STANDARD LESSON RESOURCES
DEVOTIONS
WINTER 2026
February 12
A Heart Change
"If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'[a] you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." (Matthew 12:7-8)
Scripture: Matthew 12:1-13
Song: "Change My Heart, O God"
As a therapist, I've noticed that many people struggle with rigid, black-or-white thinking. This kind of thinking leads to criticism of self and others because it pushes a narrative that there is only one right way to do things, one perfect standard to meet, and everything else is failure.
This kind of thinking can sneak into our spiritual life as well, causing us to be focused on the "rules" of Christianity. We may cling tightly to our church's traditions and get upset when changes are made because "we've always don it this way." We may view othr Christiand critically because they believer or practice their faith differently, and we subconsciously pat oursleves on the bak for doing things the "right" way. The Pharisees struggles with this, and Jesus tried to help them see that following rules is not what pleases God, but rahter showing mercy to others.
How might God want to expand your heart today? Spending time with God and leraning about Jesus is the best way to cause a heart change that reveals itself is how merciful, compassionate, gracious, and loving we are toward others.
Father, thank You for being a God whose mercies are new every morning. Please show me where You would have me show more mercy and grace to others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
DEVOTIONS
WINTER 2026
February 12
A Heart Change
"If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'[a] you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." (Matthew 12:7-8)
Scripture: Matthew 12:1-13
Song: "Change My Heart, O God"
As a therapist, I've noticed that many people struggle with rigid, black-or-white thinking. This kind of thinking leads to criticism of self and others because it pushes a narrative that there is only one right way to do things, one perfect standard to meet, and everything else is failure.
This kind of thinking can sneak into our spiritual life as well, causing us to be focused on the "rules" of Christianity. We may cling tightly to our church's traditions and get upset when changes are made because "we've always don it this way." We may view othr Christiand critically because they believer or practice their faith differently, and we subconsciously pat oursleves on the bak for doing things the "right" way. The Pharisees struggles with this, and Jesus tried to help them see that following rules is not what pleases God, but rahter showing mercy to others.
How might God want to expand your heart today? Spending time with God and leraning about Jesus is the best way to cause a heart change that reveals itself is how merciful, compassionate, gracious, and loving we are toward others.
Father, thank You for being a God whose mercies are new every morning. Please show me where You would have me show more mercy and grace to others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
STANDARD LESSON RESOURCES
DEVOTIONS
WINTER 2026
February 12
A Heart Change
"If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'[a] you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." (Matthew 12:7-8)
Scripture: Matthew 12:1-13
Song: "Change My Heart, O God"
As a therapist, I've noticed that many people struggle with rigid, black-or-white thinking. This kind of thinking leads to criticism of self and others because it pushes a narrative that there is only one right way to do things, one perfect standard to meet, and everything else is failure.
This kind of thinking can sneak into our spiritual life as well, causing us to be focused on the "rules" of Christianity. We may cling tightly to our church's traditions and get upset when changes are made because "we've always don it this way." We may view othr Christiand critically because they believer or practice their faith differently, and we subconsciously pat oursleves on the bak for doing things the "right" way. The Pharisees struggles with this, and Jesus tried to help them see that following rules is not what pleases God, but rahter showing mercy to others.
How might God want to expand your heart today? Spending time with God and leraning about Jesus is the best way to cause a heart change that reveals itself is how merciful, compassionate, gracious, and loving we are toward others.
Father, thank You for being a God whose mercies are new every morning. Please show me where You would have me show more mercy and grace to others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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