Practical Principles that lead to Spiritual Stability Part

Practical Principles that lead to Spiritual Stability - Part 2 Cultivating harmony in the Church Maintaining a spirit of joy Learning to be content Resting on a confident faith Reacting to problems w/ thankful prayer Thinking on Godly virtues Obeying God’s standard 1

Practical Principles that lead to Spiritual Stability - Part 2 Ø Ø Learning to be content “gentle spirit” – graciousness Gracious humility is the opposite of self-love Our society focuses on self-love, self-esteem, and self-fulfillment If our focus is not on ourselves nothing can knock us off balance 2

Practical Principles that lead to Spiritual Stability - Part 2 Application #3 Do you have a gentle spirit that is so focused on others, their needs and desires, that no injustice or humiliation is too much to endure for harmony in the body? 3

Practical Principles that lead to Spiritual Stability - Part 2 Resting on a confident faith Ø “the Lord is near” – time or space Ø Here it is His nearness in presence ü ü To hear the cry of the believers heart To help and strengthen him Psalm 57: 1 -3, 7 Habakkuk 1: 2 -13 ; 2: 4 4

Practical Principles that lead to Spiritual Stability - Part 2 Application #4 In the midst of your trials and difficulties are you acknowledging the nearness of God? 5

Practical Principles that lead to Spiritual Stability - Part 2 Reacting to problems w/ thankful prayer Ø Step 1 - recognizing “the Lord is near” Ø Step 2 – recognizing God’s sovereignty Ø Step 3 – the action = prayer characterized Ø by thanksgiving Step 4 – the result = unfathomable peace 6

Practical Principles that lead to Spiritual Stability - Part 2 Reacting to problems w/ thankful prayer Ø Why Thanksgiving ü ü A Command – Colossians 4: 2 A Trust – 1 Peter 5: 7 A Promise – 1 Corinthians 10: 13 A Plan – Romans 8: 28 7

Practical Principles that lead to Spiritual Stability Part 2 Reacting to problems w/ thankful prayer Ø Why Peace? ü Peace with God (Rom. 5: 1) results in peace of God (Isaiah 26: 3) ü Peace of God results in joy – Rom. 15: 13 ü No human understanding – Rom. 11: 33 ü It guards our hearts and minds – in Christ 8

Practical Principles that lead to Spiritual Stability - Part 2 Application #5 Do you have the peace of God in all things because your heart is always thankful? This week take stock of all you have to be thankful for by making a list. 9