Anything and Everything Series How the God of Peace Guards our Hearts and Minds Philippians 4:4-9 Today is an action plan! We are going to learn how to allow the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds. Philippians 4:4-9 Put the power of prayer into action. We must remember how we are to pray: - we are to pray in the Spirit at all times. (Ephesians 6:18) - we are to pray about everything. (Philippians 4:6) - we are to pray and never give up. (Luke 18:1) Put the inexplicable peace of God into action. The peace that God gives goes beyond all explanation or understanding. God desires to guard how our emotions are impacting us. If we don’t allow God to guard our hearts, we can be controlled by feelings that are not what He wants for us: - anxious - fearful - doubtful - discouraged and dismayed “Above all else guard your heart, for out of it flows all the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) God desires to guard how our thoughts are impacting us. If we don’t allow God to guard our minds we can be controlled by thoughts that are not from Him. We will think on things that are exactly opposite of Phil. 4:8 - Instead of true we will think what is untrue. - Instead of honorable we will think of what is dishonorable. - Instead of just we will think of what is unjust. - Instead of pure we will think of what is impure. - Instead of lovelywe will think of what is unlovely. - Instead of commendable we will think of what is reprehensible. - Instead of excellence we will think of what is immoral. - Instead of praiseworthy we will think of what is unpraiseworthy. We must practice catching ANTS - Automatic Negative Thoughts. - Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5) Put the presence of the God of peace into action. Philippians 4:9 cannot be underestimated in the power it holds for us to win the battle over the unknowns of our life. We are commanded to serve the Lord and others. - Too often we sit and focus on ourselves. - We are called to serve and focus on others! Next Step: - Act on what you know!