LifeAudio

Today’s Bible Verse – John 1:14 (NIV)
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Hope feels different when the holidays don't look anything like you imagined. Yet the heartbeat of Advent is this: God draws near anyway. John 1:14 reminds us that the Word didn’t just visit—He moved into our world, our mess, and our unmet expectations. This reflection walks through the beauty of a Christmas we may not have chosen, and the surprising nearness of a Savior who meets us right there. Perfect for listeners longing for comfort, grounding, and the reminder that Emmanuel still arrives.

Meet Today’s Host: Carol Ogle McCracken

️ Listen to more daily devotionals with Carol at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio

Carol Ogle McCracken is a dynamic Christian speaker, author, and Bible teacher known for her warmth, humor, and transparency. She brings biblical truths to life through real-world stories and relatable experiences—whether navigating alcohol recovery, parenting a child with special needs, or walking through divorce.

Today, she serves as Minister of Discipleship at her local church and shares God’s Word through women's retreats, conferences, and online devotionals. Her book, Wisdom: Where to Find It if You’ve Lost, Forgotten, or Never Had It, was released in 2020 and continues to encourage readers in their pursuit of godly wisdom.

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

Have you ever prayed so desperately for something that it felt like a spiritual battle?

In this episode, Rachel sits down with Jenny Marrs, co-star of HGTV's Fixer to Fabulous and mom of five, for an honest conversation about what happens when faith requires letting go. Jenny shares the raw story behind her family's adoption of their daughter Sylvie from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the night she woke up gripped by fear, unable to breathe, and discovered God was answering her prayers in a way she never expected.

Jenny's new book, Trust God, Love People: Stories of My Open-Handed Faith, invites readers to release control and trust God's plans, even when His timing doesn't match ours. In this conversation, she opens up about:

• The bold prayer that sustained her through years of waiting and uncertainty
• What "open-handed faith" actually looks like in the chaos of daily life
• How to love people generously without losing yourself or your family
• Why sitting around the table with people who are different from you matters
• The simple practice of remembering God's faithfulness that builds trust for the future

Whether you're in a season of waiting, wrestling with surrender, or simply need encouragement to loosen your grip, Jenny's story will remind you that God is working even when you can't see His hand.

Connect with Jenny Marrs:

• Book: Trust God, Love People (available wherever books are sold)
• HGTV: Fixer to Fabulous Season 7 airing Tuesdays at 8pm ET

Mentioned in this episode:

• Desperate Prayers: Kindle is currently $1.99

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

Who knew that the Founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Anne Beiler, had such an incredible story of redemption, hope, and healing! In this final episode of our Mind, Body, Spirit series, sponsored by WeShare, Anne shares her testimony and how, even in the midst of our lowest lows and deepest traumas, God can craft something beautiful from our brokenness. I hope her story encourages you as much as it inspires me!

CHECK OUT WESHARE TODAY: https://www.weshare.org/kirby  

CHECK OUT ANNE'S BOOKS: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=anne+beiler+books&adgrpid=186020619803&hvadid=779636485665&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=1026562&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=2140468409721952230--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=2140468409721952230&hvtargid=kwd-903089880878&hydadcr=19679_13697714_2281654&mcid=4a197bbb75253cadb773a214ce2d109f&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_7v52sn3pnt_e

ORDER MY BOOK HERE: https://a.co/d/0vE5Cji

PRINT OUT MY FREE "SHAME CYCLE WORKSHEET" HERE: https://kirbykelly.myflodesk.com/shamecycleworksheet

CHECK OUT MY FREE RESOURCES: https://kirbykelly.myflodesk.com/kirbykelly 

For 10% off of Faithful Counseling, and to start your healing journey today, go to: https://www.faithfulcounseling.com/kirbykelly

To sponsor a child in need alongside me with Compassion International, go to: https://www.compassion.com/kirbyisaboss  

Support the ministry!: https://kirby-kelly.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=5d23856d41ec3a0001234376

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

Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Bonnie Curry, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Are you drawn to light? Meditate on John 3:20-21. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. 

For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace

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

A Prayer for the Gift I Want Most with Stacey Thacker

The gift we need most is wisdom—God’s light-filled wisdom that brings clarity in dark seasons, understanding in confusion, and guidance in everyday decisions.In today's episode we take a deeper look at the contrast between light and darkness in Scripture—light as knowledge, clarity, and revelation, and darkness as confusion, concealment, and despair. Daniel lived in this tension daily as a young exile in Babylon, yet he understood something profound: God alone is the revealer of mysteries.Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock, promising that God will respond.

Reference: Daniel 2:22

Prayer: Father, you are surrounded by light, full of wisdom and understanding. This Christmas may we seek the gift of light -filled wisdom that is only found in you. And when you answer our prayers and give us this gift, we will be careful to give you all the glory. In Jesus' name, amen.

LINKS:

Read the first five days of Everyday Prayers for Christmas 

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.

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.

What happens when a “good, normal, suburban” life collides with addiction, shame, and a God who refuses to let go? 

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Cheri Garcia, founder of Cornbread Hustle, a second-chance staffing agency that’s helped thousands of formerly incarcerated men and women find work and hope. 

Cherry shares her raw story—from teenage meth dealer and alcoholic to sober entrepreneur and soon-to-be bride—and how God met her in a New Year’s Eve church service, a single Bible verse, and a recovery community she now calls her sunflower sisters. 

If you or someone you love is wrestling with addiction, this story will remind you: no one is too far gone for God.

And remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Listen in to learn more :

(00:42) From Suburban Teen to Second-Chance CEO
(05:25) Shame, Hustle, and the Lie of Proving Yourself
(12:20) The First “Felon Hire” That Sparked Cornbread Hustle
(18:30): “Wine Is a Mocker”: The Verse That Broke Her Denial
(24:14): Why You Can’t Heal Addiction Without Community

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their confidence in their faith.

Connect with Cheri 

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cornbreadhustle/ 

Website -https://cornbreadhustle.com/ 

Connect with Donna 

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule:

https://donnajones.org/events/    

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

This short Advent prayer for peace will help you breathe deeply, release what you’re carrying, and remember that Jesus came to bring peace.

Peace with God.
Peace within yourself.
And peace with others.

Take a deep breath and rest in His presence today.

Helpful Links:
Download your FREE companion journal for Advent here.
This beautiful guide includes:
• All the Scriptures for this series
• Weekly reflection prompts
• Space to record what God is revealing to you

Additional links:

You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik

Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Guided Scripture Meditation Journal here.

Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com.

Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

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

When the rush of Christmas leaves your heart feeling thin, Isaiah 9:6 offers the anchor every soul is truly craving. Beneath the wrapping paper, busy schedules, and pressure to “get it all right,” there’s a deeper longing—one only the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace can satisfy. Our hearts were never designed to be filled by productivity, perfection, or presents; they were made to be filled by Him.

Highlights

• Cultural pressure can turn Christmas into a checklist instead of a celebration.

• Many feel a quiet inner ache during the holidays—a sign we’re longing for Christ, not more activity.

• Childhood traditions may be fun, but they can’t replace encountering Jesus personally.

• True Christmas joy comes from worship, gratitude, and seeking the One born to save us.

• Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in His first coming—and will fulfill the rest at His return.

• Materialism can’t satisfy the soul; Christ alone brings peace, purpose, and rest.

Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!

Full Transcript Below:

Seeking Something More This Christmas

By Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). 

During the Christmas season, it is common to get caught up in all the holiday preparations. We are so worried about buying gifts for everyone, preparing the Christmas dinner, and planning all the activities. All of this can become overwhelming and even take the joy of Christmas away from us. Rather than viewing Christmas as a day to celebrate our Savior, we see it as a stressful day, filled with obligations.

Sadly, this is not unusual for most people living in the modern world. Productivity has become the baseline for us, and if we are not being productive all the time, we are somehow failing. Within the realm of the Christmas holiday, we feel that we are not being productive or efficient if we haven’t bought all the presents we need to buy and finished all our preparations. In other words, we feel we are somehow failing at Christmas if everything is not perfect according to this materialistic world.

Similar to many people, I grew up with the view that Christmas was all about Santa Claus and gifts. However, even as a kid, I sometimes felt like there was something I was missing. As I became a teenager, I quickly saw how Christmas activities could turn sour when family members couldn't get along, and it made me m

There are moments in life when the world around us seems bright and festive, yet our own hearts feel dimly lit. That contrast can sting—especially during the holiday season, when expectations of joy are high and reality often feels far from picture-perfect.

Rachel Wojo, host of Untangling Prayer, shares a powerful story of encountering Emmanuel in one of the loneliest places imaginable: a hospital waiting room at 3 AM. Instead of twinkling lights, she faced fluorescent glare. Instead of joyful noise, she faced the anxious hum of machines and rushed footsteps. And yet—it was there she felt the weight of Jesus’ name in a new way.

God with us didn’t begin—and doesn’t end—in a Bethlehem stable. Emmanuel is God with us in the places we never wanted to be. God with us when fear tightens our chest. God with us when plans unravel. God with us when holiday expectations crash into painful realities.

The incarnation isn’t just a Christmas story; it is the eternal declaration that God stepped into our humanity so we would never face anything alone.

In every waiting room, every heartbreak, every sleepless night, every holiday that feels heavy—He is still Emmanuel. God with us. God with you. Right now.

Bible Reading:
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). — Matthew 1:23

Main Takeaways

• Emmanuel means God with us in every circumstance—not just the joyful ones.

• Jesus came to enter real human pain, fear, and loneliness.

• God’s presence fills the moments that feel the most empty.

• The name “Emmanuel” is God’s unbreakable promise: You are not alone.

• We can praise God for being present even when our circumstances remain difficult.

Today’s Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Emmanuel, for choosing to come close instead of loving us from a distance. Thank You that when You saw our sorrow, You didn’t just send comfort—you came Yourself.

I praise You for being God with us in every moment: the joyful, the ordinary, and the deeply painful. Thank You that Your presence does not depend on my circumstances. You are Emmanuel in the waiting rooms, in the fear, in the grief, and in the seasons that don’t look anything like I hoped.

When loneliness whispers that I am alone, remind me that Your very name declares otherwise. Thank You that I never face a single moment without You. Be Emmanuel to my heart tod

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 [email protected].

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