THRIVE journey for 2016.

I believe God has spoken a simple word for me personally and for Willowwood Church for this coming year.  Back in December, I began to seriously pray for God’s guidance for this year in my own life and for the future of our church.  The word for this year is simple… “Thrive!”

In John 16:33, Jesus told his followers, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

When He says “I have told you” he is actually saying “I have a word from God for you!”  And when God speaks, His word is not just knowledge to be added to our brain’s storage files.  When God speaks, whatever he says is so.  He spoke Creation into existence out of nothing simply by the power of His spoken word. So what Jesus said here is supposed to be a present reality for me and for His people!

He told us that we could have peace.  That isn’t just a warm feeling some can attain with Jesus in their hearts.  It isn’t just the absence of conflict in your situation.  This kind of peace means that everything can really be as God intends it to be in your life!  I know that sounds like a far-fetched thought for most of us.  But Jesus says it’s God’s word for you right now.

In this world…  kosmos is the word for “world” here.  It literally means “an operational system.”  In other words, this world has a mode of operation.  Here’s the problem:  In almost every aspect, that mode of operation is antithetical to God’s ways.  Romans 12:2 warns us not to let the world press us into its mold.  Don’t let the world’s system become your system! The world operates on selfishness, cynicism and fear.  God’s plan for you is community and health and faith.  Wholeness in your life is the real result of authentic heart holiness.

As long as we live here this world, there is going to be trouble.  Living in this world without becoming part of it is difficult.  There is going to be friction, struggle, and hardship.  You probably won’t be able to live a Christlike life on your own efforts.  But it is a battle worth fighting and a war that has already been won!

The good news is, Jesus has “overcome the world.”  That word is the familiar Greek word nike.  The Nike Company branded their shoes and line of goods with that name inspired by the Greek goddess of victory.  The word means simply to overcome or win the victory.  Jesus has won the victory.  You can tap into that victory.  Here’s how…

John 16:33 has two little words that are incredibly important.  “In me…”  Outside of or disconnected from Jesus, I will lose over and over.  I’ll get pressed into the mold of the world.  I’ll be tempted and fall to the temptations.  I’ll try to change only to often fail again.  The things that could have been great blessings to me will feel like bondage.  But when I am “in Jesus” I am a partaker of His Divine nature more and more!  (See 1 Peter 1:2-3)

It’s time for you to thrive not just survive!  You can have victory in every area of your life!  Your health, your family, your finances, your relationships, your career and your very heart can all thrive in Christ.

Will you commit to forty days of doing the things necessary to thrive?  Stay connected here for more about God’s plan for you to thrive instead of just survive!

SCRIPTURE ONE  2 Peter 1:3-11

³His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

⁵For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

¹⁰Therefore, my brothers and sisters, a make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, ¹¹and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

PRAYER:

Father, I want to thrive in every area of my life.  I am weary of being pressed into the mold of the world around me.  I want your victory in every part of my life.  I recognize that I cannot do this without your help.  I know that you have given me everything I need to live a victorious and godly life.  I choose to follow you with all my heart during this time.  By your power and presence in my life, I will begin to take back everything the world has taken and every stronghold in my life the enemy has set up.  I know there will be trouble.  But I will rely on the grace and power I find in the One who has overcome!  I commit myself to you right now and I receive your word, your presence and your power right now.  In Jesus Mighty Name.  Amen.