The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

What does it really mean to love Jesus above everyone and everything else? In Luke 14:26, Jesus uses strong language to teach His followers that their devotion to Him must come before every other relationship, desire, and priority. He is not calling us to hate our families; He is calling us to love Him so completely that every other love is secondary. Following Jesus means denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and choosing Him above our own desires.
It is possible to call ourselves devoted followers of Christ while allowing other loves to slowly take His place. Family, friendships, careers, comfort, success, and even self-love can compete for the affection that belongs first to Jesus. When our love for Christ is our highest priority, however, every other relationship can be put in its proper place. Loving Jesus more changes the way we love our spouses, children, friends, neighbors, and even ourselves. His invitation is not simply to believe in Him, but to follow Him with wholehearted devotion.
Highlights
What Jesus meant when He said His followers must “hate” their families in Luke 14:26
Why loving Jesus first does not mean neglecting or hating the people we love
What it means to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ
How other relationships, desires, and priorities can quietly compete with our love for Jesus
Why our passion and obedience to Christ can sometimes grow weaker over time
How putting Jesus first helps us establish healthier priorities in every other relationship
Encouragement to return to our “first love” and pursue Jesus with wholehearted devotion
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Full Transcript Below:
Loving Jesus More
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading:
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.” - Luke 14:26
Have you ever stumbled over these words? Why would Jesus seem not to want any followers by telling others they have to hate their own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even their own life in order to be a devoted follower of His?
Certainly, Jesus wasn’t telling us to hate others. In fact, He told a teacher of the Law that the greatest commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, and strength. And the second greatest was to love our neighbor as much as we already love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).
No, Jesus wasn’t telling us to hate others or neglect them in any way, especially those in our own households. He was telling us that our love and dedication to Him must be so strong that it’s as if we hate any other family member in comparison. He was giving us a very tall order for what it means to follow Him. He was letting us know what putting Him first really looked like.
Jesus also told His disciples in Matthew 16:24-25: “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it.”
Again, was Jesus trying to make it so difficult that no one could follow Him? To the contrary, I believe He was looking for those who would love Him with the kind of dedication and sacrifice that He was soon to display in going to the cross for us. He didn’t want fair-weathered believers. He wanted loyal followers who would be willing to give Him their all.
In light of this passage, I had to ask myself a few hard questions recently. Am I loving Jesus more than anyone or anything? Could I be following Him more closely than I am? Am I loving Him as much today as I did the day we met?
I first decided to follow Jesus as a very young child. I barely remember the actual day. But I remember recommitting my life to Him many times throughout my growing-up years.
Now that I'm in my sixth decade of life, I have long called myself a follower of Jesus. I have spent nearly a half-century instructing others on how to follow Him. But how closely am I following?
I must admit there are days my passion for Him wanes. My obedience to Him seems not as important as the day before. My heart follows harder after other loves. And I am convicted all over again by those words of Jesus to His disciples.
Intersecting Faith & Life
Other loves can so quickly steal our hearts away. And sometimes our greatest love is for ourselves. The world constantly teaches through social media reels, television shows, movies, and ads to love yourself. But Jesus said, “deny yourself” and take up your cross (associate with His death), and follow Him, not the desires of your own hearts. The more I love myself, not Him, the easier it is for my “First Love”—which should be Jesus—to become my fourth, fifth, or sixth love… or worse yet, somewhere further down the list.
I never want Jesus to say to me what He said to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:4-5: “But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first…”
When I wholeheartedly love the One who made me, gave His life for me, and rose again to redeem me and make me more like Himself, I can put myself on the shelf and Jesus on the throne, and not worry about my self-esteem. I can focus on esteeming Him. And when I love Him more than any other, my priorities will be rightly ordered when it comes to being a good spouse, parent, sibling, friend, and neighbor.
Lord Jesus, help me to love You more than I do, and to follow more closely after You. On good days and bad. When I'm motivated and when I'm not. In busy times and lean times. May You be first and foremost in my heart.
Further Study:
Matthew 22:37-38
For daily encouragement to love Jesus more, see Cindi’s book: The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.
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Fall can bring beauty, but for those grieving the loss of someone they love, changing leaves can also stir painful memories. Seasons, places, and familiar routines can remind us of the people who are no longer beside us. Yet even in grief, we can find God beneath the fallen leaves. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we have the hope of healing, comfort, and eternal life beyond death.
The death of a loved one is one of life’s deepest pains. While Christians can have hope that death is not the end, that hope does not erase the sorrow of missing someone we love. During seasons of grief, 1 Peter 2:24 reminds us that Jesus understands suffering and willingly carried our sins and wounds on the cross. His love remains constant even when life does not unfold as we hoped. When grief resurfaces, we can turn toward Christ and trust Him with our pain, remembering that He is near to the brokenhearted and offers comfort that will ultimately outlast our sorrow.
Highlights
Why seasonal changes can bring painful memories of loved ones who have passed away
How Christians can face grief while holding onto the hope of eternal life
Why the death of a loved one can be more difficult to process than our own mortality
How Jesus’ wounds on the cross demonstrate His deep love for us
Why grief does not mean God has abandoned us
How to make the most of our time with the people we love
Encouragement to bring grief, pain, and heartbreak to Jesus for comfort and healing
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Full Transcript Below:
Finding God Beneath the Fallen Leaves
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed’” (1 Peter 2:24).
As the fall time approaches, I often start feeling more depressed. My mom passed away in the fall time and each year this season passes, it reminds me of the days she spent in the hospital. All I wanted was to take her out of this terrible situation and bring her home, but that was not an option.
When the leaves begin to change and fall to the ground, I often start reflecting on the brevity of life. None of our lives are very long, even if we live to be one-hundred years old. And for most of us, when it is time for us to go, we do not want to go.
Watching our loved ones pass on from this world to the next is a depressing experience. Although we may know they are in Heaven, it still pains us to see them go. They are no longer beside us as we drive to new destinations; they are no longer present when we get home; and when we call them, nobody answers.
It was not supposed to be this way, yet this is now our reality. As Christ followers, we do not need to fear death, for it is only the passageway to eternal life with the Lord. Death will sting, but it will not last long (1 Corinthians 15:56). While many of us can cope with the idea of our own death, it is much harder to cope with the death of a loved one.
Instersecting Faith & Life:
Losing our parents, siblings, friends, or spouse is all difficult. None of us can run from the fact that we will experience at least one of our loved ones passing away before we do. During the time that we have with them, we need to make the most of it. Never should we waste days or engage in arguments just for the sake of arguing. Instead, we need to extend love, compassion, and support for our loved ones.
If we fail to do this, we will regret it later. We will look back at the days we had with our loved ones and feel ashamed that we did not do more with them. Therefore, we need to truly make the most of every opportunity and be there for our loved ones. We will make lasting memories that will never fade.
The Apostle Peter tells us, “‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed’” (1 Peter 2:24). The wounds of the Lord have given us everything we need to live, obey Him, and glorify Him.
During times of intense grief and pain, we must reflect on this passage. Although we feel far from secure, we must remember that by Jesus’ wounds, we have been healed. He took these wounds on His back because He loves us.
Jesus loved us so much that He died for our sins. He chose to do this because He loves us. Whenever we are struggling with pain, grief, or stress, we do not need to doubt Jesus’ love. Things might not go as we planned, but we can trust that all things are working out for our good (Romans 8:28). Sometimes His will is painful, yet the pain can still be a blessing.
Whatever you need healing from today, know that it is found in Jesus. He can bring healing and relief to any wound you are facing. The pain, agony, and heartbreak you are experiencing now will not endure forever. Allow Jesus to heal this wound by turning to Him. He will bless you with the comfort you need and surround you with His love.
Have you found God beneath the fallen leaves this year? What are some ways you have seen God carry your grief?
Further Reading:
Psalm 34:18
Matthew 11:28-30
John 16:22
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As the days grow shorter and seasons become darker, it can be easy to feel discouraged by the loss of light. But John 8:12 reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world—a light that does not fade, even when our circumstances feel dark. While physical darkness can affect our mood and energy, spiritual darkness can also leave us feeling discouraged, uncertain, or distant from hope. Jesus offers a light that reaches beyond our circumstances and gives us lasting hope and life.
Jesus’ declaration that He is the light of the world points to His identity as God and His victory over sin and darkness. Through Christ, we are no longer bound to darkness but are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live as children of light. Even when we walk through difficult seasons, we can trust that darkness will not have the final word. God’s goodness remains constant, His presence does not fade, and His light continues to shine. Rather than simply waiting for a difficult season to pass, we can reflect Christ’s light through our actions, share the hope we have in Him, and encourage others who may be walking through their own season of darkness.
Highlights
Why shorter days and physical darkness can affect our emotions and sense of motivation
What Jesus meant when He declared, “I am the light of the world”
How Jesus’ identity connects to God’s declaration of “I AM” in Exodus 3
Why Christ’s light continues to shine even during difficult and dark seasons
How Jesus’ work on the cross frees us from the darkness of sin
What it means to live as children of light and let our faith shine before others
Encouragement to remember that difficult seasons do not last forever and God’s goodness never fades
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Full Transcript Below:
When the Days Grow Shorter, but God’s Goodness Does Not
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12 NIV
Every year around this time, my husband goes into a funk. He’s an outdoor guy, and since his job has him chained to a desk for roughly 10 hours a day, he covets the extra sunshine-filled days of summer. As the days grow shorter, he struggles to find joy in the diminishing hours of light.
I get where he’s coming from; there are a lot of people who feel that way. I only made it one winter living in Montreal, where the sun didn’t show up till mid-morning and started setting early afternoon. I struggled with the lack of light in my life, so I went to see a counselor who recommended I invest in a light box. If you are not familiar with a light box, it is literally just that— a box with a light in it. For those who suffer from the seasonal blues, scientists have found that a few minutes in a light box can have a major effect on mood.
It’s pretty wild to think about how light, or the lack thereof, can affect our moods, mental health, physical drive, and various other factors of motivation. Scripture speaks often of light and darkness. Jesus tells us in John 8:12 that, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

In the book of John, Jesus makes 7 “I am” statements, which refer to the conversation Moses has with God in Exodus: Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:13-14). God doesn’t need further explanation; He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and end; He has always existed. The same is true for Jesus, since He is part of the Trinity and God in human form; He, too, can say, “I am who I am.”

During the time Jesus was teaching, light would have been a precious commodity; you didn’t flip a switch; it took work to keep the light going. So, for the original audience, hearing of a light that never dims or goes out would have been a foreign concept. Yet Jesus tells us that He is a light that never fades and shines into the darkness, and provides life. Jesus Christ’s work on the cross delivers us from the darkness; it releases us from the chains of sin and sets us free. And that’s not all! Those of us in Christ now have the power of the Holy Spirit; the same power that raised Jesus from the grave lives in us (Romans 8:11).
So what should we do with this power?
We let our light shine before men, so that our good deeds can glorify our Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16).

We boldly share the light in our lives and the eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ (Psalm 27:1).

We walk as children of the light, those who are called according to God’s purpose to proclaim His wondrous works (Ephesians 5:8).
While we have the light of Christ in our lives, there will be times when we experience seasons that feel very dark. If you are in one of those seasons, let me encourage you, as I do my husband, that it will not last forever. One day, the sun’s presence will linger longer, and one day the light will overtake the darkness. Stay encouraged; the days may grow shorter, but God’s goodness does not.
Intersecting Faith &Life:

If you struggle with the winter blues, take some time today to make a plan to incorporate both spiritual and physical light into your life.Further Reading:
What are all the “I AM” Statements?
Matthew 5
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Fear can make difficult circumstances feel overwhelming, especially when the future is uncertain or we cannot see what lies ahead. But Isaiah 41:10 offers a powerful reminder that God does not ask us to face fear and hardship alone. He promises to be with us, strengthen us, help us, and uphold us with His righteous hand. When fear tells us we are alone or too weak to keep going, God’s presence gives us a reason to trust Him.
God’s presence changes the way we face frightening circumstances. He sees the path ahead even when we cannot, knows what we will encounter, and is never surprised by the challenges we face. His strength is greater than our weakness, His help is available in every season, and His faithful hand can hold us steady when life feels uncertain. Rather than allowing fear to control our thoughts and decisions, we can focus on God’s promises and bring our worries to Him in prayer. As our confidence in God grows, we can learn to choose faith over fear and move forward knowing that He is with us every step of the way.
Highlights
How Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that God is present when we face frightening circumstances
Why we can trust God even when we cannot see what lies ahead
How God provides strength when we feel too weak to handle our circumstances
Why we never have to face our struggles without God’s help
What it means for God to uphold us with His righteous right hand
How focusing on God’s promises can replace fear with greater confidence and peace
Practical encouragement for choosing faith over fear in everyday challenges
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Full Transcript Below:
Do Not Fear
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10, NIV
I once went to a party store in October with my son and daughter to buy my daughter’s Halloween costume. My son was in preschool at the time, and the moment we walked inside, he saw scary Halloween decorations everywhere. There was a robotic talking skeleton with glowing red eyes, a cackling inflatable witch, and other scary displays. He was so afraid that he closed his eyes and refused to open them. My daughter and I gently held his hands and guided him through the store like a blind person because he simply could not bear to look. We hurried to find the costume, paid for it, and got out of there as quickly as we could. My son felt safe because he knew we were with him, even though he couldn’t see where he was going.
You’ll encounter many scary situations in this fallen world. But God encourages you in Isaiah 41:10 not to be afraid, because he is with you and will help you.
You don’t have to fear, because God is with you. God’s presence changes everything. Just as my son found comfort because he knew his family was beside him, you can find peace because your loving Heavenly Father never leaves your side. Even when you can’t see what lies ahead, God sees the whole path before you. God knows every challenge you’ll encounter and every need you’ll have along the way. Nothing surprises God, and no scary situation is too hard for God to handle.
God also promises to strengthen you. There may be days when you feel too weak to manage the challenges you’re facing. But God doesn’t expect you to find strength on your own. He promises to give you the strength you need for each step. God’s power is greater than your weakness. As you rely on God’s strength, you’ll discover that God will empower you to deal with situations that once seemed impossible to manage.
God also promises to help you. You never have to face your struggles by yourself. God sees every problem you’re facing and hears every prayer you pray for help. God will walk closely with you as your personal guide, ready to help at just the right time. Sometimes God will help you by changing your circumstances. At other times, God will give you the grace and endurance to keep trusting him as you go through challenging circumstances. Either way, God will faithfully work for your good.
Finally, God says he will uphold you with his righteous right hand. That means God will hold you securely, so you can be secure even when your life feels unsteady. Even when you feel like you might fall, God is able to keep you standing. God’s loving hand on you is stronger than anything that tries to pull you down.
So, instead of focusing on the fear you feel, focus on God’s promises to you. When fear leads you to think you’re alone, remember that God says, “I am with you.” When fear tells you that you’re too weak, remember that God says, “I will strengthen you.” When fear says no one can help you, remember that God says, “I will help you.” When fear tells you that you’ll fall, remember that God says, “I will uphold you.”
Don’t let fear take control of your life. Each day is another opportunity to trust God’s promises instead of your feelings. As you spend time reading the Bible and bringing your worries to God in prayer, your confidence in God will grow. Little by little, you’ll learn that God’s peace is stronger than your fear because God’s presence is always with you.
Choose to trust God – instead of fear – to lead you forward. You don’t have to walk through life with your eyes closed, wondering what will happen next. God is walking beside you every step of the way. God’s love is constant, God’s strength never fails, and God’s faithful hand is holding you securely. Because God is with you, you don’t have to fear.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how God will help you overcome fear, reflect on these questions:
What fear are you carrying today that you need to give to God?
How have you experienced God’s help during a difficult season in your life?
Which promise in Isaiah 41:10 speaks the most to you today?
What’s one way you can choose faith instead of fear this week?
How can remembering that God is always with you change the way you face today’s challenges?
Further Reading:
Psalm 23:4
Deuteronomy 31:8
2 Timothy 1:7
Joshua 1:9
John 14:27
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A declining follower count or an unexpected unfollow can stir up feelings of loneliness, rejection, and insecurity. But our value is not determined by social media approval or by how others choose to treat us. God sees us, loves us, and invites us to bring our hurt to Him.
Matthew 7:12 teaches us to treat others the way we want to be treated, both online and in person. While we cannot control other people’s choices, we can choose how we respond when their actions hurt us. Instead of returning rejection with rejection or allowing bitterness to take root, we can seek God’s comfort, practice kindness, and remember that our identity is grounded in Christ. When social media leaves us feeling disconnected or discouraged, God offers refuge, healing, and a love that does not depend on followers, friendships, or approval.
Highlights
Why being unfollowed or unfriended on social media can trigger feelings of rejection
How social media approval can influence the way we view our worth
Why our identity and value come from God rather than other people’s opinions
What Matthew 7:12 teaches about treating others with kindness online and in person
How to bring feelings of hurt, loneliness, and rejection to God
Why responding to hurt with kindness is more consistent with following Jesus
Encouragement to find comfort in God’s unfailing love when relationships change
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Full Transcript Below:
Unfollowing Social Media
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
Each time I see my follower count go down on social media, I automatically feel like the little kid I was in sixth grade. My feelings get hurt, and I start feeling bad about myself. Depending on who the person is, it can hurt even worse. Recently, I had someone I thought was a real friend unfollow me. Their unfollowing caught me off guard, but I figured that, like everyone else, they didn’t like me much either.
Even though this person chose to unfollow me, I didn’t choose to unfollow them back. Clicking the unfollow button is intentional, often with the thought that you don’t care about the person anymore. Since social media is one of the main ways we connect with others today, unfollowing someone can feel similar to leaving their life and choosing not to engage with them anymore.
Even though I am an adult and I’m doing better mentally than I have in a long time, I cannot shake the pain it brings when someone I thought was a friend disconnects from my life. However, while talking with a wise friend, she told me that they were never really my friends to begin with. This was the second time someone had said something like this to me, which showed me that God was trying to tell me something.
We don’t need to seek approval from humankind. Instead, we must remember that God already accepts us as we are. If other people don’t like us, that’s okay. And if they are offended when we share our honest feelings, then that’s okay, too. However, that doesn’t mean what they did didn’t hurt us. In truth, when a friend unfollows us, it can make us feel worthless.
Bring these feelings to God and set them at His feet (1 Peter 5:7). Tell Him how their words and actions hurt your feelings. It is enough to say, “Lord, my friend unfollowed me, and it makes me feel awful.” God will meet you where you are and cover you with His support. As the Bible says, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4).
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Lord tells us, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). This passage is now known as the “Golden Rule.” It is often taught in schools to help children learn how to treat others well.
As followers of the Lord, He doesn’t want us to hurt others with our actions. He wants us to extend kindness, love, and support. Even if other people hurt us, we must turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-40). Just because they are mean and hurtful toward us doesn’t mean we need to return the pain (1 Peter 3:9). If we don’t want others to be mean to us, unfollow us, or unfriend us, we don’t need to do those things to others. By filtering our actions and words through the Word of God, we will be able to truly shine brightly for Jesus.
Has anyone ever unfollowed you? How did that make you feel? How can you start treating others the way you want to be treated, both in person and online?
Pray with me: Dear Jesus, other people have unfollowed me on social media in the past, and it is very hurtful. It makes me feel like I’m worthless. Please help me to remember that my worth is in You and that You will love me always. Help to turn my heart away from evil and turn it toward You. Equip my heart with the ability to treat others the way I want to be treated and to repay evil with blessing. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.
Further Reading:
Psalm 34:18
Psalm 55:22
Matthew 11:28-30
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