Friends of God?

Highlights from James Four – May I suggest you read this chapter again…outloud? James has some amazing teachings for us. They might just be reminders, convicting, and a bit gloomy. Read it anyway, then comment and let me know which verse speaks to you. 

Hand washing station in a Jerusalem hotel.
Wash before eating.
Purify your heart...and hands.
Don't have divided loyalty.

You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:4-8

 

Meditate. Consider how you will get closer to God.

 

Who are your friends? Can you be a friend of the creator of the Universe…the Almighty God? But who wants to be an enemy of God?

There were a few people who were considered friends of God. I immediately think of Abraham, Moses and then David. They were reverent towards God, and although they were sinners, they were repentant. Consider the whole David and Bathsheba fiasco. David took advantage of someone else’s wife, had him killed, and then went on with his life leading his troops into battle. When David was confronted with his sin, he changed his attitude and his actions. God forgave him, but ultimately, David was not allowed to build a house—the Temple—for God. Too much blood on his hands. Until I reread passages about David’s life, I thought that God called David “friend.” But that was not so. In a couple of passages, it says that God was with David, not that He considered David a “friend.” (See 2 Samuel 5:10) Read David’s story for yourself in various translations and see the relationship that David had with God.

Another “friend” is Moses, through whom God spoke to the whole nation of Israel. Moses was another person who was obedient…most of the time, but even he did not get to go into the Promised Land because of the disobedient action of striking a rock to get water, rather than just telling the rock to give them water as God had instructed him to do. (See Numbers 20:9-12) Obedience is important to the Lord God.

That same obedience is still very important to God today, and I think that we should recognize it for what it is. Respect for our God. That is the beginning and continued commitment to a friendship with God. Respect is key to any relationship. Contemplate your relationship with others. The more respect, the deeper the connection. There is our answer to any “friendship”—whether it is an association within the family, workplace, neighborhood, church, or directly to God.

Being an enemy of God is a scary thing. God is powerful and covers those who love Him with His grace and mercy. Life is tough for everyone, but it could be worse without God’s hand upon us. The commands to love God and love others makes a difference in all our relationships.

As James wrote…resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. That is good advice for us today. Get close to God…not the archrival the devil. Stay away from evil. Watch out…Halloween is coming. Resist the temptation to get involved in the evil of that day.

 

Prayer – Lord God, guard our hearts and minds that we would resist the devil and come closer to you every day. Thank You for Your mercy in our lives. You are worthy of our praise, honor, and respect.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness. 1 Peter 2:1-3

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

It is apple time here in the Northwest USA! Harvest is underway and you can easily pick up a box of a variety of apples. Mine came from a school fundraiser. Worthy cause and tasty fresh apples! Other than just fresh apple slices with some cheddar cheese, here’s one of my favorite ways to fix apples. The recipe was originally from a dear friend, Marianne Newel, as published in a church cookbook. Enjoy!

 

Northwest Apple Cake
½ c oil or melted butter
2 eggs
2 c flour
2 tsp vanilla or grated lemon rind
4 c apples, unpeeled, coarsely chopped – any variety
1½ c sugar (use less if apples are very sweet)
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
½ c chopped nuts – pecans or walnuts

Combine all ingredients, except nuts. Pour into a 9X13 inch pan. Top with nuts.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. This will store and keep fresh for a week or so.

 

© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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