Flourishing in Christian Friendship - The Crosswalk Devotional - February 6

PLUS...10 Bad Habits Christian Women Need to Break  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ &zwnj [Crosswalk.com Logo]( The Crosswalk Devotional  [Devotionals](        [Newsletters](        [e-Cards](      [The Crosswalk Devotional]( Flourishing in Christian Friendships By Emily Rose Massey “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” ([Ephesians 4:15-16]( ESV). In a recent research survey, 61% of people ages 18-25 reported miserable loneliness in our post-pandemic world and felt as if no one cared for them. No matter if you are single or married, experiencing isolation and loneliness can often lead to depression that can be crippling. People in the world are looking to belong. In Christ, as His followers, we have the answer. The Church is a family, and we should seek out those who are isolated because they may be truly suffering. We enlarge our hearts and become vulnerable with each other, by God’s grace, to enjoy meaningful and fruitful friendships that are soul-quality and one-souled, knit closely together with one another. Do you struggle with being vulnerable with others? What is causing you to hold back from being transparent and open with someone? Perhaps you have been hurt in previous relationships- rejection or betrayal may have wounded your soul, and you are scared to become vulnerable with others again. We must trust that Christ will heal that hurt and will bring you into healthy Christian friendships for His glory.  [CONTINUE READING →](            You May Also Like:        [10 Bad Habits Christian Women Need to Break](  Cindi McMenamin Instead of hiding behind our bumper stickers that we are, “Not of this World” or, “Not Perfect, Just Forgiven”, let’s get real about some of the bad habits we, as Christian women, need to break.  [CONTINUE READING →](       [3 Reasons Men Must Practice Vulnerability](  Amanda Idleman Vulnerability. Men recoil at the word. It has become synonymous with weakness. Yet, Jesus, the best model of a man we have, modeled many emotions, not stoicism. Here three are reasons men should practice vulnerability.  [CONTINUE READING →](            [Dad Sings ‘Hallelujah’ and Tiny Miracle Baby Raises Hand](  GodTube.com Each child is a precious gift from God. For any mom or dad, one of the scariest, most heart-wrenching experiences would have to be having a child sick in the hospital. Those parents would be consumed with worry and fear. One video shows that even during those frightening experiences God is still there working.  [WATCH NOW →](        [10 Destructive Phrases We Must Stop Speaking to Ourselves](  Peyton Garland God adores a repentant heart not because he craves control but because nothing bolsters his joy more than when we are free of sin and shame.  [CONTINUE READING →](                            Bible Trivia Question of the Day                                           Who dwelt by the brook Cherith and was fed by ravens? A. Elisha B. Elijah C. Neither D. Both [ANSWER THE QUESTION →](     [Crosswalk.com Logo](  [Read about Salem Web Network](  |  [Unsubscribe](   [Email Preference Center](  |  [View in Browser](   © 2023 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk. Â