The Crosswalk Devotional

Ask God to set your heart on fire with his love. As you invite God to light a fire in you, you’ll find your faith becoming stronger, and you’ll feel the consuming fire of God’s love!

If you are seeking noise and distraction to cover up the discontent in your soul, turn off the TV, podcast, radio, or even white noise and simply rest in the silence. Remember – silence offers strength. It is in the quiet stillness that we can hear the gentle whisper of the Lord.

Are you being pulled from your comfort zone? Maybe you have children leaving home, elderly parents that need to be cared for, or an unknown future facing you. I believe that God will take us from where we’re comfortable to where we’ll trust Him, even if it means stripping our illusion of control.

As a believer, you have the choice of giving in to the darkness, but the better, and obviously wiser option is to choose God. Remember how he has come through for you in the past. Remember, and whenever the darkness appears again, you won’t forget.

Running hard in faith is worthwhile because Jesus is worth it. Every step we take in faith brings us closer to Jesus and closer to the life we were created for.

God did not just create the world with words; He gave us His Word to guide and direct us through life, to share His unfathomable love for us, and to direct us towards Him at all times. Truly, nothing has been made, nor will be made, without His expressed direction, acknowledgment, and permission.

Upheaval and change can leave us feeling vulnerable and defenseless, as if our well-being rests in someone else’s hands. But God’s protection and elevation of Daniel, and all the Lord did through him during the exile, assures us this is never the case.

Think about what you are going through today. Maybe you are expressing grief over a past opportunity you missed. While you might miss some, Jesus will still ensure you experience growth through it.

God will bring beauty out of your ashes and help you grow to become strong like an oak tree – deeply rooted in God’s righteousness and showing others the power of God’s work in your life.

Father, let us be people who resolve conflict gently. Allow us to use the model outlined in Matthew 18 as a guide for conflict resolution.

No matter where you find yourself today, know that the Lord is patiently and graciously ready to pull you out of your hiding place and into His arms.

God doesn’t get frustrated by our anxiety, fear, or overwhelm, but neither does He leave us stuck. Instead, He invites us to step out in faith, to go in whatever strength we possess, trusting Him for the victory.

Instead of dreading the stressful situations in your day, you can ask: “God, what awesome way will you work in my life today?” Then you can pay close attention, expecting that the wonder of God’s work will show up for you every single day.

Look at your life. In what ways has God sustained you through difficult times, in areas where God performed a mini miracle, providing for you in a way that you never thought possible?

What God is faithful to do for one, He will do for another. May you also discover that a cheerful heart is the best medicine for whatever you are facing today.