[Seven Characteristics of Mercy]( Current Teaching Series [The Keys to a Blessed Life]( [Listen to Today's Broadcast]( [Seven Characteristics of Mercy](
By Rick Warren â 05/16/2023 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email](mailto:?subject=I'd%20like%20to%20share%20a%20Daily%20Devotional%20from%20Pastor%20Rick%20with%20you&body= âThe wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy.â James 3:17 (NLT) Would you like to see your relationships transformed? Then become an agent of mercy. Here are seven characteristics of mercy that God wants you to learn and apply in your life: 1. Mercy means being patient with peopleâs quirks.How do you become more patient with your kids, spouse, coworkers, or friends? You ask God for his wisdom. The Bible says in James 3:17, âThe wisdom from above is . . . peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercyâ (NLT). 2. Mercy means helping anyone around you who is hurting.You cannot love your neighbor as yourself without being merciful. Proverbs 3:27 says, âWhenever you possibly can, do good to those who need itâ (GNT)âand âdo it cheerfullyâ (Romans 12:8 NIV). 3. Mercy means giving people a second chance.When somebody hurts us, we normally want to get even or write that person off. But the Bible says, âStop being bitter and angry and mad at others . . . Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christâ (Ephesians 4:31-32 CEV). 4. Mercy means doing good to those who hurt you.Mercy is giving people what they need, not what they deserve, because thatâs what God does with us: âLove your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back . . . Be merciful, just as your Father is mercifulâ (Luke 6:35-36 NIV). 5. Mercy means being kind to those who offend you.Youâve got to be more interested in winning people to Christ than in winning the argument. Jude 1:22-23 says, âShow mercy to those who have doubts . . . even though you are afraid that you might be stained by their sinful livesâ (GW). 6. Mercy means building bridges of love to the unpopular.When the Pharisees questioned why Jesus ate with tax collectors and other unpopular people, Jesus said, ââI want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.â For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinnersâ (Matthew 9:13 NLT). 7. Mercy means valuing relationships over rules.Romans 13:10 says, âLove fulfills the requirements of Godâs lawâ (NLT). If you want to show mercy, put people before policies. Put their needs before procedures. Put relationships before regulations. Choose love over law. Showing mercy doesnât always come naturally. And so, in tomorrowâs devotional, weâll discuss specific ways you can demonstrate mercy in your life. [PLAY todayâs audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>]( Talk It Over - Why do we so often try to win the argument instead of trying to win people to Christ?
- If mercy means valuing relationships over rules, what do you need to change about the way you interact with your children? What about with your coworkers or those with different political beliefs?
- This week, how will you show mercy to people around you who are hurting? Are you ready to accept God's mercy in your life? Jesus didnât come to judge you. He came to show you mercy, because âmercy triumphs over judgmentâ (James 2:13 NIV). There will be a judgment day. But Jesus came to offer you mercy now so that you can experience the power and joy that come from walking with him. But thereâs one condition: You need to ask for his forgiveness and mercy. Acts 2:21 says, âAnyone who asks for mercy from the Lord shall have it and shall be savedâ (TLB). If youâre ready to do that, then start by praying this prayer: âDear God, I want to have a deep and abiding faith in you. I confess that I have sinned and that I need your forgiveness and mercy. Thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus to die for my sins so that I can be forgiven. âJesus, you promised that anyone who believes in you can have a relationship with you and spend forever with you in heaven. I believe in you and accept you as my Lord and Savior. Please accept me into your family and help me to follow you faithfully and spend the rest of my life serving you. In Jesusâs name I pray. Amen.â If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. Iâd like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus. The post [Seven Characteristics of Mercy]( appeared first on [Pastor Rick's Daily Hope](. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email](mailto:?subject=I'd%20like%20to%20share%20a%20Daily%20Devotional%20from%20Pastor%20Rick%20with%20you&body= [Get The Keys to a Blessed Life Study Kit when you give a gift to support Daily Hope!]( Some say the key to the good life is health, others say material wealthâbut what does God say? Find out in Pastor Rickâs dynamic Bible study, The Keys to a Blessed Life. This 6-session video plus workbook study reveals the secret to the abundant life God promises by exploring Jesusâ most well-known sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. Dive deep into the Beatitudes with Pastor Rick to discover the hopeful and purpose-filled life God has planned for you through messages like . . . ⢠How God Blesses Broken Hearts
⢠Your Ministry of Mercy
⢠How to Reconcile a Relationship
⢠Handling Opposition to Your Faith
⢠And more! [LEARN MORE]( [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)]( Includes 8 full-length messages from Pastor Rick's series The Keys to a Blessed Life. [LEARN MORE]( [Series Summary]( Message 1: It Depends on Who You Depend On
Message 2: How God Blesses Broken Hearts
Message 3: The Strength of Gentleness
Message 4: Why You Need to Stay Hungry
Message 5: Your Ministry of Mercy
Message 6: God Blesses a Heart of Integrity
Message 7: How to Reconcile a Relationship
Message 8: Handling Opposition to Your Faith [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST]( Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Linkedin]( Enjoy today's devotional? Listen to Pastor Rickâs daily audio teaching at [PastorRick.com]( Did someone forward this devotional to you? [Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional.]( Rick Warren is the founding pastor of [Saddleback Church]( one of Americaâs largest and most influential churches. Pastor Rick is the author of the New York Times bestseller [The Purpose Driven Life](. His book [The Purpose Driven Church]( was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. Pastor Rick created [The PEACE Plan]( to address the five global giantsâspiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracyâthrough the power of ordinary people in the local church. His Daily Hope broadcast and daily devotionals are offered around the world. You can listen to the broadcast or sign up for the free devotionals at [PastorRick.com](. © 2023 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe by clicking the link below.
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