February 21st, 2026
by George Dupree
by George Dupree
5-Day Devotional: Shining For Eternity – Salt & Light
By George Dupree
Day 1: The Call to Eternal Influence
Reading: Daniel 12:1-3
God has placed eternity in your heart and light in your spirit. Today's passage reminds us that wisdom isn't measured by degrees or achievements, but by our investment in souls. Those who lead others toward righteousness will shine like stars—not for a season, but forever. This isn't about perfection; it's about purpose. You don't need a platform to make an eternal impact. A conversation over coffee, a prayer with a coworker, or an invitation to church can change someone's trajectory forever. Heaven keeps records not of your accomplishments, but of your influence. Ask yourself today: What am I shining for? Applause fades, but souls are eternal. Your faithful witness today creates light that never dims.
Day 2: Salt and Light in a Dark World
Reading: Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus doesn't suggest you might become salt and light—He declares you already are. This is your identity, not your aspiration. Salt preserves and flavors; it must make contact to work. You cannot withdraw from the world and fulfill your calling. Your presence in your workplace, neighborhood, and family preserves truth in a decaying culture. Light doesn't fight darkness—it simply shines, and darkness flees. Even a small candle transforms an entire room. You were not created to blend in or hide your faith. A city on a hill cannot be hidden, and neither should your life in Christ. Today, recognize that your very presence carries Kingdom influence. Don't minimize your impact. Step into your God-given role as salt and light wherever you go.
Day 3: Love as a Lifestyle, Not a Feeling
Reading: 1 John 4:7-12; 2 John 1:6
Love is God's language, and it must be demonstrated, not just declared. The world has heard enough talk about love; they need to see it lived out. Biblical love isn't an emotion that comes and goes—it's a commandment we walk in daily. Love in action looks like forgiving the undeserving, serving without applause, giving generously, and responding with grace when criticized. This kind of love is supernatural; it reflects God Himself, for "God is love." People don't just need to hear about Jesus—they need to see Him in you. Your patience in traffic, your kindness to difficult people, your generosity when it's inconvenient—these are sermons without words. Today, ask God for one opportunity to demonstrate radical love that surprises someone with grace.
Day 4: Your Influence Is Your Leadership
Reading: Philippians 2:14-16
Every believer is a leader because every believer has influence. Someone is watching how you handle disappointment, respond to conflict, and maintain faith during trials. You hold forth the word of life not just through what you say, but through how you live. Your children notice if your faith is real. Your coworkers see whether you practice what you preach. Your neighbors observe if Christ makes an actual difference in your life. When you stay faithful in difficulty, you shine. When you remain kind in conflict, you shine. When you speak hope into negativity, you shine like a star in the universe. You may never preach from a stage, but you preach every single day with your actions. Consistency gives credibility to your message. Today, live with the awareness that your life is a sermon someone needs to hear.
Day 5: Living for What Lasts Forever
Reading: “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
I Corinthians 3:10-15 NKJV
One day, everything temporary will fade—titles, achievements, possessions, applause. But souls remain forever. The question isn't whether you're building something, but what you're building with. Are you investing in what burns away or what lasts eternally? Gold, silver, and precious stones represent eternal investments—leading people to Christ, showing radical love, living with integrity, and pointing others toward righteousness. This week, you've been challenged to shine for eternity. Now make it practical: Pray for one person God places on your heart. Invite someone boldly to encounter Christ. Live consistently so your life validates your words. Love radically in ways that surprise people with grace. When you stand before the Lord, may it be said that your life didn't merely exist—it illuminated the path to Jesus for others.
Weekly Challenge: Identify one person this week to intentionally influence for Christ through prayer, invitation, consistent living, and radical love. Remember: you are salt and light, called to shine for eternity.
By George Dupree
Day 1: The Call to Eternal Influence
Reading: Daniel 12:1-3
God has placed eternity in your heart and light in your spirit. Today's passage reminds us that wisdom isn't measured by degrees or achievements, but by our investment in souls. Those who lead others toward righteousness will shine like stars—not for a season, but forever. This isn't about perfection; it's about purpose. You don't need a platform to make an eternal impact. A conversation over coffee, a prayer with a coworker, or an invitation to church can change someone's trajectory forever. Heaven keeps records not of your accomplishments, but of your influence. Ask yourself today: What am I shining for? Applause fades, but souls are eternal. Your faithful witness today creates light that never dims.
Day 2: Salt and Light in a Dark World
Reading: Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus doesn't suggest you might become salt and light—He declares you already are. This is your identity, not your aspiration. Salt preserves and flavors; it must make contact to work. You cannot withdraw from the world and fulfill your calling. Your presence in your workplace, neighborhood, and family preserves truth in a decaying culture. Light doesn't fight darkness—it simply shines, and darkness flees. Even a small candle transforms an entire room. You were not created to blend in or hide your faith. A city on a hill cannot be hidden, and neither should your life in Christ. Today, recognize that your very presence carries Kingdom influence. Don't minimize your impact. Step into your God-given role as salt and light wherever you go.
Day 3: Love as a Lifestyle, Not a Feeling
Reading: 1 John 4:7-12; 2 John 1:6
Love is God's language, and it must be demonstrated, not just declared. The world has heard enough talk about love; they need to see it lived out. Biblical love isn't an emotion that comes and goes—it's a commandment we walk in daily. Love in action looks like forgiving the undeserving, serving without applause, giving generously, and responding with grace when criticized. This kind of love is supernatural; it reflects God Himself, for "God is love." People don't just need to hear about Jesus—they need to see Him in you. Your patience in traffic, your kindness to difficult people, your generosity when it's inconvenient—these are sermons without words. Today, ask God for one opportunity to demonstrate radical love that surprises someone with grace.
Day 4: Your Influence Is Your Leadership
Reading: Philippians 2:14-16
Every believer is a leader because every believer has influence. Someone is watching how you handle disappointment, respond to conflict, and maintain faith during trials. You hold forth the word of life not just through what you say, but through how you live. Your children notice if your faith is real. Your coworkers see whether you practice what you preach. Your neighbors observe if Christ makes an actual difference in your life. When you stay faithful in difficulty, you shine. When you remain kind in conflict, you shine. When you speak hope into negativity, you shine like a star in the universe. You may never preach from a stage, but you preach every single day with your actions. Consistency gives credibility to your message. Today, live with the awareness that your life is a sermon someone needs to hear.
Day 5: Living for What Lasts Forever
Reading: “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
I Corinthians 3:10-15 NKJV
One day, everything temporary will fade—titles, achievements, possessions, applause. But souls remain forever. The question isn't whether you're building something, but what you're building with. Are you investing in what burns away or what lasts eternally? Gold, silver, and precious stones represent eternal investments—leading people to Christ, showing radical love, living with integrity, and pointing others toward righteousness. This week, you've been challenged to shine for eternity. Now make it practical: Pray for one person God places on your heart. Invite someone boldly to encounter Christ. Live consistently so your life validates your words. Love radically in ways that surprise people with grace. When you stand before the Lord, may it be said that your life didn't merely exist—it illuminated the path to Jesus for others.
Weekly Challenge: Identify one person this week to intentionally influence for Christ through prayer, invitation, consistent living, and radical love. Remember: you are salt and light, called to shine for eternity.
George Dupree
Recent
Archive
2026
2025
No Comments