Thoughts for Life: God's Loving Pursuit

Max Lucado- "Dare we envision a God who follows us? Who pursues us? Who chases us? Who tracks us down and wins us over? Who follows us with "goodness and mercy" all the days of our lives? (Google image, He Loves you so).

Isn't this the kind of God described in the Bible? A God who follows us?

Moses can tell you about it. He was forty years in the desert when he looked over his shoulder and saw a bush blazing. God had followed him into the wilderness.

Jonah can tell you about it. He was a fugitive on a boat when he looked over his shoulder and saw clouds brewing. God had followed him onto the ocean.

The disciples of Jesus knew the feeling of being followed by God. They were rain soaked and shivering when they looked over their shoulders and saw Jesus walking toward them. God had followed them into the storm.

John the Apostle was banished on Patmos when he looked over his shoulder and saw the skies begin to open. God had followed him into his exile.

Lazarus was three days dead in a sealed tomb when he heard a voice, lifted his head, and looked over his shoulder and saw Jesus standing. God had followed him into death.

Peter had denied his Lord and gone back to fishing when he heard his name and looked over his shoulder and saw Jesus cooking breakfast. God had followed him in spite of his failure.

God is the God who follows. I wonder . . . have you sensed him following you? We often miss him.

Through the kindness of a stranger. The majesty of a sunset. The mystery of romance. Through the question of a child or the commitment of a spouse.

Through a word well spoken or a touch well timed, have you sensed his presence?

His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.

From "Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear"

Listen to UpWords with Max Lucado at OnePlace.com and find resources at MaxLucado.com

Prayerful woman

Father, we do see that You are the One who tracts us down to bless, help and protect us.
Your mercy and goodness is always following us for our good, and we appreciate that!
We have read in Your Word that there were many who You followed in order to assist them to accomplish Your will for them.
May we pay attention to Your chasing after us for the purpose that we seek Your best for us in bringing Your will on earth.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Bible verses-

Psalm 23:6 (NIV) "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."

Ps. 84:11, 12 (KJV) "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (12) O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee."

Ps. 86:15 (KJV) "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth."

Today's quote-

Glenn Arekion- "Prayerlessness is rampant in most churches, and that is why we have lost our effectiveness. Pastors from all around the world will tell you that prayer meeting is the least attended service. Many church leaderships rely on gimmicks and guest ministers to bring revival to their churches. Revival may come through some ministers, but when they leave, the revival may also leave." (Taken from The POWER of PRAYING in TONGUES, p. 19)

Today's question-

Is each Christian anointed and appointed by God for a particular mission?

Rev. 1:5, 6 tells us that He has washed and made us kings and priests unto Him. That sounds like quite a charge!

1 Peter 2:9 tells us we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that we are to show our praises to God, who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Acts 26 18 (Jesus tells Paul, that He was sending him) "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."
Matt. 28:19, 20 tells us that we are to have a part in teaching all nations, baptizing and teaching them to observe all things which Christ Jesus had taught them.
We are also to seek the Holy Spirit for what it is He wants us to do for the Kingdom of God, right where we are.

List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!

Upcoming posts-

#57 The Two-fold Role of Every christian Leader

29th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

#58 The Day of Accountability

31st- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

3 Graduations: Grief, Greatness and Glory

6/2nd- Saturday's post by Ron Hutchcraft

#59 Prepare Your People to Pray

5th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel