Daily Devotion for February 6, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Proverbs 31:16-20.

We need to make the best out of what God has given us and help those who are less fortunate. Whatever you find in your hands - God wants you to use in helping others. In this passage, verse 20 says, “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”

That sounds like hospitality. Hospitality is more than just inviting someone into your home. It is inviting someone into your life, even if it's just a brief encounter.  

It’s no accident that hospitality and hospital come from the same Latin word for they both lead to the same result: healing. When you open your door or your heart to someone you are sending this message: “you matter to me and to God.”  

Do you know people who need this message? Singles who eat alone?  Young couples who are far from home?  Coworkers who’ve been transferred, teens who feel left out, and seniors who no longer drive? Some people pass an entire day with no meaningful contact with anyone else. Your hospitality can be their hospital.

 

Personal Worship Option:

Are you willing to use what God has already given you? Ask Him to show you the need today that you can address. May your heart be ready to share and your hands ready to serve!

Daily Devotion for February 5, 2026

Devotion:

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Read 1 Peter 4:10-11.

I love to attend and watch traditional concerts and plays observing the performance of skilled professionals. I also marvel at watching all types of sports. I have dreamed of playing the piano or French horn at the Kennedy Center. Sometimes I might be jealous, wishing I had more athleticism, musical gifts, or intellectual strength. It can be easier to see someone else’s talents than to see our own.

Instead of longing for the gifts God has given someone else, we need to see that God wants us to use the gifts He has given us. He made us, gave us gifts and expects us to use them. God has given us something, and he calls us to use it for his kingdom! Sometimes none of us feel adequate for the jobs before us, but maybe we should step up and fill in until the perfect person comes along. Along the way, we may discover gifts and talents that we never knew we had!

God has gifted us to serve others and to care for one another. God doesn’t want his gifts hoarded or ignored; he wants us to channel our talents into serving others in his name. How can you use your time, talents, and gifts to bless others? Thank the Giver of your gifts by using your gifts to serve Him each day.

 

Personal Worship Option:

 Lord, thank you for the ways you have gifted each one of us. Give us opportunities to use our gifts to bless others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for February 4, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Colossians 3:23-24.

“Whatever your task, put yourselves into it.” Paul is offering some good advice to the Christian community at Colossae, as well as to us.  But like a lot of good advice, Paul’s words may be easier in theory than in practice. Sometimes I can struggle with getting things done and finished (including writing devotions!).  I will enthusiastically sit down to start writing, but then my attention will wander, pulled away by other work, or an email that needs to get returned, or some other distraction. With all the ways that we can communicate and keep in touch, it seems easier than ever to get distracted. Paul had a lot on his plate as well. He may not have had a cell phone or the internet to deal with, but he had plenty of other interruptions and worries (such as being imprisoned and dealing with conflict in the church, just to name a few).   

So perhaps his words of advice are offered with a sense of compassion, and with some understanding that in the midst of life it can often be hard to focus. Paul is encouraging us to keep at it and persevere.  Pretty good advice then and now! 

 

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help me to focus on you in the midst of this busy world. Amen 

Daily Devotion for February 3, 2026

Devotion:

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Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9.

In 1 Corinthians 3:5–9, the apostle Paul addresses a church divided by loyalty to personalities. Some claimed Paul, others Apollos, forgetting the greater truth: “Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” Paul gently redirects their focus from human leaders to the God who works through them.

This passage reminds us that every role in God’s kingdom matters, but no role replaces God. One plants a seed of faith through a kind word or faithful teaching. Another waters that seed through encouragement, prayer, or continued instruction. Yet transformation—true spiritual growth—comes only from God. This truth frees us from pride when things go well and from discouragement when we don’t see immediate results.

Paul also emphasizes unity. “He who plants and he who waters are one.” In God’s economy, there is no competition—only cooperation. The church flourishes when believers understand they are co-laborers, not rivals. Each person contributes differently, but all serve the same Lord and share the same purpose.

Finally, Paul offers a powerful identity statement: “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” What a humbling and hopeful truth. God invites us into His work, entrusting us with meaningful labor, while reminding us that the results rest securely in His hands.

Today, wherever God has placed you—planting, watering, serving quietly, or leading boldly—be faithful. Do your part with humility and trust. God is at work, and He will bring the growth in His perfect time.  

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help me to serve faithfully without seeking credit or recognition. Teach me to trust You with the results and to rejoice in the work of others. May my life bring glory to You, the One who gives the growth. Amen.

Daily Devotion for February 2, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Luke 12:48b.

Part of learning to see the implication of Scripture for our lives is to place ourselves in the passage. There have been times in my life when I would have read this passage and thought surely it was speaking to someone else. Surely, this was intended for people who are wealthy or who have lots and lots of spiritual gifts, so I was “off the hook.” Now, however, I realize that Jesus was speaking directly to me as he stated this. What about you?

This passage tells us that we have been given material blessings and spiritual gifts so that we can bless others. The NIV has Jesus using the words “asked” and even “demanded” to express what he expects of us. This passage reminds us that we are mere stewards of our material possessions, given to us by God and, in reality, still possessed by God. It is good to reflect sometimes upon just how blessed we are, but the very next step is to ask ourselves what we are supposed to do and be as a result of having such blessings. There is a message here for the whole church, but each of us must hear Jesus speaking these words to us as individuals and as Jesus’ followers.  

Personal Worship Option:

Pray with me: Thank you, Almighty God, for giving me so much in this life. I know that my being blessed places responsibilities on me to help others and to do more. Help me to not disappoint my Lord but to do what he expects and empowers me to do. Amen.

Daily Devotion for February 1, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 13:24-30.

A landowner had a large piece of property that was big enough for him to have people till the land, prepare it for seeds, plant the seeds and harvest the wheat. In time it became evident that someone planted tares or weeds in his field. Jesus explains this parable when He tells the disciples the Field represents the World. The landowner is Jesus, the good seeds are the children of the kingdom, and the weeds are the children of the evil one.

The workers asked him if they should gather up the tares/weeds. But the landowner replied, If you tear out the weeds you will end up getting some of the wheat as well. Let them grow together and we will sort everything when we harvest the wheat.  We need to understand that the rooting out and sorting out is the work of angels and not the work of the church. Jesus warned us about trying to get rid of the weeds. By doing so we might get rid of some of the wheat as well. J Ellsworth Kalas once wrote, What looks today like a weed may in truth be nothing other than an immature blade of wheat.

Personal Worship Option:

Heavenly Father, you are the Lord of the harvest. You see both the good and the evil that grow in this world. Teach us to trust Your timing and Your justice when we are tempted to judge too quickly or pull up what we do not understand. Give us grace to live faithfully among the weeds, by showing love and truth. In Jesus name. Amen

Daily Devotion for January 31, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Revelation 20:11-15.

John’s vision of the great white throne is both sobering and awe-inspiring. He describes a moment when heaven and earth flee from the presence of God’s glory, and every person who has ever been born stands before Him. The books are opened, and all are judged according to what they have done. Another book is opened called the Book of Life. The Book of Life contains the names of those who belong to Jesus. Our names are not written there because of what we’ve done, but because of what He has done for us on the cross.

For believers, this passage is not meant to create fear but to inspire gratitude and faithfulness. It reminds us that eternity is real, and God’s justice is perfect. Every wrong will be made right, and every tear wiped away. Until that day, we live with hearts surrendered to Jesus knowing our names are written in His book of grace.

Personal Worship Option:

Righteous Judge and Merciful Savior, thank You for the assurance that my name is written in the Book of Life. Help me live each day mindful of eternity and when I stand before You one day, may I hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In Jesus name, Amen.