The Light

Are you constantly trying to meet expectations, avoid disappointment, or gain approval from others? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we explore Galatians 1:10 and the danger of allowing people’s opinions to become more important than God’s approval. While serving and loving others are important parts of following Christ, our identity and worth were never meant to be built on earning acceptance.

People-pleasing can leave us exhausted, anxious, and disconnected from who God created us to be. But freedom comes when we shift our focus from pleasing people to faithfully following God. When we understand that our worth is already secure in Christ, we can serve others from a place of love rather than a need for approval.

Highlights:

• Discover how Galatians 1:10 challenges us to seek God’s approval above the opinions of others.
• Learn why people-pleasing can prevent us from living authentically and faithfully.
• Understand how setting healthy boundaries can help us serve others without losing ourselves.
• Find practical ways to overcome overthinking and replace anxious thoughts with prayer.
• Be reminded that your worth comes from God’s love—not your performance or others’ acceptance.
• Explore how focusing on Christ first brings freedom, confidence, and purpose.

Join the Conversation

Where do you find yourself seeking approval from others more than God? What is one step you can take to find your identity and worth in Christ instead? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/

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:

To Please or Not to Please?

By Aaron D’Anthony Brown

Bible Reading:
“For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, CSB)

A dear friend of mine has told me many times, he longs to be understood and known by those around him. For much of his life, he’s felt just the opposite, both with family and friends. What I’ve tried to instill in him, is that he might be working against himself. In his mind, doing for others at the expense of himself is supposed to lead to being understood.

He’s a people-pleaser and he knows it. If he can just do the right thing, and say the right thing, he will eventually reap the reward of being known.

In an apparently shocking contrast, Jesus calls out the religious insiders for hypocrisy and exposes their sin, while ultimately welcoming an outsider who comes to him in humble faith. He makes it clear that religious ritual is worthless as a means to cleanse from sin. Only humble faith in the Son of David has any power. Where have religion and ritual become a mask for sin in our lives? Are we casting ourselves solely upon the mercy of Jesus for our cleansing and acceptance before God?

Discover how to develop confidence in the midst of stressful times.

Donate: https://store.intouch.org/donate/general

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you talk about seeking Him and being rewarded? My wife is a new believer, and I wonder what we should study together? I don't really want to go to Heaven. I'm afraid I'll be exhausted from all the serving! Can we hurry the end times along by what we do? I don't want to miss my purpose and calling. What can I do? The person living above me casts spells on my food. Can you pray for me?

What if your deepest longing wasn't for a better life on earth, but for your true home with Christ? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we reflect on John 14:2, where Jesus promises to prepare a place for those who belong to Him. While this world offers temporary joys and inevitable hardships, our ultimate hope is found in the eternal home Christ has prepared for us.

The more we fix our hearts on heaven, the less we become consumed by the fleeting treasures of this world. An eternal perspective reshapes our priorities, strengthens our faith through suffering, and reminds us that our greatest joy is not found in earthly comforts but in the promise of being forever with Jesus.

Highlights:

• Discover how John 14:2 reminds believers that Jesus is preparing an eternal home for His followers.
• Learn why longing for heaven strengthens our hope during seasons of suffering and uncertainty.
• Be encouraged to treasure Christ above the temporary comforts and distractions of this world.
• Understand how an eternal perspective transforms your priorities and daily decisions.
• Reflect on Jesus' call to store up treasures in heaven rather than earthly possessions.
• Find renewed joy by remembering that your true home is with Christ forever.

Join the Conversation

How often do you think about heaven and the promise of being with Jesus? What is one way you can live today with a greater focus on eternity rather than temporary circumstances? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/

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:

Longing for Heaven

By Cindi McMenamin

Bible Reading:

“In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2 ESV). 

In the fourteenth chapter of John, Jesus told His followers He was leaving them to prepare a place for them and that He would return and take them with Him so that they would always be with Him. He called this place that He was preparing a mansion with many rooms, and, in my understanding of Scripture, Jesus might’ve downplayed it a little about what truly awaits us in this place He’s preparing for us. 

I wonder if we really think about His promise to return, and if what awaits us in heaven is really impacting our lives and our longings. 

I once heard an author and speak

Jesus is the ruler over all things. On Lake Galilee, he shows his power over nature.