Mercy

God will certainly be merciful to you. Hearing the sound of your outcry, God will answer you. ~ Isaiah 30:19b (CEB)

“Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!” ~ Mark 10:47b (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

It's worth asking God for his mercy.

PRAYER:

Thank you again for your kindness -- your mercy -- for saving me from what I deserve. Even though I don't say it enough, I can't live apart from your mercy. Keep me mindful of your mercy and vocal about it, too. I want to share your mercy in word and action with everyone I meet. Amen.

Grace

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, very patient, and full of faithful love. ~ Psalm 103:8 (CEB)

The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. ~ Titus 2:11 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Let God's love, kindness, grace, and mercy define how you relate to him.

PRAYER:

Lord, I'm grateful for your grace. I'm sure that's hard to believe sometimes. I tend to focus so much of my time, effort, and energy on being good by keeping all your rules and laws. And then when I don't keep them properly I try to appear like I do. I'm a fake. But even that does not stop your love. You are so patient with us that I want to live my life for you. Keep me mindful of your grace so that I can truly please you. Amen.

Care for the poor

The righteous know the rights of the poor, but the wicked don’t understand. ~ Proverbs 29:7a (CEB)

Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. ~ 2 Corinthians 8:14a (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Caring about those in need is a fundamental dimension of our relationship with God.

PRAYER:

Lord, I am in many ways a needy person. And yet you care about me. I'm so thankful that you're not just interested in rich and successful people. I confess that it is so easy to care about important people who have lots of money. That happens all the time in our world. And it makes me want to be "successful" so that people will pay attention to me. But I know that this is not how you think or operate. I am asking that you would refresh my mind so that it remembers to care for the poor. I want to be like my Savior and Lord Christ Jesus. He spent his life attending to the needy. It is in his name that I pray. Amen.

Good

How terrible it will be for people who call good things bad and bad things good, who think darkness is light and light is darkness... ~ Isaiah 5:20a (NCV)

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. ~ 1 Peter 2:21-22 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

We need to keep the goal of doing good in sight -- no matter what happens.

PRAYER:

Lord,

THANKS: I'm grateful for the way that you are good and have done so much that is good for me.

REGRETS: I don't always value good as the purpose. I sometimes see it as a means to get what I really want.

INTERCESSION: I need your help in rearranging my priorities. Help me to see the bigger picture and how good fits in.

PURPOSE: I'm going to live up to my calling -- no matter what happens.

Amen.