Mercy Begins With God

Intro Week: Understanding Mercy, Part 1 of 5

This Week’s Memory Verse

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36 NIV

Psalm

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psalm 103:8 NIV

Proverbs

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV

Today’s Thought

Yesterday we were reminded that MANKIND ISN’T THE SOURCE OF MERCY…GOD IS.

That’s important because if mercy begins with us, we’ll probably give it only when we feel like it…or when we think someone deserves it. But God’s mercy isn’t based on our mood or someone else’s merit. Mercy flows from who God is.

Psalm 103 tells us that God is compassionate, gracious, patient, and overflowing with love. That’s the God we follow.

So before you think about whom you need to show mercy to today, begin here: Remember the mercy God has shown you.

The more deeply we understand His mercy toward us, the more naturally His mercy can flow through us toward the people right in front of us.

Pray

“Father, thank you that mercy begins with you. Thank you for being compassionate and gracious toward me. Help me remember your mercy today, and let the way you have treated me shape the way I treat the people around me. Help me see someone today who needs your mercy expressed through me. AMEN.”

Today’s Mercy Step

Before you leave home today, think of one person you are likely to encounter. Pray their name and ask God:

“How can I reflect Your mercy to them today?”

Following Jesus by loving the people right in front of us…or next door,

Pastor Mark