Feb 18, 2026 – Compare
Power – Matthew 6:33 – “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” Joyce explains, “When you receive Jesus as your Savior, the first thing He wants to give you is righteousness…. God hates for His children to be tormented with ungodly feelings, questioning whether something is wrong with us because we don’t like what others like or because we can’t do what they do; He gave us His righteousness so we don’t have to believe those thoughts.”
JC – “I am with you. These four words are like a safety net, protecting you from falling into despair…. Instead of bemoaning your circumstances, you can look to me for help…. perspective…. reassurance…. glorious hope of heaven.”
Prevail #49 – Larson continues her study of Ruth and helps us to see the importance of looking past what we see and know to the possibilities of what God has for us. She points out that, “Ruth took initiative; God took it from there. Isn’t it amazing that when we take faith risks to follow God wholeheartedly, He leads us even when we’re unaware? He guards and He guides; He protects and provides.”
Streams – Mark 11:24 – “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Cowman shares Mrs. Rounds’ sweet story about her son waiting patiently for a promised gift from his grandmother even though his mother began to think the grandmother had forgotten. Time passed, and despite relenting to his mother’s promptings to write to his grandmother, the boy kept believing and his faith in her promise was proven correct when the grandmother assured him she hadn’t forgotten and that the delivery of the item had been delayed and then was the wrong item; so, she sent money for him to be able to buy what he wanted. “Bless are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). We see a comparison of the faiths of the mother and son in that the “gift,” in a different form, was received, but the mother’s doubt perhaps somewhat thwarted the joy of waiting patiently for and, finally receiving the actual promised gift. That can happen when we try to rush God into something ahead of when He wanted the blessing to be received.
