February 2, 2024

“God Pursues a Love Relationship with You”

God pursues each person in order to have a love relationship with them. As pastor Henry Blackaby says, “A life spent walking closely with the Lord is both exciting and rewarding.”

A primary, outward expression of our love for the Lord is obedience. Our love for God and responding in obedience to His commands go hand in hand. Consider how Jesus put it, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Taking Jesus’ words to heart, it becomes apparent that when we have an obedience problem with God, we also have a love problem with God.

I hope you can join us this Sunday as Brent Doolin helps us better understand the love relationship God wants to have with each one of us. In prep for Sunday, prayerfully consider these two passages:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” ¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)

Looking forward to Sunday!

pastor jamie