ROK-08c
Short Clips
Mortify My Personal Worldliness. James reminded the First of all churches, the one in Jerusalem, that friendship with the world, especially that which causes us to lust for what we don’t have: makes God our enemy (James 4:4).
Pursue Friendship with God. James went on to say that each time we draw near to God He draws nearer to us (James 4:8). Jesus said that when we love Him enough to obey Him God reveals more and more of Himself to us (John 14:21).
Enjoy Being Satisfied by God. David said that awakening in the likeness of God was his desire (Ps. 17:15). But Paul says it best right back in Philippians 4. God supplied his needs, God made him content no matter what. Paul said that no matter what comes, what I face: my God supplies me. I am satisfied.
History records how this satisfied by God conviction helped the 4th Century pastor named Chrysostom as he faced the Roman emperor, who threatened the pastor with banishment for fearlessly proclaiming the Word of God:
“Thou canst not banish me for this world is my father’s house.” “But I will slay thee,” said the Emperor. “Nay, thou canst not,” said the noble champion of the faith, “for my life is hid with Christ in God.” “I will take away thy treasures.” “Nay, but thou canst not for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there.” “But I will drive thee away from man and thou shalt have no friend left.” “Nay, thou canst not, for I have a friend in heaven from whom thou canst not separate me. I defy thee; for there is nothing that thou canst do to hurt me.”
How do we learn to be content and satisfied in God like that; and then model and teach how to avoid getting re-infected with materialism to our families?
Contentment Must Become a Learned Way of Life