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Lifeaudio Podcast Network offers a diverse collection of faith-based podcasts from trusted pastors, authors, and ministry leaders.

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  • Thursday · 1 hr 22 min

    Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic with Jon Seid... - Alcohol Became Her Food: Natasha Kennedy on Losing the Ability to Eat, Turning to Alcohol, and Ultimately Feasting on Jesus

    When chronic illness took away Natasha Kennedy’s ability to eat, alcohol became the one comfort she believed she had left. Instead of gorging on food, alcohol became her new gluttony. The illustrator behind the beloved children's FatCat series and author of the incredible new book Lacking Nothing: The Year I Lost My Ability to Eat and Found Satisfaction in Christ joins Jon Seidl for an unflinching conversation about alcohol addiction, chronic pain, Christian recovery, fasting, and finding satisfaction in Christ when life leaves an aching emptiness. Natasha was still seeking Jesus, encouraging others, raising her children, and trying to remain faithful. But she had quietly given alcohol a job: It was her reward, her pain relief, her escape, and the one thing she believed she still deserved. Then her husband came home during a freezing power outage and found their young daughter outside in only a diaper. Natasha could no longer avoid what alcohol was costing her. She and Jon discuss the lie that alcohol makes life better, why removing one addiction can leave us vulnerable to another, and what Natasha calls a “fasting mindset”—the daily decision to experience lack without immediately numbing or filling it. Her story isn’t about suffering disappearing. It’s about discovering, in the middle of pain and ongoing illness, that Jesus isn’t merely enough. He is the feast. Get Natasha's new book: Lacking Nothing: The Year I Lost My Ability to Eat and Found Satisfaction in Christ Visit Natasha's website Follow Natasha on Instagram: @natashakennedu Heather Kopp's book: Sober Mercies Get Gospel-centered addiction recovery resources and help at veritasrecovery.org Follow Jon: @jonseidl Order Jon's book: Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic Watch this episode ad-free at The Vertias Daily We explore: — How chronic illness caused Natasha to lose her ability to eat — Why losing food involved grief, identity, creativity, and comfort — How alcohol became Natasha’s reward, medication, and escape — Why active Christian faith does not make someone immune to addiction — The night Natasha realized her drinking was endangering her children — Why eliminating one coping mechanism can lead us to replace it with another — What Natasha means by developing a “fasting mindset” — How her husband and friends supported her recovery — The lie that alcohol makes life better — Why recovery allowed Natasha to become more present for her family — Finding satisfaction in Christ while pain and chronic illness continue — Why addressing addiction today is less costly than waiting for tomorrow Support the Show: https://www.jonseidl.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Thursday · 12 min

    The Bible Study Podcast - #987 - Exodus 30-31 – More Stuff to Build

    This episode is part 17 in a study of the book of Exodus. God wraps up the instructions for Moses after 40 days on the mountain with instructions for incense, an altar, anointing oil, and more. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Thursday · 23 min

    Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Ben... - How to Strengthen Your Family's Mental Health This School Year

    Episode Summary: What if the most important thing you prepare your child for this school year isn't academic success—but emotional resilience? While parents are busy buying school supplies, organizing schedules, and preparing for the first day of class, many children are quietly carrying anxiety, stress, loneliness, pressure, and fear into the new school year. And if we're honest, many parents are carrying those same burdens. The truth is that a child's mental health affects everything—from learning and memory to relationships, confidence, and spiritual well-being. So before the homework starts piling up and the calendar fills to overflowing, let's talk about how to create a home where every member of the family can thrive emotionally, mentally, and spiritually throughout the school year. Today we're talking about something that affects nearly every family this time of year: How to Strengthen Your Family's Mental Health This School Year. Quotables from the episode: As a neuropsychologist, I often explain that the brain functions best when it feels safe. Neuroscience teaches us about emotional contagion. Our nervous systems influence one another. Children often borrow emotional cues from the adults around them. When parents remain calm during stressful situations, children learn calmness. When parents model healthy coping skills, children learn resilience. When parents prioritize emotional health, children learn that mental health matters. One of the greatest gifts you can give your family is predictability. Our brains love predictability because predictability creates safety. When life feels chaotic, the brain remains on high alert. When life feels structured, the brain can relax. If I could give families one neuroscience-based recommendation, it would be this: Protect sleep. Sleep is not a luxury. Sleep is a necessity. During sleep, the brain consolidates memories. It processes emotions. It restores energy. It strengthens attention and learning. Many children struggle not because they have emotions but because they don't know what to do with them. One of the most valuable skills we can teach children is emotional awareness. Help them identify what they're feeling. As parents, we must consistently remind our children that their value comes from who they are, not what they achieve. Many parents want to protect their children from every hardship. I understand that instinct. But resilience develops when children learn they can survive challenges. The goal isn't a stress-free life. The goal is learning how to navigate stress in healthy ways. Research consistently shows that strong family relationships reduce the risk of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and other mental health concerns. Connection doesn't require perfection. It requires presence. Children spell love T-I-M-E. The world teaches self-reliance. Scripture teaches God-reliance. Recommended Resources: Free Stress-Response Personality Assessment Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms

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  • Thursday · 1 hr 4 min

    Thinking Christian: Clear Theology for a Confusing... - When Doctrine Divides Christians Who Aren't Wrong

    James Spencer and Ashish Varma return to the diagnoses that narrow the church's vision, this time with fragmentation — the way faithful Christians end up separated from one another not by heresy but by tradition, idiom, and the slow drift of communities that no longer talk across their boundaries. James opens with a job interview from 2005 where a pastor announced he wanted no one in the role who wouldn't bleed for the Southern Baptist faith. Both men are clear that boundaries have real value; the question is what happens when a community's distinctives quietly become the test of who counts as a Christian at all. The conversation leans on George Lindbeck's argument that doctrine is second-order — an attempt to make sense of the biblical narrative rather than the thing itself — and on what gets lost when that ordering flips. Along the way: the ecumenical councils and why some councils didn't make the cut, the filioque and the East-West split, Genesis 22 and whether its tension sits in the text or in front of it, and why James has traded getting it right for getting it plausible. Chapters (approximate, from speaker turns — verify against the final cut): 00:00 What fragmentation is, and what it isn't 02:29 Church history as the place to start 04:25 "Bleed for the Southern Baptist faith" 08:35 When boundaries are legitimate 11:03 The ecumenical councils and what made them ecumenical 13:53 Insularity, and the cost of never crossing traditions 16:24 Doctrinal distinctives become vested interests 21:05 Lindbeck, Vanhoozer, and doctrine as second-order 23:19 East and West: the filioque and the split 25:16 The Reformation and the explosion of denominations 29:37 Inversion: when doctrine climbs on top of the text 31:15 Genesis 22 — "now I know that you fear God" 36:40 Is the tension in the text or in front of it? 41:13 Written in pencil 42:57 Reading the Bible without the systematic categories 47:38 Nobody reads from nowhere 49:18 The cloud: how secondhand narratives harden 54:11 Petitions, feedback loops, and doctrinal echo chambers 55:35 From "getting it right" to "getting it plausible" 57:37 The Nicene Creed as a broad boundary Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Thursday · 38 min

    Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager - Why Having Kids Might Make You Happier | Dr. Robert Hamilton

    Dennis Prager's conversation with pediatrician Dr. Robert Hamilton is a fascinating exploration of the human experience, delving into the intricacies of parenthood, societal trends, and the importance of family. As they discuss Dr. Hamilton's book, Seven Secrets of the Newborn, they touch on the joys and challenges of raising children, the changing attitudes towards marriage and family, and the impact of societal pressures on individual choices. Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timeless-wisdom-with-dennis-prager/id1517302239 Follow us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4SZEYeH4tuLr2FvG4ok1rl Learn more about Dennis Prager: https://pragertopia.com/ Follow Dennis on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DennisPrager Follow Dennis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedennisprager/ Follow Dennis on X: https://x.com/DennisPrager Learn more about the Salem Podcast Network: https://salempodcastnetwork.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Thursday · 24 min

    The Bible Explained with Jenn Kokal - 1 Peter 2:18-25 - His Wounds Healed Us

    Today we delve into the topic of submission, specifically in the context of slavery, as discussed in 1 Peter 2:18-25: Peter encourages slaves to submit to their masters with respect, regardless of their treatment, as Jesus did when he suffered for humanity's sins. Peter, Paul, James, and other apostles understood something that most of the Roman world did not - that slaves had inherent value and could potentially save their masters. This is why 1 Peter 2 and 1 Corinthians 7 emphasize the importance of slaves staying in their positions unless they have the opportunity to become free. Jesus' example of enduring physical and emotional pain, including being crucified and bearing the sins of humanity, shows that suffering is commendable to God. The episode concludes by highlighting the importance of faith and the promise of a better reward in heaven for those who endure persecution. Related Episodes: Philemon (Part 1) - An Introduction to Philemon Philemon (Part 2) - The Conclusion to Philemon Leviticus 25:39-55 (From Creation) - Why Didn't God Abolish Slavery? Here's other amazing content from P40! YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk Merch - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop YouVersion - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38267-out-of-the-mire-trusting-god-in-the-middle Check out LifeAudio for other faith-based podcasts on parenting, studying Scripture, and more: www.lifeaudio.com Need help memorizing Scripture? Check out Verse in the Chorus: https://www.youtube.com/@VerseintheChrous Become a member to gain access to The Bible Explained on Fridays: https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Thursday · 10 min

    Your Nightly Scripture - Staying on God’s Path When Temptation Pulls at Me (Proverbs 28)

    Evening Scripture Proverbs 28 The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign. Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back. The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit. Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread. The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them. Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue. Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys. The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper. Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive. Evening Reflection Jesus found it important to warn us about temptations. We are bombarded every day with messages and images that tantalize and provoke us. Sexual and material lusts and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) can be strong forces. Jesus told Peter to “watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41) Even in the Lord’s Prayer, we are taught to pray about temptation. Yet, despite our very best efforts, every one of us experiences temptation. Let’s face it, if Jesus could be tempted, we certainly know we can and will be. But what happens when we are? Certainly, some temptations are much stronger and more difficult to resist than others – but what about those times we are leaning into them? Ready to give in? When the evil one attacks, we respond by following Jesus’ example. The psalmist tells us, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (119:11) While we may not m

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  • Thursday · 5 min

    Your Nightly Prayer: Evening Prayers for Christian... - Patience for Slow Answers

    Psalm 130 does not begin from a place of ease. It begins out of the depths. This is not the testimony of someone whose situation resolved quickly or whose prayers were answered on a comfortable timeline. It is the testimony of someone who learned, in the middle of genuine trouble, that waiting for God is not the same as being forgotten by God. Scripture will not always tell us when our circumstances will change or which direction the answer will finally come from. But it tells us who God is. He is faithful. He hears. He is compassionate toward the one who cries to Him out of the depths, and He does not forget what He holds. Tonight, you do not have to work everything out before you sleep. You do not have to force clarity or run through every possible outcome one more time. You can place the unanswered question back in the hands that have been holding it all along and trust that the One you are waiting for has you and your situation securely in His care. The answer may still be slow in coming. But you are not alone in the waiting room. Ponder Tonight Waiting with the whole being, as the psalmist describes, is an honest acknowledgment that uncertainty is not just a mental challenge. It is carried in the body, the emotions, and the spirit, and God invites all of it into His presence, not just the composed version. Mistaking God's silence for His absence is one of the most common and painful errors of the waiting season. His silence does not mean inactivity. He is working in ways that may only become visible after the answer finally arrives. Anchoring hope in God's character rather than in a preferred outcome or timeline is what makes hope sustainable through long seasons of waiting. What we know about who He is holds when what we can see does not give us enough to hold onto. Releasing the pressure to resolve everything before sleep is not passive resignation. It is an active act of trust, placing tomorrow's answer back into hands far more capable of holding it than our own. Tonight's Scripture "I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope." — Psalm 130:5, NIV Your Evening Prayer Lord God, You know the answer we are waiting for and how deeply the uncertainty affects us. You see the questions filling our minds and the tension we carry. Tonight we bring our whole being before You, not just the composed parts but the anxious and weary ones too. Help us not to mistake Your silence for Your absence. When we cannot see what You are doing, remind us of who You are. Faithful. Compassionate. Attentive to our prayers. Anchor our hope in You and Your Word rather than in our preferred outcome or timing. We release the pressure to work everything out tonight. Quiet our thoughts. Help us trust You with what remains unresolved. Give us patience for the waiting, wisdom for each next step, and peaceful sleep as we place tomorrow in Your hands. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Thursday · 7 min

    Your Daily Bible Verse - Facing Unexpected Places with Courage (Joshua 2:1)

    Today's Bible Verse: "And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went " — Joshua 2:1 How do you face unexpected places and uncertain situations with courage? Joshua 2:1 shows Joshua taking a step of faith by sending spies into Jericho, a place filled with danger and uncertainty. When God leads us into unfamiliar circumstances, we may not know exactly what lies ahead, but we can trust Him to guide our steps and give us courage to move forward. Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword “Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ Meet Today’s Host: Reverend Jessica Van Roekel ️ Listen to more daily devotionals with Jessica at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio Rev. Jessica Van Roekel is a passionate Christian speaker, author, and worship pastor who shares how God brings beauty from brokenness. Her message centers on God’s power to rescue, restore, and renew, even after seasons of rejection or loss. She is the author of Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything, a guide to seeing God’s purpose in life’s disappointments. Jessica and her husband are raising a vibrant family, with two adult daughters, a college-aged son, and a high school daughter. You can explore her teachings, devotionals, and resources at WelcomeGrace.com. Let Scripture shape your heart today—begin with the Bible Verse of the Day on Biblestudytools.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Thursday · 20 min

    Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews - Teaching Kids to Do It Afraid Is the Only Courage That Lasts | Montell & Kristin Jordan

    Kristin Jordan was trying to get her three-year-old son to sleep when he started talking about the monster under his bed. Instead of dismissing the fear, the Holy Spirit gave her a thought — what if the monster is more afraid of you than you are of him? That became the seed of Shilo and the Not So Scary Girl Above His Bed, a children's book about a lovable character who is afraid but takes one brave step anyway, written by Kristin and her husband Montell Jordan, the R&B singer behind This Is How We Do It. Facing fear as a child, facing cancer as an adult, and the courage that can only be received and never manufactured: Montell shares what it was like to hear the word cancer in January 2024, to have surgery to remove his prostate in November, to face a recurrence nine months later requiring 37 proton therapy treatments, and to receive a call from his doctor on Christmas Day 2025 with results showing his cancer was undetectable. He and Kristin also open up about three decades of marriage, why she started chasing God before he did, and why they now spend their time pastoring the unpastored — musicians, entertainers, and people in secular spaces who would never walk into a church on a Sunday. Highlights The bedtime conversation with their three-year-old that sparked the idea for Shilo and the Not So Scary Girl Above His Bed Why Shilo is not fearless — he is afraid, and he does it afraid, taking one brave step at a time Why Kristin believes dismissing a child's fear with "you don't have to be afraid" is the wrong response Why manufactured courage is unsustainable and true bravery has to be received, not produced Montell's cancer diagnosis in January 2024, surgery, recurrence, 37 proton therapy treatments, and the Christmas Day call declaring him undetectable Why he immediately said "this is not going to kill me" the moment the doctor used the word cancer Their 72-hour water fasts, dietary overhaul, and holistic approach to healing alongside medical treatment How This Is How We Do It has become an entry point for ministry — the same man, a different heart, pointing to something bigger Resources / Links / CTA Montell Jordan website: https://montellandkristin.com Instagram Montell Jordan: https://www.instagram.com/montelljordan Instagram How We Do Marriage: https://www.instagram.com/howwedomarriage Book: Shilo and the Not So Scary Girl Above His Bed Follow, share, and explore more of Crosswalk Talk Follow, share, and subscribe for more faith-driven conversations on Lifeaudio Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Thursday · 8 min

    Everyday Prayers with Million Praying Moms - A Prayer for Love that is Kind

    "Never had I been in such pain, but never had I felt more loved." In today's episode, Rachel Adams shares a deeply personal health scare and the outpouring of kindness that carried her through it. Such a moving picture of what it looks like for God's kindness to be shown through His people. LINKS: Freebie: Drive Time Conversations Fruit of the Spirit Download How to Pray God's Word for Your Children Follow Everyday Prayers @millionprayingmoms Get today's devotion and prayer in written form to keep for future use! Support the ministry with your $5 monthly gift through Patreon. A Prayer for Love that is Kind by Rachael Adams Reference: Colossians 3:12 Prayer: Father, help my children to know your kindness towards them. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Thursday · 23 min

    Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith - Coming Home Through the Crisis: Chuck DeGroat & David and Alicia Lloyd

    We’re joined by author and counselor Chuck DeGroat, who explores the profound invitation of the second half of life—a season where we are called to move beyond the “proving and performing” of our younger years. Chuck shares why this transition calls us to detangle our identities and embrace a slower, “non-microwavable” path to healing. He explains how cultivating spaces of safety and reconnection allows us to finally come home—to ourselves, to one another, and to God. Later, we’ll hear from David and Alicia Lloyd. After more than two decades of dedicated service in the country of Haiti, they faced a devastating crisis that upended their world and challenged everything they thought they understood about God’s faithfulness. They share the raw, vulnerable journey of navigating profound loss and the unexpected ways they ultimately discovered God anew in the aftermath. Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Erin Leigh Nelson Upcoming interview: Darin Kinder Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season Chuck DeGroat Carl Jung Thomas Merton Henri Nouwen Genesis chapter three www.chuckdegroat.net Who You’re Becoming David and Alicia Lloyd www.missionsinhaiti.com Strong to the End Interview Quotes: “We’re often wrestling with this invitation of the second half of life where there is some sense that the rules of the first half of life don’t work any longer, and that there’s a deeper realization that they’re being invited to.” - Chuck DeGroat “I think that the work that I invite others into, and the work I’ve had to do myself, is some detangling from the identity of that first half of life. What I thought I needed to chase after—that usually comes with a lot of should’s. And we’ve got to trace that story back often to early childhood. Where did those should’s and ought’s come from? And what was the deeper dream? What was the deep longing, the deeper vision?” - Chuck DeGroat “You’re noticing things that you didn’t have time to notice in the first half of life when you were living according to the rules of busyness and proving and protecting. But with that, there are also questions of mortality like, Did it mean anything? What have I lost? Who have I hurt along the way in my busyness and my workaholism?” - Chuck DeGroat “God created us with a physiological connection point, or maybe even call it a homing beacon, that reminds us that our deepest longing is for home, is for connection, is for love.” - Chuck DeGroat “We stray from home int

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  • Thursday · 7 min

    The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Chris... - Redeeming, Not Wasting, Our Time

    It’s easy to lose track of time without realizing where it went. A few minutes on social media becomes an hour, notifications interrupt meaningful conversations, and endless content competes for our attention. Technology can be a helpful tool, but when our phones, screens, and constant stream of information begin controlling our attention, they can quietly pull us away from God, our families, and the people and purposes He has placed in front of us. Ephesians 5:15-16 calls us to walk wisely and make the best use of our time. Redeeming our time doesn't necessarily mean eliminating technology—it means becoming intentional about what receives our attention. When we create space to pray, read Scripture, invest in relationships, and serve others, we begin using our time for something greater than simply staying busy or entertained. God has given us the gift of time, and we can ask Him for the wisdom and self-control to spend it in ways that honor Him and help us live faithfully. Highlights Why smartphones, social media, and constant information can quietly steal our time and attention What Ephesians 5:15-16 means when it calls us to make the best use of our time How technology can become a distraction from God, family, and meaningful relationships Practical ways to develop healthier screen-time habits and greater self-control Why intentional time with God should be protected from digital distractions How fasting from technology can help reset our attention and priorities Encouragement to redeem the time God has given us for His glory and the work He has called us to Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Redeeming, Not Wasting, Our Time By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV). As a millennial, I find myself reflecting upon a time before the technological boom we seem to be facing, specifically before AI, smartphones, and social media. I remember taking a

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  • Thursday · 1 min

    Latido - Libertad financiera

    La libertad financiera no comienza con más dinero, sino con una mente renovada y decisiones alineadas con los principios de Dios. “Mi Dios suplirá todo lo que os falta conforme a sus riquezas en gloria”. (Filipenses 4: 19) La verdadera prosperidad no es tener más de lo que necesitas, sino vivir con la confianza de que Dios siempre será tu Proveedor. Escrito por Mercy Cosme CANAL EN TELEGRAM GRUPO EN WHATSAPP Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Thursday · 6 min

    Chapter-A-Day Audio Bible - Ecclesiastes 2

    Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Thursday · 7 min

    Your Daily Prayer - A Prayer to Let God’s Joy Lead Your Heart

    When God's people had just finished rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem and gathered to hear the law read aloud, they were moved to tears. They heard how far they had fallen short of how God wanted them to live, and the grief was genuine and real. But Nehemiah stepped in with a message that must have surprised them: stop grieving and start celebrating. Eat good food, enjoy sweet drinks, share with those who have nothing prepared. Why? Because this day is holy to the Lord, and the joy of the Lord is your strength. Joy and happiness are not the same thing, and that distinction matters enormously for anyone trying to navigate a difficult season with faith intact. Happiness depends on circumstances. When things go well, it is present. When things go wrong, it disappears. The joy of the Lord operates on entirely different terms. It is based not on how a day is going, but on who God is — and because God never changes, His joy never runs out. It is available in any circumstances, at any moment, as a choice rooted in what we know to be true about Him. Notice also what Nehemiah asked the people to do once they received that joy: share it. Joy that fills the heart naturally spills over into generosity, into noticing others who are in need, and into action. The burden of the world does not have to rest on our shoulders. We simply need to let our loving Heavenly Father lead the heart — and let His joy be our strength, today and every day. Bible Verse "Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." — Nehemiah 8:10, NIV Ponder Today Joy is a gift from God that can be chosen in any circumstances. Unlike happiness, which depends on things going well, the joy of the Lord is rooted in God's unchanging character and love. It is available to you right now, regardless of what your day looks like. The joy of the Lord acts like fuel for the soul. Pushing through difficulty in your own strength leads to exhaustion. Letting God's joy fill your heart gives you the energy, peace, and confidence to keep going — not because circumstances improved, but because your source of strength did not change. You do not have to pretend problems do not exist to choose joy. Choosing joy is choosing to focus on God's goodness rather than temporary troubles. It is believing that God is stronger than the challenge, not pretending the challenge is not real. Joy that fills the heart naturally spills over into generosity. Nehemiah's instruction was to share food with those who had nothing. God's joy cannot be kept to yourself — it produces a desire to notice others in need and respond with the same abundance we have received. You do not have to carry the world on your shoulders. Your job is to let your Heavenly Father lead your heart. When stress comes, remember God is with you. When guilt sneaks in, remember His love is unconditional. When worry rises, remember His power is more than sufficient. A Prayer for You Today Dear God, thank You for loving me completely and unconditionally and for giving me strength in every situation. You know the burdens I have been carrying lately. You know what makes my heart feel overwhelmed with sadness or stress. Today I want to lay all those worries at Your feet and trust You to help me with each of them. Please fill my heart right now with the joy that only You can give. Help me remember that my joy does not depend on my circumstances, but on Your goodness, which never changes. Teach me how to let Your joy lead my thoughts, words, and actions today. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, remind me that Your joy is my true strength. Give me an open heart to notice those around me who are sufferin

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  • Thursday · 1 min

    Heartbeat - Make Room for Everyone

    Have you ever walked into a place and wondered, “Do I really belong here?” In this episode of HEARTBEAT, we reflect on the story of Hannah, a young woman who has used a wheelchair since childhood. Her story is not defined by what she can't do, but by God’s faithfulness and the community that has supported her along the way. Her testimony also challenges us to look at our own churches, worship services, and communities. Are we creating spaces where people with disabilities and people from all walks of life know they are truly welcome? Jesus consistently noticed and welcomed people others overlooked. As His followers, we are called to do the same. Takeaways from this episode: Everyone wants to know that they belong. A person’s disability does not define their identity or their value. God is faithful through every circumstance. Churches should be places where everyone can participate and feel genuinely welcomed. Accessibility is about more than physical spaces. It is also about relationships and belonging. We can follow Jesus’ example by noticing, welcoming, and including people others may overlook. Don’t forget: You can also download our free devotional, “Mind, Body & Soul,” designed to help strengthen your walk with God through Scripture, prayer, and practical habits. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP Learn more about HEARTBEAT- https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/heartbeat Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Thursday · 3 min

    Daily Devotions with Pastor John - Open vessels to the truth of God

    Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  • Wednesday · 43 min

    The Walk: A Devotional Podcast from Worship Leader... - Franni Cash: I Grew Up in a Cult and Had to Relearn God

    Franni Cash spent most of her twenties as one-quarter of We The Kingdom: two Grammy nominations, three Dove Awards, two No. 1 songs. Then she left the family band at the end of 2023 and nearly walked away from music entirely, paralyzed by the fear of not measuring up to what she'd already done. She looked into acting and seriously considered going to school for interior design. What pulled her back was friends passing her demos around behind her back and refusing to delete them. She wrote more than 200 songs to find her own voice and narrowed them to the thirteen on her debut solo album, Here I Am, out September 18. Her rule: only the songs she kept reaching for in the car, not the ones that might scratch an itch in the Christian market. Then the conversation turns to "Raised By Wolves." Franni grew up in a religious cult for twelve years of her childhood, which her family left during her senior year of high school. Her husband suggested the title, drawn from the warning in Matthew 7 about false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves. She wrote it with David Leonard and Andy Cherry, and it was David who spoke the opening line: "be quiet little girl." She had assumed a story that specific would isolate her. Instead she found that when something is that personal it becomes universal, because everyone knows what betrayal from a safe place feels like. On the music itself: songwriter Paul Duncan told her he wasn't worried about her relationship with her family, he was worried about her relationship with music, and sent her on "musical dates" with no goal but enjoyment. Al Green, Elton John and Marvin Gaye on the record player. Long drives in a beat-up 1978 Corvette off Facebook Marketplace. Six producers worked on Here I Am, with Franni as executive producer holding it together. Asked what she wants listeners to take away, Franni lands on one word: validation. She talks about narrative therapy and learning that not all twelve of those years were bad, because her grandmothers poured scripture into her, and that's what "Jesus Girl" is really about. She pushes back on the idea that people outside the faith are simply choosing sin. In her experience, someone misrepresented God to them. The episode closes with bravery. Franni grew up believing women were less than men. On the Brandon Lake tour she felt the Holy Spirit tell her she was brave and should ask to open the second leg, and minutes later her guitar player picked a worn card off the dressing room floor that read, in gold letters, "I am brave." She asked. He said yes the next day. Then Amy Grant invited her to lunch, listened to "Darken the Doorway," and asked her to join The Me That Remains Tour. "Don't let anybody keep you small or silent." - Franni Cash ABOUT FRANNI CASH Franni Cash is a two-time GRAMMY-nominated artist, three-time Dove Award winner, performer, vocalist and songwriter. Formerly of We The Kingdom, she co-wrote two No. 1 songs and was named one of the Top 20 breakout artists across all genres. Following her departure from the band, she released her debut EP Good Woman and now her debut solo album, Here I Am, out September 18: thirteen autobiographical songs covering her years in a religious cult, reclaiming her faith, and stepping into her own voice. She has shared stages with Lauren Daigle and Brandon Lake, and joins Amy Grant this fall on The Me That Remains Tour. IN THIS EPISODE Why leaving We The Kingdom nearly ended her music career The friends who passed her demos around against her wishes Writing over 200 songs to find her own voice The story behind "Raised By Wolves," Matthew 7, and twelve years inside a religious cult Why she believed her story would isolate her, and what happened instead Narrative therapy, her grandmothers, and what "Jesus Girl" is actually about Musical dates, a 1978 Corvette, and falling in love with music on her

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  • Wednesday · 57 min

    Thinking Christian: Clear Theology for a Confusing... - Marx and Moody: What the Church Left Undone | Dr. Gregg Quiggle

    Karl Marx and D.L. Moody lived at the same time, watched the same cities industrialize, and asked the same question about the poor. One had a doctorate, wealthy patrons, and a theory of history. The other had about five years of formal schooling and a Bible. Dr. James Spencer talks with Dr. Gregg Quiggle about Marx and Moody: Two Contemporaries. Two Gospels. Two Tombstones. One Choice., the new book Quiggle co-wrote with Erwin Lutzer for Moody Publishers. They work through where Marx's system runs out of road, particularly its silence on how a state ever relinquishes power, and why that silence traces back to a thin account of the human heart. They also take up Moody's conviction that charity is life on life rather than a check sent across the tracks, the difference between the early church in Acts and state redistribution, and the harder question Quiggle raises near the end: how much traction would any of this have today if evangelical churches had actually taken up Moody's model of hands-on engagement in their own communities? Purchase: Marx and Moody Bread and Bibles: D.L. Moody's Evangelism and Social Action Follow and subscribe Subscribe to Thinking Christian: https://episodes.thinkingchristian.org Website: www.thinkingchristian.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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