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Written by Richard Foster, a contemporary theologian and author.

Prayer invites us into compassion. Prayer gives us the power to sense people’s spirits. As we learn to walk with God and to live a life of perpetual communion, we come into a gentleness by which we love all people. We have an amazing discernment to see what is in people — not out of curiosity or because it will give us an edge over them, but so that we can enter into their fear, hate, and hurt, and thus call forth the peace and healing of Christ… Do not get me wrong. I’m not talking about some kind of sentimentalism or mushy peace that wants to avoid conflict at all costs. The peaceable gospel of Jesus Christ brings the sword of the Spirit that divides and judges. As we enter into the spirit in people, we are incensed at the poverty, injustice, and evil in human society. We seek to call people to relinquish vested interests, anger and hostility, prejudice and fear. We sense deeply the societally incarnated nature of evil and seek its defeat in the power of the Lamb.

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. [1 Peter 3:8]

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Written by Clarence Haynes, Jr., a contemporary speaker, writer, and teacher.

I am not sure how often we think about this, but the people you choose to follow point to your level of spiritual maturity. Who you choose to look up to as a role model or example to follow speaks volumes to how you are developing in your walk with Christ. Paul encouraged the Philippians to follow his example and the example of others that live like he does. This forces me to ask you the question, who are the people you are following? The measure of the role model is not what they say, but how they live. In short, their character matters. To take it a step further, a person’s title or position does not automatically deem them worthy of being an example or a role model. However, their character does. Be careful who you choose to follow and make sure you consider those who truly display godly character. If you are spiritually mature, you will stop making excuses for people’s lack of character and start holding them accountable for it. This is real evidence of spiritual maturity.

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. [Philippians 3:17]

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Written by Tim Gerber, a contemporary pastor.

As I look toward Valentine’s Day, and once again wanting to do something nice for the one I love, I reminisce back over the 35 years of gifts given (that I can remember). Yes, sir! I love my wife, and like most every other husband, try my best to find different ways to show her each February. Over the years, those “ways” have included chocolate, flowers, dinner, cooking a meal, a movie, jewelry, and yes, even helping with housework (do I have to turn in my “man card” now?). None of these outward signs of love are wrong or bad. In fact, there are lots of things one can choose to give. However, as I consider the “Be Mine” Valentine’s candy heart, I am reminded that the most important thing one can give is themselves, in time spent, sacrifices invested, and true devotion and faithfulness. Without that, gifts are simply things. On the other hand, with a committed relationship, gifts can be a genuine extension of true love. I believe God sees things the same way. Often, I am tempted to think that “Be Busy” is the same as “Be Mine.” It’s not. Love is not just the things we give, or even an emotion, but seen as a perpetual act of devotion. True devotion will always lead to loving actions. This Valentine’s Day, may God challenge us all to “be” who we ought to be for those we love (including Him), instead of being tempted to think that an outward action is enough.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.”  [1 John 3:18]

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Written by Ines Velasquez-McBryde, a contemporary chaplain, pastor, preacher, and speaker.

God our Father, help us to seek your face every day. Turn our hearts to you, Jesus, the perfect love of God reflected unto us in the face of Christ. Help us see you in the lovely breeze that brushes up against our face. Help us sense the warmth of your presence by a fire on a cold day. Help us remember the covering of your grace like a blanket on a rainy day. God, when our hearts become stagnant, may you re-ignite our love for you as we discover ways to re-encounter you, for you are all around us. We want to see your face. Amen.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. [2 Corinthians 4:6]

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Written by the Lead Like Jesus team, an organization founded by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges that promotes a transformational leadership model based on following Jesus

How many voices clamor for our attention? Voices that matter, voices that clutter our thoughts, voices that tempt and deceive, voices that bring truth and wisdom. How do we sort out the voices that matter from those that are superfluous? Jesus called people to hear, to listen, to respond to truth. Why? So that they, so that we, might find life, and in finding life, learn to live it. And in living life from God’s perspective, lead others to do the same. Jesus is still speaking. Do you hear Him?

Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear. [Mark 4:9]

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Written by David Bowden and Mart Green, contemporary authors and businessmen. Today’s devotion is an excerpt from their book “Learning to Be Loved.”

The most important thing you will ever do is learn to be loved by God. The Bible says, “God so loved the world,” and “God is love.”  We’ve heard these statements before. I know God loves me, at least in my head. The problem is that, most days, I struggle to believe it. Do you?… We know God is love. The problem is we don’t know how to receive that love. We have convictions, beliefs, worship songs, and doctrinal statements that all agree with the truth that God loves us deeply. But we don’t know how to be loved that deeply. We know God has said you are Mine. The problem is we don’t know how to be His. We have an intimacy problem with God. I don’t mean intimacy in a romantic or physical way. I mean that we have a problem of being known by God and knowing God. We cover up, hide, pretend, and fake it. We struggle to let God into the secret, broken, sensitive places in our lives. And we block ourselves off from the deep, unbelievable, and category-breaking ways God loves us. This is our intimacy problem. We need to develop intimacy with God. We need to learn to let ourselves be known by God and explore the God who wants to be known. This is a journey. There’s so much hurt to heal from. There are so many lies to stop believing. There’s so much truth that needs to seep into the hard parts of our hearts. There is so much of God’s love we need to discover. But all of us have the desperate need to learn to be loved by God.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. [Psalm 36:7]

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Written by Lysa TerKeurst and Joel Muddamalle, contemporary authors. This is an excerpt from their book “30 Days With Jesus”

Simply the presence of Jesus and the voice of Jesus in the midst of the storm establishes peace. Where Jesus is present, peace is possible. This doesn’t mean there won’t be storms, trials, tribulations, and hardships. Certainly the children of Israel and Moses experienced these. The disciples in the New Testament experienced these. And we will, too. But we are never left alone He is with us. With Jesus, even when our circumstances don’t feel peaceful, we can choose to do things His way and, in doing so, have peace that passes all understanding. And in the end, if we will just remember to reflect on the many ways we’ve seen God move in our past and the peace available to us in the present, we can know we are being protected.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.[Philippians 4:7]

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Written by Scott Compton, a contemporary worship director.

There is something within every person that longs for peace. Whether it be global, at work with your boss and co-workers, at home with your spouse and children, at school, with your neighbors or pretty much with all your human relationships. But in the deepest part of each one of us is a quest to be at peace with God. Our problem is that we try to devise our own way to draw up a peace treaty with God, when in fact, He’s already got one. He came up with His plan before the foundation of the world, because He created us and loved us so much. His peace treaty is a person, His Son, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace…It’s only when we are at peace with God (vertical relationship) that we can truly and fully experience peace in our human (horizontal) relationships…God loves us and wants us to be at peace with Him, and experience His peace each day.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [Romans 5:1]

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Written by Ben Stuart, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from his book “Single, Dating, Engaged, Married.”

When you have a source of life, you are a source of life. But where there is scarcity, desperation will set in. And desperation can easily become exploitation of others. If you are disconnected from a source of life, your “oxygen tank,” then you will attempt to suck life out of someone else. You will be tempted to use people to try to get your sense of self validated. You will, in a moment, become a sucker of life rather than a giver of life. And this is how toxic relationships are born. This is why so many go wrong. When we bring God-sized needs to human beings, they cannot possibly succeed. Nor can we offer them unconditional love on the days they are struggling, because they are our source! We must get a relationship with God right before we will ever get a relationship right,… because it’s in the stability of walking with Him that we have the resources to be a blessing to one another. We have to be connected to a source of life if we are going to be a source of life.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. [1 John 4:7]

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Written by Whitney Hopler, a contemporary writer and editor.

Every day God gives you is a precious gift – a new opportunity to experience God’s goodness, share God’s love, and walk in God’s purposes. It can be easy to take the ordinary moments of life for granted, but each sunrise is a reminder of God’s sustaining grace, and every breath you take is evidence of God’s mercy.  You can embrace each day fully, even in difficult circumstances. When life feels overwhelming, take a break to slow down and turn your attention to the simple yet significant gift of being alive. Ask God to show you the wonder of his work in your daily life, and intentionally look for it. A moment of peace, an act of kindness, or the ability to experience the beauty of nature can all remind you that every day is a gift from God to you. Even the most challenging days of your life are still valuable gifts that God has given you – and God is right there with you, ready to help you deal with your challenges. The more you reach out to God, the more you can notice God’s presence with you in every day and in every moment. 

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.[Psalm 23:6]

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