The Christmas Season has also been called the Season of Hope. Much deeper than the wishes circled in toy catalogs and commercialized in gift wrap, Hope is anchored in the faithfulness of God. - Meg Bucher

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The Christmas Season has also been called the Season of Hope. Much deeper than the wishes circled in toy catalogs and commercialized in gift wrap, Hope is anchored in the faithfulness of God. - Meg Bucher 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

The Season of Hope

When a young adult walks away from faith, church, or the values they were raised with, the pain can be deep. Parents, pastors, mentors, and loved ones may wonder what went wrong and feel the urge to fix the situation. But when someone we love strays, Scripture reminds us that God is still at work, and our response can make a meaningful difference.

Loving a young adult who has stepped away from Christianity requires a balance of truth, grace, patience, and acceptance. Healthy Christian community can play an important role in helping people reconnect with their faith, but bringing someone back isn’t about forcing them to change. Instead, we can continue loving them, remain available, encourage healthy community, and extend the same grace God has shown us. Sometimes the most important question a young adult needs answered is simply, “Do you still love me?”

Highlights:
What to do when a young adult strays from faith or church
Why trying to “fix” a young adult can push them further away
How Christian community can help young adults reconnect with their faith
The difference between accepting someone and approving of their choices
Why love, grace, patience, and availability matter when someone is struggling spiritually
How to point young adults toward healthy communities of faith without forcing them
Remembering that God’s grace is available even when we make mistakes or stray

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

Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword

Do you want to listen ad-free?

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

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Full Transcript Below:

When the Young Adult That You Love Strays

By: Maina Mwaura 

Bible Reading:

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:6As a former youth pastor, one of the things that I cherish the most is running into former students. So in one week, two students that I had the privilege of ministering to crossed my path at the same time, which was not unusual, being that I have lived in the same city on and off for over twenty-five years. What was unusual was the differing paths that both students have taken. 

I can still remember when Thomas and Chris both made professions of faith at the same camp. It was a summer that I will never forget, as both boys, now young men, were also baptized the same day. As Thomas approached me in the middle of the grocery store, I still remembered his face. Just as I locked eyes with Thomas, his wife and kids came around the corner. All I could think of was WOW, time flies. Thomas and his wife both love the Lord, and Thomas is even involved in the same church that I was on staff at many years ago. I walked away from that encounter, thrilled that Thomas was still on track. Although there was a moment in his life when he strayed, he had found his way back. 

That same week, while eating lunch in another part of town, I ran into Chris. Chris walked in dressed in a suit and tie. He also looked just like he did in his former years. During my time with Chris, he mentioned that he cherished the years we had together, but that he had stepped outside the faith and hadn’t been involved in a church for years. 

As Chris walked away, I couldn’t help but reflect on what went wrong and right with both Chris and Thomas. Although that’s the human thing to do, author Jim Burns would say that’s the wrong place to start. Recently, I spent some time with Jim Burns, who has written on the topic of young adult issues and dynamics, and has a new book titled When Your Young Adult Child Strays. Jim is clear that when a young adult strays, putting on the martyr badge isn’t the step that we should be taking. During my time with Jim, he assured me that God is okay with mess-ups, and in fact, we have an entire Hall of Faith in Hebrews that confirms this. 

One of the key characteristics that both men mentioned during our time together was community. Both men mentioned either how much they loved their community or, in Thomas’ case, how much they missed it. Burns's research shows that 65% of young adults who strayed returned to their faith communities. I’m not surprised by this at all. Thomas mentioned that after he had strayed away from the church, it was his community of friends and a former Sunday School teacher who reached out to him in his time of need. Community, mixed in with being available for young adults, is one of the keys that brings those back who stray. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Both men whom I had the privilege of ministering to were unique and different in their life choices. During my time with Chris, it was Jim Burns's words that I had to stay focused on most. Chris has made some life choices that clearly go against scripture, and although I wanted to add my thoughts and opinions, I had to remember the words of Jim: acceptance doesn’t mean approval. Often, when young adults stray, we love them either as their parents or, in my case, former students in my youth ministry, and we want to fix them. Jesus never tries to fix us; in fact, he does the opposite. Young adults don’t want to be fixed. In fact, I would go as far as to say that people in general don’t want to be fixed. 

In bringing young adults back home into spiritually healthy communities, these three things will be of great help. Love them, try to point them into healthy communities of faith, and accept them for where they are in this stage of life. Another way is showing them the grace that you needed when you were their age. At the end of the day, according to Burns, young adults are simply asking, “Do you still love me”? 

When a young adult walks away from faith, church, or the values they were raised with, the pain can be deep. Parents, pastors, mentors, and loved ones may wonder what went wrong and feel the urge to fix the situation. But when someone we love strays, Scripture reminds us that God is still at work, and our response can make a meaningful difference.
Loving a young adult who has stepped away from Christianity requires a balance of truth, grace, patience, and acceptance. Healthy Christian community can play an important role in helping people reconnect with their faith, but bringing someone back isn&rsquo;t about forcing them to change. Instead, we can continue loving them, remain available, encourage healthy community, and extend the same grace God has shown us. Sometimes the most important question a young adult needs answered is simply, &ldquo;Do you still love me?&rdquo;
Highlights:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>What to do when a young adult strays from faith or church</li>
<li>Why trying to &ldquo;fix&rdquo; a young adult can push them further away</li>
<li>How Christian community can help young adults reconnect with their faith</li>
<li>The difference between accepting someone and approving of their choices</li>
<li>Why love, grace, patience, and availability matter when someone is struggling spiritually</li>
<li>How to point young adults toward healthy communities of faith without forcing them</li>
<li>Remembering that God&rsquo;s grace is available even when we make mistakes or stray</li>
</ul>
Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">The Good Word,</a> LifeAudio&rsquo;s free weekly newsletter.
Sign up at <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">LifeAudio.com/thegoodword</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
When the Young Adult That You Love Strays
By: Maina Mwaura&nbsp;
Bible Reading:
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:6As a former youth pastor, one of the things that I cherish the most is running into former students. So in one week, two students that I had the privilege of ministering to crossed my path at the same time, which was not unusual, being that I have lived in the same city on and off for over twenty-five years. What was unusual was the differing paths that both students have taken.&nbsp;
I can still remember when Thomas and Chris both made professions of faith at the same camp. It was a summer that I will never forget, as both boys, now young men, were also baptized the same day. As Thomas approached me in the middle of the grocery store, I still remembered his face. Just as I locked eyes with Thomas, his wife and kids came around the corner. All I could think of was WOW, time flies. Thomas and his wife both love the Lord, and Thomas is even involved in the same church that I was on staff at many years ago. I walked away from that encounter, thrilled that Thomas was still on track. Although there was a moment in his life when he strayed, he had found his way back.&nbsp;
That same week, while eating lunch in another part of town, I ran into Chris. Chris walked in dressed in a suit and tie. He also looked just like he did in his former years. During my time with Chris, he mentioned that he cherished the years we had together, but that he had stepped outside the faith and hadn&rsquo;t been involved in a church for years.&nbsp;
As Chris walked away, I couldn&rsquo;t help but reflect on what went wrong and right with both Chris and Thomas. Although that&rsquo;s the human thing to do, author Jim Burns would say that&rsquo;s the wrong place to start. Recently, I spent some time with Jim Burns, who has written on the topic of young adult issues and dynamics, and has a new book titled When Your Young Adult Child Strays. Jim is clear that when a young adult strays, putting on the martyr badge isn&rsquo;t the step that we should be taking. During my time with Jim, he assured me that God is okay with mess-ups, and in fact, we have an entire Hall of Faith in Hebrews that confirms this.&nbsp;
One of the key characteristics that both men mentioned during our time together was community. Both men mentioned either how much they loved their community or, in Thomas&rsquo; case, how much they missed it. Burns's research shows that 65% of young adults who strayed returned to their faith communities. I&rsquo;m not surprised by this at all. Thomas mentioned that after he had strayed away from the church, it was his community of friends and a former Sunday School teacher who reached out to him in his time of need. Community, mixed in with being available for young adults, is one of the keys that brings those back who stray.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Both men whom I had the privilege of ministering to were unique and different in their life choices. During my time with Chris, it was Jim Burns's words that I had to stay focused on most. Chris has made some life choices that clearly go against scripture, and although I wanted to add my thoughts and opinions, I had to remember the words of Jim: acceptance doesn&rsquo;t mean approval. Often, when young adults stray, we love them either as their parents or, in my case, former students in my youth ministry, and we want to fix them. Jesus never tries to fix us; in fact, he does the opposite. Young adults don&rsquo;t want to be fixed. In fact, I would go as far as to say that people in general don&rsquo;t want to be fixed.&nbsp;
In bringing young adults back home into spiritually healthy communities, these three things will be of great help. Love them, try to point them into healthy communities of faith, and accept them for where they are in this stage of life. Another way is showing them the grace that you needed when you were their age. At the end of the day, according to Burns, young adults are simply asking, &ldquo;Do you still love me&rdquo;?&nbsp;

When the Young Adult You Love Strays

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/47fa3096-84ca-4a83-99b1-b4ba010fc649/transcript

What does your life reveal about what is really happening in your heart? Our words, attitudes, choices, and actions can reveal far more about our faith than what we say we believe. Proverbs 27:19 reminds us that “as water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart,” challenging us to take an honest look at whether our everyday lives actually reflect our relationship with God.

It’s easy to recognize pride, impatience, or poor judgment in others while overlooking those same attitudes in ourselves. But God calls us to examine our hearts and allow His Word to expose what needs to change. When we choose humility, wisdom, and obedience, our lives can become a genuine reflection of Christ—pointing the people around us toward Him rather than simply telling them what we believe.

Highlights:
Discover how your words and actions reveal the condition of your heart.
Learn why impatience and always wanting to share your opinion can be warning signs.
Consider how pride can quietly influence your relationships and decisions.
Explore what Proverbs teaches about wisdom, humility, and being willing to listen.
Understand why our outward behavior should align with what we profess to believe.
Ask God to examine your heart and help your life reflect His Word.

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

Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword

Do you want to listen ad-free?

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

Sign Up Today!

Full Transcript Below:

What Is Your Life Reflecting about Your Heart?

By Lynette Kittle

Bible Reading:

“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” - Proverbs 27:19

What are our lives reflecting to those around us? How are our words and actions revealing what is within our hearts and what we really believe?

Too many of us know, or have known, individuals who say they are Christians, yet their actions tell another story, one that doesn’t support what their words confess.

Proverbs points out that how we’re living is truly a reflection of our hearts, so if we’re saying one thing, but living in another way, the truth is in our reflection. If we think we’re hiding what’s in our hearts, we need to reconsider because we can’t really hide what’s going on inside of us.

If we say we love God, but then our words and actions don’t align with His words and commands, we may fool a few people, or even many… but we may be mostly fooling ourselves.

The following are alarming reflections: the things rooted in our hearts that we may be missing that are fooling us. 

Are we impatient, not wanting to hear what others have to say or explain, wanting to express our own viewpoints? 

If so, it’s wise for us to consider what Proverbs 18:2 describes: “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.”

Do we really enjoy hearing all the wild and evil schemes others devise? Are shows and stories on true crimes more interesting to us than the Bible and godly programming?

If so, Proverbs 10:23 reveals that, “A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.”

When we’re faced with deciding between following God’s wisdom or choosing to follow the wisdom of men, what do we choose? Are we finding ourselves trusting more in what men and women tell us than in God?

John 2:23-24 tells us what Jesus would do: “Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs He was performing and believed in His name. But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people.”

If we find ourselves thinking we’re too wise or important to listen to or consider others’ words spoken to us, we may want to consider what Proverbs 23:9 describes: “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.”

Do we see ourselves as smarter than everyone around us? If so, we may want to contemplate what Proverbs 26:5 describes: “Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.”

Maybe those around us are just not pointing out when we’re in error, letting us think we’re always right. If so, we’re in danger of being deceived and led into making foolish choices.

Do we see ourselves as better than others? If so, as Proverbs 16:18 warns, we may not know when we’re in pride and at risk of falling, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

It seems like pride may be kind of hidden for anyone who is prideful, and not an easy attitude for most to detect in ourselves. But, as Proverbs 11:2 warns, “When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Taking Stock of What We’re Reflecting

It’s wise for us to take stock of ourselves now and then, just to double-check whether we’ve gotten off track in our lives or derailed a bit from where God is leading us.

We can also ask God to examine and expose our hearts so that we may recognize and address any wrong thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

Also, we can ask Him to strengthen us and help us reflect Him and His word in our lives.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

What is your life reflecting about your heart? If not liking what’s being reflected, ask God to help you to see clearly and to lead you with His word and godly principles, so that others are drawn to Him, through what they’re seeing in you.

Further Reading:

5 Ways Christians Can Reflect Christ Through Everyday Etiquette

What does your life reveal about what is really happening in your heart? Our words, attitudes, choices, and actions can reveal far more about our faith than what we say we believe. Proverbs 27:19 reminds us that &ldquo;as water reflects the face, so one&rsquo;s life reflects the heart,&rdquo; challenging us to take an honest look at whether our everyday lives actually reflect our relationship with God.
It&rsquo;s easy to recognize pride, impatience, or poor judgment in others while overlooking those same attitudes in ourselves. But God calls us to examine our hearts and allow His Word to expose what needs to change. When we choose humility, wisdom, and obedience, our lives can become a genuine reflection of Christ&mdash;pointing the people around us toward Him rather than simply telling them what we believe.
Highlights:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>Discover how your words and actions reveal the condition of your heart.</li>
<li>Learn why impatience and always wanting to share your opinion can be warning signs.</li>
<li>Consider how pride can quietly influence your relationships and decisions.</li>
<li>Explore what Proverbs teaches about wisdom, humility, and being willing to listen.</li>
<li>Understand why our outward behavior should align with what we profess to believe.</li>
<li>Ask God to examine your heart and help your life reflect His Word.</li>
</ul>
Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">The Good Word,</a> LifeAudio&rsquo;s free weekly newsletter.
Sign up at <a href="https://newsletters.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword">LifeAudio.com/thegoodword</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
What Is Your Life Reflecting about Your Heart?
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
&ldquo;As water reflects the face, so one&rsquo;s life reflects the heart.&rdquo; - Proverbs 27:19
What are our lives reflecting to those around us? How are our words and actions revealing what is within our hearts and what we really believe?
Too many of us know, or have known, individuals who say they are Christians, yet their actions tell another story, one that doesn&rsquo;t support what their words confess.
Proverbs points out that how we&rsquo;re living is truly a reflection of our hearts, so if we&rsquo;re saying one thing, but living in another way, the truth is in our reflection. If we think we&rsquo;re hiding what&rsquo;s in our hearts, we need to reconsider because we can&rsquo;t really hide what&rsquo;s going on inside of us.
If we say we love God, but then our words and actions don&rsquo;t align with His words and commands, we may fool a few people, or even many&hellip; but we may be mostly fooling ourselves.
The following are alarming reflections: the things rooted in our hearts that we may be missing that are fooling us.&nbsp;
Are we impatient, not wanting to hear what others have to say or explain, wanting to express our own viewpoints?&nbsp;
If so, it&rsquo;s wise for us to consider what Proverbs 18:2 describes: &ldquo;Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.&rdquo;
Do we really enjoy hearing all the wild and evil schemes others devise? Are shows and stories on true crimes more interesting to us than the Bible and godly programming?
If so, Proverbs 10:23 reveals that, &ldquo;A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.&rdquo;
When we&rsquo;re faced with deciding between following God&rsquo;s wisdom or choosing to follow the wisdom of men, what do we choose? Are we finding ourselves trusting more in what men and women tell us than in God?
John 2:23-24 tells us what Jesus would do: &ldquo;Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs He was performing and believed in His name. But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people.&rdquo;
If we find ourselves thinking we&rsquo;re too wise or important to listen to or consider others&rsquo; words spoken to us, we may want to consider what Proverbs 23:9 describes: &ldquo;Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.&rdquo;
Do we see ourselves as smarter than everyone around us? If so, we may want to contemplate what Proverbs 26:5 describes: &ldquo;Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.&rdquo;
Maybe those around us are just not pointing out when we&rsquo;re in error, letting us think we&rsquo;re always right. If so, we&rsquo;re in danger of being deceived and led into making foolish choices.
Do we see ourselves as better than others? If so, as Proverbs 16:18 warns, we may not know when we&rsquo;re in pride and at risk of falling, &ldquo;Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.&rdquo;
It seems like pride may be kind of hidden for anyone who is prideful, and not an easy attitude for most to detect in ourselves. But, as Proverbs 11:2 warns, &ldquo;When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.&rdquo;
Taking Stock of What We&rsquo;re Reflecting
It&rsquo;s wise for us to take stock of ourselves now and then, just to double-check whether we&rsquo;ve gotten off track in our lives or derailed a bit from where God is leading us.
We can also ask God to examine and expose our hearts so that we may recognize and address any wrong thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
Also, we can ask Him to strengthen us and help us reflect Him and His word in our lives.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
What is your life reflecting about your heart? If not liking what&rsquo;s being reflected, ask God to help you to see clearly and to lead you with His word and godly principles, so that others are drawn to Him, through what they&rsquo;re seeing in you.
Further Reading:
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/5-ways-christians-can-reflect-christ-through-everyday-etiquette.html">5 Ways Christians Can Reflect Christ Through Everyday Etiquette</a>

What Is Your Life Reflecting About Your Heart?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/418c2635-b925-4898-8681-b4ba010fc20a/transcript

Learning doesn’t stop when school ends. Even after we finish our formal education, start careers, raise families, and settle into familiar routines, there is still so much to discover. God calls us to remain teachable, curious, and willing to grow, because wisdom isn’t about reaching a point where we know everything—it’s about recognizing how much we still have to learn. Proverbs 1:5 encourages the wise to keep adding to their learning and seeking guidance.

A busy life can make it easy to become comfortable with what we already know and stop challenging ourselves. But lifelong learning can strengthen both our minds and our faith, helping us see God’s creativity, wisdom, and character in new ways. Whether through Scripture, books, conversations, podcasts, new skills, prayer, or simply paying closer attention to the world around us, every day offers an opportunity to learn something new and grow closer to God.

Highlights
Why learning and personal growth shouldn’t end when formal education does
What Proverbs 1:5 teaches about remaining teachable and seeking guidance
How comfort and busy routines can keep us from continuing to grow
Why a stagnant mind can contribute to a stagnant faith
Simple ways to keep learning without going back to school
How curiosity and humility can help us recognize what God is teaching us
Why lifelong learning can deepen our sense of awe and appreciation for God’s wisdom

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

Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword

Do you want to listen ad-free?

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

Sign Up Today!

Full Transcript Below:

Learn More Every Day

By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance…” – Proverbs 1:5, NIV

Every time a new semester starts at George Mason University, where I work, I’m inspired by seeing students excited about learning. Watching them walk around campus and hearing them discuss new ideas reminds me that education is a powerful gift. It makes me grateful that even though I’m not the one taking university classes anymore, my own education never actually ends. God is always teaching me something new if I’m just willing to keep a clear mind and a teachable heart.

This back-to-school season reminds us that learning is a lifelong calling. In Proverbs 1:5, the Bible encourages the wise to add to their learning and the discerning to get guidance. Truly wise people never reach a point where they decide they finally know enough. People who have discernment know they always need God’s guidance.

No matter how old we are, how many degrees we hold, or how much career experience we’ve accumulated, God calls us to learn more every day.

Unfortunately, it’s easy for us to let our lives shrink down to the level of our to-do lists. Once we finish our formal education and settle into our careers and family routines, we can easily stop challenging ourselves. We may get comfortable living our lives the same way every day and close our minds to fresh perspectives. If we let ourselves become overwhelmed by our responsibilities, we can neglect to make time for learning and growth in our busy schedules. Then we won’t be able to learn what God is trying to teach us.

A stagnant mind leads to a stagnant faith. God is infinitely creative, so there’s always more of God’s character to discover and more of God’s world to understand. When we stop learning, we limit our capacity for God to use us in new and exciting ways.

So, it’s important to follow the advice in Proverbs 1:5 and add to our learning. Every day that God gives us to live is a valuable opportunity to learn more.

We don’t need to enroll in graduate school or read massive textbooks to add to our learning. We just need to have curious and humble attitudes as we go about our daily lives. We can learn something new by reading a book, listening to a podcast during our commutes to and from work, or learning a skill we want to develop – like cooking better meals – by asking someone we know to teach us. Spiritually, we can add to our learning by studying the Bible, taking a wonder walk in nature, or strengthening our prayer and meditation practices. Every piece of new inspiration God gives us can help us appreciate the wonderful world God has made.

Lifelong learning can lead us to feel awe, because it shows us that our human understanding is very small compared to God’s unlimited knowledge and wisdom. When we approach each day asking God to teach us something new that day, we can become quicker to listen, slower to judge, and much more adaptable to life’s changes than we would be otherwise. So, as the children and young adults in our communities head back to school, let’s join them in their commitment to learn more. Let’s never stop being students of God’s truth by adding to our learning each and every day!

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider why lifelong learning is important, reflect on these questions:
What’s one specific topic that you’ve been wanting to learn more about lately? 
In what areas of your daily routine have you become too comfortable, and how can you challenge yourself to grow there? 
How can you create regular time in your busy schedule to acquire more knowledge and seek God’s guidance more? 
Think of someone in your life who has a very teachable spirit. What qualities do you admire most about his or her attitude? 
What’s one step you can take today to learn something new from a friend, family member, or coworker?

Further Reading:

Proverbs 9:9

Proverbs 18:15

Psalm 119:66

2 Peter 3:18

Philippians 1:9

Learning doesn&rsquo;t stop when school ends. Even after we finish our formal education, start careers, raise families, and settle into familiar routines, there is still so much to discover. God calls us to remain teachable, curious, and willing to grow, because wisdom isn&rsquo;t about reaching a point where we know everything&mdash;it&rsquo;s about recognizing how much we still have to learn. Proverbs 1:5 encourages the wise to keep adding to their learning and seeking guidance.
A busy life can make it easy to become comfortable with what we already know and stop challenging ourselves. But lifelong learning can strengthen both our minds and our faith, helping us see God&rsquo;s creativity, wisdom, and character in new ways. Whether through Scripture, books, conversations, podcasts, new skills, prayer, or simply paying closer attention to the world around us, every day offers an opportunity to learn something new and grow closer to God.
Highlights
<ul data-start="948" data-end="1444" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">
<li data-section-id="145esdh" data-start="948" data-end="1023">Why learning and personal growth shouldn&rsquo;t end when formal education does</li>
<li data-section-id="1yv2pex" data-start="1024" data-end="1098">What Proverbs 1:5 teaches about remaining teachable and seeking guidance</li>
<li data-section-id="3qfkgo" data-start="1099" data-end="1166">How comfort and busy routines can keep us from continuing to grow</li>
<li data-section-id="163by5q" data-start="1167" data-end="1223">Why a stagnant mind can contribute to a stagnant faith</li>
<li data-section-id="1azspse" data-start="1224" data-end="1283">Simple ways to keep learning without going back to school</li>
<li data-section-id="1as71ah" data-start="1284" data-end="1358">How curiosity and humility can help us recognize what God is teaching us</li>
<li data-section-id="hjo0dh" data-start="1359" data-end="1444" data-is-last-node="">Why lifelong learning can deepen our sense of awe and appreciation for God&rsquo;s wisdom</li>
</ul>
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<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Learn More Every Day
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading: &ldquo;Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance&hellip;&rdquo; &ndash; Proverbs 1:5, NIV
Every time a new semester starts at George Mason University, where I work, I&rsquo;m inspired by seeing students excited about learning. Watching them walk around campus and hearing them discuss new ideas reminds me that education is a powerful gift. It makes me grateful that even though I&rsquo;m not the one taking university classes anymore, my own education never actually ends. God is always teaching me something new if I&rsquo;m just willing to keep a clear mind and a teachable heart.
This back-to-school season reminds us that learning is a lifelong calling. In Proverbs 1:5, the Bible encourages the wise to add to their learning and the discerning to get guidance. <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/wisdom-begins-with-awe-the-crosswalk-devotional.html">Truly wise people</a> never reach a point where they decide they finally know enough. <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/things-i-learned-about-discernment.html">People who have discernment</a> know they always need God&rsquo;s guidance.
No matter how old we are, how many degrees we hold, or how much career experience we&rsquo;ve accumulated, God calls us to learn more every day.
Unfortunately, it&rsquo;s easy for us to let our lives shrink down to the level of our to-do lists. Once we finish our formal education and settle into our careers and family routines, we can easily stop challenging ourselves. We may get comfortable living our lives the same way every day and close our minds to fresh perspectives. If we let ourselves become overwhelmed by our responsibilities, we can neglect to make time for learning and growth in our busy schedules. Then we won&rsquo;t be able to learn what God is trying to teach us.
A stagnant mind leads to a stagnant faith. God is infinitely creative, so there&rsquo;s always more of God&rsquo;s character to discover and more of God&rsquo;s world to understand. When we stop learning, we limit our capacity for God to use us in new and exciting ways.
So, it&rsquo;s important to follow the advice in Proverbs 1:5 and add to our learning. Every day that God gives us to live is a valuable opportunity to learn more.
We don&rsquo;t need to enroll in graduate school or read massive textbooks to add to our learning. We just need to have curious and humble attitudes as we go about our daily lives. We can learn something new by reading a book, listening to a podcast during our commutes to and from work, or learning a skill we want to develop &ndash; like cooking better meals &ndash; by asking someone we know to teach us. Spiritually, we can add to our learning by <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/get-excited-about-the-bible-again-the-crosswalk-devotional.html">studying the Bible</a>, <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/wonder-walks-the-crosswalk-devotional.html">taking a wonder walk</a> in nature, or strengthening our <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/how-to-start-prayer-and-meditation-habits-youll-enjoy.html">prayer and meditation practices</a>. Every piece of new inspiration God gives us can help us appreciate the wonderful world God has made.
Lifelong learning can lead us to feel awe, because it shows us that our human understanding is very small compared to God&rsquo;s unlimited knowledge and wisdom. When we approach each day asking God to teach us something new that day, we can become quicker to listen, slower to judge, and much more adaptable to life&rsquo;s changes than we would be otherwise. So, as the children and young adults in our communities head back to school, let&rsquo;s join them in their commitment to learn more. Let&rsquo;s never stop being students of God&rsquo;s truth by adding to our learning each and every day!
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As you consider why lifelong learning is important, reflect on these questions:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What&rsquo;s one specific topic that you&rsquo;ve been wanting to learn more about lately?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">In what areas of your daily routine have you become too comfortable, and how can you challenge yourself to grow there?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How can you create regular time in your busy schedule to acquire more knowledge and seek God&rsquo;s guidance more?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Think of someone in your life who has a very teachable spirit. What qualities do you admire most about his or her attitude?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">What&rsquo;s one step you can take today to learn something new from a friend, family member, or coworker?</li>
</ul>
Further Reading:
Proverbs 9:9
Proverbs 18:15
Psalm 119:66
2 Peter 3:18
Philippians 1:9

Learn More Every Day

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