The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Setting goals for the new year often focuses on achievement, productivity, and personal growth—but Proverbs 16:3 reminds us that lasting transformation begins with surrendering our hearts to God. When we commit our plans, desires, and direction to the Lord, He shapes not only what we do but who we are becoming, aligning our goals with His purposes and power. Highlights God is more concerned with who you are becoming than what you accomplish. Committing your plans to God starts with aligning your heart with His. Many goals fail when they rely on personal strength instead of God’s power. The Holy Spirit works from the inside out, transforming character as goals are pursued. Spiritual growth flows from becoming, not just doing. Jesus shaped His disciples through relationship before responsibility. God establishes plans by shaping them to fit His good purposes, even when they change. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Set Your Heart, Not Just Your GoalsBy: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading:“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3, NIV When a new year starts, it’s natural to think about goals. You may want to set some New Year’s resolutions to start some new habits, or at least make plans for the year ahead. While it’s good to want to set and achieve new goals, it’s important to focus on more than just accomplishing a list of tasks. God wants you to focus less on doing and more on becoming. God cares far more about who you are than what you check off a list. Proverbs 16:3 highlights a simple yet significant truth: If you commit what you do to God, he will establish your plans. The key is first committing your plans to God. You can only do that if your heart is lined up with God’s heart. When you “commit to the LORD whatever you do,” you’re not just handing God your goals; you’re handing God your whole self. That choice opens the door for God to transform you and lead you into plans that are really the best plans for you. Maybe that’s why so many New Year’s resolutions fall apart a few weeks into the year. It’s hard to make much progress on goals if you’re relying only on your own limited power to achieve them. But if you’re relying on God’s unlimited power to help you achieve goals God wants for you, you’ll experience the Holy Spirit empowering you to accomplish those goals in any kind of circumstances. The Spirit’s power works from the inside out, so in the process of working toward your goals, you’ll be transformed as a person. This year, instead of asking yourself what you want to accomplish, ask God who he wants you to become. Think of your goals less as what to do and more as how to be. How does God want to strengthen your character during this new year? Do you sense God calling you to be more courageous, patient, joyful, kind, generous, or trusting? When you focus on becoming, the doing naturally follows. Habits flow from the heart. So, your goals will flow from the kind of person you are becoming, with God’s help. Jesus didn’t start by giving his disciples tasks; he started by inviting them to follow him. Walking closely with Jesus changed who they were long before it shaped what they did. Their lives were transformed from the inside out. God wants to do the same with you! So, this new year, bring your goals to God, but bring your heart first. Ask God how he wants you to learn and grow this year so you can become the person he wants you to become. Then listen. Be open and willing to take slow, steady steps closer to God throughout this year and beyond. When Proverbs 16:3 says God “will establish your plans,” it means God will shape them so they match his good purposes for your life. It doesn’t mean everything will go exactly how you imagined. Some plans will unfold beautifully. Some will change unexpectedly. Some will be put on hold. Some will lead you into places you never thought you’d go. But when you set your heart in the right place with God, you’ll fulfill all the important purposes for your life. This year, don’t pressure yourself to achieve everything you want all at once. Instead, set your heart before God and let him shape you. Focus not on trying harder, but on trusting God more. The more you build a closer relationship with God, the more your own goals will line up with God’s goals for you. Give God your year, and look forward to how he blesses your heart! Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider how it’s important to set your heart on God to set the best goals, reflect on these questions: What goals have you made in the past that focused more on doing rather than becoming? What qualities do you sense God wants to grow in you this year? Are there any plans or expectations you need to surrender to God today? What would it look like for you to “commit to the LORD whatever you do” day by day? How does knowing that God establishes your plans give you peace or confidence? Further Reading:Psalm 37:5Philippians 1:6Proverbs 3:5-6Ezekiel 36:26Psalm 90:17 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Everyday routines don’t always spark excitement—but Colossians 3:23 reminds us that even the most ordinary moments can be filled with purpose when we approach them with our whole heart for the Lord. This devotional reframes enthusiasm as a byproduct of gratitude, inviting us to rediscover joy, sincerity, and meaning in the daily work God places before us. Highlights Enthusiasm often fades in routine, not just in hardship. God calls us to work heartily—with our whole heart—for Him, not people. Gratitude is the gateway to renewed enthusiasm. Sincere thankfulness reshapes how we view mundane tasks. Every opportunity, joyful or dull, can be used for God’s glory. Knowing God’s character deepens gratitude and joy. Everyday faithfulness matters just as much as mountaintop moments. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Renewing Your Enthusiasm for Everyday Life By Keri Eichberger Bible Reading: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. - Colossians 3:23 I’m a full-blooded beach girl. But considering I live about ten hours from any coast, I don’t make it to the sandy shore as often as I’d like. And when I do, enthusiastic is a fitting description of my heart posture from the moment my plans are in place, all the way through to the impending day of departure. When I’m not so enthusiastic—the week after. Back at home, when the monotony of the same ole, same old greets me the following Monday morning. What is it that fills you with enthusiasm? Is it a vacation to the beach, mountains, or the city? Maybe family gatherings, milestone celebrations, or certain seasons and holidays? And what doesn’t excite you so much? Maybe you can relate to my lack of enthusiasm on the mundane days of life. Or you may feel the staleness of your job, daily tasks, or house chores and the accompanying list of needed updates. Possibly you’d confess you’re not so thrilled with the constant demands of parenting toddlers or teens, or with the serving opportunities you’re signed up for. I get it. It’s hard to match the excitement we feel with the things that most delight our senses and souls, with the ordinariness of our everyday routines. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could? Personally, I love this idea. I’ve heard it said it’s no fun, to have no fun, or on the flipside, it’s fun to have fun. And I’m sure we can agree. Fun is more favorable. And when we find enthusiasm, we find more fun. Of course, we’d love to find and add more fun, enthusiasm, and enjoyment to the everyday aspects of life because that’s where we spend the majority of our time, thus all our days really. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Some versions replace all your heart with enthusiasm or heartily. This verse and varying versions remind me that we are not just to do some things with enthusiasm, but all things. It also speaks to me that if we desire enthusiasm in what we do, we will approach it with our whole heart. And for the sake of the Lord. So then, how do we do something, or everything, heartily and wholeheartedly for God? How do we add enthusiasm to everyday tasks and chores? Assignments that feel more mundane. That we, quite frankly, don’t feel so enthusiastic about. It occurred to me that doing something with a whole heart involves a sincere heart. And I believe we gain sincerity through appreciation and gratitude for the subject. The subject of Colossians 3:23 is God. Do we have an appreciation and gratitude for our almighty Father when we’re walking through the everyday, dull, and disappointing parts of life? As much as when we’re vacationing or celebrating with loved ones? And is our gratitude sincere? Or are we forcing smiles, faking our thanks, and allowing a sarcastic spirit? I know it’s not always natural or easy, but we should aim to be genuinely grateful in all circumstances. In the fun and joyous occasions, as well as in the blah and bothersome moments. The truth is, God gives us all our opportunities for good. For our good, and most importantly for his good and glory. The more we see that everything we do and every opportunity placed before us is for God and his glory, and the more we get to know the character and heart of him who we serve—Him who loves us like crazy and has given us more blessings than we can count—the more we grow in gratitude toward God. He is indeed the giver of gifts. And as we grow in gratitude for God and every moment that he gives, our hearts become more sincere, and we begin to add more enthusiasm to the most mundane of moments and the dullest of days. I know sincere gratitude can be harder in some seasons and on difficult days. I feel this struggle too often myself. And those are the times we need some assistance and additional reminders to refresh our understanding of who God is and what God does. And re`12gardless if you’re feeling jazzed about the task at hand or not, we can always grow in gratitude and benefit from getting to know him better. Intersecting Faith & Life: If you could use a boost in enthusiasm, stop and spend some time reflecting on the work or the day directly in front of you. Sit still in God's presence. Pray for a sincere heart of gratitude for what he has set before you. Soak in his power and greatness in the pages of his word. Understand that he is good. Understand that he is using every single thing for your good and the good of all those around you. And thank him for it all. Even the seemingly not-so-ideal parts. Thank him for that, too. And then rise up sincerely grateful. Deep down in your heart, seek an angle, find a way, to be thankful for the very thing before you. There is always something in everything to be thankful for. And when you find more sincere gratitude in every moment, you'll find more enthusiasm and enjoyment in your everyday moments. If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A new year brings fresh goals and expectations, but lasting growth happens when God shapes our plans from the very beginning. Grounded in Psalm 90:12, this devotional invites us to number our days wisely by centering our decisions, goals, and hopes on God’s Word—so our year is formed by His wisdom, not just our intentions. Highlights Resolutions often fail when God is left out of the planning process. Seeking God’s wisdom leads to better decisions—not just faster ones. Prayer helps align our goals with God’s purposes for our lives. Gratitude grows when we recognize everything we have as a gift from God. Trust is strengthened by remembering how God has carried us through before. Hope remains steady because it’s rooted in an unchanging God. Daily dependence on God shapes a year marked by growth and faithfulness. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: How to Let the Word of God Shape Your YearBy Aaron D’Anthony Brown Bible Reading:“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” (Psalm 90:12, CSB) With the new year comes new hopes, expectations, and disappointments. Whatever we face, everything is always better when we face it with God. Sadly, however, we often start our year without focusing on Him. We have our goals and plans for achieving them. Yet, the Lord doesn’t always factor into that process. Perhaps that explains at least part of the reason so many resolutions fade away by the end of January. We make commitments, but none stick. What sticks are the excuses. Here’s an alternative. What if we made plans, but factor God into the process? What if we sought Him for wisdom on what goals to set and how best to accomplish those goals? As a believer, that may sound self-evident, but we make many decisions every day without consulting God. We enter disputes with loved ones, take on responsibilities, and more, all without spending sufficient time in prayer. Sometimes we have to make split-second decisions. However, if we’re being honest, there are times we could pray and simply don’t. We think we know what’s best, but then we feel foolish when things don’t exactly work out. Let’s do something different this new year. Before we make any plans, let’s figure out how we can allow God to shape this new year. Intersecting Faith & Life: Entering into the new year is undoubtedly an exciting time. If we’re going to make the most of this newness, we should strive to put the Lord first. Here are a few ways you can let the word of God shape your year: With Action Some of us set unrealistic goals, some of us set too many goals, and some of us set no goals at all. The solution to all of this is to pray for wisdom, which God gives freely (James 1:5). He knows our heart’s desires and also knows what’s best for us. Seek Him and ask Him for the best approach. Doing so will help us find the wisdom we need not just to make good decisions, but the best decisions. The new year is a great time for action because we enter it with a fresh mindset. However, keep in mind that we don’t have to wait for the new year to change. We should seek God on a daily basis to become more like Christ, rather than waiting for special occasions. With Gratitude When God is at the center of our plans, we experience greater gratitude. That’s the natural result of living a life with a view of the Creator. We know that what we have is not given freely, and not our own, and not to be taken for granted. What we have are gifts from God. Our plans, the success of the plans, and the result, whatever that may be. With Trust When life goes our way, and even when it doesn’t, knowing that God has brought us through before helps us trust Him for the next time. That applies to specific circumstances, such as familial disputes or loss, but also applies to how we approach the new year. Some years are better than others for a myriad of reasons - financial, relational. Whatever the case, God has seen us through the difficult times, which reminds us we ought to trust Him for whatever comes next year. There is no good reason to fear the future. With Hope Faith in God grants us a hope for the future that people can’t find when they don’t believe in a higher power. Such individuals are forced to find hope in people and circumstances, and that hope can just as quickly falter. However, when we have our eyes trained on God, we set our feet on solid ground. We find many reasons to hope. And those reasons never change because God never changes (Hebrews 13:8). Let that be an encouragement as you set yourself to grow, not just this new year, but day by day. Further Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6 Proverbs 16:9 Psalm 32:8 James 1:5 Hebrews 13:8 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As a new year unfolds and the calendar turns, uncertainty can stir anxiety—but Scripture reminds us that while seasons change, God remains the same. Rooted in Psalm 102:25–27, this devotional centers our hearts on the unchanging nature of God, offering peace and confidence when the future feels unknown and reminding us that our hope is secure in the One who never shifts or fades. Highlights Change is a natural part of life, but God’s character remains constant. Scripture anchors us when anxiety about the future begins to rise. God is eternal—Creator, Sustainer, and faithful through every season. Jesus Christ confirms God’s unchanging promises and redemptive plan. Trust grows when we release control and rest in God’s sovereignty. God invites us to enter a new year with peace, not fear, rooted in His faithfulness. Our confidence isn’t in what’s ahead, but in Who goes before us. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: When the Calendar Changes but God Remains By: Laura Bailey Bible Reading:“In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them, and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” - Psalm 102:25-27 NIVI found that people have mixed feelings about change. There are those like me who crave change and are easily bored by routine and regimentation. Conversely, perhaps you are more like my husband, who finds comfort in consistency. The reality is that life offers us both. Change is inevitable and necessary, and finding contentment in routine is equally important. Yes, as humans, we will experience change throughout our lives. But here’s the good news: there’s one thing that never changes - our God! Today, if you are feeling anxious about the changing of the calendar, rest in the truth that our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When feelings of worry and dread of the unknown are tempted to steal your joy and rob your peace, take time to recite these prayers, as you rest in our unchanging God! “In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them, and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” - Psalm 102:25-27 NIVHeavenly Father, I come before as I enter a new year filled with uncertainty. My heart is anxious, my thoughts consumed with the “what-ifs.” Lord, help my heavy heart rest in the knowledge that You are the Creator, You’ve always existed, and You remain the same for all eternity. You spoke the creation into existence. Your plan for redemption for Your children has remained constant through the ages. When fear of the unknown creeps in, I ask you to silence those thoughts and grant me peace that only You can provide. Thank you. Though I am fickle, Lord, You are always faithful in Jesus' Name, Amen.Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. - Hebrews 13:8Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ. We see in Jesus that You keep Your promises. In the garden, You promised to make a way for Your children to be reconciled to You, to be saved and redeemed for their sins. Jesus was there in the beginning, and He has always been a part of Your plan. Help me to trust in Your purpose. Lord, You know my thoughts, my heart that quickly beats because I am anxious about tomorrow. Yet, You are sovereign, in total control, and are working everything for my good and Your glory. Calm my anxiety, and help me to release control, the need to know every detail over to You. This year, Lord, I ask that I approach each day worry-free, because I know You are unchanging, and You are Faithful, and I can put my trust in You. In Jesus'Name ' Name, Amen. For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. - Malachi 3:6 ESV Heavenly Father, though people are inconsistent and fickle, You are not. You are immutable, faithful, and steadfast. Your very nature is unchanging. I can put my trust in You because You are eternally trustworthy. Please guide my decisions so that I may live in a way that is holy and pleasing to you. Transform my thoughts and desires to align with Your will. I give this year to you, the highs and lows, the good and bad days, I surrender and submit to You. You are a God, who sees and cares about your children. While I am not able to see the future, I can trust in the One who is the Alpha and Omega — the beginning and the end. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Praying for you today, friend, as you navigate the changing of the calendar. May this new year bring anticipation and excitement, not dread and anxiousness, as you trust our unchanging God.Intersecting Faith & Life:How do you feel about change? Take time today to write down one of the verses above on a card. Place the card somewhere you can easily see it when you feel anxious about the unknown.Further Reading: A Prayer for God's Guidance as We Travel New PathsPsalm 102 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A new year offers a God-given invitation to renewal, hope, and spiritual refreshment rooted in His design for seasons and fresh starts. Anchored in Romans 15:13, this devotional reminds us that God weaves renewal into creation itself—daily, weekly, and yearly—so we can release the past, trust His mercy, and move forward with joy, peace, and confident hope through the Holy Spirit. Highlights God designed rhythms of renewal through days, weeks, and seasons for our good. Fresh starts are woven into creation, pointing us toward spiritual restoration. The cross of Christ stands as the ultimate picture of death giving way to new life. God removes our sin completely, offering freedom from past failures. His mercies are new every morning, inviting renewed hope each day and year. The turning of the calendar is an opportunity to trust God with what’s ahead. God is still writing your story—renewal is not behind you, it’s ongoing. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Seizing the Opportunity to Refresh This New YearBy Megan J. Conner Bible Reading:“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13 (NIV) All of the hustle and bustle of the holidays has come to a close. Decorations have been stored away, regular schedules have resumed, and the inevitable and likely necessary (at least for me) annual recommitment to diet and exercise has been enacted. Another new year is upon us. For some, the reset of the calendar feels like a fresh start, a blank slate. For others, it might draw out feelings of uncertainty about the unknown ahead. How do you view the renewal of another twelve months? Do you greet a new year with apprehension or anticipation? If we look closely, the framework of refreshing and renewal through time and seasons is evident throughout the Word of God. From the very beginning, we learn that God made day and night. Within each 24-hour period, there is a time for work and time to rest before the cycle begins again. The Lord also established weekly sequences with days assigned to toil and a call to reset on the Sabbath. Monthly and yearly periods are connected to new moons and seasons of sowing and harvesting. The list goes on and on… We can also observe the ultimate example of death and rebirth, exemplified through the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ, reflected every year as the world goes dormant in winter. During those dark, bare days, we question whether life is present beneath the frozen tundra, yet each year, spring bursts forth with its radiant buds, reminding us all that warmth and light are on the way. With so many opportunities for refreshing and renewal organically embedded into creation, it is clear our Maker sees this process as “good” (Genesis 1:4). There is something cleansing, almost freeing, about a fresh start. How many situations or circumstances have you encountered this last year, or even this past month, that you wish you could put behind you and start again? There are several that come to mind. The Lord understands how these disappointments or personal failures can become a burden too heavy to bear. Which is why both spiritually and physically, He has embedded marker-point moments for us to begin again with a clean slate. “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us,” (Psalm 103:12, NIV). While we may struggle with the concept of freedom from current or past circumstances and sin, the Lord’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). There are opportunities for new days, new years, and renewed hope. For “… there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens, (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV). Wherever you find yourself this new year, I encourage you to seize this opportunity to refresh. Whatever has passed, let it be put away and look forward to a new beginning. God, the great author, is still writing your story. Let’s commit together to hand Him the pen and trust that the narrative He has planned will be full of abundant blessings this new year. Intersecting Faith & Life: How do you view the turn of the annual calendar? Do you feel inspired or intimidated? Why? Take some time today to prayerfully consider the highs and lows you experienced last year. Note next to each one how you saw God’s presence and provision in every example. Next, jot down some hopes or dreams for this new year. If possible, list aspirations in both the physical and spiritual. Are there relationships you would like to see founded, mended, or renewed? Or perhaps a new pursuit in health, education, or career. Write down anything you feel tugs on your heartstrings. Once completed, take some time to consider how you would like to see your relationship with the Lord grow this year. Is there a particular study you would like to join? Or perhaps a prayer group, or a commitment to daily individual prayer? Whatever feels like the Lord is prompting, make note of it, then release it to Him. I encourage you to keep this list somewhere safe. This time next year, bring it back out and see how God met you in any or all of these circumstances and desires. Further Reading:Ecclesiastes 3Revelation 21:1-6 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.