Stewardship Devotional Day 2
Experiencing God Reality #2 – God pursues a continuing love relationship with you.  

                1 John 4:9-11 is a classic passage of scripture concerning God’s love for us and our need to love one another. “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”  From the beginning of creation, God has pursued mankind. The love He has for the crown jewel of His creation is a love that surpasses human understanding. He loves each one of us in a unique and special way. He loves you specifically. He loves you personally as if you are the only person that exists. God sent Jesus to die on the cross for you. He took upon Himself your sin and made the ultimate sacrifice to give you the greatest gift of all: eternal life with Him.

                His love for you does not end at salvation. He continues to pursue you even after you believe in Him. He can’t get enough of you. He desires to be with you. As God pursues a continuing love relationship with you, there should also be a desire within your heart for more of Jesus. There should be a hunger, a longing for God. “As the deer pants after the water brooks, so my soul pants after you O God.” This should be the attitude of our heart. Thirsting for God. Longing for God. Desiring more of Him.

                How do we pursue God with such deep desire? By practicing spiritual disciplines daily. The more you spend time in His Word. The more you meditate on His Word. The more you pray. The more you tell others about Him. The more you memorize scripture. The more you attend church. The greater your desire for Him will be.

                The foundation of stewardship is knowing that God is always at work around you. The starting point of stewardship is pursuing God as He pursues you. The more you love Him, the more you will spend time with Him. The more you love Him, the more you will serve Him. The more you love Him, the more you will give. If you want to be a good steward, you must start by seeking after God. To be a good steward of what you have been given, you must get to know the owner and ruler of all that you have. God is pursuing you. He loves you. He wants more of you. Do you want more of Him? Do you love Him? Are you pursing God?