I am loved by God...
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."
Romans 8:38,39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 3:17-19 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
I John 4:16-19 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us.
April 27, 2011
PursuedLynn Cowell
"But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine... Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.'" Isaiah 43:1, 4 (NIV)
Devotion:
“I sit in the dark room, my heart beating wildly. "Hurry! Hurry!" my mind cries out. "You'll be too late!"
“It doesn't matter that I already know what will happen. The thrill of the pursuit and a heroic rescue sends my heart pounding every time.
“I may be a little strange, but I know I'm not alone. Countless women curl up on their couches to watch the same chick flicks over and over, especially the ones where the hero gives everything to save the girl. Like the one rescued in movies, we want to be desired, fought for — pursued. And we are.
“Someone is pursuing us but it's so much better than what happens in the movies. Our Creator and King is pursuing us. He gave up His life and paid a great price to come and rescue us.
“There were times in my life where I had seen Jesus as my savior, shepherd and friend. But it wasn't until I read these verses below and realized the magnitude and depth of His love for me that I saw how valuable I am to Him.
"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end — Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you." Isaiah 43:1b-4 (The Message)
“He'd give up everything just for me? That's crazy! But that's the radical love that revolutionized my life.
“When I learned these verses, I began to see a side of Jesus I had never seen before. He pursues me. He loves me more than anything. And He wants to be my everything.
“This truth satisfied a deep longing in my heart I didn't even know I had. It was what I wanted then, and what I still need to know every day. This is the love that fills the gaps in my wanting heart and settles the question, "Am I valuable enough to be pursued?"
“Yes, I am. And so are you, my friend. So are you.
“Dear Lord, this part of me that wants to be pursued and rescued...You created it. You created it to be filled by Your unconditional love. Jesus, thank You that You will never grow tired of me or stop pursing me. You want me. In Jesus' Name, Amen”
Oh, the love of God – the depth and width and height and breadth of which we cannot imagine. As I read through the Old Testament, I see His faithful love pursuing Israel – not for days or years – or even just for decades – He has pursued His people for MILLENNIA! And – despite the fact that they rejected Him – killed Him – He is still pursuing them to this day. He hasn’t given up on them – in THOUSANDS of years – so why do we think He’ll give up on us? Can we outlast the children of Israel in their disobedience? Not hardly! Can we outlast the mercy and grace of God that continued to pursue even when we didn’t want Him to? Thank God that the answer to that question is “NO!” Once you are His child, He will pursue you to the ends of the earth – to the end of your life. Aren’t you tired of running from that kind of love? Stop – turn into His arms – and let His love for you spill over you! When you can really “get” how much He loves you – how much He’s been willing to endure for you – it will be enough. Enough to quiet those doubts about your worthiness. Enough to squelch the voice of the enemy who would want you to wallow in your pain. Let HIS love set you free! Sharon“You'd think I'd never seen this movie before, but I have. In fact, I've watched it over and over. I know the hero will get there just in time. He will come to the rescue right at the last second and yell, "She goes free!" to the captain and his crew. I know he will risk his life to save hers.
__________________________
Sharon Pearce, Director
Silent Voices International
619-422-0757
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