26 Feb 26 Devotional for Lent- Bread of Life

 Day 8 – Bread of Life

Scripture: John 6:35

Reflection:

Every day, our hearts search for something to fill us. We hunger for success, affirmation, comfort, distraction, or control. Yet no matter how much we consume—news, social media, entertainment, or achievement—we often feel empty again by the end of the day. Jesus speaks directly to this deep ache when He says, “I am the bread of life.” He is not offering temporary relief but lasting satisfaction.

Just as your body needs daily nourishment, your soul needs daily feeding. When Scripture becomes secondary to the noise around us, our spiritual strength weakens. Anxiety grows. Temptation feels stronger. Hope feels distant. But when we begin the day with Christ, everything else is placed in the right perspective. His truth grounds us. His presence steadies us. His promises remind us who we are and what truly matters.

Lent invites you to re-train your hunger. Instead of reaching first for your phone, your email, or the latest headlines, reach first for the living Word. Let your first intake be truth, not noise. Over time, you will notice your desires shifting. You will crave peace more than distraction, depth more than surface, and God’s voice more than the world’s.

Today, before any media, feed your soul. Even a few minutes in Scripture is a declaration: Christ is enough.

Challenge:

Set your Bible where you will see it first thing in the morning. Before checking your phone or turning on the news, read one passage slowly. Ask, “What does this show me about Jesus?” Carry that truth with you throughout the day.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life. I confess that I often try to fill my heart with things that cannot satisfy. Reorder my hunger. Teach me to seek You first. Feed my soul with Your Word, and help me find lasting joy and strength in You alone. Amen.

25 Feb 26 Devotional for Lent - Worship Alone

 Day 7 – Worship Alone

Scripture: Matthew 4:10

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.”

Reflection:

In the wilderness, Jesus was offered power without the cross—authority without surrender. The enemy promised influence, control, and glory in exchange for misplaced worship. Jesus refused. He knew that whatever we bow to, we become bound to.

Idols rarely look like statues. They look like approval, success, comfort, control, reputation, or even the
ministry itself. They promise security and strength—but they quietly enslave the heart. What we trust to give us identity will eventually demand our obedience.

Worship is not merely singing; it is allegiance. It is declaring with our lives, “You alone are worthy.” Jesus shows us that true freedom is found not in grasping power, but in surrendering fully to the Father. When God alone is enthroned in the heart, fear loosens its grip and comparison loses its voice.

Anything we must have to feel okay may be competing for worship. Lent—and every season of testing—reveals what sits on the throne of our hearts.

Challenge:

Take time in quiet prayer and ask:

• What do I fear losing the most?

• What do I think about when my mind wanders?

• What do I rely on for identity or security?

Confess any competing loyalties. Name them honestly before God. Then verbally declare: “Lord, You alone are worthy of my trust and worship.”

If helpful, write down one practical step of surrender—perhaps fasting from a distraction, loosening your grip on recognition, or releasing control of a situation you cannot manage.

Prayer:

Father, You alone are worthy of worship. Forgive me for the idols I have tolerated in my heart. Free me from false allegiances and divided loyalties. Teach me to serve You only. Strengthen my devotion and anchor my identity in You. Amen.

24 Feb 26 Devotional for Lent - the Wilderness

 Day 6 – The Wilderness

Scripture: Matthew 4:1

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”

Reflection:

The wilderness is not always a place we choose. It can be seasons of loneliness, uncertainty, transition, or spiritual dryness. Yet Scripture shows that even Jesus was led there by the Spirit. The wilderness is often where God strips away distractions, exposes our deeper needs, and teaches us to depend on His Word rather than our own strength. What feels empty can become holy ground, because God meets us there, strengthens us, and prepares us for what lies ahead.

Challenge:

Notice where you feel spiritually dry or weary right now. Instead of running from that place, bring it honestly before God and spend a few quiet minutes with Him today.

Prayer:

Lord, when I feel weak, empty, or tempted, remind me that You are near. Strengthen me in testing and teach me to trust Your Word. Amen.

23 Feb 26 Devotional for Lent - Dependence

 Day 5 – Dependence

Scripture: Psalm 25:5

Reflection:

Lent gently exposes the illusion that we are in control. We plan, prepare, and strive, yet so much of life remains beyond our power. Dependence on God is not weakness—it is wisdom. King David knew this well. Surrounded by enemies, burdened by his own failures, and uncertain of the future, he cried out for God to lead him. He understood that guidance is not simply about knowing what to do next; it is about trusting the One who knows the end from the beginning.

In a culture that prizes independence, the call of Christ is different. True strength is found in surrender. When we depend on God, we acknowledge that our perspective is limited and our hearts can be deceived. Yet God delights to guide those who seek Him. He does not shame our need—He meets it. Lent invites us to slow down, to pause before speaking, acting, or deciding, and to say, “Lord, lead me.”

Dependence grows through practice. It is formed in small, daily moments: asking before choosing, praying before responding, listening before moving forward. Over time, this posture shapes our hearts. We begin to trust God not only in crises but in ordinary decisions. We discover that He is faithful, steady, and present.

Today, let your need draw you closer to God rather than pushing you toward self-reliance. His truth is a safe path. His voice is trustworthy. And His leadership brings peace.

Challenge:

Before every significant decision today—big or small—pause for 30 seconds and ask God for wisdom. Notice how this changes your pace and perspective.

Prayer:

Father, I confess how quickly I lean on my own understanding. Teach me to depend on You. Slow my heart, quiet my fears, and guide my steps. Lead me in Your truth and help me to trust that Your ways are good. Amen.

22 Feb 26 Devotional for Lent - Treasure

 Day 4 – Treasure

’Scripture: Matthew 6:21 Reflection:

Jesus reminds us that our hearts follow what we value most. Treasure is not just money or possessions—it includes your time, attention, and affection. Whatever you consistently invest in will shape your thoughts, your habits, and ultimately your character. If your treasure is comfort, you will pursue ease. If your treasure is approval, you will chase people’s opinions. But when your treasure is Christ, your heart grows steady, hopeful, and anchored in eternity.

This is why spiritual disciplines matter. They are not about earning God’s love but about redirecting your loves. In a world filled with noise, distraction, and constant stimulation, your heart can slowly drift without you even realizing it. Fasting—whether from food, media, or another distraction—creates space to notice what has captured your attention and to return your focus to God.

Lent is an invitation to examine your heart. Ask yourself: What do I think about most? What do I run to when I’m stressed? What excites me more than time with God? These questions are not meant to bring guilt but clarity. God desires your heart because He knows only He can truly satisfy it. When your treasure is secure in Him, your identity and peace become secure as well.

Challenge:

Fast today from something that competes for your attention—social media, entertainment, unnecessary snacking, or even constant busyness. Use the time or energy you gain to pray, read Scripture, or sit quietly with God. Notice what this reveals about your heart.

Prayer:

Lord, You see what I treasure. Search my heart and show me where my loves have become disordered. Reorder my desires so that I want You more than anything else. Teach me to invest my life in what lasts forever. Amen.