TURNING toward CHANGE

MARCH 5, 2026

MARK 1:15

“The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Think back to a recent moment when you completely shifted direction—when something in you changed, and you chose a different path. That experience captures the heart of repentance. The Greek word metanoia literally means “a change of mind,” and that’s exactly what repentance invites us into.

Repentance is the intentional practice of examining our thoughts and actions, recognizing what is sinful or impure, seeking God’s forgiveness, and then, by God’s grace, turning away from those patterns. Simple enough in theory, yet Jesus knew this would never be something we could manage on our own. That’s why He promised us a Helper. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the strength, conviction, and guidance we need to truly change direction and walk in newness of life.

John 16:7–8 says,
7 ... the truth is that My departure will be a gift that will serve you well, because if I don’t leave, the great Helper will not come to your aid. When I leave, I will send Him to you. 8-9 When He arrives, He will uncover the sins of the world, expose unbelief as sin, and allow all to see their sins in the light of righteousness for the first time.  (The Voice)

It is only by the grace and goodness of God that we see our sin, it is only by the power of God that we turn away from sin, and it is only by the sacrifice of Jesus that our sin is forgiven and we are reconciled with our Creator. That is the Story of God’s love, grace, and mercy. Amazing, isn’t it?

Repentance leads to something marvelous, even miraculous. Yet there is a real tension in the process. When we invite the Holy Spirit into the darker corners of our hearts, we inevitably come face-to-face with realities we’d rather avoid: pride, rebellion, fear, doubt, skepticism. And still, even here, the loving nature of God shines through. God knows that the fullness of life we long for can only be found when we acknowledge our brokenness and our need for Him.

Here’s the beautiful truth about grace: when the Holy Spirit reveals an area that needs to change, that revelation doesn’t crush us, it frees us. It leads us to confess sinful attitudes, actions, or unbelief, but always with our eyes fixed on God’s kindness. In Christ, we discover that there is no condemnation, no shame, no rejection, no hopelessness. Our attention shifts away from ourselves and toward the God who heals, restores, and renews.

Let's Pray

God, We come before You with grateful hearts, thankful that Your kindness leads us to repentance. Thank You for loving us enough to shine Your light into the hidden places of our lives. Even when what we see is uncomfortable, You meet us with mercy, not condemnation. May we walk in freedom, eyes fixed on You, confident in Your love, and open to Your transforming work. Amen.

Are You Ready for Adventure?

March 4, 2026

1 John 5:14

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us”

“You cannot estimate prayer power. Prayer is as vast as God because He is behind it. Prayer is as mighty as God because He has committed Himself to answer it”                                                     (Leonard Ravenhill)

If Lent is about growing closer to God, as we suggested yesterday, then prayer has to be one of the core practices that gets us there. But let’s be honest, building a steady, meaningful prayer life isn’t always easy. Even when we want to pray, many of us find it hard to stay consistent or even know where to start.

Matthew 6:8 tells us that God already knows what we need before we ask. So why pray at all? Because prayer isn’t just about asking for things, it’s about relationship. It’s an ongoing conversation with God that invites Him into every part of our lives. And yes, prayer can feel vulnerable, because it asks us to trust God’s goodness and to surrender to what He knows is best. At its heart, prayer is simply our heart lining up with God’s heart.

Prayer shows up in our words, our thoughts, and even our actions. Whether we’re praying out of need, gratitude, sorrow, repentance, or hope, Scripture reminds us that God hears us: “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).

Over time, I’ve realized that a “strong prayer life” isn’t some finish line we cross. It’s more like a lifelong adventure, an ongoing discovery of who God is and how He loves us. That means we’re always learning, always growing, always being shaped. Even the apostles were students of prayer, and out of their hunger to learn, Jesus gave them the beautiful prayer we call the Lord’s Prayer, the “Our Father”:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 

Your kingdom come, 

your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread. 

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

As you continue to walk through this Lenten season and reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross, open up that conversation with God. Start fresh, start small, or start again—but step into the adventure of prayer.

Questions to sit with:

What holds you back from praying in a deeper, more personal way?

What barriers or hesitations show up when you try to pray?

Invite God into those places. Ask Him to gently break down whatever walls are there.

Let's Pray

God, As we walk through this Lenten season, keep us close, keep us listening, and keep us growing.

We come to You, grateful that You invite us into conversation. Draw our hearts back to You again and again. Teach us to trust Your goodness, to rest in Your presence, and to welcome Your voice in the quiet places of our lives. Where there are barriers, soften them. Where there is hesitation, meet us with gentleness. Amen.

When You Fast

MARCH 3, 2026

Psalm 35:13


“I humbled myself with fasting”

When you think of “fasting,” what comes to mind?

Maybe you picture people willingly starving themselves. Maybe you picture a monk living off of dry bread. Or maybe you’re someone who prefers not to think about fasting … ever.

You are not alone if merely hearing the word “fast” makes you squirm with discomfort. Historically, the concept of fasting has been associated with deprivation, long-suffering, sorrow, and sin. If this is your understanding of fasting, you are not entirely wrong, but that is only part of the story.

If we only see fasting for the discomfort it brings, then we miss the importance of this spiritual practice.  Fasting is a cornerstone spiritual discipline practiced throughout the Old and New Testaments. As we see in Matthew 4:1–2, Jesus Himself was familiar with fasting: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry” (NIV).

In the Bible, people fasted for a variety of reasons, but ultimately it was an act of submission and realignment with God. David captures fasting beautifully in Psalm 35:13: “I humbled myself with fasting” (NIV). Biblically, fasting was a personal invitation for God to intervene in the lives of His children. And it’s a beautiful way to deepen our Lenten journey.

Here are 3 reasons why fasting matters. 

Fasting matters as it starves what is stopping us from experiencing God’s presence. It forces us to pay attention to the parts of our lives that we try to drown out through late night binges and social media scrolls. And in the process, it teaches us to rely on Jesus to meet our needs.

Fasting invites, us to give up something we love to make space for something we love even more. Although giving up something you love, like food, may feel difficult and uncomfortable, it is an opportunity to experience great joy, because true joy is only found when our strength comes from Jesus.

Fasting often comes before breakthrough. Moses fasted for 40 days while receiving the 10 Commandments, Daniel fasted for 3 weeks and then received a vision, and Jesus fasted for 40 days and then overcame the devil’s temptations. In each of these cases, God provided clarity, strength, and breakthrough on the other side of faithful sacrifice.

Biblical fasting is a personal desire to connect with God in a deep meaningful way. As we read in Matthew's Gospel: “When you fast,  put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:16–19)

Let's Pray

God, fasting can feel strange, uncomfortable, and even intimidating. As I set some things aside, let this practice be less about what I’m giving up and more about what You are growing in me. Reorder what’s pulling at my attention so I can focus on what truly matters. Use this season to draw me closer to You.

Amen.

*****  
Please note that we can fast from things other than food, for example our phones, other media, or some other distraction in order to make space to commune with God. 

I need to say to you if you have medical reasons why fasting from food would have a negative impact on you, please do not risk this practice adjust fasting so that you are not harmed by the practice. Try intermittent "spiritual" fasting in which we fast a few hours each day and when during those periods we feel the discomfort of hunger we take those moments as an opportunity to turn toward God in prayer seeking clarity, strength and breakthrough.

The whole point of the practice of fasting is to reduce distractions in order to connect with God.

The Heart First?

 March 2, 2026

1 Samuel 16:1–13

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

As we keep walking through Lent, it’s worth pausing to notice the quiet, surprising places where God’s love shows up, toward us, toward others, and toward the world around us.

In today’s story, God’s love falls upon someone no one expected: David, the youngest son of Jesse. It appears that he is out doing the job his siblings never wanted, watching sheep. Truth is David is  not the obvious choice for anything important, certainly not becoming king. And honestly, if Samuel had been left to his own instincts, he probably would’ve overlooked David completely. Samuel was ready to anoint one of the older, stronger, more “king-looking” brothers. But God interrupts that whole line of thinking with a gentle correction: “You’re looking at the outside. I’m looking at the heart.”

That statement hits close to home. It makes me wonder: how often do I do the same thing? How often do I size people up based on what I see first, their clothes, their job, their age, their abilities, their background? Church communities are full of people who serve beautifully across every kind of difference, race, ethnicity, gender, age, ability, and so much more. And yet, we still hear comments like, “They don’t look like a leader,” or “I didn’t expect someone like that to be in charge.” 

This passage reminds us that God doesn’t operate that way. God sees worth where others see “ordinary.” God sees calling where others see “unlikely.” God sees a heart ready to serve long before anyone else recognizes it.

So maybe part of our Lenten work this year is to slow down and look again. To look past appearances. To look past assumptions. To look for the heart, because that’s where God is already at work. And when we do, we might just catch glimpses of God’s love breaking through in places we never thought to look.

LET'S PRAY

All-seeing God, forgive us for the times we judge by appearances or make assumptions about who is worthy or capable. Teach us to see people the way you see them, by their hearts, their stories, and their God-given abilities. Would you shape our eyes and our love to match yours. Amen.

“Come on—Make a joyful racket!”

 February 27, 2026

Psalm 95

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.

3 For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.

I have heard people say that the real philosophers of our age aren’t the ones writing thick books, (I have a few of those on my shelf) they are the ones writing poems and songs. I believe there is something to that. Haven't you noticed how a song can sneak into your imagination with a simple melody, and suddenly the words become the way you make sense of your world. They shape how you remember, how you hope, how you pray even. 

I find it interesting, strange in some ways, how the songs I loved between about age sixteen and twenty‑five seem to stick with me. Do you experience that too? That probably explains why I still drift toward the music of the 70s and 80s. Those songs carry memories, road trips, friendships, heartbreaks, first jobs, first freedoms. They’re like little time capsules. 

Which songs from your teen and young‑adult years still feel like home?

Psalm 95 comes from Israel’s own ancient playlist, one of King David’s greatest hits. And according to this psalm, God isn’t opposed or iritated by noise.  David practically shouts, “Come on—sing! Make a joyful racket!” Why? Because when you stand in the presence of a God who shaped mountains with a word and cut oceans into place, silence just doesn’t feel like the right response. 

Here is the thing, King David knows how forgetful people can be, his ancestors had barely completeed the walk through the Red Sea before they started complaining again. So he reminds them: This God is our rock. Our rescuer. Our Shepherd. The One who leads us to places where our panting souls can catch our breath again. When we remember that, something shifts in us. We remember who we are and whose image we carry into the world.

God spoke, and creation bloomed. God breathed, and life began. It seems to me, if that’s not worth singing about, what is? 

Let's Pray

I came across this prayer some time ago and I think it fits today as we conclude this week of Devotions and reflection. 

God of joy and steady love, gather up all the scattered pieces of our attention and turn them toward you. Let the songs we sing, whether loud and confident or quiet and trembling, become places where our hearts wake up again. 

Teach us to recognize your voice in the ordinary rhythms of our days, and soften us so we don’t grow stubborn or forgetful of your goodness. Lead us like a patient Shepherd toward rest, toward trust, toward gratitude. And as we go, place a new song in us, one that reminds the world who you are through the way we live. Amen.

WHEN JESUS SHOWS UP

February 26, 2026

Do you remember the Bible reading from Yesterday

from John 4:7– 15?

“. . . a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

She wasn’t looking for Jesus that day. She just wanted water.

We don’t know if she’d heard anything about his teaching or the crowds following him. What we do know is that she carried the old promises of Scripture in her heart, promises passed down through generations of people who didn’t always get along, who argued over worship, tradition, and who was “right.”

And right in the middle of all the tension and conflict between Jews and Samaritans, Jesus shows up.

That is still how God works. It’s often in the places where we feel most divided, most tired, or most stuck that God steps in. The woman at the well reminds us of that. She went about her normal routine, probably not expecting anything special. And yet, in the middle of an ordinary chore, she met the Messiah.

We’re not so different. We hear God’s promises over and over, but sometimes we forget who we’re actually looking for as we go through our daily tasks. Still, one honest conversation with Jesus changed her life, and ended up changing her whole community.

I think about the end of John’s Gospel. Another woman, another moment of searching. Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb with tears in her eyes, desperate to find Jesus. And again, he meets her right where she is, calling her by name, giving her hope, and sending her to share the news with people who were confused, afraid, or unsure what to believe.

Two women. Two moments. Two encounters that turned two searching and seeking women into storytellers. Their stories still speak to us today. Whether we’re doubting, grieving, overwhelmed, or just trying to get through the day, Jesus keeps showing up in the middle of it all, turning our everyday moments into something holy, and our small words into something that can change lives.

Let's Pray

Resurrected Lord, step into our ordinary moments and interrupt us in ways that change us from the inside out. Make us people who speak about your promises with a confidence that brings healing that leads to unity. Amen.

Let Me Tell You a Story

February 25, 2026

John 4:5–42

5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

23 Jesus replied … a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.

42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

After revealing to Nicodemus, a respected teacher of the Scriptures and the law, that God’s love embraces the entire world (John 3:16), Jesus moves into new territory. He travels to Samaria, expanding the reach of His ministry in a way, that would have surprised many of His followers (John 4:4). And it is there, in Samaria, in this unexpected place, that Jesus offers an unnamed woman a profound experience of unconditional belonging.

Jesus meets her at a well, but He also meets her in the reality of her story. He knows her history intimately, every complicated, messy, painful part of it. Yet, notice this, that His knowledge does not lead to rejection. Instead, the woman's truth becomes the doorway through which Jesus invites her into a deeper encounter with grace. The thirst of her soul is satisfied in the very moment she comes to draw water for Him. What begins as a simple request, “Give me a drink”, becomes the means for her transformation.

I am always struck in this story by the fact that we never learn this woman’s name, yet, we do learn the impact of her testimony. She actually is the first evangelist (missionary) in John’s Gospel, bringing an entire community to faith in Christ. Her method is beautifully simple: she invites her neighbors to “come and see” the One who “told me everything I ever did.” Did you notice that she does not craft arguments or assemble theological proofs to convince her neighbors. What she does do, however, is that she trusts that the God who met her in truth and grace will meet her neighbors in the same way.

I think what I love about this passage in John 4 is that Her story becomes her witness.

I believe there is something powerful for us in the details of this account. I pray that we, who have also encountered Jesus ourselves, follow her example. May we point others toward Jesus not through polished speeches or perfect answers, but by sharing our own stories of encounter, acceptance, and reconciliation. When we speak honestly of how Christ stepped toward us, when our story becomes our witness, then others may also discover that Jesus is ready to meet them too, right where they are. 

Let's Pray

God who satisfies our thirst for a deeper experience of grace, remind us that in giving we truly receive. Use us today as vessels of your compassion, the quiet answer to someone’s prayer, the unexpected cup of living water for a weary soul.

Help us to tell our stories of encountering Jesus with honesty, courage, and joy, so that our whole neighborhood might be drawn to seek the One who transforms every life He touches.

Amen.

And the Final Word is God's

February  24, 2026

GENESIS 3:1-16

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”

4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”

12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”

13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?”

“The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”

14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this, you are cursed
more than all animals, domestic and wild.
You will crawl on your belly,
groveling in the dust as long as you live.
15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.”

16 Then he said to the woman,

“I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy,
and in pain you will give birth.
And you will desire to control your husband,
but he will rule over you.”



How would you summarize our Bible reading today in just a few words?


Genesis 3:1–16 is often given a title like “Why Life Is a Mess.” And honestly, it fits. Every painful story we hear, every wound we carry, every moment that feels twisted away from God’s goodness can be traced back to this moment in the Garden, when the enemy whispered a lie, and humanity believed it.

And let’s be honest: the lie sounded good. The serpent didn’t come with horns and a pitchfork and we often see pictured; the serpent came with a rather persuasive argument. The serpent described God as restrictive, as if the Creator who formed Adam and Eve out of love was somehow holding out on them. That was subtle but effective message: “God doesn’t want you to have everything. God is keeping something from you.”

But here’s the crucial detail the devil conveniently left out: the path he offered led straight to death. That’s still one of his most effective strategies today, pulling our attention away from the consequences and getting us focused on a short-term payoff.  And often, that “payoff” is a lie too.

I’ve fallen for it. You’ve fallen for it. We all have. And if the story ended there, the consequences would be devastating. But the beauty of Scripture is that God refuses to let the story end in despair.

Paul puts it plainly: “The wages of sin is death.” But in the same breath he declares the hope that changes everything: “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jesus willingly laid down His life. His death and resurrection became the ultimate act of love, that pulls us out of what the old hymn calls “the miry clay” and "sets our feet on solid rock to stay."

Because Jesus stepped in, the lie that once defined humanity no longer gets the final word. God’s love does.

LET'S PRAY


Lord God, thank You for loving us even when we fall for the lies that pull us from Your ways. Thank You for Jesus, who stepped into our mess, broke the power of sin, and opened the way back to life with You.
Set our feet on Your solid rock again. Amen

I've Got the JOY!!

March 23, 2026

Isaiah 58:11

I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places – firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.

Lent invites us to slow down long enough to notice what truly fills us and what quietly drains us. Isaiah 58 speaks directly into this season: when we chase our own ambitions, our own definitions of success, or our own busy agendas, we end up exhausted and spiritually empty. We cut ourselves off from the deeper joy God longs to give.

God gently reminds us in Isaiah 55:8–9 that “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” This is not a scolding, it is an invitation. God is saying, “There is another way to live. A freer way. A way that leads to joy.”

Real joy is not found in planning and striving, but in surrender. Joy grows when we trust the Spirit’s leading more than our own plans. It grows and blooms when we release our focus on outcomes and entrust our lives to the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. This is the God who leads us beside still waters, who makes us lie down in green pastures, who restores our souls when we have worn ourselves thin.

And here is the astonishing grace of God: even when we wander, even when we follow our own impulses, even when we make choices that lead us into "dry and weary places", God does not abandon us. God sustains us. God heals what feels broken. God rebuilds what we thought was beyond repair.

Listen again to God’s promise:

“I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places, firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.”

This is the life God desires for us, not a life of frantic chasing, but a life rooted in divine joy. No wonder Nehemiah declares, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” God’s joy is not fragile. It is not dependent on circumstances. It is a strength that steadies us, renews us, and carries us through every season, including this Lenten journey.

So as we walk through Lent, may we release the “chasing after the wind” and return to the One who gives life that is truly life. May we rediscover the joy that strengthens us from the inside out.

LET'S PRAY

God of all wisdom and gentleness, teach us what matters most to You. Loosen our grip on the things that drain us, and free us from the restless chasing that leaves our souls weary.

Fill us instead with Your presence. Lead us into the “full life” You promise, a life where Your joy becomes our strength, our grounding, our renewal, our song.

Amen.

"I DON'T EVEN KNOW HIM"

FEBRUARY 20, 2026

Luke 22:54-63

54 So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. 55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. 56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”

57 But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”

58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”

“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”

60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

63 The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him.




In the gospels, Peter stands out as a bold, passionate, and at times stubborn follower of Jesus. He is one of the Twelve, and even more, part of what many refer to as  Jesus’ “inner circle.” He is the disciple who speaks first, tends to moves first, and often "leaps before he looks." And beneath all that impulsiveness, Peter is deeply loyal, and committed to Jesus with a genuineness that is hard to miss.

Think about his track record. He was the one who stepped out of the boat and actually walked on water toward Jesus. When Jesus spoke of suffering and death, Peter was the one who declared he would go to prison with him, die with him if necessary. In the garden, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter didn’t hesitate; he drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. And when the other disciples scattered, Peter followed Jesus all the way to the high priest’s courtyard, staying as close as he dared.

In our reading today about Peter, we see that something shifted. As Peter waited in the shadows, trying to see what would happen to Jesus, a servant girl recognized him. “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” she said. Peter’s response was immediate: “I don’t even know him.” A little later, someone else pointed at him: “You’re one of the disciples!” Again, Peter denied it. An hour passed. Another person spoke up: “This man must be one of them—he’s a Galilean.” And for the third time, Peter insisted, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

It’s easy for us to conclude that Peter’s loyalty had limits, that when the pressure rose and the danger became real, Peter’s courage collapsed into self-preservation. And before we judge him too harshly, we might need to admit that we are not so different. When fear closes in, when circumstances become painful or uncertain, when we feel cornered, most of us instinctively protect ourselves. Our commitments waver. Our courage draws back. Our priorities become limited to survival. Like Peter, our loyalty often goes only so far as long as we can stay in our comfort zone. It certainly has been that way in my faith journey at times.

But here is the good news: Peter’s story does not end in that courtyard. His failure, as real as it was, was not the last word. After the resurrection, Jesus sought Peter out. He didn’t shame him. He didn’t discard him. He restored him. Do you remember that, Jesus met Peter on the shore, offered forgiveness, renewed his calling, and welcomed him back into community. The one who denied Jesus three times became the one Jesus entrusted with feeding his sheep.

And that is our story too. Isn't it? No matter how many times we falter, no matter how deeply we act out of fear or self-interest, Jesus does not abandon us. He comes to us with the same grace he offered Peter, ready to forgive, ready to restore, ready to draw us back into his circle of love and purpose. I have learned, and I know so have many of you, that our failures may feel final, but in Jesus’ hands, they never are.

That is the astonishing promise of the gospel: Even when we are all about ourselves, Jesus remains all about us.

O love that will not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee

LET'S PRAY

Heavenly Father, accept our honest confession of the wrongs we have chosen, the unfairness to which we have been party, and our denials of your grace and mercy. Would you turn us toward the love and forgiveness offered in your Son, and cleanse us by your mercy, forgive us, bring renewal through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

An Example to FOLLOW

FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Matthew 4:1–11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.



Jesus stands ready to begin the mission God had laid before him.  Recall, that at his baptism, the heavens open, the Spirit descends, and the voice of the Father declares with unmistakable tenderness and authority: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 

What more could anyone need? 

What greater affirmation could be spoken over a life?

And yet, Scripture shows us that divine affirmation does not exempt us from testing. In fact, Matthew tells the story in such a way that the contrast is almost jarring. No sooner has Jesus received the blessing of heaven than he is led into the wilderness, into hunger, isolation, and vulnerability, where the devil arrives with subtle, suggestive whispers:

“You’ve heard the voice from heaven. You know who you are. So why not use that power? Why not trust yourself? Why not take matters into your own hands?”

But Jesus refuses. He refuses every shortcut, every distortion, every invitation to self‑reliance. He refuses to build his identity on anything other than the Word and will of God the Father.

Later, even John the Baptist, his own cousin, his forerunner, will send his followers to ask , “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3). I believe that this question tells us that even the faithful wrestle with “what if?” Even the faithful wonder whether they have placed their trust in the right place.

Matthew 4 reminds us that Jesus meets every temptation with Scripture, with trust, with a steady refusal to let anything other than God define him.

And that becomes our invitation too. Perhaps these are the questions we must all answer as we walk through our own wilderness places:  When the “what if’s” rise up in our minds, where will we place our trust? Who will be our God? Who will we trust to guide us through the twists and turns of this life? Who has loved us, blessed us, and sent us on our way? Who has pointed out the path before us and placed signs along the road so we do not lose our way? Will we choose, today, in this moment, to remain faithful to the One who has never ceased to be faithful to us? Will we choose to place our whole trust in the One who has proven trustworthy again and again?

You see, the wilderness reveals what we cling to. 

The temptations reveal what we believe about God. 

And the voice from heaven still echoes: “You are my beloved.”


Let's Pray

God of promise, when temptations come, temptations to trust only ourselves, to grasp for control, to rely on the world’s assurances instead of your word,  teach us to follow the example of our Lord. Anchor our hearts in your truth. Steady our steps with your Spirit. Help us place our trust securely in your promises, for you alone are faithful. Amen.

A Beginning I Once Overlooked

February 18, 2026

ASH WEDNESDAY

Isaiah 55:6–7 

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Growing up in my church tradition, Ash Wednesday came and went without much attention. Lent wasn’t ignored, but neither was it marked with any particular ritual or emphasis. Only later in my faith journey did I discover that Ash Wednesday carries a profound message, one that beautifully sets the tone for the entire Lenten season. In many Christian traditions, ashes play a central role in the worship service on Ash Wednesday.

Today marks the first day of Lent, a season historically shaped by Christ’s forty days in the wilderness (Matt. 4:2). Initially, early Christians used these weeks as a time of preparing new believers for baptism on Easter Sunday. However, over time, Lent became a shared journey for the whole church, a season of repentance, renewal, and returning to God. 

Though I didn’t grow up observing this day, I’ve come to see how saturated it is with gospel truth. Ash Wednesday points us to the mystery of our union with Christ, our daily dying and rising with him. 

Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, invites us into three deep reflections:

1. We remember our mortality, our sinfulness, and our need for a Savior.

Ash Wednesday begins with honesty. The ashes remind us that we are dust—finite, fragile, and unable to save ourselves. They confront us with the truth that sin is not just something “out there” in the world but something that touches every part of our lives. Yet this remembrance is not meant to crush us; it is meant to awaken us. When we acknowledge our limits and our brokenness, we rediscover our deep need for the One who is limitless, holy, and full of mercy. This day teaches us that facing our mortality is not morbid, it is the doorway to grace.

2. We renew our commitment to daily repentance, not just for Lent, but for all of life.

Lent is not a temporary religious project. It is a season that trains us in the lifelong rhythm of turning back to God. Repentance is not merely feeling sorry; it is reorienting our lives toward the One who calls us by name. Ash Wednesday invites us to examine the habits, attitudes, and patterns that have quietly shaped us away from God, and to let the Spirit reshape us. This renewal is gentle but intentional. It is the daily choice to say, “Lord, make my heart new again.”

3. We rest in the hope that Christ has conquered sin and death.

The ashes on our foreheads form the shape of a cross, a reminder that our story does not end in dust. Lent begins with repentance, but it is anchored in resurrection hope. We do not walk through this season trying to earn God’s favor; we walk through it because Christ has already secured our salvation. His victory over sin and death is the foundation beneath every confession, every prayer, every step of renewal. Ash Wednesday calls us to rest, not in our efforts, but in the finished work of Jesus. If you have ever attended an Ash Wednesday service, one of the most moving moments in the service is the imposition of ashes, a cross traced on the forehead while these words are spoken: “Consider yourself dead to sin and alive in Jesus Christ.”

But even with this powerful symbol of the cross on a forehead, the heart of Ash Wednesday is not the ashes themselves. Scripture calls us to something deeper: “Rend your hearts” (Joel 2:13). Lent is not about outward performance but inward transformation.

This season called Lent is a journey of reflection, honesty, and renewal. It invites us to lay aside the burdens that weigh us down and turn again to the God who freely pardons.

So today, we pray with the psalmist:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Amen.

Psalm 51:1–2, 6, 10–12

Kindness That Interrupts the Ordinary

February 17, 2026

Today is Random Act of Kindness Day in our world. A day set aside encouraging people worldwide to perform small, selfless acts that spread positivity and compassion. Thinking about this day to focus on kindness, got me thinking about the theme of "Kindness" as we encounter it in our Bibles.

Most of the kindness Jesus showed wasn’t scheduled. It was not part of a program. It wasn’t announced in advance. It happened in the middle of His day, on the road, at a well, in a crowd, during a meal, or while He was on His way somewhere else.

What I find is that kindness, in the Kingdom of God, is rarely random. It’s intentional, Spirit‑prompted, and deeply rooted in love. Yet to the person receiving it, it often feels wonderfully unexpected.

Here are our two verses for today.

Ephesians 4:32


“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Titus 3:4–5

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us…”

These verses teach us that kindness is not just something God does, it’s something God is. When we practice kindness, we reflect God's character.



Kindness is powerful because it interrupts the normal flow of life. A harsh world expects harshness. A hurried world expects to be ignored. A divided world expects suspicion.

So when kindness appears, especially unexpected kindness, it feels like a small resurrection. A reminder that goodness is still alive. A sign that God is nearer than we think.

One of the reasons I am in support of Random act of Kindness Day/week is that during Random Act of Kindness Week, we’re not just doing nice things. it is hoped that we are training our hearts to notice people the way Jesus noticed people.

The woman at the well
Zacchaeus in the tree
The bleeding woman in the crowd
The children the disciples tried to push away from Jesus
The thief on the cross beside Him

Jesus’ kindness always found the person others overlooked. May our eyes and hearts be open to "divine opportunities" to be kind to someone today, not just because it's Random Act of Kindness Day, but because we are following in the footsteps of Jesus. How about starting each day with a prayer something like this: “Lord, show me one person to bless with kindness today.”

Let's Pray

Lord, open my eyes today. Interrupt my routine with opportunities to show Your kindness. Make my heart soft, my hands ready, and my words gentle. Let someone experience Your love through me, not for my glory, but for Yours. Amen.

Here are a few ways we can live this kindness out in our everyday practices:

Pay for someone’s coffee or meal
Offer a sincere compliment to a stranger
Help someone without being asked

May the God whose kindness saved us fill your imagination with compassion, your steps with purpose, and your week with holy interruptions. Go today in the kindness of Jesus Christ.