Blessed Hope Baptist Church

06/22/2026

June 21, 2026
Telos: Keeping your love for the Lord
Scrip: Rev 2:1-7
Introd: Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John. It was written around 95-96 a.d.
Much of the book is revealing the events around the end of the world and the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus.
Revelation - comes from the Greek word - apokalupsis - which means to become visible.
We are going to look at chapters 2 and 3, the messages to the 7 churches. Some see seven stages of church history in the seven churches. This morning we are going to focus on the first church, at Ephesus.
The Church in Ephesus has an interesting history. According to Acts 19, the Apostle Paul shared the gospel in the synagogua. He left Priscilla and Aquila there to minister. They discipled Apollos who came to Ephesus. Later Paul returned and found a group of believers in Ephesus. He baptized them, discipled them for 2 years before moving on. Other notable believers who ministered to this congregation, Apollos the preacher was there. Timothy was pastor there. The Apostle John pastored the congregation for awhile.
This Church was so effective in sharing the gospel, that the craftsmen in Ephesus started a riot. No one was buying their idols. The temple of Diana was being ignored. This temple was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.
Rev 2:1 Description of the Lord Jesus
He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand - stars - Rev1:20 angels or messengers. This is a reference to the Pastor of the Church.
1:16 had seven stars 2:1 holdeth the seven stars - this is more forceful than 1:16
The Lord wants to control and direct His ministers. We take orders from Him. As a pastor, it is humbling and amazing to consider that the Lord is holding me tightly. He is near to me.
What is true of a pastor though is also true of each believer. John 10:28-29 we are in Jesus' hand and the Father's hand.
2nd part of Jesus' description - He walks in the midst of the 7 candlesticks. The candlesticks represent the churches - Rev 1:20
This would have sounded familiar to Jewish readers. The Jewish priests in the temple went and checked and maintain the candlesticks in the temple. This is what Jesus is doing in His churches. Jesus isn't far away from the church. He is right here.
Commendations
1. The Lord is aware of the Church's work for Him. The word labour means to labor to the point of exhaustion. v2
2. The church has endured. Patience means to endure under difficult circumstances. v2
3. The church didn't tolerate evil people. v2
4. The church demonstrated discernment. Tested those who claimed to be apostles. Cast out those who lied. v2 Acts 20:28-31
v6 Nicolaitans - Irenaeus wrote that the Nicolaitans lived lives of unrestrained indulgence.
Clement of Alexandria another church father wrote - Nicolaitans abandon themselves to pleasure like goats
There idealogue seems to be Christ set me free, I can do what I want.
5. The church has been faithful. v3 has not fainted - the church kept going without collapsing.
Problem
v4 - left their first love - As believers we have love for the Lord, love for each other, love for the lost.
Our love for others stems from our love for the Lord. The Ephesian believers had been fighting against false teaching. Their love for Jesus had been put on the back burner.
This sometimes occurs in a marriage. First married, do sweet things for each other, just because. Some marriages, as time passes, each is just trying to get through the day. Start to neglect each other.
Now consider this church. They have so much going right. Serving mightily. Remaining pure, living wisely and biblically. Enduring.
Jesus - I have this against you - why would the Lord make a big deal about this?
Remember what Jesus said was the greatest commandment? To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind.
Jesus loves us this way, why should He accept less from us?
Third, if we lose our love for Jesus, how soon before we depart from Him?
Jesus remedy
v5 Remember from where you have fallen. Some believers have dramatic salvation testimonies. They were drug addicts, in prostitution. Alcoholics. Their lives were a mess and Jesus saved them and turned their lives around. Those of us who have less dramatic testimonies, our lives were just as much a mess. Remember where you were without Christ. Consider where you would be right now if He hadn't intervened in your life.
Repent
Do the first works - fall in love with Jesus. Read your bible and pray, worship not because you are commanded to, but out of love.
I will remove candlestick - church no longer exists
v7 Overcomer - another name for a believer. eating from the tree of life, eternal life.

06/22/2026

June 21, 2026
Telos: be a great father
Introd: Me modeling manhood after my Dad.
Telling Wayne I was proud of him, that he was a good dad.
Telling Kenny I was proud of him, that he was a good dad.
As Christians I believe we need to do more of this. Lifting up men, encouraging them as fathers.
We live in a world which denigrates fatherhood. Fathers are an object of ridicule in movies, tv. We would have to go back to the 40's, 50s to find favorable views of fathers in movies and tv.
The world today says that children don't need fathers. That is a blatant lie from the pits of hell. Here are statistics
85% of youths in prison come from fatherless homes
71% of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes
60% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes
More likely to use drugs
90% of runaway children from fatherless homes
A study showed girls whose father left the home before they were 5 years old were 8 times more likely to become pregnant as an adolescent.
Psalm 68:5-6 God says those who are fatherless, He will be their father. God obviously does not think fathers are unimportant.
James 1:27 God wants Christian men to be a father to the fatherless.
God honors fatherhood and fathers - He calls Himself our father.
1. MODEL YOURSELF AFTER GOD.
I modeled myself after my father, but the ultimate example for us is our Heavenly Father.
Forgive and love extravagently. Luke 15:20 Prodigal knew he could go home. Father runs to him.
God put us first. God knew we would sin. He could have chosen to not create this world, or not redeem this world. Instead, He sent His Son to the Cross. Jesus went through pain, but so did the Father.
II. SHOW HUMILITY.
I wanted my son to learn to be a man. We make mistakes. We need to take responsibilty. We need to accept blame when we are wrong. We need to ask forgiveness.
As fathers, we need to have the humility to do this with our families. Accept responsibility and ask forgiveness when it is warranted.
III. PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY.
Men want to provide material things for their families.
The greatest thing we can do is pray for them. Our resources are limited, our Heavenly Father's resources are unlimited.
IV. LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY.
1 Kings 15:1-4 Abijam was an evil man. God would have replaced him, but didn't, for David's sake.
I want to live my life so well, that if my son or future grandchildren do something bad, God will show them mercy for Pete's sake
V. FORGIVE YOURSELF AND KEEP DOING YOUR BEST.
All fathers are going to make mistakes. We are all sinners. The Lord will forgive us, we need to be willing to forgive ourselves. Then we keep doing what is right to the best of our abilities.

06/17/2026

June 14, 2026
Telos: invest in your heavenly account
Scrip: Phil 4:14-20
Introd: I had wonderful grandparents. They were loving, supportive and appropriately indulging for grandparents.
But they did something horrible to me on my 7th birthday. It was traumatizing. On that birthday, they gave me money. Now I know that sounds like that would be great. But you need to understand the circumstances.
To fully appreciate what I am about to tell you, you must know the year. I turned 7 years old in 1970. My grandparents gave me a present. After opening my present, my grandmother handed me an envelope. I didn't understand why grandma gave me an envelope. But everyone urged me to open it up. I opened it and pulled out a piece of paper which I clearly saw said $50. Now you need to understand $50 in 1970 was a huge amount of money. $50 in 1970 is $430 today. Back in 1970, you could get a G.I. Joe action figure or Bonanza Western character for $2.50. I child could go on a serious toy shopping spree with $50. I was ready to head to the store. My mom then explained to me that I was holding a U.S. Savings Bond in my hand. I didn't care, lets go spend it. She had to further explain that I had to wait until the bond matured. What did that mean? She told me the bond would mature in 5 years! 5 years! I had basically been given a fancy i.o.u. Somehow the U.S. government had convinced millions of parents and grandparents into ripping off their children on birthday and Christmas presents by offering half price on savings bonds. You paid $25 for a $50 bond or $50 for a $100 bond.
The worse part was Mom telling me to thank Grandma for her gift. "I will in five years". I didn't say that. Any child in 1970 who would have said anything like that would have been backhanded into tomorrow.
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Phil 4:14-16 The Apostle Paul is thankful for the love offering that the Philippian Church had sent to him.
What Paul was most excited and thankful about was not that his needs were met by this money, but that the Philippian Believers would be given credit for this by the Lord.
In v17 he speaks about fruit abounding in their account with the Lord.
v18-19 As believers, we have a heavenly account with the Lord. And unlike a U.S. savings bond, it is useful for the present and future.
Prov 11:25 those who are generous, will receive generosity
Prov 19:17 the person who lends to the poor, is actually lending to the Lord and the Lord will repay them.
Matt 6:19-21 store up treasures in heaven.
These verses demonstrate that each believer has an account with the Lord. That account will payoff in the future, treasure in heaven. Yet it also is beneficial in this life.
In our world, if you want to invest, you must have a suitable sum of money. No one could go to a brokerage firm and ask to start account for a mutual fund or stocks with $10. You would need thousands of dollars. Yet you don't need vast amounts of money to start filling up your heavenly account. Mark 12:41-44 Widow's mite
HOW DO WE INVEST?
Give to the church - when you give to church, you are giving to the Lord.
Give to those who have needs - example of the Shunnmite woman building a room for Elisha.
Give toward missions.
Give to help a child go to Bible Camp
Buy items for Operation Christmas Shoebox

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06/17/2026

June 14, 2026
Telos: making good decisions
Scrip: Genesis 12, 19
Introd: Some decisions in life we recognize as big decisions. Choosing to get married is a life changing decision. Buying a house is a big decision. Choosing to have children is a life changing decision.
There are other decisions that don't appear to be life changing but are. We want to see this in the life of Lot.
Gen 11:26-28 Terah is Abram's father. He has 3 sons, Abram, Nahor, Haran. They lived in Ur a major city in Mesopotamia. One son, Haran, died in Ur.
v29-32 Haran's two brothers each took his children. Haran took Milcah the daughter and when she was older, married her. Abram took Lot. They all travel to city named Haran.
Gen 12:1-5 Abram leaves Haran and comes to the promised land. Did he violate God's call to leave his family and father's house by bringing Lot with him? No. Lot would have been more like a son than a nephew. The Lord does not rebuke Abram for bringing Lot. v7
Abram's family knew the Lord. Originally, they were idolators. (Josh 24:2)
But Abram knows God. His father was traveling to canaan with him. He father eventually turns to idols in Haran and stays there.
But Abram's brother Nahor knows the Lord. Gen 24:24 Rebecca is the granddaughter of Nahor and Milcah.
Gen 24:50-51 Bethuel and Laban both express some knowledge of the Lord.
Lot grows up and becomes a godly man - 2 Peter 2:6-8
In Canaan, Lot experiences God guiding Abram and protecting him. Gen 12:7, Gen 12:17-20
I. WE DON'T KNOW WHICH DECISIONS WILL BE LIFE CHANGING.
As I said, some decisions we make we know are life changing. But some we don't. Lot is about to make a decision that he doesn't realize is life changing, but is.
II. SINCE WE DON'T KNOW WHICH DECISIONS WILL BE LIFE CHANGING, WE NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON BIBLICAL TRUTH.
We want to treat every decision like it is a life changing decision.
Gen 13:1-9 Abram and Lot each have large flocks of animals. Far too many to continue to live in close proximity to each other. So they must seperate. Abram tells Lot to chose which direction he will go and Abram will go the opposite way.
v10-11 Lot chooses to move to S***m.
v12-13 Lot would have known about S***m's reputation. Yet he still chose to live their. Why? I believe he genuinely thought, "I could live near evil and it won't change me"
Lot was righteous
Lot lived righteously - tried to protect angels in S***m
Lot remained sensitive to evil - 2 Peter 2:7-8 his righteous soul was vexed by what he saw day by day
What did this choice, decision cost?
Lot and family had been captured by coalition and would have been slaves or worse had not God caused Abram to rescue them - Gen 14:10-12
Lot had 2 adult daughters who were married and died in S***m with husbands and any children they had - Gen 19:12-14
Lot's wife died when she turned back - 19:26
Lot's younger daughters were impacted by the culture in S***m - 19:28-38

06/09/2026

June 7, 2026
Telos: God's judgment over Philistines
Scrip: Jeremiah 47
Introd: I have been called up for jury duty numerous times. I have actually made it to the point where the attorneys ask you questions as a potential juror. I have never been placed on a jury. The reason for that is very simple. Once the attorneys discover that I am a minister, neither side wants me. The Prosecutor doesn't want me because he thinks I will be too lenient. Too merciful. The Defense Attorney doesn't want me because I will be too strict.
This is how some people feel about the Lord. Some get angry that the Lord isn't judging evildoers quick enough. Others get angry that He judged the nations in Canaan by having them wiped out. He is too merciful; He is too severe. We will see this in Jeremiah 47 this morning.
Brief History of the Philistines.
They originally came from the Island of Crete, Caphtor. They migrated to the coast of what is now Israel.
Gen 10:14 reveals that they are descended from the line of Ham.
God is bringing judgment for mainly two reasons. First, they have demonstrated enmity toward Israel. This hostility goes back to before Israel was even a nation.
Abimelech taking Sarai from Abram.
Philistines became afraid of Isaac's prosperity and stopped up his wells to drive him from their lands.
Time of the judges - Shamgar killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad
Samson and the Philistines
Philistines defeated Israel in Eli's day and captured the Ark of the Covenant.
Philistines defeated King Saul in battle and killed Saul and Jonathan.
Goliath challenged Israel.
King David subdued them. But during the split kingdom period, sometimes the Philistines were more powerful, sometimes Judah was more powerful, it went back and forth.
Second reason for judgment was their idolatry and hatred of the true God.
At the time they captured the Ark of the Covenant, the Lord made Himself known to them. Philistines placed the ark in the temple of dagon, celebrating dagon's victory over the God of Israel. Next morning, statue of dagon on the ground before the ark. They placed it upright. Next morning on the ground, this time broken. They the Lord brought a disease upon that city. They sent the Ark to another Philistine city, same thing occured. God demonstrated He could exalt Himself. Yet the Philistines wouldn't worship Him.
Were there any good Philistines? 2 Sam 15:18, v21 Ittai was a Philistine, but loyal to King David.
Jeremiah 47:1 This is giving us the time when the prophecy was made. It was foretold before Pharaoh Necho had defeated the Philistine city of Gaza on his way toward Carchemish.
v2 - A picture of a river overflowing it's banks and flowing furiously on a path of destruction toward their land and cities. The river is symbolic of the Babylonian Army.
v3 The Babylonian Army will be so terrifying that men will flee, leaving their children behind.
v4 The Philistines will be wiped out. They will not have sufficient people left to provide aid to their allies, Tyre and Zidon.
v5 Two of the 5 cities are mentioned by name for judgment.
v6 The Sword of the Lord, which represents God's judgment, is asked when it will stop. When will it go back into it's scabbard or sheath.
Who asks this question? Two possibilities. Either the Philistines or Jeremiah Himself.
v7 The answer is it cannot cease until the mission is complete.
1. God is perfect in His dealings with individuals and nations.
Have you ever seen a criminal complain that their sentence isn't fair? The guilty are not really in a position to judge fairness. We know that God is just. The Lord knows the hearts of men and nations. Whatever He does, showing mercy or bringing judgment is based on facts and His knowledge of the situation.
2. God's harshness reveals the severity of sin.
a doctor removes cancer from the body because cancer will destroy the various organs.
3. God's harshness should cause us to reach others with the gospel.
we cannot begin to imagine hell. God's goodness and presence is experienced on earth. Hell will be the absence of that, plus punishment for sin.
God will show future mercy - Zechariah 9:5-7

06/09/2026

June 7, 2026
Telos: Learn to be content
Scrip: Phil 4:10-16
Introd: One of the five best inventions of mankind is Oreo cookies. Then a visionary came along and thought of the idea of Double Stuff Oreos. They have further perfected Oreos with Mega Stuff which is triple the original creme. This illustrates that whatever we have which is good, we always want more!
It is human nature to want more. More of everything. Yet we as Christians need to learn to be content with our circumstances.
Phil 4:10 The Philippian Believers had sent a love offering to Paul.
v14 communicate - share
v15-17 These Believers had sent love gifts to Paul on numerous occasions.
In this passage, Paul reveals that there were times in his life where he had needs that were not met.
v14 communicate with my affliction
v12 abased, abound - to overflow
be full - to fatten like an animal
examples of this from Paul's life - 2 Cor 11:24, v27 nakedness - a lack of sufficient clothing
2 Tim 4:13 bring my cloak
Why should we be content with what we have?
1. The Lord provides for each one of His children what He desires them to have. Eccl 3:12-13
2. We may suffer a season of need, to demonstrate that we serve the Lord because we love Him, not what He could provide.
the devil accuses us of being gold diggers. He did that to Job. God allowed Job to be in this season to reveal his faithfulness.
3. We may suffer a season of need to learn obedience and give even if our needs are not completely met.
The Lord wants us to give to Him. Easy to give when we have surplus. Yet we can still give when we have less. Will we be obedient.
4. We may suffer a season of need to learn how little we truly need.
the more money we have, the higher our normal lifestyle becomes.
Jenny - $19k, I lived without a cellphone for 38-39 years. Yet I would find it difficult to live without one now.
5. we may suffer a season of need so we appreciate when the Lord gives us good. We take abundance for granted. Water, electricity.
Now I have shared reasons why the Lord may cause us to have a season of need. Ultimately we are content not with reasons, but through the power of Christ. v13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. When we find ourselves in a circumstance where we lack something. Ask the Lord to meet that need and also to help you to be content until He is His wisdom decides to meet that need.

06/09/2026

June 7, 2026
Telos: Does the Bible teach pacifism?
Introd: There is a movie I have never seen, Hacksaw Hill, which tells the story of Desmond Doss. He was an army medic during WWII. Desmond was a 7th Day Adventist. He claimed a religious conviction that he could not carry a gun or shoot at anyone. The Army made him a medic. During the Battle of Okinawa, he was officially credited with carrying 75 men to safety. He received the Medal of Honor.
Should Christians be pacifists? Is that what the bible teaches?
Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill. To some people this verse indicates pacifism is the way the Lord wants us to live.
Does this verse preclude self defense for ourselves or others?
Ex 22:1-3 If a thief was killed at night in the midst of a robbery, the homeowner was not guilty. If it occured during the day, the homeowner would be guilty.
Gen 9:5-6 Whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed. God allows death penalty.
Numbers 35:6, v15 v16-19 v25 v26-27 If someone was guilty of an accidental death, they could seek help at a city of refuge. Yet if they were found not guilty and were caught outside the city of refuge, the revenger of blood could kill them.
Josh 6:17 Every person in Jericho was to be executed except for those in Rahab's house.
1 Sam 15:32-33 Samuel hewing down Agag
Nehemiah 4:14, v17-18
Psalm 18:34 The Lord teaches my hands for war. David and goliath
Romans 13:1-4 Government bears the sword for God. Government has an obligation to punish evildoers. Should be appropriately.

my opinion - From the above verses, I do not believe that the Bible teaches pacifism. Christians should be willing to serve in the military and law enforcement. If we claim pacifism, I feel we are saying, I won't do this, but I want someone else to do this. If everyone is a pacifist, who will man our military or law enforcement against evildoers?

06/02/2026

May 31, 2026
Telos: How to wait on the Lord
Scrip: Psalm 27:14
Introd: How do we handle trouble? There are various reactions we can have toward trouble.
1. Ignore trouble and hope it goes away or fixes itself.
check engine light
Conversation you need to have with someone
2. Tackle trouble head on. Get ready to take action. Google possible solutions to the problem.
This is a better reaction than ignoring them. And there are many troubles that we can take immediate action without necessarily praying about it. If you get a flat tire, don't need to pray for God's will. Get tire replaced. If someone is sick, take them to the doctor or hospital.
Yet there are circumstances where we absolutely need to seek God's will before taking action.
3. A third reaction is to simply fall apart. Become overwhelmed by the situation and are paralyzed. Picture a young child trying to do something, learning to tie their shoes or draw a cat. They can't do it and become frustrated and throw themselves on the floor.
So how do we react to trouble?
Psalm 27:1-3 Background of Psalm 27 - David has faced difficulties. He speaks of his enemies coming against him in v2. He speaks about armies surrounding him. We know from the Scriptures that those things took place in David's life.
David knows that the Lord will help him. v2 v5 v10
This brings us to v14. This is a familiar verse. I believe that some Believers have interpreted this verse inaccurately.
This is how many understand this verse - some difficulty comes into their lives, and the Lord wants them to do nothing. They are to simply sit tight and wait on the Lord to do something in the future.
That is not what this verse is saying.
Wait - Hebrew word means to bind together, perhaps by twisting.
Wait on the Lord - bind ourselves to the Lord when trouble comes.
Be of good courage - to fasten upon, hence to seize
So these two clauses are saying we should bind ourselves to the Lord, grab hold of the Lord when trouble comes. As a result of those actions, the Lord will strengthen our hearts.
illustration - When San Diego defends the house from feral cats, I am allowed to stand with her.
Wait on the Lord - Have you ever seen a well trained dog. It is ready to take an action that it has been taught. It isn't moving. It is sitting still. Yet it is alert. Body ready to pounce. Eyes staring at their master, waiting the command. This is what David is talking about in v 14
Biblical illustration - 1 Sam 29:1-7 David is with the Philistine army. He gets sent home by Achish because of the other Philistine lords.
1 Sam 30:1-3 While David and his men were gone, the Amalekites attack their home city of Ziklag and take away their families captive.
v4-5 Men respond with sorrow
v6 Everyone is upset with David and they talk of stoning him.
Notice, David encouraged himself in the Lord. The word encouraged in 1 Sam 30:6 is the same Hebrew word translated courage in Psalm 27:14. To fasten upon, hence to seize.
Notice what David does - 1 Sam 30:7-8 David immediately seeks the Lord. The Lord tells him to follow after the group. Later verses reveal they find a young Egyptian slave who is able to lead them to the group and rescue their families.

06/02/2026

May 31, 2026
Telos: Don't worry, have peace
Scrip: Phil 4:6-9
Introd: We are going to play one round of charades this morning. I am going to have you guess the title of a song. This song is 38 years old. It was released in July of 1988. The title is only 4 words long. I will give you the first two, you must tell me the last two words.
Don't Worry - Be Happy
Bobby McFerrin released this song in July of 1988. One of the lyrics of this song is this - We have trouble - but when we worry, we make it double.
This maybe a secular song, but it is speaking truth. When we have trouble and worry about that trouble, we tend to make it worse.
Worrying is something every person has an earned PHD in.
Worry never fixed a problem.
Worry never made a situation better.
Worry has never strengthened us spiritually
Worry often leads us to make bad decisions.
I want to start with good news for us this morning. We don't have to worry. We typically think that we cannot control whether we worry or not. We think if we are facing bad circumstances we must worry. I will prove to you that we don't have to worry. Instead of being a slave to worry, we can be worry's master.
This truth should help us feel empowered. But it also means that we are accountable. Worrying is sinful.
Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing. Be careful - the Greek means to be full of care. In other words, worrying.
for nothing - for not even one thing.
This phrase - a command in the Greek. Paul was telling the Philippian Believers to stop worrying. They were already worrying, he was commanding them to knock it off.
We can be the master over worry, not it's slave.
So how do we stop worrying - Paul tells us how to do that.
I. TALK TO THE LORD ABOUT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
v6 Paul says, don't worry. Instead talk to Jesus. He uses three words, prayer, supplications, requests - all of these are referencing our talking to the Lord.
Talk to Jesus about anything no matter how big or small, if it is a concern.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him: for He careth for you
Prayer gives us something that we may immediately do to help the situation.
Worry paralyzes us
Prayer activates our faith
Worry - disaster is going to take place
Prayer - God has this
Prayer focuses us positively rather than the negative of worrying.
Now we must pray correctly - with thanksgiving. We expect the Lord to help. We know He cares. He has a perfect solution. Best possible solution. His timing is right.
If we pray right, we get peace - v7 i.e. Jenny's first cancer and the Lord giving me peace.
God's peace will guard our hearts and minds. Now some of you will say, I have prayed about my worry. I had peace for about 10 seconds and then my worry came back. This is the first step, not the last step. We must go on to Paul's next step in controlling worry.

II. FOCUS YOUR MIND BIBLICALLY.
When we worry, we don't focus. We allow our minds to free range. Our minds always goes back to the worry or concern that we have. Our minds always imagines the worst case scenerio.
Observe what Paul commands us to do - v8 THINK
think - logizomai - to take inventory, to estimate, to conclude. a command.
Paul says we are to focus our minds on biblical truth. Think about things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, virture, praise
illustration - I want you to imagine your mind is a dog. All of us have walked a dog on a leash. A dog will want to go into an area it shouldn't go. If we are walking the dog, we pull it back to us. We don't allow it to go where it wants, but where we want. This is what Paul is telling us to do with our minds. When we don't do this, that is when we pray about our concern and start worrying immediately after. We never experience the peace because we don't focus our minds.
III. LIVE RIGHT.
V9 learned received heard seen
Do - practice as a habit.
and the God of peace will be with you
Living right brings peace. How? Some of our trouble comes from us not living right. Some trouble comes volunterily. We invite it in. If we live correctly, we will avoid some trouble in this world.