Week of February 16th, 2026
5-Day Devotional From Matt Lamm's Message: Living in God's Love
Day 1: The Source of True Love
Reading: 1 John 4:7-10
Devotional: Love doesn't originate with us—it flows from God's very nature. Before you ever thought of Him, He was already reaching toward you. Today's reading reminds us that "God is love," not merely that He loves. This distinction matters profoundly. His love isn't conditional or fluctuating; it's His essence. The ultimate proof? He sent Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. We didn't earn this love through good behavior or spiritual achievement. God loved us first, while we were still far from Him. This week, reflect on this truth: you are loved not because you're wonderful, but because He is love itself. Let this reality sink deep into your heart and transform how you see yourself and others.
Reading: 1 John 4:7-10
Devotional: Love doesn't originate with us—it flows from God's very nature. Before you ever thought of Him, He was already reaching toward you. Today's reading reminds us that "God is love," not merely that He loves. This distinction matters profoundly. His love isn't conditional or fluctuating; it's His essence. The ultimate proof? He sent Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. We didn't earn this love through good behavior or spiritual achievement. God loved us first, while we were still far from Him. This week, reflect on this truth: you are loved not because you're wonderful, but because He is love itself. Let this reality sink deep into your heart and transform how you see yourself and others.
Day 2: Family Resemblance
Reading: 1 John 4:11-12, 19-21
Devotional: Children naturally resemble their parents. As God's children, born again through faith in Christ, we should bear a family resemblance to our Heavenly Father. Since God is love, His children must demonstrate love. John makes this uncomfortably clear: claiming to love the invisible God while hating visible people is pure hypocrisy. It's like praising music while despising the instrument that produces it. The two greatest commandments—loving God and loving others—cannot be separated. Today, examine your relationships honestly. Are there people you've written off or harbor resentment toward? God's love dwelling in you should overflow toward others, especially fellow believers. Ask yourself: would others recognize you as God's child by how you love?
Reading: 1 John 4:11-12, 19-21
Devotional: Children naturally resemble their parents. As God's children, born again through faith in Christ, we should bear a family resemblance to our Heavenly Father. Since God is love, His children must demonstrate love. John makes this uncomfortably clear: claiming to love the invisible God while hating visible people is pure hypocrisy. It's like praising music while despising the instrument that produces it. The two greatest commandments—loving God and loving others—cannot be separated. Today, examine your relationships honestly. Are there people you've written off or harbor resentment toward? God's love dwelling in you should overflow toward others, especially fellow believers. Ask yourself: would others recognize you as God's child by how you love?
Day 3: Saints in the Making
Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10
Devotional: You are a saint. Not because you've achieved moral perfection, but because Christ has declared you holy through His sacrifice. Many believers struggle to claim this identity, feeling unworthy of such a title. That hesitation may actually be healthy—it acknowledges that sainthood is God's gift, not our achievement. We are saints not by earning it but by receiving it. You didn't work your way into God's family; you were adopted by grace through faith. This identity should inspire both humility and confidence. Humility because we contributed nothing to our salvation. Confidence because our position is secure in Christ. Today, practice saying, "I am a saint," not from pride but from grateful acknowledgment of what Jesus accomplished for you.
Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10
Devotional: You are a saint. Not because you've achieved moral perfection, but because Christ has declared you holy through His sacrifice. Many believers struggle to claim this identity, feeling unworthy of such a title. That hesitation may actually be healthy—it acknowledges that sainthood is God's gift, not our achievement. We are saints not by earning it but by receiving it. You didn't work your way into God's family; you were adopted by grace through faith. This identity should inspire both humility and confidence. Humility because we contributed nothing to our salvation. Confidence because our position is secure in Christ. Today, practice saying, "I am a saint," not from pride but from grateful acknowledgment of what Jesus accomplished for you.
Day 4: Perfect Love Casts Out Fear
Reading: 1 John 4:17-18; Romans 8:1, 31-39
Devotional: Judgment Day holds no terror for believers. This isn't arrogance—it's confidence in Christ's finished work. Your eternal destination was settled the moment you trusted Jesus as Savior. While your works will be evaluated for rewards, your salvation is secure, covered by Christ's blood. Fear indicates incomplete understanding of God's love. When you truly grasp that nothing can separate you from His love—not death, life, angels, demons, present, or future—anxiety about judgment dissolves. You're already in eternal life; it began when you believed. This earthly existence is temporary, but your life in Christ is forever. Today, identify specific fears you carry. Bring them before God, asking Him to replace fear with the confidence that comes from perfect love.
Reading: 1 John 4:17-18; Romans 8:1, 31-39
Devotional: Judgment Day holds no terror for believers. This isn't arrogance—it's confidence in Christ's finished work. Your eternal destination was settled the moment you trusted Jesus as Savior. While your works will be evaluated for rewards, your salvation is secure, covered by Christ's blood. Fear indicates incomplete understanding of God's love. When you truly grasp that nothing can separate you from His love—not death, life, angels, demons, present, or future—anxiety about judgment dissolves. You're already in eternal life; it began when you believed. This earthly existence is temporary, but your life in Christ is forever. Today, identify specific fears you carry. Bring them before God, asking Him to replace fear with the confidence that comes from perfect love.
Day 5: Love Made Visible
Reading: 1 John 3:16-18; James 2:14-17
Devotional: Love isn't merely a feeling—it's action. God demonstrated His love through the tangible sacrifice of Jesus. Now He calls us to make love visible through our lives. It's easy to claim love for humanity in the abstract while ignoring the struggling person right in front of us. True Christian love moves beyond words to deeds. This week, look for practical ways to demonstrate God's love: encourage someone discouraged, help someone in need, reconcile with someone you've wronged, or simply spend time with someone lonely. Don't let theological knowledge remain theoretical. The world desperately needs to see God's love embodied in His people. As you've been loved sacrificially, love others practically. Let your life be evidence that God dwells within you.
Reading: 1 John 3:16-18; James 2:14-17
Devotional: Love isn't merely a feeling—it's action. God demonstrated His love through the tangible sacrifice of Jesus. Now He calls us to make love visible through our lives. It's easy to claim love for humanity in the abstract while ignoring the struggling person right in front of us. True Christian love moves beyond words to deeds. This week, look for practical ways to demonstrate God's love: encourage someone discouraged, help someone in need, reconcile with someone you've wronged, or simply spend time with someone lonely. Don't let theological knowledge remain theoretical. The world desperately needs to see God's love embodied in His people. As you've been loved sacrificially, love others practically. Let your life be evidence that God dwells within you.
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