SOUNDTRACK OF SHALOM

 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” Philippians 4:4-6 (NKJV)

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

“Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (NKJV)

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You.” - Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

Perfect Peace – Shalom, Shalom.

Fear and Anxiety have gripped our nation since the pandemic.

The apostle Paul discovered the true source of peace and joy – The Presence of Jesus.

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 (NKJV)

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

RECOGNIZE THE SOUNDTRACK OF ANXIETY AND FEAR

“Be anxious for nothing.” Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)

“Don’t worry about anything.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

“Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25 (NKJV)

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” - Matthew 6:26 (NKJV)

“Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Matthew 6:27 (NKJV)

Worry – A divided mind, it speaks of distractions, anxieties and worries.

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV)

“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.” Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)

TURN THE WORRY AND FEAR OVER TO GOD IN PRAYER

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Bring the anxieties, the worries and the fears before the throne of God.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

Consecrate every need and every impossible situation for Him.

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear, what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

REPLACE THE SOUNDTRACK OF WORRY WITH THE SOUNDTRACK OF THANKSGIVING

“Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4:6b (NLT)

“Therefore, by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)

“Moreover, David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37b (NKJV)

RECEIVE HIS PEACE AND DECLARE HIS PEACE OVER YOUR LIFE

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (NLT)

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)

“For He Himself is our peace.” Ephesians 2:14a (NKJV)

He is Jehovah Shalom – The Lord our peace!

Receive His peace in every situation!

Declare His peace over your life, your family, and every stressful situation.

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39 (NKJV)

  

Discussion Questions

1.       What are some of the situations that are causing worry or anxiety in your life?

2.       Are you willing to consecrate those situations or people to the Lord?

3.       What are some things you can begin to thank God for in the midst of these difficult situations?

4.       Have you experienced the peace of God in your life? How would you describe it?

5.       What declarations of shalom would the Lord have you make over your life and family and every challenging situation you are facing?