READ Philippians 4:8-9

Is there anything, other than Jesus Christ Himself, that is more valuable than peace?  I know peace is valuable to me, and I thank God that He has given me His peace.

You may think this is a cliché, but I feel a need to say it, “For anyone to have the peace of God, you must know the God of peace.”    God is the author of true peace.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, DO: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Paul directs us to think on eight virtuous qualities.  Determining to think about wholesome realities leads us to peace-filled thoughts.  Peace-filled thoughts lead us to peace-filled hearts.  Peace-filled hearts lead to the realization of having peace-filled lives. The qualities to think upon are truth, honor, righteousness, purity, that which is pleasant, thinking kindly, that which is morally pure or strong, and finally that which is praiseworthy.  The directive is clear: “think on these things.”  

Verse nine directs the Philippian believers to recall all they had learned from the Apostle, what they had received from the Apostle, what they had heard from him, and finally what they had seen in him.  When we practice living biblically, peace is the product.

May you experience the peace of God, that passes all understanding.

Your Friend and His,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  What kinds of worldly distractions compete for your mind?

2.  How might you better control your thought life?

3.  How would the following apply to your thought life; “You can’t keep a bird from flying over your head, but you can certainly keep it from building a nest in your hair.”

4.  Think about some people whom you would classify as model believers?  Do their lives demonstrate peacefulness?  Why do you think this is so?