12 Feb 2026
Let us praise the Lord, because He is worthy of praise. Let us exalt His name, because He expects us to do it. Let us adore Him, because of what He has done and what He will do. His promises are assured and He is dependable. No matter what our circumstances are, let us remember to praise God. He deserves it. Psalm 84:1-12.
In This World
Where can we find peace with what we are facing right now? Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) “In this world you will have trouble.” I think I hear someone say, “Amen! You said it brother!” And I may also hear someone say, “You don’t know trouble!” Perhaps even someone else saying, “Trouble? Trouble doesn’t come close to describing my life.” It is easy to see the trouble in this world. The trouble in this world is not limited to wars in distant countries. The trouble in this world is not confined to corruption among political and civic leaders. The trouble Jesus was speaking about hits us where we are, where we live, and often when we least expect it and feel least prepared for it. Trouble in this world comes in the form of a child with special needs, a spouse with an illness, or a friend who is depressed and needy. Trouble in this world often comes disguised as a relief from our troubles: a new and exciting relationship, a temptation we’ve never known before, a friendship that suddenly comes alive to us. Trouble in this world often comes after we have made a promise to “be there” for someone, made a public commitment to live for God, or expressed a desire for deeper faith and a more visible witness. Trouble in this world can cause us to question our commitments, lose our focus, and wander from the path we know is right. Trouble in this world can drain us of our energy, cause us to ignore the ultimate of power sources, or resist assistance from those most capable of helping. Trouble in this world can overwhelm us, blind us, confuse us, and defeat us … if we focus only on the trouble. When the trouble in this world comes at us, we sometimes cannot think of anything else. We dream or have nightmares about it. We obsess over how, or if, we will survive these troubles. When that happens, the Enemy has almost won the battle. He has weakened us. He has distracted us. If he can keep us in this place with this focus, he will eventually draw us away from the Lord. Jesus also said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” “Take heart!” “Find comfort.” “Pay attention.” “Remember.” “Don’t forget.” “Don’t lose sight of the fact.” Translate Jesus’ words how you want, but hear the punch line! “I have overcome the world.” There is trouble in this world. We cannot ignore it. We cannot escape it. We cannot deal with it alone. But, we can take it to God. We can ask Him for help and wisdom. We can make Him our focus and not our trouble become all we see. We can let Him fight our battles for us. We can “Take heart!” We can know without a doubt, that He has overcome the world. Then, we can live today based on His victory. In this world we will have trouble, but we serve the One who has overcome the world. About the author: Tom Norvell is the author of “A Norvell Note” — Thoughts and reflections on God, life, people, and living as a follower of Jesus. He has ministered with followers of Jesus for four decades and loves Jesus, his family, and those seeking Jesus, passionately.
Be Mindful of the Words You Hear
You don’t have to listen to the noise around you! It was raining, and Starbucks was quiet. After I got my coffee and settled in next to the window, I opened up my laptop to get a few things done while I waited for my friend. Three men entered and sat down at the table next to me. They were excessively loud, so I moved to another table. A one-sided conversation took over the room from a man who “knew everything about everything.” It was impossible to tune out. I finally ended up at a table in the far corner of the room. My intention is not to be judgmental or over-sensitive. I just didn’t need, nor did I want to hear, ALL of that “information” emanating from this self-appointed expert. Actually, I didn’t need or want to hear ANY of it. But this particular fellow seemed to think I (and everyone else in the coffee shop) needed to hear EVERYTHING he had to say. Although this incident ranks extremely low on any list of First World problems, it does remind me of the importance of surrounding myself with things that are positive and uplift me. I can try to convince myself that what I hear doesn’t affect how I think and feel, but the reality is, it does. As Jesus said, we need to consider carefully what we hear: “For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear. “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more” (Mark 4:22-24). If I watch or listen too often and too long to the news, with its panel of experts who talk (or yell) over other experts, I find myself becoming frustrated, agitated and anxious. The same negative emotions emerge when I’m in the car listening to talk radio or radio DJs. It’s usually better for me to listen to my personal playlists or nothing at all. Or when I’m writing and studying, I usually listen to quiet, relaxing music. Total silence is sometimes too quiet, and other types of music make it difficult for me to focus. Plus, when I need to look up from my computer and gaze off into the distance, the softer music provides a soothing soundtrack for my thoughts. What I learned from my experience at Starbucks was that when I allow other voices to talk over God’s voice, it’s easy for me to become dissatisfied, downcast, and discouraged. That is when I know I need to get back to the Word and let God remind me of how He feels about me. An overexposure to conversations or messages that are harsh, negative, and judgmental tends to make me react with harshness, negativity, and judgment. On the flip side, when I hear and engage in conversations that are positive and life-affirming, I feel inspired, encouraged and have a more pleasant attitude. Obviously, there are times when we have no option but to hear things we’d prefer not to. In a restaurant, for instance, we may have to focus our attention on something else so we won’t hear the conversation going on next to us. Or when we’re traveling with a co-worker, there may be no escape from hearing them rant about a colleague or boss. These situations can be uncomfortable and frustrating. We need to be intentional and do what’s best for us: move to another table, read a book, open our Bible app, or listen to relaxing music. Jesus regularly retreated from the demands of the crowd to be alone and listen to His Father. He chose solitude over the constant barrage of voices from his followers expressing their needs and demanding His time. He withdrew to be away from the religious leaders throwing out false accusations. He even went to solitary places to be away from His disciples’ attempts to redirect His mission. He used these quiet times and solitary places as a time to refresh, restore, and refuel His soul. He knew we would have the same need, so He said, “If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear. … Consider carefully what you hear.” So, maybe it’s time to consider more carefully what we’re hearing. We owe this to ourselves and should not feel guilty for seeking out a situation that will better serve us. Being discerning about what we hear is vital to our mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. We need to distinguish between lies and truth, redirect the conversation, or get away from the noise of life, and find a quiet place to rest so we can redirect our attention to what the Lord has to say. I promise that conversation with the Lord will leave you inspired and encouraged with a more pleasant attitude. As Paul wrote the Philippians: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9). About the author: Tom Norvell is the author of “A Norvell Note” — Thoughts and reflections on God, life, people, and living as a follower of Jesus. He has ministered with followers of Jesus for four decades and loves Jesus, his family, and those seeking Jesus, passionately.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. —1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… True love does not focus on itself, but on others. Each of these qualities of love – patience, kindness, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no records of wrongs – is based on an affectionate, compassionate, and forgiving attitude that regards others as valuable to us, and to Jesus. Rather than placing value only on ourselves and our desires, we remember how Jesus lived and seek to have a heart like his (Philippians 2:5-11). This kind of love comes from the power of the Holy Spirit within us (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22-23). It is part of the Spirit’s transforming us into more JESUShaped people (2 Corinthians 3:18). The old saying is true: “In the middle of all SIN is a big I!” When “I” become more important than others, when what “I” want and how “I” win are more significant than what others truly need, then “I” have lost my way and do not display the love of Christ. My Prayer… Holy God and Sacrificial Father, please teach us to notice others and value them just as you do and as Jesus demonstrated while on earth. We know you loved us when we were not lovable, and redeemed us when we were not worthy. So we ask for the Holy Spirit’s help in having the heart like yours, as we take our focus off ourselves, and seek to see others as you do. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
11 Feb 2026
May the Lord reassure us even in our most difficult times. May His presence continue to minister to us and give us hope. May we not be anxious. May His peace fill our hearts and may we be reminded that He is faithful. Matthew 6:25-34.
Down from the Mountain
Note from Jesus Dear Child of God, I know that you love mountain-top experiences. Unfortunately, sooner or later you have to come down from the mountain and face the realities of life on earth. As you read the verses below from Luke, the physician, remember that I had to face very similar realities when I came down from My mountain-top experience with the Father and with My disciples (Luke 9:28-36). When I came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, I faced several very frustrating realities: The crowds that swarmed around Me everywhere I went were waiting for Me at the bottom of the mountain. I loved the people, but the crowds were not really interested in Who I AM or in coming to faith. They were mostly interested in what they could get from Me. Dealing with the crowds in My ministry was hard on Me. There was a man who had a very difficult situation with his son. I hate for Satan to hold anyone in his evil grip or torment any family. This situation needed a remedy, but the man and his son had not received one. My disciples, who had been given authoritative power and had recently been personally involved in several miraculous experiences, found themselves “incapable” of helping the man and his son. Their lack of faith was frustrating and disappointing to Me. However, I want you to notice what I did in this situation: Rather than getting knocked off track by the crowds and the lack of faithful and decisive action by My disciples, I did what needed to be done for this loving father and his demon-afflicted son. I made the boy whole and freed him from the demonic spirit that troubled him. God was praised by the crowd and a family was restored — full shalom was given in the face of demonic attack! Verses to Live So here are several things I hope that you will take away from Luke’s telling of this event in My life. First, because of deep disappointment with people I knew well and loved, I experienced great frustration in being brought back down to earth after having mountain-top experiences. Please remember you are not alone when you face these kinds of frustrations. I know your hurt, and I will never leave you or forsake you. Second, good and godly people don’t always do the right thing or even realize the power available to them. It is frustrating, and they sometimes need to be sternly reminded to expect more. But don’t give up on them. Third, remember the point in ministering to people: Don’t minister to get glory for yourself, but minister to bless those who hurt, to bring praise to the Father, and to bless the Father’s children with joy. Before the events in the accompanying scripture, Peter, James, and John had just witnessed My transfiguration — they experienced Me in My glory with Moses and Elijah. The Father told them to listen to Me! After this glorious experience, this glimpse of kingdom power, they were soon brought back to earth by what awaited them. They came down the mountain, and the next day yet another huge crowd gathered around Jesus. There was a man in the crowd who shouted out. Man in Crowd: Teacher! Please come and look at my son here, my only child. From time to time, a demonic spirit seizes him. It makes him scream and go into convulsions. He foams at the mouth. It nearly destroys him and only leaves after causing him great distress. While You were up on the mountain, I begged Your disciples to liberate him from this spirit, but they were incapable of helping us. Jesus: O generation faithless, twisted, and crooked, how long can I be with you? How much can I bear? Bring your boy here. The boy had taken a few steps toward Jesus when suddenly the demon seemed to rip into the boy, throwing him into convulsions. Jesus spoke sternly to the demonic spirit, and the boy was healed. Jesus presented the boy to his father. The crowd began cheering and discussing this amazing healing and the power of God…. (Luke 9:37-43) Response in Prayer O Father in heaven, I confess that I get frustrated with Your people who can’t seem to get it. I am even more frustrated with myself because I often don’t trust that You can use me to do Your great work of blessing others. So today, dear Father, I ask for a holy balance of patience and passion. I pray for personal faith to trust that You, O Father, are the great “Enabler” — that You can make my insufficiencies into effective capabilities! I pray for patience with the spiritual development of others and myself, yet ask for an urgent passion to believe that Jesus can do great things through our efforts to bless others and bring You glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2026, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Stuck at the Tracks
Is your life stuck at the light? On the way to work the other morning I was running a little behind, but that really didn’t bother me. I drive through one small town on the way. Unfortunately as I started through town, a school bus turned onto the road in front of me. It immediately stopped to pick up some children. I thought, “OK, it’s no big deal, I’ll be through here in short order.” But, the bus continued to make more stops for more children. Time was passing more quickly than I liked. Just before we got to the train tracks, the flashing lights came on and we were all stopped as a freight train made its way through town. This completely dashed any hopes I had of being early to work. As I sat there, I had to chuckle to myself about the situation – beats fussing and fuming. It seems that no matter how hard we try to control time, it never works out. No matter how well we try to plan our lives, something comes along to mess up our plans. Our son, daughter-in-law, grandson and my wife all went to the doctor’s office this past week to have a look at the new grandchild our daughter-in-law is carrying. Although everything looked fine and the baby was extremely active, they were not able to tell what gender the baby is. They were all disappointed. They wanted to start decorating the nursery and buying baby things. They had all looked forward to this for the past couple of months with great excitement and anticipation; but, instead, they found themselves sitting at the train tracts, stopped cold. What about you? What has unexpectedly stopped you? What has derailed your plans or kept things from working like you wanted them to work? What kind of disappointments have you faced? We all have choices to make, don’t we? You can sit there and fuss and fume, or you can shrug your shoulders, chuckle about the ironies of life, and get on with living. Wouldn’t it really be better to focus on what is really important in life! Remember the story of “the rich fool” found in Luke 12. He was the guy that made big plans that didn’t take place. He was going to build bigger barns and store up lots of stuff so that he could retire to the good life. Notice Luke 12:20: “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’” (NIV). Do you know what the message is? Focus on the important things? Whatever plans you have, whatever goals you have in mind, if they don’t come to fruition, are they really worth fussing and fuming about? Count your blessings and focus on the really important things in life! Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 NLT) About the author: Russ Lawson is a former missionary to Africa and minister in Ohio. He now works with World Christian Literature Outreach and writes a weekly email devotional, Messages from the Heart. For more information about Russ, click here.
How Do You Know?
How can we know the answer to life’s questions? The question is always blunt, direct, personal, and demanding. Once asked, it must be answered. The challenge, once made, requires a response validating your position. The question is not politically correct and the answer offers no public relations subtleties. “How do you know?” How do you know God is real? How do you know there is a heaven or hell? And maybe the most important question of all, how do you know you’re going to heaven? To answer those “How do you know?” questions, scripture says: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed (1 Peter 3:15-16 NKJV). This is one of those interesting human dilemmas that we feel trapped by. When we try to explain how we know, there is a fear that others will interrogate us as to why we made such a dreadfully poor decision. Yet look at the words. It says we are to give a reason for our faith. It’s not a debate to prove whose reasons are best; it’s not a dictate that everyone believes exactly the same on every subject; and it’s not collective wisdom. It’s why you, personally and individually, believe. How did you come to those conclusions? When we stand before God Almighty at the final judgment, it will only be you and Jesus who have to answer for you. The opinions, beliefs and choices of others will not be admissible. So, how DO YOU know? Tell me at bbrant@heraldoftruth.org or join our blog dialogue at hopeforlife.org. (Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing, retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article. Contact us at info@hopeforlife.org) About the author: Bill Brant is the President and CEO of Herald of Truth Ministries based in Abilene, Texas.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. —1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Love! In the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, let’s remember the real meaning of true love (1 John 4:8-12) and not dilute it with the many sappy expressions of limited human love, oftentimes based in lust rather than genuine love. I am certainly not against expressing our love to others on Valentine’s Day, but it can get so sappy, sentimental, and manipulative. Without our motivations centered on why we are expressing love, all “Christian” activities are more motion and commotion than true love. True love is the expression of Christ’s sacrificial character through deeds of love offered to others without expecting anything in return (1 John 3:16-18). Let’s refuse to get lost in the annual trip down sentimentality lane. Too many of us forget the needed daily dose of love that so often gets lost in the grit of day-to-day relationships. Let’s be loving all year-round, showing ourselves to be Jesus’ true disciples (John 13:34-35). My Prayer… Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for demonstrating your love for us in Jesus. Help us to love as Jesus did – selflessly, sacrificially, and consistently – so others may know of your love through our actions and not just our words. In Jesus name, and to love as he has loved us, we pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
‘Listen to Him!’
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, To whom are you listening? Let Me put that in plainer language, but poorer English: Who are you listening to most in your life? The one you choose to hear and what you believe from what you hear impacts your life choices. You can listen to many voices. You can listen to your “inner me” voice to tell yourself what you think of yourself. You can listen to the voice of your past hurts, failures, disappointments, and disasters. You can choose to listen to the voice of an enemy, critic, coach, teacher, or professor. You can choose to believe the words of your favorite songwriter, favorite movie star, or favorite sports hero. You can live in the shadow of the words of a family member, boss, friend, or even an enemy. The choices seem endless. So I’m going to ask My question to you again: To whom are you listening most in your life? Peter, James, and John — My very closest disciples — were with Me during an amazing and bewildering experience. In fact, something happened to them in this experience that they believed at the time was the greatest thing they had ever witnessed: they saw Moses and Elijah. For every faithful Jew up until that time, Moses was the greatest leader of God’s people. He was the one through whom they received the Torah. For every believing Israelite up until this time, Elijah was the greatest prophet of all the prophets. He spoke the very words of God with courage, accompanied by miraculous power when necessary. Here I was with these two heroes. That meant I was something truly special, and they were My friends. Peter couldn’t imagine anything better than building a shrine to each of us. At this moment, Peter suddenly realized that his friend Jesus was as great as Moses and Elijah. Poor Peter, he just didn’t know what he was saying and what he would learn through his life of following Me! The Father, however, wanted them all to know the truth: Someone far greater than Moses and Elijah had come and was among them. That greater One is Me — Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God! The Father wanted My disciples to know that I wasn’t just another good religious teacher with great things to say. The Father wanted them to realize that I AM the ONE to Whom they must listen above all others, that I AM greater than the greatest of all other religious heroes they could imagine! The Father said: This is My Son! This is the One I have chosen! Listen to Him! So I’m going to ask My question to you again: To whom are you listening most in your life? Verses to Live The introduction to this story about My time with Peter, James, and John sounds eerily like a story on the night of My arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-53): I am praying. My closest disciples are sleeping. They can’t grasp any threat of My being killed in relation to My identity. They are confused by what happens. Their loyalty to Me is challenged. And, they see My glory, but revealed in shockingly different ways. Each of the two events — My transfiguration described in the verses below and My passion — demands that they look to Me and listen to Me. In the events in the following account, the Father demands that the disciples who were with Me, and you dear friend, listen to Me as your truth. The later event, the passion (betrayal, trials, crucifixion, and resurrection), demands that you listen to Me out of love for what I did for you. So I ask you one last time: To whom are you listening most in your life? … Jesus went away to pray. This time He took along only Peter, John, and James. They climbed a mountainside and came to a place of solitude. Jesus began to pray and the disciples tried to stay awake, but their eyes grew heavier and heavier and finally they all fell asleep. When they awakened, they looked over at Jesus and saw something inexplicable happening. Jesus was changing before their eyes, beginning with His face. It seemed to glow. The glow spread, and even His clothing took on a blinding whiteness. Then, two figures appeared in the glorious radiance emanating from Jesus. The three disciples somehow knew that these figures were Moses and Elijah. Peter, James, and John overheard the conversation that took place among Jesus, Moses, and Elijah — a conversation that centered on Jesus’ “departure” and how He would accomplish this departure from the capital city, Jerusalem. The glow began to fade, and it was clear that Moses and Elijah were about to disappear. Peter (to Jesus): Please, Master, it is good for us to be here and see this. Can we make three structures — one to honor You, one to honor Moses, and one to honor Elijah, to try to capture what’s happening here? Peter had no idea what he was saying. While he spoke a cloud descended, and they were enveloped in it, and fear fell on them. Then a voice came out of everywhere and nowhere at once. Voice from Heaven: This is My Son! This is the One I have chosen! Listen to Him! Then the voice was silent, the cloud disappeared, and Moses and Elijah were gone. Peter, James, and John were left speechless, stunned, staring at Jesus Who now stood before them alone. For a long time, they did not say a word about this whole experience. (Luke 9:28-36) Response in Prayer O Father, help me keep my heart, mind, and ears focused on Jesus. I want to hear His voice, obey His words, and follow His example. Dear Father, like Jesus, I want to fulfill Your will for my life, so I choose to listen to Jesus as my Lord — to let His words and