February 22, 2026
When God Clears the Table
Written by: Jason B. Albright
“When you pray for peace, or ask God to help you let go of bad habits and worries, and He begins to remove the chaos from your life, don’t chase after it again. There’s a reason He’s removing it. Let go. Trust the process. Sometimes peace comes not from gaining something new, but from releasing what no longer serves you. Sometimes we need to let God handle the problems in our lives and trust Him to remove what’s not good for our soul. Maybe it’s friendships that aren’t growing. Maybe it’s the darkness that keeps pulling us away from Him. Whatever it is, don’t be like Lot’s wife, looking back at what you were meant to leave behind. Genesis 19:26 26 But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. When God calls you forward, walk in faith. Let go. Keep your eyes on Him. Make sure your table is filled with people who speak about God, our eternal souls, and how we can grow together. When you recognize that some chairs are empty for a reason, you’ll stop trying to refill them with what no longer serves your soul. Instead, invite those who strengthen you daily, who encourage you to be better, to shine brighter, and to help others along the way. Surround yourself with souls that lift, not drain. Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. As we begin to weed out and refill our chairs with faithful souls, we’ll start to see a shift in our character, the choices we make, and in the softness of our hearts. Gratitude will grow, and our perspective will change. We’ll begin to understand why living with Christ in our hearts isn’t just a better way, it’s the only way that truly brings peace, purpose, and love. Never be afraid to ask God for peace and to help weed out the bad seeds in your life. We all desire seeds that grow into spiritual strength. That growth begins with the company we keep and those who water our faith, encourage our walk, and help us grow stronger each day. Choose relationships that nurture your soul, not choke it.
February 15, 2026
Courage for Today: Sharing Jesus Without Fear
Written by: Jason B. Albright
“When you pray for peace, or ask God to help you let go of bad habits and worries, and He begins to remove the chaos from your life, don’t chase after it again. There’s a reason He’s removing it. Let go. Trust the process. Sometimes peace comes not from gaining something new, but from releasing what no longer serves you. Sometimes we need to let God handle the problems in our lives and trust Him to remove what’s not good for our soul. Maybe it’s friendships that aren’t growing. Maybe it’s the darkness that keeps pulling us away from Him. Whatever it is, don’t be like Lot’s wife, looking back at what you were meant to leave behind. Genesis 19:26 26 But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. When God calls you forward, walk in faith. Let go. Keep your eyes on Him. Make sure your table is filled with people who speak about God, our eternal souls, and how we can grow together. When you recognize that some chairs are empty for a reason, you’ll stop trying to refill them with what no longer serves your soul. Instead, invite those who strengthen you daily, who encourage you to be better, to shine brighter, and to help others along the way. Surround yourself with souls that lift, not drain. Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. As we begin to weed out and refill our chairs with faithful souls, we’ll start to see a shift in our character, the choices we make, and in the softness of our hearts. Gratitude will grow, and our perspective will change. We’ll begin to understand why living with Christ in our hearts isn’t just a better way, it’s the only way that truly brings peace, purpose, and love. Never be afraid to ask God for peace and to help weed out the bad seeds in your life. We all desire seeds that grow into spiritual strength. That growth begins with the company we keep and those who water our faith, encourage our walk, and help us grow stronger each day. Choose relationships that nurture your soul, not choke it.
February 8, 2026
Forgiving the Face in the Mirror
Written by: Jason B. Albright
We’ve always been taught from a young age to love others and to forgive them so that God will forgive us too. But sometimes, the hardest thing to do is look in the mirror and forgive the reflection staring back at you. Why is that? Why does it often feel easier to forgive others than to forgive ourselves? I’ve thought about these things for many years, partly because you hear them echoed by others, too. My best guess is that we struggle to forgive ourselves because we know our past in close detail. We tend to be harder on ourselves than we are on others. As Christians, we’re called to raise the bar for our own soul. Each day, we should be tightening the rope that holds us closer to the Lord. But let’s look at this a little deeper… We need to remember that when we go to God in prayer and truly ask for forgiviness, we will be forgiven. Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. When you’re praying, are you simply asking for forgiveness or do you truly feel it in your heart? Do you feel the weight of the sin you’ve committed, or the pain of the struggles deep within your soul If so, that’s a sign of genuine repentance. It means you’re not just speaking words but you’re earnestly seeking forgiveness and asking God to help you turn away from whatever you’re battling. That kind of prayer comes from a place of humility, honesty, and a desire for transformation. Never feel ashamed that you are going to God in prayer asking for help. 1 John 1:8-10 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. Every one of us has fallen short of God’s Word. The key is to get back up and continually strive to turn away from our mistakes. Will we fall for the devil’s schemes again down the road? Possibly. But if we do, may we pause and recognize that we’ve been down that road before. We’re learning from our mistakes, growing stronger each day with God by our side, guiding us and holding us steady. Pick up your Bible daily, that’s how we grow stronger. When God’s Word is written on our hearts, it becomes our foundation. With Christ, we will always stand firm.
February 1, 2026
The Thief at Your Door
Written by: Jason B. Albright
It’s around this time of year, in my opinion, when laziness can slip into our lives more easily than in other months. The weather is cold, and there isn’t much happening outside of work, so it’s natural to slow down a bit. But that’s not the kind of laziness I’m talking about today. I’m talking about the laziness that shows up when we refuse to do anything meaningful with our lives and when we refuse to work, whether it’s in school, outside the home, or in our careers. The Bible talks about laziness quite a bit and we need to be mindful of this and make sure we do not fall into this trap. Proverbs 6:10-1110 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. Is it okay after work to come home, relax, and enjoy an evening on the couch? Absolutely. However, this verse reminds us that if we fall into the habit of saying “I’ll do it later” or “it’s not urgent.” Our thinking can gradually change, leading us to become less motivated over time, until we may reach a point where we no longer feel driven to pursue anything meaningful in our lives. Poverty will come on you like a thief If we do not watch it and our habits will start to turn into a daily routine, and we will have zero motivation to do anything. It can come at us faster than we could ever imagine. It will also be scarcity like an armed man that is going to be threatening to our soul and can become unavoidable and impossible to ignore if we allow it into our lives. If we start to drift into laziness each day, the consequences will not be avoidable, and they will hit us like a brick of rocks. So what are we doing in our daily routine? Are we working each day to serve the Lord, or are we becoming more and more lazy, just going through the motions of life and sitting on the couch eating “potato chips?” Again, I’m not referring to simply resting, because rest is good. But if we are refusing to do anything in our daily lives, then we need to be looking in the mirror and examining ourselves. Proverbs 19:1515 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.
January 25, 2026
Don’t Let the World’s Hate Steal Your Heart
Written by: Jason B. Albright
10 × 1 = 10 10 × 2 = 20 10 × 3 = 30 10 × 4 = 40 10 × 5 = 50 10 × 6 = 60 10 × 7 = 70 10 × 8 = 80 10 × 9 = 90 10 × 10 = 110 It’s easy to laugh at or criticize someone for a single mistake, while overlooking all the things they did right beforehand. The truth is, we’re constantly under examination! Some people seem to be waiting for us to slip up just so they can call us out. There are many cruel individuals in the world who are always ready to pounce on you when we make a mistake. We shouldn’t waste energy worrying about people who treat us harshly. Instead, we should focus on setting an example of love. Rather than responding with anger, we should choose compassion, even when it’s difficult. I’m not perfect by any means, but I do try to learn from my mistakes. Unfortunately, the world is often quicker to criticize than to compliment. People tend to fixate on that one mistake and never hesitate to remind you of it. In my opinion, those who constantly stir the pot and point fingers are often unhappy with themselves. That unhappiness makes it easier for them to judge others and harbor anger in their hearts. The good news is, we don’t need to be friends with people who constantly criticize or stir negativity. While we’re called to show love to everyone, that doesn’t mean we have to associate closely with those who disrupt our peace. Surrounding ourselves with that kind of energy can stir up anger in our hearts, and that’s not in line with God’s word. Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. We should surround ourselves with wise people who share the same love for Christ that lives in our hearts. Friends who encourage and uplift us, also understand that we all stumble sometimes. The next time someone faults you for doing wrong, don’t let it bring you down or frustrate you. We all make mistakes in this life, but what truly matters is how we learn from them, make things right, and continue to show love to others, even in a world that can feel so full of hate.
January 18, 2026
Dressed for an X-Ray: Church isn’t a Costume – It’s a Mirror
Written by: Jason B. Albright
Trying to appear flawless in church is like dressing up for an X-ray, it doesn’t reveal what’s truly inside. Sometimes people come to church like onions, we all have layers, but many of us resist peeling back the outer part to reveal what truly needs to change in our lives. If we come to church always feeling comfortable, it might be a sign that we’ve grown too comfortable in our lives and that it’s time to examine, fix, and repair how we’re living. It’s often in those moments of discomfort that we know the message is reaching our hearts. That’s when the lessons Jeff is preaching begin to stir something deeper within us, prompting us to peel back the old layers and let go of what no longer aligns with God’s purpose for us and start fresh again. Ephesians 4:22-24 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Every week when we come to church, we should walk in with an open mind and a softened heart, ready to receive God’s word and willing to peel back the old layers of our lives. God desires transformation, and we shouldn’t be afraid of change. If we come in wearing a “bulletproof vest,” letting every word Jeff preaches bounce off our chest, what good are we doing for our soul? True growth begins when we listen with humility. And when we feel uncomfortable, that’s often a sign that something in our lives needs to shift. Discomfort can be the doorway to spiritual renewal. This is always a great opportunity to reflect on our soul and walk out of that building with a renewed mindset, one that’s ready and willing to change in order to please God. Have you been peeling off any layers lately while sitting in church? Or have you grown too comfortable, just going through the motions, attending service, and heading back home unchanged? Each week let’s stay focused on what truly matters: our relationship with God and our daily efforts to please Him. If you haven’t been living the way God desires, it’s time to peel back those layers and let go of the old ways. Let transformation begin.
January 11, 2026
Make Sure You Can Sleep Through the Storm
Written by: Jason B. Albright
There is a story about a farmer looking for a hired hand. One young man told the farmer, “I can sleep through the storm.” The farmer was puzzled by this response but decided to hire him anyway because he liked the boy. Several weeks later, a major storm swept through. As the farmer checked his property, he found the shutters fastened on the house, logs neatly stacked, tools stored safely, crops covered, and all the barns locked. At that moment, the farmer finally understood what the hired hand meant when he said he could sleep through any storm. The question that I have is, how do you sleep during the storms we face? With calmness like a new baby lamb or with uneasiness like a squirrel running in traffic? John 14:27 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. If we are living out God’s Word, then no matter what life throws at us, we can rest knowing that God is in control and we can sleep through the storm. We are fighting the good fight and striving to finish the race, and we must always remember that all is well with our soul when God dwells in our heart. We can all learn from the helping hand the farmer hired: be prepared not for if a storm will come, but for when it comes. If we are opening our Bibles daily, focusing on God’s Word, and soaking in the knowledge He has given us, then nothing is impossible through Christ. He will always set us up for success, whether in this life or in our eternal home one day. Begin your preparation for that eternal home today. Don’t wait until the storm reaches your front porch, because by then it may be too late. Start now, while the sun is shining and you have time to make the repairs. And once you’ve done so, you too will be able to sleep peacefully through the storm.
January 4, 2026
This is the Day: Moving Forward With Purpose
Written by: Jason B. Albright
“That’s the adventure of it, isn’t it? Not knowing what tomorrow brings… how exciting.” -Robin Williams I used this quote a few weeks ago, but I’ve realized it fits perfectly as we step into 2026. When we look into the rearview mirror of our vehicles, all we can see is our past, the road of 2025 and everything that came before it. But now, we shift into the present. 2026 is going to be the year. The year we refocus on what matters to God. The year we need to turn our attention toward each other’s souls, lifting one another up and helping each other grow. This is the moment to move forward with purpose, with faith, and with a commitment to becoming better together. We need to “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Isaiah 43:18-19. Whatever happened in the past is gone. We can’t wind the clock back or ask for a do-over. But how exciting it is that we have right now. Right now to do what is right. Right now to focus on the spiritual things, and not the earthly ones. Our goal for 2026 is to stop worrying about what’s in that rearview mirror and instead, put both hands on the steering wheel knowing that TODAY we move forward. Slow and steady, yes, but always with our eyes ahead, not turning back. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 However you choose to spend your time in 2026, make sure it is pleasing to the Lord. Let’s stay focused on the now and stop looking over our shoulder at 2025. We need to wake up each day grateful that we have today, a new opportunity to change our lives and to impact the lives of those around us. Let’s focus on all the wonderful things we can be doing this year, starting right now. And don’t forget to grab one of the cards in the back that Jeff always prints for us. Fill one out, keep it close, and use it as a reminder of how you can grow and improve throughout this year. 5 Things “IN CHRIST” that I have been getting better at 5 things “IN CHRIST” that I am doing but I want I do better in 2026 5 things ‘IN CHRIST” that I am not doing but I should be. We all have a choice to make right now. Do we focus on the present and what’s in front of us or do we keep looking in the rear view of our previous failures and not wanting to change. How exciting can we make today? It’s ours to decide right now.