Tag: Spiritual Growth

With The Best Of Intentions

Posted on

“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord. “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.“  – Isaiah 54:1-3  

If each of us had to come up with a list of our top ten regrets, it would take some thinking to determine which regrets make the top ten and which fall outside the top ten. We’d have to swim back upstream to the moment just before it all went wrong, consider the magnitude of the regret and then decide if it makes the top ten or not. We would discover that our minds are often orderly memoirs of past moments, past conversations, and past relationships. What if I had done things differently? What if I had said something else? What if I had taken a different direction? Would I have less regrets? But I believe somewhere in this process of ranking our regrets, we would pause for a moment and think to ourselves: “In every case I had the best intentions. I really did. I didn’t set out to create regret, in fact I absolutely intended to do the thing that would have prevented the regret in the first place.”

Good intentions may well express our desired outcome, but usually do not necessarily express the actual outcome. Joyce Meyer said that “Good intentions never change anything. They only become a deeper and deeper rut.” The truth is, intentions are not enough. Yes, they may start something, but intentions will not complete what you started. For example, how many times have we been corrected/confronted by our spouse or friend only to respond, “Well, I did/didn’t intend to….”? What we intended did not change the outcome, much less excuse our actions.

The way to help eliminate regret is to move those intentions into action steps. Take the dormant someday into now. Have we intended to invite someone over for dinner? Invite them. Have we intended to apologize and seek forgiveness? Drive over and ask for forgiveness. Have we intended to learn the Bible and increase in prayer? Set aside time today to start. Have we intended to call a friend or family member? Pick up the phone. Have we intended to invite your neighbor to church? Walk over and ask if they would like to go with you to church on Sunday to learn about living a life of no regrets.

Galatians 6:9 is a verse that I believe applies here: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”  You cannot reap good intentions, but you can reap doing good. It will strengthen your resolve to keep pushing and it will help eliminate regrets later on. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are good intentions simply a case of poor follow through?
  2. Have you experienced the cost/damage of good intentions?
  3. Do you believe good intentions can stall or hamper your spiritual life?
  4. Pray for margin in your life that will open up to turn intentions into action.

What is a Disciple?

Posted on

“ And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” – Ephesians 4:11-16.

Most jobs have a job description. A job description is a broad, general, written statement of duties, purpose, responsibilities, and scope. If God gave you a job description for the Christian life, what do you think would be on it? If you started with core responsibilities, discipleship would certainly be included.

We read this clearly in Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

First, a definition. A disciple is a learner and a follower of Jesus who strives to faithfully follow Him in every area of their lives. Many Christians are intimidated by the concept. It seems above their pay grade and better suited for pastors and church staff. The reality is that it is fundamental and applies to everyone. 

I do understand the confusion. There are more than a few paradigms about discipleship. Some people view it as reading the Bible. Others see it as digesting as many spiritual books as possible. Others view it as attending a small group. Still others pray. While all these aid the work of discipleship, they are not a prerequisite or the end of discipleship. It is not easy, but it is not complicated either. When Jesus commands us to make disciples, He intends for us to live our lives in obedience to Him in the presence of other people. This intentional living seeks to show others the worth and the power of Christ. In short, we let people in to see how we live out the Christian faith.

In 2016, our vision is to see our church step out in it’s faith and become passionate disciples of Jesus.  Our Goal is to offer more resources, curriculum and teaching to grow and mature into disciples of Jesus Christ. We want to build solid foundations to become a life-long follower of Jesus.

I encourage you to avail yourselves of these opportunities beginning with small groups, Growth Track classes, and maybe consider a short-term mission trip.

If you want more information, talk to your campus pastor. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your  definition of discipleship? What motivates you to be a disciple?
  2. Where would you like to grow as an individual and a follower of Jesus? What area is most challenging for you?
  3. How do small groups play a part in our church’s discipleship ministry?
  4. What areas concerning discipleship would you appreciate getting resources for and discussion about?   

Feed Your Spirit God’s Word

Posted on

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Charles Spurgeon said, “Be masters of your Bibles, brethren… be at home with the writings of the prophets and apostles. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly.”

The goal of Bible study is not to be unique, clever, or holier-than-thou. Rather, we study God’s word to decipher, understand, and apply the truth of Scripture to our every day lives.  Our goal is to understand the original meaning of the text as intended by the original author to the original recipients. As we study the Bible in its entirety, we are better qualified to teach and apply its parts, and gain a greater sense of awe for our creator. And it is food for our spirit.

When we study God’s word, we don’t just receive a message about God, but also a message from God. It is a message that is from God that has divine authority and thus has the ability to transform our lives. If we are trying to teach, correct, train, or encourage one another toward maturity in Christ, the Bible is our book. That transformation only happens when we apply the Word of God in our lives.

God’s Word confirms that Christians should be doers over and over again. James encourages the believers to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)  Jesus finishes his sermon on the mount by saying, “everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24).  Undoubtedly they are considered wise, because God’s Word is truly “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The Bible is no ordinary book. The words within its pages are food for your spirit. It has the power to change your life because there is life in the Word. “ For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12.)

When you discover the power and truth of God’s Word, you will begin to see changes in your life that only this truth can bring.

Make the time in your life to study the Bible because there is power in it to change your life and become the person God wants you to be. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the best way to study the Bible?
  2. Read Psalm 119:9-11. How do you think David got to the point where he could say that God’s Word was hidden in his heart?
  3. Why do you think it’s important that we pray before we read the Bible?
  4. What can we do this week to improve our study of the Bible? 

Connect With God Relationally

Posted on

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” – James 4: 6-10.

Let me ask you a question: Would you walk up to someone you don’t know, somebody you have no relationship with, and ask them for a favor? You meet someone at the checkout line in Publix and inform them these are the things that you would like them to do for you. You tell them they can start by paying for your groceries. Before they can answer you tell them, “We can get to know each other at another time…you understand how it is, right?” 

If you had the chutzpah to do that, you would get some pretty interesting responses. You may even get some pointed remarks about your ancestors. And why not. Requests without relationships won’t get far. If that’s true when we speak with other people, is it true with God as well? How many of us talk or pray to God only when we want something? How often do we give God His to-do list without seeking a relationship? Prayer is relationship, not just requests. If God is a complete stranger to us and the only time we talk to Him is when we want something from Him, then we don’t have the level of relationship God desires to have with us.

A relationship with God is impossible without prayer. That’s because prayer is communication, and where there’s no communication, there’s no relationship. Prayer is pouring out our thoughts to God and paying attention to what God is thinking. It’s experiencing God’s love and expressing our love for Him.

Prayer is having a real conversation in which we not only talk to Him, but also listen to Him and get to know Him and become closer and closer to Him. As prayer lifts our hearts to God, it also fills God’s heart with pleasure. The Bible says, “…the prayer of the upright pleases him.“ (Proverbs 15:8). God loves us to come to Him in prayer. God enjoys conversations with His children. God savors the praises of His people. 

Belonging to Jesus Christ isn’t just a set of beliefs or behaviors – it’s a relationship. That relationship certainly involves believing certain truths and behaving in certain ways, but at the heart of the relationship is a personal connection with God.

Do you long to know God better, yet find all sorts of things getting in the way? Do you find prayer a struggle? Well, don’t give up. Don’t stop listening and talking to God just because it’s not always easy. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to pray and stay connected with Christ. Use the 21-day prayer challenge to connect and improve your relationship with God through prayer.

Discussion Questions:

  1. If desire for God is a thermometer in your relationship with Him, on a scale of 1 to 10 (highest) where would you rate your desire right now, and why? What role does prayer play in your answer? In your relationship with God? 
  2. Psalms 37:3-5: What do these verses say about relationship with God?
  3. How can we can build our relationship a little better with Jesus Christ over the next week?

Living On A Prayer

Posted on

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” – 1 Chronicles 16:11

Alfred Lord Tennyson said “more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” And  D. L. Moody said, “Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”

We are embarking on 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer on January 10 because we too believe that more things are accomplished through prayer than people realize and that God is ready to work through those who seek Him through prayer. Prayer is our most powerful weapon. Jeremiah 33: 3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

Prayer starts with a strategy. What is a good strategy for prayer? When you go to your war room/private room, what do you pray about? “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7). To become clear minded you have to set aside uninterrupted time to seek God. You cannot pray strategically if you’re running from one emergency to another. Or if your schedule is so tight that your mind is cluttered with an extensive to-do list, strategic praying becomes difficult. As you bring greater balance to your life and schedule, you will automatically reap the benefits in your prayer life. Your prayers will become more effective and more strategic. That is why we are posting daily devotionals to give you ideas on what to pray about. I encourage you to read 1 Timothy 2:1-8.   In this passage, the apostle Paul addresses the priority of the local church by addressing  a strategy of prayer for the church cooperatively and the Christ-follower individually.

Prayer must be a priority. Matthew 21:13 says, “… ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’…” 1 Timothy 2:1 says, “First of all, then, I urge that.” As Paul begins to tell Timothy how to conduct oneself in the local church (3:15), he puts prayer as the first priority. Once you have developed a strategic prayer plan, the hard part begins—sticking to it. We need to pray and study the Bible every single day. We need to make a commitment to God to put Him first in our lives each and every day. 

For me, it helps to think of my prayer time as an actual appointment with God. This includes having a specific time and place to meet Him. And yes, sometimes I am tempted to forego my private time because I have a million things to do. But I never do. And today, I actually look forward to my prayer time each day before tackling  the to-do’s for the day. 

Your prayer time could be at any point during the day when you have uninterrupted time. I have heard of all kinds of times and ways to pray. What is important is that you are consistently spending time in respectful communication with God.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your motivation for praying? How has your motivation changed over the years?
  2. “Prayer is more for our holiness than for our happiness.” Do you agree or disagree?
  3. “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”(Jeremiah 29:12-13) What does it mean to seek the Lord with “all your heart?”

As The Spirit Moves You

Posted on

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” – Romans 8:26-27.

Just like you need physical food for physical strength, your spirit must be fed the things it needs and removal of the things that limit or hurt the spirit.  If somebody asked you whether your spirit is is being fed, what would your answer be?  But here’s the thing: just as the body needs food so does our spirit. We rarely think about the diet our spirit is getting. Taking a close look at what you have been feeding your spirit will likely reveal why you are not living the life God intended you to live.

Are we sensitive to the influence and suggestion of the Spirit of God? Do we ever think, yes, I should do this or that—and ignore that? Do we display an unwillingness to yield to the Spirit as it leads us? So what determines whether God is able to perform His work in us? For all practical purposes it boils down to how well we are being led by the spirit. Your effectiveness as a Christian is determined by how well you are led by the Spirit. And how effectively we are led by the spirit is determined by what we feed and starve it.

In many ways, this is where the rubber meets the road in our daily Christian lives. Certainly God leads us by educating us through His Word and through His ministry. But for God to be able to guide and direct our lives as a Father, He also must be able to lead us directly through His Spirit. Although I covered several things we need to feed the spirit for this devotional, I would like to concentrate on God’s word.

God tells us in His word what will fill the craving in your soul like nothing else can. Listen to what it says in 1 Peter 2:2: “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation…”: That deep craving is for God’s Word. 

Take one week and pay close attention to God’s Word. Read it, think about it, write out a verse or two that stands out to you. Make an appointment to spend time with God just as you would make any other appointment. Pray, read and listen. Let God’s Word penetrate your heart. It will feed your spirit and fill you in ways you have forgotten. 

Note this profound statement Paul made to God’s people in Rome: “ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14). We are only sons of God when we are led by God through His Spirit.

As powerful as the Holy Spirit is, it never forces, impels, commands or controls us. It leads us. It influences our thinking—it suggests. We must be willing to yield to that influence, to follow, to obey those suggestions. And it begins with how well we remove the toxins in our spirit.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What am I feeding my spirit? What do I need to starve?
  2. Is my entertainment feeding me things that actually rob my spirit?
  3. Do I spend enough time in the Word each week?
  4. What steps can I take this week to remove any toxins in my spirit?

Show Me Your Glory

Posted on

“Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.” – Exodus 33: 18-23.

Moses was the man. The drama surrounding the life of Moses is pretty amazing – from the burning bush, to the plagues in Egypt, to the parting of the Red Sea and so much more. But there is a story of Moses that is not found in the public displays of miracles and supernatural events. The story is more personal, about spending time with God in a secret place. 

It was in one of those holy moments that nobody else saw. In Exodus 33:18, Moses asked God to “show me your glory!” Moses wants to see God’s face. God answers that this is impossible because nobody can see God’s face and live. God offers a compromise: He tells Moses that he will place him in a cleft in the rocks, put his hand over Moses’s face, and then pass by, so that Moses will get to see His, God’s back, though never his face.

Moses had seen things no one had seen before. Yet Moses knows that he has yet to see the true glory of God. How many of us would still ask this question if we saw the miraculous before our eyes. Would we not think that we had seen the glory of God? Moses was saying, “I love all that I see in you!  I love the compassion you have shown me and your people; I love the tremendous power you have displayed and I’m hungry for more of you… show me your glory!”

What we need is what Moses needed. “Lord, show us your glory.” Thank you for the wonderful things you have done in our midst. Thank you for saving us and filling us with your spirit. Thank you for the healing and miracles we have seen. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for loving us unconditionally. 

Now, Lord we really want to see who you are. We want to see your face. We want to see your glory. We are hungry for more of you in 2016. We are hungry for more of your presence. We want more of you in our lives. Show us your glory in 2016. 

Discussion Questions: 

  1. Do you believe you have seen the glory of God? If not, why not? 
  2. Can God show His glory to us today? Why or why not?
  3. What steps can we take to get closer to God in 2016.

No Pain. No Gain.

Posted on

“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” – Exodus 3:11.

If you ever come across a burning bush that isn’t being consumed or hear an unseen voice from above that tells you that you are on holy ground, then you might be freaked out a little bit. But then in Exodus 9:11 God tells Moses “…Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.”  Not only did Moses devalue himself as unworthy and unable to accomplish the seemingly monumental task that God gave him, I have to believe he was also thinking about how painful/awkward/hazardous/ this assignment could be. 

We too will make difficult life decisions. We may well know the right decision to make, the one that God calls us to make. However, making that decision is difficult when we start thinking about how painful/awkward/hazardous/ this decision could end up being. It would be easy to chicken out and just not make the decision. But often, these difficult decisions are the ones needed for you to grow spiritually. If God wants you to step out, I would encourage you to do exactly that. It may result in short-term pain, but the long-term benefits of obeying God are worth it.   

Moses made the decision to do what God asked him to do. This decision was more radical than the decisions we will typically make, because everything was on the line. There was no going back. Once Moses rejected his position as prince of Egypt and identified with the Israelite slaves, his choice was final. Moses knew he would be mistreated by his former colleagues who would consider his actions to be a disgrace. Moses made such a choice because what he saw made him sure that it was better to endure hardship and disgrace with God’s people, than to enjoy luxury with God’s enemies. He saw that suffering lay ahead, but he also saw that beyond the suffering lay a relationship with God. He knew that the king of Egypt would oppose him, but he also knew that the king of Egypt was nothing compared to the King of kings. You know the rest of the story.

Moses’ life is a living testimony to 1 Peter 4:13-14 which declares: “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

So was the short-term pain worth it?  Did Moses make a good decision to obey God?  History answers that question. After leaving Pharaoh’s house, Moses went on to become Israel’s national hero, law-giver, and mediator with God. He became a man of unprecedented accomplishment and worldwide influence.

Today, some 3,500 years after his great decision, Moses is remembered as one of mankind’s most respected leaders.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Tim Keller says that “suffering is actually at the heart of the Christian story.” Agree or disagree? Why?
  2. Read 1 Peter 2:20-24: In what way does short-term pain deepen our trust and strengthen our walk with God?
  3. Do you believe God can use your short-term pain for His glory?
  4. Pray and ask God to help you make the right decisions in the new year?

In Times Past

Posted on

“…that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].” –  Ephesians 4:22-23 (AMP)

Ephesians 4:22-24 is a very encouraging passage of scripture. The Amplified Bible tells us to “put off our old self… and be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]”  In other words, you can overcome any negative situation or pain from your past if you will just get with God and say, “Yes, I did this in my past. And yes, it haunts me to this day. But I am a child of yours and I know You have a good plan for me.”

Of course that is easily said than done for many of us because we tend to keep looking in the rearview mirror. We want to stare at our past rather than focus on the future. Our hope should never be based on what’s in our past. Our hope should be based on God and His promises for our life. Philippians 3:13 says, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” 

Paul tells us to forget what was behind, but is that really possible? It can be very hard to forget some aspects of the past, especially those we are not proud of. Even though it is difficult to forget, we cannot allow our past to hold us back from our future. I believe as we move into 2016 that God has great opportunities planned for each of us. It is hard to see those opportunities ahead of us if we are too busy looking backward. Or in other words, we should not let our past deter us from our future. Our past can either be an anchor which holds us back, or a rudder which helps guide us forward.

The question is are we looking forward or backward? My prayer is that as we move into this new year we would be laser focused on Jesus Christ and seizing the opportunities Jesus Christ and all that He has for us. May this be a year where you grow closer to God than you have ever been and that you see life, others and opportunities through His eyes.

The book of Numbers records the Israelites journey from Egypt to the promised land. A trip that took 40 years. The Israelites stayed in the wilderness 40 years because they couldn’t see God’s vision for their life. They thought of everything in terms of their past. In fact, they complained to Moses that they wanted to go back to Egypt and return to a life of slavery because that’s what they knew. But God wanted them to get a new present and future in a land flowing with milk and honey.

If you want to see change happen in your life, you’ve got to see past what you’ve already seen and experienced.  

Discussion Questions:

  1. How much is the past a part of your present life?  
  2. What did you get that you did not expect from God, people, and circumstances in the past? What was your view of God before the situation occurred? When it was occurring? After it occurred?
  3. What do you want from God, people, and circumstances in the present so you can move past your past?
  4. What part of your past do you need to let go? What is one thing you can completely give to God now?

Give Peace A Chance

Posted on

“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” – Psalm  29:11.    

John Owen said, “We cannot enjoy peace in this world unless we are ready to yield to the will of God in respect to our death. Our times are in His hand, at His sovereign disposal. We must accept that as best.”

Have you ever wondered what it took to live life in peace? Is it a choice, or something that has to be achieved? It is a choice. God’s will is for us to have peace. But we often allow our circumstances or other people to get us upset and angry, or we fret and worry about things we can’t control. When we do, it saps our peace. But if we really understand God’s Word, we can live in peace.

We waste so much time and energy worrying about stuff we can’t do anything about. And worry is never the solution. The Bible says in Matthew 6:27: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Yet, we still do. We worry about this and worry about that, and it eventually gets us nowhere. 

The answer is not to spend all your time and energy on fixing something that only God can fix. Instead, find peace knowing that God is in control. John 14:27 (AMP) says, “ Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” Interestingly, this is one of the final things Jesus said to His disciples before departing. Of all the things He could have said, Jesus made a point to talk about peace.

Notice that Jesus said He wanted to give them His peace. But achieving peace is not all that easy. Peace takes more than “wishing.” It’s easy to think, “I wish I didn’t get upset so easily,” or “I wish I didn’t have such a fiery personality,” or “I wish my circumstances were different, because then I’d have more peace.” But the truth is, wishing doesn’t change anything. We have more responsibility than simply wishing. The fact is we have responsibility for our lack of peace if we want to grow and change.

If we want to find peace we have to make any changes needed in our lives. The good news is the Holy Spirit is always willing and able to help us. John 14:26 says “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

Make a decision to have peace in your life. Even if you get mad easily or worry about things all the time, you can overcome it with God’s help. You can learn how to live with the peace Jesus gives. Just ask the Holy Spirit, and He will lead you to the peace of God that surpasses our understanding.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever experienced a time when worry helped you?
  2. When you are growing in the Lord, what are some changes you have seen in your life as evidence of growth in your walk with Christ? Is peace a byproduct of those changes? 
  3. Do you know someone who has peace in their lives.  What do you think enables them to have peace? 
  4. What changes would you have to make in your life now in order to eliminate worry?