We all battle dangerous perceptions and soundtracks that play in the background of our minds and unhealthy mantras the world pushes upon us. BUT, there is good news friends — it’s that God desires to empower us with strategies to change our thinking!

If we can change our thinking, we can change our lives!

These principles we will look at this month — will help you to begin rewire your brain in a godly way, to cut off harmful thoughts before they take root, replace lies and internalize the truth of Scripture, so that we can actually begin to experience the freedom of a renewed, steadfast mind.

Key truth for this series:
OUR LIVES ARE ALWAYS MOVING IN THE DIRECTION OF OUR STRONGEST THOUGHTS.

This series is being based off a book by Craig Groeschel entitled:
Winning the War in Your Mind (check it out - recommend)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
--Romans 12:2 NLT

the Rejoice Principle can help us push back against the anxiety that will come in different moments of life.

When we’ve had enough, remember: God IS ENOUGH.
==Not only is God enough; He is always near.

We must stay mindful of his presence.

Praying changes our brain, as does praising God.

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.

When we pray & praise — God’s peace invades our anxiety and disperses it…

Elijah had a moment of anxiousness that just about sank him…he got so fixated on the presence of his problems, he lost focus on the presence of God and God had to give him a “reset moment”

1 Kings 19 (read it this week)

When we get fixated on the presence of our problems,
we lose our focus on the presence of God.

*Our Truthful Declaration: My experience + God’s presence is enough.


The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
— PSALM 145:17–19

Let this game-changing truth sink in:
If it’s big enough to worry about, then it’s big enough to pray about.

PRAYER and PRAISE CHANGES THINGS.
PRAYER and PRAISE CHANGES YOU.
PRAYER and PRAISE CHANGES YOUR BRAIN.

Worrying and toxic thinking will change your brain and move your life in a direction you don’t want to go.

Prayer & Praise changes your brain and moves your life in a positive direction.

Pausing for a moment to PRAY OR PRAISE - to pray for God’s activity/help, trust him to carry you forward — to sing along with a worship song or simply pausing for a moment to praise God for WHO HE IS…ALL OF WHAT HE DOES… can literally change your perspective and mind.

Reflecting on and actually practicing Philippians 4:4-7

Your life always moves in the direction of your strongest thoughts.

What consumes your mind will control your life.
And unfortunately, our mind is under attack.

Just after encouraging us to humble ourselves and cast all our anxiety on God, Peter wrote, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Peter said, “Be alert.” Don’t drop your guard!
Why? You have an enemy, the devil, and he is looking for someone to devour. The devil is always coming after you, he is always swinging, and so you always have to keep your hands up.

How do we do that?
==Remember what Paul wrote: “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” (Phil. 4:6–7).

Paul calls for us to make petitions and offer thanksgiving.
Or we could say, prayer and praise.

The promise is, if we do that, His peace will guard our minds. Peace is preceded by prayer and praise.

*illustration: In boxing, you need to keep both hands up to protect yourself. Think of prayer as one hand and praise as the other. We need to keep both hands raised.

Whether you joined us on-site or online, thanks for being with us tonight!

Join us the next couple Sundays as we will looking at our vision! May you have a blessed week ahead!