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Elevate Your Peace | New Voices #1

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:25 NIV

Do what I can do.

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 NLT

Give God what I can’t do.

Trust God no matter what.

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place where you can set aside all distractions. Prayerfully hold the following question in your mind: How much do I trust God? Don’t rush through the answer, but rather, mull that question over before God. Ask him to reveal where you struggle to trust; in those places, invite him in to re-write what you have believed about God’s heart toward you. Be honest with God; stay in this place for as long as you need to. Revisit it throughout the week, asking God to reveal his heart so that your trust may increase. Thank him for meeting you in a vulnerable place, and consider praying the prayer: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” this week.​

Discussion Questions

  1. What have you been learning about God or yourself lately in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you this week?
  2. Read Philippians 4:6-7. If you were back in school in a class called “I have peace because I prayed,” what would your grade be and why?
  3. Continue reading Philippians 4:8-9. In what specific ways have you noticed your mood or behavior being affected by what you are thinking about/focusing on, and what might need to change for you to experience God’s peace in this season?
  4. Read Romans 7:21-24. In what ways do you see your sinful nature keeping you from experiencing God’s peace?
  5. Continue reading Romans 7:25. Would you say that you are currently relying on Jesus to be the answer to your struggles or that you are still a slave to your sin? Why?
  6. Re-read Philippians 4:6-7. What practical ways can you begin or continue to turn over to God what only he can do, trusting him with what you can’t control, to help bring you real peace?