13 Feb 2026
Thankfulness overcomes a sense of entitlement. It makes us humbly accept that without God’s love for us and His help, we would be nowhere. It is the Lord who sustains us daily. He enables us to live do the things we do. He is merciful and truly cares for us. Colossians 2:6-7.
Enduring Hope
Where does the power to keep hoping come from? In the early 1700’s, Alexander Pope wrote, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always is to be, blest.” (Essay on Man). I am afraid that is not entirely true. There are many today who have either lost, or never had, real hope. Hope is simply the belief that there is something better still ahead. It is not a complicated thing – just a glimmer of light in the darkness. It primarily is the domain of the suffering and troubled. Those who are fully satisfied with things as they are spend little time hoping for a better tomorrow. In The Diary of Anne Frank, a story of the persecution of the Jews under Adolf Hitler, her family is in hiding for a long time. Finally they are discovered and there is great emotional stress as they prepare to be taken to the prison camp. Her last line is classic: “Until now we have lived in fear. Now, let us live in hope!” How can anyone survive without hope? Yet, many do. It is a sad and bitter life at best, but they survive. But, survival is not the primary goal of humankind. If it were, then we are all defeated. Endurance, made possible by hope, is our calling. The ancient Job cried out in his bitter agony, “But the mountain falls and crumbles away, and the rock is removed from its place; the waters wear away the stones; the torrents wash away the soil of the earth; so thou destroyest the hope of man.” (Job 14:18-19) But he is answered centuries later as the Psalmist sings, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.” (Psalm 42:5-6) The apostle Paul sums it all up as one who has known the full force of our adversary. “Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) Perhaps Peter the apostle says it best of all: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” (1 Peter 1:3) It is a long way from Job to Peter, but in the end they shared one common experience. God was their vindicator! He still redeems the righteous from despair and gives us hope and “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5 NKJV) About the author: Bill is a long time minister in Nacogdoches, Texas who loves world missions. His passion for ministry has led him all over the world. In addition to his work as a minister, he is also a licensed professional counselor. Bill’s family is also involved in ministry and service to the world and community.
Surprised by Love
Could this be the greatest love story of all? Oh, how can I give you up …?How can I let you go?How can I destroy you …?My heart is torn within me,and my compassion overflows.… for I am God and not a mere mortal. (Hosea 11:8-9 NLT) Sentimentalists, don’t get your hopes up by this title; this isn’t a “chick flick” worthy story. It is, however, about the truth that underlies every single one of those stories that has value. In some ways, what we discover together here is far more important than any other story no matter how sentimental. This is the discovery of truth – the surprising, experiential, multi-faceted, ever-repeating reality – about love and all genuine love stories. Love is unpredictable. There you have it. That’s it. That’s a truth you can bank on! Love is unpredictable. Love does the unexpected. Love is full of surprises. Love is new even in the face of mind-numbing monotony. Love twists when rationality says go straight. Love forges ahead when logic says make a major change. Love doesn’t budge when conventional wisdom says run. Love moves like the wind when common sense says “Be still and hide!” Love does the unexpected! O I know that is not the exact definition of love in Scripture (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 for example). I can’t quote a verse as a proof text that really summarizes what I’m saying … at least not one verse that says it exactly. But I can get you proof. God! God is love. He shows it instead of just saying it. Or better yet, he says it by doing it. He can be tough or tender. He can be patient or pushy. He can rage and he can whisper. He can show his power and he can hide in the quietness of his creation. He can punish and he can suffer under the scourge. He can thunder and he can weep for a dead friend and his sisters. He can demand allegiance, but he can also risk everything to win our hearts. God is not unpredictable. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Yet his actions will always appear a bit unexpected and surprising if we do not humbly recognize that he is driven by one truth that trumps all others … his love for us … his gracious, undeserved, and unexpected love for us. That’s not to be confused with sappy emotions without gut wrenching sacrifice. It should not be mistaken for spoken intentions without follow through. This love should never be reduced to politically correct sounding speech with hollow character. We’ve let baby boomer sappiness and TV driven sentimentality replace the real grit and authenticity of true love … unexpected, undeserved, sacrificial love. God will do the unexpected to reach the undeserving … to reach us. He always has. He always will. That’s what his book is about. Even more, that is what his ultimate message, Jesus is about. And that is what he is at work doing in your life and mine … even when the unexpected turns of our life leave us ripped up and full of questions. So … … will you trust that whatever he is up to in our world, your world, its about finding a way to reach you and your heart even when you can’t understand all the why’s of life? … will you join him in his passion to touch everyone – even the ones most of us can’t stand or wouldn’t waste time to reach – and change them by his love? About the author: Phil Ware has authored 11 years of daily devotionals, including VerseoftheDay.com, read by 500,000 people a day. He works with churches in transition with Interim Ministry Partners and for the past 21+ years, he has been editor and president of HEARTLIGHT Magazine, author of VerseoftheDay.com, God’s Holy Fire (on the Holy Spirit), and aYearwithJesus.com. Phil has also authored four books, daily devotionals on each of the four gospels.
When Water Becomes Wine
How can we see this miracle in our lives? Each moment is crowded with eternal significance, yet our eyes are often blind: we expect only what is predictable. We miss God’s grace in the moment, the Father’s gift in the simple, and Heaven’s glory in the ordinary. We lose the Lord’s presence in the sunrise, his joy in the smile of a child, his whisper in the wrinkles of the aged, and his glory hidden in a spider’s web. So when John tells us his story of Jesus, he is wanting to do more than tell us history. Yes, what he writes is truth, but even more he wants us to know it is true – authentic to real life. Each encounter with Jesus tells us, not just what he did, but also what he longs to do now… in us… among us… through us. The unpredictable Savior wants to show us how water can become wine. On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him (John 2:1-11 NLT). Jesus is at a wedding. Possibly a relative’s wedding. Mary is likely helping. This week long celebration is the most important event in the life of the bride and groom, their families, and the small village of Cana. Losing face in this moment would be disastrous! And they don’t have enough wine to meet the needs. Joy was about to be shipwrecked in shame. Celebration was headed for embarrassment. And Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew of the need. She also knew the power of her son not yet released. She brought the two together even though it wasn’t time for Jesus’ work to begin. Jesus takes ordinary water and it becomes wine. Look carefully at the story line. Mary shared the need expecting Jesus to act (John 2:3). Mary stressed the need for simple obedience (John 2:5). Everyone is blessed (John 2:10-11)! This story is a reminder that our Savior will do what is necessary, even when the time isn’t right, to bring grace. Jesus takes ordinary water and it becomes wine, again and again… With Nicodemus he talks about being born of water and the Spirit – inviting him to enter the Kingdom through the miracle of baptism and the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-21). In the heat of the day, he uses his own thirst for water to break down the barriers of prejudice and suspicion with a rejected woman he meets at a well (John 4:1-43). In a furious storm on the water, he comes to his fearful followers and brings them safely to shore and displays his power (John 6:17-21). On the cross, water mixed with blood flows out of his spear pierced side, showing us the love of God and his willingness to face mortality to bring us life (John 19:31-35). So where in your life do you need to experience water becoming wine? I have a situation where I need a miracle from Jesus. I’m you sure do, too! So we ask… How do I get my needs met? What do I need to do to get my miracle? How can I see his glory? When will my water become wine? But lean in with John and look closely. Who’s the hero? It is Mary, Jesus’ mom. She is looking to bless someone else, not herself! We often get so caught up in our own stuff that we fail to notice others. Don’t believe me? Notice our pronouns when we pray. It’s all I, me, and my. We want our water to become wine and so easily forget the shame, the brokenness, the embarrassment, the hurt, the longing, and the lack in others. We lose the miracle of seeing water become wine, because all we can see is ourself! So let’s commit to being like Mary! Let’s share the needs of someone else with the Lord and expect him to act with grace for them. Let’s encourage those around the situation to practice simple obedience to Jesus. And let’s anticipate for the moment when their water becomes wine. And when we do, we will find that we see his glory revealed and others will be led to believe. About the author: Phil Ware has authored 11 years of daily devotionals, including VerseoftheDay.com, read by 500,000 people a day. He works with churches in transition with Interim Ministry Partners and for the past 21+ years, he has been editor and president of HEARTLIGHT Magazine, author of VerseoftheDay.com, God’s Holy Fire (on the Holy Spirit), and aYearwithJesus.com. Phil has also authored four books, daily devotionals on each of the four gospels.
Today’s Verse – 1 Corinthians 13:6-7
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. —1 Corinthians 13:6-7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Life as a follower of Jesus is always about love – loving God and loving others (Matthew 22:36-40), doing the things Paul lists here – not delighting in evil, rejoicing with the truth, protecting, trusting, hoping, and persevering always! Living this always loving way in a fallen world full of self-centered people is a very tough and tall order and sometimes very tough work. Only God is always. But then Christians are fueled to this always kind of love through the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). No wonder this love, true love, Christian love, loving like Jesus is always love – it is God’s love, demonstrated by Jesus’ sacrifice, and now empowered through us by the Holy Spirit to be delivered to others by grace. My Prayer… Sweet and Glorious God on high, I humble myself before you, recognizing your boundless power to love always. I also recognize the incredible need for this always kind of love in the lives of those around me as I try to love that way with my limited capacity to love in my own strength. So, please pour your Holy Spirit into my heart and fill me with the power to love as you do: always. In Jesus’ sweet name, I 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.
The Blindness of Fear
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved, Have you ever been blinded by fear? Have your decisions ever been erratic or inappropriate because you were acting out of terror and confusion? Have you ever done something really stupid because you were trying to deny oncoming reality and wanted to do anything possible to avoid finding out what might happen? Don’t be too hard on My disciples in the events you read about below. They really looked like insensitive clods in several of the next events in My life because they were confused and fearful. They had risked everything to follow Me. They had seen Me do amazing miracles — feed thousands, still storms, raise the dead, heal the sick, and cast out demons. So they were having a hard time processing My repeated warnings of My impending crucifixion. As Luke describes it below, “they felt too afraid to ask” Me what I was describing because they didn’t want to believe there could be a catastrophe in our future together. Let those words settle into your heart — “they felt too afraid to ask”! Most people reach this place of fear at some point in their lives. They need to know, they need to understand what is about to happen, they need to realize what is ahead, but… they feel too afraid to ask anyone, including Me, about what lies ahead. So they end up in arguments over “stupid and vain” questions. In the face of fear, they need to know they belong to Me and are important to Me. So please know the following truths: First, you don’t need to have all the answers to people’s problems, but I do want you to serve those who are vulnerable. Second, don’t discount the good things others do in My name just because you don’t recognize them as part of your group. If they are doing good in My name, then I can use their efforts for the good of the kingdom. Third, beloved disciple, don’t be too hard on yourself when fear grips you and blinds you about your future. When your fear leads you to do or say dumb, insensitive, or inappropriate things, learn from and don’t repeat your mistakes but don’t beat yourself up. Remember, there will never be a place that you travel in your life that I will not go with you and ultimately bring you safely home to the Father. Verses to Live Be encouraging and tender with those who do dumb things because they are afraid or in denial or find themselves confused about the future. Watch how I prepare My disciples as I minister to them on My way to the crucifixion and resurrection. While I do get frustrated with them at times, notice how I warn them of the truth about what is coming and prepare them for what lies ahead. Notice that at other times I leave them promises about the future and assurances that I will not abandon them, but send the Spirit to them. Especially notice how I leave seeds of truth for them to discover as the events unfold — seeds of truth that give them strength for their important ministry ahead. The following verses are just the first stage in My journey to Jerusalem where rejection and the cross await me. So watch how I treat those closest to Me as they journey into the heart of their most unimaginable fears. Jesus: Listen. Listen hard. Let these words get down deep: the Son of Man is going to be turned over to the authorities and arrested. They [the disciples] had no idea what He meant by this; they heard the words but missed the meaning, and they felt too afraid to ask Him to explain further. Later the close followers of Jesus began to argue over the stupid and vain question, “Which one of us is the greatest disciple?” Jesus saw what was going on — not just the argument, but the deeper heart issues — so He found a child and had the child stand beside Him. Jesus: See this little one? Whoever welcomes a little child in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One Who sent Me. The smallest one among you is therefore the greatest. John: Master, we found this fellow casting out demons. He said he was doing it in Your name, but he’s not one of our group. So we told him to stop. Jesus: What? No! Don’t think like that! Whoever is not working against you is working with you. (Luke 9:44-50) Response in Prayer Dear Father, sometimes fear about things I cannot control makes me do dumb things. Sometimes, dear Father, fear about the future for those I love makes my heart waver and my faith weak. Please, dear God, hear my prayers. Show me Your presence. Give me strength to face each tomorrow. In my confusion and frustration, I need to experience Your nearness, or I cannot handle what is ahead or minister to others in a way that blesses them and honors You. In Jesus’ name, I offer up my heart and my deepest fears to You. 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.
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.