The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Reflect on the patience required during seasons of waiting, using the arrival of spring and the farmer’s work as a metaphor for spiritual growth. Just as seeds must be planted, watered, and tended before fruit appears, God works in our hearts even when we cannot see immediate results. Waiting is not inactivity—it is a season of preparation, trust, and faithful obedience.
Highlights
Patience is Active: Waiting doesn’t mean doing nothing; it involves prayer, obedience, and tending what we can.

Spiritual Growth Takes Time: Just as crops need time to bloom, God often does deep root work in us before visible fruit appears.

Trust God’s Timing: We cannot force growth; the “precious fruit” belongs to God.

Strengthen Your Heart: Establishing your heart means building inner strength while waiting (James 5:8).

Hope in Waiting: The absence of visible fruit doesn’t mean nothing is happening—God is at work behind the scenes.

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Before the Bloom Appears
By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it… You also must be patient. Establish your hearts…” - James 5:7-8 (ESV)
I can’t wait for spring. In our area of the country, it doesn’t usually come until March or April. We’ve even had the occasional snow in April, but this year I’m holding out hope for warm weather to come sooner than later. If my life is filled with busyness, I might miss the coming of Spring. Many years ago, when my children were young, and life felt like an endless winter because of depression, I would not notice spring until it had already come.
As I've grown older, I’ve begun to notice the quiet coming of spring, and having a garden and flowers helps remind me of it. Gardens, flowers, and even my favorite tree in the front yard do not grow overnight. Often we miss this, but what a lesson we can learn here: in order for spring to come, the soil needs to be turned, seeds need to be buried, and waiting is the theme of spring's arrival.
Maybe your life feels like an endless winter, or the time before the blooms. Although life has seasons of growth, we do not need to get discouraged during times of planting and waiting. James uses this exact picture to teach us how to wait.
“See how the farmer… - James 5:7 (ESV)
A farmer never rushes the harvest. After tilling the soil and preparing the land, the farmer then plants his seeds. He then buries them deep in the ground. The next day, he does not go out and look for a harvest. The farmer understands the timing and knows he cannot force growth.
Some things in our lives we cannot speed up. Growth, especially spiritual growth, requires waiting. It forces us to trust a process we might not understand. Circumstances in our lives are mostly out of our control. Yet God uses everything in our lives to grow us.
While the farmer waits, he remains patient, awaiting the supply of rain. Waiting is not a waste. The farmer is not idle. He tends to the fields, providing water when he can, and works on his machines that will be needed to harvest. Waiting doesn’t mean inactivity. Patience is not passivity. We keep praying, obeying, and trusting. The farmer is faithful to do what he can and wait with patience, and we too can be faithful. As we do this, we lean into God and realize that the “precious fruit” belongs to God and He will make it grow!
“You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” - James 5:8 (ESV)
The word for “establish” means to strengthen. As we wait, we shift inward. Waiting is less about circumstances and more about the condition of the heart. Yes, as we wait, we might feel weaker, and doubts will enter our minds. Waiting tempts us to grow discouraged. Strength comes when we remember God controls the harvest.
Springtime can be for us a picture of spiritual waiting. It reminds us that planting comes before the fruit. Just because nothing is visible doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Roots are the strongest part of the entire plant. God is often doing deep root work in us before our fruit is visible. Spring is for planting and tending—not harvesting. God calls us to be patient with hope in seasons when fruit has not yet appeared.
The absence of fruit does not mean growth isn’t happening. Just like the farmer trusts the seasons, we can too. Before the bloom, hope is working in your life. Choose hope. Choose to believe God is working in your life even today.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Where are you waiting for fruit? What feels planted but not yet blooming? How can you release the timeline, stay faithful, and trust the Lord in this season?
Further Reading:
Galatians 6:9
Psalm 27:13-14
Isaiah 40:31
Hebrews 10:35-36
Psalm 126:5-6
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Scripture calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus—not people—because He alone is perfect and unchanging. This devotional reminds us that when our faith is rooted in Christ, it remains steady even when others fall short.
Highlights
Focus Matters: Faith falters when placed in people instead of Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

Human Leaders Fall: Even trusted spiritual leaders are imperfect and can fail.

Follow Christ Alone: We are called to follow Jesus, not build our faith around individuals (Matthew 4:19).

Guard Your Heart: Hiding God’s Word in our hearts protects us from stumbling (Psalm 119:11).

Discernment is Key: Jesus calls us to recognize truth by the fruit people produce (Matthew 7:16-20).

Unshakable Foundation: A faith rooted in God remains steady despite circumstances (Hebrews 12:28).

Intersecting Faith & Life
When leaders fall, it can feel disorienting and discouraging. But these moments are an opportunity to realign our focus. Jesus is the only perfect example, the only Savior who endured the cross, and the only one worthy of our complete trust.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Keep Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2
Recent and ongoing scandals involving pastors, churches, and ministries—leaders who fail and fall short in their service and devotion to God—have been devastating for many believers in Jesus Christ.
This is especially true for those who closely followed these leaders, hanging on their every word, listening, trusting, and at times valuing what they said as more important than the Word of God itself.
The exposure of immorality, misconduct, dishonesty, and deception takes a terrible toll on those who once placed unwavering faith in these men and women who positioned themselves as spokespersons for God.
When these leaders’ sinful activities are uncovered, it rattles some followers to their spiritual cores. Faith begins to stumble when it has been placed more in people than in God. In many cases, it reveals that instead of focusing on the Lord, their eyes, ears, and attention were centered on the leaders they admired.
Yet none of those leaders suffered and endured the cross or experienced separation from God on our behalf. When tempted, they were not willing to lay down their human desires and sinful impulses, much less their lives, for us.
Called to Be Fishermen, Not Establish Our Own Kingdoms
God never intended for us to be followers of men. We are called to be fishers of people, but followers of Christ alone. As Matthew 4:19 records: “‘Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’”
He calls us to follow Him and to hide His Word in our hearts. When we do, it protects our hearts and minds from stumbling. It guards us against falling into unbelief because of another person’s sin.
Psalm 119:11 reminds us of this safeguard: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”
The Apostle Paul further explains in 2 Corinthians 3:3 how God writes His Word on our hearts when we yield to Him: “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”
When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we do not collapse like a line of dominoes when trusted spiritual leaders fail. Our hearts may grieve over their sin, but our faith remains steady.
Hebrews 12:28 reminds us that when our focus is on God, we stand on an unshakable foundation: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
Jesus warned us to remain watchful. In Matthew 7:15, He cautions: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
He also assures us that we can discern the difference between genuine followers and deceivers. As He explains in Matthew 7:16-20: “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you been devastated by a spiritual leader’s sin? Has your faith been shaken by their failings? If so, ask God to help redirect your focus on Him and fix your eyes on Jesus.
Further Reading:
Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
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A powerful reminder of renewal, hope, and God’s faithfulness. After seasons of darkness—whether physical like winter or emotional like discouragement—spring arrives with warmth, beauty, and new life. In the same way, God brings renewal to our hearts, reminding us that difficult seasons are not permanent. This devotional encourages us to look for signs of hope, trust in God’s timing, and embrace the fresh start He offers.
Highlights
Season of Renewal: Spring symbolizes new beginnings, hope, and emotional restoration.

Hope in Darkness: Even in difficult seasons, small signs of change remind us that better days are coming.

God’s Faithfulness: Just as seasons change, God faithfully brings renewal in His perfect timing.

Spiritual Awakening: Like nature coming back to life, our hearts can be refreshed and restored in Christ.

Perspective Shift: Recognizing beauty in small details helps cultivate gratitude and joy.

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
The Beauty of Spring
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring” (Proverbs 16:15).
Spring is a time of new beginnings. When I was younger, it reminded me that the endless days of darkness were behind me. As someone who struggles with depression, spring brings a renewed sense of hope. It helps me feel more positive about life and breaks the cycle of staying inside, hiding from the world, and feeling empty.
When spring arrives, we are greeted by blooming flowers and the warm sun on our faces. Many springs have filled my heart with joy and given me a fresh start emotionally. There is something about winter’s darkness that brings dread, yet spring ushers in hope and joy. You may have experienced this too; spring has a way of leading our hearts toward warmth, tranquility, and happiness.
A few years ago, I began searching for subtle signs of spring even during the winter months. On walks, I would look for the tiniest flower bud or a green vine stretching quietly in the shadows. Without fail, God would reveal a small sign of what was coming. Even the smallest glimpse gave me hope for happier, warmer, longer days ahead. The frigid season was passing, and spring was on its way.
Spring feels especially beautiful after winter because it restores our view of the world’s beauty. During winter, nature lies dormant; in spring, it awakens and flourishes once again.
Spring is not a season to overlook, even if it stirs up our allergies. Instead, we can rejoice in it and give God glory for the fresh start we have in Him. Just as the earth returns to life, we can experience renewal too, especially if winter has been a difficult season for us.
If winter was hard, we need to be honest with ourselves without condemning our struggles. Some seasons are heavier than others. Yet we can hold onto the promise that spring will come. Some years it may feel delayed, but it will arrive. And when it does, we can rejoice and praise the Lord with hopeful hearts.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible tells us, “When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring” (Proverbs 16:15). In biblical times, retaining a king’s favor was vital. His disfavor could result in death, but his approval meant protection and preservation.
Likewise, a rain cloud in spring is a blessing. It nourishes the plants and flowers, sustaining their growth. In the same way, a king’s joy brought life to his people. The proverb reminds us that favor and blessing produce renewal, just as spring rain revives the earth.
Take special notice of spring this year and allow it to warm your soul. Winter has passed, along with its bitter cold and long, dark days. The sorrow and mental heaviness that sometimes accompany those months can begin to lift as well. Spring carries the promise of new life, renewed joy, and restored hope. Praise the Lord for the beauty and life He brings through this season.
What is your favorite thing about the season of spring? What are a few ways you can give God praise for the beauty of spring?
Further Reading:
Hosea 6:3
Isaiah 61:11
2 Corinthians 5:17
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No matter how messy or complicated our story may feel, God is the one who begins, sustains, and completes the work within us. Even in seasons of wandering, failure, or doubt, His grace remains active—reshaping our hearts and drawing us closer to Him. This devotional highlights the powerful truth that we are continually being transformed, and God is faithful to finish what He started.
Highlights
God Initiates Growth: Our transformation begins with God, not our own efforts (Philippians 1:6).

Jesus Rescues: We cannot save ourselves—Christ is the one who pulls us out of sin and restores us.

Messy Testimonies Matter: Faith journeys aren’t always clean or simple, but God is still writing the story (Hebrews 12:2).

God’s Faithfulness: Even when we fall short, He remains constant and committed (2 Timothy 2:13).

Sanctification is Ongoing: Spiritual growth happens over time through Scripture, prayer, and obedience.

Renewed Mindset: The Holy Spirit transforms our thinking, helping us focus on eternal priorities.

Progress Over Perfection: God is continually shaping us into Christ’s image, step by step.

Intersecting Faith & Life
It’s easy to become discouraged when your spiritual growth doesn’t look the way you expected. But God never asked for instant perfection—He invites you into a process. Every step of obedience, every moment in Scripture, and every prayer contributes to the work He is doing in your life.
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
You Are God’s Work in Progress
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6, NIV).
A new friend recently asked me, “Emily… how long have you known the Lord?”

I wanted to be as concise as possible but also transparent. I explained that I have been coming to grips recently that I was most likely a false convert when I was a teen into my early 20s and didn’t truly start following Christ until the summer after I graduated college. It’s the only way I can seem to make sense of the mess I lived in for six years after my profession of faith, after responding to an altar call at a youth conference.

As I walked the aisle at that church, I responded to the news that Jesus died for my sins to be forgiven then eventually ran right back into the same ditch like a dumb sheep thinking I could rely on my own works and not Christ’s finished work of the cross, and God allowed me to fail, fall, and create a home in my pit of self-righteousness and sin for six years. But thanks be to God, that wasn’t the end of my story- the Lord didn’t leave me in that pit because one day, I was rescued.
We must first remember that we cannot rescue ourselves out of a pit of sin- Jesus is the Great Shepherd who rescues His sheep. It is God who begins the work in our hearts, turning them from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh, and the longer we walk with Him, the more He will continue to mold our hearts.
I don’t believe all our testimonies of coming to faith in Christ can be packaged up into a nice little box with a bow. It’s because we aren’t the author of the story- our Sovereign Lord is the author and finisher, or perfecter, of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Scripture tells us that He is faithful to complete that work that He began in us:
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6, NIV).
Intersecting Faith & Life:You may also have a messy and complicated testimony and cannot fully explain all of what you think the Lord was doing in your heart and when, but I can tell you that even when you have been faithless, God has been incredibly faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). Even when I’m extremely dumb, hard-headed, and rebellious, He is wise, patient, and perfect on my behalf. He doesn’t give up on His children! And just as God is sovereign in salvation, He is also sovereign in our sanctification as we learn to partner with Him in our growth in Christ. He is the one who is in charge of seeing us mature on our walk with Him.
The same grace that saved us is the very same grace that keeps us and molds us into the image of Christ, each new day. We will never be perfect this side of heaven, which is why we rest in the finished work of the cross of Christ, but we should be walking in holiness little by little each passing day. One way this occurs in our lives is through studying the scriptures and other spiritual disciplines such as prayer, serving others, and consistent discipleship and evangelism. The Spirit of God guides us into all truth and convicts our hearts of sin.
The more we study the Bible and exercise spiritual discipline, the more the Holy Spirit renews our minds. This renewal of the mind helps us to think on eternal matters, and soon, worldly thinking and fleshly desires become less of a temptation for us the longer we walk with the Lord. Our behavior and attitude begin to change, and God gives us a desire to love, obey, and serve Him with fervor! From the moment of your conversion, you became God’s work-in-progress, and the greatest news of all is that He doesn’t grow weary, stressed, or exhausted with you. He will complete the work He began in you!
Further Reading:
Galatians 2:20
1 Thessalonians 5:23
2 Peter 1:2-
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When you get in the habit of asking God how he sees the situation, rather than how you perceive it, it will lead you to reflect on how your perspective changes and on the love and compassion you have for others. Reflect on Ephesians 6:12-13 today and put on the Armor of God "so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Highlights:
Our real battle is spiritual, not against people, and the enemy seeks to divide, deceive, and distract us.

Christians are called to put on the full armor of God daily: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, and helmet of salvation.

Daily Scripture reading, prayer, and reflection equip us to resist the devil’s schemes and strengthen our walk with God.

Seeking God’s perspective over our own helps us grow in compassion, grace, and Christlikeness.

Equipping ourselves with God’s armor allows us to stand firm, resist temptation, and remain close to Him in every situation.

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Put on the Armor of God
By: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” - Ephesians 6:12-13
Churches can have their share of problems. In twenty-five years of ministry, we've seen many churches that constantly have conflict. The weekly drama can become too much for leadership to bear. The spiritual battle that Christians face can become the strongest in church settings. People who think they know better about how to run a church can drive leadership to the point of breakdown, leaving them feeling isolated and alone.
In these situations, it can be easy for a leader to see that the problem lies with the people. However, the people are not the problem. The problem is with the enemy. The enemy divides, deceives, and is against any vision for possible success or movement toward the Holy Spirit.
The above verse reminds us that this is to be expected. Christians, no matter how healthy their church is, have a battle they must fight—their battle is against the enemy. Daily, we are instructed to put on the full armor of God, which consists of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation. When we choose to arm ourselves with these elements, we are better prepared to thwart the enemy than when our minds are cluttered with thoughts that do not align with Scripture.
Take a moment to analyze your life. Do you equip yourself with the full armor of God every day? Do you start your day by reading the Word, praying, and asking God to help you in every situation throughout the day? Do you shorten your devotional time so you can get done what's on your to-do list, forsaking the very person who can help you get through that list in the first place?
If you find you are not fully equipping yourself with God, there's hope. Start your day with half an hour in the Word of God. Read a couple of chapters each day. Journal about your thoughts on the matter. Take notes on what you read and use commentaries to study what you read. Don't just read it to check it off your to-do list. Rather, apply it to your lives, and then no area of your life will become vulnerable to Satan’s schemes.
Pray without ceasing. Every time you come into a situation you don't know how to handle, pray to God. Ask him when he would have you do that in that situation. Help him illuminate the situation with his eyes, rather than yours. When you get in the habit of asking God how he sees the situation, rather than how you perceive it, it will lead you to reflect on how your perspective changes and on the love and compassion you have for others.
When you shift your perspective from one of selfishness to treating others as if they bear the image of God, you'll become more like Christ. It will also help you grow in grace and mercy with everyone in your life.
Not only is it important to equip yourself with the armor of God every day to fight the devil’s schemes, but it is also so you can withstand the devil's plan to get you to move away from God. Satan is relentless and wants you to worship him and not God. He'll do anything to get your attention and approval. Be someone who can see right through the devil and call him to flee. When you can do this, you can not only withstand Satan's schemes, but also stand on your own two feet, planted firmly on the word of God.
Father, let us be people who equip ourselves with the armor of God so that we can be protected from the devil. Let us enter this spiritual battle with ease. Let us be equipped with the helmet of salvation and the word of God. Let us fight the greatest battles on our knees so that we can be closer to you and further away from the enemy. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is one step you can take to equip yourself with the armor of God today? How can you make this a daily habit?
Further Reading:
James 4:7
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