• The Toddler's Gospel
    Sep 18 2025
    How does parenthood shape our faith? In The Toddler’s Gospel, Peyton Garland explores the profound spiritual lessons hidden in the chaos of toddler life. From navigating postpartum struggles to discovering humility and dependence on God, this devotional shows how the simple words of a child—Help, Please, Sorry—reveal the heart of the gospel and deepen our prayer life. Perfect for parents, caregivers, and anyone seeking guidance on faith in daily life and Christian parenting. ✨ Highlights The spiritual lessons of toddlerhood: humility, dependence, and repentance How the toddler words Help, Please, Sorry mirror our relationship with God Finding God’s presence and guidance during postpartum challenges Learning to pray with vulnerability, honesty, and surrender Practical encouragement for moms, dads, and caregivers in faith-filled parenting 💬 Join the Conversation How has your parenting season taught you about humility, dependence, and prayer? What small moments in your home reveal God’s heart to you? Share your story and encourage other parents, caregivers, and believers! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #ToddlersGospel #FaithInParenting to join the conversation and inspire others to see the gospel in everyday life. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: The Toddler’s Gospel by Peyton Garland “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 (NIV) I thought I had the Lord figured out in my late twenties. I had finally untangled lots of lies that I was subjected to in an unhealthy church culture. I had undergone counseling to work through childhood hardships and relational struggles. I was praying all the prayers, reading all the Bible studies, and holding myself accountable through godly friendships. By all “good Christian” standards, I had ensured my mind, body, and soul were healthily aligned with God’s truth. My faith was unshakeable… but then I became a mother, and my perception of myself and God was turned upside down. I endured heavy post-partum depression and wasn’t sure I would ever find hope again. The hormonal changes were drastic, and my mind couldn’t keep up with my body’s ever-changing state. Meanwhile, family members who promised to support us in this new season didn’t show. It seemed life handed us constant disappointments. But my son’s smile, his little giggle, was my glimpse at heaven. His innocence was a treasure trove of joy I could open on my worst days. He was the reason I clung to my shaken belief that God was good. After nearly seven months of intensive therapy, hard conversations with family, and lots and lots of praying, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. My body slowly regained its stability, and I discovered a new fervor for understanding the God who had handcrafted the angel I cradled every day. But with this new fervor came a new sense of humility, of recognizing just how little control I have over life and how often my failures pile high. This fervor for my faith shifted from being about me to being about the nature of God. If the sermon, the podcast, the devotional, etc., wasn’t about His heart, I wasn’t interested. My heart had experienced too much hurt and, I’ll be honest, self-loathing to mold the gospel around me. I wanted something more sure and steady. I wanted God. He was the only one who could keep my head above water. He was the only one who could truly protect my baby. I’m now in the toddler season of motherhood, where faith and patience are tried by fire. My days are filled with scrubbing peanut butter off walls, fishing toy tractors out of the toilet, and saying (for the five-millionth time that day), “No, sir!” It’s mentally taxing work, but my son continues showing me the heart of the Father. He does so with three simple (garbled, phonetically incorrect) words: “Hewp!”, “Pease,” and “Sowwy.” If these three words aren’t the foundation for the gospel, I’m not sure what else is. After all, aren’t we often God’s toddlers, running wild, doing as we please, no matter how selfish or spiritually dangerous? Shiny things catch our eye, and we chase whatever is in front of us without thinking. It’s no wonder so many of our prayers start with, “Help!” If it’s been a while since you asked God for help, consider this one-word prayer and the humility it presses on your heart. “Please” is placing power in another’s hands, allowing them to grant or deny your request. My little one doesn’t enjoy it when his “Pwease” is followed by my “No, sir!” But aren’t we often like my toddler? We easily believe that asking is all it takes for a prayer to be granted. If we’re nice enough, we think we can manipulate God, and if we don’t get our way, we throw spiritual tantrums. We bail on church and ...
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    7 mins
  • Celebrate Your Church
    Sep 17 2025
    How do we honor God’s faithfulness in our lives and in our churches? In this devotional, we explore the importance of celebrating your church, your community, and God’s work through milestones and spiritual victories. Just like the Israelites set up stones of remembrance in Joshua 4, we are called to pause, reflect, and rejoice in the ways God has guided, sustained, and blessed us—both individually and collectively. ✨ Highlights Why celebration should be part of every church’s culture How setting “stones of remembrance” strengthens our faith Practical ways to honor God’s work within your community Encouragement to celebrate spiritual milestones — big and small How celebrating together deepens unity and reflects God’s love 💬 Join the Conversation How has your church celebrated God’s faithfulness in your life? Do you mark spiritual milestones with your community, small group, or family? Share your story and encourage others! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #CelebrateGodsFaithfulness to join the conversation and inspire believers everywhere to rejoice in what God has done. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Celebrate Your Church “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you… These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:4-5;7 Plunking down the dinner plates and setting up each fork and spoon in perfect formation, I reflected on the ups and downs we had gone through in our 25 years of marriage. Our lives together had many high points. But it is also accompanied by some very low points in life. We know we wouldn't have gotten through any of that if we were not together. As we looked out over the balcony and watched as many of our old friends and family members gathered to celebrate our landmark anniversary, we remembered just how blessed we were to have so many people with whom we were still in touch who were championing the success of our marriage. As we walked hand-in-hand to the eruption of their applause, we sat at our table, ate our food, and danced in celebration of the many things God had done in and through us through our 25 years of marriage. Although the party took a lot of planning, effort, and hard work, we wouldn't have done it differently. We wanted that day to be a celebration of all the things that God had done. We tried to make the day not only about us, but also about God and what he had done. As many marriages end in divorce, we wanted to celebrate that through God's faithfulness, we had stayed together and stayed the course of God's path for us in our marriage. Celebration should become a normal part of every church. Cheering each other on in their spiritual journey should be infused within the DNA of every church. Not only does the church shine when it helps others in need, and cares for their sisters and brothers in Christ during times of crisis, each member should also be celebrated for their successes in the spiritual journey. In the same way that we wanted to celebrate our milestone of being married for twenty-five years, the church should also make a habit of celebrating each other's successes. Although churches may not be able to afford or have the workforce to put on parties for every successful event in the church, the church needs to remember all the ways God has been faithful to them over the years. Because churches today are often known more for what they are against rather than what they are for, churches need to be remembered as ones that celebrate their members’ successes and triumphs in life. Most of all, the celebration can be a remembrance of all that God has done in and through his church throughout the years. What are some of the ways you remember your church members’ successes? Is there a way you can celebrate with your small group or have a yearly event where you celebrate all the milestones of what God has done? Can a church ‘s administrative assistant put some praise items in the bulletin? What other ways can you celebrate your brothers and sisters in Christ, or even your own successes? Take a moment and write in your journal all the ways God has worked in your life and your church. Take it to your small group or leader and share all the ways God has moved. Celebrate all the ways God has shown his faithfulness to you and the church, not only this year but also in the past years. Be people known to celebrate who you are, what you have done, and most importantly, who He is. Father, let us be churches that are known for celebration. Let us set up figurative stones of remembrance so that we can be reminded of your faithfulness on a regular basis. Help us not to forget who you are ...
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    5 mins
  • How Reading the Bible Keeps Us From Believing False Teaching
    Sep 16 2025
    How can you tell if a teaching lines up with God’s truth? In this devotional, we explore how reading the Bible protects us from false teaching and equips us to recognize deception before it takes root. By understanding Scripture deeply, we can confidently discern God’s truth and avoid being led astray by misleading doctrines and counterfeit beliefs. ✨ Highlights Why studying the Bible is key to recognizing false teachers How God’s Word exposes manipulation, error, and deception Practical ways to hide God’s Word in your heart How the Holy Spirit guides us in discerning spiritual truth Scriptures to help strengthen your faith and guard against lies 💬 Join the Conversation Have you ever encountered a teaching that didn’t sit right with you? How do you test what you hear against God’s Word? Share your thoughts and experiences with us — we’d love to hear from you! Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #GroundedInTruth to join the conversation and encourage others in their faith journey. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: How Reading the Bible Keeps Us from Believing False Teaching By Lynette Kittle “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves”--2 Peter 2:1 Like art and jewel experts and dealers study real jewels and artwork to keep them from buying forgeries and counterfeits, studying the Bible keeps us from believing false teachings. Disappointingly, the world, like never before, is full of scams, schemes, and false beliefs. Nowadays, there are countless emails, texts, and online offers and deals that look so convincing before we know it, we’re ordering products that are never going to arrive. Like phony offers, if we aren’t aware of and informed to know and understand that there are false teachings trying to draw us in, designed to deceive us, we can be duped and led astray. It’s why the Bible is such an important book to read and study, because by doing so, it protects us from being captured by the enemy of our souls. 2 Timothy 3:6-9 describes what they are like: “They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.” The Bible Reveals Truth to Us The Apostle Paul wrote, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). He understood, as written in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The word of God not only gives us life, but it also helps to protect our faith by cutting through errors, manipulation, deception, and false teaching, revealing the truth to us of what we’re reading and hearing. The Bible Equips Us to Recognize When Things Seem Off Because I carefully go through each morning choosing vitamins for my husband and myself, it’s so familiar to me, that I can look down and instantly see if one is missing because the pile of pills looks off and different. It’s like that when we know God’s word, when we’ve hidden it in our hearts. We come to know it so well that when we see, hear, or read something that’s off or different from the truth of His word, we instantly recognize it. Psalm 119:11 teaches, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Becoming so familiar with God’s word and establishing itself in our hearts, along with the help of the Holy Spirit leading us, helps us, without even thinking to recognize when we see or hear something that doesn’t line up with it. God’s truth hidden in our hearts alerts us to false teachings. The reason so many believers are led astray is that they don’t know His word, so when a false teaching or doctrine is introduced to them, they don’t recognize it. For those reasons, it’s vital and critically important for us to read and study our Bibles, so that we aren’t deceived, misled, or led astray from the truth of God’s word. We can be confident that when His word shines light on what we’re hearing and reading, we will not be misled, as Psalm 119:105 describes, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Intersecting Faith & ...
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    6 mins
  • Declared Precious and Honored
    Sep 15 2025
    Do you ever feel unseen, unworthy, or unloved? In this devotional, we unpack what it means to be precious in God’s sight and how your identity in Christ gives you lasting value. Drawing from Isaiah 43:4, we explore God’s promise that you are deeply loved, fully known, and chosen—no matter your past, mistakes, or insecurities. Highlights Why God calls you precious, honored, and deeply loved How Isaiah 43 reveals God’s heart for His people, even in rebellion Finding security when relationships feel distant or rejection creeps in God’s compassion and grace in the middle of our brokenness Practical steps to anchor your worth and identity in Christ 💬 Join the Conversation Have you ever struggled to believe you’re valuable and loved by God? Share your story with us—we’d love to hear how Isaiah 43:4 speaks to you. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #PreciousInHisSight to join the conversation and encourage others who need this reminder today. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you,I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Isaiah 43:4, NIV Do you ever feel like a burden, unimportant, or insufficient? Maybe you’re a parent of an adult child, and you wonder if your son or daughter truly wants to hang out with you. Or maybe they’re in that young adult phase where, developmentally, they’re figuring out who they are, and are forging new relationships and, for a time, separating from you. And maybe that feels like a rejection that triggers negative self-talk. Or maybe there’s another relationship that doesn’t quite feel emotionally safe or reciprocal. Those circumstances can leave us feeling insignificant and unvalued. I understand how that feels. For much of my life I battled feelings of insecurity and wounds that challenged my ability to see myself as valuable, let alone precious. Yet, that’s precisely how God sees me. Even on my worst, most sinful and emotionally dysregulated days, He calls me precious. I say that based on the context surrounding today’s verse and all that was occurring with the nation of Israel when God first spoke these words through the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. God’s people had rebelled against Him, for generations, to worship idols. They abandoned the Lord who watched over them, loved, protected, and guided them. The people resorted to violence, oppressed and used one another, and perpetuated injustice. For centuries, the Lord urged them to return to Him and live in the freedom for which He created them, but they refused. This grieved the Lord. The very fact that He addressed their sin through numerous prophets and in many chapters, shows how much He longed for a restored relationship with them and for them to love one another well. For His kids to stop abusing His kids. Listen to His heart, expressed to His rebellious children, in Isaiah 30:18: Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. (NASB) Then, about 12 chapters later, He promised to send His Son who, according to Isaiah 42:3, would show gentleness to those weighed down by their burdens and who felt ready to break. Then we get to Isaiah 43, one of my favorite passages in Scripture because it reminds me that we’re never alone in our chaos, even when we’ve landed in messes of our own making. Intersecting Life and Faith God remains with us when we feel like we’re drowning and He promises He won’t let the waves overtake us. Why? Because we are precious to Him. He calls us precious when we faithfully read our Bibles, pray, serve in ministry, and regularly attend church. He also calls us precious when we react out of fear or frustration, give in to our pride, and do and say things that cause our friends and loved one’s pain. Obviously, He doesn’t condone our sin, but neither is that all He sees, when He looks at us. Instead, He sees our redemption and the righteousness of Christ. He remembers when He knit us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), took our first steps, made our first friend, and first received His gift of life. When He gazes upon me and you, His deeply flawed but deeply loved children, He also sees our potential—who, by His grace, we’ll one day become. And He calls us precious. Rare, valuable, costly, and highly esteemed. Men and women He cherishes, carries, and protects. People He loved so much, He sent His Son to free us from the mess we’ve all, collectively created. How does that truth hit? The wounded parts of me find this surprising, but I’m learning to cast aside all the lies I’ve absorbed about myself and to live more firmly anchored in the truth my ...
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    6 mins
  • God Can Do What We Can’t Do
    Sep 14 2025
    Are you facing a situation that feels impossible to fix on your own? This devotional reminds us that God can do what we can’t do and invites us to fully trust Him in circumstances beyond our control. When we reach the limits of our own abilities, God’s power begins where ours ends. Drawing from Luke 18:27, we’re reminded that “what is impossible with man is possible with God.” Whether it’s a strained relationship, financial hardship, health struggle, or an unanswered prayer, God invites us to surrender our worries and rely on His strength, timing, and plan. ✨ Highlights God can do the impossible — Our limitations don’t limit Him. Faith grows in the waiting — Trusting God deepens when we surrender control. Prayer comes first — Instead of forcing solutions, bring your needs to God first. Surrender releases peace — Handing our impossible situations to God allows us to rest in His power. God’s strength shines through weakness — Our struggles become opportunities for Him to display His glory. 💬 Join the Conversation What’s one situation in your life right now that feels impossible? How are you learning to trust God and make prayer your first response? Share your thoughts and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #GodCanDoTheImpossible. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: God Can Do What We Can’t Do By: Whitney Hopler “Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’” - Luke 18:27, NIV I’ve been praying every day and night for many months about a job situation for a family member that’s incredibly important. My family and friends have all been praying regularly for the same situation. Despite our prayers, however, the situation hasn’t changed yet. It’s frustrating, because there’s nothing that any of us can do ourselves to change this situation. Only God can do it! So, all we can do is keep praying and keep trusting God to answer our prayers. It’s painful for me to wait for God to act on this, since it’s something we need very much, and the uncertainty is stressful. But it’s impossible for me to do anything else other than pray and trust, or just give up. So, I’m choosing to keep asking God for help until his answer arrives. Jesus’ words in Luke 18:27 have encouraged me a lot during this time. I believe that God can do anything – even what’s impossible for me and the others who are praying with me. While I wait for God’s answer, my faith can grow stronger, since I know that I must completely rely on God instead of on myself or on anyone else for this. We can’t always change our circumstances, but God can. God can do what we can’t do! What are you facing right now that feels impossible? Maybe it’s a difficult relationship, a financial struggle, or a health crisis. We’ve all been in situations where we’ve done everything we can, and it’s still not enough. We’ve tried to make change happen, but we’ve hit a wall. It’s easy to feel hopeless and discouraged in impossible situations. But this verse reminds us that our limitations don’t limit God. When we’re at the end of our own abilities, we’re in a position to let go and let God take over. When we pray for situations where we can do absolutely nothing ourselves, our faith is tested. We have to surrender our need to control the outcome and trust that God will do what we can’t. Our first instinct is often to try harder when we face a problem that seems too big to solve. We make a plan and get to work, doing our best to make a solution happen, no matter what. But Jesus calls us to take a different approach. Jesus invites us to come to him first, and to trust that he will work to meet our needs in ways we can’t even imagine. Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort. When we face a situation we can’t change, we need to pray something like this, with humility: “Lord, I’ve done all I can, and it’s not enough. I’m giving this to you, and I’m trusting you to do what only you can do.” When we pray like this, we’re not just asking God for a favor; we’re declaring our faith in God’s power. So, what’s one situation that seems impossible, that you’ve been carrying on your own lately? Whatever it is, surrender it to God in prayer right now. Trust that God can do what you can’t. Your weakness is actually an opportunity for God’s strength to shine. God is a God of miracles, and you can rely on him to do the impossible! Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider how important it is to trust God to help you with situations you can’t change, reflect on these questions: What’s one impossible situation you’re facing right now that you need to give to God? How does it make you feel to know that God can do what you can’t? What does it mean to truly ...
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    6 mins
  • What It Really Means to Be Made in the Image of God
    Sep 13 2025
    Have you ever wondered what it really means to be made in the image of God? Genesis 1:27 reveals that being created in God’s image isn’t just about our unique qualities—it’s about our purpose. In Scripture, God appoints humanity to represent His character and authority on earth, reflecting His love, order, and goodness wherever we go. This devotional explores the deeper biblical meaning behind being made in God’s likeness, revealing how we were created not only with identity but also with divine responsibility. Like royal ambassadors, we are called to bring light into darkness, peace into chaos, and God’s presence into every sphere of influence. ✨ Highlights Being made in God’s image goes beyond identity — It’s about living out God’s authority and reflecting His goodness. Purpose and responsibility — We are meant to represent God’s character wherever we live, work, and influence others. A biblical perspective — Ancient Near Eastern kings used statues to represent their reign; in the same way, we represent God’s kingdom on earth. Humanity’s mission — Bring God’s order, kindness, and love into the spaces around you, from your home to your community. Practical reflection — Use your unique gifts not only to build yourself up but to magnify God’s presence and goodness in the world. 💬 Join the Conversation What does being made in God’s image mean to you? How are you using your gifts to reflect God’s character in your home, workplace, and relationships? Share your thoughts and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #ImageOfGod. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: What It Really Means to Be Made in the Image of God by Deidre Braley Genesis 1:27: So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (NIV). The verse from Genenesis about God creating mankind in his own image is a clear fan-favorite amongst Christians; it is often interpreted from an individualistic perspective as a way to applaud our innate giftings. People look at their own unique skills, qualities, and personality traits and consider them inherited attributes from God. And while this view certainly holds value, it’s important to also understand that that’s not all there is to the story. See, when the Bible says that God made humankind in his image, it doesn’t only mean that he gave people a similar spirit or likeness to his own. It also means that he gave them a purpose and responsibility. Let me explain. In Ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings would create royal statues of themselves—replicas of their own likeness that they could place throughout their empires to demonstrate their dominion even when they couldn’t physically be there. Given this context, the ancient audience of the Bible would have understood that when the author of Genesis said, “So God created mankind in his own image…” it meant that God had, in a similar sense, created humankind as a visible representation of himself when he could not be visibly seen otherwise on earth. Bible scholar Richard Hess explains it this way: …at the completion of God’s creation, he left ʾādām as his image to represent his authority on earth. This suggests that the function of the image is to reflect the divine will on earth in such a way as to extend God’s kingdom into every area of nature, society and culture. This is exactly what happens with the first man in Genesis 2.1 So what does this mean for us? In a world where nihilism runs rampant and many question whether their lives hold any value or purpose, this interpretation of Genesis 1:27 hands us a dazzling mission: to reflect God’s divine goodness in a world that craves light. We are not meant to just build our individual nests and keep to ourselves; we are meant to bring order, kindness, peace, and love into every corner we can reach. 1 Richard S. Hess, “Adam,” in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch, ed. T. Desmond Alexander and David W. Baker (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2003), p. 39 (Under Adam) Intersecting Faith & Life Today, take a couple minutes to prayerfully consider the following questions: Am I using my unique skills and giftings to build myself up, or am I using them to magnify God and reflect his goodness back into the world? What would it look like for me to reflect God’s divinity in my home? to my neighbors? in my children’s school? in my workplace? in my online interactions? in my unique area of influence? How can I take one step toward doing that today? Further Reading To learn more about God’s intended purposes and responsibilities for humankind—and also what happens when humans don’t follow that path—consider reading the following chapters from Scripture: On Being Salt & Light: Matthew 5:13-16...
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    5 mins
  • Spiritual Check-Up 101
    Sep 12 2025
    Are you overdue for a spiritual check-up? If you’ve been wondering how to know if you’re growing spiritually or what the Bible says about renewing your mind, this devotional will help you reflect on your faith and realign your heart with God’s Word. In Romans 12:2, Paul reminds us not to conform to the world’s standards but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Yet, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others—whether friends, celebrity Christians, or social media influencers—instead of measuring our hearts against Scripture. Drawing from Paul’s humility and honest self-reflection, this devotional encourages us to stop competing, stop comparing, and start aligning our lives with God’s standards. True spiritual growth comes when we consistently examine ourselves and allow Scripture—not the culture around us—to shape our transformation. ✨ Highlights Why spiritual check-ups matter — Regularly examine your faith, attitudes, and heart alignment with God’s Word (2 Corinthians 13:5). Comparison is a trap — Measuring ourselves against others can lead to pride, shame, or complacency. Paul’s example of humility — Despite his influence, Paul called himself the “worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15), reminding us we all need grace. Renewing the mind — Transformation begins when we filter our thoughts, habits, and actions through God’s Word rather than worldly standards. Pressing toward the goal — Focus on Jesus and the calling He’s placed on your life, not the noise around you (Philippians 3:14). 💬 Join the Conversation When was the last time you had a spiritual check-up? What’s one area God is calling you to grow in right now? Share your thoughts and encourage others by tagging @LifeAudioNetwork and using #FaithCheckUp. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our Sister shows— Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Spiritual Check-Up 101 By Lynette Kittle “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will-- Romans 12:2 Like we go to the doctor or the dentist, do we go to God for a spiritual check-up to see how we’re doing spiritually overall? Or, do we look at the surrounding crowds of individuals around us, comparing our current condition with how they are doing, checking the latest celebrity Christians to measure ourselves next to them and see if we’re spiritually keeping up? Are we measuring our spiritual condition with the world then deciding whether we’re doing better or worse than them, whispering a ‘thank you” to God that we’re not walking in their shoes, relieved about ourselves, but not being very gracious when it comes to those who are struggling? Many of us may not realize that looking at others to feel better about ourselves is prideful along with having a haughty spirit. In comparing ourselves to others around us, we’re setting ourselves up to fall, as Proverbs 16:18 warns: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” God’s Word Sets the Standard Of course, as Christians, we know deep down that people aren’t how we measure our spiritual condition, but rather the word of God is what we need to hold up to our lives, to see how we’re doing. 2 Corinthians 13:5 urges us to, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” When we do, it alerts us and points out areas in our lives where we may be off-track and needing of correction and that is probably why many of us are reluctant to examine ourselves, because we may not want to know the truth or like what we find. The Apostle Paul’s Self-Examination Many of us think of the Apostle Paul as a Saint, yet, in his own words, he counted himself the worst of sinners, which is hard for us to believe because he wrote most of the New Testament. Still, he wrote in1 Timothy 1:15. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” He recognized that sin is sin and there is no difference between being a big sinner and a little sinner, because all sin leads to destruction. Nowadays, many of us judge how well we are doing spiritually by checking social media updates, seeing how we’re doing in comparison to others, measuring their successes and losses against our own.. Still, again, Paul brings us to looking at God’s standards rather than man’s, stressing to us in Romans 12:2, that we are not to conform to human patterns but to be transformed by God’s word, renewing our minds. Keep Pressing On Towards Jesus Paul didn’t get caught up with what those around him were doing but said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize ...
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    6 mins
  • Impacting Future Generations
    Sep 11 2025
    As Moses approached the end of his life, his focus wasn’t on regret, bitterness, or personal loss—it was on God’s people. In Numbers 27:15-17, Moses prayed that the Lord would appoint a leader to guide Israel so they wouldn’t be “like sheep without a shepherd.” Despite his mistakes and missed opportunities, Moses left a legacy of faith, humility, and care for God’s people. This devotional reminds us that true spiritual leadership looks beyond ourselves and points others toward the ultimate Good Shepherd—Jesus—who leads us into rest, protection, and eternal promise. ✨ Highlights Moses’ selfless prayer — Even at the end of his life, Moses was focused on God’s people, not his own loss A legacy of faith — Despite failure, Moses’ life still pointed others toward God’s promises Jesus, our ultimate Shepherd — The fulfillment of Moses’ prayer is found in Jesus, who leads us to spiritual safety and rest (John 10:11) Kingdom perspective — God calls us to live with an eternal mindset, thinking beyond our present circumstances and investing in future generations Carrying God’s light — As Christ-followers, we are called to shine His light wherever we go and leave the world “better than we found it” 💬 Join the Conversation How are you leaving a God-led legacy in your life? What practical ways are you pointing others toward Jesus, the ultimate Good Shepherd? Share your story and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #FaithfulLegacy to encourage others on their journey of faith. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: 15 Moses said to the Lord, 16 “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community 17 to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” Numbers 25:15-17, NIV A recent guest on the Faith Over Fear podcast shared how his wife, when battling illness that placed her on bedrest and fearing for her future, encouraged him not to wait too long, once she passed, to marry someone else. Needless to say, this completely shredded his heart, in part because he was dealing with his own fears and grief regarding his wife’s illness, but he was also deeply concerned for her, and empathetic toward her anguish. Thankfully, she is doing much better—no longer on bed rest, able to go on vacations with her family, and enjoying her 11 grandchildren. But her statement highlights something. Love thinks beyond today and certainly beyond how things affect us personally. Often, when we consider the last year of Moses’ life, we fixate on his mistake—the moment when he acted out of pride and a brief lapse of faith and forfeited entry into the promised land. That had to sting. But as today’s passage indicates, it also greatly concerned Moses—but notice, as his life neared its end, he wasn’t focused on himself. He could’ve been. Frankly, had I been him, I probably would’ve been battling guilt, shame, sorrow and regret. And maybe even a tinge of bitterness or despair. I mean, the man had spent 40 years trekking through the wilderness, leading a massive group of individuals who did not make Moses’ role easy. At one point, they even threatened to stone him. For four decades, Moses had served God well—humbly, faithfully, sacrificially. But then, like I said, in a moment of weakness, or frustration, or maybe both, he blew it at the cost of entry into the promised land. It’s important to note, however—his sin didn’t cost him his relationship with God or entry into heaven. Based on what I read elsewhere in Scripture, he still received entrance into the ultimate promised land—eternal paradise. But he wasn’t able to lead the ancient Israelites, people for whom he deeply cared, during what would be their greatest, most exciting and, likely frightening, transition of their lives. And in today’s passage, we catch a glimpse of how much this concerned him. It’s like he’s saying, “Lord, don’t let them suffer because of me. Bless them. Watch over them and raise someone else up to lead them.” When I read his prayer in Numbers 27—his request that God would bring someone to lead His people that they might go in and go out and not live like sheep without a shepherd, I’m reminded of Jesus’ words in John 10, when He declared Himself our Good Shepherd who leads us, that we might go in and out and find pasture. He is the ultimate leader Moses’ life, and to whom all of the Old Testament points. And He is the One we are to follow and point others to as well. Intersecting Life and Faith Love looks beyond our present circumstances and how things affect us to consider the lives, blessings, and spiritual health of those who’ll remain on this earth once we’re gone, and the ...
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    6 mins