Sound Mind Set

Today, once again we will focus on just one verse … Matthew 5:9 … God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. (NLT) In this world of war, trouble, and conflict, we realize peace never comes easy. Sin causes peace to be elusive. So to get peace, to be at peace, is going to take some work, some effort on our part. Yes, God’s brand of peace is a gift from Him, but even that comes at a cost. We have to choose to sacrifice our own ways and surrender to Him to receive His peace.In our circles of influence, relationships, families, and homes, we can choose to work toward peace. When we do, God will bless and we will be known as His children.Listen to this verse in The Message Bible … You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.Where in your life, if you were honest, you know you have given up on peace?Where does peace seem to come fairly easy in your life? Why is that?Where do you need to work to show people how to cooperate instead of compete?Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, everywhere in my life, especially at home, help me, teach me to show cooperation and not competition. To show who I am in You and my place in Your family. As above, so below.”

Today, we will focus on one simple and single verse … Listen to Proverbs 29:17 … Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. (NLT) In our western culture, we tend to always associate discipline only with punishment. But the true definition and connotation of discipline is structure, form, parameters, guardrails. Yes, punishment and consequences are involved, but that is the defense aspect of discipline. The offense is proper training. Think of today’s verse this way … Give your children the proper training and structure and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.Listen to The Message Bible’s take on this verse … Discipline your children; you’ll be glad you did— they’ll turn out delightful to live with.What if you were able to turn the meaning of discipline around in your home to be associated with delightful? Wouldn’t delightful make your home more peaceful?Take a step this week toward this new concept of discipline—structure and form to operate within.What is one form of structure that you can do this week to bring a sense of stability and peace in your home?Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, guide me, teach me to bring more of the kind of discipline You as a loving Father want in my home. Bring peace. Bring delight. I’ll take all of that I can get. As above, so below.”

Listen to Psalm 95:1-7 …Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. (NLT) One of the most powerful ways to create and cultivate God’s peace in our homes is to make them a place of worship. While, of course, music can be a part of that experience, it’s far bigger than that. Making God a normal, natural part of our everyday conversations and speaking of His life and work in our families is an important path to peace in our homes. Gratitude always changes the attitude.What would be one thing you could tell your kids today that God has done for your family that they might not know about? What if you began to share anything that you see happen that affects them, something you know came from God’s hand?Let them know the Creator of the universe is blessing their lives. Teach them that worship can simply be acknowledging what He has done. Worship and gratitude are strong elements of experiencing peace in our homes.Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, I recognize You as the Author of peace. Teach me to recognize Your work in our lives and share that with my kids. To worship all You do and who You are. As above, so below.”

We all know we live in a chaotic world filled with noise coming from all directions. We know that God ordained and blessed the family as the first union and community. So, for ourselves and our kids we need to take every step possible to make our homes into a sanctuary where God’s presence and peace are welcome and manifested.Let’s start this week with a very familiar passage. Let’s take the words and apply them to our homes. Listen to Psalm 23 … The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. (NLT)Is there an action or attitude that you do or have that disrupts the scripture describes as ‘rest in green meadows’ or ‘leads by peaceful streams’ in your home?How can you make your home a place that feels like a green meadow or a peaceful stream where strength is renewed?We all experience ‘dark valleys” - our kids do too… Is there something that you can do to be what God describes himself as doing - being with us in dark valleys? How can we better be ‘with’ our kids in their dark valley?Listen now to this same passage in The Message Bible … God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.No matter how close or how far away you may feel Psalm 23 fits your home or is a place where you sense God’s peace, we want to encourage you to find one, just one, step you can take to invite God’s presence in. As you make your home His home, you and your kids will feel more at home than ever before.Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, I want you to fill my home from floor to ceiling, wall to wall with Your presence. Make my home a Psalm 23 sanctuary, as only You can do by Your peace. As above, so below.”

Our final passage for this week is a familiar one, but has so many great applications for our lives to encourage us to seize the day … Philippians 3:12-16 … I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.  Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. (NLT) Let’s focus on what Paul said he focused on … this one thing … forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. When we move on, but are constantly looking backwards, something is wrong. Remember—Paul had a lot of horrible violence in his past, all done in the name of religion. He had a lot to forget, but he stated exactly how he had to choose to move forward into what Christ had for his life. Great advice … Listen to this passage once again in The Message Bible … I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.What has God shown you this week?What has He called you to let go of … for the last time? Lay it down and never turn back?What has He called you to take on and never let go of?We pray you have found some healing and health this week. That’s always our goal, to connect you to Christ.Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, today, I need to, for the final time, let go of what You have told me to let go of. I need to listen to You and take up what You have called me to take up. As above, so below.”

Our Scripture today is Colossians 3:12-16 … Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. (NLT) In several places throughout Scripture, God used the concept of putting on His qualities just like we choose to put on clothing. The practical side of this is, one, we choose to put on what we wear, and two, that is the majority of what people see on us, our clothing. The same can be true of His qualities.What we may choose to quote-unquote wear from our past can still show in the present. People can literally see our hurts, pain, victimization, bitterness, and so on. There comes a point when we have to choose a new wardrobe and let people see the person Christ has forgiven and changed. The past is no longer our present and the future is no longer determined by anything, except the present.Listen to this passage in The Message Bible … So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.  Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives.What have you been wearing that you need to take off and throw away? It’s worn out and old and you know it. What once may have been a security blanket is now a funeral shroud.What of Christ’s qualities listed in today’s passage, do you need to put on and keep on?If you choose peace in your heart, it will surely show in your life.Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, today, I choose to put on love, humility, compassion, kindness, strength, and peace. As above, so below.”

Our own minds, along with the words of the Accuser, are going to constantly try to bring the past back up, acting as if it is today’s headlines. The more we press into the Lord and His love, the less this will occur, and the more we can deal with it in health.Listen to Psalm 85:7-10 …Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory. Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! (NLT) For many of us, the past had plenty of foolish ways. So we have to constantly take inventory of our lives to invite the words God speaks, to listen carefully to Him as He speaks truth to us. When we hear Him and do what He asks, then our land—our homes—can be filled with His glory and love, truth, righteousness, and peace will mark our lives.Is there any foolish way from the past that you know needs to be kicked out of your house, so to speak?Is there a new level of listening to God, a new place of obedience, that you need to commit to hear Him as He speaks peace to you?Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, show me your unfailing love and grant me your salvation. I listen carefully to what You say as You speak peace. Help me to not return to foolish ways. My salvation is near, so my home will be filled with Your glory, Your unfailing love, truth, righteousness and peace. As above, so below.”

To make peace with our past, we have to understand that peace will always be a choice. Often a daily choice.Listen to the spirit of Philippians 4:6-7 … Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NLT) Notice that the peace that passes understanding comes only after we choose to let go of anxiousness and pray. We choose gratitude to God and give Him our requests. He promises peace will come to our hearts and minds after we decide to let go of the toxicity we can so easily hold onto.Like two nations at war have to choose to call a truce, come to the table, and talk, we have to come to Christ’s table and lay down our past to then experience His peace.In repeating today’s passage, let’s now add verse 8 … Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.What from your past causes you anxiety today? What do you struggle to overcome that keeps robbing you of peace? What will it take for you to give up and choose the peace of Christ today? You don’t have to understand it to receive it because it always transcends our understanding. We simply decide to experience His peace.As you sit with your eyes closed, open your hands and reach out as a symbol of letting go and handing the past over to God. Trade Him your past for His peace. That’s exactly what He wants you to do.Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, please take the past, the toxic feelings, the anxiety, all of it. I’m tired of it and want to trade my past for Your peace. As above, so below.”

To make peace with our past, the very first step, is to first, forgive ourselves and next, and for some of us this can be a really tough one, to forgive others. Essentially, we need to clean house of all unforgiveness. If we don’t let go, the past is going to keep haunting us because we are giving it the power to stay current, which then hinders our future.A great place to start is with Jesus’ own words from the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:12 … “… and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” (NLT) He continued this theme in verses 14 and 15 … If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (NLT) When we struggle to forgive ourselves, or someone else for past hurts, Jesus’ words can feel like a threat or some kind of ultimatum. That is not the intention at all. He simply stated a spiritual truth about how God works.Think about it. It makes sense. Why should we expect to have something happen for us that we are not willing to extend ourselves? God knows our personal freedom lies in our ability to forgive.Listen now to this same passage in The Message Bible … “Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. … In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.”To make peace with your past, forgiveness is the first key to unlock freedom. Any bitterness that we carry causes us to also carry around that other person, causing more pain, while he or she is out free and not thinking about us at all. So we have to ask ourselves, is it really worth what I’m losing? Or am I ready to gain back my freedom?Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, give me the grace and the strength to forgive myself, everyone who has hurt me, and then help me keep my list clean, knowing You died to give me that freedom. As above, so below.”

Luke 22:39-42 …Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (NLT) For most of us, when we want to avoid something hard coming at us, we pray for God to remove the suffering. And, of course, there’s nothing wrong with that prayer.But then the key is if He doesn’t, what do we do? How do we respond? Blame Him? Question His goodness? Think He no longer loves us?First, notice Jesus didn’t say, “Father, if you can …” but rather “Father, if you are willing …”When we pray about anything hard, any kind of suffering, any sort of difficulty that we have to go through, asking God to take it away makes a lot of sense. But adding Jesus’ last sentence is a huge step of faith and maturity. “Yet, I want your will to be done, not mine.” That is an entirely new level of faith and trust to be like Jesus to that extent, because to pray that, we have to know He wants the best for us, no matter what.Whether you are in a dark time right now, or the next time you are, remember Jesus’ choice in the Garden—to trust God’s will for You.Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, I know wanting Your will isn’t just about blessings. Trusting You in the dark times is what faith is really about. Help me to trust You and Your will with Jesus as my Example and Goal. As above, so below.”