Life is pretty tough already but, is much more enjoyable when we celebrate each other! 

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/

Life is pretty tough already but, is much more enjoyable when we celebrate each other! 
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

Cheering Instead of Competing

In today’s devotional, we explore Matthew 7:11, which reminds us of God’s incredible generosity. We reflect on personal experiences of growing up with a mindset of earning everything and how that can shape our understanding of God’s gifts. We discuss the importance of accepting God’s good gifts without feeling the need to earn them, recognizing that He delights in blessing us simply because we are His children. Learn to increase your faith and trust that God wants to shower you with blessings!

Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! Do you try to earn good gifts from God? How can you accept God’s good gifts without feeling like you need to work for them? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another in embracing God’s generosity!

🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:Listen Here

Full Transcript Below:

Ask for Good Gifts

Bible Reading:
“If you, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” — Matthew 7:11

Growing up, I worked for everything I had. Rarely did my parents give me something for free. When I reached my teen years and was old enough to get a job, I'd pay for anything I wanted out of pocket. My parents didn't just give me luxuries in life; I had to earn them. I paid out of pocket for every prom dress and every Driver's Ed course.

When I became a born-again Christian at 18, this affected how I saw God and His generosity. Because I didn't have parents who just handed me money, I often felt I had to work to gain God's approval and good gifts. In one of our first churches, we led a small group. One day, before the holidays, we discussed some of our childhood gifts that we never received but wanted. I remarked that I always wanted an Easy Bake Oven.

Although my parents were generous during Christmas, there were some gifts I never received. The Easy Bake Oven was one of them. After we resumed the group after the holidays, the group handed me a gift. When I unwrapped it, it was the Easy Bake Oven! It made me feel incredibly loved, and I was glad my group went out of its way to present me with a gift I had always wanted. In that moment, I understood God's generosity a little better.

Although I work for luxuries in life, this is something I still struggle with today. I still hesitate to ask Him for the big requests in life. One day, in my quiet time, God whispered to my heart: “You wait for the other shoe to drop.” That convicted me deep down in my soul. It was true. When I received something good, I always waited for the subsequent lousy thing to happen. I never realized how much this skewed my worldview of God, but it did. I was trying to earn those good gifts in life yet again.

The above verse speaks to God's generosity. As a parent, I love watching my kids open gifts on Christmas, or the look on their faces when we give them a gift simply because of who they are. My heart leaps with joy when I watch my children enjoy a good gift. It’s the same with the Lord. He delights in giving His children good gifts. He does not expect us to earn them, as there's nothing we can do to earn God's love, approval, or salvation. God delights in watching us get something we always wanted.

God’s generosity knows no bounds. We cannot outgive God. What we give out of obedience to others, God can triple, quadruple, or even provide a hundredfold more than we can ever give. Furthermore, He already gave His ultimate sacrifice: His life for our sins. I'll never be able to match that level of generosity.

Do you try to work for the good gifts in life as well? Do you tend to minimize your prayer requests simply because you fear the other shoe dropping? Increase your faith today and trust that God wants to give you good gifts simply because you are His child. There's nothing you can do to earn those good gifts. Accept God's good gifts (including salvation), knowing that God delights in giving these good gifts to you. God delights in giving good gifts to His children. Because you are His child, you are one of His greatest gifts. God delights in you, too.

Prayer:
Father, allow us to accept Your good gifts every day. Let us not try to earn our way to Your good gifts. Let us instead accept those good gifts, knowing that You delight in giving them. Let us pay forward Your generosity as we give sacrificially to others. Amen.

Intersecting Faith and Life:


Do you try to earn good gifts from God?


How can you accept God’s good gifts without earning them?

Further Reading:


James 1:17

In today&rsquo;s devotional, we explore Matthew 7:11, which reminds us of God&rsquo;s incredible generosity. We reflect on personal experiences of growing up with a mindset of earning everything and how that can shape our understanding of God&rsquo;s gifts. We discuss the importance of accepting God&rsquo;s good gifts without feeling the need to earn them, recognizing that He delights in blessing us simply because we are His children. Learn to increase your faith and trust that God wants to shower you with blessings!
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! Do you try to earn good gifts from God? How can you accept God&rsquo;s good gifts without feeling like you need to work for them? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let&rsquo;s support one another in embracing God&rsquo;s generosity!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/">Listen Here</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Ask for Good Gifts
Bible Reading: &ldquo;If you, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!&rdquo; &mdash; Matthew 7:11
Growing up, I worked for everything I had. Rarely did my parents give me something for free. When I reached my teen years and was old enough to get a job, I'd pay for anything I wanted out of pocket. My parents didn't just give me luxuries in life; I had to earn them. I paid out of pocket for every prom dress and every Driver's Ed course.
When I became a born-again Christian at 18, this affected how I saw God and His generosity. Because I didn't have parents who just handed me money, I often felt I had to work to gain God's approval and good gifts. In one of our first churches, we led a small group. One day, before the holidays, we discussed some of our childhood gifts that we never received but wanted. I remarked that I always wanted an Easy Bake Oven.
Although my parents were generous during Christmas, there were some gifts I never received. The Easy Bake Oven was one of them. After we resumed the group after the holidays, the group handed me a gift. When I unwrapped it, it was the Easy Bake Oven! It made me feel incredibly loved, and I was glad my group went out of its way to present me with a gift I had always wanted. In that moment, I understood God's generosity a little better.
Although I work for luxuries in life, this is something I still struggle with today. I still hesitate to ask Him for the big requests in life. One day, in my quiet time, God whispered to my heart: &ldquo;You wait for the other shoe to drop.&rdquo; That convicted me deep down in my soul. It was true. When I received something good, I always waited for the subsequent lousy thing to happen. I never realized how much this skewed my worldview of God, but it did. I was trying to earn those good gifts in life yet again.
The above verse speaks to God's generosity. As a parent, I love watching my kids open gifts on Christmas, or the look on their faces when we give them a gift simply because of who they are. My heart leaps with joy when I watch my children enjoy a good gift. It&rsquo;s the same with the Lord. He delights in giving His children good gifts. He does not expect us to earn them, as there's nothing we can do to earn God's love, approval, or salvation. God delights in watching us get something we always wanted.
God&rsquo;s generosity knows no bounds. We cannot outgive God. What we give out of obedience to others, God can triple, quadruple, or even provide a hundredfold more than we can ever give. Furthermore, He already gave His ultimate sacrifice: His life for our sins. I'll never be able to match that level of generosity.
Do you try to work for the good gifts in life as well? Do you tend to minimize your prayer requests simply because you fear the other shoe dropping? Increase your faith today and trust that God wants to give you good gifts simply because you are His child. There's nothing you can do to earn those good gifts. Accept God's good gifts (including salvation), knowing that God delights in giving these good gifts to you. God delights in giving good gifts to His children. Because you are His child, you are one of His greatest gifts. God delights in you, too.
Prayer: Father, allow us to accept Your good gifts every day. Let us not try to earn our way to Your good gifts. Let us instead accept those good gifts, knowing that You delight in giving them. Let us pay forward Your generosity as we give sacrificially to others. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
<ul>
<li>
Do you try to earn good gifts from God?
</li>
<li>
How can you accept God&rsquo;s good gifts without earning them?
</li>
</ul>
Further Reading:
<ul>
<li>
James 1:17
</li>
</ul>

Ask for Good Gifts

In this uplifting devotional, we explore the powerful truth that when people walk out of our lives, God walks in. Using Deuteronomy 31:8 as a foundation, we reflect on how God is always present, offering support, love, and healing even in our darkest moments. We discuss how Jesus empathizes with our struggles and invites us to maintain an open line of communication with Him. Experience the transformative power of God’s presence in your life, and discover how He can turn your brokenness into beauty.

Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! How does it feel to know that when people walk out of your life, God walks in and rescues you? Will you trust Jesus Christ to be your light in the darkness? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another as we grow in faith!

🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:Listen Here

Full Transcript Below:

When God Walks into Your Life
A devotional by Alexis A. Goring

Bible Reading:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” — Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

Years ago, I heard someone say, “When people walk out, God walks in!” I have found that statement to be true because I’ve seen how sometimes, you may be too much for people, but you’re never too much for God! He never tires of hearing from you and is always willing to help.

The song “God You Are” by We Are Messengers speaks about how God steps into our dark places in life to help us. He’s not afraid of what intimidates and devastates us and repels others. Not at all! The Bible says Jesus Christ is always with us (Matthew 28:20) and He has overcome the world (John 16:33). This means that absolutely nothing, human-made or supernatural, frightens our Savior. He’s fearless! And He’s able to save us from anything and everything. Jesus understands the human condition. That’s why He left the perfection of Heaven and stepped into our imperfect world darkened by sin (John 3:16-17).

The Bible says He’s acquainted with our grief and pain (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus knows and empathizes deeply with everything we go through because He became human and walked on this Earth for 33 years. The last three years of His life were spent in public ministry to the masses. People sought Him out for healing and hope. And Jesus faithfully, compassionately, and effectively met their every need.

Our Savior is living forever, serving as our High Priest in Heaven (Hebrews 4:14-16), and He still heals us on Earth today! We can go to Jesus in prayer and ask Him for anything and everything we need. He’s also here to listen to our heartache. He loves it when we keep an open line of communication with Him, day-in and day-out, talking to Him like our Best Friend about everything on our hearts. Nothing is too big or too small to bring to God in prayer. He loves you with all His heart and wants to hear from you and be there for you.

I learned this Biblical truth firsthand because God was with me in one of the darkest seasons of my life. When I experienced a major health crisis that pushed people away because they were afraid of what I was going through, God stepped into my dark time and shone the Light of Jesus Christ into my soul. Just like the Bible says in Psalm 40:1-2 (NIRV), God heard my cry for help. I was sliding down into the pit of death, and He pulled me out. He brought me up out of mud and dirt and set my feet on a rock, giving me a firm place to stand.

God didn’t just rescue and restore me; He secured my position in His Kingdom and gave me strength to make it through my trials. When people walked out of my life, God walked in, transforming me from the inside out and renewing Christ’s place in my heart. Now the light of Jesus Christ that shines through me draws people, replacing the darkness that once repelled them. That’s the beauty of what happens when you give your life to Christ and let Him into your heart. He transforms you and reaches the people around you with the good news that He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life (John 14:6).

When people can see Jesus in you, it makes them want to know Him for themselves. God can take the broken pieces that Satan left behind when he tried to destroy you and make masterpieces out of your brokenness. Fern Bernstein, an author, said, “Only God can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victor.” I have found that saying to be completely true because that’s what God did for me, and I see how He’s done it for so many others—people who I don’t know who are famous and those who I do know personally in everyday life away from the spotlight and world stage.

I hope today’s message has encouraged your heart and reminded you that no matter how dark the night, you can invite Jesus in to be your light that dispels darkness. In closing, I would like for you to listen to these two songs below (“God You Are” and “You’re Gonna Be Okay”) then pause to reflect. Remember, God loves you and He’ll always be there for you.

Song of Reflection #1: “God You Are” by We Are Messengers (feat. Josh Baldwin). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “You're Gonna Be Okay” (Lyric Video) - Brian & Jenn Johnson. Listen to it here.

Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does it feel to know that when people walk out of your life, God walks in and rescues you? Will you trust Jesus Christ to be your light in the darkness?

Further Reading:


Psalm 16:8


Psalm 27:1


Psalm 118:6


Isaiah 41:10


Isaiah 52:12

In this uplifting devotional, we explore the powerful truth that when people walk out of our lives, God walks in. Using Deuteronomy 31:8 as a foundation, we reflect on how God is always present, offering support, love, and healing even in our darkest moments. We discuss how Jesus empathizes with our struggles and invites us to maintain an open line of communication with Him. Experience the transformative power of God&rsquo;s presence in your life, and discover how He can turn your brokenness into beauty.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How does it feel to know that when people walk out of your life, God walks in and rescues you? Will you trust Jesus Christ to be your light in the darkness? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let&rsquo;s support one another as we grow in faith!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/" data-start="991" data-end="1052">Listen Here</a>
<hr data-start="1054" data-end="1057">
Full Transcript Below:
When God Walks into Your Life A devotional by Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading: &ldquo;The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.&rdquo; &mdash; Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Years ago, I heard someone say, &ldquo;When people walk out, God walks in!&rdquo; I have found that statement to be true because I&rsquo;ve seen how sometimes, you may be too much for people, but you&rsquo;re never too much for God! He never tires of hearing from you and is always willing to help.
The song &ldquo;God You Are&rdquo; by We Are Messengers speaks about how God steps into our dark places in life to help us. He&rsquo;s not afraid of what intimidates and devastates us and repels others. Not at all! The Bible says Jesus Christ is always with us (Matthew 28:20) and He has overcome the world (John 16:33). This means that absolutely nothing, human-made or supernatural, frightens our Savior. He&rsquo;s fearless! And He&rsquo;s able to save us from anything and everything. Jesus understands the human condition. That&rsquo;s why He left the perfection of Heaven and stepped into our imperfect world darkened by sin (John 3:16-17).
The Bible says He&rsquo;s acquainted with our grief and pain (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus knows and empathizes deeply with everything we go through because He became human and walked on this Earth for 33 years. The last three years of His life were spent in public ministry to the masses. People sought Him out for healing and hope. And Jesus faithfully, compassionately, and effectively met their every need.
Our Savior is living forever, serving as our High Priest in Heaven (Hebrews 4:14-16), and He still heals us on Earth today! We can go to Jesus in prayer and ask Him for anything and everything we need. He&rsquo;s also here to listen to our heartache. He loves it when we keep an open line of communication with Him, day-in and day-out, talking to Him like our Best Friend about everything on our hearts. Nothing is too big or too small to bring to God in prayer. He loves you with all His heart and wants to hear from you and be there for you.
I learned this Biblical truth firsthand because God was with me in one of the darkest seasons of my life. When I experienced a major health crisis that pushed people away because they were afraid of what I was going through, God stepped into my dark time and shone the Light of Jesus Christ into my soul. Just like the Bible says in Psalm 40:1-2 (NIRV), God heard my cry for help. I was sliding down into the pit of death, and He pulled me out. He brought me up out of mud and dirt and set my feet on a rock, giving me a firm place to stand.
God didn&rsquo;t just rescue and restore me; He secured my position in His Kingdom and gave me strength to make it through my trials. When people walked out of my life, God walked in, transforming me from the inside out and renewing Christ&rsquo;s place in my heart. Now the light of Jesus Christ that shines through me draws people, replacing the darkness that once repelled them. That&rsquo;s the beauty of what happens when you give your life to Christ and let Him into your heart. He transforms you and reaches the people around you with the good news that He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life (John 14:6).
When people can see Jesus in you, it makes them want to know Him for themselves. God can take the broken pieces that Satan left behind when he tried to destroy you and make masterpieces out of your brokenness. Fern Bernstein, an author, said, &ldquo;Only God can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victor.&rdquo; I have found that saying to be completely true because that&rsquo;s what God did for me, and I see how He&rsquo;s done it for so many others&mdash;people who I don&rsquo;t know who are famous and those who I do know personally in everyday life away from the spotlight and world stage.
I hope today&rsquo;s message has encouraged your heart and reminded you that no matter how dark the night, you can invite Jesus in to be your light that dispels darkness. In closing, I would like for you to listen to these two songs below (&ldquo;God You Are&rdquo; and &ldquo;You&rsquo;re Gonna Be Okay&rdquo;) then pause to reflect. Remember, God loves you and He&rsquo;ll always be there for you.
Song of Reflection #1: &ldquo;God You Are&rdquo; by We Are Messengers (feat. Josh Baldwin). Listen to it <a href="https://youtu2.be/PducS0rwLkM?si=ZEF59TfeDEhqTdpQ" data-start="5383" data-end="5440">here</a>.
Song of Reflection #2: &ldquo;You're Gonna Be Okay&rdquo; (Lyric Video) - Brian &amp; Jenn Johnson. Listen to it <a href="https://youtu.be/LjF9IqvXDjY?si=0PAC2ZNgP9Y7Sjhw" data-start="5544" data-end="5600">here</a>.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life: How does it feel to know that when people walk out of your life, God walks in and rescues you? Will you trust Jesus Christ to be your light in the darkness?
Further Reading:
<ul data-start="5817" data-end="5896" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">
<li data-start="5817" data-end="5831">
Psalm 16:8
</li>
<li data-start="5832" data-end="5846">
Psalm 27:1
</li>
<li data-start="5847" data-end="5862">
Psalm 118:6
</li>
<li data-start="5863" data-end="5879">
Isaiah 41:10
</li>
<li data-start="5880" data-end="5896">
Isaiah 52:12
</li>
</ul>

When God Walks into Your Life

Episode Summary:
In this episode, we address the challenging emotions that come with doubt and uncertainty in our faith journeys. It’s natural to question and seek understanding, especially during difficult times. We’ll explore biblical examples of doubt, practical steps for navigating these feelings, and how to find hope and reassurance in God’s promises even when our faith feels shaky.

Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! How do you handle moments of doubt in your faith? What helps you regain confidence in God? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let’s support one another as we seek answers and strengthen our faith together!

🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER:Listen Here

Full Transcript Below:

Believing, Even When We Are Afflicted
By Sarah Frazer

Bible Reading:
"I believed, even when I said, 'I am severely afflicted.'" — Psalm 116:10 (HCSB)

One day, when my son was only eight years old, he was walking our dog down the street. Usually, the dog is pretty calm and doesn’t pull the leash. That day, my son wasn’t even gone for five minutes before I heard a scream. When I looked out the window, I saw him running back toward the house. The dog was pulling frantically on the leash to go back down the street.

After my son entered the house, I bent down and examined him. He was bleeding on his knee and his t-shirt was ripped. He was crying and holding his arm as well. As I cared for his cuts and bruises, he told me that the normally calm dog had seen a squirrel. I knew then what had caused the fall. Although a quiet and sweet dog, she had made it her life mission to rid the world of squirrels.

That day we decided that he might be too young to walk the dog until she either calmed down or he was stronger. Through all of the confusion, I realized something. My son had come to me right away after falling. He wasn’t angry with me; in fact, after taking that horrible spill, he ran directly to me.

As I thought about that simple act from my son, I couldn’t help but think about God. Throughout scripture, we see God reference Himself as “father” to us. In Psalm 116 today, we see the psalmist run to God, even when he is afflicted. Psalm 116 starts out with, “I love the Lord because He has heard my appeal for mercy.”

God’s ear is turned toward us. Just as my ears heard right away the scream from outside, I knew the sound of my son’s cries and immediately went toward him. You and I face devastating trials and afflictions year after year. Maybe you are in a season right now where one affliction after another seems to be piling up. It would be easy to avoid God during these times or even be angry with Him. What if, instead, we ran to God?

Over the years, I’ve learned that running to God is actually the best thing I can do. Why? Because His ears are listening for our prayers and cries to Him. The next verses in Psalm 116 detail how the psalmist suffered, even facing death, but God was his helper. I love verse ten because it seems to be the pinnacle of the psalm. He says, “I believed, even when I said, ‘I am severely afflicted.’”

What the psalmist is saying is that he did not shy away from telling God all about his afflictions. The pain did not keep him from crying out to God. And the heartache didn’t keep him from believing in God either. There are truths here that the psalmist hung onto, even when he was afflicted.

The truths we see here are God’s grace, righteousness, and compassion (Psalm 116:5). Where do we see those characteristics of God in our lives today? Jesus! Jesus was God’s righteousness for us. He lived a perfect life because we could not. He allowed His life to take our place so that when God sees you and me, He sees Jesus’ righteousness.

Jesus is also God’s grace to us. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” Jesus brought grace because He died on the cross, taking our place and punishment for us. Now, we are saved and brought into God’s family through grace once we accept Him as Savior.

God’s compassion is also evident in Jesus’ life. Jesus healed the sick, cured the lame, and even raised people from the dead. It says in Matthew 20:34, “Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they could see, and they followed Him.”

Even today, Jesus sits on the throne beside God interceding for us. Romans 8:34 says, “Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.” What compassion to think that Christ is always praying and speaking to God the Father about you and me!

The troubles and hardships we all face can sometimes cause us to doubt these truths about God. Does He love me? Does He care? Is He really in control? Those questions can lead us to look to the Bible.

This psalm is a great comfort to us because it does not deny that hard things happen. But Psalm 116 points us to the truth that God is loving, righteous, compassionate, and full of grace. In prayer, we can come to God and remember these things.

Intersecting Faith & Life:
After reading some verses about Jesus, how does this give you confidence to go to God with your cries for help? Knowing God listens to you and hears your prayers, does this cause you to pray more or less? Psalm 116 also talks about death. As Christians, what hope do we have that death is not our enemy anymore?

Further Reading:


Psalm 116


Matthew 20:29-34


Romans 8

Episode Summary: In this episode, we address the challenging emotions that come with doubt and uncertainty in our faith journeys. It&rsquo;s natural to question and seek understanding, especially during difficult times. We&rsquo;ll explore biblical examples of doubt, practical steps for navigating these feelings, and how to find hope and reassurance in God&rsquo;s promises even when our faith feels shaky.
Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! How do you handle moments of doubt in your faith? What helps you regain confidence in God? Share your thoughts and experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. Let&rsquo;s support one another as we seek answers and strengthen our faith together!
🎙 🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/" data-start="827" data-end="888">Listen Here</a>
<hr data-start="890" data-end="893">
Full Transcript Below:
Believing, Even When We Are Afflicted By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading: "I believed, even when I said, 'I am severely afflicted.'" &mdash; Psalm 116:10 (HCSB)
One day, when my son was only eight years old, he was walking our dog down the street. Usually, the dog is pretty calm and doesn&rsquo;t pull the leash. That day, my son wasn&rsquo;t even gone for five minutes before I heard a scream. When I looked out the window, I saw him running back toward the house. The dog was pulling frantically on the leash to go back down the street.
After my son entered the house, I bent down and examined him. He was bleeding on his knee and his t-shirt was ripped. He was crying and holding his arm as well. As I cared for his cuts and bruises, he told me that the normally calm dog had seen a squirrel. I knew then what had caused the fall. Although a quiet and sweet dog, she had made it her life mission to rid the world of squirrels.
That day we decided that he might be too young to walk the dog until she either calmed down or he was stronger. Through all of the confusion, I realized something. My son had come to me right away after falling. He wasn&rsquo;t angry with me; in fact, after taking that horrible spill, he ran directly to me.
As I thought about that simple act from my son, I couldn&rsquo;t help but think about God. Throughout scripture, we see God reference Himself as &ldquo;father&rdquo; to us. In Psalm 116 today, we see the psalmist run to God, even when he is afflicted. Psalm 116 starts out with, &ldquo;I love the Lord because He has heard my appeal for mercy.&rdquo;
God&rsquo;s ear is turned toward us. Just as my ears heard right away the scream from outside, I knew the sound of my son&rsquo;s cries and immediately went toward him. You and I face devastating trials and afflictions year after year. Maybe you are in a season right now where one affliction after another seems to be piling up. It would be easy to avoid God during these times or even be angry with Him. What if, instead, we ran to God?
Over the years, I&rsquo;ve learned that running to God is actually the best thing I can do. Why? Because His ears are listening for our prayers and cries to Him. The next verses in Psalm 116 detail how the psalmist suffered, even facing death, but God was his helper. I love verse ten because it seems to be the pinnacle of the psalm. He says, &ldquo;I believed, even when I said, &lsquo;I am severely afflicted.&rsquo;&rdquo;
What the psalmist is saying is that he did not shy away from telling God all about his afflictions. The pain did not keep him from crying out to God. And the heartache didn&rsquo;t keep him from believing in God either. There are truths here that the psalmist hung onto, even when he was afflicted.
The truths we see here are God&rsquo;s grace, righteousness, and compassion (Psalm 116:5). Where do we see those characteristics of God in our lives today? Jesus! Jesus was God&rsquo;s righteousness for us. He lived a perfect life because we could not. He allowed His life to take our place so that when God sees you and me, He sees Jesus&rsquo; righteousness.
Jesus is also God&rsquo;s grace to us. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, &ldquo;For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God&rsquo;s gift&mdash;not from works, so that no one can boast.&rdquo; Jesus brought grace because He died on the cross, taking our place and punishment for us. Now, we are saved and brought into God&rsquo;s family through grace once we accept Him as Savior.
God&rsquo;s compassion is also evident in Jesus&rsquo; life. Jesus healed the sick, cured the lame, and even raised people from the dead. It says in Matthew 20:34, &ldquo;Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they could see, and they followed Him.&rdquo;
Even today, Jesus sits on the throne beside God interceding for us. Romans 8:34 says, &ldquo;Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.&rdquo; What compassion to think that Christ is always praying and speaking to God the Father about you and me!
The troubles and hardships we all face can sometimes cause us to doubt these truths about God. Does He love me? Does He care? Is He really in control? Those questions can lead us to look to the Bible.
This psalm is a great comfort to us because it does not deny that hard things happen. But Psalm 116 points us to the truth that God is loving, righteous, compassionate, and full of grace. In prayer, we can come to God and remember these things.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life: After reading some verses about Jesus, how does this give you confidence to go to God with your cries for help? Knowing God listens to you and hears your prayers, does this cause you to pray more or less? Psalm 116 also talks about death. As Christians, what hope do we have that death is not our enemy anymore?
Further Reading:
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<li data-start="5732" data-end="5745">
Psalm 116
</li>
<li data-start="5746" data-end="5766">
Matthew 20:29-34
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<li data-start="5767" data-end="5777">
Romans 8
</li>
</ul>

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