The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Psalm 78:2 reminds believers of the importance of remembering and recounting God’s faithfulness through every generation. In this devotional, Jennifer Slattery explores how seasons of chaos, uncertainty, fear, and hardship can tempt Christians to lose sight of God’s power, provision, and promises. When life feels overwhelming, believers often try to regain control on their own, yet Scripture continually points back to the faithfulness of God as the true foundation for peace and stability. This devotional highlights how the Israelites repeatedly witnessed God’s miraculous provision and deliverance, yet often forgot His faithfulness when new challenges arose. Through intentional reflection and remembrance, Christians can strengthen their faith, overcome fear, and build deeper trust in God’s character. Remembering God’s past faithfulness becomes a powerful way to steady the heart, encourage future generations, and remain anchored in hope during uncertain times. Highlights 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: How Remembering God’s Faithfulness Rebuilds Your Faith By: Jennifer Slattery Bible Reading: I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old. —Psalm 78:2 Lately, life has felt heavy and chaotic, hasn’t it? Sometimes it feels like everything is spinning backward, upside down, and inside out, and frankly, there’s not much I can do about it. I can’t fix our economy or prevent the next recession. I can’t undo the division and polarization plaguing our nation. I can’t solve my loved one’s problems or prevent their pain. And when everything hits simultaneously, or my hardship continues for any length of time, I temporarily lose sight of the power, promises, and love of Christ. Such forgetfulness is dangerous in times of crisis, because it tempts me to rely on myself and seek control. But I’ve created enough messes to know the foolishness of any so-called solutions not provided by Christ. Thankfully, He never leaves me to navigate life’s challenges alone. I watched Him resurrect my marriage when it seemed dead. He’s provided for us in miraculous ways and guided us through confusion and uncertainty. My life has become a living testimony of His grace. A grace that, when remembered and reflected upon, deepens my faith, strengthens my obedience, and purifies my love for the One who never leaves my side. I see this strategic interaction all throughout Scripture. We humans excel at falling into messes; the Lord excels at pulling us out and setting us on a new, brighter, freer path. This is the message Asaph, the prophet and royal musician who penned Psalm 78, conveyed. He wanted the Israelites to consider God’s faithfulness to His often faithless and rebellious people. He asked them to listen, and then to repeat the lessons he taught, as a way to encourage their souls, yes. But also to build faith into the next generation. To help insulate them from falling into the same self-defeating traps as the older generation (vs 6-8). Scripture records some of the most shocking examples in Exodus, a historical narrative recounting the people’s liberation from slavery and oppression and journey to the Promised Land. They should’ve completed this 200 to 400-mile trek within ten days, a few weeks max. But when it came time to enter their new, God-given land, they refused, out of fear. This, after having witnessed the Lord’s miraculous intervention numerous times. Consider how their story began—an entire population, held captive, powerless, for centuries. They had no recourse, no voice, and likely assumed things would never get better. How could they, a weak and beaten-down people...

1 Timothy 6:6-8 reminds believers that true fulfillment is not found in possessions, status, or comparison, but in godliness with contentment. In this devotional, Emily Rose Massey explores how social media comparison can quietly stir envy, dissatisfaction, and restlessness in the heart. Constant exposure to curated lifestyles and picture-perfect moments can tempt Christians to believe they are lacking something God has withheld from them. This devotional encourages believers to guard their hearts against comparison and refocus their attention on Christ rather than worldly standards. Scripture reminds Christians that God faithfully provides what they truly need, and lasting peace comes from trusting His provision and sovereignty. Through gratitude, repentance, and renewing the mind with God’s Word, believers can experience the joy and freedom of godly contentment instead of chasing temporary fulfillment through comparison and materialism. Highlights 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: The Great Gain of Godly Contentment By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8, ESV). Has interaction on social media ever created a heaviness in your heart, perhaps leading you to compare yourself to others? In my life, I seem to get this cloud that forms over me when I scroll certain social media influencers' profiles. You know, the ones from somewhere in the Midwest with a thriving business, beautiful children, Magnolia-inspired farmhouse decor covering the pristine photos of their adorable home...and the lighting! Perfect lighting in these pictures… every single one of them! Absolutely stunning natural light in these posts! And I want to imitate it, but not because I am inspired, but because, quite frankly, I am jealous of these strangers on the internet! The cloud that looms over my head is this heaviness that I need to make my life look like this. I start to think I need what they have, and a feeling of "not enough" starts to creep up in my heart. Recently, the Lord has been showing me through this restlessness how discontented I have become through social media, and that is something I am working through with the Holy Spirit on how I can guard my heart from these types of entanglements that bring distraction and discontentment. My eyes have drifted upon lesser things, and it has affected my heart in a great way. Comparison that leads to envy and jealousy has been a trap of the enemy since creation. The motive behind Adam and Eve’s disobedience was comparison, which led to covetousness, which led to pride, which led to selfishness, which led to ungratefulness for what God had already provided (all rooted in fear). Are you in fear? Then you are not in faith, believing God at His Word and fully trusting Him that He has given you exactly what you need. Anything that is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). When we compare ourselves with another, we are saying we would do a better job planning out our lives than our Creator, the sovereign Most High, acting like Satan who fell and caused Adam and Eve to fall. Whoa, that is a dangerous place to be! When we are wrestling with these heart issues and sin, we often need a perspective shift, and this won’t come from social media, but the Word of God is what will bring clarity when our minds and hearts become clouded with worldliness that causes us to become jealous of others. The Apostle Paul reminds his spiritual son Timothy in his first letter to him to keep his mind on...

Romans 7:18-19 highlights the inner struggle every believer faces between sinful desires and the desire to honor God. In this devotional, Aaron D’Anthony Brown challenges Christians to honestly evaluate whether they may be sabotaging their own spiritual growth, relationships, or progress in life. Rather than always blaming circumstances or other people, believers are encouraged to practice self-awareness, humility, and accountability as they confront patterns of unhealthy thinking and behavior. This devotional reminds readers that spiritual maturity begins with honest reflection and repentance. The Apostle Paul openly acknowledged his battle with sin, showing believers the importance of recognizing personal weaknesses instead of excusing them. Through humility, accountability, and dependence on God, Christians can stop getting in their own way and begin pursuing the righteous life God calls them to live. Highlights 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: Are You Getting in Your Own Way? By Aaron D’Anthony Brown Bible Reading: “For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.” (Romans 7:18-19, CSB) There’s a certain question we should ask ourselves every now and again: Am I getting in my own way? When we don’t get the outcomes we want in life, blaming our circumstances and other people comes naturally enough. What doesn’t happen as frequently as it should is looking at the man in the mirror. Recently, I remember talking to a fellow young man about our desire for marriage. Well, we went out to lunch with women from our church. Something we both wanted. For one reason or another, this getting-to-know-you experience led him to talk about an extremely embarrassing incident. Now, who in their right mind would share that on a first date? Or take, for instance, a buddy of mine who is encountering deep financial strain. The more anyone tries to encourage him, the more he pushes back with a 'woe-is-me' attitude. He seems to want more negativity to fuel what he already exhibits. These guys are not alone. I’ve battled with my own negative thinking and dwelling. Perhaps you, too, are sabotaging your own success. So, ask yourself, “Am I getting in my own way?” Intersecting Faith & Life: After you ask yourself this important question, the answer should be yes. If not, the following steps are especially for you. Build self-awareness. The reason Paul was able to write those particular verses in Romans is that he developed some measure of self-awareness. He may not have completely understood why he behaved the way he did, aside from citing his sinful nature, but he understood something was wrong and wrote about it. He acknowledged the problem, and acknowledgment is the first step to finding a solution. If you want to build self-awareness in your own life, spend some time pausing and reflecting. Yes, this does mean sitting with your thoughts and not your phone. Question yourself about why you do certain things and not others. The better you know yourself, the more you’ll be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Develop humility. Humility is underrated and uncommon. So many of us think we have it, yet fail to recognize just how prideful we are. A good way to measure this virtue is to observe how you handle people who disagree with you. Not just the non-believers, but those people you perceive as less (or more) Christian than you. Have they ever proven you wrong about something? When did that last happen? Is it good...

This week we are featuring an episode from "On The Ground with Samaritan's Purse". Guest Marina Nobiling, director of national programs at the Samaritan’s Purse Germany office, sheds light on the current cultural and spiritual climate of Germany and talked about the ongoing Samaritan’s Purse projects in the country. There is an immense need for the Gospel to be preached in Germany and for Bible-believing churches to step up and lead. Resources: • Listen to “Fighting Spiritual Battles: Human Trafficking in Berlin,” to hear more about Alabaster Jar and how God is transforming hearts amid spiritual darkness. https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/podcast/fighting-spiritual-battles-human-trafficking-in-berlin “We want to stand for the Gospel. We want to stand for Jesus … And we want to show in our programs and projects what it's like to be with Him; to be living with Jesus.” –Marina Nobiling Before coming to Christ, Marina said she was not merely neutral towards God, she was an enemy. Marina was in bondage—she battled an eating disorder and anxiety for years to the point of planning to take her own life. But when Marina had an encounter with the Lord, everything changed. “And I had a voice in my head: ‘I want you to live. And you can do it with my help’ … Itwas beyond any doubt clear. That's Jesus. My whole life I had the wrong thinking. That's not true. God exists.” – Marina Nobiling Marina went from believing that the Gospel was an old superstition to knocking on the door of the nearest church, asking to be baptized. She was on fire for God. Marina now takes this compassion to the streets of Berlin, ministering to women who are trapped in prostitution. She remembers what it was like to be in bondage and desires for others like her to be free; to be transformed by the love of Christ. Life can be hard, and Marina still struggles, but she has something to turn to that cannot be shaken: God’s Word. Marina created a “first aid kit” with Psalms and Scriptures that speak to her when she is fighting lies or feeling weighed down by fears. Her favorite verse, Isaiah 43:1, reminds her that she belongs to the Lord—nothing can take that away. “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’” – Isaiah 43:1, ESV If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visitSamaritansPurse.org. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Nehemiah 8:9-10 reveals a powerful truth for believers struggling with regret, guilt, and shame: God’s grace is stronger than our failures. In this devotional, Jennifer Slattery explores how shame often traps Christians in cycles of self-condemnation, replaying past mistakes and fearing they will never truly change. Yet God does not call His children to remain crushed beneath shame. Instead, He invites them to receive His forgiveness, walk in restoration, and find strength through His joy. Using the story of Israel’s return from exile, this devotional highlights how the people grieved over the consequences of their sin while also experiencing the overwhelming grace and provision of God. Though the rubble of brokenness remained, God wanted His people to rebuild from a place of hope rather than condemnation. In the same way, believers today can trust that God is patiently healing, transforming, and restoring them through His grace. Highlights 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: How God’s Grace Breaks the Cycle of Shame By: Jennifer Slattery Bible Reading: Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:9-10 Do you ever lie in bed, replaying your every unkind word or hurtful deed from the day? Do memories of past sins and regrets seize your mind and steal your peace? Do you find yourself looking back with sorrow at the damage your unfiltered words, angry outbursts, or triggered responses caused, longing for a do-over, but also fearful that you’ll forever fall into these unhelpful patterns? You’re not alone. People often state that the hardest person to forgive is ourselves. There’s truth to that, likely because we so long to live and love like Jesus. Yet, we often fall short, and not for lack of trying. The other day, I sat with a friend broken by a relational conflict she feared would irrevocably fracture the connection she’d been working to build. Her voice quivered as she said, “I don’t know why I act this way. In the moment, my perspective feels valid, and all I can see is how the other person hurt me. And suddenly, I question their character and intent. Self-isolating thoughts start playing through my mind, like, “She doesn’t really care about you.” “She wants something from you.” “He thinks you’re too much.” “You’re annoying him.” “She’s judging you.” “Why work through this when she’s just going to bail on the relationship anyway?” My friend’s hunched shoulders and the dark shadows beneath her eyes gave evidence to her sleepless night and the heavy weight of shame she carried. A tear slid down her cheek. With a deep breath, she brushed it away. “But then, later,” she said, “I see that I overreacted and made things worse. I see the pattern, but I don’t know how to break it.” Have you been there? The journey toward wholeness and holiness is rarely comfortable or quick. Yes, God holds the power to transform us with a whisper or glance. In my experience, however, He molds my soul gradually, alerting me to an issue, allowing me to see the fallout of my choices, to grieve my brokenness and sin, before He reveals the steps toward victory. Speaking from experience, I shared a statement that encouraged me when I was just beginning my healing journey. “Self-awareness is...

Galatians 6:7-8 reminds believers that every word, action, and habit plants seeds that will eventually produce a harvest. In this devotional, Whitney Hopler uses a personal gardening story to illustrate the spiritual principle of sowing and reaping. Just as planting the wrong cucumber seeds led to an unexpected bitter harvest, the choices Christians make each day shape the direction and outcome of their lives and relationships. This devotional encourages believers to carefully examine the seeds they are planting through their speech, attitudes, priorities, and daily decisions. Seeds of selfishness, bitterness, and careless behavior eventually produce painful consequences, while seeds planted through the guidance of the Holy Spirit lead to peace, kindness, spiritual growth, and life-giving relationships. God calls His people to intentionally plant seeds that reflect His character and trust Him for a fruitful harvest in His perfect timing. Highlights 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: What Kind of Seeds Will You Plant? By: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading: “Make no mistake, God is not mocked. A person will harvest what they plant. Those who plant only for their own benefit will harvest devastation from their selfishness, but those who plant for the benefit of the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit.” – Galatians 6:7-8, CEB When I first started gardening, the first seed packets I bought were for cucumbers. Our family enjoyed eating cucumbers, and I’d heard that cucumbers were easy to grow. Buying a bunch of cucumber seeds and planting them seemed to be a “no-brainer” decision in the spring. But in the summer, when our cucumbers appeared, I was shocked to see that they didn’t look – or taste – like anything I expected. Instead of the smooth and sweet cucumbers I’d hoped to slice up for our salads, I’d grown what seemed to be cucumber monsters. They were huge, covered in sharp spikes. Biting into their thick, spiky skin was challenging, and when we did, we got a bitter taste that was quite simply gross! It turned out that I’d planted a variety of cucumbers that were usually made into pickles before being eaten – not even close to the variety I usually bought from the grocery store to eat fresh. I wish I had paid more attention to exactly what kind of seeds I planted. Seeds always grow into something. That’s exactly what the Bible points out in Galatians 6:7-8, which compares people’s words and actions to seeds. The choices we all make every day are planting something that will grow to become something that we – and God – either like or don’t like. You plant seeds with your words. The way you speak to your spouse, your children, your coworkers, or even yourself matters. Harsh, careless words plant seeds of pain that can distance you from people. Gentle, encouraging words plant seeds of trust that can lead to closer relationships. You may think a careless comment is small and unimportant, but seeds don’t look impressive at first either. Over time, though, they grow into something much bigger. You also plant seeds with your actions. The priorities you set and the habits you practice day by day will all grow into results you’ll eventually see. If you consistently choose whatever works best for you without considering the other people in your life, you’re planting seeds for your own benefit, just like this Bible passage describes. Those seeds may promise you easy results, but they often grow into situations that leave you feeling bitterness and regret. On the other hand, if you seek God’s guidance for your decisions, you’re planting for the benefit of the Spirit. Those choices may not be easy. In...

Genesis 2:18 reveals an important truth about God’s design for humanity: we were created for community. In this devotional, Laura Bailey explores the beauty and difficulty of relationships, especially within Christian friendships and church communities. While human relationships can be messy, painful, and disappointing, God never intended believers to walk through life alone. From the very beginning, God established companionship and community as part of His good design for His people. This devotional reminds Christians that although conflict, hurt, and misunderstanding are inevitable in relationships, isolation is not the answer. Throughout Scripture, from Adam and Eve to the early church in Acts, God consistently calls His people to worship, grow, encourage, and persevere together. Community strengthens faith, provides accountability, and reflects the love of Christ as believers extend grace and forgiveness to one another despite imperfections. Highlights 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: Created for Community By: Laura Bailey Bible Reading: The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” - Genesis 2:18 NIV I could tell by the slump in my daughter’s shoulders as she walked towards the car that something was wrong. The slamming of the vehicle door, accompanied by an aggressive sigh, confirmed my suspicions. While it is not unusual for my middle school daughter to offer little to our conversation on our ride home, today, it was radio silent. As I turned into the driveway, I told her we weren't going inside until we talked about what was going on. “I am done with friends! I am better off alone!” she exclaimed. My momma’s heart immediately dropped. For many years, we avoided friendship drama, but I knew sooner or later it would weasel its way into our lives. As she regaled the events of the day, I nodded my head in solidarity, held her in my arms, and tried to offer ( to no avail, raising a middle school daughter is tough!) words of comfort. Holding back tears, she asked, “Mom, why would they act this way? They are supposed to be my friends, my Christian friends.” Whew – while the surface-level answer is not complicated to diagnose, the root cause of conflict is a bit harder to digest. I think we’ve all been there. I am 40 years old, and I still ask the same question. Relationships are complicated, no matter what stage of life you're in. The reality is that our relationships with other believers are, unfortunately, some of the most difficult. And, if I am honest, I’ve had the same sentiment as my daughter, “I don’t need these people, I am better off alone.” Especially when it comes to the church. Likely, you don’t need to be convinced of the messiness of worshiping with saints who act more like sinners. Like most things, it is easier for us to focus on the negative aspects of our churches than on the positives. During the season I mentioned above, while there were people in the church walls who caused me affliction, there were also members who brought me great joy, comfort, and encouragement. While I don’t excuse the harm caused by fellow Christians, I must also acknowledge that I’ve intentionally and unintentionally inflicted hurt on my church family, too. And just as I hoped they’d give me the opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation, I need to do the same. As we say in the south, “don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” Simply put, mess and all, life is better together. We see in Genesis 1 that God declares His creation “good” (Genesis 1:25). However, when He created man, He proclaims humanity is “very good” (Genesis 1:31)....

Romans 8:33-35 offers powerful reassurance that nothing can separate believers from the love of God through Jesus Christ. In this devotional, Vivian Bricker reflects on how struggles, suffering, illness, anxiety, and difficult seasons can sometimes make Christians question God’s love and presence. Yet Romans 8 reminds believers that God’s love is not dependent on circumstances. Even in hardship, Jesus is interceding for His people, and no trial, fear, or challenge can remove them from His care. This devotional encourages Christians to remain grounded in Scripture and to continually return to God’s Word for truth and hope. While life in a fallen world includes pain and suffering, believers can trust that God has not abandoned them. His love remains constant through every battle, and His promises provide strength, comfort, and peace in seasons of uncertainty and struggle. Highlights 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: Nothing Can Separate Us from God By Vivian Bricker Bible Reading: “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:33-35). Romans 8 is one of my favorite chapters of the Bible because it speaks to God’s love for us. Whenever I'm struggling to know my worth, I turn to Romans 8, and it helps me feel more optimistic. There is power in the Word of God, and it can change our entire lives. However, these changes will not occur unless we read the Bible every day. This is why it is important for us to spend time in the Word daily. It is not enough to only listen to the Bible on Sunday mornings. Having a relationship with Jesus means we study the Bible each day, talk with Him in prayer, and apply His teachings in our lives. By doing these things, Christ will disciple us, and we will grow in our relationship with Him. Over the past year, I have often wondered whether God truly loves me. I see everyone else living joyful lives while I am struggling every day. My brain reasons that if God did love and care about me, I would be in a better situation than I am right now. I wouldn't have numerous medical health issues, mental health struggles, financial issues, or constant worries about the future. Once I sat down and surrendered everything to the Lord, I was led once again back to Romans 8. This chapter brought me back to a true understanding of God and who He is, rather than what my brain had created Him to be. God is not picking on me, nor is He causing these terrible things to happen. Instead, all the issues I'm having are just part of living in a fallen world. Rather than believing the lie that life will always be full of pain, grief, and sorrow, God has helped me to see that better things are coming. Even if these things don't happen overnight, they will come in the future. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Apostle Paul tells us, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:33-35). Paul tells us plainly in this passage that God is the One who justifies, and nobody can condemn us because we belong to Him. Jesus died...

Psalm 121:2-6 reminds believers that God never stops watching over His children. In this devotional, Alexis A. Goring uses the modern “Do Not Disturb” feature on smartphones as a powerful contrast to God’s constant availability. While people often silence notifications to protect their peace and focus, God never places limits on access to His presence. He never sleeps, grows tired, or becomes too busy to hear the prayers of His people. This devotional offers encouragement for anyone feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or hesitant to approach God. Unlike human relationships that may feel distant or unavailable, God remains attentive, compassionate, and near at every moment. He lovingly invites believers to bring every burden, fear, mistake, and prayer before Him. Through His endless grace and faithful presence, Christians can find comfort knowing they are never disturbing God when they seek His help. Highlights 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: Do Not Disturb By Alexis A. Goring Bible Reading: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” - Psalm 121:2-6 (NIV) Recently, I started implementing the “Do Not Disturb” feature on my phone. This has proven to be a game-changer. Now, from my bedtime until early morning, no text alerts, notifications, or calls can interrupt my peace and quiet as I sleep. I love this luxury so much that I now often activate the “Do Not Disturb” feature during the daytime when I am awake but busy and don’t want anything or anyone to interrupt my workflow. Thanks to this feature, I can have a level of peace and quiet whenever I want. When people try to text or call me during this time, they see a note on their phone that I am not to be disturbed. Granted, I am always willing to read and reply to texts and return phone calls as soon as my schedule allows. But knowing that I can concentrate on my work without too many interruptions brings me great relief. Lately, I was thinking about this, and my thoughts led to God as I realized He never puts a “Do Not Disturb” sign on His door. He has an open-door policy for all His children here on Earth. God loves us with all His Heart. He readily makes Himself available to listen to us and help us literally any time of the day or night. The Bible says He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). He never sleeps (Psalm 121:3-4), and He always has time for us. This Almighty God has a whole universe to run, yet He cares so much about our life here on Earth that He “bends down to listen” (Psalm 116:2) to our every prayer. Let me tell you the significance of that verse: When I worked as a schoolteacher, my more experienced mentor told me that when one of my students was in trouble, I should bend down to listen to her and address the issue. She told me this because even when this child was standing tall, she was barely taller than my waist because she was in her early school years. By bending down, I, as her teacher, was able to meet her on her level and make eye contact. This helped her feel at ease and safe to tell me about what she did because instead of looking up at me, she could see me on her eye level. It is much less intimidating than a grown adult authority figure towering over her because that can make her feel too scared to tell me what happened, especially if she was in the wrong. God has more authority than a human teacher. Yet He is gentle with...

Whether it’s relationships, dreams, plans, or unanswered prayers, God invites His children not only to release control but to confidently trust His heart and His timing. This devotional encourages Christians to stop living in fear over what God might do with their surrendered lives and instead rest in His faithfulness. God is not withholding good from His children. Even when doors close or circumstances disappoint, He is still working for His glory and our ultimate good. Trusting God means believing that His plans are better than our own and finding peace in His presence, even in uncertainty. Highlights 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: Trusting God with What You Have Already Surrendered By Hannah Benson Bible Reading: “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday” (Psalm 37:3-6 ESV) Have you ever prayed, “Lord, help me to surrender?” We all have things we need to surrender daily to the Lord. Our hopes and dreams for the future, our plans, our calling, relationships, and the list goes on. I’ve been in a season where my continual prayer has been one of surrender, which isn’t necessarily wrong. As I said, the prayer of surrender and the heart that gives everything to Jesus must be renewed day by day. Surrender is a daily choice to give it to Him. A few months ago, I was walking around our yard after work, as I often do to clear my mind. I found the same words leaving my lips that I’ve prayed for months, maybe even the past year or two: “Lord, help me surrender.” And then, I froze. It was almost like God whispered to my spirit, “You have surrendered. Now do you trust Me with what You’ve surrendered?” I stopped in my tracks. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. To be honest, I’d never thought of it that way before. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not implying that surrender is a one-and-done deal. It’s a process. I’m also not saying that surrender and trust don’t go hand-in-hand. They absolutely do. But like little children asked to yield a favorite toy to an adult for reasons they don’t yet understand, once they have taken that leap of faith and placed it in their parent’s hand, the “act” is finished. Now, they must trust the parents’ hearts with what matters most to them. They have already surrendered, but now they must trust. We’re like little children more than we realize. What if once we release into the Father’s hand, we are called to stop reaching back for what we’ve let go of? I find that’s one of the hardest parts for me. I’ve admitted to myself that sometimes, I struggle to trust God and want to take it back into my own hands. Why? He hasn’t proven Himself untrustworthy. I know He isn’t going to fail me. But if I’m honest, I think it’s because deep down, I want something so badly that I fear losing it. I fear God will ask me to give it up, that things won’t go my way, or I won’t get what I want. God will always provide what I need, even if it’s not what I think I want. Philippians 4:19 (ESV) reminds us that “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” I’ve seen it in my lifetime and again. Why would I doubt Him now? If He closes a door, then perhaps it’s protection. You ever heard the phrase “rejection is God’s protection”? Yep. So have I. And as much as I hate to admit it, it is often true. When God closes a door we thought we were meant to walk through, we can be tempted...

Proverbs 18:10 reminds believers that true security is found not in human strength or earthly protection, but in the presence and power of God. In this devotional, Whitney Hopler reflects on a frightening experience in Washington, D.C., where heightened police activity and danger created anxiety rather than peace. Yet in the middle of uncertainty, prayer shifted her focus from fear to God’s protection and brought a deep sense of peace. This devotional encourages Christians to run to God first whenever fear, uncertainty, or danger arise. Like the fortified towers in biblical times, God’s presence provides refuge, strength, and safety for His people. While difficult circumstances may not immediately disappear, believers can trust that God remains sovereign, powerful, and near in every situation. Through prayer, we gain access to the only security that never fails. Highlights 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: Run to God for Security By: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading: “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” – Proverbs 18:10, NIV While my husband Russ and I drove home from watching the musical “1776” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., we were surprised to see that many of the streets we had planned to take were blocked by a massive police presence. We found ourselves caught in a maze of detours trying to get around the White House. The more we drove, the more alarmed we became. Police officers were everywhere, racing by in cruisers with sirens blaring and red and blue lights flashing. They were also standing outside, with their guns in full view, talking urgently on radios. I checked the news on my phone while Russ drove, and discovered that a man armed with guns and knives had breached security at the Washington Hilton and opened fire during the White House correspondents’ dinner. That was the same hotel where President Ronald Reagan had been wounded in an act of violence decades before. Earlier in history, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in the same theater where we had just seen the show. Despite all the armed officers surrounding us, I didn’t feel protected. Instead, the abundance of weapons and the high-speed maneuvers made me feel insecure and unsafe. So, I prayed for protection – for us in our car, for all the officers and people at the correspondents’ dinner, and for everyone else in the area. Then I felt a strong sense of peace settle on me. I finally felt secure because I knew I could trust God for my ultimate safety, and I experienced God’s peace. Proverbs 18:10 points out that calling on God’s name through prayer is a powerful way to find safety. It compares God to a fortified tower we can run to. In biblical times, fortified towers were at the core of a city’s defense. Those towers were built with thick stones and placed on the highest ground. When an enemy invaded, the people would abandon their vulnerable houses and run to the tower for protection. The verse says the “name of the Lord” is like a strong tower. When we run to God by calling on his name through prayer, we’re connecting with the source of all power! There is no limit to God’s power. So, God is much stronger than any dangerous situation we’ll ever face in this fallen world. You can run to God’s protection anytime and anywhere you need it, just by calling on God’s name when you pray. When you’re facing scary circumstances in your life – like an alarming health diagnosis or conflict in a relationship that’s important to you – you may feel trapped in a dangerous place, as I did in Washington, D.C. that night. But when you pray, you can run through the doors of God’s...

Proverbs 14:29 teaches that patience reflects wisdom and understanding, while quick-tempered reactions often lead to regret and foolishness. In this devotional, Vivian Bricker shares her personal struggle with impatience, anxiety, and the desire for control, revealing how God helped her gradually cultivate patience through growth, flexibility, prayer, and dependence on Him. This devotional reminds believers that patience is not developed overnight but is part of spiritual maturity and the fruit of the Spirit. Through prayer, intentional thinking, and trusting God in frustrating moments, Christians can learn to respond with peace rather than anger. Whether facing delays, unmet expectations, or everyday inconveniences, God faithfully helps His children grow in patience as they rely on His strength and guidance. Highlights 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: Cultivating Patience By: Vivian Bricker Bible Reading: “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly” (Proverbs 14:29). Patience is something most of us have struggled with at various times in our lives. As a teen, I remember struggling immensely with patience as I was obsessed with routines. If something didn’t go as planned, I would get stressed. I now know this was due to an underlying anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). But back then, I had no idea. My lack of patience and desire for order made life challenging for my entire family. My mom was worried about my behavior and spoke with me about my concerning behaviors. She told me that I needed to learn to be flexible because life is not set in stone. We cannot expect everything to happen exactly as it did yesterday. My mom wanted to ensure I understood that patience was required to be flexible, and it was something I was going to have to work on. While I continued to struggle with patience and flexibility as a teen, I have now cultivated these skills as an adult. Although my mom never saw all her wise words and hard work come to fruition in my life, I am eternally grateful for her help. I am now able to be patient, flexible, and roll with the punches. While some things can still bother me, such as being stuck in traffic or waiting in a lengthy line, most things don’t anymore. I can fill my time with other things while I wait, and I can talk with the Lord in prayer when I’m struggling. In truth, we can easily snuff out impatience by talking with the Lord. He will give us guidance and strengthen our minds when we are at our wits' end. Moreover, it also helps to fill our time with other things. For example, if we are waiting for a doctor’s appointment, we can bring a book or an assignment we need to work on. Think about a book you want to read, a hobby you want to pick up, or a friend you’ve meant to call. Most things take time, but if we fill our time with fun and productive activities, patience will not feel as draining anymore. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Bible tells us, “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly” (Proverbs 14:29). This shows the importance of being patient. Cultivating patience will take time; however, God will help us. As we lean more into Him, apply His teachings in our lives, and rely on Him for strength, we will develop patience each day. Sometimes we might struggle, but this is normal. None of us will master patience overnight, and we will fall short at times. As long as we are trying our best, we are doing right. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, which tells us it will take time to perfect (Galatians 5:22-23). If we are quick-tempered, we are...

Acts 2:42 reminds believers that Christian community is essential for spiritual growth, encouragement, and living out our faith together. In this devotional, Laura Bailey explores the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation in modern culture and contrasts it with the deep fellowship found in the early church. Rooted in Acts 2:42-47, this message highlights how relationships, service, prayer, and shared faith were central to the lives of early believers. This devotional encourages Christians to rediscover the beauty of biblical community through active involvement in the local church. Rather than approaching church casually or consumeristically, believers are called to devote themselves to fellowship, worship, and serving together with a shared mission centered on Christ. True joy and spiritual strength are often found when we move beyond isolation and begin doing life together with other believers. Highlights 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: Life Is Better Together By: Laura Bailey Bible Reading: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 NIV In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General’s report (Vivek Murthy) found that more than half of U.S. adults feel lonely. He then goes on to say that our nation has a loneliness and isolation epidemic. While loneliness results from a lack of social connection, social isolation is characterized by a lack of time spent with others. A study published in the Harvard Gazette found that loneliness and isolation are typically related. What were the reasons given for the increase in these two areas? The decrease in marriage and church attendance. Or as we know it, as the lack of community. In an interview with Oprah, Vivek Murthy, responding to questions on how to address the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, believes that three factors contribute to these feelings: relationships, service, and community. “When we focus on connecting to something bigger than ourselves, that’s actually when we find joy,” he told Oprah. “It’s why service is one of the most powerful antidotes to loneliness,” Murthy shares. While Murthy is speaking in general terms, consider these three factors in the context of Acts 2:42-47. Where are there built-in relationships, services, and a sense of community? The local church. It is actually more detrimental to our physical, mental, and spiritual health to live life alone than to be among other people. Let’s look at the context of our key passage, Acts 2:42-47, to better understand the importance of being part of a Christian community. Examine the words used in the above verses; they were devoted, not just attending church when it was convenient or when they were on good terms with the congregation. Their church attendance was a non-negotiable. And lest you think the ancient church was without its problems, the majority of these people were having to learn to get along with people they’d hated for centuries. The majority of the New Testament addresses this group of people, urging them to reconcile, lay aside past hurts and current differences, and move forward in unity, because they are united in Christ. Everyone was filled with awe; they were excited to hear God’s Word and be in the presence of the brothers and sisters in Christ. When was the last time you were genuinely excited about going to church? Did you fully grasp the privilege of openly hearing God’s Word? In the West, especially for those who’ve grown up in the pews, we have lost our spiritual fervor; we are most certainly lacking in zeal. We're coming before God on Sunday mornings (and all the times in...

This devotional challenges Christians to move beyond treating faith as just one part of life and instead recognize Christ as life itself. Rooted in Colossians 3 and Psalm 73, it encourages readers to anchor their identity, direction, and contentment in Jesus alone. When disappointment, loneliness, or confusion arise, believers are reminded that God is the one constant who never fails and whose presence brings lasting joy and strength. Highlights 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: When You Have Nowhere Else to Go By Cindi McMenamin Bible Reading: “So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘You do not want to leave also, do you?’ Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life’” (John 6:67-68 NASB). After Jesus had said some difficult words for His followers to understand, many of them got up and left. Some probably realized He wasn’t the conquering Messiah-king they had hoped for. Others perhaps got frustrated with not being able to understand Jesus’ words. After many of them left, Jesus asked His remaining twelve disciples if they, too, wanted to leave. That’s when Peter spoke up and boldly proclaimed, “To whom shall we go?” In other words, “We have nowhere else to go.” Have you ever felt like that? I remember the day I felt I had nowhere else to go but to Him. My parents had just split up, and there was no security in my home, in my plans, or in my heart. Today, I look back on that day as the moment in which I took ownership of my faith. The moment in which my bond with Him was sealed, and I realized I had nowhere else to go but to Him. When we grow up learning about Jesus from the time we’re young, or if we’ve walked with Him a while, we can get complacent and put our lives in cruise control and fail to acknowledge His presence, direction, wisdom, guidance, and love every moment of our day. Faith becomes a compartment that is added to the many elements of our life, instead of becoming our whole life. That’s when disappointment can rock us. The apostle Paul opened his letter to the Colossians with instructions for followers if they are truly His: Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory (verses 1-4). If you have been raised with Christ. It appears to be an if/then situation. If we are His and have been transformed by His death and resurrection, we are to keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is. That means we are to keep our minds on our eternal home, have eternal priorities and values, live as if we are here temporarily, and we will soon be in our real home with the Lover of our souls. The verse goes on to say we have died and our lives are hidden with Christ in God. (Our rights, our sense of entitlement, our preferences have died with Christ, and we are hidden, and He (and His character) is evident and on display for the world. Then the next line simply assumes that Christ is not just a part of our life, but is our whole life. Intersecting Faith & Life: When we consider Christ—not a partner or spouse, child, or even a job—as our whole life, we safeguard ourselves from misplaced priorities and frequent disappointment. God is the Only One who will never disappoint us. And I realize that you may believe that in your heart of hearts, but life still hurts. Being vulnerable enough to tell a loved one what you need from them and...

Genesis 16:8 reveals how God uses powerful questions to expose the hidden fears, wounds, and thought patterns shaping our lives. In this devotional, Jennifer Slattery reflects on God’s interaction with Hagar and shows how the Lord still asks believers today: “Where have you come from, and where are you going?” These questions are not rooted in condemnation, but in God’s loving desire to guide His children toward healing, wisdom, and peace. Highlights Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below: Take Our Survey! 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: When God Asks Powerful Probing Questions By: Jennifer Slattery Bible Reading: And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered. (Genesis 16:8, NIV) God’s questions have a way of piercing to the deepest places in our souls—where lies and insecurities often reside undetected. When anxious and overwhelmed, I have a difficult time demonstrating the love and grace of Christ. Add enough challenges and frustrations to my day, and I can become irritable with the people I most love. But I can rarely, if ever, will myself to respond better. Relying on self-control might help momentarily, but eventually, the undealt with gunk in my soul bubbles out and onto those I hold dear. That was how I behaved the night my husband and I checked into our VRBO to escape Nebraska’s bitterly cold winter. We make this journey each January, beginning with a long road trip during which we see as many grandkids as possible. This is always a lovely… and exhausting endeavor that involves hours in our vehicle, standstill traffic, and clamoring in and out of numerous hotels (Our mini-golden doodle was not a fan and alerted us to this by barking all night at other guests roaming the halls. We have since learned that under no circumstances will we allow the hotel clerk to give us a room near the elevators!). By the time we reached our destination, where we planned to remain all month, I felt frazzled, anxious, and struggling to untangle my brain’s swirling mess of have-tos and a series of new problems that felt insurmountable. In short, I didn’t handle the situation well. More accurately, I behaved more like a temper tantrummy toddler without a nap, than the Spirit-empowered reflection of Christ to which I’m called. Initially, this evoked latent shame. Had this occurred a few years ago, I might’ve stayed in that place of self-condemnation. That only would’ve added to my stress. But God is teaching me to go deeper—in myself, and with Him. To move past surface-level attempts at holiness to consider the roots of my reactions, He used today’s verse to do so. The morning after my ungracious response to my very gracious husband, I sensed God’s whisper, “Where have you come from? Where are you going?” He wasn’t asking about my present location. He wanted me to prayerfully consider how past experiences were impacting my present. What wounds distorted my perception and challenged my trust? What lies lurked in my subconscious and wreaked havoc on my present? And, where was I going? First, where did I want to go? Did I want to stay stuck in dysregulated responses, or did I want to become healthier and holier? Did I want to follow God’s lead moment by moment and day by day, in my times of overwhelm, included? These questions evoked others, such as, do I trust the direction in which God is leading me enough to follow? Finally, I sensed Him inviting me to consider where He’s taking me, and this is something He’s been reiterating to me for some time. Often, when...

Ephesians 3:12 reminds believers that through Jesus Christ, we have direct and confident access to God’s presence. This devotional by Whitney Hopler highlights the incredible truth that prayer is not reserved for the spiritually elite or those who “have it all together.” Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, every Christian has VIP access to God anytime, anywhere. Highlights Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below: Take Our Survey! 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: You Have VIP Access to God By: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading: “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” – Ephesians 3:12, NLT When I was a newspaper reporter, my press credentials usually got me access to people at events that the general public couldn’t access. I often found myself in the “VIP section” of whatever event I was covering, so I could talk to the leaders freely. I felt confident that I didn’t have to worry about how I’d contact the people I needed to talk to for each story I wrote. Many times, people wanted to talk with me so much that they pursued me and made themselves available for conversations whenever it worked best for me during the events, despite all of their other responsibilities there. So, I certainly felt like a “very important person” in the VIP sections there. It’s even more incredible that my Creator – God – gives me VIP access to talk with him anytime and anywhere. God does the same for you! God is the ultimate leader. No one has more responsibilities than God, or is busier than God is. But God is willing to pursue us and make himself available for us to talk with whenever and wherever we are. Of course, God isn’t motivated by wanting publicity. God’s motivation is simply that he loves us so much that he wants to communicate with us often. Ephesians 3:12 tells you that because of Christ and your faith in him, you have VIP access to God. Not limited or occasional access, but full access! You can come boldly and confidently into God’s presence right now. You don’t have to wait until you feel more faithful or until you try to clean up a mess in your life. You don’t need to impress God or beg him to let you come to him. Your invitation to access and enjoy God’s presence is Jesus himself. Because of what Jesus has done to pay for your sins and connect you with a holy God, the door is already open, and you’re always welcome to walk through it. Still, you might hesitate to pray because you feel unworthy, distracted, or unsure if God will really hear your prayers and answer them. Maybe you think God is disappointed in you, or that God is too busy dealing with bigger problems to be bothered with your concerns. But Ephesians 3:12 makes it clear that confidence in God’s presence is not about you – it’s about Jesus, who has already opened the door for you to fully access God. VIP access gives you the confidence of knowing you belong in God’s presence. When you trust what God promises you in this verse, you can come to him boldly. God invited you to enjoy VIP access because you’re truly a very important person. You’re one of God’s beloved children, connected to him by Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice as the world’s Savior. You don’t have to hide from God, and you don’t have to perform for God, either. You can come to God just as you are, communicate with God honestly, and enjoy God’s unconditional love for you. God is there for you in the middle of everything you go through in this fallen world. You can ask God your questions, seek God’s strength as you deal with your weaknesses, and share all your thoughts and emotions – even the...

What does it really mean to crucify the flesh and follow Jesus daily? Romans 8:13 reminds believers that true spiritual life comes through surrendering sinful desires and living by the power of the Holy Spirit. In this devotional, Hannah Benson explores the biblical meaning of “taking up your cross,” showing how God leads us into deeper peace, freedom, and abundant life through daily surrender. Highlights Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below: Take Our Survey! 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: What Does Crucifying the Flesh Really Mean? By Hannah Benson Bible Reading: “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13 ESV). What a way to start a devotional. Aren’t devotionals supposed to be uplifting and encouraging? Yes. Aren’t they also supposed to be challenging? Yes. What does this verse mean? Jesus tells us in the Gospels to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23), but what does that actually mean? Most of us don’t have a physical cross we’re called to bear. Jesus’s cross was by no means easy for Him to carry, even though He is the Son of God. He had to humble Himself, even to the point of death. Death by a cross was not only humiliating but the most excruciating death imaginable in those days. Matthew 26:39 (ESV) says: “And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’” Yes, Jesus wanted to save humanity and was willing to endure death on a cross if it was the only way. But Gethsemane shows us that as a man, if there had been any other way to accomplish the mission without the agony of the cross, He would have taken it. He chose the nails because there was no other way to save us. Matthew writes that His “soul was very sorrowful, even to death” (Matthew 26:38b). Luke 22:43, 44 (ESV) includes that as He prayed, “And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Have you ever known anyone who has been so stressed or in such great agony that they sweat blood? We can’t even begin to imagine how much Jesus loves us to not only die for us, but to endure the most unimaginable death possible. If He bore the cross for us, can we not bear ours if He asks us? But that doesn’t mean we are called to carry a literal cross. So, what does it mean to “carry our cross” each day and to “put to death the deeds of the body”? It starts with honesty, with ourselves and with God. Like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, it’s okay to admit we wish there was another way. Like David in many of the Psalms (Psalm 13 is a great example of this), it’s okay to tell God we’re struggling with anger towards Him. Second, we need to be willing to surrender. As Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39b). Job is another example. He had to surrender everything he didn’t understand, his desire for answers, and recognize that God was in complete control (Job 42:2-3). What about Paul? He begged God to remove the thorn from his flesh, but God responded: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Just as the angel came to strengthen Jesus, we must rely on God’s strength to help us. We cannot rely on our own strength to carry us through. We may want to be...

Honoring mothers is deeply connected to honoring God’s design, care, and provision for our lives. In 1 Timothy 2:15, Scripture highlights the sacred role of motherhood and reminds us that God values faith, love, holiness, and perseverance within it. In a culture that often minimizes motherhood or focuses only on parental imperfections, this devotional calls believers back to a biblical perspective of gratitude, forgiveness, and honor. Highlights Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below: Take Our Survey! 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: Honoring God by Honoring Our Mothers By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.” - 1Timothy 2:15 It seems like these days many women are resisting the call to motherhood and forgoing having children. At the same time, bitterness towards mothers is also on the rise, with too many adult children resenting their mothers’ noble yet imperfect attempts at mothering, looking at their flaws and weaknesses more than their strengths and sacrifices. But even if the world turns its back on mothers and motherhood, believers in Jesus Christ are called to embrace motherhood and honor their mothers, respecting God’s design and plan for motherhood, and the place of honor He has given them on earth. God cares about how we treat, speak to, and speak about our mothers and mothers-in-law. It matters to Him because, as His family, it reflects on Him how we treat and speak about them. As the Apostle Paul explained in Ephesians 6:2-3, “‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” So grave was it under Old Testament law to dishonor one’s mother and father that it brought deathly punishment. “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death” (Exodus 21:17). Even if our mothers have totally failed us, God calls us to forgive them and to recognize the God-ordained sacredness of them carrying us to life in their own bodies. Author and speaker Joyce Meyers shares how her mother failed to protect her growing up from her father’s sexual abuse. In many ways, she found it harder to forgive her mother than her father. Still, in her parents’ later years, God called Joyce to care for them, something she initially resisted. But even for mothers who have totally failed us in life, God calls us to honor Him by honoring them, even if they don’t deserve it. Most women begin motherhood with little to no experience, learning and growing as they go, starting out as greenhorns and discovering along the way how to handle the endless hours of motherhood’s tremendous responsibilities. Too many women enter motherhood with unaddressed and often unknown issues in their own lives, revealing underlying weaknesses and issues they may have no real understanding of or skill to handle. Because it is a trial-and-error sort of relationship, sadly, some mothers feel like failures long before their children grow up and point fingers at their mothering deficiencies. Still, even in their weaknesses and failures, and regardless of their struggles and faults, mothers are treasured and loved by God. We are commanded to honor the position God has given them on the earth. As ons and daughters, God calls us to honor Him by honoring our mothers. Doing so is an act of obedience and glorifies God. Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you honoring your mother this year? What about your mother-in-law? If you’re finding it difficult to do so for various reasons, ask God to...

Serving others in the middle of everyday exhaustion reflects the heart of Christ more than many weary moms realize. In The Gospel of Mark 9:35-37, Jesus redefines greatness by calling His followers to become servants of all and by welcoming children with love and honor. For overwhelmed mothers juggling homeschooling, deadlines, laundry, meals, and nonstop interruptions, this passage offers deep encouragement: caring for children is holy work that matters deeply to God. Highlights Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below: Take Our Survey! 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: Encouragement for the Weary Mom By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “And He [Jesus] sat down and called the Twelve [disciples], and He said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all.’ And He took a little child and put him in the center of their group; and taking him in [His] arms, He said to them, ‘Whoever in My name and for My sake accepts and receives and welcomes one such child also accepts and receives and welcomes Me; and whoever so receives Me receives not only Me but Him Who sent Me’” (Mark 9:35-37, AMP). As a mom of four boys, my “quiet time” is not really quiet: it’s full of tiny distractions and interruptions from these little ones. Nap times are quite short, and to-do lists are quite long. My days seem to go by in the blink of an eye, and I’m often left exhausted, only getting the chance to pray “Help me, Lord” in between homeschooling, my writing deadlines, continuous snack requests, laundry loads, and diaper “loads.” Knowing very well that this season in life won’t last forever, I have learned to cast my cares upon the Lord and soak up the few moments I can in the word of God, because it is what I need to realign my focus when I’m tempted to complain. I know that His grace is sufficient, but it is easy for my heart to become overwhelmed. The other day, a passage in Mark 9 met this momma right among the blissful chaos with encouragement: “And He [Jesus] sat down and called the Twelve [disciples], and He said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all.’ And He took a little child and put him in the center of their group; and taking him in [His] arms, He said to them, ‘Whoever in My name and for My sake accepts and receives and welcomes one such child also accepts and receives and welcomes Me; and whoever so receives Me receives not only Me but Him Who sent Me’” (35-37, AMP). Intersecting Faith & Life: By putting my sons and my role as a mom and wife above my desires and my life’s goals, I have been serving Jesus this whole time! And if serving Jesus, worshiping Jesus! And if that wasn’t uplifting enough, Jesus calls out our service to children specifically in verses 36-37. When we welcome our children into our lives and make them feel loved and accepted every day, we are also welcoming them in the name of the Lord Jesus every day. Jesus compares being the servant of all, a high position in the Kingdom of God, to those who welcome children into their lives. What an honor! So to all my tired and overwhelmed mommas out there, take heart! Every time you embrace your child and serve your family, you are embracing Jesus and, even more so, your Heavenly Father, who is not going to leave you to raise your children alone! Let us welcome Him into our blissful chaos as we raise up our children to trust in Him and receive His love into their lives so that they may point others to Him and His Kingdom. Instead of becoming overwhelmed and stressed out, let us look for opportunities to praise God and give...

Overcoming anxiety and finding peace starts with training your thoughts through faith, truth, and intentional habits. Psalm 16:7 reveals how God counsels and steadies our hearts—even in the quiet, vulnerable moments of the night when worry tends to rise. This devotional connects faith with the practical reality of how our minds work. Left unchecked, our thoughts often drift toward fear and negativity, especially in overwhelming seasons. But peace isn’t out of reach—it’s cultivated. Through consistent practices like prayer, Scripture, and renewing our thinking, God begins reshaping our inner world. While transformation may feel slow, it’s deeply powerful. As we learn to focus on God’s voice over our fears, we begin building new patterns of peace that steady us in every season. Highlights 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: Training Our Brains Toward Peace By: Jennifer Slattery Bible Reading: I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:7 NIV According to mental health experts, our brains, left untended, drift toward negativity. That’s probably why what-if thinking hits hardest and feels most relentless as we’re trying to drift off to sleep. If you’ve listened to many Faith Over Fear podcast episodes or follow me on social media, you might have heard me talk about my “no-good-horrible-terrible-really-bad year” (that actually lasted for three). It was a season of complete overwhelm that felt never-ending. Initially, I endured intense anxiety nearly from the moment I stepped out of bed until I finally fell asleep. There were some nights when this hyper-alert state, and all the stress chemicals flooding my body, kept me awake for over 48 hours at a time. This went on long enough that I began to fear I’d remain perpetually exhausted and never again experience God’s peace. This felt particularly frustrating because I was actively investing in my spiritual health. I still read my Bible each day, often numerous times—including in the wee hours of the morning when I needed reminders of God’s presence, purposes, and promises. I prayed constantly. I simply practiced sitting with the Lord in silence, placed sticky notes with relevant Scripture throughout the house, and memorized and regularly recited verses declaring Christ’s power and grace. None of those practices seemed to help, or at least, not enough to quiet my overwhelm. I began finding relief once I started actively focusing on retraining my brain through grounding techniques, listening to biblical content throughout the night, and seeking support from a counselor. With the Holy Spirit’s help, intentionality, and consistency, my anxiety steadily decreased. Now, while my amygdala, our brain’s alarm system responsible for fight-or-flight responses, still gets triggered on occasion, those unpleasant bursts feel much fewer and shorter-lasting, with ever-lengthening periods of peace in between. While I highly doubt David, ancient Israel’s second king who wrote today’s verse, understood neuroplasticity (our brain’s ability to grow and change throughout our lives), he seemed to recognize the importance of “taking [his] thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ,” as 2 Corinthians 10:4 encourages. When his circumstances felt hopeless, and his soul weighed down with sorrow and fear, he regularly turned to God, sought His help, and meditated upon His unchanging and immutable truths. “I will praise the Lord who counsels me,” he wrote, indicating a close connection with his heavenly Father in which he actively listened. He also seemed to elevate God’s voice above his overwhelm, a skill that takes practice and...