FRIENDING GOD GOD FRIENDED ME #3 Pastor

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FRIENDING GOD GOD FRIENDED ME #3 Pastor Dennis Clanton Woodland Church Sunday, January 20, 2019 “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” (James 4:8, NLT) “We were God’s enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of his Son. Now that we are God’s friends, how much more will we be saved by Christ’s life! But that is not all; we rejoice because of what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has now made us God’s friends.” (Romans 5:10–11 GN) 1. STEP UP AND ACCEPT GOD’S FRIENDSHIP. “Everything else is worthless compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus. I’ve discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may know Christ.” (Philippians 3:8) “You will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) 2. MAKE TIME TO BUILD YOUR FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD. “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24) “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10) “Friendship with the Lord is reserved for those who reverence him. With them he shares the secrets of his covenant.” (Psalm 25:14)

3. CHOOSE GOD FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND. “When you come to God, don’t turn into a theatrical production … Just find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” (Matthew 6:5-6, Message) 4. LET GO OF TOXIC FRIENDSHIPS. “You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God. Anyone who wants to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4, NCV) “You are my friends if you obey me.” (John 15:14) 5. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION. MOMENTUM MATTERS. “Pray all the time!” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) “My determined purpose is that I may know Him that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly.” (Philippians 3:10) 6. TAKE YOUR HURTS TO GOD. FRIENDSHIPS DEEPEN IN PAIN. “Cast all your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” (Psalm 55:22) “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak the words that are worthy, you will be my spokesman. You are to influence them; do not them influence you!” (Jeremiah 15:19, NLT) “No one show greater love than when he lays down his life for his friends. And you are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:13-14)

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