Episodes

  • Where to Find Joy

    Where to Find Joy
    Jun 17 2025
    Where do you go looking for joy? In this heartfelt devotional, Whitney Hopler shares a personal story of travel disappointment that led to a powerful revelation: true joy isn’t found in plans or places—it’s found in God’s presence. Based on Psalm 16:11, this episode dives into how joy differs from happiness and why the world can never offer the kind of lasting joy our souls crave. 💡 Key Takeaways: Happiness fades. Joy is rooted in relationship, not circumstance. Psalm 16:11 reveals three truths: God guides your path, His presence fills you with joy, and His pleasures last forever. When everything else disappoints, God remains the source of deep, soul-anchoring joy. Join The Conversation:What’s one place you’ve looked for joy that didn’t deliver? How might your week change if you prioritized simply being in God’s presence? Share your reflections and tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #FindingJoy 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Where to Find Joy By: Whitney Hopler “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” – Psalm 16:11, NIV I love to travel, and it’s a blessing whenever I have an opportunity to take a new trip. But I’ll always remember the time when I discovered that I couldn’t count on finding joy from a trip. I’d planned lots of fun activities for my family in Amsterdam that didn’t work out. For many months, I’d imagined us enjoying those activities together, only to have some of them fall through. We couldn’t even enjoy the activity we had looked forward to the most – riding bikes together along Amsterdam’s famous canals – because we hadn’t made advance reservations for bikes and they were all rented out from nearby bike shops. On top of that, my phone was stolen on a busy tram. I was so upset that I left my family in our rented townhouse and wandered the streets by myself to cry and pray. As I poured out my disappointment to God, I sensed God leading me to sit down on a bench and just focus on his presence with me. It only took a short time of paying attention to God’s presence to start feeling better. Soon, my sadness evaporated and an incredible amount of joy washed over me. It was just being in God’s presence – not anything else – that brought me the joy I was searching for. Everyone I know wants to enjoy their lives. But some haven’t found joy yet, because they’re looking for it in the wrong places, like I did when I thought I could find joy by planning a dream vacation. We can chase after achievements, relationships, vacations, and more while hoping that they’ll finally give us the joy we long for. They might make us happy temporarily. But after those happy feelings fade, we’re back to chasing something else. That’s because happiness and joy are not the same. Happiness happens when our circumstances are good. Joy, however, comes from a deeper source than temporarily good circumstances. Joy is a gift that comes from being connected to God. It’s a deep sense of gladness that comes from knowing God loves us completely and unconditionally. We can experience joy in any kind of circumstances, no matter what. Psalm 16:11 describes where to find joy. It starts by reminding us that God shows us the path we should walk. Even when we feel uncertain, God promises to lead us on a path that’s full of life – not just existence, but real life, where we live to the fullest. Then it points out that God will fill us with joy in his presence. God himself is the source of our joy! When we draw near to God by communicating with him in prayer and meditation, God meets us with his joy. That joy is strong enough for us to experience in any situation. Finally, Psalm 16:11 says that God gives us “eternal pleasures at your right hand.” The joy God gives us lasts for eternity! It never runs out. We can enjoy pleasures from God forever, because they’re the pleasures of being loved by our eternally loving God. Looking for joy in this fallen world is bound to disappoint us. But searching for joy in God’s presence will reliably lead us to experiencing it. God gives us real joy, which is something that the world can’t offer and can’t take away. Even in suffering, we can rejoice, because God’s presence is with us in all circumstances. So, we don’t need to worry when we don’t find joy in other places. We can always find joy when we look for it in God’s presence! Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider where to find joy, reflect on these questions: When have you recently felt happy in good circumstances, but lost that happiness when your circumstances changed? Where do you sometimes find yourself looking for joy, instead of through your relationship with God? How can you spend more time in God’s presence ...
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    6 mins
  • The Source of Our Hope

    The Source of Our Hope
    Jun 16 2025
    When everything feels like it’s falling apart, where do you turn? In this powerful devotional, Cindi McMenamin encourages us to place our hope not in answers or outcomes—but in the God who holds all things together. With Scripture, personal insight, and a look at sobering mental health trends, she makes a compelling case for anchoring our hearts in the “God of hope” (Romans 15:13). 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why hope is as essential to the human soul as food and water The difference between hoping for answers and hoping in God How Romans 15:13 offers a framework for emotional and spiritual resilience A call to deepen trust in the One who sustains you, even in the unknown 💬 Join the Conversation:Where have you found hope lately? What Scripture has helped you stay grounded in tough times? Tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #SourceOfOurHope and share a verse or story to encourage others. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: The Source of Our Hope By Cindi McMenamin, Crosswalk Contributing Writer “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NASB) When life seems to fall apart, we can begin to wonder why we’re here and if there truly is Someone controlling the grand scheme of things. Where is God? we might wonder. And can He really hold this together? Research says humans cannot live without food, water, and shelter. It usually takes 40 days or less without any of those elements for the body to die. But scientists and medical experts have now concluded there is one thing humans cannot live without for an even shorter amount of time and that is hope. Without hope, the spirit gives up far earlier. We need hope—for the future, for a sense of purpose, for the assurance that there is a divine design to life and things really do happen for a reason in the grander scheme of things. We need hope that help will arrive soon for whatever is ailing us. I’ve heard many believers say they hope that when they get to heaven that God will reveal to them why a loss or difficulty occurred. That sounds like hope in one day gaining answers to the questions we have, or hope in the assurance that there was a reason for our suffering. Yet what you and I really need is hope in the One who holds all things together, including us. Romans 15:13 tells us He is “the God of hope.” And Colossians 1:17 tells us, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Intersecting Faith and Life Because you and I know God in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, we should be the most hopeful people on the planet. And yet studies show that anxiety, depression, and a sense of despondency is at an increasingly high rate today—even among believers. According to Barna Research Group, the top two things U.S. adults are looking for spiritually are inner peace and hope, and that statistic is among believers, as well as unbelievers. (https://www.barna.com/research/year-in-review-2023/) That tells me there’s a disconnect between believing in God and knowing Him and His character and realizing He is the God of all hope. Scripture defines faith, in Hebrews 11:1 as “the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen” (NASB1995). If faith is believing what we hope for exists, then clearly having faith in the One who can do all things should make a tangible difference in our lives and our anxiety levels. It should give us hope. The opposite of hope is doubt, pessimism, or despair. That last condition is one of the leading reasons behind suicide, which is now one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., represented by one death every 11 minutes. (The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher.) In 2021, an estimated 12.3 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.7 million attempted suicide. And this statistic is no longer represented primarily by seniors and veterans. In 2021, suicide was among the top nine leading causes of death for people ages 10-64, and it was the second leading cause of death for children ages 10-14 and adults ages 20-34! (https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html) Shouldn’t knowing the God who is in control of all things give us the hope and peace we need to survive this world, or at least one more day? Not unless we really trust this God we claim to know. When we truly get to know Him, through His Word, we can trust Him and realize our suffering is for a reason—it is shaping us into the likeness of Jesus. Don’t give up, my friend. The God of hope, whom Scripture says does not disappoint, can “fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of His Holy ...
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    6 mins
  • How Honoring Fathers Honors God

    How Honoring Fathers Honors God
    Jun 15 2025
    In this heartfelt devotional, Lynette Kittle reflects on the power and purpose of honoring fathers—and how doing so honors God. Through Scripture and personal stories, she reminds us that God designed fatherhood as a reflection of His own love and authority. Even when our relationships with earthly fathers are difficult or broken, God invites us to healing, respect, and honor in ways that please Him. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why honoring your father isn’t just a cultural suggestion—it’s a command with a promise How honoring your father connects directly to your relationship with God What Scripture says about the cost of dishonor and the reward of respect Encouragement for those who have experienced father wounds and need healing 💬 Join the Conversation:What’s one way you’ve been able to honor your father—either in presence or in memory? Share your thoughts and tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #HonorYourFather as we reflect together on the importance of fatherhood and faith. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: How Honoring Fathers Honors God By Lynette Kittle “Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth”--Ephesians 6:2-3 Every few years or so, my birthday falls on Father’s Day, which is especially meaningful to me because it’s a reminder of my being born on my Father’s birthday. As a child growing up, I loved sharing my birthdays with him. Memories include my Dad and me splurging at Dairy Queen on our birthdays, being able to pick out whatever ice cream treats our hearts desired, whereas we usually just bought a chocolate covered ice cream cone. As an adult, often living miles apart, we spent fewer birthdays together, but even so, my Dad would send a special birthday card just from him, writing once again like he did every year, how I was the best birthday gift he ever received. Having a loving relationship with my Dad taught me how to have a loving relationship with God as my Father. Honoring Fathers Is Not to Be Taken Lightly Sadly, countless individuals in the world don’t grow up having a loving father, but instead experience very different relationships with their earthly fathers, hindering many from receiving and having a loving relationship with God their Father. It’s heartbreaking to hear and understandable why some believe it’s okay to kick fathers to the curbside, seeing them as unnecessary and of no importance in their lives. Yet, in honoring fathers, we honor God by honoring His word. Scripture doesn’t brush over or take dishonoring fathers lightly. Rather, it comes with a heavy cost, as Proverbs 30:11-13 explains. “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; the eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.” Honoring Fathers Reveres God Fatherhood has definitely taken a hit over the years, with many individuals seeing men’s position and place in the family, and our culture, as non-essential. Unfortunately, social media has created platforms where it is way too easy for individuals to say and write whatever they wish about their fathers, and men overall to the world, disrespecting and dishonoring being taken to new levels. But even though some men may fail as fathers, God doesn’t support disrespecting them because it is dishonoring to Him. As Proverbs 20:20 warns, “If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.” The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:7 reminds us that man is the glory of God, and that even how we treat men old enough to be our fathers matters to God, as noted in 1 Timothy 5:1.“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers.” Likewise, as Leviticus 19:32 reminds us, “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” Honoring Fathers Honors God Although society may say it’s okay to dishonor fathers, God’s word does not, and He is still saying, “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old”—Proverbs 23.22 God created the family structure, setting fathers in a place of honor, calling us to honor Him by honoring them. “Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!” (Hebrews 12:9) Intersecting Faith & Life: If you’re finding it difficult to honor your father, or any father, because of your...
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    6 mins
  • Finding Your Worth in God's Love

    Finding Your Worth in God's Love
    Jun 14 2025
    Where do you find your worth? In today’s devotional, Vivian Bricker shares her personal story of searching for identity in sports, achievement, and relationships—only to discover that true, unshakable worth can only be found in the love of Christ. Rooted in 1 John 4:16, this episode reminds us that God is love, and He alone defines our value. If you’ve ever struggled with self-worth, this is your invitation to rest in the One whose love never fails. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why earthly accomplishments will never satisfy our need for true worth How understanding God's love transforms how we see ourselves The difference between conditional love and the unchanging love of Jesus How to recognize signs of God’s love in your everyday life 💬 Join the Conversation:What’s one way God has shown His love for you this week? Share your thoughts and tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #WorthInChrist — your story might be just what someone else needs to hear today. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Finding Your Worth in God’s Love By Vivian Bricker “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4:16). I didn’t come to know Jesus until I was eighteen years old. Prior to this time, I knew of Jesus, but I didn’t actually know Him. He was an abstract idea that didn’t make much sense to me. While my mom would talk about Jesus, I never really understood what she said about Him. In other words, I didn’t understand that He is God or that we can receive salvation through believing in Him. Therefore, I spent the first seventeen years of my life not knowing about Jesus, the Father, or the Holy Spirit. As one could imagine, this negatively impacted my life in many ways. I wonder sometimes what my life would have looked like if I had known Jesus earlier in life. Maybe I would not have tried to find my worth in the things of this world. As a kid and a teen, I found much of my identity in sports and music. When I was a kid, I prided myself in being a soccer player and gymnast. Since this worth was found in things I could do, I knew I could lose my worth. If I wasn’t good at these sports anymore, I would lose my worth—and this used to keep me up at night. I feared that if I wasn’t the “best,” all of my teammates wouldn’t like me anymore and that they would stop being my friends. Now that I know Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I no longer find my worth in other things. Instead, I find my worth in Him. Since my worth is in Him, my worth doesn’t change or waver. It is firm and steadfast in the Lord. Anyone who is still living in a state of finding their worth in other things needs to turn back to the Lord. Your worth is only found in Him. Trying to find your worth in other things will leave you feeling drained and empty. Similar to how I found my worth in certain sports, maybe you found your worth in being a good student or a good artist. Rather than setting your worth in things that can change, find your worth in Jesus. Understanding His love helped me understand my worth in Jesus. Without knowing about His love, I would never have known He desired a personal relationship with me. If we are struggling with our worth, we need to turn to Jesus’ love. His love will help us understand our worth and value in His eyes. Unlike human beings, Jesus’ love for us is not based on outside factors. Instead, it is solely based on Him. The love Jesus has for us is not based on what we do or what we don’t do. It is only based on His sure, steadfast, and perfect love. This is the type of love we can depend on and find comfort in. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Apostle John tells us, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4:16). When John wrote this truth, he wrote it to us. It wasn’t only for the Christian readers who were alive after the death and resurrection of the Lord. Through John’s words, we can rely on God’s love because He is entirely trustworthy, and His love never changes. The focus of this passage is found when John says, “God is love.” As believers, we need to take this to heart. God is the exact being of love. Without God, there would not be any love. He is the Author of love, and He is also the Author of our lives. Therefore, as believers, we need to find comfort in His love and find our worth in Him. Take hold of the love He has for you; in doing so, you will also take hold of your worth in Him. Have you ever tried to find your worth in anything besides God in the past? What did this look like? What might change in your life if you accepted God’s love for you? Would it help you accept your worth in Him? Challenge yourself to think of three things that ...
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    6 mins
  • Trusting God When We Face Injustice

    Trusting God When We Face Injustice
    Jun 13 2025
    In a world that often feels unjust, how do we keep trusting a God who promises to be both just and loving? In today’s devotional, we turn to Psalm 17—David’s heartfelt prayer in the face of betrayal and injustice—and uncover a blueprint for trusting God even when life feels unfair. Whether you're facing false accusations, broken promises, or just the weight of injustice around you, this episode offers hope and healing in the hands of a just God. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why going to God in prayer is our first—not last—response to injustice How to pray boldly when you’ve been wronged, just like David did The power of declaring God’s character when everything feels out of control Why ultimate justice belongs to God—and why that’s a relief 💬 Join the Conversation:How has God shown you His justice in a difficult season? What does it look like to rest in His timing? Share your story and tag @LifeaudioNetwork with #TrustingGodInInjustice to encourage someone else walking through a hard season. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Trusting God When We Face Injustice By Sarah Frazer Bible Reading: “Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!” Psalm 17:1 (ESV) Devotional The world is filled with injustice. Just turn on the news or scroll through social media. It doesn’t take long to see all of the problems everyone faces. Everyone is going through something. Most of it is unfair. Even as Christians, we are not immune to times when people have acted unfairly towards us. In fact, the Bible says in the New Testament we should sometimes expect to be treated unfairly because we believe in Jesus as Savior. How do we trust God, who we believe is all-powerful, when we face injustice? I believe Psalm 17 helps teach us how to trust God when we have been hurt by others. David is the author of Psalm 17 and this chapter is described as a prayer of David. A brief look at David’s life paints a very clear picture of injustice. David was told he would be king by God, anointed by the prophet Samual, and for a time loved by King Saul. Over the course of the first part of David’s life, Saul changed his view of David. Saul began slandering, pursuing, and attacking David. In all of this, David had every reason to doubt God’s hand in his life. Yet in Psalm 17 we read a prayer from a man who obviously still trusted God. In this psalm we can see clearly that prayer is the key. David doesn’t go to his friends, or the people in charge, or even an army. David was wronged, but he goes directly to God. Not only does David cry out to God, he calls on God to act. How many of us hesitate to call out to God? Maybe we struggle to believe that God is all-powerful. If God was all-powerful, couldn’t he have stopped the injustice? Or if he allowed it, doesn’t he have the power to make it right? Maybe it is because we believe that God doesn’t care. Do you believe that the reason God hasn’t stepped in to make your situation fairis because maybe God doesn’t love you? We might be guilty of believing both things about God, but not David. David’s prayer cuts right to the chase. David says in verse 2, “Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.” (NKJV) He is saying:“God, I know you care about me and you know what they did was wrong, so do something!” David recognized that vengeance would not come from himself, but God would make things right! God would avenge the wrongs. Only God has the power to do so and David truly believed God loved him. David also tells God that he hasn’t done anything wrong. I think we are quick to just pray for forgiveness and we forget we are innocent in some situations. Being treated unjustly means that a wrong was done to us, without it being our fault. It is not prideful to tell God, “I didn’t do anything wrong!” God knows, of course, but reminding ourselves and saying it aloud to God helps to keep our hearts pure. To be able to pray this David must have examined his heart, and after doing so, he declared his innocence. The rest of the psalm is focused on David declaring who God is and what God will do and has done. This is so important when we pray! It is easy to tell God, “This is what is wrong.” We also like to tell God how we think He should punish the wicked people. But David doesn’t focus on this. Instead, David declares to God, “You will hear me, you will save, you will keep me safe from my enemies.” These are things that reflect God’s character but also His actions. Focusing our prayers on God’s character and His past and future actions helps us have peace in the present moment. David tells God to punish those who have acted wickedly against him, but then David settles in his...
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    9 mins
  • In Search of Contentment

    In Search of Contentment
    Jun 12 2025
    We’re all familiar with wanting more—but what if peace came not from getting what we want, but learning to be content with what we have? In this episode, we unpack Philippians 4:11–13 to discover what Paul meant when he said he had “learned the secret of being content.” Whether you’re in a season of plenty or in a season of want, this conversation points you toward the kind of soul-deep contentment that only Christ can provide. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why contentment is not the same as giving up on your desires How Paul found peace in both abundance and need Three practical steps to cultivate contentment: Remember the season, Practice gratitude, and Trust God Why Jesus—not circumstances—is the real source of lasting satisfaction 💬 Join the Conversation:Where do you find contentment? How has Christ helped you through a season of want or abundance? Share your thoughts using #InSearchOfContentment and tag us at @LifeaudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: In Search of Contentment By Aaron D’Anthony BrownI don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13, CSB) If there’s one undeniable truth about the human condition, that truth would be that each of us always wants something. That something could be major or insignificant, like a new book, some fresh clothes, a relationship, more money, or a better job. There’s no way to produce an exhaustive list because of our unique desires, but also because our hearts never stop longing for more. We want as children, and we want as adults. All of this wanting is normal, but normal isn’t always moral or productive. In this case, normal means not being very content in life. Chances are, this describes you or many of the people that you know. However, this need not always be true. How do we become more content, and what exactly is it? Based on the aforementioned passage from Paul, contentment denotes a mindset of peace that is not contingent upon circumstances. Paul learned how to find peace when having much and with having a little. Based on this testimony, we can tell that to be content does not mean that you don’t want anything at all. Rather, contentment is finding peace with what you have. That can be true of us even while still desiring something else, something more. Paul also reveals to us the source of his contentment. Certainly, he has worked to attain his mindset, but the basis for this change is his belief that Christ will strengthen him. Contentment is possible because of Christ. Not because of himself or his possessions. That is something we need to recall today. So often, we find ourselves wanting, but how often do we find ourselves content? If that’s where you want to be, know that, as Paul’s words reveal, we, too, can be strengthened by Christ in this way. We can find peace wherever and with whatever we have in life. Intersecting Faith & Life: Regarding contentment, we know that we can be like Paul, but what practical steps can we take? Here are three: Remember the Season Remember the abundance when you have a little, and remember the little when you have abundance. When you do, you can manage your perspective. Naturally, we all go through various seasons of life. Don’t expect your money to always be the same, nor the condition of your relationships. We gain, we lose, sometimes we try again. Change in life is inevitable. Sometimes those changes are not good, or at least, not what we wanted. When that happens, remember it’s just a season. Practice Gratitude You might consider yourself a grateful person, but chances are you can be an even more grateful person. Take some time to consider what you take for granted in life. Maybe you’re grateful to be married, or dating, or have a home or family. However, do you take time to thank God for running water, clean air, shoes to wear, owning a phone, or your ability to use the bathroom? The more reasons we find to be thankful, the fewer reasons we have to be discontent. Trust God Trusting God is easier said than done, but nonetheless possible. Paul grew in his faith and learned to believe that whatever ordeal he faced, he could overcome it when Christ strengthened him. That’s the kind of relationship we ourselves can find with Christ. Whether we have a lot or a little, Jesus knows our hearts. He knows what we need, and He’ll provide. If we turn to Him, He can help us overcome anything. More importantly, even if the situation doesn’t change at all, or when we want, ...
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    7 mins
  • Come Out of Your Cave

    Come Out of Your Cave
    Jun 11 2025
    Grief can feel like being trapped in a dark cave—isolated, disoriented, and overwhelmed. But just as Jesus called Lazarus out of his tomb, He calls you to step out of your own cave of sorrow and into the light of hope. This episode explores how Jesus understands your pain, walks with you through it, and gently leads you toward healing and new life. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why grief can feel like being swallowed by darkness and isolation How Jesus compassionately meets us in our pain without dismissing it The powerful story of Lazarus and what it teaches about hope after loss Why stepping forward in healing often requires help and patience Practical ways to begin moving out of grief and into life again 💬 Join the Conversation:Have you experienced grief that felt like a cave you couldn’t escape? How has Jesus helped you take steps toward healing? Share your story with #ComeOutOfYourCave and tag @LifeaudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Come Out of Your Cave By: Whitney Hopler “Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.” – John 11:38, NIV Inside a cave at Mammoth Cave National Park, a park ranger warned our tour group that we would become disoriented when she turned off her flashlight. Then, when we said we were ready, she turned it off and complete darkness descended on us. It was disorienting! The darkness inside the cave was so strong that we couldn’t see anything else. Even our own hands in front of our faces seemed like they weren’t really there, because we didn’t have any light to see them. Darkness seemed like it was swallowing us, until the ranger turned her flashlight back on, and we all breathed sighs of relief. Grief is like a cave. In this fallen world, we all lose someone or something important to us – through death, the end of a relationship, a job loss, a dream that doesn’t come true, or another kind of painful loss. Grieving can make us feel like we’re trapped in darkness. We may feel like there’s no way out of our caves, because it seems like hope has been buried with what we lost. But Jesus, the Light of the World, never wants us to stay in darkness. Jesus understands our pain, but he also offers us the help we need to move forward from it. If you’re grieving, Jesus calls you to come out of your spiritual cave, just as he raised his friend Lazarus to come out of a physical cave into a new life of hope. In John chapter 11, Jesus arrives at Lazarus’ tomb. The people around him are crying. Even Jesus is crying. Jesus understands the pain of loss, and he doesn’t dismiss your grief. But Jesus also doesn’t leave you there. As Jesus is moved with deep compassion, he calls for the stone to be removed from the cave's entrance. Then Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb and back to life! This wonderful story shows that Jesus meets you in your grief, but he doesn’t want you to remain stuck in it. Jesus cries along with you, but he also speaks life into your darkness. If grief is leading you to withdraw from living your life fully, to close yourself off from other people, or to lose hope for the future, you need to come out of your cave. Jesus stands outside your cave, calling you forward. Jesus isn’t asking you to ignore your pain and pretend that everything is fine in your life. But he is asking you to trust that God still has more for you beyond your suffering. Jesus calls Lazarus to step out of the tomb, but notice that Lazarus doesn’t walk out fully restored on his own. He’s still wrapped in grave clothes that he needs help taking off. Sometimes, even after you step forward, you need help removing something that binds you, like sadness or anxiety that clings to you. When you feel stuck in your grief, you can turn to Jesus for the help you need to heal. Jesus will help you remove your grave clothes, so you won’t be bound by grief any longer. So, if you’re grieving, you can rest assured that Jesus understands. Jesus cares about you and is moved by your pain, just as he was at Lazarus’ tomb. But Jesus also has the power to help you walk out of darkness and into the light of hope. He calls you to step forward and to trust him. Jesus is patient, and he stands outside your cave, waiting for you to take steps toward him. One of those steps can be simply saying a prayer, asking Jesus to help you heal. Then Jesus will lead you to take other steps in your healing journey, such as talking to a friend or counselor about your grief and opening your heart to hope again. Jesus won’t rush your healing, but he does call you forward. Will you trust Jesus to roll away the stone from your cave? Will you come out and start walking out of the darkness of despair and into the light of hope? Jesus is waiting to help you. ...
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    7 mins
  • Jesus Is Our Good Shepherd

    Jesus Is Our Good Shepherd
    Jun 10 2025
    Have you ever felt like one of those stubborn sheep—stuck, confused, and not quite sure which way to go? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into the comfort and power of Psalm 23 and what it truly means that Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Even when we resist or wander, His love pursues us, protects us, and reminds us: in Him, we lack nothing. 📌 What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways): Why Scripture often compares us to sheep—and what that reveals about our nature How Jesus leads, protects, and provides as our Good Shepherd What Psalm 23 teaches us about God’s presence in both peace and hardship How to release control and rest in the safety of God’s guidance Why we can confidently say we lack nothing when we belong to Christ 💬 Join the Conversation:Can you relate to feeling like a wandering sheep? How has Jesus shown up as your Shepherd in difficult moments? Share your thoughts using #GoodShepherdGrace and tag @LifeaudioNetwork. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Jesus Is Our Good Shepherd By Vivian Bricker “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1). I went on a mission internship during college for my Intercultural Studies minor, and while I was there, I learned much about the culture, people, and beliefs of the country I was now calling my temporary home. However, one thing that stuck out to me the most in the United Kingdom was the sheep. Anywhere we would go, there would be sheep. Beside the highway, at parks, and randomly roaming along the hills, I would spot sheep—and they were not very smart. One of the couples from the church I was staying with took me to Dartmoor Park, where sheep were everywhere. After hiking for a few hours and learning about Dartmoor, I was fascinated with the entire area. It was beautiful, so green, and so calming. That was until it was time to go. When we were driving out of the park, a few sheep blocked the exit. After blowing the horn a few times and motioning for the sheep to move, we were met with a “baa.” After a few more minutes of this, with the car horn alternating with “baa” from the sheep, I started thinking to myself, “How can they be so dumb? Why don’t they just move?” We could have run the sheep over, but they were stubborn and were not moving anywhere soon. Whenever I reflect on this story, I think about how many times God refers to us as sheep (Psalm 95:7, 100:3). Are we really as bad as the sheep I saw in England? The answer is yes. We are stubborn and don’t want to change our ways, even if that means we might get run over. However, God doesn’t leave us in our stubbornness, unrepentance, and rebellion. Instead, He picks us up, stands beside us, and meets us where we are. He won’t allow the car to come run us over. He is our Good Shepherd and will protect us from all harm. If a human shepherd cares so much about their sheep, how much more will Jesus care about us? His love is unconditional and never-changing, which means He will always be there for us, keep us strong, and keep us safe. At times, we may feel that we are far from His protection and goodness, but He is always with us. Even when we feel alone, He is right beside us. Despite our stubborn and unwilling hearts, Jesus still loves us. This love is so great that He left Heaven to be born into the world, live a sinless life, and die for the world's sins (John 3:16-17). We never need to doubt Jesus’ love for us or His protection, goodness, or kindness. Intersecting Faith & Life: Psalm 23 is the classical psalm that highlights Jesus as our Good Shepherd. Psalm 23:1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” While this psalm contains many other important teachings, we are focusing on how Jesus is our Shepherd, and this truth means we lack nothing. Having Jesus as our Shepherd means we have the greatest protection from our Savior and Lord. Similar to how a shepherd fights back against wolves and other creatures to protect his sheep, Jesus will protect us from evil. Maybe this won’t be physical wolves or other predators, but He will protect us from every evil attack (2 Timothy 4:18). We can trust in the Lord and find solace in His goodness. Times can feel difficult right now, but Jesus is still in control and will forever be the true King. All our anxiety, worry, and trouble must be given to Him. We lack nothing because we belong to Jesus. Whatever is bringing our hearts trouble today, we can give it all to Jesus, who will uphold us. Even when we feel we lack something physical or spiritual, we need to remember that in Christ, we lack nothing. He has blessed us with everything we need. Do you currently relate to sheep? Have you been stubborn or unwilling to listen to God? The Lord is our Good Shepherd. How did this help you see the world in a different light? Because of Jesus, we ...
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    6 mins
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