FEBRUARY 7, 2026

  “Believe in Your Heart

Believe in your heart that you're meant to live a life full of passion, purpose, magic and miracles.” 

― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

LEVITICUS 1-3

1The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. He said, 2“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When anyone among you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.(1:1-2)

MATTHEW 24:23-51

45“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

JOURNAL 

Over the past year, the tension between life’s brevity and the call to live fully has increasingly shaped my thinking. As I have spent more time immersed in Scripture, one truth has become clear. Today is not a placeholder for something better later, but a gift meant to be lived with intention and gratitude. This requires a fundamental shift in mindset and asks whether I truly trust God. Do I believe He sets before me a life marked by purpose, passion, wonder, and meaning, or do I assume the future is governed by loss and disappointment? The reality is that both joy and suffering are woven into life, but with God, even pain is not wasted. In His hands, every moment, especially today, becomes a step toward redemption and, ultimately, paradise.

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)

Part of this awareness has come from reading a biography of Theodore Roosevelt. His life exposes how often I drift into comfort and assumption rather than urgency and gratitude. He seemed to live as though every day mattered, perhaps because illness constantly reminded him that strength was never guaranteed.

That idea aligns with Scripture’s insistence that each day is a gift, not a promise:

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

One of Roosevelt’s greatest struggles was severe asthma, a condition that could render him helpless without warning. I wonder if that ever-present weakness pushed him to live decisively when he could. Scripture often shows God using limitation to awaken purpose:

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

The truth is undeniable: tomorrow is unknown. No one can truly predict the future. Yet my daily habits often suggest that I believe I can. Scripture confronts this quiet arrogance directly:

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” (Proverbs 27:1)

More often than not, I live as though tomorrow is guaranteed and controllable. When life refuses to follow my expectations, frustration and fear surface. James names this tendency plainly:

“You say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city…’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.” (James 4:13–14)

What Scripture calls for instead is humility, trust, and daily faithfulness. Jesus Himself makes this unmistakably clear:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

We are not commanded to ignore the future, but to release it. Our responsibility is obedience today; God’s responsibility is provision tomorrow:

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Living this way creates urgency without panic and gratitude without complacency. It aligns perfectly with Jesus’ teaching on daily dependence:

“Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

When I focus fully on today with gratitude, my dependence on God becomes clear and honest. Fear loosens its grip because I am no longer trying to carry a future I was never meant to hold:

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.” (Psalm 37:5)

And if tomorrow comes, it arrives not as a threat, but as a new gift...received the same way as today...by trust.

4Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.^a 5Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

DEUTERONOMY 6:4-7

FEBRUARY 6, 2026

“Remember this your lifetime through:

Tomorrow there will be more to do.

And failure waits for all who stay

With some success made yesterday.

Tomorrow you must try once more,

So when the moment of truth is here,

You will not have the time to fear.”

-John Wooden

EXODUS 39-40

42The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 43Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.(39:42-43)

MATTHEW 24:1-22

9“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

JOURNAL 

In Exodus 39 and 40, the Israelites completed the work exactly as the Lord commanded. Moses inspected it, saw that it was done faithfully, and blessed them (Exodus 39:42–43). They were not asked to finish everything, only what was placed before them. Obedience in that moment was sufficient.

Jesus speaks just as plainly to His disciples in Matthew 24. He does not promise ease. He prepares them for hardship and calls them to stand firm (Matthew 24:9–13). Faithfulness, not comfort, is the measure. 

For all my life I have seen my past in terms of regret or nostalgia. I wish I could rewire my brain, but I am learning that yesterday does not need fixing. Yesterday and the past is no longer my life. Today, there is life to live, love to give, work to do, and a God who fills me with His Spirit. That is more than enough. How could I ask for more?? Yet there are days and moments when that is exactly my thought and wish...more, different. Why???

I think it's because there is more waiting and promised. But I don't get to know exactly what that is so I doubt. But the goodness of tomorrow is not mine to live yet...the only life I can live is today and today is truly amazing in all it's goodness. 

12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

JOHN 8:12

FEBRUARY 5, 2026

  “One thing you can't hide - is when you're crippled inside.” 

― John Lennon

EXODUS 37-38

 22Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything the Lord commanded Moses; 23with him was Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan—an engraver and designer, and an embroiderer in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen.(37:22-23)

MATTHEW 23:23-39

23“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

25“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

JOURNAL 

Oh how often I am guilty of this...making sure the outside looks good before worrying over the inside. I think it is common for us all because we get something out of the outside being "clean" yet most often the internal is between us and God. Yet if there is one place to start it is in "justice, mercy and faithfulness". To seek perfection in these 3 will take care of the part that the world sees. 

I can't help but wonder the blessings and the change that would happen if we truly aspired to loving others and valuing compassion, grace and love as much as we do winning, championships and fame. 

To see hard work, dedication and excellence play out in way that is rewarded is great. But how much greater to honor and seek the fruits of the spirit and to truly walk in the heart and soul of the spirit of God...It all though goes back to living life from the perspective of today, and truly believing that tomorrow will be a blessing. Truly believing that God will see through all that he puts on my heart. Trusting that any problems, frustrations or setbacks will serve the purpose of his kingdom coming to earth. 

27“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

MATTHEW 23:27-28

FEBRUARY 4, 2026

 

“Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence.”

― Vince Lombardi Jr.

EXODUS 34-36

5Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. 6And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”.(34:5-7)

MATTHEW 23:1-22

8“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

JOURNAL 

The description of God in Scripture is a description of true perfection. To understand this rightly is to see that obedience to God reshapes the ambition of the heart. For much of my life, I misunderstood perfection as flawlessness. I believed it meant living without mistakes, weakness, or failure. That definition quietly produced fear and pressure, because it was never aligned with who God truly is.

Godly perfection is something altogether different. It is not the absence of error, but  the pursuit of Godly truth, Godly love, and Godly discipline. It is compassion that moves toward others, faithfulness that endures, forgiveness that costs something, and humility that serves rather than elevates itself. This is perfection as God defines it.

This pursuit can only exist within the scope of today. I am not accountable for tomorrow, nor am I meant to carry yesterday. Today is the only place where obedience can live.God does not ask me to perfect my future. He invites me to trust Him with it, while faithfully pursuing goodness in the present moment.

This is perfection as Scripture reveals it. Not flawless living, but faithful pursuit. Not fear-driven striving, but surrendered trust. Not mastery of life, but dependence on a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.

This is the perfection worth chasing today.

43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighborⁱ and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

MATTHEW 5:43-48

FEBRUARY 3, 2026

 

“Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.”

― Winston S. Churchill

EXODUS 31-33

7Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. 11The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.(33:7-11)

MATTHEW 22:23-46

34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^c 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^d 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

JOURNAL 

Yesterday was a tough word, and as tough as God can be, Scripture is just as full of His compassion, gentleness, and understanding. Even though God is furious with the Israelites for making the golden calf, He continues to engage Moses in relationship and conversation. He allows Moses to voice his fears and struggles, and God actually relents and changes the course of His initial punishment.

That is the relational heart of God, and it is exactly what Jesus affirms when He answers the Pharisees. God wants our heart, fully and honestly, and He wants us to love others with that same love. God holds a standard of perfection while possessing a heart of deep love. Often those two seem impossible to reconcile within the same being, yet that is the miracle and grace of God. That grace shows up not only in the grand moments of redemption, but in the smallest, quietest moments of everyday life.

I have often wondered what great cause I am fighting for in my life. There are times when I wish I lived inside an epic moment of history, because the day-to-day can feel ordinary or even trivial. I think that is why I love war movies. In them, every choice matters, every word carries weight, and every moment feels meaningful, especially when life or death is at stake.

One of the most poignant moments in Darkest Hour is when Churchill rides the train and speaks with ordinary people while standing on the brink of a decision that could change the course of history. What he discovers is that the heart of the fight exists everywhere, even in the words and courage of a young girl. Inspiration often comes from the most unexpected places. That scene always reminds me of Longfellow’s A Psalm of Life, of leaving “footprints on the sands of time,” so that another, seeing them, might take heart again.

That is why every day, every moment matters. I am writing history every single day. How I respond, how I fight, how I trust, how I persist will become an example to someone, whether that is me, a friend, a spouse, a child, a student, or even a stranger. The way I handle small moments of adversity sets the standard for how I will face larger ones.

Daily victories are not small at all. Doing something hard when it would be easier to avoid it. Learning something new instead of staying comfortable. Choosing to forgive, or having the humility to ask for forgiveness. Pursuing honesty and truth even when it costs something. These are monumental wins. They shape the soul, strengthen the heart, and prepare us for battles we cannot yet see.

I know the big, epic moments will come. But the small victories of today may very well be the inspiration that fuels tomorrow’s defining battles, whether that is for a job, a marriage, a child, a calling, a country, or even life itself. No moment is trivial. No effort is wasted. Every contest, every frustration, every faithful step forward matters. 

10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 PETER 5:10-11