It’s easy to assume that being compassionate means carrying everyone else’s emotions as if they’re our own. When we love people deeply, we naturally want to help them through their struggles. We listen, we empathize, we pray, and sometimes we even absorb their fear, anxiety, and heaviness without realizing it.

This devotional is a reminder that while God calls us to bear one another’s burdens, He doesn’t call us to be emotionally overtaken by everything happening around us. The world is full of brokenness, and people are often hurting—but we cannot control their circumstances or fix every problem. What we can control is how we respond and how we protect what’s happening inside of us.

Proverbs 4:23 reminds us that our heart is the source from which everything flows. If our heart becomes polluted by negativity, bitterness, fear, or constant emotional overload, it becomes difficult to live with peace, wisdom, and spiritual strength.

Guarding your heart doesn’t mean shutting people out. It means staying rooted in Christ while you walk with others through their pain. God can help you be compassionate without becoming consumed. When you keep Jesus at the center, your heart stays healthy soil—ready to bear good fruit, even in hard seasons.

Main Takeaways

• Compassion is biblical, but absorbing everyone else’s anxiety is not sustainable.

• You can support others without letting their burdens overwhelm your spirit.

• Guarding your heart is essential because your words, actions, and choices flow from it.

• Scripture helps keep your emotions grounded when life feels heavy.

• Staying close to Jesus allows you to offer comfort without losing your own peace.

Today’s Bible Verse

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV).

Your Daily Prayer

Prayer excerpt for listeners:

“Help me see when others’ trials have overwhelmed me emotionally. Please provide me with a biblical perspective so that I am not swept away by my emotions.”

Listen to the full prayer here, or to read the full devotional and prayer, visit the resources below.

Find more encouragement and devotionals here:

• LifeAudio.com – Christian podcasts, devotionals, and prayer resources

• Crosswalk.com – Faith articles, Bible study tools, and devotionals

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

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Most of us know the sting of being picked last—whether it was on a playground team, in a social group, or even in life itself. It can leave you feeling overlooked, unworthy, or like you’re always trailing behind while others seem to move forward with ease. This devotional speaks directly to that ache and the grief that comes when healing, growth, or breakthrough feels delayed.

The author reflects on childhood experiences of being physically overlooked, then connects that feeling to something deeper: the pain of silently struggling for years without understanding what was happening internally. When healing finally came later in life, it felt unfair—like time had been stolen and God had somehow skipped over them.

But Scripture reminds us that God’s timing and positioning are never accidental. In Numbers 10, the tribe of Dan marched last—not because they were less important, but because they were assigned a crucial role. They served as the rear guard, protecting the rest of Israel from attacks that could come from behind. Their “last place” was actually a place of purpose, strength, and responsibility.

Sometimes we assume being last means we are forgotten, when in reality, God may be placing us where we can protect, serve, or strengthen others in ways we don’t yet understand. The world equates being chosen last with being less valuable, but God’s kingdom turns that thinking upside down. God sees every season, every delay, and every hardship—and He never wastes any part of your story.

Main Takeaways

• Being “picked last” can feel painful, but it doesn’t mean you are forgotten by God.

• God’s timing often feels delayed, but His plan is always intentional.

• The tribe of Dan went last for a purpose: to protect and guard others.

• Your position in life may be preparation for a calling you can’t yet see.

• God often assigns deep spiritual strength to those who have endured long seasons of struggle.

Today’s Bible Verse

“Dan’s troops went last, marching behind their banner and serving as the rear guard for all the tribal camps...” Numbers 10:25 (NLT)

Your Daily Prayer

Prayer excerpt for listeners:

“Grant us guidance in waiting, and may we find joy in the order you choose to work. May we trust your supremacy and sovereignty.”

Listen to the full prayer here, or to read the full devotional and prayer, visit the links below.

Find more encouragement and devotionals here:

• LifeAudio.com – Christian podcasts, devotionals, and prayer resources

• Crosswalk.com – Faith-based articles, Bible study tools, and devotionals

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

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Being a missionary isn’t limited to crossing oceans or serving in distant countries. Jesus calls every believer to live on mission right where they are—at home, at work, and in everyday conversations. Sharing the gospel often happens in simple, ordinary moments when we’re willing to see people through God’s eyes.

This devotional points us to the Samaritan woman whose life was transformed after meeting Jesus. Once she experienced His grace, she couldn’t keep it to herself. Her testimony became the bridge God used to draw an entire village to Christ. In the same way, our personal stories of God’s work in our lives can be powerful tools for sharing hope.

God doesn’t call everyone to plant churches or travel abroad, but He does call each of us to be faithful witnesses. Some plant seeds, some water, and some reap—but all play a vital role in God’s mission. When we rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom, courage, and timing, we can live as missionaries every single day.

Main Takeaways

• Every believer is called to live on mission, not just those who travel overseas.

• Your testimony is one of the most powerful ways to share the gospel.

• God uses everyday relationships to draw people to Himself.

• Faithful obedience—planting, watering, or reaping—matters in God’s kingdom.

• The Holy Spirit equips us to know when to speak and how to respond with love.

Today’s Bible Verse

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” (John 4:39 NLT)

Your Daily Prayer

Here is a short excerpt from today’s prayer:

“Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord, that I would boldly share the good news with those who need hope.”

Listen to the full prayer here or read the full prayer and devotional using the resources below.

Continue growing in faith and encouragement:

• LifeAudio – Christian podcasts, devotionals, and prayers at LifeAudio.com

• Crosswalk – Faith, Bible study, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

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Life seasons change quietly and sometimes painfully. Moments that once felt full and familiar can suddenly feel distant, uncertain, or bittersweet. Whether it’s a child leaving home, a shift in relationships, or a new stage you didn’t expect, these transitions can stir gratitude and grief at the same time.

This devotional reminds us that God’s grace meets us fully in every season—especially the ones marked by letting go. Feeling sadness, fear, or uncertainty is not a failure of faith. God does not condemn us for struggling with change; instead, His compassion draws near. His grace assures us that what feels like an ending is not the end of joy.

Scripture promises that God is able to make all grace abound. That grace supplies what we need, sustains us when emotions fluctuate, and carries us forward into what He is still unfolding. While the season may look different than before, God’s goodness has not diminished. His grace remains generous, patient, and abundant—covering the past, present, and every step ahead.

Main Takeaways

• Life transitions can hold both gratitude and grief at the same time.

• God does not condemn us for struggling with change—His grace meets us there.

• God’s grace supplies what we need in every season.

• New seasons do not mean less joy; they often prepare us for deeper joy in Him.

• Trusting God’s grace allows us to move forward with peace and hope.

Today’s Bible Verse

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. - 2 Corinthians 9:8

Your Daily Prayer

Here is a short excerpt from today’s prayer:

“Your grace is more than sufficient for me in all things, at all times, and even in the seasons that seem to be changing.”

Read the listen to the prayer here or read the full prayer and devotional using the resources below.

Continue growing in faith and encouragement:

• LifeAudio – Christian podcasts, devotionals, and prayers at LifeAudio.com

• Crosswalk – Faith, Bible study, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com

Author Resource:
Keri Eichberger is also the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, available on Amazon and other major retailers.

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

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It’s easy to get weighed down by life here—by suffering, distraction, temptation, and the constant pull of what feels urgent or important in the moment. This devotional gently lifts our eyes upward, reminding us that as followers of Christ, this world is not our final destination. Our true citizenship is in heaven.

Using the image of citizenship, the reflection invites us to consider how our lives reflect where we truly belong. Our values, choices, habits, and hopes are meant to point beyond the temporary and toward eternity. When our focus drifts too heavily toward earthly desires, it becomes easier to feel discouraged, anxious, or spiritually entangled.

Scripture reminds us that Jesus is preparing a place for His people and that one day, everything broken will be made right. Even now, while we live on earth, God is at work sanctifying us—shaping us to look more like Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. This process of transformation is not wasted; it’s leading us home.

When the world feels dark or overwhelming, fixing our gaze on our heavenly home restores perspective and hope. We are not just surviving here—we are living with purpose, carrying the message of Christ, and waiting with confidence for the return of our King.

Main Takeaways

• Believers live on earth, but their true citizenship is in heaven.

• Eternal perspective helps guard our hearts against worldly distraction and temptation.

• Sanctification is a daily process that prepares us for eternal glory.

• Fixing our eyes on heaven brings hope when life feels heavy or dark.

• Remembering our heavenly home strengthens our obedience and gospel mission.

Today’s Bible Verse

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Philippians 3:20-21, ESV).

Your Daily Prayer

Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer:

“Help me to have a heavenly perspective… When the world gets dark, help me to fix my eyes on my heavenly home.”

You can listen to the prayer here or read the full prayer and devotional at the links below.

Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content?

• LifeAudio – Christian podcasts, devotionals, and prayers at LifeAudio.com

• Crosswalk – Faith, Bible study, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

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Financial stress has a way of getting into everything—your sleep, your conversations, your sense of security, and even your peace with God. This devotional opens with an honest picture many people recognize: the cost of living rising, unexpected expenses piling up, and the uneasy feeling that no matter how hard you work or how carefully you plan, you’re still barely getting by. When budgets are tight and debt feels heavy, anxiety can hit fast with a single thought: How are we going to recover from this?

What makes the situation even more discouraging is when you’ve tried to do the “right” things—avoiding unnecessary spending, saving where you can, and giving faithfully—yet still feel trapped. The devotional doesn’t shame that struggle. Instead, it reminds us that Scripture takes money seriously and speaks to it often, because finances reveal what we trust, what we fear, and what we serve.

Philippians 4:19 offers a steady anchor: God promises to meet our needs according to His riches in Christ. That doesn’t mean believers are guaranteed wealth or a problem-free financial life. But it does mean we are not abandoned. God’s provision is real, and He invites us to live with open hands—using money as a tool rather than a master, practicing generosity with joy, and seeking wisdom to steward what He has entrusted to us.

In seasons where money is tight, the devotional encourages a posture shift: from panic to prayer, from striving alone to seeking God’s discernment. Faithfulness isn’t just about giving; it’s about honoring God in the way we save, spend, plan, and respond under pressure. When we ask God to show us where to adjust, to build healthier habits, and to trust His care, we begin to experience His guidance and peace—often one practical step at a time.

Main Takeaways

• Financial pressure can stir fear, but God invites us to bring that anxiety to Him.

• God doesn’t promise prosperity, but He does promise faithful provision for our needs.

• Scripture calls believers to steward money wisely, not be mastered by it.

• Generosity and gratitude are part of trusting God, even in uncertain seasons.

• Asking God for wisdom can lead to practical changes that reduce stress and honor Him.

Today’s Bible Verse

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

Your Daily Prayer

Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer:

“Show us areas where we can improve… Grant us ways to foster healthy habits with our income… as we give, save, and spend wisely.”

You can listen to the full prayer here, or read the prayer and devotional at the links below.

Want More? Relevant Links & Resources

Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content?

• LifeAudio – Daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com

• Crosswalk – Prayer, faith, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

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Children have a remarkable way of experiencing the world. Simple moments—a puddle, a song, a favorite food—can fill them with joy and amazement. But as adults, responsibilities and routines often crowd out that sense of wonder. Life can shrink to the size of our to-do lists, even though God invites us into something far bigger.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 18 remind us that childlike faith and humility are not immature traits—they are essential to experiencing the kingdom of heaven. Childlike wonder opens our eyes to see God as both infinitely powerful and intimately near. It nurtures trust, helping us rely on God’s promises without overanalyzing or giving way to worry.

When we pause to marvel at what God has already done—especially the salvation we have through Christ—it becomes easier to trust Him with what we face today. Wonder shifts our focus from our problems to God’s power, from control to confidence in His care. It restores joy, allowing us to rediscover the extraordinary wrapped inside everyday life.

Living with childlike wonder doesn’t mean ignoring responsibilities. It means approaching life with humility, trust, and joyful expectation—choosing to see God at work and to delight in His presence each day.

Main Takeaways

• Childlike wonder helps us experience God’s kingdom more fully.

• Humility opens our hearts to trust God’s promises without fear or overanalysis.

• Remembering what God has already done builds confidence for what He will do next.

• Wonder restores joy by helping us see God’s power and love in ordinary moments.

Today’s Bible Verse

“And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” – Matthew 18:3, NIV

Your Daily Prayer

Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer:

“Reawaken the spirit of the child within me so I can fully enter into Your wonderful kingdom… Let wonder restore my joy.”

Listen to the full prayer here or read the full prayer and devotional through the resources below.

Continue growing in faith and encouragement:

• LifeAudio – Daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical inspiration at LifeAudio.com

• Crosswalk – Faith, prayer, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

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It’s easy to think of “creation care” as optional—important, maybe, but not especially spiritual. This devotional challenges that assumption by reminding us that God’s relationship with humanity has always included stewardship of the world He made. In Genesis, God plants a garden and places humankind there with a clear purpose: to work it and take care of it. That means creation care isn’t a modern trend—it’s part of our original calling.

The devotional begins with a striking, everyday example: artificial light can disorient migrating birds, drawing them off course and increasing the risk of collisions and exhaustion. Small choices we barely notice—turning on outdoor lights, decorating with strings of bulbs—can have real impact on the creatures around us. And on a broader scale, issues like pollution, deforestation, habitat loss, and harmful pesticides remind us that creation is groaning under the weight of sin and brokenness. Romans 8 describes nature’s longing for renewal, tied to God’s ultimate restoration of all things.

The key shift the devotional emphasizes is this: dominion is not permission to destroy. God’s authority is marked by justice, mercy, and faithful care, and because we are made in His image, our leadership over creation should reflect His character. Everything belongs to God—“the earth is the Lord’s”—so our stewardship becomes a form of worship. The way we treat the environment is connected to the way we honor the Creator.

While we may not control large systems or global decisions, we do have influence in our daily lives. The devotional offers practical examples of faithful stewardship: reducing nighttime light exposure, making windows safer for birds, planting trees, creating pesticide-free pollinator gardens, treating animals well, and picking up litter. These aren’t small, meaningless actions—they are tangible ways to imitate God’s compassion and justice. And they can become reminders of hope: God has broken sin’s curse through Christ and promises a future renewal for creation and for us.

Main Takeaways

• Creation care is a biblical calling rooted in God’s original design for humanity.

• Everyday choices can affect the environment and the creatures around us more than we realize.

• Dominion is meant to reflect God’s character—leadership marked by mercy, justice, and care.

• Stewardship is worship: the earth belongs to God, so how we treat it honors Him.

• Practical, local actions matter and point us toward hope in God’s future renewal.

Today’s Bible Verse

“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil … The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” - Genesis 2:8-9, 15, NIV

Your Daily Prayer

Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer:

“Help me to [steward] in a way that glorifies You… May I… care for [creation] as an extension of my love for You.”

You can listen to the full prayer here or read the devotional at the links below.

Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content?

• LifeAudio – Find daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com

• Crosswalk – Explore prayer, faith, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

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Deception rarely shows up looking dangerous. More often, it comes quietly—through questions, subtle doubts, and half-truths that feel reasonable in the moment. This devotional takes us back to Genesis 3, where the serpent doesn’t begin with a direct command to sin. He begins with a question that plants uncertainty: Did God really say…? That’s the first crack—inviting Eve to doubt God’s Word and, ultimately, God’s authority.

As the conversation unfolds, we see how easily temptation can pull us closer rather than push us away. Instead of fleeing, Eve engages. Instead of ending the conversation, she stays in it. And in that exchange, God’s command becomes blurred. The devotional notes that Eve’s response adds something God didn’t say—introducing confusion about what’s true. That confusion becomes an opening for the enemy to exploit truth with a twist: a half-truth presented as wisdom. The result is devastating—deception leads to disobedience, and disobedience brings consequences that ripple outward.

But the devotional doesn’t leave us in despair. It reminds us that we are just as vulnerable to the same pattern: it’s okay to look… it won’t hurt to touch… and eventually, we’re further than we ever intended to go. That’s why the call is not self-confidence, but spiritual vigilance—being rooted in God’s Word so we can recognize lies quickly and respond with truth. Scripture becomes our anchor, and the Holy Spirit helps us discern what’s off before it becomes destructive.

And even when we do fall, God’s mercy is still present. The devotional points to the hope woven into Genesis: God makes a way for His people, ultimately through the Savior He promised. Our enemy desires destruction, but Jesus offers life—full, abundant, and freeing. The invitation today is to cling to Christ, soak in Scripture, and ask God for discernment that stops deception at the start.

Main Takeaways

• Deception often begins with subtle doubt: “Did God really say…?”

• Temptation pulls us closer step by step—engagement becomes compromise.

• Knowing God’s Word clearly helps us recognize half-truths and shut down lies.

• We are all vulnerable to deception, so vigilance and humility matter.

• Even when we fall, God’s forgiveness and salvation through Christ remain our hope.

Today’s Bible Verse

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” - Genesis 3:1 NIV

Your Daily Prayer

Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer:

“Help me to be soaked in Your Word, to recall Your Truth so that I can quickly spot the lie… and shut it down with the Truth of Your Word.”

You can listen to the full prayer or read the devotional at the links below.

Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content?

• LifeAudio – Find daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com

• Crosswalk – Explore prayer, faith, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

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New church plants often begin with vision, faith, and a deep sense of calling—but they also come with real challenges. This devotional reflects on how easy it can be to assume a new church has everything under control, especially when leaders don’t openly ask for help. Over time, good intentions can quietly turn into distance or apathy, even when the need is still very real.

The reminder here is simple and important: church planting is never meant to be done alone. God uses many people in different roles—some to plant, some to water—but He alone brings the growth. Even when we don’t know exactly how to get involved, prayer is always a meaningful place to start. Interceding for a church plant, its leaders, and its community is not a passive act; it’s participation in God’s work.

This devotional encourages believers to be proactive rather than waiting for an invitation. Support doesn’t always look like finances or formal volunteering. Sometimes it’s faithful prayer, encouragement, or simply staying attentive to what God might be prompting you to do. When we care about what God is building in our communities, we reflect His heart for the Church—and trust Him to bring growth in His timing and His way.

Main Takeaways

• New church plants often need more support than they openly express.

• God uses many servants, but He alone brings true growth.

• Prayer is a powerful and practical way to support church leaders and congregations.

• Believers don’t need to wait for an invitation to care or intercede.

• God is pleased when we show concern for His work in our local communities.

Today’s Bible Verse

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” - 1 Corinthians 3:5

Your Daily Prayer

Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer:

“Help me not to become apathetic or turn away from those who need it… Only You can truly give it success.”

You can listen to the full prayer here or read the devotional at the links below.

Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content?

• LifeAudio – Find daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com

• Crosswalk – Explore prayer, faith, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Fruit is seasonal—and so are we. This devotional begins with a simple picture of how produce changes depending on the time of year: fresh, vibrant options at a farmer’s market in spring and summer, and a different kind of supply in winter. That rhythm becomes a gentle metaphor for the spiritual life. Jesus calls us to bear fruit that lasts, but what happens when we feel like we’re in a “winter season”—spiritually dry, emotionally worn down, or stuck in a place that feels barren?

John 15 reminds us that fruitfulness isn’t ultimately about our effort—it’s about abiding. Jesus is the Vine, and we are the branches. When life feels hard and hope feels thin, the temptation is to fixate on the season itself—how long it’s lasting, how painful it is, and why it won’t change. But the devotional offers a reframing: winter can actually be a time of growth beneath the surface. Just as roots grow deeper during colder months, difficult seasons can strengthen our spiritual foundation if we keep our eyes on Christ and stay connected to Him.

The warning is also real: isolation is dangerous in winter. When we disconnect from God’s Word and from other believers, despair can set in, and we become more vulnerable to discouragement. That’s why community matters. The devotional encourages finding “oaks of righteousness”—faithful people who can pray with you, check in, study Scripture alongside you, and help keep you anchored when your own strength feels limited. Sometimes, when you’re struggling to hold onto the Vine, God uses others to help nourish you with encouragement and truth.

The hope is this: if you continue to abide in Jesus, fruit will come again. Even if the season doesn’t change quickly, God is still tending you. The Vine-dresser cares for you, chose you, and intends for your life to bear lasting fruit—no matter what season you’re in.

Main Takeaways

• Spiritual life has seasons; “winter” seasons can feel barren but can still be deeply formative.

• Fruitfulness comes from abiding in Jesus, not striving in your own strength.

• Winter can be a time for roots to grow deeper—strength that forms beneath the surface.

• Isolation makes difficult seasons harder; community provides nourishment and encouragement.

• God is faithful in every season and can produce lasting fruit through your life, even in suffering.

Today’s Bible Verse

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” - John 15:16, ESV

Your Daily Prayer

Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer:

“Help me to abide in the Vine… May You use my life to bear lasting fruit in every season, no matter how difficult.”

You can listen to the full prayer here or read the devotional at the links below.

Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content?

• LifeAudio – Find daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com

• Crosswalk – Explore prayer, faith, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com

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