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2S9YRHB4MSKZR&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TmMnSOVvCMTwhHlx85y3XjGXf3_3YngV6Aac9qHg--TC22sSLZWj6K5tsD_Nn8bGKOq6RQ9vX9-WoB69FeJrtS4-v-oYNbRh8WrQ2Fy1ZoQcfajvANjvlhX">The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God</a>.

God’s Unwavering Love

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/859a8df8-f009-438e-86f7-b3e9012d9b45/transcript

It’s easy to notice God’s love on monumental days, but what about the quiet, repetitive moments of life? From dishes to diaper changes, the daily grind can feel invisible—but God’s love never is. Psalm 136:1 reminds us that His love endures forever, not just on the big days, but in the ordinary ones too.

Intersecting Faith & Life


How can you notice God’s love in the ordinary moments of your day?


What daily routines might become opportunities to experience His presence more deeply?


How can small reminders—nature, relationships, or Scripture—help you thank God for His enduring love?

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!

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today.  Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org

Full Transcript Below:

God’s Love in the Ordinary Places
By Sarah Frazer

Bible Reading:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” - Psalm 136:1

No one saw me most days. After my first child was born, I quit my teaching job and decided to stay home. Within four-and-a-half years, I had three little ones. Raising children at home is still a lot of work, but many days I wondered if anyone noticed all of the little, ordinary things I did. 

Things like the dishes, planning meals, cleaning up toys, and the endless piles of laundry. As a young college girl, I had dreamed of doing great things for God, but I also wanted motherhood. Could motherhood be grand and glorious? During that season, I leaned into the idea that the ordinary, everyday moments could be glorious. 

Within the regular rhythms of my life, I began to seek God in His word. I took online classes on how to study the Bible, even earning a degree. As I raised my children, loving them in the daily routine of life, I began to also see that God’s love for me was the same. 

In order for God to love me more, I thought maybe I had to do more. Instead, God’s love meets us right where we are - in the quiet, ordinary, everyday life. In a way, God has shown His love in the most extraordinary way—through the cross. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven have sealed our eternity and given us new lives and purposes here on earth. It is truly a magnificent source of comfort when we think about this powerful example of God’s love. 

But when life feels quiet, repetitive, or unremarkable, we may wonder, “Where is God’s love now?” In Psalm 23:6, David says that God’s loving mercy will follow him “all the days of my life.” Not just the grand days, but the daily grind as well. Not just the milestones, but the quiet mornings filled with routine. During our responsibilities and routines, God’s love quietly and completely follows us. 

The word “follow” suggests activity, not passivity. God’s love is present, and it pursues us! Psalm 55 reminds us that no one seeks God, but God seeks us! His love also follows close by us. It is not a distant love or occasional love. It walks with us, holds our hand, and never leaves. 

The idea of God’s love walking with us is found in other Bible verses as well. In Micah 6:8, we read, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” God is calling everyone to walk with Him, in His love! The Bible often describes faith not as a leap, but as a walk. As we walk with God and in His love, we are constantly moving, changing, and going. 

God’s love consistency shows us for us - no matter the season or life circumstance. You can’t walk through anything in this life without God’s love. Step by step, day by day, God’s love can be experienced over and over again.

Psalm 136:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” God’s love is enduring. Forever! 

As a new mom, I would always have to refill my children’s juice cups. Over time, I realized that my spiritual cup was constantly running dry as well. It was during those moments when I felt weak, tired, and empty that I needed God’s love to fill me up! His love has no end.  Unlike human love, which can grow tired or fade under pressure, God’s love is full and everlasting. 

God’s love is available on days we feel empty and have nothing to give. When sorrow fills our hearts, we can run to the God of love. 

You and I can come to God on ordinary days, weary days, and dark days. All of God’s love is always available. Each day gives us a fresh reminder of His love for us. We are not asked to endure our sorrow with yesterday's strength or tomorrow’s hope; God’s love supplies what we need for today.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Our lives are filled with mundane moments. How can you remember God’s love each day? It is often a quiet, soft love. Look for moments like a beautiful sky or the bright sunshine. Maybe you have a pet or a friend who is constantly checking in on you. Let those reminders be there to help you thank God for His love for you. Scripture is a great place to be reminded of God’s love. Take the additional reading section and read a few verses each day this week to help yourself be reminded of God’s extraordinary love in the ordinary moments. 

Further Reading:
Deuteronomy 33:12
Psalm 90:14
Isaiah 46:4
John 1:16
Romans 8:38-39

It&rsquo;s easy to notice God&rsquo;s love on monumental days, but what about the quiet, repetitive moments of life? From dishes to diaper changes, the daily grind can feel invisible&mdash;but God&rsquo;s love never is. Psalm 136:1 reminds us that His love endures forever, not just on the big days, but in the ordinary ones too.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life
<ul data-start="1454" data-end="1721">
<li data-start="1454" data-end="1524">
How can you notice God&rsquo;s love in the ordinary moments of your day?
</li>
<li data-start="1525" data-end="1615">
What daily routines might become opportunities to experience His presence more deeply?
</li>
<li data-start="1616" data-end="1721">
How can small reminders&mdash;nature, relationships, or Scripture&mdash;help you thank God for His enduring love?
</li>
</ul>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. &nbsp;Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
TrinityCredit &ndash; Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
God&rsquo;s Love in the Ordinary Places By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading: &ldquo;Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.&rdquo; - Psalm 136:1
No one saw me most days. After my first child was born, I quit my teaching job and decided to stay home. Within four-and-a-half years, I had three little ones. Raising children at home is still a lot of work, but many days I wondered if anyone noticed all of the little, ordinary things I did.&nbsp;
Things like the dishes, planning meals, cleaning up toys, and the endless piles of laundry. As a young college girl, I had dreamed of doing great things for God, but I also wanted motherhood. Could motherhood be grand and glorious? During that season, I leaned into the idea that the ordinary, everyday moments could be glorious.&nbsp;
Within the regular rhythms of my life, I began to seek God in His word. I took online classes on how to study the Bible, even earning a degree. As I raised my children, loving them in the daily routine of life, I began to also see that God&rsquo;s love for me was the same.&nbsp;
In order for God to love me more, I thought maybe I had to do more. Instead, God&rsquo;s love meets us right where we are - in the quiet, ordinary, everyday life. In a way, God has shown His love in the most extraordinary way&mdash;through the cross. Jesus&rsquo; death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven have sealed our eternity and given us new lives and purposes here on earth. It is truly a magnificent source of comfort when we think about this powerful example of God&rsquo;s love.&nbsp;
But when life feels quiet, repetitive, or unremarkable, we may wonder, &ldquo;Where is God&rsquo;s love now?&rdquo; In Psalm 23:6, David says that God&rsquo;s loving mercy will follow him &ldquo;all the days of my life.&rdquo; Not just the grand days, but the daily grind as well. Not just the milestones, but the quiet mornings filled with routine. During our responsibilities and routines, God&rsquo;s love quietly and completely follows us.&nbsp;
The word &ldquo;follow&rdquo; suggests activity, not passivity. God&rsquo;s love is present, and it pursues us! Psalm 55 reminds us that no one seeks God, but God seeks us! His love also follows close by us. It is not a distant love or occasional love. It walks with us, holds our hand, and never leaves.&nbsp;
The idea of God&rsquo;s love walking with us is found in other Bible verses as well. In Micah 6:8, we read, &ldquo;He has shown you, O mortal, what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.&rdquo; God is calling everyone to walk with Him, in His love! The Bible often describes faith not as a leap, but as a walk. As we walk with God and in His love, we are constantly moving, changing, and going.&nbsp;
God&rsquo;s love consistency shows us for us - no matter the season or life circumstance. You can&rsquo;t walk through anything in this life without God&rsquo;s love. Step by step, day by day, God&rsquo;s love can be experienced over and over again.
Psalm 136:1 says, &ldquo;Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.&rdquo; God&rsquo;s love is enduring. Forever!&nbsp;
As a new mom, I would always have to refill my children&rsquo;s juice cups. Over time, I realized that my spiritual cup was constantly running dry as well. It was during those moments when I felt weak, tired, and empty that I needed God&rsquo;s love to fill me up! His love has no end.&nbsp; Unlike human love, which can grow tired or fade under pressure, God&rsquo;s love is full and everlasting.&nbsp;
God&rsquo;s love is available on days we feel empty and have nothing to give. When sorrow fills our hearts, we can run to the God of love.&nbsp;
You and I can come to God on ordinary days, weary days, and dark days. All of God&rsquo;s love is always available. Each day gives us a fresh reminder of His love for us. We are not asked to endure our sorrow with yesterday's strength or tomorrow&rsquo;s hope; God&rsquo;s love supplies what we need for today.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Our lives are filled with mundane moments. How can you remember God&rsquo;s love each day? It is often a quiet, soft love. Look for moments like a beautiful sky or the bright sunshine. Maybe you have a pet or a friend who is constantly checking in on you. Let those reminders be there to help you thank God for His love for you. Scripture is a great place to be reminded of God&rsquo;s love. Take the additional reading section and read a few verses each day this week to help yourself be reminded of God&rsquo;s extraordinary love in the ordinary moments.&nbsp;
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 33:12 Psalm 90:14 Isaiah 46:4 John 1:16 Romans 8:38-39

God's Love in the Ordinary Places

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/72de2a81-4001-49e8-9ae4-b3e9012d9b46/transcript

Judging others can feel instinctive—especially when we think we see someone’s motives clearly. Yet Scripture reminds us that our focus on others often reveals what’s in our own hearts. Matthew 7:3 challenges us to examine ourselves before pointing out the faults of others. This devotional explores how a critical spirit can be transformed into a heart of blessing, freeing us to walk in purity and God’s favor.

Intersecting Faith & Life

Reflect on these questions:


When do you find yourself judging or critiquing others?


How might God want you to adjust your heart and your perspective?


What would it look like to bless someone who frustrates or challenges you?


How can letting go of control over others’ actions deepen your relationship with God?

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This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today.  Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org

Full Transcript Below:

One Tip to Break a Critical Spirit
By Kelly Balarie

Bible Reading:
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" – Matthew 7:3 NIV

Who does she think she is? She is only on social media because she wants people to see her, not because she really cares about anyone or Jesus... She's really in it for herself, and she wants everyone online to know—where she's traveling, what she is doing, how she is looking.

My mind started to go down this critical thinking track again. That is—until I stopped—and then I hung my head down in shame.

The hard truth is—I have judged so many. I have sized up people's intent online. I have sized up and surmised people's wrong motives. I made judgments about people's hearts that only God can know. I have hardened my heart towards people who are even doing the will of God... by deciding they are doing it for attention, for public perception, or for their own recognition.

I hung my head down, saying, "God, what do I know?"

Only God knows.

And what I am judging is what I am walking in. Meaning, I think it is about them, but what I am seeing is actually about me. It is worth taking a second to consider.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matt. 7:3)

If I spot it, I likely got it.

When push comes to shove, or when truth comes to light—I am doing what I am judging. I am seeking attention. I sometimes do things so others can see me. I have wrong motives.

No wonder God has shut doors on me; in His grace and love, He wants me to see rightly, so I can then move powerfully with a pure heart. In His saying no, He has created a special room for me to examine my heart. I also see that as I rectify my heart, there is great hope for big, yes opportunities from God.

The truth is, other people's motives are not my issue. My motive is.

What they do is none of my business.

Now I can see that I have been wrong. Dead wrong. But now I turn back to Christ. As I repent of this critical spirit and my wrong motives, they are removed as far as the East is from the West (Ps. 103:12).

Here, I can do a new thing to defeat this critical spirit: I can bless rather than distress others...

What does this look like?

It looks like:
Noticing when I am criticizing.
Stopping that mental track.
Ditching making them my business.
Praying a blessing over them instead.

Essentially, I can stop, bless, and then progress onward. Their motives are not my business. Me, keeping a pure heart? That's the business I am to be about.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

When do you find yourself judging or critiquing people? How might God want you to adjust course? What would it look like for you to bless those who curse you? What would it look like for you to let go of things or people you cannot control?

Judging others can feel instinctive&mdash;especially when we think we see someone&rsquo;s motives clearly. Yet Scripture reminds us that our focus on others often reveals what&rsquo;s in our own hearts. Matthew 7:3 challenges us to examine ourselves before pointing out the faults of others. This devotional explores how a critical spirit can be transformed into a heart of blessing, freeing us to walk in purity and God&rsquo;s favor.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life
Reflect on these questions:
<ul data-start="1697" data-end="1995">
<li data-start="1697" data-end="1756">
When do you find yourself judging or critiquing others?
</li>
<li data-start="1757" data-end="1826">
How might God want you to adjust your heart and your perspective?
</li>
<li data-start="1827" data-end="1905">
What would it look like to bless someone who frustrates or challenges you?
</li>
<li data-start="1906" data-end="1995">
How can letting go of control over others&rsquo; actions deepen your relationship with God?
</li>
</ul>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. &nbsp;Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
TrinityCredit &ndash; Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
One Tip to Break a Critical Spirit By Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother&rsquo;s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" &ndash; Matthew 7:3 NIV
Who does she think she is? She is only on social media because she wants people to see her, not because she really cares about anyone or Jesus... She's really in it for herself, and she wants everyone online to know&mdash;where she's traveling, what she is doing, how she is looking.
My mind started to go down this critical thinking track again. That is&mdash;until I stopped&mdash;and then I hung my head down in shame.
The hard truth is&mdash;I have judged so many. I have sized up people's intent online. I have sized up and surmised people's wrong motives. I made judgments about people's hearts that only God can know. I have hardened my heart towards people who are even doing the will of God... by deciding they are doing it for attention, for public perception, or for their own recognition.
I hung my head down, saying, "God, what do I know?"
Only God knows.
And what I am judging is what I am walking in. Meaning, I think it is about them, but what I am seeing is actually about me. It is worth taking a second to consider.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother&rsquo;s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matt. 7:3)
If I spot it, I likely got it.
When push comes to shove, or when truth comes to light&mdash;I am doing what I am judging. I am seeking attention. I sometimes do things so others can see me. I have wrong motives.
No wonder God has shut doors on me; in His grace and love, He wants me to see rightly, so I can then move powerfully with a pure heart. In His saying no, He has created a special room for me to examine my heart. I also see that as I rectify my heart, there is great hope for big, yes opportunities from God.
The truth is, other people's motives are not my issue. My motive is.
What they do is none of my business.
Now I can see that I have been wrong. Dead wrong. But now I turn back to Christ. As I repent of this critical spirit and my wrong motives, they are removed as far as the East is from the West (Ps. 103:12).
Here, I can do a new thing to defeat this critical spirit: I can bless rather than distress others...
What does this look like?
It looks like:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Noticing when I am criticizing.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Stopping that mental track.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ditching making them my business.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Praying a blessing over them instead.</li>
</ol>
Essentially, I can stop, bless, and then progress onward. Their motives are not my business. Me, keeping a pure heart? That's the business I am to be about.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
When do you find yourself judging or critiquing people? How might God want you to adjust course? What would it look like for you to bless those who curse you? What would it look like for you to let go of things or people you cannot control?

One Tip to Break a Critical Spirit

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/91430486-2416-43a4-a006-b3e9012d9b44/transcript

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