I know this sermon is out of order in terms of the sermons that have yet to be posted, but due to the relevance of this message to the Sanctity of Life Month 2017, I wanted to post it for your consideration. If you feel it has merit, please feel free to share. - Pastor Rick
Monday, January 23, 2017
God is Pro-Life & So Am I.
I know this sermon is out of order in terms of the sermons that have yet to be posted, but due to the relevance of this message to the Sanctity of Life Month 2017, I wanted to post it for your consideration. If you feel it has merit, please feel free to share. - Pastor Rick
Sunday, January 8, 2017
PLEASING
Oswald Chambers said, “I have to learn to relate everything to the master ambition, and to maintain it without any cessation. My worth to God in public is what I am in private. Is my master ambition to please Him and be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how noble?”
What does it mean to please God? Pastor Rick tackles this question in an effort to help us align our perspective with God's reality instead of many of the misperceptions we may have about the answer.
Seven Principles of Peace
Technical Difficulties prevent me from posting the recording of this sermon, but the sermon is posted here for your encouragement. I hope it is a blessing!
I originally intended to preach one of two messages to you this morning:
A Continuation of our series on Discipling our children
A Message titled “Pleasing”
But, as I tried to prepare on the basis of either of those thoughts, I could not seem to make headway. This morning as I prayed, the Lord led me to a different thought for this day.
This year has been immensely challenging for us here at Water of Life. Each family has been through truly earth-shaking changes and challenges. Jobs have changed for me and for many of the men here. Some of us have moved households across multiple states. School has been difficult for several. Some of us have experienced very difficult and challenging family or financial circumstances. Some have been deeply bereaved or grieved by some tragedy among family or friends. Some of us are probably not where we wish we were spiritually and we are overwhelmed by that fact and feel a bit powerless to change it. How many here fit in one of the categories I mentioned?
Then this message is for you.
Take a deep breath and exhale slowly. Do it again. One more time. How would you describe that feeling? (hopefully we get, “calm” or “peace” here…lol).
For all of us, peace is closely associated with our emotions and feelings and physical condition.
I have rarely experienced it but one of the most peaceful emotional places on earth to me is in an environment where it is warm enough to lay on the ground alone in the rain with eyes closed feeling the gentle massage of falling rain drops and hearing no traffic sounds, no machinery sounds, no animal sounds…nothing but the whispering roar of the falling rain. I suppose that such a moment of peace and relaxation comes not only from the quiet and the calming of the spirit and body, but also from the fact that if you have time to lay in the rain, in those moments, there are no demands of work or family or responsibility. For each of us that ultimate moment of relaxation and peace may be found differently.
But is peace just a feeling?
We know it is more. The dictionary tells us that peace first is as we have just described: “generally a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; and is applicable to the temper of the mind, to individuals, and to society.” However, it also means “freedom from war; freedom from commotion; freedom from quarrels, lawsuits, disturbances; freedom from emotional agitation or disturbance; harmony; reconciliation; quiet; Heavenly rest.”
The world seeks for peace. Nations strive for unity. Non-governmental agencies around the world work every day to bring aid and comfort. People long for peace in their homes and in their jobs and in their dreams and goals. And we do all kinds of things to achieve it. Type in “How to find peace” into Google and you will get all sorts of suggestions. Things like:
Set Limits.
Slow Down.
Give up ties to insensitive people.
Give up obsessing with negative news.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that peace and happiness are the same thing.
On and on the pages go through all 35,800,000 results. Many people equate peace with financial stability, powerful position, familial harmony, sensual satisfaction, sensory experience, substance use, and many other things. For some peace is a full bank account. For others it is a slice of warm apple pie and a glass of milk shared with friends. For still others it is some kind of ethereal religious experience or place of meditative Zen. Many of us continually seek these things in an effort to assuage our consciences, relieve our guilt, and rest our weary spirits.
But all of these things will leave us with longing whatever momentary peace they might bring us. I think it is time we consider what kind of peace we ought to pursue.
Let us turn to the Epistle to the Philippians chapter 4. After all his previous discussion, Paul declares a recipe for peace:
“4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
There are 7 Principles of Peace here. I will touch on each one briefly:
Adam Clarke said, “Be continually happy; but this happiness you can find only in the Lord. Genuine happiness is spiritual; as it can only come from God, so it infallibly tends to him.” What he is really telling us is that true happiness and joy are found only in God. He designed us this way that we would find the peak of our joy and happiness in Him. As such, it is only when we are in harmony with Him that we will truly be happy. When in harmony with Him our joy is complete and right and sustained. No matter what we face in life, when our hearts are in harmony with Him we can rejoice in that relationship. Even in moments of hardship and pain and suffering, peace comes through harmony with Him. It does not say to rejoice in sorrow, rejoice in pain, rejoice in grief. It says to rejoice in the Lord. When we rejoice in the Lord, we can then still have joy even amid the deepest valleys because our rejoicing is not in the circumstance but in the person of our Lord and Savior. This is the first Principle of Peace – the Prince of Peace in our hearts. Rejoice in the Lord.
Be Balanced.
“Let your moderation be known to everyone.” This Greek word means “mildness, patience, gentleness, clemency, moderation.” How true it is that a meek and gentle spirit brings far more peace than a spirit inflamed by passion or pride. How important it is that we walk in a balanced manner on an even keel. How do we do this? I refer back to the first point: rejoice in the Lord. If you are finding your joy and happiness in God and you are in harmony with Him, then He will be your foundation for balance. If you are out of sync with Him, it is highly likely that you will be imbalanced and off track. You will be far more prone to outbursts of personal passion instead of His passion. Paul reminds the Philippians that God is the boundary for our passions when he follows the statement “Let your moderation be known to everyone” with “The Lord is at hand.” In other words, “The Supreme Master is standing nearby.” So if I could put it this way, “Live balanced before all people. The Lord is standing by to guide you and help you and ensure that you do!” This is the second Principle of Peace – Be Balanced.
Don’t Worry.
“Be careful for nothing;” or “Don’t be anxious or worried about anything.” The medical field tells us that anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It can even be a positive motivator to better performance in difficult situations. But it can also quickly cross the boundary from a positive element to a disorder. WebMD says, “…excessive worriers react quickly and intensely to these stressful situations or triggers. Even thinking about the situation can cause chronic worriers great distress and disability. Excessive worry or ongoing fear or anxiety is harmful when it becomes so irrational that you can’t focus on reality or think clearly.” This can lead to physical symptoms ranging from minor dizziness, headaches, nausea, and irritability to serious disorders of the immune system, the digestive system, short term memory loss, and premature heart disease. Excessive worrying and high anxiety can also lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, and psychological disorders. God knows this and so he urged us through the writing of Paul to not wallow in our worry. This is the third Principle of Peace. But you say, “Pastor Rick, I struggle with this. I get that I am not supposed to worry, but how do I lay aside my anxiety? How do I cope?” I’m glad you ask. That is our next Principle of Peace:
Anchor Everything with Prayer and Praise.
God did not say, “Don’t worry” followed by “Good luck with that.” He followed the direction with a practical method of achieving it. He said, “Don’t worry, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your requests known unto God.” “Prayer is that serious application to God from a sense of want or lack; Supplication is continuance in prayer; Thanksgiving is that worship and praise for countless favors already received.” You see, God says, “Stop your worrying and let me worry about it. You let go of it and give it to me. I will handle it.” In a sense you might say that excessive worry is directly connected to faithlessness. For when we believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6), what have we to worry about? If He can provide a solution to our sinfulness surely He can solve the things for which we have earthly need! Do we trust Him? Thus, a way to find freedom from worry and fear is to pray, as a continual conversation, and praise as we go fixing our minds on His faithfulness and provision in the past knowing by faith He will again provide in the present and future. The fourth Principle of Peace is to “Anchor Everything with Prayer and Praise.”
Peace Comes from God in Christ.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This verse is so beautiful. It is the climax of the first principles of peace: Since your joy is genuine and fastened to a relationship with the Lord; since you are living a balanced life under His watchful eye; since you are laying aside your anxiety and instead casting all your cares upon the Lord in a continual conversation of prayer and praise; then the peace of God Himself – which is far greater than we can even describe – will keep our hearts (emotions) and minds (our thinking and intellect). The word “peace” here is the Greek word Eirene which comes from a word meaning “to join” and means “peace; one; quietness; rest.” Words that could very nearly be used here would also be wholeness and completeness. The peace of God therefore comes when we are joined with Him and are one with Him – completed and made whole in Him – resting in Him and finding comfort and quietness in His Spirit! Wow that is beautiful! But this is not something we conjure ourselves. No. It says that His Peace that I just defined will “keep.” This word is an active word. It means to be “a watcher in advance” or to “set a guard as in sentinels at the gates” or “to keep/guard/protect as in a garrison or castle.” This is a military term! Think of it! The powerful peace of God is actively going to protect you in its castle. It is going to set a watch over your heart and mind to shield it from the attacks of the enemy and protect it from worry! How? Through Christ Jesus! I can’t spend a lot of time on this thought but I commend it to you for meditation: The power peace of God is going to protect your heart and mind through the Lord Jesus who walked as we walk, who suffered as we suffer, who was tempted as we are! In Christ is the true strength of peace! Any peace outside of Him will be transient; but in Him is peace everlasting and His knowledge of our earthly sojourn serves as a sentinel against the darkness. We can rejoice and rest in the Castle of His Care! Genuine Peace comes from God in Christ. There is no other. (This is the 5th Principle of Peace.)
Focus Your Mind.
Knowing all these things, then Paul gives us a list of things to fix our minds on that they may be boundaries of our behavior and drivers of our actions. These things will enable us to maintain peace of heart and mind. Focus on the things that are:
True – that come directly from the Word of God and are anchored in Him that is True – Jesus Christ
Honest – that are right and good as one ought to live and behave
Just – that are of righteousness, balance, and honor to both God and neighbor
Pure – that are of chastity and holiness in mind and body
Lovely – that are of beauty, kindness, and friendship
Of Good Report – that are of usefulness and are charitable to and profitable for society
Of Virtue – good for all mankind; worthy of aspiration
Of Praise – worthy of esteem
Focus on these things. Meditate on these things. Aspire to these virtues. Live your life in honor of them. Give your energy to them. This is the sixth Principle of Peace.
Walk in the Way.
Finally, Paul says, “The things which you have learned from my preaching and teaching, and that you have received by faith as revelation of God, that you have heard about me and heard from me as I lived and worked among you – do them. Do as I do. Follow in the way that I have led you. As I follow Christ, follow me. As I live according to His way, join me in doing the same. If you live according to these ways I have taught you, you will discover true peace since the God of Peace will be with you.” Thus the final Principle of Peace is to walk in the ways of God in Christ according to the Word.
So the complete recipe for peace is:
Let your relationship be with Him. Live carefully and meekly under His watchful eye. Don’t be consumed by anxiety but cast your cares upon Him in a continual conversation always remembering His goodness. Never forget that true peace only comes from God when we are kept in His care through Christ. And in this sweet relationship, let us fix our minds and behavior on the things that are good and walk in the ways of Word as exemplified by Christ and empowered by the Spirit of God.
Rejoice in the Lord – Let your relationship be with Him.
Be Balanced – Live carefully under His watchful eye.
Don’t Worry – Don’t be consumed by anxiety but cast your cares upon Him.
Anchor Everything with Prayer and Praise – in a continual conversation lifting your cares and remembering His goodness.
Peace Comes from God in Christ – when we are kept “castled” in His care.
Focus Your Mind – on the things which are good as boundaries for our behavior and motivators for action
Walk in the Way of God as demonstrated by Christ and taught by Paul.
These Seven Principles of Peace will anchor us in the storms, shield us in the fight, and bring us safely home.
If you have struggled to find peace in the last days, weeks, or months, I encourage you to anchor your life in Him completely!
Jesus said, John 14: 25 ¶ These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
“My peace is such as meets all the wants of the soul, silences the alarms of conscience, is fixed and sure amid all external changes, and will abide in the hour of death and for ever. How desirable, in a world of anxiety and care, to possess this peace! and how should all who have it not, seek that which the world can neither give nor take away!” Barnes
In closing, there are a few that have been on my mind today that I would like to invite to the front this morning. I want to pray with you and for you that you will find the strength of peace in Him today. If any others would like to join them, please feel free to come up here too. Conclude with prayer.
I originally intended to preach one of two messages to you this morning:
A Continuation of our series on Discipling our children
A Message titled “Pleasing”
But, as I tried to prepare on the basis of either of those thoughts, I could not seem to make headway. This morning as I prayed, the Lord led me to a different thought for this day.
This year has been immensely challenging for us here at Water of Life. Each family has been through truly earth-shaking changes and challenges. Jobs have changed for me and for many of the men here. Some of us have moved households across multiple states. School has been difficult for several. Some of us have experienced very difficult and challenging family or financial circumstances. Some have been deeply bereaved or grieved by some tragedy among family or friends. Some of us are probably not where we wish we were spiritually and we are overwhelmed by that fact and feel a bit powerless to change it. How many here fit in one of the categories I mentioned?
Then this message is for you.
Take a deep breath and exhale slowly. Do it again. One more time. How would you describe that feeling? (hopefully we get, “calm” or “peace” here…lol).
For all of us, peace is closely associated with our emotions and feelings and physical condition.
I have rarely experienced it but one of the most peaceful emotional places on earth to me is in an environment where it is warm enough to lay on the ground alone in the rain with eyes closed feeling the gentle massage of falling rain drops and hearing no traffic sounds, no machinery sounds, no animal sounds…nothing but the whispering roar of the falling rain. I suppose that such a moment of peace and relaxation comes not only from the quiet and the calming of the spirit and body, but also from the fact that if you have time to lay in the rain, in those moments, there are no demands of work or family or responsibility. For each of us that ultimate moment of relaxation and peace may be found differently.
But is peace just a feeling?
We know it is more. The dictionary tells us that peace first is as we have just described: “generally a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; and is applicable to the temper of the mind, to individuals, and to society.” However, it also means “freedom from war; freedom from commotion; freedom from quarrels, lawsuits, disturbances; freedom from emotional agitation or disturbance; harmony; reconciliation; quiet; Heavenly rest.”
The world seeks for peace. Nations strive for unity. Non-governmental agencies around the world work every day to bring aid and comfort. People long for peace in their homes and in their jobs and in their dreams and goals. And we do all kinds of things to achieve it. Type in “How to find peace” into Google and you will get all sorts of suggestions. Things like:
Set Limits.
Slow Down.
Give up ties to insensitive people.
Give up obsessing with negative news.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that peace and happiness are the same thing.
On and on the pages go through all 35,800,000 results. Many people equate peace with financial stability, powerful position, familial harmony, sensual satisfaction, sensory experience, substance use, and many other things. For some peace is a full bank account. For others it is a slice of warm apple pie and a glass of milk shared with friends. For still others it is some kind of ethereal religious experience or place of meditative Zen. Many of us continually seek these things in an effort to assuage our consciences, relieve our guilt, and rest our weary spirits.
But all of these things will leave us with longing whatever momentary peace they might bring us. I think it is time we consider what kind of peace we ought to pursue.
Let us turn to the Epistle to the Philippians chapter 4. After all his previous discussion, Paul declares a recipe for peace:
“4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
There are 7 Principles of Peace here. I will touch on each one briefly:
- Rejoice in the Lord
- Be Balanced
- Don’t Worry
- Anchor Everything with Prayer and Praise
- Peace Comes from God in Christ
- Focus Your Mind
- Walk in the Way
Adam Clarke said, “Be continually happy; but this happiness you can find only in the Lord. Genuine happiness is spiritual; as it can only come from God, so it infallibly tends to him.” What he is really telling us is that true happiness and joy are found only in God. He designed us this way that we would find the peak of our joy and happiness in Him. As such, it is only when we are in harmony with Him that we will truly be happy. When in harmony with Him our joy is complete and right and sustained. No matter what we face in life, when our hearts are in harmony with Him we can rejoice in that relationship. Even in moments of hardship and pain and suffering, peace comes through harmony with Him. It does not say to rejoice in sorrow, rejoice in pain, rejoice in grief. It says to rejoice in the Lord. When we rejoice in the Lord, we can then still have joy even amid the deepest valleys because our rejoicing is not in the circumstance but in the person of our Lord and Savior. This is the first Principle of Peace – the Prince of Peace in our hearts. Rejoice in the Lord.
Be Balanced.
“Let your moderation be known to everyone.” This Greek word means “mildness, patience, gentleness, clemency, moderation.” How true it is that a meek and gentle spirit brings far more peace than a spirit inflamed by passion or pride. How important it is that we walk in a balanced manner on an even keel. How do we do this? I refer back to the first point: rejoice in the Lord. If you are finding your joy and happiness in God and you are in harmony with Him, then He will be your foundation for balance. If you are out of sync with Him, it is highly likely that you will be imbalanced and off track. You will be far more prone to outbursts of personal passion instead of His passion. Paul reminds the Philippians that God is the boundary for our passions when he follows the statement “Let your moderation be known to everyone” with “The Lord is at hand.” In other words, “The Supreme Master is standing nearby.” So if I could put it this way, “Live balanced before all people. The Lord is standing by to guide you and help you and ensure that you do!” This is the second Principle of Peace – Be Balanced.
Don’t Worry.
“Be careful for nothing;” or “Don’t be anxious or worried about anything.” The medical field tells us that anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It can even be a positive motivator to better performance in difficult situations. But it can also quickly cross the boundary from a positive element to a disorder. WebMD says, “…excessive worriers react quickly and intensely to these stressful situations or triggers. Even thinking about the situation can cause chronic worriers great distress and disability. Excessive worry or ongoing fear or anxiety is harmful when it becomes so irrational that you can’t focus on reality or think clearly.” This can lead to physical symptoms ranging from minor dizziness, headaches, nausea, and irritability to serious disorders of the immune system, the digestive system, short term memory loss, and premature heart disease. Excessive worrying and high anxiety can also lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, and psychological disorders. God knows this and so he urged us through the writing of Paul to not wallow in our worry. This is the third Principle of Peace. But you say, “Pastor Rick, I struggle with this. I get that I am not supposed to worry, but how do I lay aside my anxiety? How do I cope?” I’m glad you ask. That is our next Principle of Peace:
Anchor Everything with Prayer and Praise.
God did not say, “Don’t worry” followed by “Good luck with that.” He followed the direction with a practical method of achieving it. He said, “Don’t worry, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your requests known unto God.” “Prayer is that serious application to God from a sense of want or lack; Supplication is continuance in prayer; Thanksgiving is that worship and praise for countless favors already received.” You see, God says, “Stop your worrying and let me worry about it. You let go of it and give it to me. I will handle it.” In a sense you might say that excessive worry is directly connected to faithlessness. For when we believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6), what have we to worry about? If He can provide a solution to our sinfulness surely He can solve the things for which we have earthly need! Do we trust Him? Thus, a way to find freedom from worry and fear is to pray, as a continual conversation, and praise as we go fixing our minds on His faithfulness and provision in the past knowing by faith He will again provide in the present and future. The fourth Principle of Peace is to “Anchor Everything with Prayer and Praise.”
Peace Comes from God in Christ.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This verse is so beautiful. It is the climax of the first principles of peace: Since your joy is genuine and fastened to a relationship with the Lord; since you are living a balanced life under His watchful eye; since you are laying aside your anxiety and instead casting all your cares upon the Lord in a continual conversation of prayer and praise; then the peace of God Himself – which is far greater than we can even describe – will keep our hearts (emotions) and minds (our thinking and intellect). The word “peace” here is the Greek word Eirene which comes from a word meaning “to join” and means “peace; one; quietness; rest.” Words that could very nearly be used here would also be wholeness and completeness. The peace of God therefore comes when we are joined with Him and are one with Him – completed and made whole in Him – resting in Him and finding comfort and quietness in His Spirit! Wow that is beautiful! But this is not something we conjure ourselves. No. It says that His Peace that I just defined will “keep.” This word is an active word. It means to be “a watcher in advance” or to “set a guard as in sentinels at the gates” or “to keep/guard/protect as in a garrison or castle.” This is a military term! Think of it! The powerful peace of God is actively going to protect you in its castle. It is going to set a watch over your heart and mind to shield it from the attacks of the enemy and protect it from worry! How? Through Christ Jesus! I can’t spend a lot of time on this thought but I commend it to you for meditation: The power peace of God is going to protect your heart and mind through the Lord Jesus who walked as we walk, who suffered as we suffer, who was tempted as we are! In Christ is the true strength of peace! Any peace outside of Him will be transient; but in Him is peace everlasting and His knowledge of our earthly sojourn serves as a sentinel against the darkness. We can rejoice and rest in the Castle of His Care! Genuine Peace comes from God in Christ. There is no other. (This is the 5th Principle of Peace.)
Focus Your Mind.
Knowing all these things, then Paul gives us a list of things to fix our minds on that they may be boundaries of our behavior and drivers of our actions. These things will enable us to maintain peace of heart and mind. Focus on the things that are:
True – that come directly from the Word of God and are anchored in Him that is True – Jesus Christ
Honest – that are right and good as one ought to live and behave
Just – that are of righteousness, balance, and honor to both God and neighbor
Pure – that are of chastity and holiness in mind and body
Lovely – that are of beauty, kindness, and friendship
Of Good Report – that are of usefulness and are charitable to and profitable for society
Of Virtue – good for all mankind; worthy of aspiration
Of Praise – worthy of esteem
Focus on these things. Meditate on these things. Aspire to these virtues. Live your life in honor of them. Give your energy to them. This is the sixth Principle of Peace.
Walk in the Way.
Finally, Paul says, “The things which you have learned from my preaching and teaching, and that you have received by faith as revelation of God, that you have heard about me and heard from me as I lived and worked among you – do them. Do as I do. Follow in the way that I have led you. As I follow Christ, follow me. As I live according to His way, join me in doing the same. If you live according to these ways I have taught you, you will discover true peace since the God of Peace will be with you.” Thus the final Principle of Peace is to walk in the ways of God in Christ according to the Word.
So the complete recipe for peace is:
Let your relationship be with Him. Live carefully and meekly under His watchful eye. Don’t be consumed by anxiety but cast your cares upon Him in a continual conversation always remembering His goodness. Never forget that true peace only comes from God when we are kept in His care through Christ. And in this sweet relationship, let us fix our minds and behavior on the things that are good and walk in the ways of Word as exemplified by Christ and empowered by the Spirit of God.
Rejoice in the Lord – Let your relationship be with Him.
Be Balanced – Live carefully under His watchful eye.
Don’t Worry – Don’t be consumed by anxiety but cast your cares upon Him.
Anchor Everything with Prayer and Praise – in a continual conversation lifting your cares and remembering His goodness.
Peace Comes from God in Christ – when we are kept “castled” in His care.
Focus Your Mind – on the things which are good as boundaries for our behavior and motivators for action
Walk in the Way of God as demonstrated by Christ and taught by Paul.
These Seven Principles of Peace will anchor us in the storms, shield us in the fight, and bring us safely home.
If you have struggled to find peace in the last days, weeks, or months, I encourage you to anchor your life in Him completely!
Jesus said, John 14: 25 ¶ These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
“My peace is such as meets all the wants of the soul, silences the alarms of conscience, is fixed and sure amid all external changes, and will abide in the hour of death and for ever. How desirable, in a world of anxiety and care, to possess this peace! and how should all who have it not, seek that which the world can neither give nor take away!” Barnes
In closing, there are a few that have been on my mind today that I would like to invite to the front this morning. I want to pray with you and for you that you will find the strength of peace in Him today. If any others would like to join them, please feel free to come up here too. Conclude with prayer.
3 W's
"...living as disciples of Christ, today I want to consider three W’s of discipleship in our homes:
Constant Ways
Gentle Words
Available Wisdom."
Listen as Pastor Rick discusses further methods of discipleship for our homes and families.
A Disciple of Christ
"To become a disciple of Christ is a serious matter. It is far more than a little prayer and handshake with a preacher. It is more than an emotional baptism experience captured on video. It is more than taking communion on a Sunday. True discipleship is far more than a feel-good idea or brief ritual. Discipleship demands abandonment of oneself to the Savior and His way. In fact it is a continual living expression of devotion to the first commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods before Me."
Listen as Pastor Rick shares principles of discipleship from the words of Jesus Himself.
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