Mercy Received. Mercy Lived.

Week 2: When It’s Personal Sunday

This Week’s Memory Verse

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV84

Psalm

Psalm 86:5 NIV

“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”

Proverbs

Proverbs 17:9 NIV

“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”

Today’s Thought

This week began with the mercy we have received from God.

That is where forgiveness must always begin.

We remembered an unpayable debt, the call for forgiven people to forgive, the way the Gospel changes how we see the person who hurt us, the cross, and the character of our King.

Jesus’ question in Matthew 18 still reaches our hearts:

Shouldn’t the mercy we have received change the mercy we extend?

Forgiveness may be a process, and some wounds require wisdom, boundaries, and time. But we can keep taking the next faithful step with Jesus.

Mercy received becomes mercy lived. Mercy lived becomes Mercy Next Door.

Pray

“Jesus, thank You for walking with me into the difficult places of forgiveness. Keep forming Your heart in me. Help the mercy I have received become the mercy I live this week and the weeks ahead. Amen.”

Today’s Mercy Step

Review this week. What is one next step of forgiveness Jesus is asking you to take? Pray, release revenge, have a wise conversation, seek counsel, or continue entrusting the situation to God?

Write it down and take that step, while following Jesus through it.