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As much as I hate to do this, the time has come. After over 7 years on LiveJournal, my blog is now going Friends Only. Those of you who have been with me for any length of time may remember that I considered this action when I found myself "stalked" by someone interested in my jousting connexions. At the time, I opted to lock any entries that dealt with the knights in a personal capacity, and only mentioned them publicly when it had something to do with an event or other promotion. More recently, I have found myself attacked on a personal level. Initially, I determined that I would lock most of my entries "for awhile"... but as time went on, I realised I had no way of determining when I could stop. Sadly, I can see no other choice.

Entries That Will Remain Public: Scripture posts, devotional posts, joust promotions, ~~fanfiction~~, ~~sale posts~~, ~~icon giveaways~~.

Entries That Will Be Locked: Pretty much anything personal, especially having to do with my friends and family.

Friending Policy: Fairly lax, as ever. Just comment to be added. So long as we have something in common (be it friends, a community, or interests), I'll most likely add you back. One of the reasons I've put off doing this is because I feel it defeats the purpose of online blogging. LJ already seems to be in a slow decline, and I hate taking an action that will only further the isolation of those still posting. Let's keep talking!

State of Being tired

KNOWING JESUS’ HEART

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee … When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars … holding 20 or 30 gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” (John 2:1a, 3-7a)

I love Mary’s faith in her Son Jesus. When she asks Him for help and gets a mysterious answer, she doesn’t even bother arguing or asking questions. She just tells the servants, “Do what He tells you.”

And Jesus honors that! He does His very first miracle, turning water into wine. Jesus saves the party and the bridegroom’s reputation as a host. And Jesus’ brand-new disciples believe in Him.

What did Mary know about her Son that made her so confident? I think she knew that He is kind and compassionate, as well as endlessly creative. Maybe she didn’t expect the miracle, but she knew He would find a way to help, because His love would compel Him.

And it did—just as it compelled Jesus to go to the cross to suffer and die for us when His hour had finally come (see John 17:1). Because He loves us, He saved us from the power of evil; and when He rose from the dead, He promised to share that same life with all of us who trust in Him.

WE PRAY: Lord, I know Your heart. Thank You for saving me. Amen.

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

State of Being thoughtful

JESUS UNDERSTANDS

On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on Him to hear the word of God, [Jesus] … sat down and taught the people from [Simon Peter’s] boat. And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at Your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. … But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” … And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. (Luke 5:1a, 3b-6, 8, 10b-11)

I wonder how Peter felt, kneeling in front of Jesus on that boat. He must have been waist deep in flopping fish! Just a little earlier he had been treating Jesus like someone who didn’t know what He was talking about. And now he realizes … what? Well, that Jesus understands fish?

More important, Jesus understands people. He knows that Peter is weak and sinful. And yet, He still calls him to help bring others to the kingdom of God. Jesus calls us too, in spite of our sins and weakness. He will use us to tell others about the One who loves us all so much He died and rose to save us and to make us His own.

WE PRAY: Lord, You know I am weak. Please use me anyway. Amen.

State of Being thoughtful

STRANGE COMPANY

The Spirit immediately drove [Jesus] out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted by Satan. And He was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to Him. (Mark 1:12-13)

Let’s follow Jesus out into the wilderness. What do you see, as you look around?

Well, the Holy Spirit Himself has sent Jesus out there. So there’s God. Satan’s there, too, trying to tempt Jesus. There are good angels as well, although it’s not super clear what exactly they’re doing. And then there are the wild animals. This is who Jesus has for company.

That’s a pretty good list of living beings, from God all the way down to the animals. But one thing’s missing. Where are the human beings?

Jesus is the human being here. He is our representative, doing on our behalf what we could never manage. He spends 40 days being tested—“Do miracles to meet Your own needs! Force God to prove His power and faithfulness to You, instead of trusting Him! Turn away from God and grab for earthly power!” And unlike us, Jesus stays faithful!

The lovely thing here is that Jesus, the Son of God, is also the Son of Man. He has become one of us, subject to the same needs and trouble—hungry, alone, tempted. And why? Because He loves us, and wants to rescue us from evil and bring us home to God. Because He loves the Father, who sent Him to save us by dying on a cross and rising from the dead, sharing that life with us.

WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, thank You for becoming like me. Help me to call on You when I’m in trouble and need You so much. Amen.

State of Being thankful

UNEXPECTED

The next day [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward Him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” … And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him. I myself did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:29, 32-34)

There’s something strange going on in John 1:25-37. It looks like Jesus is hanging around in the crowds where John is baptizing. He’s not making Himself known, He’s just there, standing or walking, several days in a row—and nobody seems to notice Him.

Except for John himself! John eagerly points Him out, more than once, and tells what he saw on the day of Jesus’ Baptism. As a result of his testimony, John loses two of his own disciples to Jesus. And John is glad.

Why? I think because John has fulfilled the mission God gave him. Now the work passes to Jesus, God’s own chosen sacrifice—the Lamb who will lay down His life to save God’s people. Jesus’ work will take Him into death itself, as He takes away all our sin and guilt through His death on the cross. And then He will rise from the dead, giving life to all of us who trust Him to save and forgive us. He will baptize us with God’s Spirit, and we will be children of God forever.

WE PRAY: Lord, help me to recognize You when I’m not expecting You! Amen.

State of Being thoughtful

IF YOU COULD SEE GOD

Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. … He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. … No one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, He has made Him known. (John 1:1, 4-5, 11-12, 14, 18)

There are some human wishes that almost everyone has. If only I could see God, and know what He is like. If only I could tell how He feels about me. If only I could know Him, really know Him, as I know my family, my friends …

The Bible tells us we can know God this way—because God has come to earth as a human being, our Savior Jesus. The story is in the four Gospels. And so now we can know the once-invisible God, just as we know other people—this God who loves us so much He laid down His life to rescue us. Since Jesus has risen from the dead and promises to share that life with everyone who trusts in Him, we have all eternity to know and love Him ever more deeply.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, teach me to see You in Scripture and in my own life—and especially how much You love me. Amen.

State of Being thoughtful

Preview of the Cross

Genesis 3:1, 4b-6, 8a, 14-15, 20-21 – Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’? … You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and … that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. … And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day … The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” … The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

This story is so embarrassing! God makes the first two human beings and puts them in a wonderful garden to live, and gives them only one command: “Don’t eat from the fruit of this one particular tree.” They can do anything else they want. They can eat any other fruit. They have God’s own company, and they have each other, and they have all the wonders of a world without evil. They even have the animals to enjoy!

And then the devil shows up and convinces them to break the only command God ever gave them. Why did they listen? The devil is a stranger, and he’s never done them any kindness at all. Why trust him instead of the God who has given them so many good things? At the very least, they could have waited a few hours and asked God about what the devil said!

It’s frustrating, and it’s heartbreaking, and I think it must have been that way for God, too, when He came looking for them—knowing full well that their hearts had already turned away from Him. Because God wasn’t going to give up on them, though they were already infected with evil. He still loved them. And He knew the price it would cost Him to bring the whole human race back to Him, healed of their evil. It would cost Him the cross. God Himself would become a human being, born to a woman, born to suffer and die and rise from the dead. Jesus did it because He loves us—so that He could bring us children of Adam and Eve home to Himself again, now as forgiven children of God.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, I’m sorry. Thank You for loving us so much, and bringing us home to You. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

State of Being thoughtful

Confident

Psalm 32:4-5 – For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Holy Scripture refers to King David as “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1b). Today we use his inspired songs and prayers in our worship and personal devotions. We remember him as an ancestor of Jesus. Even many unbelievers know about David. They may have heard about the shepherd boy who hurled a stone from his sling and killed the giant Goliath. Sadly enough, we also remember Israel’s king for his sins, especially his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Bathsheba’s husband Uriah.

Yet in his psalms, David—known for his sins as well as his songs—speaks often of his righteousness and integrity. In one psalm, David says, “So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight” (Psalm 18:24). In other psalms David wants to be judged according to his righteousness and the integrity within him. The psalmist speaks of his faithfulness. His psalms speak of the Lord’s righteousness and his own as well. We know the stories of David’s sins. Did he forget about those events in his own life? How can the psalmist speak with such confidence about his righteousness and integrity?

The psalmist is certain about his own righteousness because of his absolute confidence in the faithfulness of God. After he sinned, the psalmist felt the weight of God’s Law and said, “Day and night Your hand was heavy upon me.” Moved by the Holy Spirit, the psalmist continues, “I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity.” David knew what he had done. He repented of his sins and he did so with unwavering confidence in the steadfast love and forgiveness of God. The sweet singer and repentant sinner stood before God in righteousness and integrity because he knew that the Lord had forgiven him: “I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Those words shape our own confident prayers. Soon it will be Ash Wednesday. Throughout the season of Lent we will follow our Lord as He takes up His path to the cross. It is a season of repentance, and we will remember how our Lord Jesus, the Son of David, took the burden of our sins onto Himself on the cross. Jesus suffered and died so that our sins are forgiven. Set free from sin and guilt, we stand before God in righteousness and integrity. Like the sweet psalmist of Israel, we can be confident in the steadfast love and forgiveness of the Lord.

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, have mercy on me and forgive my sins for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

State of Being thoughtful

‘Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here

“Fulfiller of the past And hope of things to be, We hail Thy body glorified And our redemption see.

“‘Tis good, Lord, to be here! Yet we may not remain; But since Thou bidst us leave the mount, Come with us to the plain.”

Past, present, future—these divisions of time may bring both blessings and regrets. We rejoice in some past events, but wish we had done other things differently. Many people have great hopes for the future while others feel hopeless. We live in the present, with its daily blessings and challenges. Jesus Christ is Lord over the past, the present, and the future. Before His death and resurrection, Jesus told His disciples that He would suffer, die, and rise from the dead. Everything foretold about Him in the law of Moses and in the writings of the prophets had to be fulfilled. When He was transfigured in glory, the Lord Jesus discussed His coming death with Moses the lawgiver and Elijah the prophet. Everything foretold of Him would soon happen. As our hymn declares, Jesus is the “fulfiller of the past.”

Jesus is also the “hope of things to be.” In Jesus’ transfigured, glorified body, we have a glimpse of our future. Jesus, by His death and resurrection, defeated death. When our risen Savior returns on the Last Day, our bodies, buried in weakness and frailty, will be raised to eternal life and clothed in glory. As the apostle John writes, when Jesus appears in glory on that final day, “we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2b). Jesus is the fulfiller of the past and in His glorious transfiguration we see the hope of things to come.

As the disciples left the mountain top where Jesus was transfigured, they may not have fully understood the startling event they had just witnessed. Jesus told them not to reveal what they had seen on the mountain until He rose from the dead, but the disciples did not yet understand what rising from the dead meant. Before long they would face confusion and fear when Jesus was crucified, but the risen Lord came to them, bringing His peace. As we leave the joyful, mountaintop experience of worship, we go down to the plain, that is, to the ordinary work of our daily lives. Our risen Savior goes with us and leads us down the mountain just as He led His disciples that day. He is the fulfiller of the past, the hope of things to come, and our ever-present Lord. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), and He holds our past, present, and future in His hands.

WE PRAY: Lord, fulfiller of the past and hope of things to be, as I leave the mountain-top experience of worship, walk with me throughout the week. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “’Tis Good, Lord, to be Here,” which is number 414 in the Lutheran Service Book.

State of Being thoughtful

ODB: God’s Eternally Beloved

Feb 14, 2026/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

February 14, 2026

READ: Jeremiah 31:1-4, 7, 9

I have loved you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

One of the most dramatic and mysterious love letters of all time was penned by composer Ludwig van Beethoven and was only discovered after his death in 1827. The hastily handwritten letter is full of passionate lines like, “My eternally beloved . . . I can only live either wholly with you or not at all.” Tragically, it appears the letter was never sent, and his intended recipient remains unknown.

Beethoven’s letter is treasured by readers who can identify with his desperate yearning for love. We seek love and fulfillment in many people, things, and experiences that cannot fully satisfy. But far greater than a fleeting romance is the love of God for His covenant people, to whom He showed great love for the sake of all people. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God declared, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3). Because of His great love, God promised a future of rest and favor (v. 2) and the restoration of anything that was broken (v. 4). Despite their repeated rejection and rebellion, God vowed to bring them back to Himself (v. 9).

Many years later, that same everlasting love motivated Jesus to endure death for sinners, even before we ever returned His love (Romans 5:8). We don’t have to search for love or try to earn it. We’re already loved with an everlasting love!

— Karen Pimpo

In what ways do you look for love on earth? How has God demonstrated His eternal love to you?

Loving God, I’m so grateful for the way You pursue me with an everlasting love.

Source: Our Daily Bread

State of Being thoughtful

ODB: Be Careful!

Feb 13, 2026/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

February 13, 2026

READ: James 4:1-10

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

After years of struggle and crying out in prayer, Frank quit drinking. He attributes his continued sobriety to God’s work in his life. But he also made some important changes. He no longer kept alcohol in the house, watched for warning signs in his thinking and moods, and was wary of certain situations. He leaned on God and knew not to leave an opening for temptation or sin.

“Be alert and of sober mind,” the apostle Peter warned. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Peter knew we needed to be watchful because the devil’s attacks are often unexpected—when it seems like our life couldn’t be better, or we think we’d never be tempted in a certain area.

James too warned his readers to submit to God and “resist the devil.” When we do, our enemy “will flee” (James 4:7). The best way to resist him is to stay close to God through prayer and time in Scripture. When we do, God comes near to us (v. 8) through His Spirit (Romans 5:5). James also offered this encouragement: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).

We all face challenging moments in life when we’re tempted and struggle. We can rest knowing that God wants us to succeed and overcome. He is with us in our troubles.

— Alyson Kieda

When do you seem to be more susceptible to temptation? How has God helped you in those times?

Dear God, please help me draw near to You instead of pulling away. I need Your daily guidance to keep me on the right path.

Learn how the Spirit fights on your behalf.

Source: Our Daily Bread

State of Being thoughtful

Jesus Only

Matthew 17:1-9 – And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If You wish, I will make three tents here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

I love this story when, for the first time, the disciples get a good long look at Jesus in glory. What a shock it must have been for them! Here was their Friend and Teacher, who had been sleeping by the side of the road with them on so many trips. He cooked for them; He taught them while they were walking down the road; no doubt they heard Him snore when He was catching catnaps in the boat on the Sea of Galilee. But now they see Him in glory—and they’re spooked.

Peter is the first to get his words back. Of course he is! And he’s super impressed by their heavenly visitors, Moses and Elijah. Of course he wants to honor them! In fact, he wants to put all three of them on the same level, with a tent for each—Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. And that’s his big mistake—because when Jesus is there, nothing and nobody else matters. Even the voice from the cloud agrees, when God says, “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!”

And that’s the last straw for the disciples’ nerves. They hit the dust, face down, terrified—and it takes Jesus touching them before they can get over it. But Jesus does touch them—because He loves them, as He always has loved them. “Get up,” He says, “and don’t be afraid.” And when they do, they see Jesus only.

And that’s what we see, too—Jesus only. Who cares about the great men, the leaders, the teachers of this world? Give me Jesus. Give me the One who loves me so much He came down from heaven to be my Savior, to give His life for me. Give me the One who rose from the dead, and promises to raise me one day by that same power. Give me the One who cares when I’m afraid—and comes to help me, every time. Give me Jesus.

WE PRAY: Lord, You are the One I want. Let me never lose You. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

State of Being thoughtful

Fear of Failing God

“A person can request forgiveness only so many times,” contends our common sense. If the devil can convince us that God’s grace has limited funds, we’ll draw the logical conclusion. The account is empty. No access to God.

“Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” Jesus spoke these words to a paraplegic as recorded in Matthew 9:2. Jesus was thinking about our deepest problem—sin. He was considering our deepest fear—the fear of failing God. God keeps no list of our wrongs. His love casts out fear because he casts out sin. 1 John 3:20 says,“If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” (NKJV).

State of Being thankful

ODB: The Exchange

Feb 10, 2026/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

February 10, 2026

READ: Romans 6:4-12

Our old self was crucified with [Christ] so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:6

Elijah had accidentally ripped a ten-dollar bill while playing with his friends. But instead of admonishing him, his father offered to exchange the torn bill with a fresh one from his wallet.

“Why would you do that?” Elijah asked, confused. “For one, you’re my son,” his father explained. “It’s also a reminder of what Jesus did for us. Because Jesus came and gave His life in exchange for ours, we can now live new lives.”

Every human life is valuable to God because He created each of us. But our sinful nature—“the body ruled by sin” (Romans 6:6)—keeps us from living a life worthy of God’s holiness. So God, in His great love for us, willingly gave up His Son to pay the price of our sin. Our old self was put to death, and in exchange, He offers us a new one—“no longer . . . slaves to sin” (v. 6). When we accept God’s offer of new life, we can be assured that even though our old self was sinful and broken—“corrupted by its deceitful desires” (Ephesians 4:22), we are now being perfected “to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (v. 24).

Elijah’s father was willing to offer him something of his own because he loves him. But the even better offer is the one God extends to us: the redemption of our lives. When we accept His offer of new life, we aren’t the same as we were before.

— Jasmine Goh

What was your life like before you received Jesus as your redeemer? How would you describe it now?

Dear God, thank You for offering me new life, set free from sin, through faith in Christ.

Get to know the basics of the doctrine of salvation.

Source: Our Daily Bread

State of Being thoughtful

ODB: How the Proud Fall

Feb 9, 2026/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

February 9, 2026

READ: Proverbs 18:1-12

Before a downfall the heart is haughty. Proverbs 18:12

John Taylor was a British eye surgeon in the 1700s who, driven by arrogance, fabricated a prestigious reputation. He pursued celebrities and became the personal eye doctor for King George II. Taylor traveled the country performing medical shows that promised miracle cures, often escaping towns under the cover of night carrying bags overflowing with villagers’ cash. However, records suggest Taylor was a charlatan and likely blinded hundreds of patients. History remembers him not as a medical luminary but as the man who destroyed the eyesight of two of the century’s greatest composers: Bach and Händel.

Taylor craved reputation and acclaim, but his legacy declares his lies, and the embarrassment and hurt he caused. Proverbs explains how egotistical addictions lead to devastation. “Before a downfall,” we read, “the heart is haughty” (18:12). Taylor’s disgrace warns us of how arrogance can ruin our lives, but one’s foolishness often harms others too (vv. 6-7). The “downfall” is great indeed.

While a proud heart destroys us and others, a humble heart leads toward a life of meaning and joy. “Humility comes before honor,” the proverb says (v. 12). If we selfishly pursue only self-interests (v. 1), we’ll never find what we crave. If we yield our heart to God and serve others, however, we honor Him and reflect His goodness.

— Winn Collier

How have you seen pride lead to a downfall? How have you seen humility lead to honor?

Dear God, please give me a humble heart and help me reject a haughty, arrogant spirit.

Source: Our Daily Bread

State of Being thoughtful

ODB: When Love Shows Up

Feb 8, 2026/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

February 8, 2026

READ: Deuteronomy 15:7-11

Give generously to [the needy] . . . and do so without a grudging heart. Deuteronomy 15:10

“Why are you crying?” The question was asked by a volunteer for a Christian relief ministry helping those whose homes had been destroyed by Hurricane Helene. The woman (who had burst into tears in the previous moment) replied, “I’m not crying because I lost everything. I’m crying because love just showed up.”

God’s heart shows itself in His desire that we help those in need. When Moses gave the people of Israel God’s instructions before they entered the land He’d promised them, he told them, “Do not be hardhearted or tightfisted” toward the poor. “Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need” (Deuteronomy 15:7-8). Their hearts toward the poor were to reflect God’s own: “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart” (15:10).

Whether in disastrous situations or everyday life, when we give to those in need out of the blessings God has kindly given us, we make evident the love of His Son, who came “to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). In fact, God promises He “will bless” those who share His unselfishness with others (Deuteronomy 15:10), both in this life and the next (see Luke 14:14). We can’t see God yet, but others may catch a glimpse of Him when we emulate His compassion for them. May His love show up as kindness through us today.

— James Banks

How has God shown you kindness when you were in need? How might you show Jesus’ love to someone in need today?

Merciful, generous Father, please help me give to others with an open heart, so that they may see Your love in me.

Source: Our Daily Bread

State of Being thoughtful

Worship of a Risk Free Life

When fear shapes our lives, safety becomes our god. We worship the risk-free life. The fear-filled cannot love deeply because love is risky. They cannot give to the poor because benevolence has no guarantee of return. The fear-filled cannot dream wildly. What if their dreams fail?

No wonder Jesus wages such a war against fear. In Matthew 8:26 “Jesus got up and gave a command to the wind and the waves, and it became completely calm.” The sea became as still as a frozen lake, and the disciples were left wondering, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (vs. 27 NCV) What kind of man, indeed. Turning typhoon time into nap time, silencing waves with one word.

State of Being thoughtful

ODB: Small Beginnings

Feb 6, 2026/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

February 6, 2026

READ: Zechariah 4:1-10

Who dares despise the day of small things, since [God’s] eyes . . . will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel? Zechariah 4:10

In 1848, engineer Charles Ellet Jr. puzzled over how to begin the process of constructing the first bridge over the Niagara Falls gorge. How would they get a cable across the river? Prompted by a dream, Charles decided to host a kite-flying contest. American teenager Homan Walsh won five dollars when his kite landed on the American side of the river. Homan’s kite string was secured to a tree and used to pull a light cord back across the river, then progressively heavier cords until heavy wire cable was in place. This was the small beginning of the construction of the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge.

The bridge’s challenges and inauspicious beginnings mirror those faced by those working to rebuild God’s temple after returning from captivity in Babylon. An angel awakened the prophet Zechariah with a message that nothing would thwart God’s work—it would all be accomplished “by [his] Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6). Some of those who’d seen the temple in its previous glory were fearful that the rebuilt version would pale in comparison (Ezra 3:12). The angel encouraged Zechariah that they shouldn’t “despise the day of small things” because God would “rejoice” in seeing the work begun (Zechariah 4:10).

Even though the tasks God has appointed to us may seem insignificant, we can be encouraged knowing He uses small things—like kite strings—to accomplish His great works.

— Kirsten Holmberg

How does it encourage you to know that God’s works often start small? How might you trust His faithfulness?

Dear Father, thank You for being faithful to Your plans.

Source: Our Daily Bread

State of Being thoughtful

Light of the World

Matthew 5:14-16 – [Jesus said] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

There’s a reason I don’t have a fish sticker on my car. That’s because I think I’m a decent driver, yes—but I’m not so sure of my skill that I want to have the Name of Jesus associated with every last move I make when I’m on the freeway! I would rather have people yell at me than blame God for my screw-ups.

But it’s different when I’m in the city after hours, helping refugees fill out paperwork, or dealing with doctors and schools on their behalf. Then I want people to know who it is who’s spending the time and effort to make their lives easier—because it certainly isn’t me! Left to my own devices, I’d be home playing on my computer. But the Holy Spirit has called my family to care for the Vietnamese immigrants of our city, whether that’s through church work, social work, or paperwork. God does it because He loves those people; I do it because I love Him.

And when that kind of thing goes on long enough, there will be people who ask you in all seriousness: “Why are you doing this?” Our answer to the Vietnamese has always been: “Jesus sent us to you. Would you like to know more about Him?” It’s how the Vietnamese church here got born. If it’s a doctor or policeman asking us, our answer is the same: “We do this because Christ sent us to do it. Is there anything else we can do to help?” And some of them, too, may become interested in a God who actually cares about their lives and work, and come to faith.

You too are a child of God, with the Holy Spirit living in you. That light cannot be hidden. How will you answer those who ask you, “Why did you help me?”

WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, live in me and through me, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

State of Being thoughtful

ODB: Treasure Stored in Heaven

Feb 4, 2026/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

February 4, 2026

READ: 1 Timothy 6:6-12, 17-19

We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:7

It’s common for those who are traveling overseas for the first time to pack a lot of stuff. The fear is being so far from home and needing something. But a recent article speaks of the problems of overpacking. It advises leaving behind shampoo and hair dryers (which most hotels have) and not bringing extra shoes and books, which are bulky and heavy. The writer notes that when you wind up lugging heavy luggage over Europe’s cobblestone streets, you’ll wish you didn’t bring so much with you.

In a way, it’s an apt metaphor for the travel advice the apostle Paul provides: “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:7). He ties this to the problem of possessing too much: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation,” and he warns that extra baggage is “a trap” leading to “ruin and destruction” (v. 9). People of faith have a different travel destination where all that’s needed is provided by God—“everything for our enjoyment” (v. 17).

It might be good for us today to remember that what we accumulate in life is meaningless. We can’t take it with us. By being “generous and willing to share” (v. 18), Paul says we “lay up treasure . . . for the coming age.” This is the best travel tip of all, the secret to “life that is truly life” (v. 19).

— Kenneth Petersen

How might you “pack less” for eternity? What treasure might you store up for heaven?

Dear God, please help me to change anything unhealthy in my relationship with things and possessions. Help me to be generous with others.

Source: Our Daily Bread

State of Being thoughtful

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