Wow it is already a blessing and a privilege to study with you! We had some awesome things to pull from yesterday, if you didn’t get to read the discussions please feel free to take a minute and go back. You'll be glad you did!!! There have been some awesome glimpses of the amazing love of God!

We've taken a glimpse at our foundation... at the God who created the world, and yet was the first to experience pain, rejection, and heartbreak. The creator was the first to be really hurt, and by the very ones that He had created. And yet, His love... outweighed our sin. He gave grace, gave love, and gave His very life in exchange for ours. So stop and praise Him today... because HE has MORE than proven Himself... as our foundation!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      SO. Is our suffering overlooked or unimportant to our Father? Not in the least bit… but we’ll get to that more soon. …First things first… Let’s figure out where we’re going. Then we’ll work on HOW to get there! It helps to walk in a straight line if you know where you’re going! 

What does this word: STAND mean? Here’s a key verse for you:

Now I KNOW that the Lord saves the anointed; He answers them from His holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Psalm 20:6-8

Do you know what this verse suggests to me? (Ok I’ll tell ya… thanks for asking!)
- Strength; beyond our ability.

- Assurance: beyond our estimation

.- Guidance; beyond our comprehension.

- Vision; beyond what our eyes can see.

- Life; beyond those who don’t have God’s protection.

- VICTORY; beyond… and not dependent upon our circumstance.

Do you think that sometimes our standard of blessing lies in the right hand side in italics… and is left with room to change or be shifted? God’s blessings stand firmly on the left side… they are non-negotiable. Do you not see it today? That’s ok. That’s the point. It’s beyond what you’re used to seeing. It’s beyond our ability. But He’s promised it to us. PLEASE STOP AND THANK HIM FOR THAT. If all you know today is that there is a God… and that’s all… that’s ok. STOP AND THANK HIM FOR THAT. He is God and we’re not. Therefore in direct definition there are depths to HIM beyond what there are to us. Thank goodness! Did you pray? You’ve just offered five loaves and two fish… when we acknowledge with our words and with our LIVES… He returns it and so. Much. More.

[STOP]

Scroll back up and read the promises. Now be honest. [Just between you and the computer monitor...] do you accept those promises as possible realities for you?!?! Or are they just “church-y terms.”

Well here's the thing. THEY ARE REAL. That's non-negotiable. Why can we say that with such certainty? I'll tell you.

Because I'm a witness. God has done the IMPOSSIBLE in my life. He's done the IMPOSSIBLE in other people's lives. He's done it before, He'll do it again.

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT: If you've never experienced it, if it's not reality, there is a hope and a future for YOU! Just one... step... at a time. BUT if you are ready to admit that you've never experienced these things, you must be willing to do something you've never tried before, in order to reach a place you've never been before. Makes sense, doesn't it.

Are you willing?

FOR DISCUSSION: Have you experienced any of God's promises before, either in your own life, or the life of another? Or are you just wanting to see a His hand at work for the first time? No matter where you are in life... what is it about God that makes you want know Him more? Another way to look at it is: what were some circumstances (negotiable...) that were outweighed by the non-negotiable? Something to think about... and to thank Him for. Will you share the evidence you've seen?