The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Today's episode is a special bonus from the On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse hosted by Kristy Graham.
What does it look like to trust God when He calls you into some of the world's most difficult and dangerous places? In this powerful episode, Kristy experiences firsthand what Samaritan's Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team members endure as they prepare to serve during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Bev Kauffeldt, who has served on the last two Ebola responses, led Kristy through the training.
Kristy got into the many layers of personal protection equipment to experience the process our DART members go through in the field. This inspired Kristy as she experienced the discomfort our teams willingly step into as they fight this dangerous outbreak. It also helped her know how to pray for our teams more specifically.
At the training, Bev talked with Kristy about a passage of Scripture that has been on her heart:
“This verse—I shared it with the team today because it's so perfect. In Acts 20:24, Paul says my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others of the good news about the wonderful grace of God.”
— Bev Kauffeldt, paraphrasing Acts 20:24
As believers, we must have a posture of humility. Someone who speaks into this posture in this Ebola response is Dustin Martin, a water, sanitation and hygiene technical advisor who supports Samaritan's Purse field offices around the world. Dustin will likely go to the DRC soon. He shared how he is preparing both physically and spiritually to be deployed and why he desires to go serve in this dangerous situation.
“I want to be able to go to the ends of the earth for people that I haven't even met before because that's what Christ did for me. He took on humility. He took on human form when He had no need to. And if He did that for me, there's just no appropriate response but to do that for others.”
— Dustin Martin
Once Kristy was out of the personal protective equipment, she met Kate Allen, an emergency doctor, who the Lord has called and sent to many DART responses, including Ukraine and Iraq.
They spoke about putting on the armor of God, trusting that the Lord goes before us. We are not promised safety, but God does promise that He is with us always.
“God doesn't say you're going to be absolutely fine … but He does promise that He goes with us. And He promises that He goes ahead. And He promises He hems us in from behind. So, we go with His Spirit, and we go knowing that He has a plan, and that He has already paid the ultimate price.”
— Kate Allen
If you'd like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse, please visit SamaritansPurse.org
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We reflect on 1 Peter 4:8, which reminds us that “love covers over a multitude of sins.” While discernment is important, a critical spirit can quietly keep us guarded, distant, and unable to love others the way Christ has called us to.
Past hurts and disappointments can cause us to constantly evaluate, judge, and protect ourselves from being hurt again. But God does not call us to carry the burden of figuring everyone out. He calls us to love. Through prayer, humility, and trust in God’s protection, we can move from criticism toward compassion and reflect the heart of Jesus.
Highlights:
Discover how 1 Peter 4:8 reveals the power of love to cover and restore relationships.
Learn how past wounds can create a habit of judgment and constant criticism.
Understand the difference between biblical discernment and a critical spirit.
Explore five practical steps to replace judgment with love, including prayer, encouragement, and believing the best.
Be reminded that God—not our ability to evaluate others—is our ultimate source of protection.
Find freedom in loving others the way Jesus loves us, even when it feels difficult.
Join the Conversation
Where do you find yourself becoming more critical than loving toward others? What is one way you can choose compassion and grace in a relationship this week?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
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Full Transcript Below:
5 Steps to Stop Being Overly Critical
By: Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Have you ever been hurt by an authority figure?
I remember it, almost clear as day… I was in third grade. Somehow, the teacher always seemed proud of her classroom power. I liked to talk. She didn’t like talking. And there I went – I started up talking…
My punishment? She had me kneel before a statue on hard, cold linoleum for hours (or for what felt like hours). It hurt. It was embarrassing.
Here, and amongst other times like this, I learned something: You can’t trust everyone in a position of spiritual authority. Just because they have a position of power doesn’t mean they’ll use it for good.
As a kid, I took the lesson and stuffed it deep in my pocket. Be careful, Kelly. You may get hurt. Even holy people can’t always be trusted.
I started to keep my antennae up. I won’t get hurt or embarrassed like that again.

Safety, now, became hyper-awareness as I talked to people in authority. I’d ask:
- Are they speaking the truth?
- Do they have the right motives?
- Will they dupe me?
- Are they living what they say, or are they a fraud?
- Are they trying to profit for themselves, and do they even really care?

In an effort to protect myself from future hurt, I started to live as a constant judge. A critic. A person continually sizing up good or bad. Right or wrong. Theologically correct or not right at all.
People became either good or not so good.
One morning, something hit me: I can’t be loving when constantly judging.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Pet. 4:8)
God doesn’t require me to figure everyone out; He calls me to love. God doesn’t ask that I know every motive; He asks that my highest motive be love.
Love is powerful. Love actually covers. It does something. It is a cause that always has an effect.
Yet, a critical spirit? It can easily hide under the guise of good intent, while being all wrong. Jesus was not a fan of the Pharisees, who showed themselves pious, but underneath were void of true understanding.
What can I do instead? I can:
1. Pray that I can see what God loves in each person.
2. Authentically bless them in prayer.
3. Encourage them where they may need help or ministry.
4. Believe the best and hope the best about them.
5. Love them anyway.
The highest understanding is love. The highest pursuit is love.
WE don’t have to entirely know a person to love them. We don’t have to have it all figured out to show love.

Love is simple.
Judging is complex.
Plus, it is a lot to uphold. It’s a lot to manage. It keeps the heart guarded. It blocks God’s outpouring and sin-covering love.
At the end of the day, being critical doesn’t keep us safe. God is the only protector, and when we trust Him to protect us, we can begin to love others, even when it may feel scary.
Will everyone treat us right? Will everyone do right? Not at all.
But do we always act right and always do right? No, we don’t.
We love the way Jesus loved us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Where do you find yourself judging more than you are loving people? How might believing the worst about others be preventing you from seeing their best? Identify ways that your judgment has impacted relationships… What would it look like for you to do something new?
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When life feels overwhelming and you don’t know what decision to make, where do you turn for wisdom? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on James 1:5, where God promises to generously give wisdom to those who ask. Whether we are navigating major life choices, parenting challenges, or seasons of uncertainty, we are never without access to the guidance of our Heavenly Father.
The world offers endless opinions and advice, but God’s wisdom is different. His wisdom brings peace, produces good fruit, and draws us closer to Him. When we humbly admit our limitations and seek His direction, we discover that God is faithful to provide exactly what we need.
Highlights:
Discover the promise of James 1:5 and how God generously gives wisdom to those who seek Him.
Learn why humility is essential when asking God for guidance and direction.
Understand the difference between worldly wisdom and the peace-filled wisdom that comes from God.
Be encouraged that feeling uncertain or overwhelmed can become an opportunity to grow in trust.
Explore how Scripture and godly counsel help us apply God’s wisdom to everyday decisions.
Remember that our weakness creates space for God’s strength and grace to work.
Join the Conversation
What area of your life do you need God’s wisdom for today? How can you make more room to seek His guidance through prayer, Scripture, and godly counsel?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
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Full Transcript Below:
Heavenly Wisdom Is Available to You
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5, ESV).
Motherhood: a time in my life when it became really apparent to me that I had no idea what I was doing. Babies don’t come with a user manual, so sometimes it feels like you are learning how to be a parent by trial and error. As a new mom, it is so easy to become overwhelmed and anxious because you feel like you have more questions than answers, especially when your baby has sleeping issues or colic. And don’t forget when they get their first cold!
Instead of letting overwhelm overtake us, we must remember that we have access to the wisdom of God; All we must do is ask.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5, ESV).
We receive wisdom through the Word of God and the counsel of godly mentors and friends. God’s wisdom isn’t anything like what the world offers us; Ultimately, it is full of peace and brings about good fruit.
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17, ESV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When we approach God with humility, asking Him for guidance and direction, He is faithful to generously give us wisdom from above. We have been given the gift of leaders in the church who help us understand God’s Word so that we can apply its wisdom in our lives. They are also charged to care for our souls and can help us through difficult times, equip us, and encourage us. Do you fall into the ditch of pride, thinking you have it all figured out and are unteachable? More often than not, when we face challenges that make us realize we don’t know everything, the Lord uses that situation to sanctify us, humble us, and build our trust in Him. When we humble ourselves before the Lord, He gives us grace that strengthens us in the midst of our trials and difficult seasons. Grace is always available to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).
In a culture (yes, even within the visible church) where positive affirmations and self-empowering declarations are the norm, admitting your weaknesses, limitations, and failures is seen as negative and perhaps even harmful to your soul.
Yet, the Bible reveals that we are not enough in and of ourselves or in our own abilities or wisdom; We are but dust (Psalm 103:14-16). The Lord is the One who gives us the breath, ability, and wisdom to accomplish anything, walk through a difficult situation, or make major life decisions. Admitting our “not enough-ness” provides an opportunity to look to God because He is, in fact, more than enough, and His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12). Ultimately, the Lord is glorified in my weakness and in my feeling of emptiness and “not enough-ness.”
Are you weighed down with the cares of this life? You must run to God in humility, knowing that you do not have the answers for everything that you are facing; God does. His word tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom, we can come to Him and ask for it. He is such a faithful and generous Father. His abundant wisdom is what we need when we don’t know where to turn. He will guide you and strengthen you with His grace when you are overwhelmed or confused. We also have the gift of godly counsel. What godly leaders has the Lord placed in your life that can help you when you are faced with difficult decisions? God has equipped them to care for your soul and teach you more about God and His ways. Ultimately, when we have reached our limit and don’t know where to turn, let us run to the One who holds all wisdom and grace!
Further Reading:
Proverbs 2:6-8
Psalm 90:12
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Are you constantly trying to meet expectations, avoid disappointment, or gain approval from others? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we explore Galatians 1:10 and the danger of allowing people’s opinions to become more important than God’s approval. While serving and loving others are important parts of following Christ, our identity and worth were never meant to be built on earning acceptance.
People-pleasing can leave us exhausted, anxious, and disconnected from who God created us to be. But freedom comes when we shift our focus from pleasing people to faithfully following God. When we understand that our worth is already secure in Christ, we can serve others from a place of love rather than a need for approval.
Highlights:
Discover how Galatians 1:10 challenges us to seek God’s approval above the opinions of others.
Learn why people-pleasing can prevent us from living authentically and faithfully.
Understand how setting healthy boundaries can help us serve others without losing ourselves.
Find practical ways to overcome overthinking and replace anxious thoughts with prayer.
Be reminded that your worth comes from God’s love—not your performance or others’ acceptance.
Explore how focusing on Christ first brings freedom, confidence, and purpose.
Join the Conversation
Where do you find yourself seeking approval from others more than God? What is one step you can take to find your identity and worth in Christ instead? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
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Full Transcript Below:
To Please or Not to Please?
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading:
“For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, CSB)
A dear friend of mine has told me many times, he longs to be understood and known by those around him. For much of his life, he’s felt just the opposite, both with family and friends. What I’ve tried to instill in him, is that he might be working against himself. In his mind, doing for others at the expense of himself is supposed to lead to being understood.
He’s a people-pleaser and he knows it. If he can just do the right thing, and say the right thing, he will eventually reap the reward of being known. In reality, they do know him, or some version, but not as he wants to be known because that part is hidden. See the contradiction?
Those who engage in people-pleasing do so because, like my friend, they are hoping to achieve some abstract payoff. If only everyone would like them, life would be bliss. Not!
There will never come a time when everyone likes you. Some people will dislike you for the very fact that you desperately want to be liked!
Now, I don’t personally struggle with people-pleasing, but I can certainly understand the allure. After all, no one with a healthy mindset wants to be disliked by everyone! Rather, we want affirmation and appreciation and reassurance to varying degrees throughout our lives. People-pleasing seems to be what happens when we desire those things too much.
The solution is not easy, but it is simple - shift our focus from people and put it on God. Let’s break that down into practical terms.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If you’re one of those people-pleasing people, don’t ever think you’re stuck in this particular sin. What you need is a shift in mindset and that comes with taking practical steps over time. In essence, in order to break a habit you a to build a new, godlier one.
Practice Introspection
Maybe you’ve never considered this, or maybe it’s time to do it again, but self-reflection is important. Take time to consider why you people-please so much. Consider what you’re hoping to get and why that matters so much.
Set Boundaries
When is enough, enough? You need to know yourself in order to set boundaries. And with boundaries comes the ability to give simple no’s rather than overexplaining, and not overburdening yourself with people who would never in a million years do the same for you.
Naturally, as believers we are called to serve, even thanklessly. However, allowing someone to take advantage of you (because you’re pleasing them) without admonishing them, works to their detriment and yours.
Stop Overthinking
If so-and-so didn’t say the thing you imagine them thinking, why are you assuming that’s how they feel? When we assume, we almost always go for the worst-case scenario, yet that worse-case is rarely ever what happens. Here’s what we can do instead, turn those worrisome thoughts into prayers. This will help you focus more on God and less on the imagined problem.
If you want to test this theory, share with so-and-so what you assumed they felt and see how they respond. Were you accurate?
Derive Your Worth from God
You might not be a people-pleaser in the sense of wanting to please all the peoples. Maybe your sin is more subtle. Maybe you’re just trying to please your spouse by withholding the truth or please your boss by ignoring wrongdoing. Whatever the case, the issue seems to be deriving our worth from man instead of God.
Certainly there are roles we play within our families, friendships, at work. These roles give us a sense of fulfillment and purpose. However, if any of these responsibilities were to disappear, and they may, would that mean our worth also disappears?
According to Scripture, that answer is clear.
God’s love for us is not contingent upon doing or being anything. He loves us, regardless. If that’s the case, try focusing on pleasing Him first and foremost. We can do for others second.
With Him as the focus, and by knowing ourselves, and by having boundaries, and not overthinking, we can turn away from being people-pleasing people.
Further Reading:
Colossians 3:23
Proverbs 29:25
Romans 8:31
Romans 12:2
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What if your deepest longing wasn't for a better life on earth, but for your true home with Christ? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on John 14:2, where Jesus promises to prepare a place for those who belong to Him. While this world offers temporary joys and inevitable hardships, our ultimate hope is found in the eternal home Christ has prepared for us.
The more we fix our hearts on heaven, the less we become consumed by the fleeting treasures of this world. An eternal perspective reshapes our priorities, strengthens our faith through suffering, and reminds us that our greatest joy is not found in earthly comforts but in the promise of being forever with Jesus.
Highlights:
Discover how John 14:2 reminds believers that Jesus is preparing an eternal home for His followers.
Learn why longing for heaven strengthens our hope during seasons of suffering and uncertainty.
Be encouraged to treasure Christ above the temporary comforts and distractions of this world.
Understand how an eternal perspective transforms your priorities and daily decisions.
Reflect on Jesus' call to store up treasures in heaven rather than earthly possessions.
Find renewed joy by remembering that your true home is with Christ forever.
Join the Conversation
How often do you think about heaven and the promise of being with Jesus? What is one way you can live today with a greater focus on eternity rather than temporary circumstances? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/
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Full Transcript Below:
Longing for Heaven
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2 ESV).
In the fourteenth chapter of John, Jesus told His followers He was leaving them to prepare a place for them and that He would return and take them with Him so that they would always be with Him. He called this place that He was preparing a mansion with many rooms, and, in my understanding of Scripture, Jesus might’ve downplayed it a little about what truly awaits us in this place He’s preparing for us.
I wonder if we really think about His promise to return, and if what awaits us in heaven is really impacting our lives and our longings.
I once heard an author and speaker say that our frustration—at heartache, pain and suffering, struggling to attain perfect love, and even striving for a more fulfilling relationship with God—is to be expected because “this life on earth is not the way it was supposed to be. Our former address was Paradise.”
When my husband, Hugh, visited the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea several years ago, he observed something peculiar and wonderful about the Iteri people. These tribesmen, in a church established years earlier by American missionaries, were a people obsessed with heaven. When my husband—an American man who was schooled in the knowledge of the Scriptures—came to speak at the little Iteri church, the natives bombarded him with questions, but not about doctrines or dispensations, interpretations, or translations. They wanted to know more about heaven.
Lon, the American missionary to the Iteri people, attempted to explain to my husband the people’s particular obsession with eternity. Because the Iteri people dealt with so much suffering, saw so many of their loved ones die, and had such a high mortality rate there in the jungle, the life to come was all they really cared about.
When I heard that, I thought about how it must touch our Creator’s heart to know that, somewhere in this world, some of His loved ones truly long to be home.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When my husband recounted the Iteri’s questions to me, my heart grieved over my own contentment with this earth, to the detriment of my longing for heaven. Why isn’t heaven all I think about? Why do I not long more to be in the presence of my Savior, to be away from the pain and the temporary and the often meaninglessness of this world, and to be complete and whole, and by His side as I was created to be? In what ways have I grown too comfortable in this world and forgotten that my real home is in heaven? What cheap substitutes for heaven have I settled for?
In Colossians 3:1-2, we are instructed, as followers of Christ, to seek the things above—in heaven—where Christ is, and to set our minds on things above, not on things that are on earth. And in Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Those are commands and exhortations to be eternally minded, to be preoccupied with heaven, and to set our hearts and our desires there for the health of our souls, for proper order of our values, and for our inexplicable joy.
Oh, to have a longing to be with the Maker of my soul… to long for Him as much as He longs for me. It’s clear to me today that my longing for Heaven is directly proportionate to my longing for Christ.
Lord, give me a longing for the day I will be in perfect communion with You – no distractions, no other loves to steal my heart away, just You and me. For eternity.
Further Reading:
Revelation 21:1-4
For more on gaining a heart for heaven, see my book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
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