The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

• Welcoming the Quiet

  In the midst of life’s busyness, God invites us to step away into a quiet place and rest in His presence. Mark 6:31 shows that even Jesus, fully God and fully man, sought moments of stillness—sometimes with those He loved. Welcoming quiet allows our souls to recalibrate, hear God’s voice, and find true peace amid the noise of daily life. Highlights Jesus modeled the need for quiet and rest, inviting His followers to join Him. Quiet time isn’t just physical rest; it’s a soul-level invitation to be with God. Embracing stillness allows us to hear God’s tender voice, not our inner critic. Scripture encourages us to stop striving: Psalm 46:10, Psalm 131:2, and Jeremiah 31:3. Quiet helps us develop contentment, security, and joy in God’s presence. Practical steps: switch off distractions, focus inward, and allow God to fill your mind and heart. Regular quiet cultivates a deeper connection with God and His peace. 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: Welcoming the Quiet By Cindi McMenamin Bible Reading: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31 NIV) Jesus said these words to His followers after a busy day in ministry. Perhaps He felt drained from all the demands and expectations placed upon Him from crowds of people who wanted something from Him. Perhaps He felt burdened at all there was to do, and so many people to help that He needed to get away to a quiet place with His Father in heaven. And certainly, He knew His followers could use some rest and respite as well. And that’s why He invited them to come with Him to the quiet to get some rest. If Jesus, being fully God, yet fully man, could sense His need to go away to a quiet place, then we should sense our need for the stillness and quiet as well. And I find it interesting that Jesus, while there were times He got away by Himself to be with God, in this particular verse, He invited those He loved to come away with Him. Part of Jesus’ rest and refueling was to be with those He loved—in the quiet. Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you ever sense the need to get away from it all to a quiet place where you can get some rest? Perhaps you sense that every day. But that is more than just your body’s way of saying “get some rest” or your mind’s way of saying, I need a vacation. I believe it’s our soul’s way of saying “God’s been waiting. Get away with Him.” I believe it’s Jesus’ way of saying, “Come with Me to a quiet place where we can be together.” You and I can view quiet, alone times as reminders of our loneliness and do everything we can to avoid them. Or, we can try to get to a place where we think it will be quiet, but we’ll be taking our noisy minds and selves with us. But I encourage you to welcome the quiet as a much-needed respite from the noise—and as an invitation from God who has been whispering to you: Come with Me to a quiet place and get some rest. How often do we feel we must set aside time to be with God and then feel guilty for not doing it? How often our hearts may long for a getaway with Him, not realizing that getaway is available to us every moment of the day because He indwells us and calls us to come to Him within the recesses of our hearts. “Be still and know that I am God,” says Psalm 46:10 (NIV). We can get to know Him in the stillness as we allow Him to quiet our thoughts, and we begin to focus on His presence. Psalm 46:10 in the New American Standard Bible reads: “Stop striving and know that I am God.” Having a heart at rest means we are not striving to control, not anxious or stressed about what might happen, or all that we have to do. It means we are in a place of quiet contentment, like David sang in Psalm 131:2: “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me” (ESV). Quiet. Full. Satisfied. Secure. Is it time to slow your pace, switch off the inner chatter, and ask God to still your mind from anxiety or busyness and flood it with His peace? Is it time to close the app, shut the lid on your device, or turn off the music or the TV, and develop a heart that not only welcomes but longs for the quiet stillness? It’s there you will begin to discern your Savior’s voice, which is much more loving than your own internal critic. It is there you will hear His tender words: I have loved you with an everlasting love… I have drawn you with kindness (Jeremiah 31:3). It is there you will be assured of His promise to never leave you or abandon you (Hebrews 13:5). It is there, in His presence, that you will find fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Embrace the quiet of your day—or escape to it by carving it out somewhere—so you can get away with God in your heart. Close your eyes. Enjoy the stillness of the moment and the assurance of His presence. Spend some time thanking Him for breathing rest –and quiet—into your day. Further Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 For a guided plan for growing closer to God in the quiet, see book: The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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• Super Practical Ways to Defeat Doubt

  Doubt can feel like a relentless pinball machine in our minds, tossing us back and forth between yes and no. James 1:6-8 reminds us that double-mindedness makes us unstable, but when we approach God with decisive faith, we unlock clarity, confidence, and spiritual stability. Trusting God—even when uncertainty creeps in—empowers us to act boldly and live by faith, knowing that His grace can make any situation right. Highlights Double-mindedness creates instability; decisive faith brings clarity and confidence. Replace “I don’t know if He will” with affirmations of trust: “God, I know you are able and faithful.” Draw a line in the sand when doubt arises—choose to trust God even after decisions are made. God’s grace can make any choice right; mistakes do not diminish His ability to work. Acting in faith strengthens our relationship with God and glorifies Him through unwavering trust. Practical exercises: affirm God’s faithfulness, thank Him for peace, and take confident action. Faith becomes alive when we trust God’s goodness and promises in real-life situations. 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: Super Practical Ways to Defeat DoubtBy Kelly Balarie Bible Reading:But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” – James 1:6-8 NKJV I sat at the restaurant, menu in hand. Frankly, I didn’t know a restaurant could have so many options to choose from. Trying to decide, I think, “Maybe I’ll get this… No, I’ll get that.” Minutes later, I think, “What about this?” My friend announces what they’re getting. . . Hmm… They’re getting that? Maybe I should, too. Mind like a pinball machine, changing directions a mile a minute –left, right, up, and down. Ahh! Now I really don’t know what to get. As soon as I decide, I consider the other way...Frankly, I am in the dead-heat of double-mindedness, or quadruple-mindedness, for that matter…. Ever been there? Doubting? Uncertain? Wavering? Believing the answer is yes, and then wondering if it is no? Wanting to go one way, but questioning if it is right? Scripture talks to us about double-mindedness and prayer when it says: “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:6-8 NKJV) This scripture helps us see that there is power when we move from double-mindedness to decisiveness. Why? Because decisiveness leads to confidence, clarity, and stability in the Lord. We want these things. And we also want great faith; confidence in the Lord is a key ingredient of faith. What does this look like practically? Instead of saying, “I don’t know if it is okay that I am asking God for this and so I doubt He will do it or if He really wants me praying this,” instead, we can say, “God, I am sure you will answer me about this, even if you come with fresh direction.” Instead of saying, “I don’t know if He will do it,” we can say, “God, I know you are more than able. I thank you that you are able. Oh, how I am confident in you and your faithfulness.” Then, take action -- with resolute determination to trust Him – all the way through. Now, I know… often, this is more easily said than done. I get it. When push comes to shove, or when life has a rub – it sure can feel hard. So, what do we do when doubt tries to creep up again? Sometimes, we must remind ourselves that even if we get things wrong, God is big enough to make things right. Grace is more powerful than any bad decision or even our best decision! More important than getting it right is remembering that God can make it right – even when we get it all wrong. Here, we can attach faith to any decision, eradicating double-mindedness to walk in God's confidence. God is able, even when we were not. For instance, say I prayed and felt peace about buying a car, so I bought it. If, afterward, I feel guilty because I have a sense I spent too much money, I may be inclined to doubt. However, I have the power to stop myself right there by drawing a line in the sand. As I draw this line, I can say, “God, I trust you. I choose to trust you, by faith, in the gap of my finances. I remember how you gave me peace when I bought the car. Thank you for that peace. Now, I ask you to direct me in the way you have me go with this car and my finances. No matter what, I am not looking back, but instead, I am trusting you. You will lead me. I am believing, by faith, that you will use this car in special ways, for your glory. I am not looking back, not fearing, and not doubting. I am not going to be tormented. I trust you to help me. Thank you, Jesus!” Here, a line is drawn in the sand that says: “Nope, I still trust you, God.” God is tremendously glorified, within our sure heart, when we are unwaveringly trusting in His good heart to help us. Intersecting Faith & Life: Do we believe God is good? I’ve noticed that if I don’t trust someone, I will not trust them when they say they are going to do something. It may sound odd, but we can’t say we trust when we don’t trust. We can’t easily follow God if we think He has only bad things in store for us. Why not take a moment and ask yourself if you really trust God? If you really believe His promises? How are you showing it in your life? In what ways are you finding your faith alive and active? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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• Casting Votes That Please God

  Election Day is more than a civic duty—it’s an opportunity to honor God with the choices we make at the ballot box. Deuteronomy 30:19 reminds us to “choose life,” aligning our decisions with God’s ways so that blessings flow to us and our communities. Voting as a Christian is about more than candidates or parties; it’s about reflecting God’s principles and demonstrating the heart of faith in action. Highlights Christians are called to vote with discernment, seeking God’s guidance and aligning choices with His Word. Election Day historically has been viewed as a sacred responsibility to uphold godly principles in governance. Individual votes matter—John Wesley emphasized acting “as if the whole election depended on your single vote.” Abstaining from voting can have spiritual consequences (James 4:17). Voting reflects the values of our hearts and serves as a declaration of faith (Psalm 119:30, Joshua 24:15). Praying and humbling ourselves before God ensures our votes honor Him and contribute to healing the land (2 Chronicles 7:14). A biblically guided approach to elections helps Christians navigate political and moral complexities faithfully. Join the Conversation How do you ensure your vote reflects your faith? What steps can you take this Election Day to seek God’s guidance in your civic decisions? Share your thoughts with #VotingWithFaith #ChooseLife #ChristianVote. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Casting Votes That Please God By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”- Deuteronomy 30:19 As Christians, on Election Day, we can cast votes that please God, not by relying on our own reasoning or viewpoint, but by looking to God’s Word to see what votes align with His ways and principles. As we seek to discover what votes will please Him, we can ask Him to lead us in voting at the ballot box for the candidates to be appointed that will serve and glorify Him and work and seek to accomplish His will on earth. Some may think that God doesn’t care one way or the other who we vote for or if we even vote, but He does, calling on us to choose the candidates and laws that align with His teachings. It’s very clear in His Word. We have a responsibility to choose rulers and authorities who do what is good for us and to please God. “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good” (Titus 3:1). Is Election Day a Sacred Duty? William J. Federer, historian and co-author of Courageous Christianity, writes that on April 19, 1926, 30th U.S. President, Calvin Coolidge, stated that, “Election day in the olden times was generally considered more or less sacred.” In America’s early days, notes Federer, from the beginning of the United States of America, Election Day was not to be taken lightly. “New England pastors understood that since Jesus never forced anyone to follow Him, they could not either. The Kingdom of God was not to be forced top-down by a theocratic king. The only way for it to happen was if the majority of people held godly values and willingly voted for representatives holding those same values. Then laws would be passed reflecting those values, and the values of the Kingdom of God could come voluntarily, from the bottom-up.” Do Our Votes Count? 1700s Theologian and evangelist, John Wesley, is cited as saying, “Act as if the whole election depended on your single vote.” Still, with all the issues and conflicts in the American voting system, individuals, including some Christians, may wonder if it even matters if and how they vote. As Christians, when we do vote, we are called to honor, please, and reflect God’s principles at the voting booth. Some say it’s a sin not to vote; if so, it’s a matter of conscience, as James 4:17 warns, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” The United States’ 40th President, Ronald Reagan, said, “Voting is a precious right that for two centuries Americans have fought and died to protect. Let’s all honor that sacrifice this election day.” As Deuteronomy 30:16 instructs, “For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” Our Votes Reveal Our Hearts As Christians, how we vote establishes who we ultimately serve, as Psalm 119:30 proclaims: “I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on Your laws.” When we vote, it’s not just casting a vote for a certain candidate or particular political party, but rather it’s making a declaration of our faith. Who and what we vote for reveals what our hearts and minds truly believe. As Joshua 24:15 challenges, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” In voting, we want to remember what 2 Chronicles 7:14 reminds us: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Intersecting Faith & Life: On Election Day, ask God to lead you in voting in a way that pleases Him, as you prayerfully review and, through a biblical worldview, consider the candidates and the issues at hand. Further Reading:A Prayer for God to Lead Us in Voting on Election Day Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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• Dwelling with the Lord in the Land of the Living

  Dwelling with God isn’t just a promise for the afterlife—it’s an invitation for every day here on Earth. Psalm 27:4 reminds us that we can seek God’s presence, gaze upon His beauty, and live fully in His house all the days of our lives. Like the ancient Israelites, we can cultivate a life that delights in God’s nearness, experiencing His presence in the everyday moments of life. Highlights The ancient Israelites focused on dwelling with God daily, not just awaiting the afterlife. Psalm 27:4 emphasizes seeking God’s presence and enjoying His beauty each day. God’s Word offers guidance to live in His presence, cultivating intimacy with Him. Modern Christians can learn to prioritize daily communion with God over merely anticipating Heaven. Dwelling with the Lord transforms ordinary life into a space of worship, peace, and purpose. Experiencing God now strengthens faith and prepares hearts for eternity. Living in God’s presence is a daily choice—actively seeking Him in our routines. Join the Conversation How do you intentionally dwell with God in your daily life? What practices help you experience His presence right here, right now? Share your reflections using #DwellingWithGod #FaithInThePresent #LivingWithTheLord. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Dwelling with the Lord in the Land of the Living By Deidre Braley Bible Reading:One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. - Psalm 27:4 The ancient Israelites had a far different understanding of eternity than we do today; the concept of Heaven and Hell as two distinctly different eternal dwelling places would have been a foreign idea to them. I learned about this as a seminary student in my Master of Divinity program, where this semester I’ve had the privilege of taking a class that explores the Torah—that is, the first five books in the Hebrew Bible (also sometimes called the Pentateuch). And when I reached this startling understanding that the ancient peoples believed they would all someday go to a somewhat damp and gray place called sheol, I asked my professor in horror, “But how did they live with this idea? Where was their hope? How did they not all die of existential crises?” What he said, though, was beautiful. He explained that what was most important to the ancient Israelites in their death was that they were remembered by their families, but also that their bones were buried in their land, because they believed that God dwelt in Israel, and they wanted to be wherever he was. But what struck me even more was what he said next: “For the Israelites, the torah—that is, their teachings—offered a way to dwell in God’s presence every day of their lives. They were focused on being with God and enjoying him in the present.” And when we look at Scripture like Psalm 27, we see evidence that it’s true: the ancient authors weren’t waiting for some faraway day after they’d died to be with God; they believed it was possible to spend every day of their lives in the presence of God, and to enjoy it immensely. The psalmist wrote, “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple” (v.4, emphasis added). Intersecting Faith & Life: As modern-day followers of Christ who do have beliefs about the existence of a very real Heaven and Hell, it can be easy to focus on our eternal destination; in fact, that is the focus of many sermons and the basis of many arguments for the Gospel. But to focus entirely on where we’ll go after we die is to miss out on a major (and incredibly beautiful) part of the good news that is the Gospel: We don’t have to wait to enjoy God’s presence. We get to dwell with him right here, right now—every day of our lives. In this sense, we have a lot to learn from the ancient Israelites. There is an invitation to walk in the Kingdom of God even while we walk on Earth. Will we wait for some future day, or will we start to dwell with the Lord in the land of the living—today? Further Reading:Luke 17:20-21 Matthew 6:10 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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• Finding the Light When Daylight Savings Hits

  Daylight Savings can leave us feeling drained and in a spiritual funk, but God’s light offers hope and renewal. 1 John 1:5 reminds us that God is light and that in Him there is no darkness at all. Just as seasonal darkness affects our mood, spiritual darkness can weigh on our hearts—but God’s light empowers us to shine, overcome, and point others to Christ even in the darkest seasons. Highlights Spiritual darkness is temporary; God’s light never fades (1 John 1:5, John 8:12). Darkness symbolizes evil, while light represents God’s presence and purity. Believers are called to live as children of the light, reflecting God in families, churches, and communities (Ephesians 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:5). Doing good deeds and shining for Christ helps others see God’s love (Matthew 5:16). Seasonal or spiritual darkness can impact mood, but God’s light brings hope and restoration. Walking in the light requires vigilance, prayer, and repentance to combat spiritual heaviness. Gratitude for God’s light encourages resilience through temporary dark seasons. Join the Conversation Are you experiencing a season of spiritual or emotional darkness? How do you intentionally shine God’s light in your daily life? Share your thoughts using #ChildrenOfTheLight #ShineForChrist #FaithOverDarkness. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Finding the Light When Daylight Savings Hits By: Laura Bailey Bible Reading: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” - 1 John 1:5 NIV When I graduated from college, I moved to Montreal, Canada, where, in winter, the daylight hours average around 8-9 hours. Often, I would go all day without seeing the sun. After a few days of living in darkness, I would grow quite depressed. I became so depressed that I sought out medical attention. As soon as I sat down, the doctor, hearing my accent, asked me, “Where are you from?” “South Carolina,” I answered in my southern drawl. He explained that the reason for my melancholy was an illness called seasonal depression, which is typically common in the winter when the hours are shorter. Being from a state that, even in daylight saving time, still saw a good amount of sun, my body was struggling to adapt to the prolonged winter days —the intense cold didn’t help either. The doctor suggested purchasing a sun lamp. When it was dark outside, I could turn on this lamp, and the light would lift my mood. Before that day, while I didn’t enjoy the prolonged periods of darkness, it never occurred to me that the profound effects it had on my mental, physical, and spiritual health. Scriptures often speak to the ideas of light and darkness, both in a physical and a spiritual sense. We see in Genesis that the earth was formless and in complete darkness, and that the first thing God said was, “Let there be light.” God declares that the light is good and separates the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:1-4). We see from the beginning of creation a division between light and darkness; light has the power to overcome darkness, but darkness ( being the absence of light) doesn’t have the power to overcome light. As we read on in Scripture, we see that darkness is indicative of evil (Ephesians 5:11), while light represents God (John 1:5). Our key verse, 1 John 1:5, tells us, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” This verse is such an encouragement to believers: we don't have to be afraid of the darkness because we serve the God of light! Scripture doesn’t describe God as a light; He is the light; holy and pure, He is void of the darkness of sin. And, though we were once children of darkness, who followed the prince of the air, those of us in Christ are now walking in the light; we are to live as children of the light ( Ephesians 5:8). As Christians, through faith in Christ, we have the light of God within us, and we are called to be the light in our families, churches, and communities. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 tells us, “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.” We don’t have to fear the darkness because we belong to the God of light. And out of immense gratitude for God delivering us from darkness, we can shine our light brightly, doing good deeds and pointing others to Christ (Matthew 5:16). While it can certainly be depressing to be in darkness during the long winter season, we know that spring and summer will return soon. And just as the darkness won't last forever seasonally, the same is true spiritually. Even those in Christ can experience times where we feel spiritually defeated; there is a heaviness that we carry around with us, we may not suffer from seasonal depression, but we are experiencing the effects of spiritual depletion. Jesus said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." While our enemy can’t steal our salvation, he works tirelessly to snuff out our light, to steal our joy, and lead us into darkness. Let us be encouraged this daylight savings season that summer will return, bringing with it longer days of sunshine to lift us out of our funks. May we remember that just as this season won't last forever, neither will spiritual darkness. The God of light will one day destroy the evil one once and for all. Let us walk in the Light, shining brightly for all to see as we reflect God in a dark world. Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you in the season of spiritual darkness? Ask God to bring to light any unrepentant sin, and seek His forgiveness. Look for ways to shine your light for Christ this week. Further Reading:1 John 18 Ways to Fight Daylight Savings Blues Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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