God never intended for us to walk through life alone. In times of joy and in moments of struggle, having friends by our side brings strength, encouragement, and a glimpse of God's love. Through friendship, we experience the warmth of companionship, the wisdom of shared faith, and the reminder that God’s presence shines brighter when we come together. Life truly is richer, fuller, and more meaningful when we walk it with friends who point us to Christ.

Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how the friendships in your life have made a difference. Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—What role do your friends play in helping you grow in faith and walk in God’s light?

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/

God never intended for us to walk through life alone. In times of joy and in moments of struggle, having friends by our side brings strength, encouragement, and a glimpse of God's love. Through friendship, we experience the warmth of companionship, the wisdom of shared faith, and the reminder that God’s presence shines brighter when we come together. Life truly is richer, fuller, and more meaningful when we walk it with friends who point us to Christ.
<hr>
Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear how the friendships in your life have made a difference. Share your stories with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—What role do your friends play in helping you grow in faith and walk in God’s light?
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

What to Do When Friendships Need Repair

In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore how to cultivate a merry heart, grounded in biblical truth and joy in the Lord. As believers, we are called to find joy in all circumstances, but how do we maintain a joyful and merry heart when life feels heavy? In this devotional, we dive into the Scriptures to uncover what it truly means to have a merry heart and how we can nourish this joy through faith, gratitude, and a deeper connection to Christ.

We’d love to hear how you keep a merry heart in the Lord. Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @Lifeaudionetwork or via email. How do you cultivate joy and peace in your daily walk with Christ? What biblical practices help you maintain a merry heart even during difficult times?

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/

Full Transcript Below:

How to Have a Merry Heart

By: Whitney Hopler 

“A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22, MEV 

Popular culture often depicts the Christmas season as a time of fun, happiness, and togetherness. Yet many people don’t experience that idea of a “Merry Christmas.” Instead, too often, people are dealing with sadness, loneliness, or even despair as Christmas approaches. Broken relationships, financial pressures, and the weight of unmet expectations can turn what is meant to be the most wonderful time of the year into a season of sorrow. 

The Bible says that a merry heart is like medicine – something that heals and restores well-being. Just as medicine can relieve physical pain and suffering, a joyful heart can relieve the burdens of our souls. 

During the Christmas season, we can find ourselves stressed by demands like the pressure to buy gifts, the strain of hosting gatherings, or the pain of celebrating without loved ones whose loss we’re grieving. However, the joy that God offers is not limited by circumstances like those. It’s a joy that is available to us even in the middle of our challenges. Joy is much different from happiness. Happiness is a temporary feeling that comes and goes, based on whether or not we like our current circumstances. But joy is possible to experience anytime – even in unhappy circumstances. That’s because joy comes from God himself. Psalm 16:11 says of God: “In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This means that joy is not something we manufacture on our own; it’s something we receive from being in God’s presence. When we connect with God’s presence, we tap into a powerful well of joy that sustains us, even when we’re facing challenges. 

Joy is what gives us a “merry heart.” Consider the shepherds in the Christmas story. They were ordinary people going about their daily tasks when an angel appeared and announced “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10). This joy wasn’t based on their circumstances; it was based on the arrival of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Similarly, our joy today is rooted in the reality that God is with us and that his love for us is complete and unconditional.

If you’re struggling this Christmas season, here are a few ways you can develop a merry heart that will boost your well-being like medicine: 


Focus on God’s presence, not perfection. This Christmas, let go of unrealistic expectations and focus on the miracle of God’s presence in your life. Spend time reading God’s Word and communicating with him in prayer and meditation. Let the simple yet significant blessing of God’s presence fill your heart with joy. 


Practice gratitude. When you take time to thank God for his blessings, you shift your focus from what you lack to what you have. Make a list of things you’re thankful for each day, and watch how your perspective changes. Gratitude unlocks joy and can transform even the most difficult seasons.


Practice kindness. Sometimes the best way to lift your own spirits is to lift someone else’s. Consider ways you can intentionally spread kindness to others – whether it’s through volunteering, sending a kind message, or simply being there for a friend in need. 


Connect and forgive. If you’re struggling with loneliness or the pain of broken relationships, reach out to someone caring and trustworthy for encouragement. Let go of bitterness by choosing to forgive the people who have hurt you and move on with the peace God will give you when you ask for it. 

You can have a Merry Christmas and a merry heart authentically when you’re struggling, because joy can coexist with sorrow. Jesus is Immanuel – “God with us” – not only in your celebrations but also in your struggles. When you turn to God in your pain, you can find a joy that can carry you through any circumstances. May this Christmas season be one where you discover the true medicine of a merry heart, centered in the joy that comes from knowing Jesus. 

Intersecting Faith and Life

As you consider how God will give you a merry heart in any kind of circumstances, reflect on these questions: 


In what areas of your life are you struggling to find joy this Christmas season? How can you invite God’s presence into those areas?


How does the knowledge that God is Immanuel – “God with us” –  affect your outlook on your current challenges? 

Further Reading

Psalm 16:11

John 15:11

Nehemiah 8:10

Philippians 4:4

Romans 15:13

In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore how to cultivate a merry heart, grounded in biblical truth and joy in the Lord. As believers, we are called to find joy in all circumstances, but how do we maintain a joyful and merry heart when life feels heavy? In this devotional, we dive into the Scriptures to uncover what it truly means to have a merry heart and how we can nourish this joy through faith, gratitude, and a deeper connection to Christ.
We&rsquo;d love to hear how you keep a merry heart in the Lord. Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @Lifeaudionetwork or via email. How do you cultivate joy and peace in your daily walk with Christ? What biblical practices help you maintain a merry heart even during difficult times?
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>
Full Transcript Below:
How to Have a Merry Heart
By: Whitney Hopler&nbsp;
&ldquo;A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.&rdquo; &ndash; Proverbs 17:22, MEV&nbsp;
Popular culture often depicts the Christmas season as a time of fun, happiness, and togetherness. Yet many people don&rsquo;t experience that idea of a &ldquo;Merry Christmas.&rdquo; Instead, too often, <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/ways-to-make-a-lonely-christmas-meaningful.html">people are dealing with sadness, loneliness, or even despair as Christmas approaches</a>. Broken relationships, financial pressures, and the weight of unmet expectations can turn what is meant to be the most wonderful time of the year into a season of sorrow.&nbsp;
The Bible says that a merry heart is like medicine &ndash; something that heals and restores well-being. Just as medicine can relieve physical pain and suffering, a joyful heart can relieve the burdens of our souls.&nbsp;
During the Christmas season, we can find ourselves stressed by demands like the pressure to buy gifts, the strain of hosting gatherings, or the pain of celebrating without loved ones whose loss we&rsquo;re grieving. However, the joy that God offers is not limited by circumstances like those. It&rsquo;s a joy that is available to us even in the middle of our challenges. <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/joy-versus-happiness-the-crosswalk-devotional.html">Joy is much different from happiness</a>. Happiness is a temporary feeling that comes and goes, based on whether or not we like our current circumstances. But joy is possible to experience anytime &ndash; even in unhappy circumstances. That&rsquo;s because joy comes from God himself. Psalm 16:11 says of God: &ldquo;In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.&rdquo; This means that joy is not something we manufacture on our own; it&rsquo;s something we receive from being in God&rsquo;s presence. When we <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-notice-god-with-you-throughout-your-day.html">connect with God&rsquo;s presence</a>, we tap into a powerful well of joy that sustains us, even when we&rsquo;re facing challenges.&nbsp;
Joy is what gives us a &ldquo;merry heart.&rdquo; Consider the shepherds in the Christmas story. They were ordinary people going about their daily tasks when an angel appeared and announced &ldquo;good tidings of great joy&rdquo; (Luke 2:10). This joy wasn&rsquo;t based on their circumstances; it was based on the arrival of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Similarly, our joy today is rooted in the reality that God is with us and that his love for us is complete and unconditional.
If you&rsquo;re struggling this Christmas season, here are a few ways you can develop a merry heart that will boost your well-being like medicine:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Focus on God&rsquo;s presence, not perfection. This Christmas, let go of unrealistic expectations and focus on the miracle of God&rsquo;s presence in your life. Spend time reading God&rsquo;s Word and communicating with him in <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/how-to-start-prayer-and-meditation-habits-youll-enjoy.html">prayer and meditation</a>. Let the simple yet significant blessing of God&rsquo;s presence fill your heart with joy.&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/things-to-do-to-have-an-attitude-of-gratitude.html">Practice gratitude</a>. When you take time to thank God for his blessings, you shift your focus from what you lack to what you have. Make a list of things you&rsquo;re thankful for each day, and watch how your perspective changes. Gratitude unlocks joy and can transform even the most difficult seasons.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Practice kindness. Sometimes the best way to lift your own spirits is to lift someone else&rsquo;s. Consider ways you can <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/intentional-kindness-the-crosswalk-devotional.html">intentionally spread kindness</a> to others &ndash; whether it&rsquo;s through volunteering, sending a kind message, or simply being there for a friend in need.&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Connect and forgive. If you&rsquo;re struggling with loneliness or the pain of broken relationships, reach out to someone caring and trustworthy for encouragement. Let go of bitterness by <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/how-to-say-a-forgive-us-our-debts-prayer.html">choosing to forgive</a> the people who have hurt you and move on with the peace God will give you when you ask for it.&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
You can have a Merry Christmas and a merry heart authentically when you&rsquo;re struggling, because joy can coexist with sorrow. Jesus is Immanuel &ndash; &ldquo;God with us&rdquo; &ndash; not only in your celebrations but also in your struggles. When you turn to God in your pain, you can find a joy that can carry you through any circumstances. May this Christmas season be one where you discover the true medicine of a merry heart, centered in the joy that comes from knowing Jesus.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith and Life
As you consider how God will give you a merry heart in any kind of circumstances, reflect on these questions:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
In what areas of your life are you struggling to find joy this Christmas season? How can you invite God&rsquo;s presence into those areas?
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
How does the knowledge that God is Immanuel &ndash; &ldquo;God with us&rdquo; &ndash;&nbsp; affect your outlook on your current challenges?&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Further Reading
Psalm 16:11
John 15:11
Nehemiah 8:10
Philippians 4:4
Romans 15:13

How to Have a Merry Heart

In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the importance of having a role model in our Christian walk. As believers, we are called to reflect Christ’s character, and having someone to look up to can inspire us to live more like Him. Together, we’ll dive into Scripture to understand who the ultimate role model is and how we can follow His example in our daily lives—whether through faith, love, humility, or service.

Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear about the role models who have shaped your faith journey. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—Who has influenced your walk with Christ, and how has their example impacted the way you live and serve?

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/

Full Transcript Below:

Who Is Your Role Model?

By Aaron D’Anthony Brown

“Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.” - Titus 2:7-8

Who Is Your Role Model?

I’ve long been under the impression that we all worship something. People, money, ideas. If you’re wondering what you worship, then look at where you spend most of your time. As Christians, we’re called to worship God, and only God. Still, being the sinful humans that we are, there’s a natural inclination to stray away from Him sometimes. We leave God to worship other things that cast influence on us. In that influence, we should also make another realization, we’re not just always partaking in the act of worship, we are also always learning.

Think about it. When we worship God, we are learning from Him. Prayer, fellowship, reading the Bible, all of this teaches us how to live out His will. We mature and gain wisdom as we hopefully become more like Christ. Jesus is the role model.

However, if you don’t know the Lord or have grown idle in your faith, then who fills that space? Something has to if you want to derive purpose from life. Even if you are active in your faith, sin presents an ever ready disconnect between us and God. We too face the threat of losing sight of Him and propping someone or something else up, even if temporarily.

The simple truth that every Christian should heed is that without Christ as our role model, we start to resemble the world. Our culture is constantly talking to us through what we see on television or the music we listen to. Can you think of one recent example of a show or movie from Hollywood that portrayed Christianity in a positive way? Yet, how many shows or movies have you seen where our faith is shown as just the opposite?

The world wants us to believe that they have the answers, that their way is not just better, but right. If we’re not careful, not only will we forget who we ought to be following, but we will substitute Him for something lesser, something unrighteous.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Today, I’m willing to say that Jesus Christ is my role model. Though, if I’m being honest, I know that there are days when I don’t want to see Him. Days when I want to go my own way, do my own thing, pretending that I know better. Can you relate?

Once we snap back to reality, we need to ensure Jesus is our role model by doing the following:

Reexamine Your Life

Introspection is a must if you want to follow Christ. If we’re always learning, then we need to reflect on the lessons of old and new. Reflection is how we determine which ideas we hold are accurate, true, and which are not. Hopefully, the way you think today is more mature than how you thought five years ago or ten years ago. Continue to examine yourself for the purpose of finding truth. The closer to truth we are, the closer to Jesus we are.

Identify Any Idols

As we examine ourselves, naturally, we are going to spot sin, even idols. Once you’ve spotted them, weed them out. Replace the bad with God. How exactly do you do that? You turn to your role-model, Christ. Look at how He lived and seek to imitate that.

Pursue God

How foolish are we to ever think that God doesn’t want a relationship. He loved us before we loved Him, before we even loved ourselves (1 John 4:19). The world doesn’t love us unconditionally, if at all. Yet, the world is always trying to preach something to us. Telling us what’s right and what’s wrong. Well, God wants to do the same, only His love is unconditional. We ought to pursue Him to the best of our ability, knowing that when we do, we will look more and more like His son. Likewise, we resemble the world less and less, throwing away all evidence of unrighteousness that holds us back.

Further Reading:

1 Corinthians 11:1

Matthew 5:16

In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we explore the importance of having a role model in our Christian walk. As believers, we are called to reflect Christ&rsquo;s character, and having someone to look up to can inspire us to live more like Him. Together, we&rsquo;ll dive into Scripture to understand who the ultimate role model is and how we can follow His example in our daily lives&mdash;whether through faith, love, humility, or service.
Join the Conversation: We&rsquo;d love to hear about the role models who have shaped your faith journey. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email&mdash;Who has influenced your walk with Christ, and how has their example impacted the way you live and serve?
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>
Full Transcript Below:
Who Is Your Role Model?
By Aaron D&rsquo;Anthony Brown
&ldquo;Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn&rsquo;t have anything bad to say about us.&rdquo; - Titus 2:7-8
Who Is Your Role Model?
I&rsquo;ve long been under the impression that we all worship something. People, money, ideas. If you&rsquo;re wondering what you worship, then look at where you spend most of your time. As Christians, we&rsquo;re called to worship God, and only God. Still, being the sinful humans that we are, there&rsquo;s a natural inclination to stray away from Him sometimes. We leave God to worship other things that cast influence on us. In that influence, we should also make another realization, we&rsquo;re not just always partaking in the act of worship, we are also always learning.
Think about it. When we worship God, we are learning from Him. Prayer, fellowship, reading the Bible, all of this teaches us how to live out His will. We mature and gain wisdom as we hopefully become more like Christ. Jesus is the role model.
However, if you don&rsquo;t know the Lord or have grown idle in your faith, then who fills that space? Something has to if you want to derive purpose from life. Even if you are active in your faith, sin presents an ever ready disconnect between us and God. We too face the threat of losing sight of Him and propping someone or something else up, even if temporarily.
The simple truth that every Christian should heed is that without Christ as our role model, we start to resemble the world. Our culture is constantly talking to us through what we see on television or the music we listen to. Can you think of one recent example of a show or movie from Hollywood that portrayed Christianity in a positive way? Yet, how many shows or movies have you seen where our faith is shown as just the opposite?
The world wants us to believe that they have the answers, that their way is not just better, but right. If we&rsquo;re not careful, not only will we forget who we ought to be following, but we will substitute Him for something lesser, something unrighteous.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Today, I&rsquo;m willing to say that Jesus Christ is my role model. Though, if I&rsquo;m being honest, I know that there are days when I don&rsquo;t want to see Him. Days when I want to go my own way, do my own thing, pretending that I know better. Can you relate?
Once we snap back to reality, we need to ensure Jesus is our role model by doing the following:
Reexamine Your Life
Introspection is a must if you want to follow Christ. If we&rsquo;re always learning, then we need to reflect on the lessons of old and new. Reflection is how we determine which ideas we hold are accurate, true, and which are not. Hopefully, the way you think today is more mature than how you thought five years ago or ten years ago. Continue to examine yourself for the purpose of finding truth. The closer to truth we are, the closer to Jesus we are.
Identify Any Idols
As we examine ourselves, naturally, we are going to spot sin, even idols. Once you&rsquo;ve spotted them, weed them out. Replace the bad with God. How exactly do you do that? You turn to your role-model, Christ. Look at how He lived and seek to imitate that.
Pursue God
How foolish are we to ever think that God doesn&rsquo;t want a relationship. He loved us before we loved Him, before we even loved ourselves (1 John 4:19). The world doesn&rsquo;t love us unconditionally, if at all. Yet, the world is always trying to preach something to us. Telling us what&rsquo;s right and what&rsquo;s wrong. Well, God wants to do the same, only His love is unconditional. We ought to pursue Him to the best of our ability, knowing that when we do, we will look more and more like His son. Likewise, we resemble the world less and less, throwing away all evidence of unrighteousness that holds us back.
Further Reading:
1 Corinthians 11:1
Matthew 5:16

How to Know What You're Really Worshiping

In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on the timeless message of the Christmas star and what it means to follow God's guidance in our lives. Just as the wise men were led to Jesus by the star, we too are called to follow the light of Christ in our daily walk of faith. Together, we’ll explore how Scripture invites us to seek Christ with intentionality, trust His direction, and let His light guide our hearts through every season.

Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how following the light of Christ has transformed your journey. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email—How has God's guidance shaped your life, and how are you responding to His call this season?

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/

Full Transcript Below:

Follow the Star

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:9-10

My husband and I strolled in and out of the booths at a recent community fair in our town. There were homemade crafts, food and drinks. Local churches also gave out cards and invites to the church. But we were surprised to see the amount of New Age and occultic-derived materials there were as well. They were interwoven in between the other booths like it was normal. Many people visited both the New Age booths and the church booths as if they were equal in value. But we were careful not to purchase or interact with anything that might have been derived from an occultic source. 

Those who did not have a religion would have interacted with any of these booths with ease. But Christians like us could discern the spiritual ramifications of interacting with those goods. 

Everyone is looking for direction in life. But the Bible warns against consulting mediums, astrologers, and other practices that get their information from demonic sources. People go to these sources in a desperate attempt to get closure on their losses or see if there is hope for their future. Believers and nonbelievers need to ask God for their direction rather than a spiritual posing as someone with pertinent information about the future. 

The religious leaders of Jesus’s day knew Jesus would be born, but they didn't know who he truly was or his ultimate role in the world. Born from an unwed young mother, the religious leaders believed Jesus was nothing more than the offspring of a lowly shepherd. They didn’t think a king would come as a baby or in that manner. The Magi were on a journey to worship a king who, although he didn't look anything like what they would expect, believed he was king of the Jews.

But they needed direction. Without the star of Bethlehem, they never would have been able to find him, much less worship him. The Magi knew they needed to consult the one true star. The star guided them to the miraculous birth and allowed them to be the first to worship him. 

In a culture not much different from today's, astrologers use the stars to tell a person's future or direction for their life. Astrologers abounded during that time. Many people would consult an astrologer for information about the future. The star of Bethlehem also led people, except this one prompted the Magi to an ordinary child who, when grown, would provide salvation to the world. 

Some people today need clarification about who Jesus is. They think astrologers or psychics are phony or not real. But that’s not true. While some pose as psychics, others consult Satan and receive his prophetic words that they then give to customers for money. But those who trust in the Lord will receive his direction because he is the only one who truly knows the future. 

Even when we are confused about what God is doing, who he is, or his presence in our lives, God always directs those who want to find him. Whoever seeks him will always find him, even in times of great confusion. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us not to lean on our understanding but on God’s voice. He will always direct and guide us in our steps: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Take a moment to reflect on how you have taken Jesus for granted or been confused about who he is or his role in your life. Let God reveal how he guides and directs you toward his perfect purpose and plan. 

Father, be faithful in finding us if we seek you. Please make yourself known to us in new ways, not only in the season of Advent, when we expect you to come, but even in times of confusion. Amen.

Intersecting Faith and Life

Where do you go for direction? Do you go to the Bible for its wisdom?

Further Reading

Romans 8:28

In this episode of&nbsp;The Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on the timeless message of the Christmas star and what it means to follow God's guidance in our lives. Just as the wise men were led to Jesus by the star, we too are called to follow the light of Christ in our daily walk of faith. Together, we&rsquo;ll explore how Scripture invites us to seek Christ with intentionality, trust His direction, and let His light guide our hearts through every season.
Join the Conversation: We&rsquo;d love to hear how following the light of Christ has transformed your journey. Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioPodcasting or via email&mdash;How has God's guidance shaped your life, and how are you responding to His call this season?
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Full Transcript Below:
Follow the Star
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:9-10
My husband and I strolled in and out of the booths at a recent community fair in our town. There were homemade crafts, food and drinks. Local churches also gave out cards and invites to the church. But we were surprised to see the amount of New Age and occultic-derived materials there were as well. They were interwoven in between the other booths like it was normal. Many people visited both the New Age booths and the church booths as if they were equal in value. But we were careful not to purchase or interact with anything that might have been derived from an occultic source.&nbsp;
Those who did not have a religion would have interacted with any of these booths with ease. But Christians like us could discern the spiritual ramifications of interacting with those goods.&nbsp;
Everyone is looking for direction in life. But the Bible warns against consulting mediums, astrologers, and other practices that get their information from demonic sources. People go to these sources in a desperate attempt to get closure on their losses or see if there is hope for their future. Believers and nonbelievers need to ask God for their direction rather than a spiritual posing as someone with pertinent information about the future.&nbsp;
The religious leaders of Jesus&rsquo;s day knew Jesus would be born, but they didn't know who he truly was or his ultimate role in the world. Born from an unwed young mother, the religious leaders believed Jesus was nothing more than the offspring of a lowly shepherd. They didn&rsquo;t think a king would come as a baby or in that manner. The Magi were on a journey to worship a king who, although he didn't look anything like what they would expect, believed he was king of the Jews.
But they needed direction. Without the star of Bethlehem, they never would have been able to find him, much less worship him. The Magi knew they needed to consult the one true star. The star guided them to the miraculous birth and allowed them to be the first to worship him.&nbsp;
In a culture not much different from today's, astrologers use the stars to tell a person's future or direction for their life. Astrologers abounded during that time. Many people would consult an astrologer for information about the future. The star of Bethlehem also led people, except this one prompted the Magi to an ordinary child who, when grown, would provide salvation to the world.&nbsp;
Some people today need clarification about who Jesus is. They think astrologers or psychics are phony or not real. But that&rsquo;s not true. While some pose as psychics, others consult Satan and receive his prophetic words that they then give to customers for money. But those who trust in the Lord will receive his direction because he is the only one who truly knows the future.&nbsp;
Even when we are confused about what God is doing, who he is, or his presence in our lives, God always directs those who want to find him. Whoever seeks him will always find him, even in times of great confusion.&nbsp;
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us not to lean on our understanding but on God&rsquo;s voice. He will always direct and guide us in our steps: &ldquo;Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.&rdquo; Take a moment to reflect on how you have taken Jesus for granted or been confused about who he is or his role in your life. Let God reveal how he guides and directs you toward his perfect purpose and plan.&nbsp;
Father, be faithful in finding us if we seek you. Please make yourself known to us in new ways, not only in the season of Advent, when we expect you to come, but even in times of confusion. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Where do you go for direction? Do you go to the Bible for its wisdom?
Further Reading
Romans 8:28

What to Do When Friendships Need Repair

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