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Bible studies:
As a diligent student of the Bible, you will want to make sure the Bible really says what this study says. Always remember to test all things with God's word - as the Bereans did. They "received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). First, read the study all the way through, without looking up the Scriptures. Then read the study again, this time looking up the Scriptures. Highlight or mark each verse you look up so you can easily find it later. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Disciples of Jesus Christ must seek peace and pursue it earnestly in order to enter the peace of Christ (1 Peter 3:11). The Bible says we are to think about whatever is good, peaceful and of good report (Phil. 4:8-9). If all you said was continually a blessing to the hearer, and you blessed those who cursed you, and if all the words that came out of your mouth were as the words of God, and all the thoughts you thought were happy thoughts, this would be most pleasing to the Lord (1 Peter 4:11; Eph. 4:29). "The cheerful heart has a continual feast" (Prov. 15:15). A disciple of Jesus Christ has the most for which to be thankful. He has eternal life and he receives answered prayers (1 John 3:22). His life is abundant, peaceful and joyous (Prov. 13:21). If he has any anxious thoughts, he does not dwell on them or worry. He just gives them to Christ, as he is commanded to do (1 Peter 5:7). What are some of the things in this world that can rob us of being cheerful, and would grieve the Spirit of God and take our peace (Eph. 5:10-11)? How about violence on television, violence in sports or violence in the news? Even negative weather reports take our peace. For the most part, we cannot change these things, but there is something we can change. We can change ourselves with God’s help! Do not be concerned about the way the world is going. Rather, be concerned about the way you are going. Make sure it is pleasing to the Lord. Remember, we have God’s protection in all things when we are living to please only Him (Job 5:20-27; Is. 3:10; Prov. 10:3). So let us consider those things that are violent, distasteful and rob us of our peace, and control what goes into our minds (Is. 33:15-16)! (Feel free to give copies of this study to others who want to know God’s truth. You will be doing God’s Will when you show and tell others how to live this special Way.) Bible studies:
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