February 19, 2026

Hey guys, 

I hope you're having a great week. This week’s Thought comes from Hosea 6. 

I was in Sunday school this past weekend and my co-teacher was teaching from Matthew 12. During the lesson, she pointed back to Hosea 6:6, and I could not get away from this verse. 

Hosea 6:6 says this, “I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want your burnt offerings.”

I'm pretty sure none of us have offered up a burnt offering recently. However, in the context in which these words are being spoken, those burnt offerings and sacrifices were part of their ritual and church tradition. Looking at it from that perspective, Jesus is saying, “I don't want you to perform good Godly things. I want your heart. I want you to know me more than you perform the things about me.”

After reading that, my mind began to race about all the things that I might do out of habit, or tradition, or maybe even expectation, that don't necessarily move my heart closer to Him. The list was longer than it should have been!

So, here's the challenge this week: take some time and look at your life. What do you do that is supposed to be “of God”, that doesn't get you any closer to Him? Then ask, what makes your heart more like His? 

Whatever your answers are for the second question, chase after those!

Love you guys, 

John