LifeAudio

A Special Bonus Episode From Bought + Beloved: How often do we take our own blessings for granted? And how much more often do we neglect to steward what we've been given to make a life-changing and Gospel impact for those in need? Kirby Kelly is partnering with Samaritan's Purse this holiday season and had the pleasure of interviewing Kristy Graham to discuss how their ministry is changing the world one donation at a time. From beekeeping to raising chicks, all to feeding starving babies and digging wells, I want to encourage my listeners to give alongside me this holiday season and to reflect the heart of Christ this Christmas!

CHECK OUT THE GIVING CATALOG HERE: samaritanspurse.org/Beloved

Kristy's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-ground-with-samaritans-purse/id1482448472 

ORDER KIRBY'S BOOK HERE: https://a.co/d/0vE5Cji

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

CHECK OUT KIRBY'S 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  

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

Many Americans do not fully know the faith-filled story behind the nation’s origins. In today's prayer and devotional, Lynette Kittle shares how long before the United States existed, a small group of Christian separatists—the Pilgrims—risked everything to worship Jesus freely and to practice their faith without fear. Their journey, grounded in prayer, Scripture, and dependence on God, laid a foundation that ultimately influenced the birth of a nation built on biblical principles.

Seeking to follow Christ according to their convictions, the Pilgrims left England due to persecution and later departed Holland when secular influences threatened their children’s faith. Their bold voyage across the Atlantic in 1620 was not a pursuit of comfort but a pursuit of the freedom to worship God in truth and sincerity.

America’s early identity was shaped through this legacy of faith, humility, and thanksgiving. Even before our nation was formed, colonial leaders called for days of prayer, fasting, and gratitude to God. Later, Presidents Washington, Adams, and Madison continued this practice, acknowledging that national blessings flow from the hand of Almighty God. Eventually, Thanksgiving became a national holiday through the persistence of Sarah Josepha Hale, who believed a national day of gratitude was a “pledge of Christian faith in God.”

Today, the same call remains: remember what God has done, give Him thanks, and pray for America to remain anchored in His truth.

Today's Bible Reading:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done.” – Psalm 105:1

Takeaway Truths

• America’s earliest foundations were shaped by believers seeking freedom to worship God.

• Thanksgiving has deep Christian roots tied to prayer, humility, and national gratitude.

• God calls His people to remember His works and proclaim His faithfulness to the nations.

• We can pray for America to return to biblical truth and godly leadership.

Let’s Pray

Dear Father,
We lift our voices to praise and thank You for America. We acknowledge that it was Your hand that guided the Pilgrims to a new land where they could worship Christ freely. Thank You for establishing this nation on godly principles and granting us the blessing of religious liberty.

Remind us this Thanksgiving of the believers who trusted You enough to leave everything behind for the sake of Your glory. Strengthen and restore America’s spiritual foundation. Lead our nation’s leaders to return to Your Word, Your truth, and Your righteousness.

Above all, thank You for the gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ—undeserved, unearned, and freely given. May our hearts remain humble and full of gratitude for all You have done.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Additional Scriptures

• James 4:10

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 at 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.

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 at 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.

A combat Apache pilot loses his identity after war, survives a devastating crash, and discovers the God who had been pursuing him all along. This powerful testimony from Jeremy Gronau will challenge and encourage you.

Jeremy Gronau, a combat Apache pilot who survived Taliban ambushes, a catastrophic car crash, and the loss of his military identity shares how God used pain, trauma, and near-death moments to lead him to Christ. Gronau walks through childhood loss, deployment, spiritual wrestling, addiction, a life-changing crash, and the moment God met him in an operating room. Today he helps veterans and first responders rebuild their identity in Christ through biblical counseling and discipleship.

Learn more about Warriors in Christ: https://warriorsinchrist.one 

Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you.

Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com!

Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional 

Follow March or Die:
https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie 
https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow 
https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die 

Follow Jeremy:
https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker 
https://jeremystalnecker.com 

Follow Sean:
https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard 
https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard 

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

Joy is one of God’s greatest gifts to His people — but it is also one of His most misunderstood. In our evening prayer and devotional, we reflect on how often we confuse joy with happiness, believing joy is something we must wait for, feel, or stumble into. But Scripture paints a clearer picture: joy is chosen, not stumbled upon.

Britt Mooney uses the image of a frightened child clinging to a rope, crying out in terror though she is only inches from the ground. Those around her gently try to convince her to simply step down. How often does God find us the same way — clinging fearfully to circumstances that cannot truly harm us, needing the gentle reminder that we can step onto the solid ground of His joy?

Happiness shifts constantly because it is tied to temporary circumstances. But joy — the joy God gives — is rooted in eternal truth. It comes from the unchanging character of God and His finished work through Christ. It is not fragile, fleeting, or dependent on how our day unfolds.

Psalm 118:24 calls us to “rejoice and be glad,” not because life is easy or perfect, but because God has already acted on our behalf. The command to “rejoice” means we must choose joy even when we don’t feel it — especially in hardship.

This is why Nehemiah could tell a grieving, newly returned people, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Their joy did not erase the pain of their past, but it strengthened them for the future.

The same is true for us. In seasons of loss, weariness, or uncertainty, joy is not denial — it is a declaration of trust. It is choosing to step down from fear and stand on the unshakable foundation of God’s promises.

You don’t have to wait for joy. God has already given it. Today, and every day, we choose to step into it.

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
— Psalm 118:24

MAIN TAKEAWAYS

• Happiness is circumstantial, but joy is eternal and rooted in God Himself.

• Joy is a choice — an act of obedience and trust — not a feeling we wait for.

• God offers His joy especially in times of hardship, using it as our strength.

• Psalm 118:24 reminds us that each day is a gift from God, and we can rejoice in it despite challenges.

• When we choose joy, we participate in God’s finished work and strengthen our faith for what lies ahead.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Today’s Bible Verse:
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” — Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

Matthew 25:40 reframes every act of kindness as something far bigger than we realize. Jesus reminds us that compassion shown to others—especially the overlooked and hurting—is compassion shown to Him. Our small, quiet acts of service become sacred moments in God’s eyes. When we choose generosity, mercy, and presence, we step directly into the heart of Christ’s mission, reflecting His love in ways that matter eternally.

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

A Prayer to Rest in God's Promises

Join this conversation with Nicolet Bell & Erin Warren as they talk about the character of God, and what it means to cultivate genuine, enduring faith.

This month, we’re focusing on Everyday Prayers for Faith, written by Erin, and today’s conversation centers on God’s promises, His unchanging faithfulness, and how understanding His character strengthens our faith—especially in seasons of suffering, disappointment, or uncertainty.

Erin shares how biblical faithfulness is tied directly to God’s promises. We can only recognize God’s faithfulness when we truly know what He has promised—rather than assuming promises He never made. Misunderstanding God’s promises often leads to confusion or disappointment, especially during painful seasons like infertility, illness, or unmet expectations.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 1:20

Prayer: Father, we are so grateful for your promises. We are thankful that every single one of them found its "yes and amen" in Christ. You did this to show that you are who you say you are. You sent your son into our world to show us yourself. So we cling to your promises. Build faith in us so that we can model that to our children. May they see that we genuinely love you and that while we are not perfect, we are trying. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

LINKS:

How to Pray God's Word For Your Children Guide

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.

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 Tyler Boss, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. What measure do you use in your dealings with others? Meditate on Luke 6:38. 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.

Contentment is one of the hardest lessons to learn—whether you’re a child circling toys in a catalog or an adult eyeing upgrades and “just one more thing” that promises satisfaction. Philippians 4:12 pulls us back to center, reminding us that peace doesn’t rise and fall with our circumstances. Paul learned to be steady in seasons of plenty and seasons of lack because his confidence was rooted in Christ, not conditions. When we anchor our joy in the unchanging character of God, we discover the quiet strength that carries us through both abundance and need.

Highlights

• Contentment and happiness aren’t the same—one depends on circumstances, the other doesn’t.

• Paul learned contentment through every season: need, abundance, hunger, and fullness.

• Lasting peace is found in Christ, not in possessions, upgrades, or life improvements.

• Our hearts easily drift toward “more,” making contentment a daily, intentional choice.

• Philippians 4:13 reveals the true secret: Christ’s strength empowers us to be faithful in any situation.

• Even Paul, writing from captivity and suffering, modeled unwavering trust in God.

• Want and plenty both test our faith—but both can draw us closer to God when we rely on Him.

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:

Faithful in Plenty, Faithful in Want

By: Laura Bailey

Bible Reading:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” - Philippians 4:12 NIV

“Give me! It’s my turn to look!” my youngest daughter screamed as she ripped the latest Christmas catalog out of my middle daughter’s hands. We’d received four toy books this week, the glossy pages filled with the latest gadgets, and my daughters were eager to circle the items they’d had their eyes on all year and add a few more things to their lists.

“I think I will hold onto this,” I said as I tucked the book underneath my arm. “You girls already have so much, how could you possibly find anything else you want?”  My daughters turned to each other in an unspoken agreement that their mother was, in fact, crazy. They could never have “enough,” there was always something more to bring them greater joy. 

\

It is my responsibility as a parent to teach my girls about contentment, gratitude for what they have, an