Thrive part 1 you can thrive in 2015 12 28 14 presentation

Life can be tough, and it can seem like we are facing an uphill climb all day every day. It can feel like we are going through the motions,

and we are just trying to make it through without any real peace or purpose.

We were not created to live this way.

We weren’t made to just survive - we were made to THRIVE. The dictionary says that to survive is

“to remain alive or in existence, to carry on despite hardships, or to persevere.�

In contrast, the definition of the word thrive is “to prosper, to grow vigorously, and to flourish.�

Which one of these words best describes your current condition? Are you surviving or thriving?

You were not meant to be shackled by anxiety, worry, and fear. No, you were meant for so much more.

God wants to live in us and work through us every day.

He wants to give us life: Real Life – Abundant Life – the Best Life possible.

Surviving is for those who have no hope. That's not you - not if you're God's child.

NO! You weren’t meant to simply survive, you were meant to THRIVE.

The enemy comes to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

(John 10:10 – The Message)

GOING FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING ONE MAN’S STORY

Later, as Jesus left Jericho, a great crowd was following.

Now it happened that a blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting beside the road as Jesus was going by.

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was near, he began to shout over and over, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!�

“Shut up!” some of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted the louder, again and again, “O Son of David, have mercy on me!”

When Jesus heard him, he stopped right there in the road and said, “Tell him to come here.� So they called the blind man and said,

“Take hope! Stand up, He is calling for you!�

Bartimaeus yanked off his old coat and flung it aside, jumped up and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

“O Teacher,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

And Jesus said to him,

“All right, it’s done. Your faith has healed you.” And instantly the blind man could see and followed Jesus down the road!

(Mark 10:46-52 – Living Bible)

Simply surviving is not enough, God has so much more for us!

When opportunities come your way, you must seize them

Do something to change your life - Be proactive!

Refuse to listen to the negativity of the people around you

When things in life get hard, we must never give up

Trust God to do for you what you cannot do for yourself

2015 church verse

Souls who follow their hearts THRIVE; You become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces . . .

God-loyal people always get a good life.

(Proverbs 13:19-21 – The Message)

Let’s Pray