Pastor Candace has been saying all these weeks that God’s victories are WHOLE and complete, I’ve been fighting the good fight, why don’t I have all those things NOW?!
If you’re in that place--first, let me say to you a few things:
Your story is still being written. (patience)
Let the past be the past. (forgiveness)
Stop wondering IF God has a plan for you, and start preparing for it. (trust)
For me, Bold & Brave is such PROOF of this.
Denyse Yates: “It has challenged me to not quit when things get hard. To go deeper with God and do things I was normally not comfortable doing. It has challenged me to deal with stuff I haven’t wanted to and say yes to. And you have challenged me to go deeper into the word.”
Rebecca Strevig: “Bold and Brave has taught me to dive so much deeper into God's Word, ask questions and not quit when it gets difficult. Going deeper into the word has changed my relationship with Jesus in a huge way.”
“Also, the relationships! I love the ladies in Bold and Brave and it's amazing to know I have strong women in my life I can lean on and go to for prayer.”
Susann Simon: “I’ve learned so much about how to study the Bible and not be intimidated by it. I’ve gained confidence and am learning to look beyond my own understanding to find answers, and not get frustrated when I don’t understand. ❤️”
Chaulin Corona: “[I am] understanding a lot more every day about the word of God as a child I went to church but as a child we didn’t pay too much attention in learning, and understanding his word. I learn so much that he can do so many things in your life! I am learning to understand to not fear things and not stress things that everything will be alright God is always with me!
Look for the PATIENCE, TRUST, OR FORGIVENESS in this:
Paul is NEXT LEVEL VICTORIOUS:
He declares himself VICTORIOUS!
He has an eternal perspective. Not only does he see things through the lense of the Word, but also through the lense of ETERNITY.
He not only understands that HIS story is still being written, but that other people’s stories are being written = next level victorious.
He lets the past in the past, even when he’s still dealing with the consequences of THEIR actions = next level VICTORIOUS.
He’s not only NOT doubting that God HAS a plan...he understands that His plan is GOOD.
All of this---it’s not JUST in a sermon. It’s not JUST in teaching. This language and attitude is mixed in among everyday things like a coat, and the winter, and “bring my books along too please!” The place Paul has gotten to, near the end of his life...sitting in a prison cell, suffering because of the Gospel...VICTORIOUS just comes out of his mouth!
It’s PATIENCE, because He is still writing the story. It’s FORGIVENESS, because we can let the past be the past, when we know who’s in charge of the future. And it’s TRUST because God has a plan, and IT IS GOOD.
God will let you live in whichever state you can settle for.
A space outside the will of God. (culture)
Lowest level of living
Decisions guided and governed by my own will and wishes.
I’m going to consult God when I need Him to bring MY will to pass.
At this level, God is a deliverer, not a leader.
The permissive will of God (spiritual knowledge, church)
The average level of living.
A space & place where things are better than they used to be, but aren’t as good as they could be.
He permits, but doesn’t prefer.
It is salvation, but not transformation.
We quote scripture at this level...but may not live it.
The preferred will of God. (spiritual experience, Jesus)
Kingdom living is what life looks like when JESUS leads it.
Church is not the end, it’s the MEANS to this level.
At this level, we LIVE scripture.
THIS is VICTORIOUS-living. Because it’s TOTAL reliance on God, ABSOLUTE trust with no reservations, and COMPLETE surrender to HIS will.