The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

We are in a season where political tensions are high, yes. Our brains are in super-categorization mode, which is made all the easier by the signs on our lawns and the flags that fly in front of our homes. We are quick to put ourselves into categories—and even quicker to do the same for others. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Our Brains Like it Simple: Being Aware of the Way We Categorize  By Deidre Braley  Acts 9: 1-5 “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”  The bell jingled as I stepped inside; my little dog Pablo leapt up to greet me, all shorn and shivering and desperate to leave. “How’d he do today?” I sighed as I scooped him into my arms. We had our usual exchange, the groomer and me: he’d been a nervous wreck (per usual), she’d done the oatmeal bath, we’d be coming back in six weeks. Pablo licked my face and begged me to go, but as the groomer handed me his next appointment card, she hesitated.  “There’s uh…well, um…could I get your professional opinion on something?” And from under the cushions on her couch, she extracted a notebook: this secret prize, this shimmering of possibility. Amidst the shampoos and shears and flea treatments, this woman held out a collection of poems she’d been working on in private. “Would you read one and tell me what you think?”  She began to ask me how you know when a poem is done, and how you know when it’s done well. We talked about the trickery of metaphor and the possibility of publication. Did we tear up at this recognition of kindred-ness—this realization that we were a little less alone in the world than we’d been before my dog’s haircut? It’s possible.  I share this with you because, before this interaction, I never would have known that our dog’s groomer was also a poet. Our exchanges until that point had been limited to conversations around sensitive skin, clipper settings, and Venmo payments. But when she pulled out that notebook filled with poetry, I realized she’d been kindred all along—I just hadn’t imagined or known it yet.  I’m afraid that I do this all the time, this designating of spaces and titles for other people. Apparently there’s a name for this—it’s called social identity theory. See, our brains like to make things as simple as possible, and for that reason, we subconsciously engage in this act of categorizing. We put people into groups so we can understand them better.1  While we can’t fault our brains for trying to make things easier, there are spiritual implications that we need to be aware of, here. Because if we aren’t aware of the categories we’re putting people into, we may begin to make assumptions about the state of their souls that simply aren’t true.  1 Saul McLeod, “Social Identity Theory in Psychology (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), Simply Psychology, October 5, 2023, https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-identity-theory.html Think of Saul, for example. As someone who was “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1), the disciples easily categorized him as an enemy. It’s probably safe to say that none of them imagined that the Lord would ever be able to reach him—let alone use him—for the glory of the Kingdom. In fact, even after the Lord struck Saul blind and ordered the disciple Ananias to visit him and lay hands on him so he could regain his sight, Ananias said, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name” (Acts 9:13-14). In Ananias’ mind, Saul was firmly in the ‘enemy’ category.  But God did not relent, instead telling Ananias, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).  Intersecting Faith & Life  We are in a season where political tensions are high, yes. Our brains are in super-categorization mode, which is made all the easier by the signs on our lawns and the flags that fly in front of our homes. We are quick to put ourselves into categories—and even quicker to do the same for others. We may even be tempted to make assumptions about what God thinks about people based on the categories we’ve put them in.  But even outside of politics, we may tend to hang back from certain people, never looking them in the eyes and considering that they, too, are children of the Living God. Never considering telling them about Jesus or the hope we have because we don’t believe it will matter or make any difference to them.  If God could soften Saul’s heart and then totally revolutionize his actions, perspective, spirit, and life, though, what makes us think he can’t do the same for any single person he puts in our midst?  Today, let’s look up and around, and let’s catch ourselves in the act of categorizing the people we meet. Instead of putting them into neat and tidy boxes, let’s remember that groomers can be poets, that Pharisees can be chosen instruments of God, and that the very people before us can be hungry for and receptive to the same hope we’ve been given.  Further Reading:  Here are some stories of other people whose categories made them ‘unlikely’ to follow God—but they did. Be encouraged.  ● Rahab: Joshua 2  ● The woman at the well: John 4:1-42 ● Zaccheus: Luke 19:1-10 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you’re human, then you’re a sinner, and if a sinner, there are undoubtedly multiple ways in which your value system can be realigned to better fit God’s. Allow the Lord to reveal Himself to us, teaching us what we don’t know, and reaffirming what we do. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: How Strong Are Your Values? By Aaron D’Anthony BrownBible Reading “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27, CSB) Building a House You can tell how strong a house is based on its foundation. Even if the top crumbles and the walls come down, a strong house remains where it started. Firmly planted in place. Yet, while a strong foundation is able to resist the elements, a weak foundation succumbs. The walls and the roof collapse, and the foundation, too, breaks apart. Much like a house, you can tell how strong someone’s values are based on how those values hold up under pressure. I remember entering college as a Christian who professed faith but couldn’t explain to you why I believed. Anytime someone asked me, even gently, why I didn’t attend church or read Scripture, I scrambled. My value was really in complacency, not in a chapel or reading. There was nervousness, sweat, and plenty of avoidance. If you challenged me, which a few Christians did, I’d be offended. I wanted to do my own thing, not be admonished. And though I was not combative, I was most certainly defensive. Today, I see similar behavior from moral relativists who struggle to explain their ever-changing positions, the perpetually single who never want to self-examine, and even the woke who want everybody to think like them. They all believe the problem is everyone else and never themselves.   What we value and what we don’t reveal much about our hearts. In the same way, you can spot a weak value system, you can also pinpoint someone with well-thought-out beliefs. Their ideals stand up to pressure and are unwavering with time.  As believers, we want to be able to answer, as best we can, anyone who has a question about the faith. That’s especially true if they are trying to push us to be better. When we allow ourselves to grow, not only are our values strengthened, but we become people better equipped to encourage others, and lead people to Christ. If then, like me, you want to know and continue to strengthen your values, then today presents the perfect opportunity. Intersecting Faith & Life: Know God If you want to know what you ought to value, then you have to know God. We do that through prayer and reading. Both allow the Lord to reveal Himself to us, teaching us what we don’t know, and reaffirming what we do. Know the Word Reading the Bible is especially relevant because it takes away the confusion we may experience through prayer. Sometimes we ask questions of God and don’t quite understand Him. However, if we read then we can potentially clear up that confusion right away. Don’t Be Defensive The Bible talks repeatedly about being humble. Humble people acknowledge when they don’t know when they mess up and how they can grow. If God calls on us to practice this virtue, then be open to having your values challenged. If you’re human, then you’re a sinner, and if a sinner, there are undoubtedly multiple ways in which your value system can be realigned to better fit God’s. Keep Reading The only way to know, without any doubt, what to value as a Christian is to read. Reading too helps you strengthen your values because you educate yourself on why you believe in the first place. Back in the day for me, reading the Bible was intimidating because I was so unfamiliar with it. I didn’t want to look dumb, but we all have to start of dumb before we become smart. More importantly, we have to know what to value if we want to live lives centered on God. Don’t be fooled into thinking everything we value, He values too. Or that everything He values we naturally want for ourselves. Instead, pursue God through reading and watch as your values fall into place, much like that house with a strong foundation. Further Reading: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Matthew 4:4 Matthew 6:33 1 Timothy 6:11 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Take some time to see how God works. Can you recall a time where an unanswered prayer was actually a blessing? His light shines through intentionally and His work is always good.  SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Place your identity and self worth in the one who empowers you to do the impossible. In God alone, you are loved, you have a purpose.  SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Who is really in control? Even when we think we have to get everything done, we are wrong. He is in control. Take a step back, and trust Him. He calls us to action, but also to rest, remember that today. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Ask yourself today. When you pray, are you asking God for things according to his will or yours? It's not wrong to pour your worries and concerns before the Lord, even Jesus did that!  SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Life is pretty tough already but, is much more enjoyable when we celebrate each other!  SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

You will shine like a star in the sky once you give up complaining and arguing. How can you turn your heart towards thankfulness and joy? SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How does remembering that God sees you, help you regain your identity in him and your value? In what ways can tell or show others the Lord sees them too? SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Ask God to help you spread the truth of Salvation, that it comes as a gift from God through faith and not through anything we do ourselves to attain it. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below Remembering Reformation Day  (700 words)  by Lynette Kittle “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”-- Ephesians 2:8 Some may wonder what Reformation Day is all about and why it is considered such a big deal in Church history. Commemorated on the same day as Halloween, why should we as Christians take time to remember it?  Who’s Behind the Reformation? Born November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, Martin Luther grew up to be the catalyst for the Reformation. A thunderstorm is accredited to beginning his spiritual journey in 1505, while he was studying law at the University of Erfurt.  Some may call his experience a crisis of faith, where a bolt of lightning striking near him, terrified him to the point of making a deal with God for divine protection by promising St. Anne he would become a monk if she would graciously spare his life. Even though Luther’s father, a hard working miner, strongly disapproved, Luther diligently pursued becoming a monk. Intense in his pursuit of holiness, Luther whipped himself raw in an attempt to appease the wrath of a holy God and feel worthy and deserving enough to go to heaven. As well, he regularly confessed his sins for up to six hours a day.  During Luther’s zealous studying of the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that the just shall live by faith and that none of his self-afflictions would justify him before God but only come through faith in Jesus Christ. How Did the Reformation Begin? With Luther’s revelation concerning Salvation, came his disillusionment with the errors in the Church’s teaching and practices, involving selling indulgences to raise money and convincing individuals that their giving of money for their deceased relatives could release them from purgatory. With hopes of sparking an academic debate and reform, on October 31, 1517, Luther wrote 95 theses against this revenue-generating scheme, along with other abuses he discovered within the Church, nailing his document on the Wittenberg, Germany, Cathedral door for all to see, a common practice at the time. But the Church didn’t approve of Luther spreading his findings via the newly invented printing press and wasn’t open to his corrections. Still his ideas spread throughout Germany, stirring up much controversy, which led to the Church Council in 1521 demanding Luther recant his thesis.  Luther Ushers in the Reformation However, Luther refused to recant his thesis, writing, “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my bases: my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus, I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.” Luther’s refusal to recant cost him dearly, leading to his being excommunicated from the Catholic Church in 1521 by Pope Leo X. His unwavering stand led him to be declared an outlaw and heretic, causing him to run for his life and find refuge with Fredrick the Wise at Wartburg Castle under an assumed name and disguise.  During his time there, Luther translated the Bible into German, which helped him to put the written word of God into the hands of the common people. His actions ushered in a new era referred to as the Reformation, of placing God’s Word in the hands of individuals and giving birth to the Protestant Churches. Luther’s efforts gave individuals the opportunity to read the Bible for themselves, leading to many lives being transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He understood how people need to read and study God’s Word on their own, believing wholeheartedly what 2 Timothy 3:16, teaches: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Intersecting Faith & Life: Ask God to help you spread the truth of Salvation, that it comes as a gift from God through faith and not through anything we do ourselves to attain it. Further Reading: 6 Reasons Christians Should Celebrate Reformation Day https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/reasons-christians-should-celebrate-reformation-day.html Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.