Tucson Mountain Baptist Church

“I will be careful to live a blameless life – when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.” Psalm 101:2 NLT
Ask yourself these questions.
# 1. When my spouse or sibling or another family member gets some detail wrong while telling a story do I…
A. Interrupt them and correct them publicly? B. Say nothing and let it go knowing I’ve done the same?
# 2. When my spouse sibling or another family member keeps making the same mistake over and over do I… A. I become irritated, frustrated, and angry at them? B. I graciously forgive them and pray for them?
# 3. When my spouse or sibling or another family member is getting more attention than I think they deserve do I … A. Feel resentful and have the need to bring them down a notch or two? B. Celebrate with them which is the merciful thing to do?
# 4. When my spouse or siblings or another family member says or does something that I don’t understand (I see what they did but I don’t know why they did it) do I assume that … A. They have the best motivations for doing it. B. Question their motivation and think the worst?
# 5. Am I more polite and courteous… A. With strangers? B. With my own family?
The Miracle of Mercy is actually the miracle of Love in Action.
Mercy is not a feeling. It’s not an emotion. It’s a Choice. It’s a Decision. It’s displayed by Behavior.
1st Corinthians 13:4-8a. Give us 15 characteristics of real love and mercy.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1. BY OVERLOOKING IRRITATIONS & OFFENSES

Moms have done that with us for many years.
“Love, [real love] is not irritable or easily angered.” 1st Cor. 13:5
There are two wrong ways to respond to anger. One is to blow up – Mount Vesuvius. The other is to clam up and stuff it down. Neither are correct.
“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven…but dwelling on it separates close friends.” Prov. 17:9 NLT
“The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression.” Prov. 19:11 NKJ
“Be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. 1st Thess. 5:15 The Message
God’s Word, promises, “I can do ALL things – even show mercy – through Him who gives me strength!” Philippians 4:13
2. BY BEING KIND WHEN THEY DON’T DESERVE IT BUT DESPARATELY NEED IT.

Moms are like that every day !
Everybody has some VDPs in their lives. Very Draining People.
“Love is patient... Love is kind... Love is always supportive.” 1st Cor. 13:4, 7,
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Prov. 19:11 NIV
Often it is Hurt people that hurt people!
“Whenever you are able, do good to people who need help.” Prov. 3:27 NCV
You give them what they need not what they deserve. Isn’t that what God does for you. That’s called mercy.
“Kindness makes a man attractive...” Proverbs 19:22 LB
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” 1st Thess. 5:15 NIV
Mercy is defined as “undeserved forgiveness and unearned kindness.”
The Pathway to Peace is through the Miracle of Mercy!
3. BY LETTING GO OF THE PAST HURTS.

Moms do forgive and forget!
“…Love [real love] keeps no record of wrongs.” 1st Cor. 13:5
Simple lesson: Don’t repeat it, Delete it.
“Love is not rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.” 1st Cor. 13:5 NLT

4. BY BELIEVING GOD IS WORKING IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Moms always pray that for us!
“Love always trusts, It trusts God... love always hopes love is always hope filled… and love always perseveres.” 1st Cor. 13:7 NIV

“Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your most holy place” Psalm 28:2 NIV

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Heb. 4:16 NIV

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV

“I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this; The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” . Lam. 3:20-23 NLT