Friday, December 28, 2012

Nice Clothes! 12-28-12

Hey friends of Thrive Community Church! The verse from today's One Year Bible reading that I really liked was from Revelation 19:8

"She (the church) has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.  For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God's holy people."

I find that this verse is pretty appropriate on the heels of our Christmas Eve offering of $1700 dollars to go towards community services.  There is nothing like good deeds to give a visual demonstration of God's great love and compassion.

Thrive also teamed with Harvest Time International and gave away nearly $1000 worth of gas cards to some of the people who need it most. We participated in the WESH News Channel 2 share your Christmas charity event. Did I mention the Walk for Autism? We sponsored needy students at Spruce Creek High School who could not afford the extra curricular activities fee.  Thrive also met needs of struggling families from Spruce Creek Elementary School. By the way, we did all of this in the past 2 months! 

My Prayer for Today : Lord I am so honored to be a part of a congregation that has done so much in such a short time. My Prayer is that acts of charity would be second nature - a way of life. Like the people in the book of Revelation, may we be known as a people clothed in good deeds.

Amen


--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30
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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Strength to follow: 12-27-12

Hello friends of Thrive.  I pray you had a Christmas that reminded you of how much God adores you!

  The reading from the One Year Bible that stuck out to me was from Zechariah 10:12 NLT

"By my power I will make my people strong,
and by my authority they will go wherever they wish.
I, the LORD, have spoken. "

I like how it says that our strength comes from His power.  I find it so difficult to remember that I don't have to "be strong"  and help God out.  All I have to do is surrender my will to His and follow His leading.

The next sentence of the verse ties in with the concept of being led. By His authority, we can go wherever we want. How about you? Where would you like to go? For me, it's an easy answer-wherever He leads!  Anywhere in His will is far better than everywhere outside of His will.

My Prayer for Today : Lord, may the strength you give me be used to go where you want me to go and do what you want me to do.  By your Spirit, help me to eliminate self will and self serving as I prepare my heart for the upcoming year.

Amen


--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30
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Another win for the THRIVE TEAM!!!

The numbers are in!  We had approximately 220 adult attend our Christmas Eve Service.  That is 18 more than attended on our launch Sunday!  Way to go Thrive Team in spreading the word.  Now our prayer is that those who attended who are "non-church goers"  will come back over the next few months.  Also, our christmas eve offering that is going specifically to social services in the community was $1703.

Thanks so much to all of you that made christmas eve possible.  I love you all and man, I love this church!

Don't forget about the new years eve 80's karaoke party.  No, you do not have to sing or dress up if you don't want.  It will be a great time.  If you have not replied with your RSVP yet, please do so soon so we can plan appropriately.

--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30
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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

THRIVE New Years Eve Party

Hey Friends!  Rule #4 @ Thrive - HAVE FUN!  So I am planning a New Year's Eve Karaoke party with an 80's Theme (As in 1980's). So get out those stone washed jeans and leg warmers! And yes, you get to hear me sing - bring ear plugs.   The Party begins at 7pm and will be held in the fellowship hall of Covenant United Methodist Church on Clyde Morris in Port Orange.   We are in the planning process for food, drinks & supplies, so if you want to come, please RSVP, ASAP.  By the way, the 80's was a long time ago, so I get tired pretty early.  Therefore we will watch the ball drop in Brazil rather than New York.  That would be at 10:00 pm local time.  

Just in case you were not around in the 80's: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980s 

I Hope you can come!  As far as child care, I am planning to have some of our Thrive Teenager's available if you will give them a few bucks.

Let me know!
p
--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30



--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30
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Monday, December 17, 2012

Another win for the Thrive Team

Way to go Thrive Team!  3 people made decisions to put their trust in Christ this past sunday.  These 3 individuals will get a personal follow up from Pastor Ralph, some literature about next steps with the growth track,  and then he will invite them to join one of the 15 new life groups starting in January where the discipleship process can begin.  We're doing it THRIVE!  Keep up the prayers for the lost, and keep inviting.


I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to be a part of a church where I can see ministry happen, week in and week out!

Man, I love my church
p
--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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If I've told ya once, I've told ya a thousand times! 12-17-12

Good afternoon friends of Thrive Community Church (www.ThrivePortOrange.com).  Today's reading form the one year Bible that hit me was psalm 136:

 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
         His faithful love endures forever.

The second line of the psalm is repeated throughout the entire psalm.  When God says something once, we should probably listen. After all, He is God!  What if he says it twice? How about 3 times?  Well, the phrase "His faithful love endures forever" occurs in the psalm 26 times!!!  Do you think God is trying to get something through our thick skulls?  It reminds of the old phrase, "If I've told ya once, I've told ya a thousand times"- His faithful love endures forever.

My prayer for Today:  Lord, I think you have the phrase repeated over and over because we just have a hard time believing it.  Today, by your Spirit, speak to our hearts that we might truly believe that your love for us is never ending, eternal and unconditional.

Amen


--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Thursday, December 13, 2012

Please: 12-13-12

Hey friends of Thrive Community Church!  In today's One Year Bible reading, I found this verse in Revelation 4 pretty cool. 

11 "You are worthy, O Lord our God,
      to receive glory and honor and power.
   For you created all things,
      and they exist because you created what you pleased."

God created what he pleased.  He created you and I because He wanted to.  Why? To please him!  Not that we have to please Him, but it pleased Him to make us!  

Sometimes we try so hard to please God, but he is already please.  All we have to do is be who He created us to be. 

Sometimes I think we fear our hangups displease God.  Yet, He knows us and all of our days from beginning to end and made us anyway! Why? because it pleased Him to!

My Prayer for Today:  Lord today, may I just be who you created me to be.  May I stop trying so hard, and just be.  

Amen



--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Another win for the Thrive Team & Partners

I just crunched some numbers.  It appears that 43% of our 1st time guests come back as second time guests.  Almost one out of 2.  To give that number some context, I was in a coaching network where we were told to pray for and work towards a 33% return rate as a goal.  We are well above that,  way to go Thrive Team & Partners!  You all are setting an atmosphere that draws people and keeps them coming back!

 I am so thankful to be a part of the amazing thing God is doing in our community. 

Man, I love this church!
p
--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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No More Milk: 12-12-12

Hey friends of Thrive Community Church!  The reading from today's one year Bible that I really need to take to heart is Psalm 131:

2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother's milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

A quieted soul, that is just what the doctor ordered!  I don't know about you, but I sure could use a healthy dose of calm and quiet.  The frustrating part about this verse is that it says "I have calmed and quieted myself...".  I have to do it!!! I have to let go & let God. I have to make a decision to slow my roll.  I have to decide to take a breath, slow down and smell the roses.  

But, if I do, there is a promise- I will no longer whine like a baby crying for mama's milk.  Is that really what I sound like?     

My Prayer for Today: Lord, by your Spirit, help me quit my whining.  May I quiet my soul today, acknowledging that you are God and in control (and I am not).

Amen

PS, don't forget about our 1st Christmas Eve candlelight service.  Invite your Facebook friends https://www.facebook.com/events/538479012830919/ 
--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30
FaceBook.com/ThrivePortOrange
Thriving Life Daily Devotional  
Twitter.com/PeteKeirstead
Facebook.com/pkeirstead

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Monday, December 10, 2012

Acceptance 12-10-12

Hey Friends of Thrive Community Church.  I found this verse interesting in today's One Year Bible Reading (http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com).  It's from Revelation 2: 

 

4 "But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first!"

 

I am used to this verse saying "you left your first love" and it always refers to Jesus.  But here in the New Living Translation, the love we are to have does not just include Jesus, but others as well.  That's so good!  Churches are notorious for having people who say they love Jesus, but can't get along!  What if as a church, we decided at Thrive to judge our love for Jesus by how well we accept others and their issues?  After all, to quote last week's message, "...all God's children got issues...".

 

The above verse also highlights for us at Thrive our 1st two of the four Core Values, so it's a good one for us - 1) Love God & 2) Love Others.  

For inquiring minds, Core Values three & four are: 3) Do your Best 4) Have Fun!

 

My Prayer for Today:  Lord, it's so easy to say we love you, yet often so difficult to accept others in the church as they are because they can be so irritating.  Forgive me for my hypocrisy.  You accept me with all my issues and faults, ought I to do the same?  By your spirit, soften my heart today, that I might accept others for who they are, the Good with the bad.  May I maintain healthy boundaries, but never forget to give others the benefit of the doubt.

 

Amen



--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Friday, December 7, 2012

Press on: 12-7-12

 Hey friends of Thrive Community Church.  How about this verse from today's One Year Bible (http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com)?  Its Hosea 6:

3 Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring."

The phraseology here is significant - "press on to know him".  It means to chase, or pursue.  In the figurative sense, it means as a dog might after its master.  If we will press after Him, the verse goes on to say "...He will respond..."!

Not only will He respond, God's response to our effort to chase Him is a as sure as tomorrow's sunrise! I love this verse!  So let's take some time tomorrow and press on to know him!

My Prayer for Today:  Lord, I know that for every step I take towards you, you take 2 towards me.  So now may we find you in new and surprising ways tomorrow as we seek you.

Amen


--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Way to go Thrive Team!

Hey Friends!  Just wanted to give you our facebook update that I received. Look at the total weekly reach!  Way to keep spreading the word on Facebook!  Keep talking it up!

Thrive Community Church, Port Orange

New Likes

New Check-ins

12

4

Talking About This

Weekly Total Reach

36 +20.0%

8,052 +21.2%

See All Insights · Promote Page

Man, Iove my church!

-- 

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

It's the end of the world! :12-4-12


Hey friends of Thrive!  The following verse made me chuckle a bit and I thought I would share it with you.  It's from Daniel 12:

8 I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So I asked, "How will all this finally end, my lord?"

I chuckled because we are coming up on Dec. 21st 2012, what some are saying is the end of the world.  Daniel was asking the same question around 500 years before Christ.  It seems we are always wondering about our end.  I can't tell you how many times I have heard "The end is near." Remember Y2K?

So here is what I am going to do.  I do know life is far too short.  Whether it's 12/21 or 50 years from now, life flys by and before you know it, the kids are out of the house and you are getting the senior discount at McDonalds.  So for the next few weeks, I am going to say the things I need to say to those closest to me and do some of the things I would want to do if 12.21 was my last day.  I propose we don't wait on reaffirming our love for family & friends, having some fun and making amends where necessary.  After all, Life is too short to carry that type of baggage.

Between now and 12/21, whether it's the end of the world or not, will you join me in committing to really live fully for the next few weeks?

My Prayer for today:  Lord, I pray that over the next few weeks, I would say what really needs to be said to those I love.  By your spirit, show me what I need to let go of and what I need to forgive. Above all, remind me to have some fun!

Amen

--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30




--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Another win for the thrive team

Got this email today.  Keep it up Thrive team!!!


 ... But without a doubt we feel something that we have never experienced at THRIVE.  Every Sunday at THRIVE is an emotional expereince for me. The spirit is really present in that space....

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Friday, November 30, 2012

Warning, don't try this at home! 11/30/12

Hey Friends of Thrive.  The following verse in the One Year Bible jumped out to me.  It's from 1 John 1:

 

6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. 

 

 

I know that there are a lot of people that would interpret "spiritual darkness" as some form of sinful behaviors.  However, I have had a lot of conversations with people who love God with all their heart, yet have no idea why they were created or what God wants them to do.  They are living life with the path of destiny dark before them.  I can't tell you how many times in my  life I have cried out to God with tears saying, "Lord just tell me what you want me to do!!!".   

 

Years ago, I was a 17 year old gymnast, full foolishness and testosterone (Those two often go together, don't they?).  My buddies and I would jump on a trampoline blindfolded - WARNING, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!  But jumping was not enough for a handful of  competitive teen-age males.  So we would start doing flips, then flips with twists, then multiple flips.  Eventually the inevitable would happen, we would end up landing on our heads, flying off the trampoline - or both!  

 

The point of the story is this, in the brief seconds from when I  knew my bounce was wrong and I was going to crash, to the time I impacted, I was completely lost.  I was blindfolded, disoriented, not knowing which way was up and just waiting for some unknown thing to happened to me.  It was a few seconds of confused darkness that felt like it lasted a lifetime.  I was a good gymnast, just a little disoriented.

 

Now back to our verse, it says if there is darkness, "...we are not practicing the truth..."  What is the truth?  It's not a set of behaviors, but a person named Jesus!  So darkness comes when I am searching for something... direction, a path, an answer...  while I should be searching for fellowship with God.  Maybe today I need to stop wondering about purpose, destiny & direction and focus on simply walking with Jesus.  What if my purpose is not something we do, but a relationship we cultivate with Christ?  That would sure clear up a lot of things for me, how about you?

 

My Prayer for Today:  Lord, it seems so often we get caught up in trying to figure out all the answers in our life and end up confused and in darkness.  Today, may we let go of the search for answers that often leads to darkness and embrace Christ who is light.   May fellowship with you be my purpose and destiny and may all the other chips fall where tay may.

 

Amen

PS, You're invited https://www.facebook.com/events/313657378747486/


--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Divine Eagle Scout: 11-27-12

Hi Friends of Thrive!  What do you think about this verse in today's One Year Bible reading?

2 Peter 1:3 By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.

 I don't know how many times I have prayed, "Lord, please just make me do right and be good"!  But this verse tells me God gives me  everything I need to live the life I have always wanted to live.  It reminds me of the Boy Scout motto, "Always be prepared".  No matter what I am going through, no matter how I am feeling at the time, I have exactly what I need to live the life I really want to live - Godly.  

Sometimes we may  feel like we are  completely ill equipped to take on the tasks God has placed before us, but in those times we must trust that our Divine Eagle Scout, God himself who is with us, is totally prepared and has given us exactly what we need.


My Prayer for Today:  Lord, although the Bible says I have everything I need to be and do all that you desire of me, I often don't believe it.  Help me in my unbelief!  Today, I make a decision to believe what you say in the Bible, more than what I think about myself.

Amen

--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Monday, November 26, 2012

Out of the Frying Pan, into the fire: 11-26-12

Hi friends of Thrive (www.ThrivePortOrange.com)! In today's One Year Bible reading, I came across one of my favorite verses. It's Daniel 3:25

 25 "Look!" Nebuchadnezzar shouted. "I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!"

In the story in Daniel, three men would not back down from their faith, even though it meant they would be burned alive.  That type of determination always gets me.  May I be that strong!  But the part I really like is how God himself is willing to go into the fire with them.  It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, out of the frying pan & into the fire!  So, no matter where I am, whatever mess I find myself in, God is more than wiling to jump into it with me. It's great to know I don't ever have to be alone again!

My Prayer for today: Lord, may I be as bold as the 3 men I read about in Daniel's account.  I invite you into my situations today.  May I stand strong knowing you are by my side today.

Amen



--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Friday, November 23, 2012

God's favorite- 11-23-12

Hello friends of Thrive!  I hope you had a good Thanksgiving!  Today's One Year Bible reading had the following verse that I liked.  It's from 1 Peter 1:

17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of Him during your time as "foreigners in the land."

My wife has a plaque on her desk that says, "God loves you, but I'm His favorite."  It's fun to think about, but of course God doesn't have favorites. However, the verse goes on to say that God does respond to your actions.  God doesn't have favorite people, but He has favorite actions!  Compassion, mercy, justice, love, service - these actions are always on God's top ten list.  If you want to be God's favorite, spend some time today doing what He loves! 

My Prayer for Today:  "Lord, I pray that today my top priority would be to do what you love the most-  your favorites.  May I be more compassionate, more patient and more like you today"

Amen
  
--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Each other... 11-21-12

Hey Friends of Thrive (www.ThrivePortOrange.com) !  The following verse from James got me thinking.  It's from James 5:16

16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 

It's the "each other" part that got me.  It used to be, under the old testament, people had to go to the priest for confession and forgiveness.  Even in many modern churches, the priest or pastor serves as the main "go between" for the people and God.   Yet this verse virtually eliminates that role.  Rather than a priest, we have each other!  

"...each other..." also tells me I can't be a lone ranger when it come to the things of faith.   Sometimes it seems my Christianity would be so much easier to maintain if there were no other people around :-)  Yet true Christianity is not about behavior management and being good.  It's about how we love "...each other...".

My prayer for today:  Lord,  help us  to see that our faith is played out in how we  care for each other, not simply in what we believe.  Today, may my faith incorporate the each other mindset and may my prayers for others rival my prayers for me & mine in intensity .

Amen


--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

It's foggy this morning: 11-20-12

Hello friends of Thrive!  The One Year Bible Reading that stuck out to me today was James 4:

 

14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone.

 

What a sobering thought.  Life truly does go by so fast!  It was just yesterday that I brought my 19 year old son home from the hospital!  I wonder, did we play as much as we could have?  did we have fun?  or was I so caught up in the minutia of the day to day grind that I missed the moments that were in front of me?   

 

Years ago when I was taking fight training, I had to be at the airport well before 6am.  It was not uncommon for the airport to be socked in with dense fog.  Yet we continued to plan the flight knowing that as soon as the sun came up, the temperature would change, causing the fog to dissipate.  No matter how foggy it was before daybreak, we knew it was temporary.  

 

This verse hammers home the fact that ALL life is temporary.  It's like the morning fog, enjoy it while you can.  Will you join me today in making a commitment for the day?  Will you commit to have FUN today in whatever venue you find yourself?  Have fun while at work, have fun while with your spouse & be sure to play some today with kids if you have them! 

 

Prayer for today:  Lord it all goes by so fast.  I pray that today, by your Spirit, I would be reminded that life is temporary.  May that thought mould my priorities and cause me to lighten up! Today, keep me focused on those brief moments that truly make life worth living.  

 

Amen


--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Monday, November 19, 2012

Pressing questions:11-19-12

Hello Friends of Thrive (www.ThrivePortOrange.com).  Today's verse that stuck out to me in the One Year Bible was from the book of James, chapter 2

19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 

This verse in James is clearly giving us a challenge.  Rather than allow us the luxury of just having some type of mental awareness that there is a God, this verse is pressing us to ask ourselves  some tough questions:  Does my awareness of God so impact my life that it modifies my  daily behaviors?  Does my faith cause  me to abstain from things I would otherwise not abstain from? Does my faith cause me to embrace opportunities and/or people I would not normally embrace?  These are pressing questions and help to give us a diagnosis on our spiritual condition.    

My Prayer for Today: Lord, the verse in James prompts some tough questions.  God, I pray that your Spirit would lead me though the answers in honest self evaluation.  As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, may my faith move me in new ways of giving thanks.

Amen

 Many of you have noticed that  last week I wasn't sending out emails and you're wondering if something was wrong.Thanks to all of you for your concern.  I was pretty sick with the flu bug last week. All better now!  

--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

YUCK! Can I have more please? 11-7-12

Good morning friends of Thrive Community Church (www.Thriveportorange.com).  Today's reading from the One Year Bible had the following verse that I thought was so appropriate for the teaching I am preparing for this Sunday.  It's from Proverbs 27:

7 A person who is full refuses honey, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry.

Last Sunday we discussed "Divine Intent".  Simply defined, it's what God had in mind when He made you.  It's who He intended you to be.  This week's message is almost a part two.  It's about how our lack of awareness or disbelief in our divine intent creates insecurities, which we attempt to soothe in ways that may not be the most healthy.  

God wants us to enjoy abundant life, which we as people so desperately crave.  However, because the craving for divine life is so strong, we often choose the 1st  "bitter food" available, rather than what God had intended.    As silly as it seems, when a person is starving, he/ she will settle for anything that's available, whether it's yummy or not!  Of course, food is just an analogy.  We are actually talking about  love, purpose, priorities and all the things that make up abundant life.  


I hope you can join us for this Sunday's teaching (and spread the word).

  My Prayer for today: "Lord we often settle for less than your best for us.  As a result, the cravings for abundant life seem to never go away.   I pray that today, I would honestly evaluate what I am feeding my 'hunger' with and seek your will to satisfy it."


Amen
--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30


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Monday, November 5, 2012

Gold Rush!: 11-5-12



Good morning friends of Thrive (www.thrivepoerorange.com)!  We had a great service yesterday, I so enjoy worship with you! The verse out of today's One Year Bible that made me think is from Hebrews 7:6

Heb 7:6 But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God.

I have a show I love to watch on History channel called Gold Rush.  It's about a group of relatively  inexperienced guys trying to make it as gold miners.  While I was watching the show last week, one of the miners had to negotiate with a land owner to get more access to the owner's land to mine for gold.  The cost for access to mine for gold on another person's property?  10% of all the gold found, payed in gold.  What do you think, is it a good deal?

The land use fee of 10% reminds me of the above verse, that when a blessing comes into your life, giving back a portion is not just the "right thing" to do, but it's Biblical.  What blessings has God placed in your life?  What comforts do you enjoy?  Finally, in what way are you giving back?  

For me, giving back at least 10% of my income has been a habit for over 20 years.  As a result of that, I have been truly blessed.  My needs are met.  I have a wonderful family. I have  a dream job that I am convinced I don't deserve.  I have a large groups of  friends  that would humble any man.  I have my own personal Gold Rush going on!  As I think about it, 10% really is a bargain for the blessings I enjoy! 

My Prayer for Today:  "Lord, you ask so little of us and yet you give so much!  My prayer for today is that by your Spirit, we would see how truly blessed we are.  May we give back effortlessly knowing that it really is a good deal.  May today be the day that we purchase for just 10% the blessings of a personal gold rush."

Amen


--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30




--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Joe's Memorial Service Update


Hey Thrive Team, Joe Passed away last week at his home.  He had been battling diabetes and was in the hospital for a few weeks, He seemed to be getting better and was discharged to a rehabilitation center for a few days.  He seemed pretty chipper while he was there and was released to his home about 5 days later.  I spent time with him and prayed with him at both the hospital and the rehab facility.  After just a few days, His sister tried calling and there was no answer.  She went over and found that he had already passed.  Joe's funeral will be held on Tuesday @ 6:00 at the Daytona Beach Christian & Missional Alliance Church - 1250 Beville RD, Daytona Beach.  

Hope to see you there, 

blessings

--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Thursday, November 1, 2012

Let it sink: 11-1-12

Good evening friends of Thrive!  I normally like to do my email in the morning, but today has been a hectic day!  I did do my reading though and this is the verse that stood out to me.  It's from 
Eze 3:10 Then he added, "Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself."

Often when we come to church, it's easy for us to think -  "Oh, so & so really needs to hear this message." Yet the above verse in Ezekiel reminds us that before we go applying the message to everyone else in our lives, we need to 1st apply it to ourselves.  Beyond that, we need to let God's words sink deep down.  Let me ask you, how do you do that exactly?

I don't know about you, but for me, I need to meditate on concepts to really let them sink in.  I need to look at it from different angles - debate it in my mind, pray over it!  My hope is that every week, this is what we do with the messages- we listen for ourselves.

Just a reminder that this week we are talking about life giving words.  I am super excited about the message and can't wait to share it with you. I hope you will let it sink in deep!

My Prayer for today:  "Lord, I can't count the number of sermons I have listened to over the years, yet I have not always been diligent in letting them sink deep down into my heart.  This weekend, may we make a new commitment to meditate on the message & think it through."  

Amen! 

PS - don't forget that this weekend is when we set our clocks back!

--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Did you hear the latest...? 10-30-12

Good morning friends of Thrive (www.ThrivePortOrange.org).  Wow, winter is here in sunny Port Orange!  As I am shivering at my desk, the verse that jumped out at me in today's One Year Bible Reading is from Proverbs 26:

 

22 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one's heart.

 

Yesterday I said that Sunday's message would be about ensuring we are using Life-Giving words as opposed to words that cut.  However, not all words cut.  There are some whose distraction is much more subtle.  Rather than cut their victim like a knife, some words are like a poison dart; an apparently small impact on the surface but a wound that slowly grows and festers.   Some very destructive people have ruined the lives of good people with a simple sentence that begins with, "Did you hear the latest...?"   I guess that's why the scriptures are full of "... don't gossip..." verses.   Be sure to join us this sunday as we continue the series, "The Life Giving Church: Speaking Words of Life".  By the way, inviting people to join you at church is a wonderful way to use your words :-)

 

My Prayer for today: "Lord I pray that today, not only would I avoid wounding those I love with cutting words, but that I would not be involved in any form of gossip.  By your Spirit, stir in my heart when I am involved in a conversation that is not going to produce life.  Today, may every word I speak be honorable to you."

 

Amen

 

 

--

Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!

Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

 

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Monday, October 29, 2012

Words That Change Us- 10-29-12

Good morning friends of Thrive Community Church (www.ThrivePortOrange.com).  Today's One Year Bible Reading had the following verse from Proverbs 26:

20 Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

Yesterday at Thrive, we discussed our attitudes and studied the concept of our role in bringing the "Attitude of Heaven" to our homes and work places.  Going from a study of attitudes, the next logical step is a study of our words.  After all, words can change us!.  This Sunday's teaching in the series "The Life-Giving Church" is going to focus on how to ensure our words are life-giving, because nothing wounds like words.  They create hurts in our souls that we can carry a lifetime.  Conversely, nothing can soothe or empower a person like words that inspire.    As you prepare for this weekend's teaching, will you join me today in a commitment to pay close attention to the words that come out of your mouth and ask yourself- "are they life-giving"?

My Prayer for Today: "Lord, we often allow words to come out of our mouth that are poorly thought out.  Sometimes we cut deepest those closest to us in a moment of frustration - and we don't even know it.  By your Spirit, help us to be more intentional about what we say.  Prepare our heart's for this Sunday's teaching that we might speak life-giving words to those closest to us"

Amen

--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Friday, October 26, 2012

Clean Your Glasses: 10-26-12

Today's One Year Bible verse that struck me is from Titus 1:

15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. 

My son Caleb wears glasses and for whatever reason, he has no desire to keep them clean - at all!  Every few days, I look at him and can't hardly see his eye through the dirty glasses.  I end up fussing at him,  "Son, clean your glasses."

 It appears the same holds true for you and I and how we view the world.  If we have an open heart and humble heart before God, we will see him in a multitude of places.  But if our hearts are dirty with self will, bitterness and contempt- we will never be able to see what God is doing.

My Prayer for today:  "Lord, I pray that today I would offer you a clean heart.  May I see you today in a new light.  By your Spirit, highlight anything in my heart that is clouding my vision."
Amen

-- 
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Thursday, October 25, 2012

SHOUT! 10-25-12

Good morning friends of Thrive!  In today's One Year Bible, this verse from psalm 95 made me think:

 

1 Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

 

Think about going to church this sunday.  If the person next to you shouted joyfully, would you freak out?  It seems often  worship services become subdued, somber occasions where we are simply putting our time in to keep an angry God off our back. However, I know that people by nature are passionate.  Around the globe whether its soccer, baseball, football,  basketball, or olympic competition, all people groups hoot, holler and cheer for their favorites athletes, teams and coaches.  

 

I wonder if God could be our favorite Coach?   The concept reminds me of a movie I saw when I was a kid, The Bad News Bears.  A Coach takes a very motley group of losers and transforms them into a championship team.  Isn't that what God's Grace has done for us?  

 

What if this Sunday, you came to church with a new realization?  Although you were the underdog, you just won a Spiritual championship!  You have been transitioned from the kingdom of darkness into His marvelous light - what a victory!  Would you be willing to shout joyfully?  I hope so, because in every competition silence is for the losers! 

 

My Prayer for Today:  "Lord, it's easy to let our faith be some cold, emotionless activity where we pay our dues for an hour or so, and then get to go on with our life.  I pray that today, our faith would be as passionate and consuming as a come from behind victory.  May we remember the  mess you found us in and the Glory you are leading us to and Shout for Joy this next Sunday!"  


--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Monday, October 22, 2012

Lend a helping hand: 10-22-12

Good morning friend of Thrive Community Church (www.ThrivePortOrange.com).  Today's One Year Bible Reading had the follong verse that spoke to me this morning:

2 Tim 1:18 May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of Christ's return. And you know very well how helpful he was in Ephesus.

The Apostle Paul is giving a "shout out" to a little known individual, Onesiphorus.  What we do know is that he was helpful.  To me, the real question is, "What more do we really need to know"?In my mind, what greater testimony to the working of God in an individual's life than that they are helpful?  No need for a Bible degree to be helpful and  no ordination is required!  Today, will you join me in making a decision to promote the Gospel by simply lending a helping hand?

My Prayer for Today: Lord, so often we think that we are not equipped for being useful.  Yet the verse above asks us to simply be helpful.  Today, by your Spirit, remind me that the Gospel is simply asking me to lend a helping hand.

Amen

--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Thursday, October 18, 2012

Just Relax: 10-18-12


Good morning friends of Thrive Community Church!  This morning I was reading the One Year Bible and this verse in Jeremiah chapter 32 jumped out at me:


 17 "O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!"

 

This is one of those "Just Relax" verses.  There are four words in 1 verse that clearly point out that God is able to do whatever He wants in you life, so just relax!  The first word is sovereign, defined as -"One that exercises supreme, permanent authority; self governing".    God is sovereign, but just to be sure you get that point, the verse goes on to say He has a "... strong hand and powerful arm..." .  If you combine the words strong, powerful and sovereign what do you get? A supernatural, anti-stress concoction full of love for you- passionate about your future.  So just relax!  In case you still have stress about issues in you life, there's one last thing - Nothing is too hard for Him. Nothing!  In essence, the verse says "God is large and in charge, so today- just relax"!

 

My Prayer for Today: "Lord often the world seems very out of control.  And it is out of control - our control, but not yours!  Today, by your Spirit, keep that at the front of our mind.  My prayer is that today, we could go through the day relaxed, knowing that you, our loving Father, has complete and absolute control.  May we not forget today that as situations arise that are unpleasant, that you are there, in control, working through us in the midst of trial. So, today, may we make a decision to just relax!"

--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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