🏆 The Banner Still Stands
📖 Key Scripture
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV)🌿 Welcome to the Women of Wisdom Table
Gale stood as the Women of Wisdom settled around the table.
Gale: “Welcome, ladies.”
“If this is your first time joining us, we are genuinely glad you are here.”
“If you have been walking through the Attributes of God with us week after week, welcome back.”
“And if life got busy, you missed a few studies, or you stepped away for a while and decided to return today...”
Gale: “Last week, Pastor Penny taught us about U — Unchanging. We learned that our seasons may change, but our God does not.”
“Pastor Penny will continue teaching us through the next few attributes, and today we come to V.”
She turned toward him.
Gale: “Pastor, we are ready.”
Debbie opened her mouth, paused, then pressed her lips together.
Abigail: “Debbie, are you all right?”
Debbie: “I’m giving Pastor a chance to ask the first question before I answer it.”
The room broke into laughter.
Pastor Penny: “I appreciate the restraint.”
🏆 The Lesson Begins
Pastor Penny opened his Bible, then wrote one word carefully on the board:
Pastor Penny: “Before we ask what victory means for us, we need to begin in the right place.”
He wrote another question:
Debbie leaned forward, then visibly stopped herself.
Debbie: “No. I’m waiting.”
A few seconds passed.
Debbie: “This is a very long silence.”
Melanie: “It has been six seconds.”
Debbie: “Exactly.”
The women laughed.
Alynthia: “Victory belongs to God before it ever becomes something we experience.”
Pastor Penny: “Excellent. That is exactly where we should begin.”
Biblical victory is not positive thinking.
It is not pretending that the battle is easy.
It is not confidence in our personality, resources, influence or strength.
Tessie: “So we are not starting with, ‘How do I win?’”
Pastor Penny: “No. We begin with, ‘Who is God?’”
Life brings real battles.
Fear.
Temptation.
Grief.
Opposition.
Waiting.
Discouragement.
Uncertainty.
Weariness.
And struggles known only to God.
Anne: “Sometimes the battle itself becomes so loud that it is difficult to remember what we already know.”
Pastor Penny: “Yes. Which is why truth must come before interpretation.”
🏳️ The Banner Still Stands
Pastor Penny: “Imagine an ancient battlefield after the fighting has ended.”
There is dust.
There is damage.
There is evidence that a real conflict took place.
“But in the distance there is one thing everyone looks for.”
Debbie’s hand went up immediately.
Then she lowered it.
Debbie: “Somebody else.”
Maria: “The banner.”
Debbie: “Yes! Thank you. That was taking forever.”
Maria: “Debbie, I answered quickly.”
Debbie: “You did. I’m growing.”
Pastor Penny: “The banner identified who had prevailed.”
Our lives may also carry evidence of battle.
Scars.
Memories.
Questions.
Disappointments.
Unanswered prayers.
Long seasons of waiting.
But evidence of conflict is not evidence that God has been defeated.
Christ is risen.
God still reigns.
His Word is still true.
His purposes still stand.
Veron: “So the evidence of struggle and the reality of victory can exist at the same time.”
Pastor Penny: “Exactly.”
Claudia: “The battle tells us something happened. It does not tell us that God lost.”
Pastor Penny: “Very well put.”
🙏 P — PRAY
Invite God to prepare the heart.
Pastor Penny: “Before we continue, let us ask God to help us see our battles through Scripture rather than through fear.”
Victorious God,
Thank You that no power is greater than Yours.
Teach us not to rely upon our own strength.
Help us to see clearly what Your Word says about victory through Jesus Christ.
When we are discouraged, remind us that You still reign.
When we are uncertain, steady us in truth.
Give us wisdom to know what obedience requires of us and faith to leave the outcome in Your hands.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
📖 R — READ
Listen carefully to what God says.
Pastor Penny: “I want us to hear several passages together. One passage gives us truth; several together help us see the shape of the doctrine more fully.”
📖 1 Corinthians 15:54–58
Barbara read:
Antonia continued:
Melanie read:
Michelle continued:
Trudy finished:
Debbie leaned forward.
Debbie: “Can I say something now?”
Pastor Penny: “You may.”
Debbie: “Paul does not say, ‘God gives you victory, so relax and do nothing.’ He says, ‘Therefore... be steadfast.’”
Pastor Penny: “Excellent observation. Victory produces faithfulness.”
📖 Romans 8:31–39
Cheryl read:
Cassandra D. continued:
Theresa read:
Hazel continued:
Jesmyn read:
Agneta continued:
Cassandra F. read:
Hermione continued:
Claudia finished:
📖 Psalm 20:6–8
Jacintha read:
Laura continued:
Lilly finished:
📖 Revelation 19:6
Vernice read:
The room became quiet.
Debbie: “I’m not interrupting the silence this time.”
Abigail: “You just did.”
Debbie: “Fair point.”
🔍 O — OBSERVE
What do the passages reveal?
Pastor Penny: “Before we explain what these passages mean, let us observe carefully. What is actually present in the text?”
Debbie looked around the table.
Debbie: “I am genuinely waiting.”
Agneta: “Victory is repeatedly connected to God’s action rather than ours.”
Pastor Penny: “Yes.”
Cassandra D.: “In 1 Corinthians, death itself is treated as a defeated enemy.”
Pastor Penny: “Important.”
Laura: “Psalm 20 contrasts trust in human strength with trust in God.”
Pastor Penny: “Exactly.”
Hermione: “Romans 8 does not say believers avoid tribulation. It says those things cannot separate them from God’s love.”
Pastor Penny: “Very good. That protects us from a shallow definition of victory.”
Debbie: “Now can I say mine?”
Pastor Penny: “Please do.”
Debbie: “The victory passages do not pretend hard things are not happening. They tell us who is greater while the hard things are happening.”
Pastor Penny: “Exactly.”
- God gives victory through Jesus Christ.
- Sin and death do not have the final word.
- Christ died, rose again and intercedes for believers.
- Nothing can separate believers from God’s love in Christ.
- Human power is not our ultimate confidence.
- God remains sovereign over every opposing power.
- Victory produces steadfastness and faithful service.
Antonia: “So biblical victory does not mean there was no battle.”
Pastor Penny: “Correct.”
Antonia: “It means the battle cannot overturn God’s final purpose.”
Pastor Penny: “Precisely.”
💡 M — MEANING
What does it mean that God is Victorious?
Pastor Penny wrote three words on the board:
Pastor Penny: “To say that God is Victorious means that no opposing power can ultimately overthrow His authority or defeat His purposes.”
His reign is secure.
His power is unmatched.
His purposes stand.
“And the clearest demonstration of God's victory is found in Jesus Christ.”
Cassandra P.: “Because of the cross and resurrection?”
Pastor Penny: “Exactly.”
At the cross, Jesus appeared defeated.
He was mocked.
Crucified.
Buried.
His followers scattered.
Maria: “Friday looked final.”
Pastor Penny: “Yes. But Friday was not the end of the story.”
At the resurrection, death was defeated.
Jesus rose.
The grave did not hold Him.
Theresa: “So something can look like defeat while God is actually accomplishing victory.”
Pastor Penny: “Yes. And that should make us cautious about declaring the final meaning of a situation while God is still at work.”
Michelle: “We often interpret the whole story from one painful chapter.”
Pastor Penny: “We do.”
Barbara: “Which means perspective matters. We see a moment. God sees the whole.”
Pastor Penny: “Exactly.”
🌿 Victory Does Not Mean Easy
Pastor Penny: “We need to make one more distinction.”
“God’s victory does not mean His people never suffer.”
Romans 8 includes:
tribulation,
distress,
persecution,
famine,
peril,
and sword.
Yet Paul still says believers are more than conquerors through Christ.
Cassandra F.: “So victory may sometimes mean remaining faithful in the trial, not immediately escaping it.”
Pastor Penny: “Exactly.”
Victory may look like:
- standing when you wanted to quit,
- obeying when compromise seemed easier,
- forgiving when bitterness seemed justified,
- waiting when impatience was louder,
- trusting when answers were incomplete,
- remaining faithful when circumstances did not change.
Trudy: “Then victory has to be defined by God’s purpose, not merely by whether I got the outcome I wanted.”
Pastor Penny: “That is very well said.”
Cheryl: “That also makes victory deeper than success. Success can depend on circumstances. Faithfulness depends on whether I obeyed God.”
Pastor Penny: “Excellent distinction.”
❤️ P — PRACTICE
How should this truth change the way we live?
Tessie: “All right, Pastor. What does this look like when the battle is not theoretical but sitting in your house on Tuesday morning?”
Debbie pointed at Tessie.
Debbie: “See? I waited, and she asked my question.”
Tessie: “You’re welcome.”
Pastor Penny: “It means we distinguish between God’s responsibility and ours.”
My part: faithful obedience.
Gale: “That sounds simple, but it can be difficult to live.”
Pastor Penny: “Very difficult.”
Think about a battle you may be carrying.
Fear.
Temptation.
A difficult relationship.
A decision.
Family concerns.
Discouragement.
Waiting.
Loss.
Opposition.
Something private.
Then ask:
It may mean:
- pray,
- wait,
- forgive,
- speak,
- remain silent,
- persevere,
- seek wise counsel,
- ask for help,
- set a healthy boundary,
- repent,
- take one faithful step.
Jacintha: “So surrender does not mean passivity.”
Pastor Penny: “Correct.”
“Faith does not refuse responsibility.”
“It refuses to assume God’s responsibility.”
Veron: “That takes some pressure off.”
Pastor Penny: “It should.”
Hazel: “Then part of victory may simply be doing the next right thing without demanding to know how everything will end.”
Pastor Penny: “Exactly.”
Debbie nodded.
Debbie: “I like ‘the next right thing.’ Sometimes I want the whole plan, when God may only be asking for the next step.”
💎 T — TREASURE
Hold one truth close.
Pastor Penny: “Every study should leave us with something concise enough to remember when the battle becomes loud.”
He wrote:
Jesmyn: “That keeps both truths together. The battle is real, and God is still greater.”
Pastor Penny: “Exactly.”
Other truths worth carrying:
- Victory belongs to God.
- Christ has conquered sin and death.
- God’s purposes cannot be defeated.
- I do not have to fight in my own strength.
- Difficulty does not have the final word.
- The banner of God’s faithfulness still stands.
Abigail: “I’m taking ‘difficulty does not have the final word.’”
Lilly: “I like ‘the banner still stands.’ That sounds like something you say out loud when you need courage.”
Vernice: “Or something you tell somebody else when they cannot see beyond the battle.”
Debbie raised her hand halfway.
Pastor Penny: “Debbie?”
Debbie: “I was trying not to say it, but yes: the banner still stands. That is the one.”
💬 S — SHARE
Strengthen someone else with truth.
Pastor Penny: “One reason Scripture preserves testimony is that remembered victory strengthens present faith.”
Vernice: “Sometimes another person needs to borrow your reminder for a little while.”
Pastor Penny: “Yes.”
A testimony does not have to be dramatic.
“God gave me wisdom.”
“God kept me from giving up.”
“God answered differently than I expected, but He was faithful.”
“God carried me.”
Claudia: “That kind of testimony does not make the person the hero.”
Pastor Penny: “Exactly.”
“The testimony points back to the Victorious God.”
Debbie: “And sometimes somebody needs to hear your story before they can imagine that God might carry them too.”
Pastor Penny: “Yes. Which is why we share with humility.”
🌿 Closing Encouragement
Pastor Penny closed his Bible.
Pastor Penny: “Ladies, some battles are brief.”
“Others last much longer than we expected.”
“Some victories are immediately visible.”
“Others become clear only with time.”
“And some will not be fully understood until eternity.”
He paused.
“But never confuse a difficult battle with a defeated God.”
Christ is still risen.
His Word is still true.
His purposes still stand.
His love remains secure.
His victory is certain.
Anne: “So even when we cannot see the whole outcome, we can still know who God is.”
Pastor Penny: “Yes.”
“And sometimes that is the truth we need most.”
🙏 Closing Prayer
Victorious God,
Thank You that You reign over every power and circumstance.
Thank You for the victory You have given through Jesus Christ.
When our battles feel overwhelming, keep us from trusting only what we can see.
Teach us to stand firmly in Your Word.
Show us what obedience requires.
Give us strength to remain faithful.
Help us release the outcomes we cannot control into Your hands.
And when discouragement whispers that You have lost, remind us of the cross, the empty tomb and the risen Christ.
The battle may be real, but You are still Victorious.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
🌿 Now It’s Your Turn
Gale stood again.
Gale: “Thank you, Pastor Penny.”
She turned toward the Women of Wisdom—and toward every woman following the study.
Gale: “Now the conversation comes to you.”
Whether this is your first time, you have been with us every week, or you are returning after some time away—
Choose one question or answer all four.
Then share your response in the comments below.
There is no need to share private details. One sentence, one Scripture or even a few words may encourage another reader.
1. 🏆 Which truth about God’s victory gives you the most confidence today?
- God is greater than the battle I face.
- Christ has conquered sin and death.
- God’s purposes cannot be defeated.
- Nothing can separate me from God’s love.
- God is still reigning.
- Difficulty does not have the final word.
- My answer: __________________________
2. 🌿 What might faithful obedience look like in your present situation?
- Pray before reacting.
- Wait patiently.
- Forgive.
- Speak truth with wisdom.
- Seek help or counsel.
- Persevere.
- Take one faithful step.
- Release the outcome to God.
- My answer: __________________________
3. 📖 Which Scripture from today’s lesson would you carry with you this week?
- 1 Corinthians 15:57 — God gives victory through Jesus Christ.
- Romans 8:37 — We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
- Psalm 20:7 — We remember the name of the LORD our God.
- Revelation 19:6 — The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
- Another Scripture that strengthened you.
- My answer: __________________________
4. ❤️ Complete this sentence:
- stop carrying the battle as though everything depends on me.
- trust God when I cannot see the outcome.
- remain faithful instead of giving up.
- obey what God has shown me.
- stand on His Word when fear rises.
- remember that the battle is not the end of the story.
- My answer: __________________________
💬 Join Us in the Comments
Gale: “Ladies, your answer may be exactly what another woman needs to read.”
Share one answer in the comments below.
If you are joining us for the first time, say hello. 🌿
If you are returning after being away, simply say:
And if you have been walking with us consistently, welcome someone who is new or returning.
🌿 Continue the Journey
Last week:
U — Unchanging
This week:
V — Victorious
Pastor Penny will continue teaching us through the next few attributes.
Next week, God willing:
What do you think it will be?
🌿 The journey continues...
📖 Stay the course in the Word.
🏆 And when the battle becomes loud, remember:
