The Heart of God: Mercy

Ptra. Swanee Gumatay-Budiao

📖 Matthew 9:12–13

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Our deepest need to belong is met not by proving ourselves worthy but by receiving the mercy of Christ. The Pharisees judged and excluded, but Jesus showed that His kingdom is built on grace, not performance. He gives mercy without condition and acceptance without limit. No matter our past or even our present struggles, Jesus offers us His transforming love.

This mercy isn’t just for us to receive; it’s also for us to extend. In a world quick to cancel and condemn, showing mercy can be the clearest reflection of Jesus people will see. Just as Matthew’s community of sinners was welcomed, we too are called to extend compassion to those who feel disqualified. When we show mercy, we point others to the One who freely gives it.

💭 Reflection: Who around you needs to experience mercy instead of judgment? How can you extend Jesus’ acceptance to them this week?

🙏🏼 Prayer: Jesus, thank You for showing me mercy when I least deserved it. Help me remember that Your acceptance is not based on my performance but on Your love. Teach me to extend that same mercy to others, so they may also know You. Amen.

Click this link to know more about God's Mercy / God's Loyal Love or Hesed / Khesed in Hebrew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfbyFLgs_NM

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Welcomed and Accepted

Ptra. Swanee Gumatay-Budiao

📖 Matthew 9:10

“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.”

We all long for a place where we are loved and accepted for who we are. The world often makes us feel like we have to earn that belonging, but Jesus shows us otherwise. He didn’t just call Matthew to follow Him—He sat with him and shared a meal, offering fellowship and true belonging. In Christ, we are welcomed and accepted into His family not because of what we’ve done, but because of who He is.

But Jesus doesn’t just welcome us in; He also sends us out. Just as Matthew opened his home so others could meet Jesus, we are invited to open our lives to people around us. Hospitality, kindness, and genuine friendship can become channels for others to encounter the love of Christ. When we welcome others, we reflect the acceptance we ourselves have received in Him.

💭 Reflection: Who in your circle could you invite to share life with you—and through that, meet Jesus?

🙏🏼 Prayer: Jesus, thank You for welcoming me into Your family and accepting me as I am. Teach me to extend that same welcome to others, so they too may know You. Amen.

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Jesus Sees You and Sends You 

Ptra. Swanee Gumatay - Budiao

📖 Matthew 9:9

“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.”

We all have a deep, God-given need to belong. But no matter how hard we try to fill it with what the world offers, it never truly satisfies. That need can only be met in Christ. The life of Matthew is proof of this truth. Jesus saw him, valued him, and called him. Matthew mattered to Jesus—and so do you. You are not overlooked. In Christ, you are fully known and deeply loved.

And just as Jesus saw Matthew, He calls us to also “see” the people around us who feel invisible—our coworkers, classmates, and neighbors. You and I are invited to be His instruments in helping others experience the same belonging we’ve received in Him.

💭 Reflection: Who around you might feel unseen? How can you help them know they matter—not only to you, but to Jesus?

🙏🏼 Prayer: Jesus, thank You for reminding me that I am valued and loved by You. Forgive me for the times I forget this truth. Help me to embrace it daily, and give me the courage to share my story so others may come to know You too. In Your Name, Amen.

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📖 Luke 10:23–24

“Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.’”

Jesus reminded His disciples how blessed they were to see what prophets longed for. Our greatest blessing is not in external success but in knowing Christ. Our identity in Him is not achieved—it is received. And it cannot be shaken or stolen.

👉 Reflection: In what areas of life do you feel insecure or easily shaken? How can anchoring your identity in Christ bring you stability?

🙏 Prayer: Jesus, thank You for giving me an identity that cannot be stolen. Teach me to live in the freedom and confidence of being Yours.

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📖 Luke 10:21–22

“At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’”

📖 John 1:12–13

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

Jesus rejoiced that the Father reveals Himself to those with childlike hearts. Through Christ, we are given the right to become children of God. This is the deepest intimacy we could ever know—being known and loved by the Creator of the universe.

👉 Reflection: How does knowing you are God’s beloved child shape the way you see yourself and others?

🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me to live out of my identity as Your beloved child. May I experience and share the intimacy of being in Your family.

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📖 Luke 10:20

“However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Jesus redirected His disciples’ joy: not in power, but in the assurance that their names are written in heaven. Our security is not in achievements, relationships, or possessions—it is in knowing that we belong to God forever.

👉 Reflection: How does the truth that your name is written in heaven bring you peace and assurance in life’s uncertainties?

🙏 Prayer: Father, thank You that my identity and security are safe in You. Teach me to rejoice daily in the assurance of eternal life.

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📖 Luke 10:18–19

“He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.’”

📖 1 John 4:4

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

Jesus told His disciples that they had authority over the enemy because of Him. Our victories are not about our strength but His power. Many try to prove themselves through success, but true victory comes only from Christ who has already overcome.

👉 Reflection: What struggles or battles in your life do you need to surrender to Jesus, trusting that He is your victory?

🙏 Prayer: Lord Jesus, I rest in Your triumph over sin and darkness. Help me to live each day in the confidence of Your victory.

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📖 Luke 10:17

“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’”

The seventy-two came back rejoicing because of their victory over demons. Yet, Jesus wanted them to see something deeper: their need for Him. Just like them, we often celebrate our accomplishments, possessions, or how others see us. But these things cannot define us. Deep inside, there is a longing that only Jesus can satisfy.

👉 Reflection: Where do you often base your sense of worth and identity? How can you begin to shift that foundation toward Christ today?

🙏 Prayer: Lord, remind me that my true identity is found only in You, not in what I do or what I have.

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📖 Acts 8:39–40

39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. 

After the baptism, the Spirit suddenly carried Philip away. The Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing, while Philip continued to preach elsewhere. The Spirit carried on His work in both lives.

💡 Reflection: Evangelism is not about control. Our part is obedience; God’s part is transformation. We can trust Him to continue what He begins.

🙏 Application/Prayer: Release your burdens for those you’re praying for. Say, “Holy Spirit, I trust You to work in their lives even when I cannot be there. Use me as You will, but finish the work only You can do.”

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📖 Acts 8:36–38

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [37 Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

When the Ethiopian heard the good news, he didn’t just nod politely—he responded. Seeing water, he asked to be baptized. His faith moved from hearing to action.

💡 Reflection: True faith always leads to obedience. Our role is to lovingly guide people to take the next step—whether that’s baptism, prayer, or another act of faith.

🙏 Application/Prayer: Pray, “Lord, help me not only to share the gospel but also to guide others into real decisions that show their commitment to You.”

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