1. 1 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

2. 2 Practical Principles that lead to Spiritual Stability - Part 2 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

3. 3 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?

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

5. 5 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?

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

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

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

9. 9 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.