Daily Devotion for February 10, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Acts 7:51-52.

Stephen delivers a bold and piercing message to the religious leaders of Israel: “You stiff-necked people…you always resist the Holy Spirit.” These are not gentle words, but they are truthful ones. Stephen is not merely accusing them of rejecting him—he is revealing a long pattern of resisting God’s voice, a pattern that stretches back through Israel’s history.

Stephen reminds them that their ancestors rejected the prophets God sent to guide them. Those prophets spoke of the coming Righteous One—the Messiah—and now, Stephen declares, they have betrayed and murdered Him. The tragedy is not ignorance; it is willful resistance. They knew the Scriptures, practiced religion faithfully, yet closed their hearts to the Spirit of God when He moved in ways that challenged their comfort and control.

This passage confronts us with a sobering question: Are we listening to the Holy Spirit, or resisting Him? It is possible to be religious, active, and even respected, while quietly hardening our hearts against God’s conviction. We resist the Spirit when we cling to pride, refuse repentance, or dismiss truth because it disrupts our plans.

Stephen’s words also remind us that obedience to God often comes at a cost. His faithfulness led not to applause, but to persecution. Yet even in rejection, Stephen stood firmly on truth, trusting God with the outcome.

Today, let us ask God for soft hearts—hearts that welcome correction, respond to conviction, and follow the Spirit’s leading, even when it is uncomfortable. May we be people who hear God’s voice and obey, rather than resist.

 

Personal Worship Option:

Holy Spirit, search my heart. Reveal where I have been stubborn or resistant to Your leading. Give me humility to repent, courage to obey, and faith to follow You wherever You lead. Amen.

Daily Devotion for February 9, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Isaiah 55:1-3.

This is a beautiful passage that calls those who are thirsty for God to come and hear God’s word through the prophet. The passage reminds us that we often hunger for good food and wine that do absolutely nothing for us spiritually, but God’s word sustains us. And it tells us that God’s word does not cost us anything, so even if we are poor, the word is there for us.

As I read this passage, I am reminded of Jesus’ invitation to the Samaritan woman at the well to come and drink the living water he offers her. I am also reminded of Jesus’ admonition to seek first the Kingdom of God, and then all the other things will be added to us. When we thirst for God, we do not see attending worship on Sunday mornings as something to be done out of mere habit and certainly not as a forced obligation. Service is no longer something we do because it is our duty, but rather is a way for us to use the gifts which God has given us. Being in a small group of Bible study is yet another way of quenching our thirst for God, who invites each and every one of us into God’s presence. 

 

Personal Worship Option:

Gracious God, I thirst for your word and your presence in my life. Help me to share with others that they, too, are invited into a relationship with a God who loves them. And help me to see their expressions of emptiness as a sign of this thirst for you. Amen!

Daily Devotion for February 8, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 24:14-30.

A master goes on a journey and entrusts his servants with different amounts of money (called “talents”) according to their abilities. Two of the servants invest and multiply what they were given, while the third hides his talent out of fear. When the master returns, he praises the faithful servants, rewarding them with more responsibilities and joy. The unfaithful servant, however, is reprimanded and loses even what he had. The parable of the talents teaches us that we need to do the best we can with the life God has given to us.

Some of us have a better head start than others. Some of us grew up in families that can afford pre-school, vacations, and college, while others come from broken homes, are financially disadvantaged and life is an uphill struggle.  Others are born with physical difficulties or develop them later. We need to remember that our life, whatever state we are in, is a gift from God that is to be lived to its fullest. 

 

Personal Worship Option:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of life and for the unique abilities, resources, and opportunities You have entrusted to each of us. Help us to recognize that no matter our starting point, whether abundant or limited, easy or challenging, our lives are precious gifts meant to be lived fully for Your glory. In Jesus name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for February 7, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Romans 12:6-8.

God has graciously gifted each of us with unique talents. Some of us are called to prophesy, others to serve, teach, encourage, or lead and there are many other gifts God has given to His people.  These gifts are not ours to keep; they are meant to glorify Him. Through His guidance, we develop skills often shaped by education, training, and/or life experience. These gifts not only help us provide for ourselves but also empower us to advance His Kingdom. May we faithfully use every gift He has given to us knowing that in doing so, we reflect His glory and bring His purposes to life.

 

Personal Worship Option:

Gracious God, thank You for the gifts You have graciously given each of us. Help us to use them faithfully and in harmony with Your will, always reflecting Your goodness. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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