For New Years, we should desire to please the Lord and to do His will.

There is nothing more that God desires than to do be involved in the ministry of mercy, especially to the household of faith. ministries of mercy refer to practical relief and ongoing help for those who are suffering and have little that they can do about it without help. The key thing about mercy ministries is that they are a response to conscious misery or suffering. I. God desires Mercy Matthew 25: 31-46: The Judgment Why does God care so much about the needy? God is close to the brokenhearted whether they believe in Him or not. The brokenhearted are in need of Gods mercy and they know it. Salvation is never far from them. II. Mercy to Believers James 2:15-17, If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what goodis that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. If we dont ever bear the fruit of practical love toward brothers and sistersthe least of themour faith is dead and we are not saved. Thats Jesus point. III. Mercy to the unbelievers Luke 6:27 where Jesus says, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. . . . 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 32 If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. . . . 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.