Day 4
KINDLE
You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:5-10
SPARK
God of Mercy, thank you that in your great love you have called us to be your people. As such, may we walk in integrity and holiness, that we may be a faithful witness of that love to a world that seems so dark, at times. Give us hearts that refuse to keep your Gospel a hidden secret. Ignite in us a courage and a passion to proclaim your excellencies so that those who still remain in the darkness may be drawn to you and experience your love for themselves. In the name of Jesus, our Cornerstone, Amen.
IGNITE
Find an opportunity this week to show a stranger a great act of mercy. If they ask you why (and be praying all week that they will), take the God-given opportunity to explain how Jesus has given you life-saving mercy and that, as his follower, you want to share that mercy so that others might come to know him.