Week 5

This week you needed to:

• Tell us about a random act of kindness you were able to perform this week
• Read Chapter 5
• How did the commandment "love one another" work for you last week?

Chapter 5 Pursue Peace

Seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14

“Peace…is a state of mind that is free from annoyance, distractions, and anxiety. It is a quiet knowing that God can be trusted.” K. Brazelton

Psalm 34:14 is a command, not a suggestion. Check out Matt 5:9 to see the reward of makers of Peace.

Peace is also a fruit of the Spirit. Read Galatians 5:13-26 to see what kind of fruit you are bearing. Do you need pruning?

Seeking peace helps us grow in intimacy with Jesus and learning God’s voice. You will also acquire a focus for the day. Jesus himself did this by going off alone in a boat or the garden to pray to His Father. When the crowds were pressing in, or when He had a big decision, you could find Him in solitude.

Katie mentions “pain relievers”. What kind of “pain relievers” do you use?

• Not so good: Spending, hyperactivity, eating
• Good: Taking a walk, enjoying nature, praise music

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:18

Can the pursuit of peace be as simple as Psalm 46:10? "Cease {striving} and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 107:23-30 illustrates how God brings about peace in our lives. You know the disciples had this Psalm going thru their mind when they were on the stormy sea with Jesus asleep in the bow!

How do you measure up to the “Inner Peace Checklist” on p88? Can you truly say you seek peace, or are you rushing around trying to find it? Seeking peace is a lot different than seeking a good bargain or parking spot. You have to cease striving...stop the merry-go-round and be still.

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up {with} wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

And {you} will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame. Isaiah 49:23b

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. {It is} good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD. {It is} good for a man that he should bear The yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone and be silent Since He has laid {it} on him. Let him put his mouth in the dust, Perhaps there is hope. Lamentations 3:25-29

Take daily 3 min breaks with God and your Bible. You can spare 3 minutes can’t you? That’s a regular commercial break in between tv shows. Put on the mute button and pick up your Bible. See how a message from Our Sponsor can impact your life.

Peacebusters: depression, fear and perfectionism. Beware of these 3 amigos and head them off early before they become hopelessness.

• Practice Silence
• Stop the Mind Chatter
• Shoot Bullet Prayers all day
• No Nap Guilt! (If you found yourself napping, you achieved enough peace to rest in the Lord)
• Change Your Pace
• Avoid Peace Killers: people pleasing, keeping up with the Joneses, worry about things out of your control

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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

Don’t forget that Jesus wants to spend time with you. Put down the remote, the car keys, the credit card, the bowl of ice cream and come sit with Him. Martha learned that lesson from her sister Mary. Luke 10:38-42

P Pray
E Enter into His presence
A Acknowledge He is in control of everything
C Cast all your cares, burdens, worry on Him
E Enjoy the time with Him

This week:

• Read Chapter 6
• Pick an idea from #2 on p95 to try this week