Daily Devotion for February 20, 2026

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Mark 11:22-26.

Prayer is powerful, but it loses some of its power when we do not forgive.  Have you prayed today?  What about this week?  What about this month?  Have you had God answer a prayer in a snap?  Many of us have prayed and prayed a bunch of times but haven't seen the answer yet.  Sometimes it takes a while to see an answer to prayer.  Sometimes God wants to increase our faith.  He makes us stronger when we keep praying to Him.  But there are times when prayers are blocked.  

Prayers can be hindered if we refuse to forgive people.  If we hold on to anger and unforgiveness it’s like having a big rock in our heart that blocks our prayers.  Forgiving doesn’t mean what someone did was okay - it means letting go of the hurt so God can fill our hearts with peace.  When we forgive others, God forgives us and answers our prayers. 

Personal Worship Option:

Prayer for today: “Dear God, thank You for loving me and hearing my prayers. Help me to trust You, to talk to You every day, and to forgive others just like You forgive me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Daily Devotion for February 19, 2026

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Isaiah 1:18.

I love how God begins this verse regarding forgiveness with the phrase, “Come now, and let us settle the matter.” The picture God paints of forgiveness in Isaiah 1:18 is bold and profound.  At first glance, we might only notice the imagery of the colors.  Sin, scarlet red, being made white as snow, crimson like wool.  Christ’s blood forever took away our sin if we ask for forgiveness.  In Christ’s death and resurrection lies the only hope of a restored relationship with God. Christ redeemed and destroyed sin on the cross.  Only His blood could settle that.

At the time God spoke these words through Isaiah, the people of God offered the blood of animals as atonement for sin.  This blood covered over their sin, but it could not take it away.  Only the blood of the Christ to come would purify and change lives. Hundreds of years later, Jesus settled the matter once and forever.   His life was offered so that we might be fully forgiven.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, thank you that because of your sacrifice on the cross, I can be forgiven. Thank you for making me new by the blood of your son Jesus. In His name I pray, amen.

Daily Devotion for February 18, 2026

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

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:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

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:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

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:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

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:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

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.