Lots of things can disturb our peace – a busy, hectic schedule / planning for a big event / an unexpected expense / a sudden, intense crisis / problems with relationships / being married and children / medical emergencies / when you’re haunted by your past / you lose your source of income / when all you feel is lonely / the loss of someone you love / when people don’t come to church / annoying irritations / the chaos of daily life. How can we expect to have any real peace in the midst of all this?
Vs.6-7 – PRAY
Vs.8 – PONDER
Vs.9 – PRACTICE
This prescription isn’t automatic magic. It is practical. We all have concerns, but we can have a supernatural peace, and His supernatural presence.
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Pondering I think I'm going to have to print out the PDF to this so I can "ponder" on it. Thanks!
Pastor J.D. Hatfield (5/21/2013)
from Hernando, FL
Answering Anonymous Question pt.2 You also said, “I get confused as to what "peace" looks like in a person’s life….So does this peace "look" differently on each individual?”
We also addressed that directly in the sermon. What were these things that they were supposed to practice (vs.9)? It’s what he was talking about in vs.8 – the things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Philippians 1:6-11 mentions several of these things, and in 1:12-18 Paul exemplifies his own teaching. We can trace Paul’s practice (1:6, 2:12-13, 3:14, 4:13). We all have concerns, but we can have a supernatural peace, and His supernatural presence. Pray, ponder, practice.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 – Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.
Pastor J.D. Hatfield (5/21/2013)
from Hernando, FL
Answering Anonymous Question pt.1 Dear Anon, those are some good questions. As to the first, you said, “I've been around those individuals who espoused this, but come to find out they basically had what I considered to be a lackadaisical attitude about responsibilities and life in general. I wouldn't think that's peace from God.”
I agree, and the sermon addressed this matter directly: “This is not just “having a peace about it”: Jonah had peace as he slept in disobedient rebellion. This isn’t just being lazy, like we don’t care at all, that we have a peace without concern. This is not just passively praying and mediating, and having a “peace out, man”; vs.9 teaches us that staying active is part of the process.
Anon (5/21/2013)
from Florida
Peace I see one of the comments said we have to "live out" the scripture. I get confused as to what "peace" looks like in a persons life. I've been around those individuals who espoused this, but come to find out they basically had what I considered to be a lacksidasical attitude about responsibilities and life in general. I wouldn't think that's peace from God. So does this peace "look" differently on each individual?
Margie (5/19/2013)
from Inverness
Practice, Practice, Practice This sermon was right on! Too often we want to skip over the biblical truth of "living out" the scripture and just get to the promises. In order to experience true peace we must learn to give our hearts, minds and wills to God.