God gives a peace that passes understanding and is compared to a limitless and unfathomable river. Pastor Don preaches this week on three rights that will lead you into God's peace. The full sermon is linked below.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 NKJVPraying
Do we pray? Prayer is uncomfortable if we are living out of fellowship with God. Perhaps God feels distant after our lack of communication with Him or His seeming silence towards our situation. Right praying, however, begins with adoration and putting God in His rightful place and us in our humble and rightful place. After this we can begin to ask God for things according to His will, and finally we become thankful and are able to more easily recognize God's goodness in our life.
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you. Proverbs 23:7 NKJVThinking
Thoughts are unseen, unknown to the outside, and are at times difficult to manage. The way you think, however, goes a long way towards what goes on in and around your life. Faith is also unseen, unknown to the outside, and is at times difficult to manage, nevertheless, right thinking or faith-filled thinking is the biggest barometer of your outlook, your path, and your success in living out all the principles we strive to emulate. Every thought must be taken captive in Christ Jesus our King!
The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. Isaiah 32:17 NKJVLiving
Lastly, and most evidently, the way we live is a living witness and testimony around us, whether it be good or bad. Now, even though this is drastically affected by both your prayers and thinking, this is by no means less important on its own. A church that doesn't live any differently than the surrounding culture, hasn't undergone the transformation that is truly indicative of Faith in Christ. This change is truly the fortifier of what IS the church. Can we live in the world, while maintaining salt and light?
Push into His presence in a deeper way this week! You will be surprised the difference in your experience with God when you connect with a Spirit-filled community to encourage you and spur you on when things get difficult. The Holy Spirit is moving around the world, and we are preparing for a great local move of His Holy Spirit here in Durham before Jesus's soon return.
God's Word is both timeless and powerful today!
We hope that you will consider this week's message in greater depth in the days ahead and meditate on God's Word in the attached PDF outline.
You can find the sermon and all resource attachments by clicking here.
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