Daily Devotion for February 18, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Psalm 103:8-12.

I have always appreciated Ash Wednesday, certainly for what it signifies on the church calendar, but also for how it is perceived and received by the general public in our area. Years ago, when I was teaching history at a (now defunct) local college, I can still remember the reaction of one of my students on that Ash Wednesday. That morning, I had stopped by a local United Methodist church for their Ash Wednesday service and received the ashes from the minister. When I was teaching that afternoon, I noticed one of the students on the front row staring at me during class. Afterwards with a look of concern, she came up and asked me, “are you okay? And why is there dirt on your head?” It was definitely a teachable moment, and the start of a good discussion. 

Ash Wednesday is a day of remembrance, and the applied ashes are to remind us of our mortality. But they are also a reminder of who we belong to (we are children of God) and who we are as forgiven sinners. Through the love and sacrifice of Christ we are forgiven. But the wonderful news about Ash Wednesday is that Jesus came not just for our forgiveness, but that the whole world would know about his forgiveness and love. That’s a message for us to share not only on Ash Wednesday, but every day.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help us not to keep this good news to ourselves. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for February 17, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Colossians 3:12-14.

In Colossians 3:12–14, the Apostle Paul invites believers to consider what they wear—not on the outside, but on the heart. Because we are God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, our identity comes before our behavior. We do not practice compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience to earn God’s love; we live this way because we already have it.

Paul uses the image of clothing intentionally. Just as we choose what to put on each day, we must intentionally “put on” Christlike character. These virtues rarely come naturally, especially when we are wronged or misunderstood. That is why Paul emphasizes forgiveness—just as the Lord forgave you. Forgiveness is not rooted in feelings but in obedience and grace.

Above all, Paul says to put on love, which “binds everything together in perfect unity.” Love is the outer garment that holds every other virtue in place. Without love, kindness becomes shallow, patience runs thin, and humility fades. Love, however, reflects the very nature of Christ and makes our faith visible to the world.

This passage reminds us that spiritual maturity is not measured by how much we know, but by how well we love. When we clothe ourselves in Christ daily, our lives become living testimonies of His transforming grace.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help me to remember who I am in You—chosen, holy, and deeply loved. Teach me each day to clothe myself with compassion, humility, patience, and forgiveness. Above all, wrap my life in love, so that others may see Christ in me. Amen.

Daily Devotion for February 16, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Ephesians 4:32.

This letter is sometimes referred to as the “queen of the epistles,” because of its beautiful Greek and its wonderful teachings. We think it was a circular letter, written to be circulated around new churches in western Asia Minor (now modern day Turkey). The letter likely ended up in Ephesus, a city in which Paul had ministered for some time. Chapter 4, in which our verse for today is found, is all about how to live together in the local church. This verse tells us to show kindness and compassion to one another, forgiving one another just the way God forgave us.

Willie Nelson had a hit song a few years ago that began with the line, “Forgiving you was easy, but forgettin’ seems to take the longest time.” We believe that when God forgives us, God also forgets our mistakes. This is the kind of forgiveness Paul is calling us to practice in the church. We all make mistakes and need forgiveness for those. Forgiveness that hangs on to the other person’s mistake, brings it up occasionally, and holds it over them is not living the way of Jesus Christ.  

Personal Worship Option:

Gracious God, you have forgiven me and continue to forgive me when I make mistakes. Help me to do better and help me to forgive others of their mistakes in a similar way. This is not easy, and I need your help to both forgive and to forget. Amen.

Daily Devotion for February 15, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 22:1-14.

In this parable a King sends out invitations for His son’s wedding celebration, and no one came. Can you imagine that?  It would be an honor to be invited to a party from the king. He then sent out his servants to invite people in person, and they seized the servants, mistreated some and killed others. Since they refused to respond to the invitation, the king sent more servants out and invited everyone who would like to attend this wedding feast. The people came and filled the wedding hall.

Jesus was preparing them to understand there will be people who will not respond to the Gospel. There are people who do not believe God exits or that Jesus is the savior of the world. Though they do not believe they are still invited. You are invited to the party. Come celebrate Jesus, invite Him into your heart and let Him be your personal savior.

 Personal Worship Option:

King of kings, thank You for inviting us to the great banquet of Your Kingdom. You call us not because of our worthiness, but because of Your boundless grace. Open our hearts to hear Your call and may we come willingly into Your presence. May we also go out and invite others to the feast, sharing the good news of Your grace with joy and compassion. Thank You for making a place for us at Your table. In Jesus name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for February 14, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Revelation 19:7-9.

The Bible often describes God’s relationship with His people as a marriage. In Revelation 19 we are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb which is a celebration of victory. The Bride (the Church) is finally united with Christ, her Bridegroom. It’s a moment of fulfillment, finality and glory.

Brides put in a lot of preparation for a wedding. Choosing the dress, veil, shoes, nails, hair, cake, bridesmaid gifts, and other details requires many decisions and much preparation. John tells us in this text that the Bride has “prepared herself.”   How did she prepare herself? The bride/believer is prepared because we have put our faith and trust in Jesus for salvation. We are also doing our best to live a life of faithfulness, obedience, and purity. When we live and trust God like this, we are prepared for that great day when we will see Him, our Groom/Jesus face to face.

As we live in anticipation of that eternal wedding feast, may our lives reflect the joy, love, and beauty of a Bride waiting for her Bridegroom.

 

Personal Worship Option:

Lamb of God, thank You for the invitation to the wedding supper of the Lamb. Thank You for loving us with a perfect and everlasting love. Help us live each day with hearts prepared to meet you. We long for the day when the celebration begins and we join You in everlasting joy. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Daily Devotion for February 13, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 11:28-30.

The call is “Come to me.” We have received an invitation to get yoked up with Jesus. However, it is difficult to be “yoked to Jesus” if we are overwhelmed by the world around us. To-do-list, work and home responsibilities, family, friends it seems everything is demanding our attention.  

Why don’t we run to the One who will give us true rest? Instead, we settle for temporary relief in the form of Netflix, Instagram, chocolate chip cookie dough. . . you can fill in the blank. While these things may not be inherently bad, the provided solace is fleeting, never fully satisfying. In fact, it often leaves us aching even more. If you're feeling weary and empty, His Word is clear. Jesus will give us rest.  Seek Jesus. Pray to Him right now. He is the peace and rest your soul is longing for.  

 

Personal Worship Option:

What are your favorite distractions? Take a moment and ask Jesus to be your rest today. Right now, in this moment invite Him into your day.

Daily Devotion for February 12, 2026

Devotion:

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Read Luke 12:35-38.

I have read that in some parts of the world the day after Christmas is a holiday. It is a custom that goes back to a time when servants, who had to work on Christmas day, were given a day to visit their families.

It is hard to visualize a master keeping the water goblets full while his servants feasted. It is even harder to imagine the scene Jesus describes in this parable. A master comes home late from a wedding banquet, changes clothes and waits on his servants.

Jesus is the master in this story. When Jesus was born, he came to serve and demonstrate what it means to serve God. Jesus demonstrated this when he wrapped himself with a towel and washed his disciples’ feet. Instead of being served, Jesus emphasized the importance of us serving others. Jesus teaches us that we honor him best when we take the initiative to reach out to those who need help. We must always be ready and aware of when Jesus is calling us to sacrifice on his behalf. 

 

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, give me the grace to always be watchful and prepared, with my spiritual light on and my heart ready to welcome people that you send my way. Help me live each day in joyful expectation, serving you faithfully and discerning Your presence in all things. Amen.