The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

• Seeking Something More This Christmas

  When the rush of Christmas leaves your heart feeling thin, Isaiah 9:6 offers the anchor every soul is truly craving. Beneath the wrapping paper, busy schedules, and pressure to “get it all right,” there’s a deeper longing—one only the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace can satisfy. Our hearts were never designed to be filled by productivity, perfection, or presents; they were made to be filled by Him. Highlights Cultural pressure can turn Christmas into a checklist instead of a celebration. Many feel a quiet inner ache during the holidays—a sign we’re longing for Christ, not more activity. Childhood traditions may be fun, but they can’t replace encountering Jesus personally. True Christmas joy comes from worship, gratitude, and seeking the One born to save us. Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in His first coming—and will fulfill the rest at His return. Materialism can’t satisfy the soul; Christ alone brings peace, purpose, and rest. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Seeking Something More This Christmas By Vivian Bricker Bible Reading: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). During the Christmas season, it is common to get caught up in all the holiday preparations. We are so worried about buying gifts for everyone, preparing the Christmas dinner, and planning all the activities. All of this can become overwhelming and even take the joy of Christmas away from us. Rather than viewing Christmas as a day to celebrate our Savior, we see it as a stressful day, filled with obligations. Sadly, this is not unusual for most people living in the modern world. Productivity has become the baseline for us, and if we are not being productive all the time, we are somehow failing. Within the realm of the Christmas holiday, we feel that we are not being productive or efficient if we haven’t bought all the presents we need to buy and finished all our preparations. In other words, we feel we are somehow failing at Christmas if everything is not perfect according to this materialistic world. Similar to many people, I grew up with the view that Christmas was all about Santa Claus and gifts. However, even as a kid, I sometimes felt like there was something I was missing. As I became a teenager, I quickly saw how Christmas activities could turn sour when family members couldn't get along, and it made me more stressed about the holiday. I didn’t look forward to Christmas because I didn’t fully understand what it meant—I just associated it with stressful situations. By the end of my first semester in college, I had truly come to understand that Christmas is the celebration of the Lord’s birth into the world. Even if we don’t have gifts, fancy dinners, or elaborate activities, we can still worship, praise, and give thanks to the Lord. We will all eventually come to this reality. Our souls will hunger and thirst for something more on Christmas if we genuinely do not know the Lord. Our own family traditions and celebrations can be fun, but if they are not rooted in honoring Christ, our souls will continue to yearn for more. You may have already felt this, and you are ready to make a change. Talk with Him in prayers, read and study the Bible, and seek out trusted sources to learn more about Him. Jesus will reveal Himself to you and help satisfy your spiritual hunger. Intersecting Faith & Life: Isaiah prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is the child who was born into the world. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when He came into the world. There are many other prophecies He fulfilled during His first coming, and He will fulfill even more prophecies during His second coming. Christmas is a time to seek out the truth of the Lord as well as to look forward to His return. He will return, which means we need to be ready (Revelation 16:15). This Christmas, let us focus on seeking the Lord. We don’t need to try to satisfy our yearning hearts with materialism. Instead, we need to turn to the Lord and truly celebrate Him. Our hearts, souls, and entire beings can worship Him. Seek Him this Christmas and ensure your heart is following Him. If you have not placed your faith in Jesus yet, know that you can do so today. Confess your sins to Him, ask Him to be your Savior, repent, and follow Him. You can start a new life today and walk in accordance with the Lord. Allow Jesus to bring your heart what it truly needs this Christmas and every other day of the year: His love. Jesus will fulfill our hearts' desires better than anyone or anything else. How might you return to Him this Christmas rather than turning to materialism? Further Reading: Deuteronomy 4:29 Jeremiah 29:13 Matthew 6:25-34 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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• Divinely Empowered for Our Greatest Challenges

  When life feels bigger than your strength, God’s provision becomes your power. Ezra 5:5 reminds us that when God gives an assignment—whether rebuilding a life, leading a family, launching a ministry, or facing opposition—His hand stays on His people until the work is complete. The returning exiles discovered that divine calling comes with divine supply, even when challenges rise and fear tries to stall our obedience. Highlights God equips us fully for every assignment He places in our hands—strength, resources, and support. The exiles returned to devastation, yet God’s favor and miraculous provision met them on arrival. Opposition, intimidation, and discouragement threatened to halt their progress, but God’s presence stayed constant. His faithfulness guaranteed the completion of the rebuilding—He finishes what He begins. Following Jesus includes hardship, but we “take heart” because He has already overcome the world. Romans 8 reminds believers that nothing can separate us from Christ or stop His purposes. Through Him, we live not as survivors but as “more than conquerors,” empowered to persevere. 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: Divinely Empowered for Our Greatest ChallengesJennifer Slattery (host of Faith Over Fear) Bible Reading:But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not make them cease till the matter should come to Darius, and then answer should be returned by letter concerning it. (Ezra 5:5, ESV) Today’s verse and the historical context surrounding it assure us that when God assigns us a task, be that to raise children, complete a work project, lead a team, launch a ministry, or pursue a dream, He gives us everything we need to do all that He asks. And while we will likely always experience opposition, whenever we seek to live for Jesus, the events recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah also assure us that He is greater than any opposition we’ll face. In short, He finishes what He begins. The question is, how will we respond when difficulties come? Will we cower in fear, falter in fatigue, or trust in His provision, protection, and care? Presumably, this was a question with which Ezra, the religious leader introduced in the Bible book bearing his name, and the returning exiles wrestled as they labored, for decades, to rebuild what the Assyrians destroyed seventy years prior. Here’s the backstory. Despite centuries of prophetic warnings in which the Lord pleaded with His people to return to Him, they remained set in their rebellion and violent and oppressive ways. Therefore, God gave them the autonomy they wanted, removed His protective hand, and allowed their enemies to conquer them and cart them off to a pagan nation to live as exiles. Yet, faithful to His promise, 70 years later, the Lord mercifully and miraculously returned them to their beloved homeland. Their arrival was bittersweet, filled with celebration for their liberation and return and sorrow for the destruction they saw once back in their beloved capital city. They found Jerusalem’s wall broken down, the gates burned, and the temple destroyed. But they also arrived with an abundance of the Lord’s miraculous provision, given to them by Cyrus, a pagan king. Perhaps buoyed by this obvious display of God’s favor and hope in the restoration He’d previously promised through the prophet Isaiah, they immediately set to work, built an altar, and re-established worship. Not long after, however, their progress stalled due to opposition and their desire to build homes in which to live. The intimidation they experienced from the locals steadily increased and could’ve halted the restoration project indefinitely, leaving Jerusalem like the many other ancient cities that once thrived but are no more. That’s not what happened, however, because the eye of God, meaning His favor and hand, remained on His people until they completed everything He’d assigned and promised. Because again, when God assigns something, He gives us everything we need, be that resources, strength, and people to help, to do all that He’s asked. Intersecting Life & Faith: This story reveals two co-existing realities we all encounter in this life. As you probably know from experience, living for Jesus isn’t, and never will be, easy. Jesus told us to expect trouble: local, national, and global conflict, relational ruptures and betrayal, sickness and poverty, and pain. But He also told us to “take heart”; to sink our faith roots deep into Him, the One who overcame the world and conquered death and the grave that we, His beloved and empowered children, might also overcome. In Romans 8:31-37, Paul, a first-century evangelist who wrote much of the New Testament, phrased it this way: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? … Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or anguish or persecution or famine …” (ESV). And here’s one of my favorite parts—the last line: “in all these things” –and a thousand more besides— “we are more than conquerors” –as in, we’ve secured, in Christ, overwhelming victory— “through him that loved us” (ESV). Lord, remind us of this truth, your promises, and unchanging character the next time we feel timid, overwhelmed, and defeated that we may pursue Your will with perseverance and Spirit-ignited determination. Further Reading:Proverbs 19:21Proverbs 3:5-6Job 42:2 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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• Zealous for Good Works

  Authentic ministry starts with a servant’s mindset, and Christians searching for purpose will find it in action—zeal for good works is a mark of discipleship, not a pastoral job description. John 12:26 frames service as the pathway to honor from the Father, reminding believers that following Christ means stepping into everyday ministry, wherever life places your feet. Highlights Ministry simply means “to serve,” and every follower of Christ is called into it. Jesus modeled servant leadership as the Servant King—service is imitation before function. The call isn’t to become a pastor, but to live like Jesus. Daily surrender (“die daily”) is less dramatic and more incremental—small yeses, repeated. Excuses shrink when identity grows: you serve because you are His, not to become enough. Service is worship when done in the Spirit’s power, not self-reliant hustle mode. Zealous good works expand your reach for God’s Kingdom—overflow comes after outpour. 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: Zealous for Good Works By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26, ESV). “Ministry” is from the Greek word diakoneo, meaning “to serve.” At my church, our elders believe that every member of God’s Church is a minister, so obviously that would mean that every believer is called to serve- serve Jesus and serve His Body. Jesus was the servant of all. In fact, He was the Servant King. Christ shares in the gospel of John the importance of serving and following Him as He serves others. “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26, ESV). Jesus asks us as Christians to lay our lives down continually, denying our wants and desires, or as the Apostle Paul said to do, “die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Do we know how to do that? Intersecting Life & Faith: It is human nature to seek after what our hearts and flesh crave, but we do not have to give in to that kind of nature, for we have a new nature in Christ Jesus (Colossians 3:10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:24). Some people have wrong thoughts about God and service, perhaps believing their service doesn’t matter because others have it taken care of. Or perhaps they see pastors as the ones who are qualified for service and ministry, so they don’t need to join in. But we are all priests to our God (1 Peter 2:9)! When we put our hands to the plow, so to speak, in ministry, we are worshiping God. Those who are saved by Christ will eagerly and joyfully serve Christ and His people. We have been clothed in Christ’s righteousness to match Him and follow Him. What clothes are you wearing- the world’s or Christ’s? No matter the excuse or wrong thinking regarding ministry and service, we can ask God to help us see the importance of serving the Lord and others. The Holy Spirit empowers us to set aside our selfishness and learn how to be selfless like Jesus, preferring others above ourselves. That kind of lifestyle starts in the mind, in the way we think, as we learn to think of ourselves less and look for ways to put others first. The Lord promises that the Father will honor the one who serves Christ by serving His people. As we learn to prefer others above ourselves, the Lord fills us with His love to the overflow to reach more people for His Kingdom. He will give us zeal for ministry. God is selfless, humble, gracious, and merciful, and as His children, He asks us to follow His example. We cannot do that in our own strength. The Holy Spirit will empower you, and with His grace, to be able to deny your own desires and selfish ambitions. We need God’s help to prefer others above ourselves. God’s Word transforms our minds so that we can learn how to think less of ourselves and seek to serve God and His people. Let us ask God to help us value the call to serve so we can look more like Him, ministering to whoever He puts in front of our path. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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• Finding Joy in the Endurance of Struggle

  Keri Eichberger walks us through one of faith’s less-comfortable gym memberships—rejoicing during trials because trials train endurance. If the struggle feels like mud, endurance is the pair of boots God is forming in the mud. Romans 5:3 reminds us that endurance isn’t an accidental byproduct, it’s a forged outcome. Highlights Rejoicing in trials isn’t pretending it doesn’t hurt—it’s trusting it isn’t wasted. Endurance grows when faith stops asking “why me?” and starts asking “what now, God?” We often want instant relief; God often builds internal reinforcement first. Struggle is the classroom; endurance is the diploma; joy is the confetti we throw early. Every hard season increases your future “I can handle this” capacity. Endurance shapes character, and character holds hope steady like a paperweight in a hurricane. Joy doesn’t cheapen the pain—it celebrates the Trainer, not the treadmill. 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: Finding Joy in the Endurance of Struggle By Keri Eichberger Bible Reading:We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Romans 5:3 NLT) I’ve been through several seasons of struggle and suffering. And there’s something I really wrestle with when I am in the thick of it. It’s a verse and a call to action in the Bible, actually. That simultaneously perplexes and convicts me. It’s the encouragement to rejoice and be glad in our hurts and hardships. Of course, I want to be filled with joy at all times, regardless of what surrounds me. But if I’m being completely honest, my heart seems to resist finding its way to more positive and pleasant perspectives when it’s tossed into turmoil. One instance the Bible encourages this behavior is in Romans 5:3, when it tells us to rejoice when we run into problems. And this frankly can feel like a smack in the face, and add insult to injury. We may already be feeling pretty down, and likely far from rejoicing, and then we’re being told to rejoice in it. Which may knock us further down with self-disappointment. But, regardless of the joy we may or may not muster in the mud of a problem, I bet we can agree we both want the result referenced at the latter part of the verse. Claiming we’ll receive endurance from these trials. Personally speaking, in order to motivate me to seek and see the positive in my difficulties, it helps to understand the benefit of doing so. It helps to understand the benefit of the promised result. In this case, endurance. And let me tell you, friend, you and I definitely need endurance in this life laid out for us. A quick Google search defined endurance as “the power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way,” and “the capacity of something to last or to withstand wear and tear.” And because life is hard, difficult, and unpleasant at times, of course, we need endurance. The beautiful blessing for us Christians, who lean on the Lord through our problems, is that we are developing this endurance one season of dependence at a time. We are increasing our capacity to withstand the wear and tear of life, which we know is inevitable. Meaning our problems are one by one strengthening us. By the power of God, strengthening our character, strengthening our ability to take on the next trial with more of God’s peace and grace, and his increased patience and love. All the while reflecting more of him to a watching world. Do you struggle to see joy in your suffering? But can you see the value in gaining endurance to continue to withstand the inevitable, unending flow of problems and trials in this world? And isn't that what we all want? To be able to better handle what comes our way? Because we know so much tough stuff will keep coming. I don’t know about you, but one of my greatest fears is that I won’t be able to handle the hard things on the horizon or that will unexpectedly come my way. So, if you could assure me that the hard thing I’m going through now will allow me to better deal with the things I will face in the future, isn’t that reason to rejoice? I believe so. Intersecting Faith & Life: It certainly isn’t always natural, or even comfortable. In fact, it can be really hard when you’re walking through a dark valley. But I believe there is still a good reason to rejoice and praise God for what he is doing through it. He is the author of all things and has authority over all things surrounding you. This includes your problems, your trials, and your suffering. He will use it to strengthen you; he will use your struggles to serve you and serve others. And though no, it isn’t pleasant to walk through hard things, we can walk those hard paths knowing they will create strength and goodness. And that is something worth rejoicing and thanking God for. Let this encourage you today when you consider the difficulties swarming around you. Know that through this very thing, God will bring about the person in you who will better deal with tomorrow's difficulties. Opening the door to greater ease and peace along the journey of your life. And we can all rejoice and praise God for that today and every day. If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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• Ask, Seek, Knock

  Megan J. Conner explores persistent prayer and Godward confidence through Matthew 7:7. When needs feel unmet or dreams stall, the reset isn’t louder striving—it’s steady asking, seeking, and knocking with a anchored heart. This passage reads like a promise and a gentle nudge off the couch of casual expectation. Highlights Ask: Bring the need. Name it clearly to God before narrating it to yourself. Seek: Prayer moves feet too—watch for the open door and walk toward it. Knock: Keep going. Persistence is faith’s cardio, not its enemy. God isn’t hiding gifts like misplaced keys—He responds to pursuit. Peace grows when petitions are paired with trust, even before answers arrive. Delay doesn’t equal denial; sometimes it equals development. One small prayer whispered daily outlasts one big prayer yelled annually. 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: Ask, Seek, KnockBy Megan J. Conner Bible Reading:“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” - Matthew 7:7 (NIV) Do you feel like there are needs in your life, or desires in your heart that remain unfulfilled? Perhaps you are longing for a change of circumstances, in need of tangible provision, or losing hope over a lingering, neglected dream. Maybe you wonder if God is aware of these aspirations and is intentionally choosing to deny your desires. But before you assume the Lord is uninterested, ask yourself, have you brought these cares to Him? The Word of God repeatedly offers us invitation after invitation to bring our concerns and requests to the Lord. Philippians 4:6 encourages us not to be “… anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God,” (NIV). When worries feel weighty, we can bring these feelings of overwhelm to the Lord. He is not standing far off, but instead is ready and waiting for us to call upon Him. Hebrews 4:14-16 also reminds us how Jesus walked among humanity, and not only empathizes with our weaknesses and desires, but He fully understands. As such, we can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need,” (NIV). The Lord is not only able, but ready and willing to offer comfort and provision. Even further, He reminds us that when we take delight in Him, He will give us the desire of our hearts (Ps. 37:4). Friend, God is not withholding good gifts from you, but you and I both have a part to play in the process. Years ago, my husband shared a teaching on today’s passage. Though his message was preached almost fifteen years ago, it is one that has remained with me to this day. Through his study, I learned that if we look closely, this scripture offers three distinct directives: ask, seek, knock. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matt. 7:7, NKJV). The true message of this passage is one of perseverance. In today’s on-demand, instant fulfillment culture, we have lost a measure of determined persistence. When something doesn’t work out as planned, it is much easier for us to just sit down, give up, or walk away. But the Lord is calling us to stretch ourselves beyond our supposed boundaries. To fight for what we desire and to fight for our relationship with Him. He is not denying us. He is compelling us to exert effort, not sit idly by with casual expectation. He is calling us to action. Ask. If that doesn’t work, then seek. If seeking remains elusive, knock. He promises He will respond. The passage goes on to say, “or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matt. 7:7-11, NKJV). Our Heavenly Father truly is a good father. He longs to behold and bless His children. He is simply waiting for us to take the initiative. To ask… to seek… to knock. Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you carrying unfulfilled desires in your heart? Do you feel like God is distant or intentionally denying you a potential destiny? If so, ask yourself, when was the last time you brought these petitions to the Lord? Even if your dreams have remained dormant for years, I encourage you, continue to bring your requests to Him. Though the final outcome may not be exactly what you had in mind, you can be assured that He hears your plea and will respond when you call. Take some time today to look up the dictionary definition of the word “perseverance.” Then, consider if your actions or communications with the Lord exemplify perseverance. Is there any room for adjustments or improvements? If so, ask the Lord to help you draw near to Him, trusting that whatever the outcome, His work in your life is ultimately for your good and is fulfilling your deepest desires. Further Reading:Luke 18:1-8Heb. 4:14-16 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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