Month: February 2025

Walking in Mercy: Living Out Micah 6:8

This lesson was inspired by Rev. Herlong’s Sunday message from Micah 6:8, specifically focusing on mercy.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?” — Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

Micah 6:8 is one of those verses that cuts through all the noise and gets right to the heart of something important God desires from us. It’s not a list of religious checkboxes—it’s a call to live a life that reflects His character. And today, we will zero in on that second part: to love mercy.

What Does It Mean to Love Mercy?

It’s one thing to show mercy when it’s required, but to love mercy? That’s different. That means mercy isn’t just something we give reluctantly—it’s something we cherish, value, and actively pursue. It’s a mindset shift from “I guess I have to forgive” to “I get to extend grace because I have received it.”

Mercy means not giving someone the punishment they might deserve. It’s when we choose to release anger instead of holding a grudge, to respond with kindness instead of payback, to see others through the lens of grace instead of judgment.

God’s Mercy Toward Us

Before we can love mercy, we need to recognize how deeply we’ve received it. God’s mercy is woven all throughout Scripture. Over and over, He withholds the judgment we deserve, offering us grace instead.

  • “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.” (Psalm 145:8)
  • “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” (Lamentations 3:22)

Think about your own life—how many times has God shown you mercy? How many times has He given you another chance when you didn’t deserve it? That’s the kind of mercy we’re called to love and extend to others.

Living It Out Daily

So how do we love mercy in everyday life?

  1. Forgive quickly. Holding onto bitterness only weighs you down. When we love mercy, we let go of offenses instead of keeping score.
  2. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe that rude cashier is struggling with something heavy. Maybe your coworker’s attitude comes from a place of deep hurt. Mercy chooses to see others with compassion.
  3. Be generous with grace. Mercy isn’t just about forgiving sins—it’s also about extending kindness, patience, and understanding even when it’s undeserved.
  4. Remember your own need for mercy. It’s easier to show mercy when we remember how much we’ve received from God.

The Challenge

Micah 6:8 isn’t just a nice verse—it’s a way of life. Loving mercy means actively looking for ways to reflect God’s heart in how we treat others. It’s not always easy, but when we choose mercy, we reflect the character of God.

Reflection Questions

  1. Can you think of a time when God showed you mercy? How did that impact you?
  2. Why do you think God calls us to love mercy instead of just practice it occasionally?
  3. How does remembering God’s mercy toward us help us extend it to others?
  4. How would our communities, workplaces, and families change if we truly loved mercy?

What Men Really Want

If you’re a married man with kids, have you ever stopped to think about what you really want out of life? Sure, career success, physical health, and financial security matter, but when you strip it all down, what’s at the core of your desires?

Most men, whether they say it outright or not, deeply long for three things:

1. Emotional Connection with Your Wife

It’s easy to assume that what you want in marriage is respect, admiration, or even submission. But underneath all of that, what you’re truly seeking is emotional connection. You want a wife who sees you, understands you, and walks with you through life—not just physically, but emotionally as well. The happiest marriages aren’t just built on teamwork; they’re built on deep, genuine connection.

2. Adult Children Who Like You

Raising kids isn’t just about making sure they turn out good—it’s about raising them into adults you enjoy being around and who want to be around you. Think about it: What greater joy is there than seeing your grown children choose to come back home, not because they have to, but because they want to? That kind of relationship is built through years of intentional love, wisdom, and grace.

3. Respect and Honor in Your Church and Community

Not everyone will hold a leadership title, but every man can live in a way that earns the respect of his church and community. True eldership isn’t about status—it’s about wisdom, faithfulness, generosity, and humility. The men who are most respected are those who have poured themselves into others, led with integrity, and served with a heart like Christ’s.

The Path to These Desires

So, how do you achieve these three things? The answer isn’t found in chasing personal success or worldly achievements—it’s found in following Jesus and living a Christ-centered life.

Think about the men you admire, those who have strong, lasting marriages, kids who love them, and a reputation of wisdom and faith in the community. What do they have in common? You’ll find that they prioritize faith, relationships, and service over self-interest.

The good news? It’s never too late to start.

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you agree that the “secret” to satisfying the basic desires above is found in following Jesus and living a Christ-centered life.
  2. Which of the three desires (marriage, children, community) resonates most with you right now? Why?
  3. What are some practical ways you can strengthen your emotional connection with those closest to you?
  4. What kind of relationship do you hope to have with your children when they’re adults? What steps can you take now to cultivate that?
  5. What is one small, intentional step you can take this week to build a legacy of faith, love, and respect?