DATE POSTED
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read Luke 6:35-36 in your Bible or click on it to read it online in the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV).

³⁵ “I’m telling you to love your enemies and do good to them. Lend to people without expecting to get anything back. If you do this, you will have a great reward. You will be children of the Most High God. Yes, because God is good even to the people who are full of sin and not thankful. ³⁶ Give love and mercy the same as your Father gives love and mercy.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

In our Scripture verses today, Jesus calls us to something higher: to love, to show kindness, and to be merciful—just as our Father is merciful.

The enemy will always try to pull us in the opposite direction. He stirs up thoughts of anger, revenge, selfishness, and unforgiveness. And when we act on those, we reflect his nature instead of God’s.

But when we gave our lives to Jesus, we made a decision to turn away from those old ways. We chose a new path—to follow Jesus and become more like Him.

In any meaningful relationship, we naturally want to please the one we love. In the same way, if we are growing in our relationship with Jesus, our desire will be to live in a way that honors Him. We begin to notice when our thoughts or actions don’t align with His heart.

Just look at Jesus’ example. When He was arrested, He healed the one who came against Him. While on the cross, He asked the Father to forgive those who were crucifying Him. That is mercy. That is love. And that is the life He calls us to live.

So we must ask ourselves: if Jesus has forgiven us, loved us, and made us new, why would we allow old patterns to take hold again? Why let our words, thoughts, or actions be shaped by anything other than Him?

A strong relationship with Jesus doesn’t happen by accident—it requires daily connection. We speak to Jesus in prayer and praise. We listen through His Word, through fellowship, and through time spent in His presence.

And as we do, something beautiful happens – His love begins to overflow from our lives.

People will see it. They will recognize who we belong to—not by what we say, but by how we love, how we forgive, and how we show mercy.

PRAYER
Lord, fill my heart with Your love and mercy. Help me to reflect Your kindness in my thoughts, words, and actions. May my life clearly show that I belong to You. Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian Walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!