Relentless Pursuit: Cultivating Love in Relationships

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unyielding Pursuit of Humanity

God's pursuit of humanity is relentless and unwavering, even when individuals are not actively seeking Him. This pursuit is a testament to His faithfulness and His desire to communicate with us, not only through His Word but also through personal encouragement. God sees our struggles and desires unity among us, reminding us that we are never alone. This divine pursuit serves as a model for how we should engage in our relationships with others, emphasizing the importance of being present and attentive. [31:10]

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." (2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you be more attentive to God's pursuit in your life this week, and how can you mirror this pursuit in your relationships with others?

Day 2: The Commitment to Pursue in Relationships

In relationships, particularly marriage, there is a promise of pursuit that involves continually seeking and valuing one's partner. This commitment is not just about grand gestures but involves daily actions and words that affirm and build up the relationship. Often, people pursue what they do not have, but once they have it, they may neglect it, leading to a breakdown in relationships. By committing to this promise of pursuit, individuals can prevent neglect and foster growth, keeping the relationship vibrant and alive. [46:09]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10 ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can actively pursue a loved one today, showing them that they are valued and cherished?

Day 3: The Power of Words in Relationships

Words have the power to bring life or death, and in relationships, it is crucial to speak words of affirmation and affection. These words can build up a partner and create a positive environment, essential for maintaining a healthy and loving relationship. By being intentional with our words, we can foster an atmosphere of encouragement and support, reflecting the love and grace that Jesus exemplifies in His pursuit of humanity. [57:48]

"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." (Proverbs 16:24 ESV)

Reflection: Think of a person in your life who needs encouragement. What specific words of affirmation can you speak to them today to uplift their spirit?

Day 4: Intentional Acts of Kindness

When we think of something special, we should act on it. Acts of kindness and thoughtfulness are crucial in demonstrating love and commitment in relationships. These actions should be intentional and consistent, reflecting a genuine desire to nurture and strengthen the bond with others. By converting good intentions into tangible actions, we can show our love and commitment in meaningful ways. [01:11:25]

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16 ESV)

Reflection: What is one act of kindness you can perform today to show someone you care, and how can you make this a regular practice in your life?

Day 5: Being the Change in Relationships

If we desire something different in our relationships, we must be willing to be the change. This involves bringing more of Jesus into our interactions, focusing on selflessness and love, and being proactive in pursuing our partner. By embodying the qualities we wish to see in our relationships, we can create a positive and transformative impact, fostering deeper connections and understanding. [01:14:08]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your relationships where you desire change. How can you take the first step in being the change you want to see, inspired by the example of Jesus?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth of God's relentless pursuit of us, even when we are not actively seeking Him. We began by acknowledging God's faithfulness and His desire to communicate with us, not just through His Word but also through personal encouragement. We took a moment to be still and listen, allowing God to speak into our lives, reminding us that He sees our struggles and desires unity among us. This practice of listening is not just for Sundays but is a discipline to be cultivated throughout the week.

We then transitioned into discussing the "Promise of Pursuit" within relationships, particularly marriage. This promise is about continually pursuing our spouse, just as we once did when we were dating. We often pursue what we don't have, but once we have it, we tend to neglect it. This neglect can lead to a breakdown in relationships. The promise of pursuit is a commitment to always chase after our spouse, to keep the relationship vibrant and alive. This pursuit is not just about grand gestures but involves daily actions and words that affirm and build up our partner.

We delved into practical ways to live out this promise: speaking words of affirmation and affection, doing special things for our spouse, and being the change we want to see in our relationship. These actions are not just for married couples but can be applied to all relationships, including friendships and family dynamics. The key is to convert good intentions into tangible actions that demonstrate love and commitment.

Finally, we reflected on the ultimate example of pursuit—Jesus Christ. Though He was single, His life exemplified relentless pursuit, not of a spouse, but of humanity. Jesus pursues us with love and grace, inviting us into a relationship with Him. This pursuit is a model for how we should pursue our relationships, with devotion and selflessness.

Key Takeaways

1. God's Relentless Pursuit: God is always pursuing us, even when we are not seeking Him. His faithfulness and desire to communicate with us are constant, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. This pursuit is a model for how we should pursue our relationships with others. [31:10]
2. The Promise of Pursuit in Relationships: In marriage and other relationships, we must commit to continually pursuing our partner. This involves daily actions and words that affirm and build up the relationship, preventing neglect and fostering growth. [46:09]
3. Words of Life: Our words have the power to bring life or death. In relationships, we should strive to speak words of affirmation and affection, building up our partner and creating a positive environment. This practice is essential for maintaining a healthy and loving relationship. [57:48]
4. Actions Speak Louder: When we think of something special, we should do it. Acts of kindness and thoughtfulness are crucial in demonstrating love and commitment in relationships. These actions should be intentional and consistent. [71:25]
5. Be the Change: If we desire something different in our relationships, we must be willing to be the change. This involves bringing more of Jesus into our interactions, focusing on selflessness and love, and being proactive in pursuing our partner. [01:14:08]
** [74:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:10] - Listening for God's Voice
[33:59] - God Sees Our Struggles
[34:33] - You Are Wanted
[36:00] - Unity in the Church
[41:57] - Introduction to the Series
[46:09] - The Promise of Pursuit
[48:23] - Genesis and the Creation of Man
[52:57] - The Meaning of Dubach
[57:48] - The Power of Words
[62:09] - Words of Life and Death
[65:09] - Words of Affection
[67:48] - Words of Affirmation
[71:25] - When You Think of Something Special, Do It
[74:08] - Be the Change You Want to See
[75:58] - Jesus' Pursuit of Us
[80:29] - Invitation to Respond

Sermon Clips

"Father, we thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you that you are a faithful God. Thank you that we can trust you. Thank you that you are running after us even when we're not running after you. God, your goodness is running after us." [00:28:54] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"God, thank you that you see us. Thank you that you're with us. We're not alone in that. And that we don't have to be, like, we can come and just be real in your presence, and say, I'm here, and I'm struggling, and I need your help." [00:34:12] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Words can prevent you from doing that thing that may, and the interesting thing I see a pattern over and over again is usually those words are regarding purposes that God has for your life." [01:01:49] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"When you want something different, be it. Instead of whining about what you don't have, and what she's not, and what he isn't doing anymore, if you want something different, you bring it, you do it. What should you bring? How about you start with bringing less of you and more of Jesus?" [01:13:37] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Your goodness is running after, it's running after me. What does that mean? It means that not just when you're at your best, but wherever you are in life, God is running after you saying, come to me. Come to me. You'll find purpose in me. You'll find peace in me. Come to me. Stop running." [01:15:58] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"He's waiting for you to come. He's waiting for you to turn to him. He's waiting for you to come to your senses and say, have mercy on me. Have mercy on me. He loves you. I want you to know, God is not in a bad mood today." [01:18:21] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Blessing over you who are divorced, and maybe you're thinking about remarriage. Blessing over you who are single, and you don't know, maybe someday you'll be married, someday maybe you won't. Blessing over you. May you pursue Christ. And if you're married, may you pursue your spouse." [01:24:51] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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