Wednesday, March 19, 2014

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!


THRIVE!  Thrive?  Alright, I will thrive.  But what does that really mean?  After all, we just dubbed the Men’s Bible Study time with that title.  It’s just a name, right?  And what’s in a name, after all?  Well, if you haven’t guessed by now … I LOVE NAMES!  I love putting a name on a ministry – not just so it sounds catchy or cool, although, yes … I want people to be drawn to the ministry.  And if the name helps – then all the better!  Empty words are meaningless, but with an understood meaning, they are powerful!  It’s the same with names.  So checking out the official definition of “thrive” in the dictionary, I can clarify its meaning for you.  To thrive means to prosper, to succeed, to flourish, to increase, to advance.  The meaning could apply to many areas of our lives, but today I’d like to apply it to our walk with God.  We can liken our daily relationship with God to a green plant.  When we care for a plant of ours, we want it to thrive, right?  We do not want that plant to just wilt, shrivel, dry up, and die.  We want it to flourish, to increase in size, to shine with health and beauty, and to flourish even more.  There’s something to be said for anything that exudes health and life in full measure.  Someone has said, “What is it about your life that would cause people to stop and take notice?”  God’s Word even has something to say about how He has designed us to live our lives as His children.  In John 10:10, Jesus is telling us that, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  Sounds kind of like the dying plant versus the thriving plant, right?  Only we are talking about our life in Christ and how we live it!  The footnote on that verse explains that the thief’s interest is in himself, but Christ’s interest is in his sheep – (that’s us!), who He enables to have life to the full.  Alright, let’s check out this “full” business.  Most of us have full lives, alright – but mostly because of our schedules and running here and there – and most likely meeting ourselves coming or going!!!  That is not what Jesus meant!  To thrive, we must be full!  And we must be rooted.  We are told in Colossians 1:6-7, “So then, just as you received Jesus Christ as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  This is a declaration that we are complete in Christ.  When we are complete, we can thrive.  We are nurtured from where we are rooted; this allows us to flourish – and not just a little – but a lot.  Until we live full.  And it’s our attitude of gratitude for Christ – and to Christ, that causes us to not just live full, but so full that our lives overflow with Him.  Do you see a pattern for living emerging that would actually cause people to stop and take notice of us?  But more than us … Christ IN us?  You see, it’s easy to agree that what the world sees around them is empty people, lacking in any or all areas of life:  physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially – and the list can go on and on.  Wouldn’t you agree that for the church to emerge as a people thriving and full of God, the world would sit up and take notice?  Maybe even question what we have and how we got it?  And our answer will be, simply put, that powerful Name:  JESUS!  There we are, back to names again!  Jesus, He is the One who enables us to live filled, complete, and abundant.  The meaning of Jesus’ name is tied to His purpose:  Jesus saves!  He is called by many names:  Son of God, Son of Man, the Word, Savior, Christ, Redeemer, Lamb of God, Teacher, Author of life, Alpha and Omega, Lion of Judah, King of kings and Lord of lords, Lion of Judah, Bright Morning Star, Anointed One, Word of God, Holy and Righteous, Head of the Church, Immanuel, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and a host of others.  Don’t you love that His names tell us WHO He is?  They are descriptive of His character and His attributes!  If others had the task of giving us additional names, I wonder what they would call us.  More importantly, what does God name us?  Does He include “Thriving one” in His list for us?  “Living full”?  “Complete in Christ?”  Put YOUR name in front of each of these names I’ve just included for you here.  How do these names sound?  Even, “Flourishing one!”  Father God, may people notice us because of how we live with You in us!  That’s our purpose:  living saved, victorious, thriving, filled-to-overflowing lives that will draw others to Christ and honor and glorify our Lord!  This week, dig into the soil of God’s Word, get your roots firmly planted, drink from His well, witness the growth, begin flourishing and thriving ~ and let God use His amazing “green thumb” skills on you!  Happy gardening, God!

REMEMBER . . .

God’s Word even gives us a promise that we can thrive:

“The Lord will guide you always;
He will satisfy your needs …
You will be like a well-watered garden,
Like a spring whose waters never fail.”

~ Isaiah 58:11  


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie




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