The Unconditional Pursuit: A Call to Belong-Devotional

The Unconditional Pursuit: A Call to Belong

Relentlessly pursuing Jesus? Wandered off the path from Jesus? On the fence about Jesus?

Here’s what’s true: You matter to Jesus. Yes, you.

There are no qualifications for God’s love and pursuit of you. You matter to Jesus; He calls you by name to come to Him, and He desires you to be with Him. 

Reread those words: He desires you to be with Him. In Matthew 18:12, Jesus shares this parable:

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?”

It’s not just a story; it's a reassuring reality of Jesus’ love and commitment to every single one of His own. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, never gives up on His sheep. Never. He diligently seeks out the one who wanders.

We all have moments when we feel like the wandering sheep. Sometimes, we feel like we’re straying off the path. But remember this: you are not forgotten, and you matter to Jesus. He cares for the one who has strayed just as much as He does the ninety-nine who stayed close (Matthew 18:13). So draw near to Him today. 

Because no matter where you are on your spiritual journey, Jesus is seeking after you, calling you by name to not only follow Him but to be with Him. 

How will you respond today?✝️

🌻🌻🌻LOST AND FOUND🌻🌻🌻 LUKE 15:24 (KJV) 🌻🌻🌻

### **Luke 15:24 (KJV)**

*"For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry."*

### **Explanation:**

This verse comes from the Parable of the Prodigal Son, where Jesus illustrates God's grace, forgiveness, and the joy of redemption. In the story, the younger son had left his father, wasted his inheritance in reckless living, and ended up in misery. When he finally returned home in repentance, his father welcomed him with open arms, celebrating his return instead of condemning him. The phrase *"was dead, and is alive again"* signifies spiritual restoration—though the son was lost in sin, he has now returned to the path of righteousness.

### **How Can We Apply This Today?**

1. **Recognizing God’s Grace:** Just as the father forgave his son, God is always ready to forgive us when we sincerely repent. No matter how far we’ve strayed, we can always come back to Him.

2. **Extending Forgiveness:** We should imitate God’s mercy by forgiving those who wrong us, just as the father in the parable welcomed his lost son with love.

3. **Rejoicing in Restoration:** We should celebrate when someone finds their way back to faith rather than judge them for their past mistakes.

4. **Self-Reflection:** If we feel distant from God, this passage reminds us that it is never too late to return to Him through prayer, repentance, and faith.

5. **Helping Others Find Their Way:** Just as the prodigal son needed to realize his lost state before returning, we should lovingly guide others toward spiritual renewal and reconciliation with God.

Would you like to discuss how this might apply to a specific situation in your life? Yes, No, Maybe?🌻🌻

🌹🌹🌹MATTHEW 18:13🌹🌹🌹

### **Matthew 18:13 (KJV)**

*"And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray."*

### **Explanation:**

This verse is part of the Parable of the Lost Sheep, where Jesus describes a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for one that has gone astray. When he finds it, he rejoices more over that one lost sheep than over the others who never left.

The parable illustrates God’s deep love and concern for each individual. It emphasizes that He actively seeks out those who are spiritually lost, and when they return to Him, there is great joy in heaven. The verse highlights God’s mercy, showing that He does not give up on sinners but rejoices when they repent and come back to Him.

### **How Can We Apply This Today?**

1. **Recognizing God’s Pursuit:** No matter how lost we feel, God is always seeking us. We should never think we are beyond His reach.

2. **Valuing Every Individual:** Just as the shepherd values the lost sheep, we should care for and reach out to those who are struggling in faith or life.

3. **Rejoicing in Repentance:** Instead of judging those who have strayed, we should celebrate when they return to God.

4. **Actively Seeking the Lost:** As followers of Christ, we should imitate His love by reaching out to those who feel distant from God or the church.

5. **Personal Reflection:** If we feel spiritually distant, this passage reminds us that God is calling us back to Him with love, not condemnation.

Would you like to explore how this applies to a particular situation in your life or community? Yes, No, Maybe?🌹🌹🌹 You may leave your reply in the comments below. God bless you.