GOOD GRACE CLUB

So, what's the deal with our concept of God? What is His reputation to us? When bad news hits, it's so easy to blame God. This stems DIRECTLY from our personal opinion of God, our relationship with Him, and what we think His reputation is to us.  What is reputation? The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something. The important starting disclaimer here is that reputation is often an OPINION! They are a belief. Though They aren't necessarily a fact, a reputation can be backed up with truth or facts, but let the record show that they also can be opinion. When you think of the God of the universe, what comes to mind? A holy gothic photo of Jesus? A huge man on a throne with a long white beard pointing his finger? Come on now, be honest with yourself. What’s your concept of God? What kind of reputation does He hold with you? Do you like what you’re thinking?  This week, I have been faced with many trials from all sides. You can say that the enemy definitely knows how to press my buttons and get me where I'm weakest. God has been my only hope. But, if I’m honest, I’ve also questioned God so much through this valley. Lots of why’s, how’s, and when’s. The thing is, not exalting myself whatsoever, I’ve finally become somewhat accustomed to spending time with God. I’ve gotten to know Him. We talk! I read His word (not everyday, but give your girl some slack on that!). It was amazing that as soon as some questions to God and for God started forming in my mind, I felt the Holy Spirit helping me with the answers. I’ve read in His word that He is GOOD. He has GOOD for me. He has a plan. He knows best. His timing is best. He LOVES me. Enough to make a way to spend eternity for me.I’ve read that He is our HEALER. I’ve looked closely at the life of Jesus, and he went around healing and doing Good! Performing miracles and being completely honest, nothing to hide. I’ve read that He wants to give us WISDOM, peace, and understanding, and that the enemy is literally called the father of CONFUSION.   The thing is, I still have questions. There are still so many corrupt and backwards things that are happening on this side of heaven. But, friends, I think I’ve got it all wrong. I think we have gotten things so wrong. I have lived so much of my life treating God unfairly, misunderstood. I have spent so much time looking for clarity of this world instead of clarity from the Word.  His word clearly says that His ways and thoughts are higher. The word CLEARLY says that in this world we WILL have trouble, but praise the LORD that we can take heart but GOD HAS OVERCOME DEATH FOR US! He has overcome the WHOLE world. On this side of heaven, we will see things through a glass that is dimly lit, but let me tell you. We serve a God that wants GOOD. ONLY GOOD for His children. He’s a GOOD father. A good father doesn't punish his children with deadly disease. A good father doesn't cause confusion amongst his children. A good father sometimes withholds the good so that eventually there is a BEST option for His children.  We serve a Good father. We need to change how we feel about our God (feelings will screw you up, girl). The enemy would have us so wrapped up in ourselves and our own twisted emotions so that God ends up being the enemy, when really he is the only rescuer.  Whether it be from your family, church, society, whatever...we all have a molded view of WHO God is. The thing is, our God loves us so much that He not only gave us his WORD to show who He is, but He LITERALLY sent Himself down in human form so we could have the perfect example and reference of His heart. His huge, unfailing love lived out in action for us.

Relationship advice from Hunter and Sarah: A successful relationship is founded on GOD! Everything else in a relationship builds upon that solid foundation.  Have a relationship with GOD before anyone else! Wait on HIS timing if you want His plan. Its a package deal! PRAY with your partner! Set boundaries and be on the same page with your boundaries! Boundaries are not a game and should be communicated and agreed upon! This can truly save a relationship and prevent regret. You attract who you are! What are you putting out there?  KNOW YOUR WORTH, and know who you are in CHRIST. This should come first before a serious relationship!  Don't settle for anything less than God's best for you. Will you choose your plan or His? When you know who you are and you know your worth, it changes how you let people treat you! Relationships take WORK! Your needs are #1, you have to take a heart of a servant and love them the way that feeds their soul. Relationships need to be INTENTIONAL, no matter the stage you're in! Dating is a pre-requisite to marriage. Marriage take intentionality. If you aren't living on purpose, you aren't going to live in your purpose!

In this episode we dive into Biblical advice about the past, God's timing, disagreements, and so much more as we continue answering follower's questions!  No matter what, remember that the NUMBER ONE relationship you ever need to have is with our Creator and the author of your story. Whatever season of relationships you are in, be encouraged with the fact that God has a plan for you and He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us everyday to that plan. Praise the Lord...the pressure if OFF! He has you (and your relationships!) in His hand if we just GIVE it over to Him!    Here's some high points you DON'T want to miss or forget: PRAY. God will help the past be your past! Time heals, but nothing heals more that God.  Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight!  ALL means ALL and that's ALL, ALL means!  You can't fix others, but you CAN fix yourself!  God is CLOSE to the brokenhearted. Ask God to help you with your heart condition!  GOD needs to be your everything. Not a person. Only God can sufficiently fill the void in your life! We have it ALL within GOD! (you NEED to listen to 16:42!) Who are we putting our identity in?  Conversation doesn't always need a perfect answer. Sometimes someone just needs to be heard and know someone is there for them and listening

Here's some high points you DON'T want to miss or forget: Trust the Holy Spirit! The way you get to know that voice is to spend time with God and His Word! Don't mistake God's will for your OWN feelings!  GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER, rather than each other's BODY (LOL).  God will bring you the BEST plan in the BEST season! "God is trying to spice up yo life!" Don't be blinded by "being in LOVE with LOVE." If you are looking for someone to fill the void other than GOD...it will never work!  WORK ON YOURSELF FIRST! If your foundation is strong in the LORD, then you are set up for success. You can't fix someone else, but you can fix yourself!   CHALLENGE!  If you are single or dating, MAKE A LIST! These are character traits that are NON-NEGOTIABLE! These things cannot be justified. Our #1 is a man running after GOD! Making a list is NOT being judgmental. It is a wise way to keep your focus on what matters. You will not find someone who agrees with you on everything, but there are important things that a couple needs to agree on to truly thrive and last.

WASSUP Chosen fam! Welcome to another week of TELL ME BOUT IT!  This week we pray your heart is encouraged by this amazing testimony of obedience to God's call on your life. Meet Alexis, a strong sister in Christ who we are so excited to introduce her and her story to our Chosen fam!  Its amazing what happens when we surrender our plans and follow God's...He is able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine than we could ever do on our own! God knows you better than you know yourself! Being obedience is our responsibility and God carries us the rest of the way. ask God: "What is today supposed to look like?" If you aren't honest with yourself, you're lying to yourself.  Obedience will remain scary until you take the leap! Genesis 14:22 - INTEGRITY God knows better than we do! We just have to trust and surrender! JUST DO IT...because its worth it!  You will learn more in just one step of obedience than just sitting still. Obedience only results in rewards and blessings! Study Questions/Challenges: Is there an area of your life where you feel no sense of direction? Relationships? Career? Write how you feel! How can you be obedient to God in the day to day during  this season? Write down a time where God was faithful to you or a friend. Remember this every time you doubt in your season of waiting in obedience!  TheChosenGirl.com

In the waiting... Waiting doesn't mean being stagnate. There's a difference between fighting your battle FOR God and fighting your battle alongside God as your guide and Lord.  If we are CONSUMED with wanting GOD's best, that means His timing, too! It's a package deal!  LEAD IN YOUR LANE! Do what God has called you to do to the BEST of your ability! COMPARISON is the thief of JOY. Their season is not your season. God's timing with them is not God's timing with you!  Instead of looking at someone else's grass...water your own!  Have you PRAYED about it as much as you have talked about it? Everyone else's path is IRRELEVANT to yours! STOP comparing yourself and giving into that crippling distraction!  God is worth the wait. His plan is perfect and His timing is perfect! God waits on US all of the time.  God is not only with us DURING the wait...but He is also on the other side of the wait!  The 4 Lepers 2 Kings 6 & 7 God loves to use the most unlikely candidates to carry out his will! THANK YOU JESUS! Our circumstances around us have NO reflection or affect on the strength of God's promises!  The lepers ACTED despite of not knowing what God was going to do! Be obedient in the wait and act on what God has called you to do! If our lives are fully surrendered to God, what do we have to loose? The God of the universe holds our future in His hands!  You have no idea what God is doing on your behalf in the waiting!  Study Questions/Challenges:  If you are in a season of waiting...how can you be grateful and keep perspective in the wait? How can you encourage a friend who is in a season of waiting?  Are you truly convinced that God's plan is worth waiting on? Challenge: look up bible stories/verses on waiting to increase your FAITH in the wait! (examples: Abraham & Sarah, Noah, Hannah) Find more tell me bout it topics here: https://thechosengirl.com/blogs/news

Find more commentary, notes, and study questions, along with other Tell Me Bout It topics at https://thechosengirl.com/blogs/news

Find more FREE resources HERE   Three things to remember in the Storm:  We are not alone! He will NEVER leave us!  Jesus will come when we call! We cannot make it without Him!    Peter Walking on Water:    In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Beginning in Matthew 14:25  When we are fearful, we need to seek the Lord! HE will guide our steps! The WIND: So often, it's our circumstances that spark our fear! We can't always control our circumstances, but we can control how we respond. Notice that Peter “started” to sink. He was sinking slowly...which does not happen under the law of Gravity! Jesus had no intention of letting him fail.  All we have to do is CALL ON JESUS!  DOUBT: We so often put expectations on God for when, where, and how we want our breakthrough to happen. TRUST, don't doubt, that His was is best and He will rescue!  Mark’s Account: Even in the storm, Jesus was there! He didn't cause the storm, but he was there for them in the midst of it.    The Story of Moses:  Exodus 3: God is calling Moses to lead the Isralieite people out of Slavery “God, can you pick someone else??”  For every excuse we have, God has an answer. Moses’ fear was greater than the mission God was giving him at first. God prepared Him along the way and never left His side! You don’t have to be qualified to fulfill God’s will...He will prepare you! Just say YES to the call!    The SOLUTION for a heart of Fear: Transform your mind!  We OVERCOME by Jesus’ blood given for us and by our TESTIMONY!  Line up your actions with God’s word!  Find Study Questions for this topic HERE

Real Life Bible Goodness on Purpose David being Anointed as king of Israel: 1 Samuel 16:7-13God looks on the HEART!David knows he will be king, but he goes back to being a shepherd. He was a servant before he was a leader!Sometimes God has us positioned in a particular season for PREPARATION!Success and fulfillment happens where preparation meets opportunity. The Story of Joseph: Genesis 37-47God fulfilled the dream that Joseph had YEARS ago!OBEDIENCE is such a huge factor when it comes to walking in our purpose!Joseph waited and trusted God’s timing and was obedient in the everyday, small steps.Do you trust God, or are your distracted by what's happening around you?God will NOT bless what is not His...when you are serving HIM you will see blessings reaped! The Body of Christ: 1 Corinthians 12:10Our purpose is to show who God is!Everything that we are is because of Christ...we are a part of His whole body! (His plan!)This gives us significance and purpose!God wants to use us for HIS greater glory and purpose! He has assignment for your life!This gives us no right to compare ourselves or think too much of ourselves...its ALL God’s glory!

Special Guest Elle Cardel