"Seek God: NOT Things! Session 13 Part 2 - B-1-6. “The Result of Peace”

[Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

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II. Main Scriptures: Matthew 6:25-34; John 14:1,27; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:6-7:

B-1-6. “The Result of Peace” – Session 13 – Before I recap Part II, Sessions 3 – 13, I want to include the last section, from John MacArthur’s teaching, “The Gift of Peace,” – this subsection is called, “The Result of Peace.” This is what John said:

“Jesus shows us the proper response to His promise of peace, ‘Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful’ (John 14:27). We ought to be able to lay hold of this peace. It is there, it is ours; but we must take hold of it. It is interesting that He says ‘I give you peace,’ then He says, ‘Do not let your heart be troubled.’ The peace He gives has to be received and applied in our lives. If we lay hold of the promise of the very peace of Christ, we will have calm, untroubled hearts, regardless of external circumstances. Paul also said,

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2 Corinthians 4:8-11)

But he wrote,

Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (vv.16-18)

*God loves YOU very much!! Never forget it!! God is with you!!

In other words, Paul didn't focus on his problems, but on the promises of God to sustain and ultimately glorify him. Trouble comes and goes, but glory is eternal. Paul understood that, and that's why in the midst of his trials he could write to the Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).

To have that supernatural peace available puts us under obligation to lean on it. Colossians 3:15 is not a command to seek peace, but rather a plea to let the Lord's peace work in us: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." You have this peace, now let it rule.

Perfect peace comes when our focus is off the problem, off the trouble, and constantly on Christ. Isaiah 26:3 says, "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You."

In the midst of a society in which we are constantly bombarded with advertising and other worldly pressures designed to get us to focus on our needs and problems, how can we keep our minds focused on Christ? By studying the Word of God and being taught by the Holy Spirit and permitting Him to fix our hearts on the person of Jesus Christ.”

Click here for PDF of "Seek God" Part 2-B-1-6 Session 13

Click here for PDF of "Seek God" Session 12

Click here for PDF of "Seek God" Sessions 1-11

God’s blessings,

Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks