The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Scripture reminds us that rest is not something we manufacture—it is something we receive from God’s presence. Just as Moses needed reassurance before stepping into the unknown, we often need the same reminder: we are not navigating life alone. God goes with us, goes before us, and stays with us. His presence doesn’t remove every difficult decision, but it does remove the burden of carrying them alone.
In that truth, rest becomes more than physical relief—it becomes spiritual confidence. Worry loses its grip when we remember that God already sees the outcome, already knows the path, and is actively guiding each step forward.
Highlights:
God’s presence is the foundation of true rest in uncertain seasons
Feeling overwhelmed often comes from trying to carry decisions alone
Like Moses, we are reassured that God goes with us into every situation
Rest in God means releasing anxiety, second-guessing, and fear of failure
Trust grows when we believe God is already ahead of our circumstances
Join the Conversation
Where in your life do you feel the need to slow down and trust God’s leading more fully? What would it look like to exchange anxiety for rest in His presence today?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
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Full Transcript Below:
When You Long for Rest
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’” (Exodus 33:14 ESV).
Do you ever get tired of trying to solve all-consuming problems by yourself? It’s inevitable at times to lie awake at night, running through the options in our minds, and deliberating about what the best decision might be, and then worrying if that really is the best decision or direction.
I was there recently, unsure about my next step. I had a number of options in front of me and didn’t want to overlook God’s best for what looked easier or more attainable. For a moment, I felt paralyzed.
“God, what should I do”? I prayed aloud. “I feel so alone and lost in this.”
As soon as I mouthed the words, I was convicted by the realization that I am never alone. God’s presence goes with me everywhere I go. He knows all about my situation, and He already sees the solution. And He is leading if I will just follow.
I wonder if Moses, at one time, could relate.
When Moses was charged to lead the Israelites into the land of Canaan, he was uncertain of his next step, too. Moses was hesitant because he believed the stubbornness of the Israelites would cause the Lord to decline going up to the land with them. I wonder if Moses, momentarily, thought he was on his own. Did he feel panicked or paralyzed?
Scripture tells us in Exodus 13:12-13 that Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.”
God’s reply to Moses in verse 14 was short and sweet: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
That was all Moses needed to hear and know. God’s presence would be with him, so he didn’t need to stress, worry, or fear. God had the next step, and the next one after that. And God would give him rest. Rest from feeling he had to do it on his own. Rest from having to make the correct decision. Rest from the burden, the pressure, the obligations, and the fear of failure.
How many times have I feared a situation because I’ve forgotten that not only will God go with me, but His presence has already gone before me? How was this situation of mine any different? God would go with me, and He would give me rest.
As Moses implied, God’s presence and His rest are evidence that I know Him, and He knows me and has taught me His ways.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Our knowledge of God and trust in Him are evident in how we respond to difficulties and certain crossroads in our lives. Will we worry, stress, or quietly rest in His leading? Can you trust, regardless of what your situation looks like, that God knows you, He is intimately familiar with your situation, and His presence is going with you in your circumstances to guide you and get you through? Can you rest, not lie awake at night trying to figure it all out, because God already knows how to get you to where He wants you to be?
Today, I will not be worried, stressed, or fearful because God’s presence goes with me and He will give me rest. His rest means no anxiety, no confusion, and no second-guessing what I should have done. He leads. He accompanies me. He provides peace and rest. And He can provide it for you too.
Thank you, Lord God, that Your presence goes with us everywhere we go. And thank You for the assurance that You are familiar with all of our circumstances and all of our fears. We praise You today that Your presence means peace and rest.
Further Study:
Matthew 11:28-29
For a closer walk with God and daily reminders to rest in Him, see my newest book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
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When we reflect on freedom, Scripture reminds us that true freedom is ultimately found in Christ. While earthly freedoms are worth recognizing and being thankful for, the greatest freedom we receive is the freedom Jesus provides—the freedom to worship God, share the Gospel, and live according to His truth. As we remember the history and sacrifices that shaped our nation, we can also reflect on the responsibility that comes with freedom: using it to honor God and serve others in love.
Highlights:
True freedom begins with the freedom Christ gives through salvation
America’s founding was influenced by leaders who recognized God’s role in establishing liberty
Freedom allows believers to worship, share the Gospel, and live openly for Christ
Biblical freedom is not meant for selfish living but for serving others in love
Remembering history invites us to thank God for those who courageously stood for freedom
Join the Conversation
As you reflect on 250 years of freedom as a nation, how do you see God’s hand at work throughout history? How can you use the freedoms you have today to honor God and serve those around you?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
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Full Transcript Below:
Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom as a Nation
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1
Our Founding Fathers were a group who believed in God, the freedom He gives each of us, and His providence in establishing the United States of America.
Although debates continue over how godly each one lived and how deeply they each believed in God, they still gave us a biblical basis for our nation, one that continues today.
As the first Vice President and second President of the United States, John Adams wrote on July 3, 1776, to his beloved wife, Abigail, concerning the high cost of freedom paid to create the Declaration of Independence:
“You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not—I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States—Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
Adams also credited the American Revolution’s success with the spiritual revival in the hearts and minds of the people that preceded it by a generation, laying the foundation for America.
The spread of “The Great Awakening” across the colonies greatly influenced and strengthened Patriot leaders, leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in which prayer and fasting played a vital role in helping America establish its freedom.
America is a testament of what God has done, leading America’s Founders to establish our nation and government on godly principles. These biblical truths have given us the freedom to live as followers of Jesus Christ without reserve.
As Galatians 5:13 directs us, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
The following are three freedoms that America has granted us as Christians:
America gives us freedom to openly worship God. First and foremost is the freedom America gives us to worship God. It’s our highest calling as Christians, and it’s the freedom that tops all the others because it’s also fulfilling the first commandment, recorded in Matthew 22:37-38: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”
America gives us freedom to openly preach the Gospel. In America, we have this freedom, like no other country in the world. As 2 Corinthians 3:17 explains, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
America gives us the freedom to openly live as Christians. We, as Americans, have been granted the right, as citizens, to live as Christians in the freedom Jesus gave us. As Jesus assured us in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Although we, as Americans, fought for freedom from King George and British tyranny, proclaiming independence from their harsh reign, our independence was rooted in our dependence upon Almighty God and the freedom He gives us through Jesus Christ.
Adams supported the spiritual awakening in our country, calling attention to and recognizing the connection between faith in God and freedom in life, validating where true freedom originates.
Miracles in American History author, historian, and speaker, William J. Federer, writes, “In defending the Declaration, Adams told the Continental Congress, July 1, 1776: ‘Live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence forever!’”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As we celebrate our nation’s 250 years of freedom this July 4th, consider our founders’ faith in God and the fortitude they displayed in standing on His truth amid conflict and tyranny. Spend time thanking God for their bravery and boldness in believing that true freedom comes from Him.
Further Reading:
How the Church Paved the Way for America’s Freedom
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When we step back and look closely at what love really is, it becomes clear that it’s far more than words, emotions, or routine phrases we say without thinking. True love is demonstrated through action, sacrifice, and consistency. Scripture points us to the ultimate example in Christ—who didn’t just speak love, but proved it through giving Himself for us while we were still undeserving. That kind of love reshapes how we understand God’s heart and how we extend love to others.
Highlights:
Love is more than words; it is demonstrated through action and truth
God defines love through sacrifice, seen fully in Jesus on the cross
Real love often involves giving, serving, and putting others before ourselves
Biblical love is consistent even when people are imperfect or difficult
Understanding God’s love changes how we love others in everyday life
Join the Conversation
How has your understanding of love changed through your faith journey? Where do you find it most challenging to love others in a sacrificial way, and what helps you reflect Christ’s love in those moments?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
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Full Transcript Below:
A Proper View of Love
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Many of us grow up with an incorrect view of what love actually means. From an early age, we are taught that if someone says they love you, we are to say, “I love you” back, regardless of how we are feeling. Without giving these words much thought, we have lost the true meaning of love and its uniqueness in our lives.
The word “love” has a deeper meaning than just a greeting, a goodbye, or a simple “I love (fill in the blank).” The meaning of love has been distorted by overuse. As believers, we need to understand what love is and avoid using it haphazardly.
There is a time and place to say we love others, but we also need to show it in our actions. We are told in the Bible, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
My mom used to say she loved me each morning before I went to elementary school, but she didn’t use the word “love” in a way that was repetitive or meaningless. When she said she loved me, she meant it, and she backed it up with her actions.
Now, this is the key difference. The love my mom showed me was not just in her words. She also showed it through her actions and genuine concern for me. Whenever she would tell me she loved me and to have a good day at school, she truly meant it.
The True Definition of Love
The Apostle Paul tells us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God has shown in both His actions and words that He loves us. He didn’t only say He loves us, but rather, He left Heaven to die the death we deserved and pay our sin debt.
Jesus did this out of the love He has for us. No one would die for someone they didn’t love with every fiber of their body. “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8).
Jesus’ death on the cross demonstrates to us what real love looks like: sacrifice. Love is not all roses, beautiful dates, or perfect families. Real love is rooted in sacrificing our own needs for others.
This is what real love looks like as it models the same love Jesus has for us. We will have to love others in their darkest times. For example, one of our friends might need support when they are going through alcohol or addiction recovery. Showing judgment toward them and not being there for them will only cause them to feel awful about themselves. However, if we model Jesus’ sacrificial love in our lives, we will be loving, caring, and compassionate toward them, and sacrifice our own plans to spend time with them.
The Lord tells us, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Living under a proper view of love will change our lives and ensure we love others as the Lord loves us. Praying to Jesus to help us practice sacrificial love will help us if we find it a difficult concept to fully embrace. God can transform our hearts and change them to reflect His own (Ezekiel 36:26).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is your definition of love? Has anyone modeled the love of Jesus for you in their life? Did this leave a lasting impact on you? How can you lean into the Lord’s love today?
Further Reading:
Jeremiah 31:3
John 3:16-18
1 John 4:10
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When life feels overwhelming and the goals ahead seem impossible, God reminds us that we don’t have to rely on our own strength alone. He is our strength when we feel weak and our shield when challenges, doubts, and setbacks come against us. Trusting God with our plans allows us to move forward with confidence, knowing He provides the help, protection, and guidance we need along the way.
Highlights:
God provides strength and protection when we face challenges that feel too big to overcome
Trusting God means inviting Him into our goals instead of trying to accomplish everything alone
Prayer keeps us connected to God’s guidance, wisdom, and provision
God can protect us from discouragement, setbacks, and fear as we pursue His purposes
Remembering God’s past faithfulness helps us trust Him with future challenges
Join the Conversation
What is one area of your life where you need God to be your strength and shield right now? How can trusting Him change the way you approach your goals, challenges, or uncertainties?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
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Full Transcript Below:
God Will Be Your Strength and Shield
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” – Psalm 28:7, NIV
My grandmother, Lena Wyckoff, founded a popular railroad history museum. The process took years and required her and other volunteers with the organization she founded to overcome many different challenges. But Grandma persisted because she said God inspired her to set the goal of starting the museum, and she was sure that he would help her every step of the way. As Grandma’s volunteer group made more and more progress, people started calling Grandma “the little engine who could,” after the main character in the classic children’s story “The Little Engine that Could” about a train engine that overcame challenges to pull a train over a mountain. Grandma loved her new nickname. But she let people know that the reason she could be “the little engine who could” was because she relied on God’s strength to help her. God also served as a shield for Grandma, protecting her from discouragement whenever a new challenge popped up along the way. Since Grandma trusted God to be her strength and shield, she was able to persist and finally achieve the goal God led her to set. Ever since the museum opened, it has attracted many visitors and brought joy to adults and children alike.
What’s an important goal you’re trying to achieve in your own life? Whatever that goal is, it may feel like a mountain to you. You can see the peak, and you want to get there, but looking at the steep incline of challenges in front of you can discourage you from trying to make progress.
Psalm 28:7 assures you that God will help you by being both your strength and your shield. You can rely on God to give you the strength you need as you work to achieve your goal. God will empower you, and there’s no limit to God’s power, so anything is possible to achieve when you’re trusting God. You can also count on God to protect you from anything harmful that’s headed your way – like unexpected setbacks, your own doubts, or criticism from other people – by being your shield. God will fuel your progress and protect you along the way as you work to achieve your goals.
This verse shows trust at work when it says “... and he helps me.” It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But how often do you actually stop and ask God for help? God cares about all of your goals, and he wants to help you achieve them. God is a loving Heavenly Father who really cares about all the details of your life. If it matters to you, it matters to God!
If God has led you to set a goal that’s important to you, don’t just set it and then try to achieve it on your own. Instead, stay connected to God regularly through prayer and meditation, and ask God to help you while you work to make progress. God can open doors you can’t see, provide resources you didn’t know you needed, and give you a peace that makes the journey actually enjoyable.
Psalm 28:7 ends with the author, King David, saying that his heart “leaps for joy” and that he’s praising God by singing. David is celebrating wholeheartedly because God has given him tremendous power and protection and helped him with everything he needed.
Imagine how much stress you could let go of, and how much joy you could experience, if you trust God to help you achieve your goal. You won’t have to worry about any challenge that comes your way, because you’ll know that God is in control.
So, take that big goal that feels like a mountain and hand it over to God. Don’t just ask God to bless your plans; ask him to be your strength and shield. Trust that God will help you, and rely on his help. As you do, in God’s timing, you’ll see your goal become a reality!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how God will be your strength and shield as you pursue your goals, reflect on these questions:
What’s one important goal you’re currently working toward that feels overwhelming to handle on your own?
In what ways have you been relying on your own strength lately, and how can you start relying more on God to empower you?
What do you need God to protect you from right now so you can make progress on your goal?
When you remember how God helped you achieve something important in the past, how does that change your perspective on your current goal?
How can you invite God into your work this week to help you make progress toward achieving your goal?
Further Reading:
Psalm 121:1-2
Philippians 4:13
Isaiah 41:10
Proverbs 3:5-6
2 Corinthians 12:9
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When we remember that God is watching over us, we can live with confidence instead of fear. His protection is not limited by what we can see—He is always present, guarding, guiding, and holding His children securely in His hands.
Highlights:
God’s protection reminds us that we are valuable and deeply cared for by Him
Nothing happens outside of God’s awareness, even when circumstances feel uncertain
Jesus promises that no one can take His children out of His hands
Trusting God’s sovereignty brings peace when we face fear, injustice, or uncertainty
We can find security knowing God watches over us and works for our good
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a moment when God reminded you that you were safe in His care? How does knowing that God is always watching over and protecting you change the way you respond to fear or difficult circumstances?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
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Full Transcript Below:
We Are Safe with God
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” - John 10:10 NIV
Have you ever felt unsafe but not worried because you knew there were people and systems in place to protect you? Did knowing this help you feel safe?
When I worked in retail for a major department store, part of my orientation day was an introduction to the asset protection team, who operated inside a hidden room in that store. They had TV monitors mounted on a long wall, as well as other technology they used daily to watch all the customers to make sure nobody would steal anything that belonged to the store and get away with it.
According to a Google search aided by AI, “Asset Protection (AP) teams in department stores protect assets, employees, and customers by preventing theft, fraud, and inventory loss (shrink) through surveillance, investigations, and safety training. They work in uniforms or plain clothes (store detectives), monitoring CCTV, patrolling floors, and collaborating with law enforcement to maintain a safe environment.”
My exposure to how stores protect their products didn’t end there. A few years after working in retail, I noticed that another popular store started putting their facial cleanser products beyond glass cases that cannot be unlocked without assistance from a sales associate. When I asked why, they said people had started stealing these products, so they put them under lock and key to prevent theft.
As I thought about these two experiences recently, I realized that this is similar to how God protects us. We are His most valuable assets on Earth, and He has gone to great lengths to protect us. God sends His Angels from Heaven to protect us from the devil, whose sole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy us. But we have hope and security in God. The Bible says in John 10:28 (NIRV), “I give them eternal life, and they will never die. No one will steal them out of my hand.” We are safe in His hands. This reminds me of a popular Christian faith-based song with lyrics that remind us how the Creator of the Universe holds the whole world in His Hands. We serve a big and mighty God who is sovereign and always in control. He’s very protective of us as His treasured possessions, and nobody—devil, demon, forces of evil, and people who want to hurt us—can remove God’s hand of protection over us. Our Lord and Savior (Jesus Christ) cannot be defeated, and He promises to cover us all the days of our lives (Matthew 28:20).
Nothing that happens on Earth goes unnoticed by God. The Bible says in Proverbs 15:3 (NIRV), “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere. They watch those who are evil and those who are good.” Just like that department store had a hidden place within the store to keep watch silently without any customer being aware they are under surveillance, the Lord Himself and His Angels are keeping watch over all humankind. They stay hidden from us in most cases, but they are very present in our world. And sometimes, they reveal their presence when necessary (Hebrews 13:2).
So next time you feel like someone who hurt you is getting away with it or a crime is going unpunished, remember that God will work everything together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) and vengeance is His (Romans 12:17-19). Also, remember what the Bible says in Hebrews 4:13-15 (NIV), “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
When we remember Biblical truth and apply it to our lives, this can help us have a peace that passes all understanding because we know God is in control, we are safe with Him, and nobody can snatch us out of His hand that covers us every moment of our lives on Earth. So, when you are afraid, run to Jesus. And if you are tempted to sin, remember God is watching you too. Make Him proud and do the right thing.
In closing, I’d like for you to listen to the following songs:
Song of Reflection #1: “Mercy Said No” by Cece Winans. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #2: “Testimony” by Terrian. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #3: “Safe” by Alisa Turner. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #4: “Every Moment” by ForeverJones. Listen to it HERE.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does it feel to know that you are safe with God?
Further Reading:
Deuteronomy 32:35
Psalm 46:1-11
Psalm 91:1-16
Psalm 121:1-8
2 Thessalonians 3:3
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