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CultivatingCultivating harmonyharmony in the Church in the ChurchMaintainingMaintaining a spirit of a spirit of joyjoyLearningLearning to be to be contentcontent

RestingResting on a on a confident faithconfident faithReactingReacting to problems w/ to problems w/ thankfulthankful

prayerprayerThinkingThinking on on Godly virtuesGodly virtuesObeyingObeying God’s standardGod’s standard

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FinallyFinally – sum total or climax – sum total or climaxDwell on these things Dwell on these things – –

command to think by way of command to think by way of evaluation or calculationevaluation or calculation

The Bible states we are a product The Bible states we are a product of our thoughts – Proverbs 23:7of our thoughts – Proverbs 23:7

Mark 7:20-23Mark 7:20-23

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ThinkingThinking on on Godly virtuesGodly virtues (cont’d)(cont’d)

Biblical question, “Is it true?” Biblical question, “Is it true?” – Jn. – Jn. 17:1717:17

Cultural questions:Cultural questions:““Does it work?”Does it work?”““How does it make me feel?”How does it make me feel?”

Acts 17:11Acts 17:11

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ThinkingThinking on on Godly virtuesGodly virtues (cont’d)(cont’d)

Thinking is essential to saving and Thinking is essential to saving and sanctifying faithsanctifying faithRomans 8:5,6Romans 8:5,62 Corinthians 4:4-62 Corinthians 4:4-61 Corinthians 1:30 ; 2:11-161 Corinthians 1:30 ; 2:11-16Proverbs 2:1-6Proverbs 2:1-6

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ThinkingThinking on on Godly virtuesGodly virtues (cont’d)(cont’d)

What are we to think (dwell) on?What are we to think (dwell) on?1.1. Whatever is true – Ps. 19:9 ; 119:151Whatever is true – Ps. 19:9 ; 119:151

Reading, analyzing, meditatingReading, analyzing, meditating Basis for all other thoughtBasis for all other thought

2.2. Whatever is honorable – revere or Whatever is honorable – revere or worshipworship

3.3. Whatever is right - righteousWhatever is right - righteous

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What are we to think (dwell) on?What are we to think (dwell) on?4.4. Whatever is pure – morally clean ; 1 Whatever is pure – morally clean ; 1

Jn. 3:3Jn. 3:3

5.5. Whatever is lovely – gracious, patientWhatever is lovely – gracious, patient

6.6. Whatever is of good repute – loftiest Whatever is of good repute – loftiest themetheme

7.7. Summary – any excellence or anything Summary – any excellence or anything worthy of praise: Proverbs 4:23worthy of praise: Proverbs 4:23

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Application #6Application #6

How is your thinking?How is your thinking?

Is your thinking leading to Is your thinking leading to death or life and peace?death or life and peace?

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ObeyingObeying God’s standardGod’s standard

““Practice” – repetition; Col. 3:15-Practice” – repetition; Col. 3:15-1717

Correct thinking leads to correct Correct thinking leads to correct behaviorbehaviorLearned – teaching, instructing, Learned – teaching, instructing, disciplingdisciplingReceived – refers to God’s revelationReceived – refers to God’s revelationHeard – what Paul had become Heard – what Paul had become known forknown forSeen – direct observation of life Seen – direct observation of life messagemessage

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ObeyingObeying God’s standardGod’s standard

Promise of obedience ….. Promise of obedience …..

the God of peace will be with the God of peace will be with you!you!

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Application #7Application #7

Do you have peace?Do you have peace?

If not is it because of a lack of If not is it because of a lack of obedience?obedience?