When Love Looks Like Jesus
Posted on February 13, 2026 Leave a Comment
Valentine’s Day has a way of stirring up all kinds of emotions. For some, it’s a day of celebration and connection. For others, it’s a reminder of loss, loneliness, or unmet expectations. No matter where we are on the emotional spectrum, Valentine’s Day offers us a beautiful opportunity. It allows us to pause and remember what real love looks like.
Not the kind sold in greeting cards or measured by the size of a bouquet. Not the kind that depends on perfect circumstances or flawless people. Real love—the kind that changes us—looks like Jesus.
Jesus loved with intention. He noticed the forgotten, welcomed the broken, and touched the untouchable. He spoke truth with compassion and offered grace without hesitation. His love wasn’t sentimental; it was sacrificial. It wasn’t shallow; it was steadfast. It wasn’t based on what He could gain, but on what He came to give.
And here’s the remarkable part. Scripture tells us something profound in John 13:34:
“. . . as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (NKJV).
That’s not a suggestion. It’s a calling. It’s a daily invitation. We can let His love reshape the way we treat the people around us. This includes our families, coworkers, neighbors, and even the difficult ones we’d rather avoid.
This Valentine’s Day, instead of focusing on what we receive, what if we focused on what we reflect? What if our words carried more kindness, our patience stretched a little further, and our generosity flowed a little freer? What if someone experienced the love of Christ simply because they crossed our path?
Love isn’t just a feeling to celebrate once a year. It’s a lifestyle shaped by the One who loved us first, loved us fully, and loves us still.
May this Valentine’s Day draw us back to the heart of the One who defines love. May His love shine through us in ways that make a difference.
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Love That Reflects Christ
Posted on February 13, 2026 Leave a Comment
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
John 13:34 (NKJV)
On the eve of Valentine’s Day, Jesus’ command rings louder than ever: Love as I have loved you. Not as the world loves. Not as our emotions dictate. Not as convenience allows. But as Christ loves—sacrificially, faithfully, and unconditionally.
This love is countercultural. It’s not based on performance or perfection. It’s rooted in grace. It’s sustained by the Spirit. It’s expressed in everyday choices—choosing kindness over irritation, patience over frustration, generosity over self-protection.
When we love like Jesus, people notice. Not because we’re impressive, but because His love is unmistakable. It transforms relationships, workplaces, families, and communities. It turns ordinary moments into holy ones.
As Valentine’s Day arrives tomorrow, let your love point beyond yourself. Look to the One who loved you first. He loves you still and loves you best.
Application:
Ask God to help you love one person today in a way that clearly reflects Jesus.
Closing Prayer:
Jesus, teach me to love as You love. Fill me with Your Spirit so that my words, actions, and attitudes reflect Your heart. Let others see You through the way I love. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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Navigating Doubt: Is God Real?
Posted on February 12, 2026 Leave a Comment
Every generation wrestles with the same ancient question: Is God real? For some, the question rises from intellectual curiosity. For others, it comes from deep pain, disappointment, or a sense that God feels distant. Doubt isn’t new, and it certainly isn’t a sign of weak faith. In fact, Scripture shows us that doubt is often the doorway to deeper understanding.
One of the most honest moments in the Bible comes from a father desperate for his son’s healing. He cries out to Jesus, “. . . I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 – NKJV). That tension—belief and unbelief living side by side—captures the human experience. Many people today stand in that same space. They want to believe, but life has given them reasons to question.
Some doubt because they can’t see God. Yet Scripture reminds us that “The heavens declare the glory of God . . .” (Psalm 19:1 – NKJV). Creation itself whispers His fingerprints. The order of the universe, the complexity of life, the longing for meaning—these are not accidents. They are signposts pointing beyond themselves.
Others doubt because of suffering. They wonder how a good God allows pain, injustice, or loss. The Bible doesn’t shy away from this struggle. Even David cried out, “How long, O Lord? . . .” (Psalm 13:1). The presence of suffering doesn’t disprove God. Instead, it reveals our deep wish for a world made right. This is a wish God Himself promises to fulfill. Revelation 21:4 assures us that one day He will wipe every tear from our eyes.
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Still others doubt because they feel unworthy or unseen. Yet Scripture speaks directly to this fear: “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart . . .” (Psalm 34:18). God is not distant. He is not indifferent. He is near, even when we don’t feel Him.
What encourages me is that God never condemns honest seekers. Jesus welcomed questions. Thomas doubted the resurrection. He did not believe until he saw Jesus for himself. Instead of rebuking him, Jesus invited him closer (John 20:27). “Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Doubt, when brought to God, becomes a bridge—not a barrier.
So what do people’s doubts about God’s existence mean for us today? They remind us to listen with compassion, to speak with humility, and to point gently toward the hope we’ve found. Faith isn’t the absence of questions; it’s the courage to bring those questions to the One who can handle them.
In a world full of uncertainty, God continues to extend an invitation to every searching heart. “. . . you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13). And that promise is as true today as it has ever been.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for being patient with our questions and gentle with our doubts. When our hearts feel uncertain, draw us closer to You. Help us see Your presence in creation, Your goodness in Scripture, and Your love in the cross. Strengthen those who are searching. Comfort those who are hurting. Reveal Yourself to every heart that longs to know You. Lead us into deeper faith, deeper trust, and deeper confidence in who You are. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!
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Love That Forgives
Posted on February 12, 2026 Leave a Comment
“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
Colossians 3:13 (NKJV)
Forgiveness is one of the hardest expressions of love—and one of the most powerful. It’s easy to hold onto hurt, replay the offense, or justify our resentment. But unforgiveness is a prison that traps us more than the person who hurt us.
Paul reminds us that our forgiveness of others is rooted in God’s forgiveness of us. We forgive as the Lord forgave us—freely, fully, and undeservedly. That doesn’t mean the hurt wasn’t real. It means we refuse to let bitterness define us.
Forgiveness is not a feeling; it’s a decision. A choice to release the offense and entrust justice to God. A choice to let healing start. A choice to love in a way that mirrors the cross.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, consider this: sometimes the greatest gift you can give yourself—and others—is forgiveness.
Application:
Ask God to bring to mind someone you need to forgive. Take one step today toward releasing that burden.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for forgiving me completely. Give me the courage and grace to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Heal my heart and free me from bitterness. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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Love That Serves
Posted on February 11, 2026 Leave a Comment
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45 (NKJV)
Love is not proven by words alone. It is demonstrated through service. Jesus didn’t just talk about love—He embodied it. He washed feet. He fed the hungry. He touched the untouchable. He noticed the overlooked. He gave His life.
Serving doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s as simple as doing the small things with great love. It is a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or a quiet act of help no one else sees. These are the moments that reflect the heart of Christ most clearly.
When we serve others, we step into the rhythm of Jesus’ life. We shift from “What can I get?” to “What can I give?” And in that shift, something beautiful happens: our hearts become more like His.
As Valentine’s Day draws closer, remember that love is not measured by the size of the gift. It is measured by the posture of the heart.
Application:
Do one act of service today that benefits someone else but brings no attention to yourself.
Closing Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for serving me with humility and sacrifice. Shape my heart to serve others with the same love. Open my eyes to opportunities to bless someone today. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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Love That Listens
Posted on February 10, 2026 Leave a Comment
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
James 1:19 (NKJV)
One of the most overlooked expressions of love is listening. Not hearing—listening. Hearing is passive. Listening is intentional. It says, “You matter. Your words matter. Your heart matters.”
In a world full of noise, interruptions, and distractions, listening has become rare. But when we slow down and give someone our full attention, we reflect the heart of God. He is the God who hears. The God who bends down to listen. The God who invites us to pour out our hearts before Him.
Listening is love in action. It requires humility—choosing to understand before being understood. It requires patience—resisting the urge to jump in with solutions or opinions. And it requires compassion—recognizing that behind every word is a person made in the image of God.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, one of the greatest gifts you can give someone is your presence and your attention. Love listens.
Application:
Choose one person today to intentionally listen to without interrupting. Ask one thoughtful question and let them share freely.
Closing Prayer:
Father, teach me to love others by listening well. Slow my reactions, soften my heart, and help me reflect Your patience and compassion. Make me attentive to the needs and stories of those around me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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The Source of All Love
Posted on February 9, 2026 Leave a Comment
“We love Him because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:19 (NKJV)
The week leading up to Valentine’s Day has begun. It’s easy to think of love as something we generate on our own. We might believe it is something we muster up, improve, or perfect. But Scripture reminds us that love doesn’t start with us at all. It begins with God. Before you ever loved Him, before you ever loved another person, God loved you. He loved you fully, faithfully, and without hesitation. Before you ever took your first breath, He loved you this way.
His love is not reactive. It’s initiating. He loved you first — not because you earned it, but because it is His nature to love. That truth frees us from striving. We don’t have to manufacture love; we simply receive it and let it overflow.
When we forget that God is the source, we start trying to love others out of our own limited capacity. That’s when we get tired, frustrated, or disappointed. But when we draw from His endless well, we find strength to love even when it’s hard. We discover patience when we’re stretched thin. We receive grace when we’re tempted to give up.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, let this be your starting point: you are loved first, loved fully, and loved forever. Everything else flows from that.
Application:
Take five minutes today to sit quietly and simply thank God for loving you first. No requests. No agenda. Just gratitude.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for loving me before I ever knew You. Help me rest in Your love and let it shape the way I love others this week. Fill my heart with Your compassion, patience, and grace. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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Hope for the Journey Ahead
Posted on February 6, 2026 Leave a Comment
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 (NKJV)
After a week of learning to trust, surrender, and obey, we arrive at a beautiful promise: hope. Not wishful thinking, not vague optimism—biblical hope. Hope rooted in the character of God. Hope that grows as we trust Him, surrender to Him, and walk in obedience with Him.
Hope is the quiet confidence that God is working even when we cannot see it. It’s the assurance that His plans are good, His timing is perfect, and His presence is constant. Hope doesn’t remove challenges, but it reframes them. It reminds us that God is writing a story bigger than our current chapter.
As you close this week, let hope rise in you. Let it steady your heart, lift your perspective, and renew your strength. The God who walked with you this week will walk with you into every tomorrow.
PRAYER:
Gracious God of hope, fill my heart with Your joy and peace. Strengthen my trust and renew my confidence in Your promises. Help me walk into the days ahead with hope that is anchored in You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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Walking in Obedience
Posted on February 5, 2026 Leave a Comment
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)
Trust leads to surrender, and surrender leads to obedience. Once we place our lives in God’s hands, we begin to walk in the direction He illuminates. God rarely shows us the entire path; instead, He gives us just enough light for the next step. Obedience is choosing to take that step even when the destination isn’t fully clear.
Obedience is not about perfection—it’s about alignment. It’s aligning our choices, attitudes, and actions with God’s Word. When we obey, we position ourselves to experience God’s guidance, protection, and blessing. Even small acts of obedience—speaking kindness, choosing integrity, offering forgiveness—shape our spiritual journey.
Today, ask God to show you one step of obedience. It might be a conversation you need to have. Perhaps it’s a habit you need to release. It could also be a prompting you need to follow. When you walk in obedience, you walk in the light God provides.
PRAYER:
Father, guide my steps today. Give me clarity, courage, and a willing heart to obey Your Word. Help me walk in the light You provide and trust You with what I cannot yet see. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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The Freedom of Surrender
Posted on February 4, 2026 Leave a Comment
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)
If trust is the foundation, surrender is the doorway. Many of us trust God in theory but struggle to surrender in practice. We carry burdens we were never meant to hold—worry, pressure, expectations, and the quiet fear that everything depends on us. But Scripture offers a different way: cast your anxiety on Him. Not some of it. Not the manageable parts. All of it.
Surrender isn’t giving up; it’s giving over. It’s making a choice to put what overwhelms you into the hands of the One. This One cares for you more deeply than you realize. When we surrender, we aren’t losing control—we’re returning control to the One who never loses it.
Today, identify one burden you’ve been carrying alone. Name it. Release it. Hand it to God in prayer. Surrender is not a one-time act but a daily rhythm. Each time you practice it, your soul becomes lighter. Your heart becomes freer.
PRAYER:
Lord, I surrender my worries, fears, and pressures to You. Thank You for caring for me so personally. Teach me to release what I cannot carry and trust You with every burden. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Bob Lankford 