Berea Update for February 13, 2026
This week, with Valentine's Day being tomorrow, much of the world is talking about love—what it is, how to express it, and how to measure it. Scripture speaks about love too, but often in a very different way. Before love is felt, it is declared. Before it is proven, it is spoken. As we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark, we’re reminded that God does not wait to love His Son until He has accomplished something impressive. He speaks His pleasure first. That order matters—not just for understanding Jesus, but for understanding what it means to follow Him.
This week’s devotional, below, is designed to help us linger there. Rather than repeating what will be preached on Sunday, these readings pull us into other passages of Scripture that explore the same truths from different angles—identity before performance, love before obedience, dependence before action. Think of this as letting God’s Word widen the lens, helping us see how the themes of Mark 1 echo throughout the rest of the Bible and into our own lives. As a church family, we’re not just learning facts about Jesus—we’re learning what it means to live as people shaped by the love of God, even in seasons of testing. As you move through the devotions this week, may they remind you that the most defining love in your life is not something you earn, but something God has already declared in Christ.
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday is week two in our new sermon series in the book of Mark called "Who Do You Say That I Am?" I'll be in Mark 1:9-15, and the sermon title will be "The King Revealed and Tested." I pray that you are able to join us this Sunday as we worship the Lord together!
2. Last Sunday, we handed out Ministry Service Guides and sign up sheets for everyone to take home and prayerfully consider how they might serve here at Berea. This is something that everyone in our church family needs to do, regardless of whether they are young or old, member or attendee. Even if you've done this in the past, you still need to do it this year, as we reset ministry teams each year to include new faces, and remove those who would like to move into a different area of ministry within our church. Please bring back your orange half sheets this week, and if you weren't here, or didn't pick one up, please do that this week! We really want to have all forms turned back into the office by the end of this month. Please know that we'd much rather have individual conversations with each of you about how you can serve, however, for efficiency, we've chosen to do it this way! Our hope is that it doesn't offend, but rather, allows you to indicate your interest in serving in a variety of capacities. It's also important to note that just because you sign up for something, doesn't mean you'll be automatically added to that ministry. That ministry's leader will contact you to inform you that you've been added to that group. We want to make sure all individuals have an opportunity to serve, so we prefer to divide up roles to allow the most number of people to be connected with the things going on at the church!
3. Attention College and Young Adults! You are invited to join us on February 20 at 6:00 PM at Locust Hills Golf Club (5575 N. River Rd. Springfield) for an evening of golf, games, and great food! We hope you choose to join us for this fun evening of fellowship together. Make sure you invite a friend!
4. We utilize ROCK to send out important updates about service changes, upcoming events, and even notification about this blog. Please make sure you either have a ROCK profile, or you have up to date contact information in ROCK. To make sure everything is up to date, you can log into your account, or you can call the office, and we can confirm your information. If you'd like to be added to the ROCK database, please contact the office, and we'll make sure you're added!
5. Looking for a fun way to stay active and connect with others? Pickleball will continue on Thursdays from 7:00–8:00 PM in the Family Life Center. All skill levels are welcome! We've had good turn outs, but would love to have you join in the fun! If you have any questions, please contact Mike Greenwood.
6. Speaking of getting a workout, Rev&Flow happens each Tuesday and Friday morning in the Family Life Center at 9:00 AM. This hour long workout is a great way to get your day started! We'd encourage you to come enjoy this time of fellowship and movement together! Contact Cierra Phillips if you have any questions.
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Pray for continued wisdom for our leadership as we continue to work through details surrounding the building project and staffing needs.
2. Pray for our community, and the various needs in Springfield and Clark County. Pray for our leaders and public service employees!
***Please know that there are many individuals who need prayer this week due to health concerns and other events going on in their lives. Out of sensitivity to each individual's situation, these requests may not appear in this weekly blog. We have a "Prayer Team" at the church who receives more detailed information, and commits to praying for individuals in our church family.
This Week's Devotions
Day 1 — God’s Pleasure Comes Before Our Performance
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Before Jesus ever faced the wilderness, the Father publicly declared His pleasure. That pattern reflects something true about God’s heart toward His people. God’s love does not rise and fall with our obedience; it precedes it. Many believers quietly believe that God tolerates them but does not delight in them. Scripture tells a different story. God rejoices over His redeemed people—not because they are flawless, but because they belong to Him. When we serve God for approval, obedience becomes anxious. When we serve God from approval, obedience becomes joyful.
Reflection Question: Where have you been treating God’s pleasure as something to earn rather than something already given?
Day 2 — God Often Works Through What the World Overlooks
1 Corinthians 1:26–29 (ESV): "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Jesus did not begin His ministry from a position of cultural strength or religious prestige. That choice reveals something consistent about how God works. He delights in overturning human expectations. God regularly chooses what appears unimpressive so that faith rests on Him rather than human ability. This guards us from confusing God’s power with worldly success. The kingdom of God advances quietly, steadily, often unnoticed at first.
Reflection Question: What area of your life feels insignificant—but may actually be the place God is most at work?
Day 3 — Seasons of Testing Are Not Signs of Abandonment
Deuteronomy 8:2 (ESV): "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."
Scripture never portrays testing as accidental. God uses seasons of difficulty to expose what lies beneath the surface—not to harm His people, but to mature them. The wilderness clarifies trust. When distractions are removed, we learn whether our confidence rests in God or in comforts He provides. Testing does not mean God has withdrawn His care; it often means He is shaping deeper dependence. Growth frequently feels uncomfortable while it is happening.
Reflection Question: What has your current season revealed about what you rely on most?
Day 4 — Temptation Exploits Forgetfulness
Psalm 103:2 (ESV): “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
Temptation thrives where memory fades. When we forget God’s faithfulness, sin becomes more persuasive. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to remember—not because God forgets, but because we do. Remembering God’s goodness strengthens resistance to temptation. Forgetting it weakens resolve. Worship and gratitude are not sentimental practices; they are spiritual defenses.
Reflection Question: What truth about God do you need to intentionally remember today?
Day 5 — God Provides Strength Even When Circumstances Don’t Change
Isaiah 40:29–31 (ESV): "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
God does not promise immediate relief from every trial, but He does promise sustaining strength. Often, God meets us not by removing the burden, but by enabling endurance. Waiting on the Lord reshapes our expectations. Strength grows quietly as trust deepens. The absence of visible change does not mean the absence of divine help.
Reflection Question: Where might God be inviting you to trust His sustaining grace rather than immediate resolution?
Day 6 — The Call of the Kingdom Demands a Response
Joshua 24:15 (ESV): “Choose this day whom you will serve.”
The arrival of God’s King leaves no room for neutrality. Scripture consistently presents obedience as a response to revelation. When God makes Himself known, a decision follows. Repentance is not merely regret—it is reorientation. It is choosing God’s rule over self-rule. Every day involves choices that reveal who truly governs our hearts.
Reflection Question: What decision this week will most clearly show who you are choosing to serve?
Day 7 — Good News Is Meant to Be Trusted
Romans 8:1 (ESV): “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
The gospel is not merely information to be admired—it is good news to be believed. Christ’s victory means condemnation no longer defines God’s people. Trusting the gospel reshapes how we face sin, suffering, and obedience. We fight sin not to earn acceptance, but because we already have it. We endure hardship not to prove faith, but because faith has been secured.
Reflection Question: What would change if you lived today fully convinced that there is no condemnation in Christ?
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Candy.
Candy who?
Candy be my Valentine?
Have a great weekend! Hope to see you Sunday!
Mark