We live in troubled times. The economy, the political landscape, and the polarizing of relationships between people make me think of the troubled waters from the old Simon and Garfunkel song, Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Our coping mechanisms show we’re looking for a way over these times that challenge our tranquility. - Jessica Van Roekel

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/

We live in troubled times. The economy, the political landscape, and the polarizing of relationships between people make me think of the troubled waters from the old Simon and Garfunkel song, Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Our coping mechanisms show we’re looking for a way over these times that challenge our tranquility. - Jessica Van Roekel
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

Peace in Troubled Times: The #1 Way to Navigate Uncertainty & Worry

Discover how to trade superstition for steady faith by focusing on Jesus rather than the religious practices and objects that remind us of Him. Through the story of the sons of Sceva in Acts 19, explore why invoking Jesus’ name is not a formula for getting what we want and why spiritual growth comes from knowing and trusting Him. Whether you keep a cross nearby, read Scripture daily, or rely on familiar prayers for comfort, consider how these practices can deepen your relationship with God instead of becoming substitutes for it. Learn practical ways to build authentic faith, trust in Christ’s victory over darkness, and pursue a closer walk with the Lord.

Highlights


Understand the difference between genuine Christian faith and superstition rooted in religious objects or rituals.


Explore Acts 19 and the account of the sons of Sceva to discover why Jesus’ name is not a magical formula.


Recognize that the power of salvation and victory over darkness comes from Jesus Christ Himself.


Learn how crosses, Bibles, prayer, and other spiritual practices can serve as reminders of faith without replacing a relationship with God.


Reflect on whether any religious habits have become ways of seeking control or protection rather than trusting the Lord.


Discover why authentic spiritual growth comes from knowing Jesus and relying on His finished work on the cross.


Consider practical ways to invest in your relationship with God and develop a steady, sincere faith.

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

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

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Do you want to listen ad-free?

When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! 

Sign Up Today!

Full Transcript Below:

Trading Superstition for Steady Faith
By: Sophia Bricker

Bible Reading:
“When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor” (Acts 19:17, NIV).

A card and a cross. Those were the two items I regularly kept with me during my first year of middle school, or junior high as it is sometimes known. The card bore the picture of Saint Patrick with a blessing printed on the back, which I kept in my pocket or bag while at school. But the cross? I wore it every day regardless of outfit or occasion. Like the card, it was Celtic-inspired, an Irish pewter cross with a clover in the middle.  

To many, this could have looked like an attestation to faith. Far from it. At the time, I did not know or follow Christ. Instead, I found comfort in the strength that these items seemed to hold, as if the presence of the card or necklace could protect me. I was bullied relentlessly in middle school, so perhaps the superstitious possession of these items was a grasp at safety. Regardless, the items held great power in my mind. I had mistaken a symbol for the truth being symbolized. 

Only later did I learn that the power of the cross, or the example of a saint’s life, comes only because of the crucified and resurrected Christ. 

Some Jewish people did something similar during the early days of the church. In the book of Acts, we read about itinerant exorcists, the sons of Sceva, attempting to invoke the name of Jesus through Paul's name to drive out demons. Undoubtedly, they had heard about the power of Christ to free people from the control of spirits and so assumed that merely saying His name would work to drive away the demons. They were mistaken. 

One day, the evil spirit replied to the men attempting to drive him out: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15, NIV). Instead of leaving victorious that day over the realms of darkness, as they had attempted, they were left beaten and bloodied (Acts 19:16). Their experience showed that Jesus’ name is not a magical word that can be wielded for man’s purposes. Superstition cannot replace true faith. 

One day, every knee will bow to the name of our Lord Jesus, creatures and spirits alike (Philippians 2:9-11). Even now, demons tremble at the power of the Savior. The lack is not in Christ, for He has defeated the powers of darkness, making a spectacle of them on the cross (Colossians 2:15). But the power is in the Person, not the name alone. Paul and the other apostles could drive out spirits and perform miracles only because of Jesus–they knew the Lord and had trusted in the salvation He died to give. 

Of course, today, we are not likely to attempt to invoke the name of Christ in the matter of demon possession. Those in other parts of the world who face more concrete spiritual attacks know that the strength to combat the works of Satan comes from Christ, not the act of speaking words. However, we could still fall into the trap of thinking that certain rituals or objects provide us with safety. Even prayer can be used in this way, when we think the Lord will be more likely to hear us for our many words (Matthew 6:6-8). 

Let us not make the mistake of confusing the symbols for the truth symbolized. A wooden cross or crucifix hanging on our wall is a strong reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice; yet it alone, divorced from the Person of the Savior, has no power to save. The Bible we keep by our bedsides contains the precious promises of God; It does not convey the promises merely by our owning a copy of Scripture. Similarly, we could study beautiful paintings of believers following Christ throughout history, but doing so would not automatically make us grow in sanctification. Symbols and spiritual rhythms have their place as long as we do not mistake them for the real things: Jesus and our relationship with Him. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Is there anything in your life that has taken a superstitious turn––prayer, Bible reading, keeping religious items? Of course, these things are good and right, but anything can be used incorrectly if treated as a talisman to guard against harm. What might you do today to trade this superstition for steady faith?   

What are some practical steps you can take this week to invest in your relationship with the Lord, as you would a friend?

Further Reading:
Mark 3:10-12
Acts 8:9-25
Acts 16:16-18
Philippians 2:5-11
Hebrews 2:5-18

Discover how to trade superstition for steady faith by focusing on Jesus rather than the religious practices and objects that remind us of Him. Through the story of the sons of Sceva in Acts 19, explore why invoking Jesus&rsquo; name is not a formula for getting what we want and why spiritual growth comes from knowing and trusting Him. Whether you keep a cross nearby, read Scripture daily, or rely on familiar prayers for comfort, consider how these practices can deepen your relationship with God instead of becoming substitutes for it. Learn practical ways to build authentic faith, trust in Christ&rsquo;s victory over darkness, and pursue a closer walk with the Lord.
Highlights
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Understand the difference between genuine Christian faith and superstition rooted in religious objects or rituals.
</li>
<li>
Explore Acts 19 and the account of the sons of Sceva to discover why Jesus&rsquo; name is not a magical formula.
</li>
<li>
Recognize that the power of salvation and victory over darkness comes from Jesus Christ Himself.
</li>
<li>
Learn how crosses, Bibles, prayer, and other spiritual practices can serve as reminders of faith without replacing a relationship with God.
</li>
<li>
Reflect on whether any religious habits have become ways of seeking control or protection rather than trusting the Lord.
</li>
<li>
Discover why authentic spiritual growth comes from knowing Jesus and relying on His finished work on the cross.
</li>
<li>
Consider practical ways to invest in your relationship with God and develop a steady, sincere faith.
</li>
</ul>
Click to Listen to&nbsp;Signs of Life:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Trading Superstition for Steady Faith By: Sophia Bricker
Bible Reading: &ldquo;When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor&rdquo; (Acts 19:17, NIV).
A card and a cross. Those were the two items I regularly kept with me during my first year of middle school, or junior high as it is sometimes known. The card bore the picture of Saint Patrick with a blessing printed on the back, which I kept in my pocket or bag while at school. But the cross? I wore it every day regardless of outfit or occasion. Like the card, it was Celtic-inspired, an Irish pewter cross with a clover in the middle.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To many, this could have looked like an attestation to faith. Far from it. At the time, I did not know or follow Christ. Instead, I found comfort in the strength that these items seemed to hold, as if the presence of the card or necklace could protect me. I was bullied relentlessly in middle school, so perhaps the superstitious possession of these items was a grasp at safety. Regardless, the items held great power in my mind. I had mistaken a symbol for the truth being symbolized.&nbsp;
Only later did I learn that the power of the cross, or the example of a saint&rsquo;s life, comes only because of the crucified and resurrected Christ.&nbsp;
Some Jewish people did something similar during the early days of the church. In the book of Acts, we read about itinerant exorcists, the sons of Sceva, attempting to invoke the name of Jesus through Paul's name to drive out demons. Undoubtedly, they had heard about the power of Christ to free people from the control of spirits and so assumed that merely saying His name would work to drive away the demons. They were mistaken.&nbsp;
One day, the evil spirit replied to the men attempting to drive him out: &ldquo;Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?&rdquo; (Acts 19:15, NIV). Instead of leaving victorious that day over the realms of darkness, as they had attempted, they were left beaten and bloodied (Acts 19:16). Their experience showed that Jesus&rsquo; name is not a magical word that can be wielded for man&rsquo;s purposes. Superstition cannot replace true faith.&nbsp;
One day, every knee will bow to the name of our Lord Jesus, creatures and spirits alike (Philippians 2:9-11). Even now, demons tremble at the power of the Savior. The lack is not in Christ, for He has defeated the powers of darkness, making a spectacle of them on the cross (Colossians 2:15). But the power is in the Person, not the name alone. Paul and the other apostles could drive out spirits and perform miracles only because of Jesus&ndash;they knew the Lord and had trusted in the salvation He died to give.&nbsp;
Of course, today, we are not likely to attempt to invoke the name of Christ in the matter of demon possession. Those in other parts of the world who face more concrete spiritual attacks know that the strength to combat the works of Satan comes from Christ, not the act of speaking words. However, we could still fall into the trap of thinking that certain rituals or objects provide us with safety. Even prayer can be used in this way, when we think the Lord will be more likely to hear us for our many words (Matthew 6:6-8).&nbsp;
Let us not make the mistake of confusing the symbols for the truth symbolized. A wooden cross or crucifix hanging on our wall is a strong reminder of Jesus&rsquo; sacrifice; yet it alone, divorced from the Person of the Savior, has no power to save. The Bible we keep by our bedsides contains the precious promises of God; It does not convey the promises merely by our owning a copy of Scripture. Similarly, we could study beautiful paintings of believers following Christ throughout history, but doing so would not automatically make us grow in sanctification. Symbols and spiritual rhythms have their place as long as we do not mistake them for the real things: Jesus and our relationship with Him.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Is there anything in your life that has taken a superstitious turn&ndash;&ndash;prayer, Bible reading, keeping religious items? Of course, these things are good and right, but anything can be used incorrectly if treated as a talisman to guard against harm. What might you do today to trade this superstition for steady faith?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
What are some practical steps you can take this week to invest in your relationship with the Lord, as you would a friend?
Further Reading: Mark 3:10-12 Acts 8:9-25 Acts 16:16-18 Philippians 2:5-11 Hebrews 2:5-18

Trading Superstition for Steady Faith

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/bc790530-cbcc-4fc4-a9bb-b4ec013c16c8/transcript

Is protecting your peace selfish, or is it biblical? When daily demands, stress, conflict, and constant noise leave you feeling exhausted, setting healthy boundaries can feel uncomfortable. But the Bible shows that protecting your peace can be a way to care for your spiritual well-being and reconnect with God. In Luke 5:16, Jesus regularly withdrew to quiet places to pray, demonstrating that even amid a demanding ministry, time alone with the Father mattered. Rather than allowing busyness, fear, or other people’s expectations to control your life, you can follow Jesus’ example by making room for prayer, rest, and a heart grounded in God’s presence.

Highlights


Discover why protecting your peace is biblical and how Jesus modeled solitude and prayer in Luke 5:16.


Learn how quiet time with God can restore your spirit, refocus your heart, and help you carry life’s burdens.


Explore how Jesus sleeping during a storm demonstrates trust in God even when circumstances feel frightening.


Understand how rest can become an opportunity to exercise faith rather than give in to worry.


See how Jesus’ silence before false accusations reveals the strength of responding with wisdom instead of reacting in anger.


Identify healthy boundaries that help you communicate clearly and protect your spiritual and emotional well-being.


Reflect on practical ways to reconnect with God, surrender your fears, and cultivate peace in stressful seasons.

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

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

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Do you want to listen ad-free?

When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! 

Sign Up Today!

Full Transcript Below:

3 Reasons "Protecting Your Peace" Isn't Selfish, It's Biblical

By: Lia Girard

Bible Reading:

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

– Luke 5:16, NIV 

“Protecting my peace” is a popular saying these days. Possibly because in a world that’s developing at warp speed, peace feels harder to find, and nearly impossible to guard and honor. Sometimes “I’m protecting my peace” is the only way you and I know how to say, “I’m exhausted and can’t think straight,” or even “I need to figure out a sleep schedule.” 

But beyond any scattered desires to turn down noise or declutter, protecting the gift of peace that Jesus provides is far more than simple self-care. It’s a sacred practice that invites you to experience a peace that surpasses understanding. And to help you grasp the importance of protecting this peace, here are three of many reasons Jesus modeled it in the Bible.
 Jesus chose peace to reconnect with God.

Luke 5:16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” This tiny-but-mighty eight-word bit of scripture proves that even God prioritizes peaceful solitude—so you can, too. Jesus encourages you to remove yourself from crowded, overstimulating, demanding places, to go somewhere alone.

Following Jesus’ example, you can use this alone time to recenter yourself and reconnect your heart to God’s will. When the only sound is your prayer or your breath, you may more easily sense his supernatural presence. Here, you can ask God to refill your empty spirit and tend to your weary soul. Protect this habit of going to a quiet place to pray, because it reminds you that you can rely on God to lift your heavy burdens.
 Jesus still slept amid the storm.

If you wonder whether getting enough sleep is important for your faith journey, just look to Jesus’ example in the book of Mark. In the middle of a “furious squall” while waves careened over their boat, Mark 4:38-40 says:

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

I love that Jesus lives out what he teaches. His burning question to disciples who were panicking and wondering if God even cares was, “Do you still have no faith?” I like to believe that this is Jesus’ best living proof of Psalm 4:8, which says, "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." 

When you don’t allow yourself the peace of sleep because you choose to fret, you’re missing out on an opportunity to exercise your faith. 
 Jesus held onto the truth in silence, instead of being triggered into a fight.

In the book of Matthew, when Jesus is being cruelly and falsely accused in front of Pilate, Jesus chooses not to fight back. Matthew 27:12-14 describes the scene:

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.

Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”

But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

In a violent and evil event such as this, Jesus knew his accusers had no genuine desire to know the truth. He knew launching into any verbal defense would not change their hearts. Remaining silent is a bold demonstration of something I always like to say to my kids: “The truth is your strength.” 

Jesus demonstrates that he had no ego to defend. So he remains at peace and allows his accusers to expose their maniacal malice. He refuses to get riled up by a trial rigged against him. His silence proves that remaining peaceful is courageous protection of inner resolve. 

So if you ever feel your calm getting tossed around by demands, circumstances, or lies, know that God is offering you a way out. You can choose to protect the peace he gives you.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you think about ways you can reconnect with God and reorient your heart toward faith (instead of fear or anger), consider these questions:
What time of day or evening can I set aside to be alone with God?
What fear am I holding tightly that I can instead place in God’s hands?
What healthy boundary can I establish for myself so that I can communicate clearly, rather than simply argue?

Further Reading:

Hebrews 13:5 

John 2:24-25

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:19 

 

Is protecting your peace selfish, or is it biblical? When daily demands, stress, conflict, and constant noise leave you feeling exhausted, setting healthy boundaries can feel uncomfortable. But the Bible shows that protecting your peace can be a way to care for your spiritual well-being and reconnect with God. In Luke 5:16, Jesus regularly withdrew to quiet places to pray, demonstrating that even amid a demanding ministry, time alone with the Father mattered. Rather than allowing busyness, fear, or other people&rsquo;s expectations to control your life, you can follow Jesus&rsquo; example by making room for prayer, rest, and a heart grounded in God&rsquo;s presence.
Highlights
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Discover why protecting your peace is biblical and how Jesus modeled solitude and prayer in Luke 5:16.
</li>
<li>
Learn how quiet time with God can restore your spirit, refocus your heart, and help you carry life&rsquo;s burdens.
</li>
<li>
Explore how Jesus sleeping during a storm demonstrates trust in God even when circumstances feel frightening.
</li>
<li>
Understand how rest can become an opportunity to exercise faith rather than give in to worry.
</li>
<li>
See how Jesus&rsquo; silence before false accusations reveals the strength of responding with wisdom instead of reacting in anger.
</li>
<li>
Identify healthy boundaries that help you communicate clearly and protect your spiritual and emotional well-being.
</li>
<li>
Reflect on practical ways to reconnect with God, surrender your fears, and cultivate peace in stressful seasons.
</li>
</ul>
Click to Listen to Signs of Life:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
3 Reasons "Protecting Your Peace" Isn't Selfish, It's Biblical
By: Lia Girard
Bible Reading:
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
&ndash;&nbsp;Luke 5:16, NIV&nbsp;
&ldquo;Protecting my peace&rdquo; is a popular saying these days. Possibly because in a world that&rsquo;s developing at warp speed, peace feels harder to find, and nearly impossible to guard and honor. Sometimes &ldquo;I&rsquo;m protecting my peace&rdquo; is the only way you and I know how to say, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m exhausted and can&rsquo;t think straight,&rdquo; or even &ldquo;I need to figure out a sleep schedule.&rdquo;&nbsp;
But beyond any scattered desires to turn down noise or declutter, protecting the gift of peace that Jesus provides is far more than simple self-care. It&rsquo;s a sacred practice that invites you to experience a peace that surpasses understanding. And to help you grasp the importance of protecting this peace, here are three of many reasons Jesus modeled it in the Bible.
<ol>
<li> Jesus chose peace to reconnect with God.</li>
</ol>
Luke 5:16 says, &ldquo;But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.&rdquo; This tiny-but-mighty eight-word bit of scripture proves that even God prioritizes peaceful solitude&mdash;so you can, too. Jesus encourages you to remove yourself from crowded, overstimulating, demanding places, to go somewhere alone.
Following Jesus&rsquo; example, you can use this alone time to recenter yourself and reconnect your heart to God&rsquo;s will. When the only sound is your prayer or your breath, you may more easily sense his supernatural presence. Here, you can ask God to refill your empty spirit and tend to your weary soul. Protect this habit of going to a quiet place to pray, because it reminds you that you can rely on God to lift your heavy burdens.
<ol>
<li> Jesus still slept amid the storm.</li>
</ol>
If you wonder whether getting enough sleep is important for your faith journey, just look to Jesus&rsquo; example in the book of Mark. In the middle of a &ldquo;furious squall&rdquo; while waves careened over their boat, Mark 4:38-40 says:
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, &ldquo;Teacher, don&rsquo;t you care if we drown?&rdquo; He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, &ldquo;Quiet! Be still!&rdquo; Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, &ldquo;Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?&rdquo;
I love that Jesus lives out what he teaches. His burning question to disciples who were panicking and wondering if God even cares was, &ldquo;Do you still have no faith?&rdquo; I like to believe that this is Jesus&rsquo; best living proof of Psalm 4:8, which says, "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."&nbsp;
When you don&rsquo;t allow yourself the peace of sleep because you choose to fret, you&rsquo;re missing out on an opportunity to exercise your faith.&nbsp;
<ol>
<li> Jesus held onto the truth in silence, instead of being triggered into a fight.</li>
</ol>
In the book of Matthew, when Jesus is being cruelly and falsely accused in front of Pilate, Jesus chooses not to fight back. Matthew 27:12-14 describes the scene:
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.
Then Pilate asked him, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?&rdquo;
But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge&mdash;to the great amazement of the governor.
In a violent and evil event such as this, Jesus knew his accusers had no genuine desire to know the truth. He knew launching into any verbal defense would not change their hearts. Remaining silent is a bold demonstration of something I always like to say to my kids: &ldquo;The truth is your strength.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Jesus demonstrates that he had no ego to defend. So he remains at peace and allows his accusers to expose their maniacal malice. He refuses to get riled up by a trial rigged against him. His silence proves that remaining peaceful is courageous protection of inner resolve.&nbsp;
So if you ever feel your calm getting tossed around by demands, circumstances, or lies, know that God is offering you a way out. You can choose to protect the peace he gives you.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As you think about ways you can reconnect with God and reorient your heart toward faith (instead of fear or anger), consider these questions:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What time of day or evening can I set aside to be alone with God?</li>
<li aria-level="1">What fear am I holding tightly that I can instead place in God&rsquo;s hands?</li>
<li aria-level="1">What healthy boundary can I establish for myself so that I can communicate clearly, rather than simply argue?</li>
</ul>
Further Reading:
Hebrews 13:5&nbsp;
John 2:24-25
Romans 12:2
Romans 12:19&nbsp;
&nbsp;

3 Reasons “Protecting Your Peace” Isn’t Selfish - It’s Biblical

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/96921fd7-f225-45d5-a4fe-b4e800d4a085/transcript

Discover how the Holy Spirit’s intercession offers hope when you feel too weary, discouraged, or heartbroken to pray. God knows you intimately and understands what you need before you can express it. Even when your only prayer is a quiet plea for help, you can trust that He is present and attentive to your pain. Learn how to bring your deepest emotions and hardest struggles to God without fear or shame, deepen your relationship with Him during difficult seasons, and rest in the assurance that you are never alone. When words fail, God’s love and the Spirit’s intercession remain.

Highlights


Understand what Romans 8:26-27 teaches about the Holy Spirit interceding for us in our weakness.


Find comfort in knowing God hears you even when you cannot find the words to pray.


Discover how the Holy Spirit helps carry your deepest needs to God when life’s trials feel overwhelming.


Remember that God remains present even when He feels distant during difficult seasons.


Learn why you can bring your deepest emotions, fears, and struggles to God without pretending to have everything together.


Find encouragement to trust God through financial stress, family difficulties, illness, and other ongoing hardships.


Reflect on what you have struggled to bring to God and take a step toward Him in honest, heartfelt prayer.

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

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

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Do you want to listen ad-free?

When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! 

Sign Up Today!

Full Transcript Below:

The Lord Intercedes for Us
By: Michelle Lazurek

Bible Reading:
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” - Romans 8:26-27

It was a summer of trial. It was one thing after another, with no end in sight. My husband and I prayed together and clung to God's promises. We read the Word and hoped God would lessen the trials and be a little more merciful. But it never stopped. My husband’s income became volatile. My daughter’s car died, right after her hours were dramatically reduced at her job. My son moved away with no opportunity to see him in the near future. It was all too much. For several months afterward, trials kept coming hard and fast; they were actually comical. Each week brought something new to our home that we had to fix. One night, as I got into bed, I considered praying. However, I had no words to pray. 

Instead, I repeated the word “help” in my mind. The tears streamed down my face and onto my pillow; I remembered this verse in that moment. This is what it's like for the Holy Spirit to intervene for us with wordless groans. The Spirit knows exactly what we need even when we cannot articulate or formulate the words to pray in an intelligible language. When I’ve been in so much pain due to illness, I’ll groan to find relief from the pain. This is why the Spirit groans—to help find us relief from our pain. 

The good news is that because God knows us intimately and knows everything about us, he already knows what we need before we express it. The genius of the gospel is that we don't need to have the right words or say exactly what we need to express. Even when we don't pray and ask for exactly what we need, the Holy Spirit’s love and omniscience carry our requests to His ears. 

Isn’t it nice to know we don’t have to have it all together to have an intimate relationship with God? We have all gone through difficult trials in our lives. But some seasons seem harder than others. When it feels as if God is being relentless and allowing trials to transform our character, we can take solace in knowing that we don't need to pray the right words—or even pray any words at all. All we need to do is come to the Spirit with a contrite heart, and he will do the rest.

Is there something that you have not taken the time to pray for? 

Is there something that you've not brought to God because it's simply too difficult for you to express? Perhaps you have a wayward child, a difficult relationship, or some other hardship that is preventing you from having an intimate relationship with God. Everyone goes through dry spiritual times. Simply because God feels distant does not mean he is. Instead, he is always present with us. Even if we cannot feel his presence, we can take comfort in knowing he is with us, knows exactly what we need, and his Spirit intercedes for us. 

Don’t be afraid to bring to God your deepest, darkest feelings. It is not unknown to God. In fact, it is downright silly to hide our deepest feelings from God because he knows us so intimately—he even knows how many hairs are on our heads! God wants us to come to him with our feelings because he loves us. He never asks us to be perfect to be a part of God’s kingdom. 

Father, thank you for knowing us intimately. Thank you for sending your Spirit to be our advocate, even in times of great trial. Take comfort in knowing that you are interceding for us with groans that only God can hear and understand. Remind us that God will answer our deepest groanings. Amen.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

What is an area of your life that you have difficulty bringing to God? Take a moment to bring it to Him now. 

Further Reading:

Matthew 26:49

Discover how the Holy Spirit&rsquo;s intercession offers hope when you feel too weary, discouraged, or heartbroken to pray. God knows you intimately and understands what you need before you can express it. Even when your only prayer is a quiet plea for help, you can trust that He is present and attentive to your pain. Learn how to bring your deepest emotions and hardest struggles to God without fear or shame, deepen your relationship with Him during difficult seasons, and rest in the assurance that you are never alone. When words fail, God&rsquo;s love and the Spirit&rsquo;s intercession remain.
Highlights
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Understand what Romans 8:26-27 teaches about the Holy Spirit interceding for us in our weakness.
</li>
<li>
Find comfort in knowing God hears you even when you cannot find the words to pray.
</li>
<li>
Discover how the Holy Spirit helps carry your deepest needs to God when life&rsquo;s trials feel overwhelming.
</li>
<li>
Remember that God remains present even when He feels distant during difficult seasons.
</li>
<li>
Learn why you can bring your deepest emotions, fears, and struggles to God without pretending to have everything together.
</li>
<li>
Find encouragement to trust God through financial stress, family difficulties, illness, and other ongoing hardships.
</li>
<li>
Reflect on what you have struggled to bring to God and take a step toward Him in honest, heartfelt prayer.
</li>
</ul>
Click to Listen to Signs of Life:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
The Lord Intercedes for Us By: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading: &ldquo;In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit&nbsp;himself intercedes for us&nbsp;through wordless groans.&nbsp;And he who searches our hearts&nbsp;knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes&nbsp;for God&rsquo;s people in accordance with the will of God.&rdquo; - Romans 8:26-27
It was a summer of trial. It was one thing after another, with no end in sight. My husband and I prayed together and clung to God's promises. We read the Word and hoped God would lessen the trials and be a little more merciful. But it never stopped. My husband&rsquo;s income became volatile. My daughter&rsquo;s car died, right after her hours were dramatically reduced at her job. My son moved away with no opportunity to see him in the near future. It was all too much. For several months afterward, trials kept coming hard and fast; they were actually comical. Each week brought something new to our home that we had to fix. One night, as I got into bed, I considered praying. However, I had no words to pray.&nbsp;
Instead, I repeated the word &ldquo;help&rdquo; in my mind. The tears streamed down my face and onto my pillow; I remembered this verse in that moment. This is what it's like for the Holy Spirit to intervene for us with wordless groans. The Spirit knows exactly what we need even when we cannot articulate or formulate the words to pray in an intelligible language. When I&rsquo;ve been in so much pain due to illness, I&rsquo;ll groan to find relief from the pain. This is why the Spirit groans&mdash;to help find us relief from our pain.&nbsp;
The good news is that because God knows us intimately and knows everything about us, he already knows what we need before we express it. The genius of the gospel is that we don't need to have the right words or say exactly what we need to express. Even when we don't pray and ask for exactly what we need, the Holy Spirit&rsquo;s love and omniscience carry our requests to His ears.&nbsp;
Isn&rsquo;t it nice to know we don&rsquo;t have to have it all together to have an intimate relationship with God? We have all gone through difficult trials in our lives. But some seasons seem harder than others. When it feels as if God is being relentless and allowing trials to transform our character, we can take solace in knowing that we don't need to pray the right words&mdash;or even pray any words at all. All we need to do is come to the Spirit with a contrite heart, and he will do the rest.
Is there something that you have not taken the time to pray for?&nbsp;
Is there something that you've not brought to God because it's simply too difficult for you to express? Perhaps you have a wayward child, a difficult relationship, or some other hardship that is preventing you from having an intimate relationship with God. Everyone goes through dry spiritual times. Simply because God feels distant does not mean he is. Instead, he is always present with us. Even if we cannot feel his presence, we can take comfort in knowing he is with us, knows exactly what we need, and his Spirit intercedes for us.&nbsp;
Don&rsquo;t be afraid to bring to God your deepest, darkest feelings. It is not unknown to God. In fact, it is downright silly to hide our deepest feelings from God because he knows us so intimately&mdash;he even knows how many hairs are on our heads! God wants us to come to him with our feelings because he loves us. He never asks us to be perfect to be a part of God&rsquo;s kingdom.&nbsp;
Father, thank you for knowing us intimately. Thank you for sending your Spirit to be our advocate, even in times of great trial. Take comfort in knowing that you are interceding for us with groans that only God can hear and understand. Remind us that God will answer our deepest groanings. Amen.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
What is an area of your life that you have difficulty bringing to God? Take a moment to bring it to Him now.&nbsp;
Further Reading:
Matthew 26:49

The Lord Intercedes for Us

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/ebd92331-2c46-47fc-8711-b4e800d49d2c/transcript

Peace in Troubled Times: The #1 Way to Navigate Uncertainty & Worry

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