Mercy: You Give What You Receive

Intro Week: Understanding Mercy, Part 5 of 5

This Week’s Memory Verse

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

Psalm

“The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” Psalm 145:8-9 NIV

Proverbs

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” Proverbs 3:27 NIV

Today’s Thought

All week we have been learning where mercy begins. God is the source. We experience His mercy through Jesus. We receive it rather than earn it. And His mercy changes the way we see people.

Now comes the response: YOU GIVE WHAT YOU’VE RECEIVED.

Mercy was never meant to stop with us. Jesus said, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” The mercy we have received becomes the mercy we carry into our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and relationships.

You do not have to change the whole world today. Start with the person right in front of you…or maybe even right next door. God has already placed someone within reach of the mercy He has placed within you.

Pray

“Father, thank you for the mercy you have given me. I do not want your mercy to stop with me. Show me where I can forgive, encourage, serve, listen, give, or simply make room for someone today. Help me give what I have received. AMEN.”

Today’s Mercy Step

Ask God to put one person on your heart. Then take one specific step of mercy toward that person today.

Don’t just think about mercy. Give it away.

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

Pastor Mark