Host: TJ Freeman

Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, delves into the endless pursuit of satisfaction in worldly things and its futility. He shares his own experiences of chasing material things and legalistic spirituality, only to realize true fulfillment comes from a deep relationship with God. TJ encourages listeners to focus on knowing and delighting in God in prayer and the study of His word, surrendering other pursuits, and strengthening their faith within their church community.

Key Points:

• Feeling Restless: Do you feel like you’re always chasing something? Maybe you always are jumping from hobby to hobby. Or you want a new wardrobe, truck, or the newest iPhone. Maybe you want to feel that closeness to God that you felt at one point in your life. 
• Finding Rest in the Lord: When our minds are fixed on worldly, lesser things, we will never feel truly fulfilled. When our primary pursuit is the Lord, we can find full satisfaction and true rest. Don’t continue pursuing things that will not fill you up. Instead, reflect on what it means to really enjoy the Lord. 
• Put Your Trust in God Alone: Believe that His word is true and that he is not withholding one good thing from you. He is good and wants you to delight in Him! He will not leave you feeling empty. 

Listener Takeaways:

• Memorize Genesis 1:26-28 and Psalm 16:11. God has made us with a purpose, and that purpose is to reflect him as a people who know him intimately. Spend time in the word and take time getting to know the Lord. 
• Pray and thank the Lord that he’s brought you into a close relationship with him. Ask him that he’ll help you have a sense of his presence. Then just praise him and thank him for five minutes. 
• Surrender your competing pursuits! Take an inventory of your life and think about the things that you might be putting ahead of the Lord. It could be your time on social media, a hobby you really love, or any number of things. Reset your priority on Christ’s kingdom.
• Spend time with your church community. They are meant to aid you in your pursuit of the Lord. Let your church members guide you towards loving God more. If you don’t have access to a healthy church, get together with another Christian in your area and pray with them.
  
  

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