November 9 2014 Building Peace Into Our Lives

Building Peace Into Our Lives

John 20 – Peace be with you.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

How To Build Peace Into Our Lives

1. Accept what cannot be changed.

Philippians 4:11-13 – I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have, and with everything that happens. I know how to live when I’m poor and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything. I can do all things through Christ because He gives me strength.

• Stop demanding an explanation from God for the bad things that happen.
• When God is silent you need acceptance.
  (Job, our example)

2. Trust in God’s loving care.

Isaiah 26:3 – You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on You because they trust You.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Why Does Life Happen?

• Adam & Eve gave into temptation.
• Satan is still our enemy
• We make our own mistakes.

John 9:3 – This happened so the work of God may be displayed in his life.

Philippians 4:6-7 – Don’t worry about anything. Tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s wonderful peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.

3 Surrender to God’s loving control.

Romans 8:6 – If a person’s thinking is controlled by his sinful self, then there is death, but if his thinking is controlled by the Spirit, then there’s life and peace.

Psalm 119 – Those who love Your teaching will find true peace and nothing will defeat them.

Romans 5:1 – Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God, because of what Jesus Christ our Lord had done for us.

March 2 2014 How To Experience Peaceful Living

How To Experience Peaceful Living 

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Proverbs 14:30 – A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Three Kinds Of Peace:

1. Spiritual peace.

Romans 5:1 – Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Emotional peace.

Colossians 3:15 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since you were called to peace.

3. With people around us.

Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

God’s Promise: John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Five Keys To God’s Peace:

1. Obey God’s principles.

Psalm 119:165 – Great peace have they who love your law.

2. Accept God’s pardon.

Micah 7:18 – Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression

I John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.

3. Focus on God’s presence.

Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast.

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

• Be still.
• Realize that God is God.

Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God.

Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

4. Trust God’s purpose.

Proverbs 35:6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

• Trust.
• Acknowledge.

Philippians 4: 12, 13 – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed, or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

5. Ask for peace.

Philippians 4:6,7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your request to God, and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Luke 8:14 – The seen that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries.

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

August 11 2013 Beyond GPS: Learning To Trust

LEARNING TO TRUST
 

Memory Verse: James 1:5“If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.”

HOW TO TRUST GOD WHEN HE SPEAKS:

1. Confirm the it truly is God's voice

Proverbs 14:12“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

Proverbs 12:28“The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death.” 

How God Speaks:

• Through the Bible (primary)
• Through His Holy Spirit
• Through Prayer
• Through Other Christians
• Through Circumstances

John 10:27(Jesus) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

2. Remember God's faithfulness in my past

Deuteronomy 7:18“But don't be afraid of them! Just remember what the LORD your God did . . .”

Psalms 143:5“I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works. I think about what you have done.”

3. Take a step forward in faith

Hebrews 11:6“So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Hebrews13:20-21“Now may the God of peace—equip you with all you need for doing his will.”

Take a Step . . .Evaluate . . . Retreat or Repeat

4. Stay focused on your relationship with God...not the end result

James 4:8“Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.”

Isaiah 26:3-4“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE: "The Best Question Ever" By Andy Stanley

August 26 2012 How To Live A Life That Counts

HOW TO LIVE A LIFE THAT COUNTS
James 4:1-10
Vs. 6 & 10 - He gives us more Grace, and He will lift us up.

Step 1. Remember the loving desire of God.
Vs. 5 - The Holy Spirit whom God has placed within us with tender jealousy.

Step 2. Remove the obstacles to real life.
Vs. 6 - He gives us more grace.
Vs. 10 - He will lift us up.

Step 3. Rely on Christ’s support.
Jude 1:24 - To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.

Step 4. Respond to Christ’s security.
2 Timothy 1:23 - I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him.

Williams Translation: I am absolutely sure that God is able to guard what I have given to Him.

Step 5. Reverse the flow.
Vs. 10 - Humble yourself before the Lord.

4 Steps

• Give in to God.
Vs. 7 - Submit yourself then to God.
Colossians 3:15 - Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.

• Get wise to satan.
Vs. 7 - Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
2 Corinthians 2:11 - In order that Satan might not outwit us, we are not unaware of his schemes.

• Grow closer to God.
Vs. 8 - Come near to God and He will come near to you.
Isaiah 26:3 - He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord.

• More Grace than forgiving Grace.
Vs. 8 & 9 - Wash your hands, purify your hearts.