Hours on the phone, messages on social media, text, text and more text; such are the activities of many who are IN LOVE.<\/p>\n
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Do you remember the days before cell phones and social media? When you needed to connect with someone, you had to call on the home phone. And if it was your special someone, you just waited<\/em> for them to call you. Then you\u2019d talk on the phone for hours. \u00a0The heart palpitating, pulse racing excitement of a lover’s call.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jesus longs to connect with you in the same way. He sees you, chooses you, knows you, loves you and now calls out to you. But unlike a love interest calling to get to know you, Jesus is already intimately acquainted with every detail of your life. No need to front or put on your \u2018best self\u2019 for him because he loves and accepts you just the way you are.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Because he 1st<\/sup> knew you and cared for you so deeply, it would only be fitting that he call you to join into a relationship with him. You are his chosen of course. His favored one. His beloved.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “I, the LORD, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations.\u201d Isaiah 42:6<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n He\u2019s not just randomly calling people out. Because his love for us is unique and personal to each individual, he calls us by name.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I am my beloved\u2019s and my beloved is mine. In this love relationship there is no fear of infidelity. You have the Master\u2019s absolute trust. I attest that you can look back over your life and see evidence of his faithfulness time and time again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And when you answer the call, your act of obedience has a ripple effect, reaching even to your children.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off\u2014for all whom the Lord our God will call.\u201d Acts 2:39<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I thank you Jesus for calling me into a love relationship. If you haven\u2019t done so, answer the call. You know how you can be when you see an unfamiliar number show up on your phone, you may give pause or even tell someone close by, \u201cI don\u2019t know who that is. Don\u2019t answer it.\u201d Well Jesus is calling. Don\u2019t avert your eyes. He beckons you to come. He\u2019s drawing even closer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How will you respond?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All week we\u2019ll be talking about Embracing Everlasting Love. For Part 1 on being Seen & Chosen click here<\/a>. For Part 2 on being Known, click here<\/a> and Pt 3 on being Loved click here<\/a>. I pray you join me all week as we embrace a love so pure, a love that expects nothing in return, a love that is complete, a love that can only be found in Jesus.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n