Practicing Peace
3rd Segment

Today, we will see that as we keep our thoughts on Jesus, He provides hope and peace.

Review…
Q: 1) What does it mean to be of the same mind in the Lord?
• It means to think the same thing (due to a common bond) in the Lord. Unity not uniformity.
• Peaceful

, Vs. 1-3.
The Prince of Peace living through us provides peace with others. (Ga. 5:1, 13-16. Ep. 4:1-3; 6:10–18. Col. 3:12-17 4:12)
• Jesus provides the peace; by the Spirit we keep the peace. (Ps. 133. Mar. 9:50. Ro. 12:16–18. 1 Co. 1:10. Ep. 2:14. 1 Th. 5:13)
• The community of believers (whose names are written in the book of Life) should work together toward maintaining unity and peace. (Ex. 32:32. Ps. 69:28. Is. 4:3. Eze. 13:9. Da. 12:1. Rom. 12:4–5; 1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:15–16; Col. 2:18–19)

Q: 2) Are believers to rejoice in all circumstances?
Believers are to rejoice in the Lord always. It just so happens, while rejoicing in the Lord, we enter one circumstance after another.
• Peaceful

(Vs. 4-7).
Rejoicing in Jesus provides a gentle and jubilant attitude of prayerful thanksgiving. (Ps. 34:1, 2; 145:1. Mat. 5:12. Ac. 5:41. Ro. 5:2, 3. 1 Th. 5:16–18.1 Pe. 4:13)

• Pre-Christian or otherwise worldly behavior should be forsaken; rather, we should be living
as an example of Jesus, because Christ is in us.
(Lu. 6:29–35. 1 Co. 6:7; 7:29–31. Tit. 3:2. He. 13:5. 1 Pe. 1:11. Mat. 24:48–50. 1 Th. 5:2–4. He. 10:25)
• Instead of looking at the impossible circumstances before us, look to Almighty God, with confidence in prayer. Mat. 6:25–33. Lu. 10:41.1 Pe. 5:7. Mat. 7:7,8. Lu. 18:1. Ep. 6:18. Col. 4:2. 1 Th. 5:17)

Today…
Q: 3) Does the thought process affect the peace that we experience?
• Thinking affects our attitude, behavior, and sanctification.

Sow a thought, reap an

.
Sow an action, reap a

Reveal Answer

.
Sow a character, reap a

Reveal Answer

.

• Peaceful

. (Vs. 8-9) The peace of God remains garrison in our hearts as we continue thinking on the excellency of Jesus. (Nu. 6:26. Job 22:21; 34:29. Ps. 29:11; 85:8. Is. 26:3, 12; 45:7; 48:18, 22; 55:11; 12; 57:19–21. Je. 33:6. Lu. 1:79; 2:14. Jhn. 14:27; 16:33)
• A Positive Perceptive changes the outlook/ attitude toward life providing hope. (Jhn. 7:17-18. 2 Co. 8:21; 13:7. Pr. 11:1. 1 Jhn. 3:3; 1 Co. 13; 2 Pe. 1:3, 4. Pr. 31:31)

In closing…
Our mind is not our enemy. We do have control over our thoughts. Commit your thoughts to Jesus.