how to stay in control

How To Stay In ControlHow To Stay In Control

Eric L. Frazier, MinisterEric L. Frazier, Minister

March 12, 2006March 12, 2006

How To Stay In ControlHow To Stay In ControlPhilippians 4:6 - Philippians 4:9(TMNT) Philippians 4:6 - Philippians 4:9(TMNT) 66Don’t fret or Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. concerns. 77Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. displaces worry at the center of your life.

88Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. curse. 99Put into practice what you learned from me, what Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Content Whatever the most excellent harmonies. Content Whatever the Circumstances Circumstances


Purpose: To examine the impact that Purpose: To examine the impact that worrying can have on mind and body worrying can have on mind and body – especially our behavior– especially our behavior

Objective: To understand that Objective: To understand that worrying can closes our mind to the worrying can closes our mind to the word of God and makes us capable of word of God and makes us capable of doing or saying anything.doing or saying anything.

How To Stay In ControlHow To Stay In ControlKey Verses:Key Verses:

Philippians 4:6 - Philippians Philippians 4:6 - Philippians 4:9(TMNT) 4:9(TMNT) 66Don’t fret or worry. Instead of Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. God know your concerns. 77Before you Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. at the center of your life.

How To Stay In ControlHow To Stay In ControlThis is a personal letter to the Church in This is a personal letter to the Church in Philippi. Philippi. Philippi was a Roman colony located in Philippi was a Roman colony located in northern Greece (called Macedonia in northern Greece (called Macedonia in Paul’s time). Paul’s time). Alexander the Great, who founded the city Alexander the Great, who founded the city 386 year B.C. named it after his son Philip. 386 year B.C. named it after his son Philip. The church consisted on mainly of The church consisted on mainly of Gentiles. Paul wanted to thank the church Gentiles. Paul wanted to thank the church for helping him and explain his joy despite for helping him and explain his joy despite his imprisonment and upcoming trial. his imprisonment and upcoming trial.

How To Stay IN ControlHow To Stay IN ControlPaul found Joy in Prison!Paul found Joy in Prison!

The Philippians’ were the source of that The Philippians’ were the source of that Joy when he prayed. Joy when he prayed.

Ask yourself if the relationships you have Ask yourself if the relationships you have in the church bring you Joy?in the church bring you Joy?– When others think of you are you a source of When others think of you are you a source of

Joy for them? Joy for them? – Can they pray about you with a smile on their Can they pray about you with a smile on their

face? face?

The Philippians had a special relationship The Philippians had a special relationship with Paul, and brought him great Joy. with Paul, and brought him great Joy.

How To Stay In ControlHow To Stay In ControlThe concept of rejoicing or joy The concept of rejoicing or joy appears appears sixteen timessixteen times in this letter and the pages in this letter and the pages radiate this positive message, culminating radiate this positive message, culminating in the exhortation to “Rejoice in the Lord in the exhortation to “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice (4:4). always: and again I say, rejoice (4:4).

When you look at Paul’s life – you can’t When you look at Paul’s life – you can’t help but be amazed. He faced serious help but be amazed. He faced serious poverty, religious persecution and poverty, religious persecution and everything else in between everything else in between

How To Stay In ControlHow To Stay In Control(2 Cor 11:23 NIV) "Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to (2 Cor 11:23 NIV) "Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.“and again.“(2 Cor 11:24 NIV) "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes (2 Cor 11:24 NIV) "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.“minus one.“(2 Cor 11:25 NIV) "Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, (2 Cor 11:25 NIV) "Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,“three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,“(2 Cor 11:26 NIV) "I have been constantly on the move. I have been in (2 Cor 11:26 NIV) "I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers." country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers." (2 Cor 11:27 NIV) "I have labored and toiled and have often gone without (2 Cor 11:27 NIV) "I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked." (2 Cor 11:28 NIV) "Besides everything else, I have been cold and naked." (2 Cor 11:28 NIV) "Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches."(2 Cor 11:29 face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches."(2 Cor 11:29 NIV) "Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not NIV) "Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?"(2 Cor 11:30 NIV) "If I must boast, I will boast of the things inwardly burn?"(2 Cor 11:30 NIV) "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." (2 Cor 11:31 NIV) "The God and Father of the that show my weakness." (2 Cor 11:31 NIV) "The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying."Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying."

How To Stay In ContolHow To Stay In ContolDon’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray:pray: – This seem like an unreasonable request especially if you This seem like an unreasonable request especially if you

are married with Children. We all have worries about are married with Children. We all have worries about our jobs, or families, or health. So many worries seem our jobs, or families, or health. So many worries seem to preoccupy or mind. to preoccupy or mind.

Why the instruction from Paul? Why the instruction from Paul? A.A.– Worrying steals away our prayer life and diminishes our Worrying steals away our prayer life and diminishes our

faith in God. faith in God. – It also shows a lack of gratitude for what God has It also shows a lack of gratitude for what God has

already done already done – It also shows and lack of faith in what God is doing and It also shows and lack of faith in what God is doing and

going to do in our lives.going to do in our lives.

How To Stay In ContolHow To Stay In ContolDon’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray:Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray: B. B. – Worrying robs us of our faith and replaces it with negative Worrying robs us of our faith and replaces it with negative

physical manifestation and medical problem – physical manifestation and medical problem –

Webster defines worrying as to: feel uneasy (anxiety), to Webster defines worrying as to: feel uneasy (anxiety), to pull or tear at an object with the teeth, to shake, mangle or pull or tear at an object with the teeth, to shake, mangle or bite an object with the teeth (finger nails or toe nails), to bite an object with the teeth (finger nails or toe nails), to aggravated or snap at the sight of trouble and be unable to aggravated or snap at the sight of trouble and be unable to function or sleep at night. function or sleep at night.

– High blood pressure, and stress are physical manifestationsHigh blood pressure, and stress are physical manifestations

My point is that it can affect the body, mind and spirit.My point is that it can affect the body, mind and spirit.

How To Stay In ControlHow To Stay In Controlpart IIpart II


March 19, 2006March 19, 2006

How To Stay In ControlHow To Stay In ControlKey Verse:Key Verse:Philippians 4:8 - Philippians 4:9(TMNT)Philippians 4:8 - Philippians 4:9(TMNT)88Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. 99Put into practice what you learned from me, Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Content Whatever the Circumstances Content Whatever the Circumstances


Outline:Outline:1.1. Filling your minds – your mental file Filling your minds – your mental file

cabinetcabinet

2.2. Meditating on things that benefit your lifeMeditating on things that benefit your life

3.3. Practices makes better not perfectPractices makes better not perfect

4.4. God makes everything work together for God makes everything work together for your benefit your benefit

5.5. Learning contentment in spite of our Learning contentment in spite of our circumstancescircumstances


1. Filling your minds – your 1. Filling your minds – your mental file cabinetmental file cabinet

How To Stay In ControlHow To Stay In Control1.1. Filling your minds – your mental file Filling your minds – your mental file

cabinetcabinetMetaphorically, your mind is nothing Metaphorically, your mind is nothing more than a big file cabinet similar to more than a big file cabinet similar to what you find in a home or office.what you find in a home or office.All information that comes in is labeled All information that comes in is labeled and filed in folders so that it’s easy to and filed in folders so that it’s easy to retrieve to help you survive.retrieve to help you survive.In every situation you go to the file of In every situation you go to the file of your mind to determine how to respondyour mind to determine how to respond


cabinetcabinet– For example: If you’re considering a financial For example: If you’re considering a financial

opportunity. You automatically go to your file opportunity. You automatically go to your file labeled money and from there decide what to labeled money and from there decide what to do.do.

The only thoughts you can have about The only thoughts you can have about money will be what are stored in your money will be what are stored in your money file.money file.– That’s all you can think about because that is That’s all you can think about because that is

all that is in your mind under that category.all that is in your mind under that category.You decide based on what you believe is You decide based on what you believe is logical and sensible and appropriate for logical and sensible and appropriate for you at the time.you at the time.– You make what you think is the right choice. You make what you think is the right choice.


cabinetcabinetThe problem: Your choice may not be a The problem: Your choice may not be a successful choice or the best choice. successful choice or the best choice. – In fact what makes perfect sense to you may In fact what makes perfect sense to you may

consistently produce perfectly poor results. consistently produce perfectly poor results. We make a lot of bad choices:We make a lot of bad choices:Philippians 4:8Philippians 4:8– 88Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do

best by best by filling your mindsfilling your minds and meditating on and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.not things to curse.

How To Stay In ControlHow To Stay In ControlWhat needs to be in our file cabinet What needs to be in our file cabinet is: Christian Ethics and Characteris: Christian Ethics and Character——We are going to have opportunities in which we We are going to have opportunities in which we will need to pull from this file:will need to pull from this file:

– Can we identify what is the will of God for a particular Can we identify what is the will of God for a particular situation and do we have the will to carry it out?situation and do we have the will to carry it out?

Paul was able to suggest to the Paul was able to suggest to the Philippians‘ that they imitate his life-style. Philippians‘ that they imitate his life-style. What they had seen, they should do.What they had seen, they should do.

– Either we are being taught and filling our file cabinet or Either we are being taught and filling our file cabinet or we are teaching and filling another person’s file cabinet. we are teaching and filling another person’s file cabinet.

– Be careful – how you live, what you say and what you Be careful – how you live, what you say and what you does has an impact on everyone around you.does has an impact on everyone around you.


Philippians 4:8Philippians 4:8What’s in our file cabinet:What’s in our file cabinet:– things true – honestthings true – honest– Things noble – your behavior having Things noble – your behavior having

dignity and acting respectabledignity and acting respectable– Being Authentic – keeping it real with Being Authentic – keeping it real with

everybody.everybody.– Being Compelling and Being Compelling and – Being gracious – sincere and kindBeing gracious – sincere and kind– Beautiful things, not ugly things; Beautiful things, not ugly things;

– Things to praise, not things to curse.Things to praise, not things to curse.


cabinetcabinet– Think on these things: the best, not the Think on these things: the best, not the

worst; worst; – the beautiful, not the ugly; the beautiful, not the ugly; – things to praise, not things to curse.things to praise, not things to curse.

Thoughts lead to feelings, feelings lead to Thoughts lead to feelings, feelings lead to actions, and action lead to resultsactions, and action lead to resultsEverything begins with your thoughts Everything begins with your thoughts which are produced by your mindwhich are produced by your mind


cabinetcabinet2.2. Meditating on things that benefit Meditating on things that benefit

your lifeyour life3.3. Practices makes better not perfectPractices makes better not perfect4.4. God makes everything work God makes everything work

together for your benefit together for your benefit 5.5. Learning contentment in spite of our Learning contentment in spite of our

circumstancescircumstances

How To Stay In ControlHow To Stay In Controlpart IIIpart III


March 26, 2006March 26, 2006


Purpose: Purpose: – To examine the impact that worrying To examine the impact that worrying

can have on our mind and body – can have on our mind and body – especially our behaviorespecially our behavior

Objective: Objective: – To understand that worrying can close To understand that worrying can close

our mind to the word of God and make our mind to the word of God and make us capable of doing or saying anything.us capable of doing or saying anything.


cabinetcabinet2.2. Meditating on things that benefit Meditating on things that benefit

your lifeyour life3.3. Practices makes better not perfectPractices makes better not perfect4.4. God makes everything work God makes everything work

together for your benefit together for your benefit 5.5. Learning contentment in spite of our Learning contentment in spite of our

circumstancescircumstances


Outline:Outline:2.2. Meditating on things that benefit Meditating on things that benefit

your lifeyour life

How To Stay In ControlHow To Stay In ControlKey Verse:Key Verse:

Philippians 4:8 (TMNT)Philippians 4:8 (TMNT)88Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, graciousreputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, —the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.curse.


Philippians 4:8Philippians 4:8We fill our file cabinent with:We fill our file cabinent with:– things true – honestthings true – honest– Things noble – your behavior having Things noble – your behavior having

dignity and acting respectabledignity and acting respectable– Being Authentic – keeping it real with Being Authentic – keeping it real with



How to Stay in ControlHow to Stay in Control

It is one thing to know somethingIt is one thing to know something

But it is a completely different matter But it is a completely different matter to meditate on things you know.to meditate on things you know.

How do we focus on what is good for How do we focus on what is good for us?us?

How to Stay in ControlHow to Stay in ControlWe meditate on it!We meditate on it!What is meditation?What is meditation?Meditation in the Hebrew means to Meditation in the Hebrew means to murmur or to have a deep tone. So, to murmur or to have a deep tone. So, to meditate was to be signing and moaning :meditate was to be signing and moaning :

– Psa 49:3 - Psa 49:4(KJV) Psa 49:3 - Psa 49:4(KJV) 3 My mouth shall 3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart heart shall beshall be of understanding. 4 I will of understanding. 4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. dark saying upon the harp.

How to Stay in ControlHow to Stay in ControlWe meditate on it!We meditate on it!What is meditation?What is meditation?Meditation in the Hebrew means to Meditation in the Hebrew means to murmur or to have a deep tone. So, to murmur or to have a deep tone. So, to meditate was to be praying:meditate was to be praying:

– Psa 5:1 - Psa 5:3(KJV) Psa 5:1 - Psa 5:3(KJV) 1 Give ear to my 1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. words, O LORD, consider my meditation. 2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, 2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. 3 My and my God: for unto thee will I pray. 3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct in the morning will I direct my prayermy prayer unto unto thee, and will look up. thee, and will look up.

How to Stay in ControlHow to Stay in ControlDavid said David said Psa 19:14 - Psa 19:14(KJV) Psa 19:14 - Psa 19:14(KJV) 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. redeemer.

David said David said Psa 104:34 - Psa Psa 104:34 - Psa 104:34(KJV) 104:34(KJV) 34 My meditation of him 34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

How to Stay in ControlHow to Stay in Control1 Tim 4:9 - 1 Tim 4:16(KJV) 1 Tim 4:9 - 1 Tim 4:16(KJV) 9 This 9 This isis a faithful saying and a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no believe. 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. on of the hands of the presbytery.

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. thee.

How to Stay in ControlHow to Stay in ControlCol 3:2 - Col 3:5(KJV) Col 3:2 - Col 3:5(KJV) 2 Set your 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, Christ, who iswho is our life, shall appear, then our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5Mortify therefore your members which 5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: idolatry:


Philippians 4:8Philippians 4:8

We fill our file cabinent and meditate on We fill our file cabinent and meditate on things that benefit your life:things that benefit your life:– things true – honestthings true – honest– Things noble – your behavior having dignity Things noble – your behavior having dignity

and acting respectableand acting respectable– Being Authentic – keeping it real with Being Authentic – keeping it real with




Meditating on things that benefit Meditating on things that benefit your lifeyour life

In Two WeeksIn Two Weeks

Practices makes better not perfectPractices makes better not perfect

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