In our discussion about how to be at peace, we’ve been looking at a quote by a guy (Paul) who claimed to have found peace in the midst of persecution, being falsely imprisoned and death threats. He wrapped up his thoughts by sharing 8 things he claimed could bring peace by meditating on them: “...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy - dwell on these things.” Let’s look at a few of these.
   
First of all, this list ends with “dwell on these things”. The intent here is to stop, slow down, focus, drill down, live here and purposely put these things in front of you (which will, by design, put out other things).
   
Whatever is TRUE - for Paul there was only “Truth”, there was no “my truth”. Paul’s Truth was objective and his standard for judging this Truth was God. What is your standard for truth?
   
Whatever is LOVELY - thinking about or dwelling on lovely things does not change one’s circumstances, but it does change one’s focus. Have you ever felt at peace watching the waves of the ocean, looking at the stars or a field of bluebonnets, a sunset, an aquarium or a full moon? If you’re stressed, take a moment to change your focus.
   
Whatever is COMMENDABLE - you regularly deal with people committing acts worthy of punishment, and that can wear on a person. Take some time to find the commendable and focus on that...people who go out of their way to do good or help others even in the midst of their own struggles (you know, like some of the people you work with!).
   
If there is any MORAL EXCELLENCE and if there is ANYTHING PRAISE WORTHY - our culture aims low in these areas. Find and surround yourself with people of moral excellence and whose lives are worthy of being praised, “I’d like to be more like them in (whatever area)".  Who do you look to in this area?
   
I am praying for you this week that you can find these kinds of things on which to dwell and that they will bring you peace.

Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob

How To Be At Peace series Part 1  Part 2  Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

What would you do to have peace so powerful that it:

• -Transcends your circumstances,
• -Produces better results that your best-laid plans,
• -Is more effective at removing anxiety than any intellectual effort, meditation or power of reasoning?

Over the past few weeks we’ve been talking about how to be at peace and last week, we looked at the life of a Christian religious figure, The Apostle Paul. I look to him as an example of how to find peace since, historically, you can verify that this guy was persecuted, hunted down and executed for his faith. How do your troubles compare to these? In the midst of this, Paul was able to share how he had found PEACE that is beyond comprehension (surpasses all understanding) and which settled both in his heart and his mind. What would you do to find that kind of peace?
   
In the next two (last two) parts of our study we’ll look at the things Paul said we could focus on to help bring peace, but please allow me to share Paul’s answer to the search for peace, in his own words. You can weigh the merit of what he said, but if he was being truthful about the peace he found in the midst of the turmoil and destruction in his life, I want to know his secret.
   
Paul challenged people instead of worrying, to ask God for help (last week’s discussion). Paul said for him, these are the results he achieved: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus.”  Paul made 4 claims here about the peace that he had found:

1. It was the very peace of God. Not peace with God, but the very peace of God’s own eternal being, the peace, calm and serenity that God himself has.
2. It surpasses understanding. It is more than a mind can really comprehend. It is able to produce better results than the best planning, effort, meditation or reasoning.
3. It is a DEEP peace the permeates both the mind and heart.
4. It is found only in Christ Jesus...by submitting one’s life to God’s authority.

   
Fortunately God gives us all a free will and a choice about choosing or rejecting this last requirement, but it is a requirement nonetheless for His peace. What would YOU be willing to do for this kind of peace? I am praying for you this week.
   
Your service is appreciated, 
Pastor Rob
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How To Be At Peace series Part 1  Part 2  Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

When it comes to being at peace, one trap people often fall into is the idea that life has to be “perfect” in order to be at peace. Maybe this is why so many people struggle. In life, there are MANY circumstances we cannot control, but in the midst of our circumstances, we CAN control our thoughts. I found this quote by Emerson (on front) when I was reading an article this week which also said, “You would be shocked if you could record your thoughts all day and then play them back in the evening. You would be shocked to discover that the thoughts you gravitate toward may be the source of many of the problems in your life.” (The Mind: Mental and Emotional Health, You Version devo)
   
When things are not going your way...when it seems like life is falling apart, where do your thoughts go? Do you (perhaps subconsciously) start making an inventory of all of the things going wrong, or are you able to find the good (in the midst of the craziness) and be thankful for it? 
   
Do you think about taking control of your thoughts? If we don’t take control of our thoughts, they can take control of us. Norman Vincent Peal said it like this: “A man is not what he thinks he is, but what he thinks, he is.” King Solomon put it this way: “Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts.”
   
I do not know what kind of circumstances life will throw your way this week, but I pray in the midst of it that you will steer your thoughts rather than your thoughts steering you. “Our lives are what our thoughts make it” ~Marcus Aurelius
   
If there is ever any way I can help you or pray for you, please let me know.
Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob

How To Be At Peace series Part 1  Part 2  Part 3, Part 4, Part 5