When You Just Can’t Win

Summary

Episode Summary: "When You Just Can’t Win"

Podcast: Elevation with Steven Furtick
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Release Date: January 20, 2025

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Introduction: Embracing Presence Over Performance

In this powerful episode of Elevation with Steven Furtick, Pastor Steven and Holly Furtick delve into the challenging yet transformative theme of facing moments in life where it feels like you just can't win. The discussion emphasizes the importance of presence over performance in one's spiritual journey, encouraging listeners to rely on God's unwavering support during life's battles.

Appreciating the Elevation Family (EFAM) and Worship Team

The episode opens with heartfelt gratitude towards the Elevation Family (EFAM) joining from around the world. Holly and the guest speaker express appreciation for the worship team, highlighting their role not just in performance but in ministering through their presence.

Guest Speaker [00:37]: "I sense that today, while each and every one of you were ministering."

Holly Furtick [01:16]: "Our EFAM is joining in and telling us where they're watching from."

The Wrestling Analogy: Understanding Spiritual Battles

A significant portion of the episode uses the sport of wrestling as a metaphor for spiritual warfare. The guest speaker shares personal experiences watching wrestling, drawing parallels between the sport's unpredictability and the unexpected challenges faced in life.

Holly Furtick [08:54]: "She said even if the person is down by a wide margin of points... it's never really over because... there's always a chance that something could happen."

This analogy underscores the message that no matter how dire the circumstances, there remains a possibility for victory through faith.

Scriptural Foundations: Deuteronomy and Ephesians

The discussion anchors itself in biblical scripture, particularly focusing on:

• Deuteronomy 20:1: Encouraging courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

  Holly Furtick [04:55]: "Do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God... will be with you."

• Ephesians 6:13: Highlighting the necessity of spiritual armor in enduring evil.

  Holly Furtick [05:52]: "Therefore, put on the full armor of God... so that you may be able to stand your ground."

These scriptures form the backbone of the episode's message, reinforcing the belief that God's presence equips believers to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Siege Season: Navigating Prolonged Struggles

A pivotal concept introduced is the siege season, a period of prolonged struggle where victories are not immediate but are part of a larger divine plan. The host explains that during these times, believers are called to remain and resist, trusting that God is at work even when outcomes are not immediately apparent.

Guest Speaker [35:33]: "Some of the things that are happening in your life right now that feel like failure are actually just for your future."

This segment encourages listeners to maintain their faith and patience, understanding that growth often occurs beneath the surface during tough times.

Key Takeaways: Three Pillars to Overcome Feeling Overwhelmed

The episode distills its message into three actionable pillars for moments when you feel like you just can't win:

1. Remember: Reflect on God's past faithfulness and victories in your life.

   Holly Furtick [23:44]: "He said, when you face an enemy that is bigger than you... do not be afraid of them."

2. Resist: Stand firm against temptations to give up or take shortcuts that undermine your faith.

   Guest Speaker [34:07]: "When you are in a siege season, some of you are tempted to just start chopping down everything you see."

3. Remain: Stay connected to God, recognizing that continual faith and presence can lead to eventual victory.

   Holly Furtick [51:14]: "Remain in me as I also remain in you."

These pillars serve as a roadmap for listeners to navigate their struggles with resilience and divine support.

Embracing God's Process: Patience and Growth

The hosts discuss the importance of allowing God's processes to unfold without rushing or forcing outcomes. They caution against impulsive actions that might disrupt the growth God is fostering in one's life.

Holly Furtick [44:19]: "It just isn't the season yet. Nobody is going to chop down a tree that has fruit visible on it and use it for a battering ram."

This analogy reinforces the idea that patience is crucial, and that persistent faith will eventually lead to fruition.

Conclusion: Standing Firm in Faith

As the episode draws to a close, both Steven and Holly emphasize the necessity of standing firm in faith, even when victories are not immediately visible. They encourage listeners to remain connected to Jesus and trust that God’s timing and plans surpass human understanding.

Guest Speaker [53:43]: "Some of the greatest growth in our life happens underground. Some of the greatest cultivation will be of our character."

This final message serves as a powerful reminder that perseverance and faith during challenging times lead to profound personal and spiritual growth.

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Note: This summary omits introductory remarks, advertisements, and closing promotional content, focusing solely on the core message and discussions presented in the episode.

Transcript

[Steven Furtick]

Hey, this is Steven Furtick. I'm the pastor of Elevation Church, and.

[Holly Furtick]

This is our podcast.

[Steven Furtick]

I wanted to thank you for joining us today. Hope this inspires you.

[Guest Speaker]

Hope it builds your faith.

[Steven Furtick]

Hope it gives you perspective to see God is moving in your life.

[Holly Furtick]

Enjoy the message. Come on, clap those hands all over the house. God bless you. It's so good to see you today.

[Guest Speaker]

Welcome, welcome. Yeah.

[Holly Furtick]

Hey.

[Guest Speaker]

Hey. Hello to you online. Our EFAM is joining us all over the world.

[Holly Furtick]

Can y'all give me just a second.

[Guest Speaker]

As our EFAM tells us where they're watching from? Right there in the chat, in the comments, I want to appreciate our worship team.

[Holly Furtick]

The reason.

[Guest Speaker]

The reason I want to do it. You know, it can be easy if you're a good singer, a good musician to just come for a performance and to lock into that. But when you sense that your team is not just here for performance, but for presence.

[Holly Furtick]

I sense that today, while.

[Guest Speaker]

Each and every one of you were ministering.

[Holly Furtick]

So thank you for showing up.

[Guest Speaker]

While.

[Holly Furtick]

Our EFAM is joining in and telling.

[Guest Speaker]

Us where they're watching from. Right there in the comments. Look at your neighbor and say, you did good to show up today. Driving through all that fog.

[Holly Furtick]

Was it still foggy when you came? See, I shouldn't say stuff like this.

[Guest Speaker]

Because it localizes the message, but I was praying for you today, Lord. Help them to direct their paths.

[Holly Furtick]

Lord. As.

[Guest Speaker]

One thing about fog, I just want to point out, you remember you were over at my house the other day, chunks, and I said, it's so foggy outside. And you said, no, it's not. You said, that's just on the windows. So sometimes it's not foggy. You are what I noticed about the Lord. A lot of times when we come together and worship like this, it's like I'll go all week long and just feel like I'm just stumbling around in the fog, can't think straight. I don't know about you, but I get foggy. It's amazing how worshiping wipes the windows. I realize, oh, wow.

[Holly Furtick]

God really is still in charge. Oh, wow. Somebody say, wow, wow. It stands for wipe our windows.

[Guest Speaker]

I'm just freestyling. I'm happy to be here this year. Started praying a different prayer before I preached.

[Holly Furtick]

I still prayed that the Lord would.

[Guest Speaker]

Help you, but I started praying every time that he would let me have fun. Not that I wasn't having fun before, but I just don't ever want these moments to pass by without appreciating them.

[Holly Furtick]

I have A word for you today.

[Guest Speaker]

That I believe will hit you right in your heart and help you with some of your habits.

[Holly Furtick]

I started last week.

[Guest Speaker]

And by the way, the chat is going crazy with telling us where they're watching from. Everybody put a wow in the chat. Somebody say, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. What was I saying? How last week I told you that in this year of your life, some of the greatest things that will happen and some of the hardest things that will happen will not be in your strategic plan. So my challenge to you was to make presence your plan this year. Somebody say presence is the plan. I don't know what all I'm walking into this year, but I'm showing up for it. To do that, you'll have to show up unsure from time to time. You have to show up hurting from time to time. You have to show up sometimes when you wish you could pull up the covers and hide. But in this passage In Deuteronomy, chapter 20, I want to read you verse one, and I want to pair it very briefly with the scripture from Ephesians 6:13. In Deuteronomy 21, Moses is giving a speech to the people of Israel to prepare them for what God has positioned them for. I think this might be relevant to us as well. Deuteronomy, chapter 20, verse 1. When you go to war against your.

[Holly Furtick]

Enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them. Because.

[Guest Speaker]

This is where you have to be very careful.

[Holly Furtick]

If what you put after because is.

[Guest Speaker]

Something that you put after can do, your courage will melt when you face opposition.

[Holly Furtick]

But Moses said, when you face something and you know it's greater than you, do not be afraid of it. Do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. He will be with you, with you. So touch your neighbor and say, he'll be with me. Whatever it looks like, whatever it feels like, wherever it goes, either way, he'll be with me.

[Guest Speaker]

Now for Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 13. Put it on the screen, please. You might have heard this one before.

[Holly Furtick]

Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground after you have done everything to stand. After you have done everything to stand. Sometimes standing is the victory. Sometimes being here is the victory. Last week I talked to you about.

[Guest Speaker]

Where you meet with God. This week, my thought is a little bit different. Hold on, let me read it to you. How I wrote it down.

[Holly Furtick]

Yeah, I Want to talk to you about something you might be feeling in.

[Guest Speaker]

Your heart when you just can't win. When you just can't win. We'll talk about that for a moment. Father, I thank you that I sense even as I look into the eyes of the people who are in this room, that this message will not just live and die in this room. It's going forth not only into our week, but it's going forth into the rest of our year. We lean in now listening to you speak, Lord, in Jesus name, Amen. You may be seated. For the next few weeks, you'll probably hear me use illustrations from the sport of wrestling. It's not because I'm going through anything, man. Pastor is talking about wrestling a lot lately. He must really be going through a battle. No, it's just because every Saturday, I'm in a gym watching Graham. While I'm thinking about you, I'm watching him wrestle. So this is usually January. I usually use a lot of wrestling illustrations. Yesterday I got a really good one. See, when people come to watch wrestling, it's really weird to them because it's, for most people, a sport they're not very familiar with. It's not like they're showing up to a basketball game or a football game. So often they have very little context for what they're watching. I guess because I've seen the sport of wrestling since I was a teenager. There are certain things about it that I think everybody knows or understands. But it really takes somebody from the outside coming in to remind you how weird this is. Yesterday we had a couple people with us who had never seen wrestling, so they were just full of questions. Holly is nicer than me, so she'll answer the questions as they ask. I'll just kind of get frustrated, like, just watch and you'll figure it out. Sit here and watch, and you'll figure it out. Use some context.

[Holly Furtick]

People come in and they ask the.

[Guest Speaker]

Dumbest stuff, like, is there going to be a ddt? Are they going to jump off the top ropes? Can you put them in a choke hold? So I'm a little bit done with answering all the questions, But Holly is so patient. Yesterday, somebody was asking her what's her favorite thing about wrestling. She said something I thought was so deep.

[Holly Furtick]

She said what I love about wrestling.

[Guest Speaker]

And I leaned in to listen.

[Holly Furtick]

She said, even if the person is down by a wide margin of points, and even if there's not enough time left on the clock for them to come back, it's never really over because.

[Guest Speaker]

They can Always get a pin.

[Holly Furtick]

In other sports, it becomes mathematically impossible to come back. If you are down by 40 in the fourth quarter of a basketball game.

[Guest Speaker]

With a minute left, you will not score 40 points in a minute. No matter how NBA Jam on fire.

[Holly Furtick]

You get, there is no amount of on fire that can close the gap in that scenario. The same is true with so many sports. But in this sport there is always the chance that even if you have been beat the entire six minutes in the last six seconds, it is possible.

[Guest Speaker]

Although not probable, that if you can.

[Holly Furtick]

Put your opponent on his back for just long enough for both shoulder blades to touch, every point you were down by becomes irrelevant because of something that happened when it looked like it was over. Everybody else may stop watching, but there's always a chance that even when it looks like you have been completely dismembered and dismantled, even when it looks like you have been completely outmatched and overwhelmed in that last minute, there is always a chance that something, something could happen. She said I love wrestling because a pin is always possible. When she said a pin is always possible, I thought that is not just a wrestling lesson, that is a praise lesson. I imagine to people who have never been to a church like ours before, it must look really weird to see us doing what we do. Here we are, we have our own hang ups and issues and yet our hands are lifted. Here we are with our own struggles and yet we're singing about the goodness of God. Here we are still dealing with things we've been dealing with for decades and yet we are proclaiming Jesus is our freedom. I imagine if you just walked in, you might have a lot of questions. You might wonder, how are they praising God? I know them. But you would be mistaken to think they are praising God because they are always ahead. You would be mistaken to think they're praising God because they always get it right. You would be mistaken to think they're praising God because the outcome is scripted. I'm praising him because anything is possible in his presence. Y'all slow down a little. We have a long way to go. But touch your neighbor, say you can still win. I don't care what the enemy says about it, you can still win. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses says in verse one, chapter 20, call it back to the screen for me boys. When you go to war, not if, when you go to war, it's guaranteed. When you go to war, it is assumed. So if spiritual battles are assumed by.

[Guest Speaker]

The Bible, why are they surprising to you?

[Holly Furtick]

When you go to war.

[Guest Speaker]

Really, you only have two options in the Christian life. One is to stay in the wilderness, and the other is to go to war. Moses is speaking to a generation that has spent years in the wilderness, but.

[Holly Furtick]

Now God is bringing them out of.

[Guest Speaker]

That wilderness place and he is preparing them for a war. They've never seen war before. All they know is wilderness. If you've never seen war before, it might feel kind of weird. Some of you who are growing closer to God, the proof that you are growing closer to God right now is that the temptation is intensifying in your life. I kind of have a problem with preachers who lie to you about what their life is like. I hear their podcasts, but I know them personally.

[Holly Furtick]

If there is one promise I will.

[Guest Speaker]

Make to you, it is not that I will always be perfect.

[Holly Furtick]

If there is one promise I will.

[Guest Speaker]

Make to you, it is not that I will always be polished.

[Holly Furtick]

If there is one promise that I will make to you, it is not.

[Guest Speaker]

That I will always be making progress, but I'll be present.

[Holly Furtick]

A fellow came to me the other day and said, I'm really sorry.

[Guest Speaker]

I've been out of church for the last three years and I apologize. I said, you don't owe me an apology. You know where to find me when you need me. If you're drunk and out of the church, I'll be here. If all you can watch is an Instagram clip, I'll be here. If I'm not here, I'll have a pretty good guest. We'll be here. Somebody is going to be here preaching for you. Watch this. The promise of presence is so much greater than the promise of performance.

[Holly Furtick]

You cannot guarantee your performance. You do not know what your response.

[Guest Speaker]

Or ability will be in certain situations. That's why I want us to start this year with a plan B.

[Holly Furtick]

What did the Lord say in Deuteronomy 20? When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, even if you.

[Guest Speaker]

Did not anticipate them. Stay there, Furtick. Yes, Lord.

[Holly Furtick]

Do not be afraid of them, even if you did not anticipate them, don't be afraid of the ambush. Because before the enemy got there, God did. Before the medical diagnosis was spoken, God's word was before the sea raged, the peace speaker was already on the boat. This is our plan for the times in our life this year when it looks like time is running out. When you go to war and the enemy that surrounds you is greater than yours, do not Be afraid of them, because the Lord, your God, who brought you out of Egypt will be with you. So what is your plan? What is your strategy? It's a plan B. Do you see it? He said he will be with me.

[Guest Speaker]

He promised to show up if I would.

[Holly Furtick]

He promised to show up if I would. Now, a lot of what keeps us.

[Guest Speaker]

From showing up is the feeling that we are not enough to show up. But if you show up enough, it will be. If you show up enough, it will be.

[Holly Furtick]

If you show up enough in the.

[Guest Speaker]

Word of God this year, the word of God will be enough to empower you through your struggle.

[Holly Furtick]

Tell them, show up enough. Your neighbor, show up enough. That's something the Lord gave me personally.

[Guest Speaker]

I was going into an intimidating situation.

[Holly Furtick]

Recently, and he said, you keep thinking.

[Guest Speaker]

You have to go into situations and.

[Holly Furtick]

Prove yourself, but you don't have to bring proof, just bring presence. So when you show up to that.

[Guest Speaker]

Situation, look them right in the eyes and show up knowing if you weren't enough, God wouldn't have brought you into the situation.

[Holly Furtick]

Is this helping anybody? Come on online, put it in the chat, say, show up enough. The beautiful thing about bad odds are.

[Guest Speaker]

That is God's resting place for the Christian.

[Holly Furtick]

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them. Because the Lord, your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. As the Lord is bringing his people.

[Guest Speaker]

Into the promised land, there are battles they are going to have to fight.

[Holly Furtick]

Which confuses some of us because we think if God promised something, it will be automatic. God's promises are guaranteed, but that doesn't make them automatic. There are some things God gave you that you didn't go for that are not in your possession now because you thought just the fact it was promised made it automatic. For everybody who's in a war today, and the chariots and horses are greater than yours. For everybody who's dealing with mental disorders, that thing seems stronger in your mind.

[Guest Speaker]

Than your will and resolve.

[Holly Furtick]

For everybody who's dealing today with a challenge that has been going on so.

[Guest Speaker]

Long, you have convinced yourself it is insurmountable.

[Holly Furtick]

I want to give you a word.

[Guest Speaker]

And I want you to listen good.

[Holly Furtick]

If the battle is really the Lord's. If the battle is really the Lord's.

[Guest Speaker]

Now we need to stop right there.

[Holly Furtick]

Is it his battle.

[Guest Speaker]

Or is it yours?

[Holly Furtick]

When we are fighting to protect our pride and we are deflecting to keep.

[Guest Speaker]

Our ego intact, then the battle is Ours.

[Holly Furtick]

But see, Moses is speaking to people who are taking land God has promised to give to them under the leadership of Joshua. He says, as you take this new ground, some of you are in a season where God is giving you new ground and you've never seen it before. It feels weird to be at war. It feels weird to be fighting these battles you're fighting at this stage of your life. But the Lord said, when you fight these battles you've never fought before. If the battle is truly the Lord's, watch this. The math won't matter. The math won't matter. This is good for everybody who's more of an English kind of person, that the math won't matter. I discovered in my life that when it's God's battle, the math doesn't matter. I discovered in studying God's word that if it's his battle, the math doesn't matter. You can be five foot six like David, and he can be nine foot two like Goliath. If it's God's battle, the math won't matter. You can be a little boy with five loaves and two fish, and the crowd can be 5,000 strong, just in the men department. But if it's God's battle and he wants to feed the crowd through you, the math. You can have been stuck in something 38 years at the pool of Bethesda. John 5:1:7. And everybody around you might be quicker than you. You might feel like, I just can't win. I just can't get there. When the water is stirred, I have no one to help me. But when Jesus shows up, if he wants to heal what's hurting in you, it doesn't matter how many people are in front of you that are faster than you. If it's God's battle. High five. Your neighbor. Say the math don't matter. Bad grammar, good preaching. The math don't matter. Don't care how long it was like that. One moment in his presence, one moment of his favor, one moment of His. Holy fire can burn away all the dross. Because I'm coming out of this. Because the math. Do you hear what I'm saying to you? The prophet said, do not be afraid of them, for those with us are more than those with them. Stop looking at what's surrounding you and stop looking at. Let's pace ourselves. Touch your neighbor. Say, I'm bad at math. I'm bad at math, but I'm good at faith. Oh, I'm bad at math, but I'm good at faith. I'm bad at math, but I'm good at faith. What do you mean I'm bad at math? I'm too old, but I have faith. I'm too young, but I have faith. Don't have money, but I have faith. If it's God's battle. I don't know who needs to hear this. Your kid is developmentally disordered, but they are going to bloom in a season that is just right for them. Let me tell you another one. Oh, I love this. Some of you think you aren't good at anything. That's not true. You are good at something. You just think it's a small thing. But one small thing you're good at. In the hands of God, who gave it to you, can make everything you're bad at irrelevant. Ask David what one stone can do. You can't fight a giant. Yeah, but I can kill a bear. And one stone saved a whole nation.

[Guest Speaker]

Yeah, because when it's God's battle, the math won't matter.

[Holly Furtick]

You're going to get there when you're supposed to get there. The math won't matter. God will make up for all the days you called wasted. And the math, what you thought was a failure is going to contain the seeds of your growth. And the math won't matter. The conflict was kind of developing your character so that when you get to a place, you'll have the fruit of the spirit called patience.

[Guest Speaker]

And the math won't even matter when you go to war and you face an enemy that's bigger than you. Remember your plan B. I want to give you three things today because sometimes I think when I preach, I get so excited I don't give you anything to write down. I feel bad about that, that you would come all the way to church and not get a single note. So I'm going to give you three notes words today for when you feel like you just can't win. Now, that phrase, you just can't win can be taken two ways, right? In Deuteronomy 21, it says, when you face an enemy you can't beat, I'll be with you. So you literally cannot win this, but God still will be with you and give you the ability. The way to connect to that is number one. Remember, just as simple as that.

[Holly Furtick]

He said, when you face an enemy.

[Guest Speaker]

That is bigger than you, more chariots, more horses. When you face something that's absolutely beyond your comprehension or your ability to deal with, and you know exactly what that is in your life right now, do not lie to the Holy Spirit. I'm not even making you say out loud what it is. Just acknowledge it in your heart. When you face that, remember that the Lord who brought you out of Egypt will be with you. They keep taking my scripture down, but I need it one more time. I think they think because it's just one verse, I read it and I'm done with it. But I can preach a verse for 12 weeks when it's this good. Because he said, I'm the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, and I will be with you. One of those is what he did, and one of those is what he is. He's with you. Okay, I'm done with it now. Thank you. He said, just remember that thing that I did for you then. So why is that so simple and I suck at it so bad. Why do I constantly get into states of mind that pretend like this is the first time I've ever had a problem like this? I'm so grateful for perspective. One thing I love about singing songs about God is it just gives me perspective. I need that so much in my life. Because for me, songs of worship are like streams that flow to my heart. When it's dry, one of the things it helps me access in that process, when I begin to remember it is like, oh yeah, and I just have oh yeah moments in the presence of God. You can have an aha moment where you realize something you never realized before. And then you can have an oh yeah moment where you remember something that you temporarily forgot. Think about all the things God has already done for his people by the time Deuteronomy 21 is spoken through the mouth of Moses. Think about how many odds they've overcome to be in this moment. Think about how many enemies God drowned in the Red Sea just to bring this generation to the wilderness. Think about how he rebuilt their self image to see themselves no longer as slaves, but as settlers. Now, as they stand on the precipice of a new season, they need to remember what God did say God did. I wrote a song I released on Friday so you can walk around your house and remember.

[Holly Furtick]

So that when you face a war.

[Guest Speaker]

You worship because you realize you can have your back up against the wall. God can take one stick and split a whole sea and bring a whole nation through. You have seen God do that in your life. You have seen him do things that were once unbelievable. You have seen him align opportunities and appointments and assignments.

[Holly Furtick]

You have seen God, time after time.

[Guest Speaker]

Do things for you that the devil is hoping you will forget as you Go through this.

[Holly Furtick]

You have seen God time and time again.

[Guest Speaker]

Provide with one jar of oil and feed your whole family.

[Holly Furtick]

You have seen God time and time again. Just when you needed the strength to.

[Guest Speaker]

Come, it came all of a sudden.

[Holly Furtick]

Shout.

[Guest Speaker]

All of a sudden.

[Holly Furtick]

The temptation is.

[Guest Speaker]

We are expecting God sometimes to come like a flood. When it comes like a trickle, we are tempted to displace our trust because our trust was in when it would.

[Holly Furtick]

Happen, not who was going to do it. So it goes like this. If I was going to get it, I would have it by now. If I was going to be it, I would be it by now. This is why people stop coming to church. This is why people stop going to their counselor. This is why people stop trying to eat better. Because I tried to eat better for three days. It tasted bad, and I was mad, and I wanted to kill everybody on road rage. So I decided it was better for me to be fat than to kill somebody on road rage. If that's not enough, watch this. Everybody in here is tempted to forget where you're winning because of where you currently feel weak.

[Guest Speaker]

Yesterday, Holly came out and spoke for just about 15 minutes to many of the leaders in our church. I think some of y'all stayed over.

[Holly Furtick]

I knew I felt something special over here. Are y'all serious?

[Guest Speaker]

Wow. I should have come over here a long time ago.

[Holly Furtick]

I wasted 30 minutes over there on.

[Guest Speaker]

The side of the room. When we got home, I said, that was so beautiful. I said, how did you even find the time to do that? Because I know the week she has had, it's been insane. She was filming a study for our youth that's coming out. She filmed five sessions for that. She attended a wrestling match. I already told you that. And a volleyball game. She made meals for our family. Now, I'm not up here just to get points. I'm up here to make one.

[Holly Furtick]

But if you can do both at the same time, why not?

[Guest Speaker]

We just had a moment, and I want to teach you this in case you don't know how to do it. Where we listed her wins, the Lord said to tell you, list your wins. List your wins. Ain't that bragging? It depends on who's behind it. When we went through all the things she did that week, it was no doubt in my mind only God could have strengthened her to do all that. Then a little bit later that night, she said something kind of weird because we were talking about goals and my sermon. I was sharing a little bit of what I was thinking about preaching with her. But I Didn't tell her. I was just working it out with her, but she didn't know it. She said, you know one place I didn't win this week? My workouts. Now, here's where she's different than me. She has the ability to laugh at that and to rebalance it. She realizes that's probably not going to be the most significant defining event of her year, that she didn't get her number of workouts this week. Me, on the other hand, now I'm going to come to this side of the room. If I miss a workout three days in a row, I don't feel saved. What does lifting weights have to do with lifting them up? I don't know, but it just spills over into every area of my life. It just is so quick because I realize somewhere in my mind and in my soul, an expectation was planted that I'm supposed to be winning everywhere, all the time.

[Holly Furtick]

When you live in that kind of.

[Guest Speaker]

Captivity, everything feels overwhelming. You have no strength for the enemy in front of you because you gave God no praise for the victory behind you. But when you begin to integrate these things God has brought you through, and you draw from them not as pride, but as strength. When you draw from them as a.

[Holly Furtick]

Sense of knowing that God promised to.

[Guest Speaker]

Be present with me, the proof of.

[Holly Furtick]

That is that he was the proof.

[Guest Speaker]

That he will is the fact that he was.

[Holly Furtick]

The proof that he will is the fact that he was. The proof that he will is the fact that he was.

[Guest Speaker]

When you begin to do these things in your week and in your day, I'm telling you, it's going to make a big difference.

[Holly Furtick]

The truth of the matter is you are winning somewhere right now. But where you are not winning is causing you to feel weak.

[Guest Speaker]

Where you feel weak, you become susceptible. Now, I'm right where I want to bring you. Number one is remember, and number two is resist.

[Holly Furtick]

Moses says, when you go to war, and you will go to war to take new spiritual ground. Even Paul said you have to put on the armor. Well, I'm not putting on the armor to take a nap. The only reason we're suiting up with the armor of God, the breastplate of righteousness and the shoes of peace and the sword of the spirit and the belt of truth. The only reason I'm getting dressed in this armor is something is going to attack me. The provision of the armor is the prediction of the attack. God gives you a really good word when you're going to go through a really big war. When you get in that situation. Moses says there are certain stipulations for how you are to fight God's battles. I wish I could give you all of Deuteronomy 20, but he talks about, send the priests out before the people and send everybody home who doesn't really want to fight. Because not everybody can go with you into everything. I'm going to say it again. Somebody in the back just needed to have a delete party on your phone. Not everybody. Come on, delete them right now. You know exactly who they are. They're right there on the recents. Do it right now. Do not pass go. Delete their number right now. Because not everybody can go with you into this. You don't have to hate them. You don't have to flash their tires. You don't have to cuss them out. You don't have to fire them. As your friend, he said, send the people home that can't go home. When you come upon a city, this.

[Guest Speaker]

Is really powerful here. I don't want you to get tired of me because we've already said a lot. But I want you to get this thing about resist.

[Holly Furtick]

He says, when you get to the cities, God is calling you to take.

[Guest Speaker]

Over the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites.

[Holly Furtick]

The Jebusites, all of these people who are in the places God has promised you. Just because an enemy is there doesn't mean God isn't bringing you into it. Just because it's hard doesn't mean God isn't in it, doesn't mean he didn't speak, doesn't mean he won't do it, doesn't mean he isn't doing it. It doesn't mean he's not working, doesn't mean you should turn back and go home. No, no, no. When you see the enemy is there, offer them a condition of peace. But if they won't make peace with you, you will have to put everything to death that would teach you to follow anything other than God. Then we get to verse 19. Verse 19 says something very strange, strange to the people. He says, when you lay siege to a city for a long time. When you lay siege to a city, laying siege to a city means you can't beat them immediately. They don't just give up quick. So God gave you this land, so you come up on the land. Because he tells Joshua, every place you set the circle sole of your foot, I'll give you. But when you get there, you'll still have to fight for it. But sometimes when you're fighting for it, you will have to lay siege to it. You know what a siege is? I'm not insulting your intelligence, but this is when you have captured the enemy.

[Guest Speaker]

But you haven't conquered the enemy.

[Holly Furtick]

When you lay siege to a city and you fight them for a long time. Now, wait a minute, God. I thought you were going to give us the victory.

[Guest Speaker]

God says some of my gifts are gradual. Just because it's gradual doesn't mean he's not giving it. Sometimes it happens so slow, you think it's not. When you lay siege to a city and it takes you a long time, a little longer than you thought it was, and you just can't win. But you have them captured, but you don't have them conquered. Am I describing some of your sins today? Some of your cities, some of your insecurities?

[Holly Furtick]

I have them captured.

[Guest Speaker]

I know what they are now. But I don't have them conquered yet. I have them identified. I'm in the right place. That's when you remember I'm not in Egypt anymore. I'm not in Egypt yet, but I'm not fully settled in here yet either. This is where you need a plan B. He says when you get in the city and you got it in a siege. It was so clear to me while I was studying that there are so many people who are no longer enslaved to sin. They're set free by Jesus, but they are no more free in Christ than because they're in a siege season. A siege season is when you can see it, but you don't quite have it. You experience it momentarily. Peace, you experience it momentarily. Joy, you experience it momentarily. Selflessness. You experience it momentarily. Goodness. Patience, self control. The fruit of the spirit. But you're not living in it yet.

[Holly Furtick]

That's a siege season.

[Guest Speaker]

You're not a slave anymore.

[Holly Furtick]

You're out of Egypt, but you're not exactly free yet either, are you?

[Guest Speaker]

It's a siege season now. We have to be really careful. This is where my pastoral instinct kicks in. And I want to be protective of you.

[Holly Furtick]

In a siege season. Moses says, when you are in a.

[Guest Speaker]

Siege season, remember, it's not them that are under siege. It's the enemy.

[Holly Furtick]

You're right there.

[Guest Speaker]

It's really happening for you.

[Holly Furtick]

You really are breaking these chains. But you're in a siege season when you are, the man of God says, fighting against it for a long time to capture it. Do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them. Because you can eat their fruit. Don't cut them down. Are the trees people that you should besiege them. Verse 20. However, you may cut down trees that you know are not fruit trees and use them to build siege works until the city at war with you falls. Deuteronomy chapter 20 is over. Everybody, God bless Moses, out. Good night.

[Guest Speaker]

Don't chop down trees.

[Holly Furtick]

Why did you read that weird scripture? Because you're doing it.

[Guest Speaker]

You're doing it.

[Holly Furtick]

When you go to war and you are in a siege season and you are frustrated because it's taking, what, a long time? What is your tendency when something is taking a long time? When you've been fighting something for a long time, what do you start doing? Deuteronomy 20:19 says, you might start chopping down things God wants you to leave for your future. When you are in a siege season, you might start bringing an ax to things God is raising up to bless you at a later date. When you are in a siege season, you are frustrated. You are asking God for answers, and you are lashing out at the messengers he sends to give you those answers. Because it would be easy for you, if you're going through a siege season, to just start chopping down everything you see. Because you need these trees in order to build ramps and towers and battering rams. So sometimes you get in a season in your life and, well, just anything will work to make you feel better. Anything will work to knock down a door. Anything will work to survive. I don't even care if it's right or wrong. I don't even care if it's good or bad. I don't even care if it benefits my future. I just want to feel good right now. But I want to tell you relief is not the same as freedom. God doesn't intend for you to stay in this siege season forever. Oh, yeah, I said it. It's not always going to be like this. It's not always going to be like this. You know how I know? Verse 20 tells me everything I need to know. He said, you can cut down the trees that don't bear fruit and use them to build siege works until the city at war with you falls. Until means it will. I'm going to try that again. Until means it will. It will fall, just not when you want it to. So the test for you now is, what do you do until God says.

[Guest Speaker]

It'S important for you not to start cutting down stuff I am bringing forth in your life to feed you for who I created you to be? This is kind of difficult to describe. If you've been in the wilderness since you've been born, because there are no fruit trees in the wilderness. The only thing this generation has ever seen God feed them with was manna. Look at Exodus 16. This is an anointed scripture. The Lord gave it to me while Zeke was singing. Thank you, Zeke. The Israelites ate manna 40 years until they came to a land that was settled. They ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan. They ate something until the moment where God fed them something else. I am concerned that God is trying to feed you something better and you keep cutting it down. I came to tell you, stop fighting what God is using to feed you. Stop fighting the processes God is using to mature you. Stop fighting those corrective moments that God.

[Holly Furtick]

Wants to sit with you in and say, see this? Do it different next time.

[Guest Speaker]

He will bring about everything he accomplishes in your life.

[Holly Furtick]

He will bring about everything he assigned for your life. He will bring about everything he imagines and plans for your life. It's his plans. He will be with you as you face the things that are too strong. Strong for you. But notice what Moses said. Don't take an ax to the tree that has your future fruit on it. The thing about them was they didn't know much about trees. So they don't know that this tree is going to bring me fruit because all I ever had was manna. When you never had good love, it's easy for you to settle for lust. When you never had good friendship, it's easy for you to settle for codependency. When you never had real fruit, it's tempting for you to become frustrated and you say, this is taking too long. I'm going to handle this. I'm going to handle this another way. Yeah, I'm going to lay hands on them. Isn't that in the Bible? I'm going to handle this the way I used to handle this. I have a Bible verse for it. Be careful. You might be chopping down something God wanted you to chew on.

[Guest Speaker]

Later.

[Holly Furtick]

You might be taking down a tree that is capable of bearing much fruit. But watch this. It just isn't the season yet. It just isn't the season yet. Nobody is going to chop down a tree that has fruit visible on it and use it for a battering ram. But what if the tree was bare not because it didn't have the ability to bear fruit, but because it wasn't the season for fruit. What if you have something in you? Come on, use your holy imagination for a moment. What if there is something working in your life that Jeremiah 29:11 really is true. He knows the plans he has for you. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. What if it's really in me, but it's just not my season yet? Blessed is the man who walks not in the path of the wicked wicked nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord. And on his law he meditates day and night. They will bear fruit in season. You will bear fruit in season. You will bear fruit in season. Do not eliminate in a season of frustration what God intends to use to bless you in the season season of your favor.

[Guest Speaker]

So then we have a question to ask. What am I attacking? That God has actually called me to embrace? That's why I looked at you the other day. I said it happened for a reason. I don't know why yet, but I'm not cutting down that tree.

[Holly Furtick]

I'm going to let God do what.

[Guest Speaker]

God wants to do.

[Holly Furtick]

When I saw the picture, Holly, I.

[Guest Speaker]

Was like, will it make sense if I tell them, stop chopping down trees that are going to bear your fruit for the future? Like, you know what? They'll know exactly what that tree is for them. Because the whole Bible started when somebody didn't know what to do with a tree.

[Holly Furtick]

Moses said, we have to get this tree thing right. Eve, Adam, y'all were buck naked all along. You just now knowing that because you don't know what to do with the tree.

[Guest Speaker]

We don't know how to do with a tree until Jesus, who took a.

[Holly Furtick]

Tree.

[Guest Speaker]

And turned the instrument of death called the cross made from wood into the emblem of victory for the church that would bear his name? Have you ever heard that part where Jesus said, I could call down legions of angels and back all of y'all up? It wouldn't be anything either at the moment where they thought he said, it is finished because he lost. He was winning. What if you're winning? What if you're winning where it really matters? What if you're winning where it really counts? What if you gained 20 pounds, but it's not because you're undisciplined? What if you've been running your kids around and that's going to last a lifetime and you can lose 20 pounds in three months? What if you're winning where it really matters? Resist the temptation to cut down something God is growing because you don't have the patience to wait for it to become what it can be. I think I have to. Come on, Coffee fam. This week and break that down further. Chad, make space for me. I'm going to try. The last thing I want to leave you with is remain. Remain. Let that tree grow. Remain. Remain. I just can't win. If I'm. If I'm making my family happy, I'm making my boss mad. I just can't win. If I'm making my boss happy, I'm making my wife mad. I just can't win. I haven't made my wife happy in 12 years. I just can't win. I've heard it all. I've thought it all, except that last thing. I make Holly pretty happy all the time. I came to you at the beginning of last year. I taught you the power of the one day win. I taught you that faith is not something simply for the future. Faith is the recognition of what God is already doing right now. It's the one day, not w h e n but the win of this day. The man of God said, when you go to war, and you will, you only have two choices, brother. The wilderness of wandering around in the same thing or the war of trusting God to be with you as you go forward. When you face that war, he said, I'll be with you. I will be with you. That statement, as simple as it sounds, is really all you need to believe for what's next in your life. There are trees growing right now in your life that if you don't cut them down, they will be your future food. Moses would not go into the promised land himself, but he sent a generation. Some of the things that are happening in your life right now that feel like failure are actually just for your future. The most beautiful thing about God's word in my life is that every time, every time I feel surrounded by the enemy, I have an opportunity to become even more connected to the vine. I read a scripture that helped me through one of the hardest seasons of my Life in John 15:4, where Jesus said, remain in me as I also remain you. Because no branch can bear fruit by itself. Stop cutting yourself off from Christ when you struggle. Come to him quicker. When you sin, come to him quicker. When you doubt, come to him before you start drowning and say, help. Ask Peter. It works. Come to him quicker in this season.

[Holly Furtick]

No matter how long it takes. He says, remain quicker.

[Guest Speaker]

Remain in me as I also remain in you.

[Holly Furtick]

As the worship team begins to play.

[Guest Speaker]

I want to remind you that you.

[Holly Furtick]

Can'T bear fruit by yourself.

[Guest Speaker]

You must remain in the vine. And neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Jesus.

[Holly Furtick]

There Are some things in your life.

[Guest Speaker]

That are taking a little longer than you want them to take. I know there are some victories in your life that, although promised, are not automatic. I know if you've never been to a wrestling match before, it looks kind of weird. If you've never worshiped through a storm before, it might feel kind of weird because you're so used to taking matters into your own hands. I want to remind you what Holly told Kalia. She said a pin can happen anytime. A pin is still possible. God can turn your entire life, life around.

[Holly Furtick]

And every regret can become a blessing if you remain in Him.

[Guest Speaker]

Let's stand all over the auditorium, please. No one trying to get to the doors. Let's respect the Holy Spirit enough to give a moment in his presence. Presence is the plan this year. Presence is the plan this year. I'm showing up for stuff this year. I'm staying in the vine. I'm letting the things God has planted in my life grow this year.

[Holly Furtick]

And you know what?

[Guest Speaker]

Every bit of fruit that's not supposed to be on my tree anyway, somebody else can grow it. I'm done being busy just to be impressive.

[Holly Furtick]

I'm done trying to post stuff to prove I did stuff.

[Guest Speaker]

Not this year. This year is going to be a root system year for me. Father, I thank you for the word. Oh, it's so good to me, Lord, I could stay in it so much longer. But I thank you that long after I have stopped speaking, you will still continue to speak. Now, God, I want to partner with you in this process because what I said is what I said. But what you say is what only you can say.

[Holly Furtick]

To each person in this room today.

[Guest Speaker]

This message will mean something very different. There's an area in their life where they feel like they just can't win.

[Holly Furtick]

I get the victory for a little.

[Guest Speaker]

Bit, it slips away.

[Holly Furtick]

I do better for a little bit, it goes away.

[Guest Speaker]

God, may we realize that some of the greatest growth in our life happens underground. Some of the greatest cultivation will be of our character. And some of the fruit is for our future.

[Holly Furtick]

I pray that you would give them the armor of God today and that they would stand therefore, after they've done everything they know to do, that they would stand like a tree planted, that they would not quit, not cut it off and not stop, but that they would stand and abide in the vine bearing much fruit. Father, I even pray for those right now who are going through a pruning.

[Guest Speaker]

Season where your gardener's years have been.

[Holly Furtick]

Cutting back in their life. And They've been perceiving it as a loss, but it's not a loss. It is preparation for the next stage of their fruitfulness. In you, they will bear more fruit.

[Guest Speaker]

Fruit.

[Holly Furtick]

They will teach more truth. They will have more wisdom.

[Guest Speaker]

They will share more peace. Father, we are just branches. We only can grow if we are in you. I thank you that they're in your hands. God, will you do the simplest thing in the world? I know it looks weird if you never did it, but just lift your hands in worship. Before one of the singers sings, I want you to open your mouth. Yeah, all over the room. Open your mouth.

[Holly Furtick]

Don't stop.

[Guest Speaker]

Respond to the Lord. Tell him, lord, I'm staying.

[Holly Furtick]

I'm staying. I'm staying in faith in this season, God, I trust you in this season. Just tell him what you need to tell him. I don't want to just leave you with my words. I want you to have his spirit. Lord, I trust you in this season. I thank you that you're greater. Lord. I thank you that you're greater. Greater than what I face. Greater than what I fear. I thank you, Lord, that the victory is mine. I thank you that the victory is already won. I thank you. It's already worked out as it is in heaven. Shall it be on earth? In the name of Jesus. Now let's begin to praise him because we know anything can happen when we do. Anything is possible when we praise Him. It might look weird if you never saw it before, but I'm praising Him because it can turn around. I'm praising, praising him because he's growing me by his grace.

[Steven Furtick]

Thank you for joining us. Special thanks to those of you who give generously to this ministry. It's because of you that this ministry is possible. You can click the link in the description to Give now or visit elevationchurch.orgpodcast for more information. And if you enjoyed the podcast, you can subscribe. You can share it with your friends. You can click the share button, take a screenshot and share it on your social stories and tag us LevationChurch. Thanks again for listening.

[Guest Speaker]

God bless.