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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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

A Few more WINS for the Thrive Team

A Story- I had a parent stop to talk to me yesterday.  She wanted to tell me that her son asked her to take him to walmart.  Nothing too new there, but what floored her was that he wanted her to take him to get a bible!  She didn't know exactly how to handle it.  This family is completely unchurched and have just started coming to thrive since our launch.  So she said, okay! The mom then said he wanted to take his Bible with him to school so he could read it at lunch!

God is at work in this young man's heart! Way to go thrive team!  Every task is important

You all are doing a great job spreading the word! Facebook stats are up once again!

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

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Three Things: 10-17-17

Good morning friends of Thrive Community church (www.ThrivePortOrange.com)!  The One Year Bible had the following verse that I will meditate on for today from 1 Tim. 2:

8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

In this verse, I see three things to talk about.  The first thing I see is that the Apostle Paul encourages prayer.  So today, let's consider taking a few extra minutes out of our day for prayer.  Maybe use 5 minutes from lunch or  DVR your favorite TV show.  Next, the phrase "...free from anger..." stuck out to me.  In addition to taking 5 extra minutes for prayer, today I will make a commitment to regulate my emotions.  Will you join me?    Will you join me in a commitment to just be happy today? Can we be intentional about having a positive attitude that makes people want to hang around? Finally , the 3rd thing that I want to mention is the last word-  "controversy". It's interesting that it's translated as "doubt" in a lot of other translations.    Where do you have to make a decision to believe today, in spite of feelings to the contrary? What promises from God are you clinging to today?  Will you renew your commitment to believe?

 

 

Prayer for Today: "Lord, today I make a decision to do 3 things - Give you more time to speak to me in prayer, stay positive and believe without doubt.  These 3 things are my offering to you today.  May your Spirit move through these 3 things today, drawing me closer to you & your heart."

 

Amen


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

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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Daddy, Come Here: 10-16-12

Hello Friends of Thrive Community Church!  Today's reading from the One Year Bible that will stick with me throughout the day is from Psalm 86:

1 Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;
      answer me, for I need your help.

It strikes me as funny that the verse says, "Bend down" so God can hear!  Obviously God is not hard of hearing, so why must He bend down?  I think there are two implications that I will meditate on throughout the day. 

The 1st is that "bend down" gives the illusion that God is far away somewhere in the outer reaches of space. We need him to "bend down" so He can get involved in our life- we need help!  This interpretation of "bend down" though is unscriptural.  We know God is with us, and according to acts 17:27, he is not far from anyone of us! But,  it can sure feel like God has left the building when we are struggling!  So the verse really helps us to identify with what the writer is going through. Even though God is right there, we can allow ourselves to be fooled into thinking He is distant.  If it happens to the author of the psalm, it is pretty safe to assume it will probably to me.

The second way to look at "Bend Down" happens everyday around my house.  My 4 yr. old says, "Daddy, come here".  Although we are standing side by side, she just wants some special attention- and few things on the planet are as wonderful for me as giving her my ear!  What a great picture the phrase "bend down" give me of a loving heavenly father, caring and compassionate, who is longing to give you His special attention.  

Today, as we go through our day, let's ignore feelings that God is distant, knowing they are not true.  Rather, let's remind ourselves that as we are His children, and he longs to hear from us, "daddy, come here".  

My Prayer for Today:  "Lord, we focus on your closeness today.  By your Spirit, remind us that you are our heavenly father, longing to spend time time with us. All we have to do is say, 'Daddy, come here' and we trust that you will 'bend down' and place us on your lap".

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

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Friday, October 12, 2012

The 11th Commandment 10-12-12

Hello friends of Thrive!  In today's One Year Bible reading, I love the following short & to the point verse; 1 Thessalonians 5:

16 Always be joyful. 

 

Notice the tone- It's not a suggestion as much as it is a command!  It's like the 11th commandment - "Thou shalt always be joyful".   I don't know about you, but there are so many situations throughout the day that would attempt to force me into a lot of emotions other than joyl.  So for today, my goal is to attempt to honor the 11th commandment and simply have fun!  Will you join me?

 

My Prayer for today: "Lord, remind me that joy is my responsibility and my attitude is up to me.   Today, may I simply make a decision to see joy in all situations"


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

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Thursday, October 11, 2012

If Only I.... 10-11-12

Good Morning Friends of Thrive Community Church (www.Thriveportorange.com) The following verse from the One Year Bible struck me this morning.  It's from Jeremiah 17:

14 O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed;
      if you save me, I will be truly saved.
      My praises are for you alone!

I love the way the verse basically says, "... if you do this, then it's done".   I often find myself in a completely different mindset.  It's what I call an, "if only" perspective.   It goes like this, "If only God would help me get my to-do list done, then I would have more time for prayer".    Another common example I often hear is "If only God would help me get this higher paying Job, I would be more charitable".    You know how it goes, "If only God would .... then I will..." 

Today, I am trying to rejoice in what God has already done, rather than bargain with Him for something else.  Will you join me? 

My Prayer for Today: "Lord, thank you for healing and saving me by the sacrifice of Christ's death on the cross.  Thank you for the provision in my life that you have already granted. Thank you for the friends and family that make my life full.  By your Spirit, continue to remind me of what you have done and may that be my focus, rather than what I feel you have yet to do"

Amen

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

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2 great wins for the Thrive Team

1) Growth Track 101 was a great success this past week.  18 people signed their names on the "dotted line" to join Thrive Community Church officially as members.  These are brand new people, not team members!
2) We broke 3000 1st time visitors to our website! 


 Way to go Thrive Team!  Keep spreading the word!
--
Thrive is a Life-Giving church, developing families that THRIVE!
Meeting @ Spruce Creek High School. Sundays, 10:30

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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

It's Tough Out There: 10-9-12

Hey friends of Thrive Community Church (www.ThrivePortOrange.com). The reading from the 1 Year Bible that really hit me was from 1 Thessalonians 1:

6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. 

 

Have you ever heard the phrase "It's tough out there"?  Usually it goes like this, "Hey dude, how's it goin"?  He responds, "Aww, It's tough out there"!  I am thinking, maybe it is tough out there- but am I actually "...suffering..."?  That's the word that hit me in today's reading.  I don't think we in this country understand what it means to suffer for our faith, as the Apostle Paul was talking about.  I don't mean to be a downer, but I want to give some perspective to help us get our eyes off of our problems.

 

Below I have included some information from a website that follows the persecution and suffering of Christians across the globe.  You will read a story about a pastor & his daughter being beaten, simply because they were having a church meeting in their home.  For these faithful Christians, it really is tough out there!

 

http://www.persecution.org/2012/10/07/pastor-and-12-year-old-daughter-beaten-by-radicals-in-india/

 

My Prayer for Today: "Lord ,Today I pray for the Christians around the globe that are currently facing persecution, beatings and jailing.  I pray for their families.  I pray for the children who are going to bed tonight, wondering if their imprisoned parents are ever going to come home.  Encourage these brave people around the world by your Spirit.  May we never loose perspective about how tough it really is out there for some people of faith"

 

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 8, 2012

The School of Character Development: 10-8-12

Good morning friends of Thrive Community Church (www.ThrivePortOrange.com).  The following verse from Col. 3: is pretty interesting.  

 

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 

 

Can you imagine the character that complying with the above directive would require?  Many have a have a hard time doing this at work if we have a cantankerous boss, and we're getting paid for it.  Now imagine being a slave! The part of the verse that is most powerful to me is   "... not just when they are watching."   The scriptures are compelling us to be on our best behavior, ALL the time - even when no one is watching.  Slavery, the new school of character development!

 

In the end, God is attempting to get us away from simply pleasing a master.  Rather, the scriptures are leading us to be pleased with ourselves and a job well done - whether people are looking or not.

 

My Prayer for Today: "Lord, help me stay focused today on doing the best job I can, in whatever situation I am in.  By your Spirit, help me build the character exemplified in this verse."

 

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 4, 2012

(G)od's (R)adical (A)cceptance that (C)ontinues for (E)ternity: 10-4-12

(G)od's (R)adical (A)cceptance that (C)ontinues for (E)ternity: 10-4-12

Good morning friends of Thrive Community Church (www.ThrivePortOrange.Com) .  The verse that hit me today was Col 1:

6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace.

What an awesome verse!  The fruit of the Good News? A changed life!  And here's what changed it - "...God's wonderful grace..."  I like to define grace as (G)od's (R)adical (A)cceptance that (C)ontinues for (E)ternity; GRACE!  The good news that will change your life- God accepts you!  So often folks try to change to get or earn God's acceptance, but that is getting the cart before the horse.  Embrace the fact that God's Radical Acceptance of you Continues for Eternity and before you know it, change will be happening from the inside out, all on it's own.

My Prayer for today:" Lord, forgive me for trying to gain your acceptance.  Help me, by your Spirit, to simply acknowledge and embrace your wonderful grace. Today, may the old hymn 'Amazing Grace' be running through my mind as I go through my day"

Amen

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

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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Christmas Eve Conversation 10-3-12

The Christmas Eve Conversation 10-3-12

 

Hey friends of Thrive! Just a reminder that this Sunday is the kickoff off of our new Teaching series – The Life Giving Church!  My favorite reading from today's One Year Bible is

 

9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

 

Every Christmas eve, my wife and I have the same discussion.   It typically centers around an item I just put together for the kids.  She'll come over and inspect my work as I stand over the finished product.  Eventually she asks, "What are these screws for"?  My standard reply year after year, "They're left over – extra I guess". Her next question, "Did you follow the directions"?  My response for the past 19 Christmas Eve conversations…. "Sorta".

 

The above verse has two words that jump out, "…all….everything…"   With God, we must follow the directions!  Leftover "parts" in a faith always leads to broken hearts.  Will you join me in making a decision to go all the way with your faith, 100%?

 

My Prayer for today: "Lord I am guilty of fudging my walk with you at times.  More than once, I've not followed the directions you have given me and ended up hurt.  Forgive me as I make a new commitment to follow your leading"

 

amen


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

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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Keep the Change: 10/2/12

Keep the Change...  10/2/12

 

The Verse from the One Year Bible that struck me today was Philippians 3:

 

16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

 

Progress means one thing - change!  Most people hate change, which is silly, because change is inevitable.  All creation is in a constant process of change - The seasons are always changing, the clouds are always changing, my body is slowly changing day after day as I get older.  Nothing stays the same.  Change is inevitable   But the question is, "Is the inevitable change in our lives changing us for the better or for the worse"?  

 

Some change is intentional, such as going to college to better your education.  Other changes are unintentional, like illness. Unfortunately, whether the change is intentional or unintentional does not determine if it is going to be for the better or the worse.  I know people who went to college and it was not good for them & others who have gone through difficult paths of sickness and it has brought out the very best in them.  So in all change, the change itself is not positive or negative, rather our response to it that determines whether or not it will be for the better.  

 

Today, we get to determine whether the inevitable change brings out the best in us or the worst in us.  

 

My Prayer for Today:"Lord, I pray that today, by your Spirit you would speak to my heart.  Help me to see where I am responding to change in a negative way.  Guide me to embrace  the inevitable with wisdom and discernment, that situations might work to bring the best out of me."

 

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 1, 2012

The Oscar goes to.... 10/1/12

 The Oscar goes to....  10/1/12

Good Morning Friends of Thrive!  Today's reading from the One Year  Bible that really struck me was from Isaiah 62:

 9 In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them.  He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.

For me, the verse really helps me get a glimpse of how personal God is. He is not  far away, distant and detached.  To give a movie analogy, God is not a spectator eating popcorn while the drama in my life unfolds.  Rather, He is both the director and fellow actor beside me in this real -life drama.    Our God is a very personal God, who is walking through the story of our life with us.  The amazing thing about God is that He does His own stunts!  The verse in Isaiah says, "...He personally rescued them.."  Not one of us could have pulled off  that whole cross- pay for the sin of the world scene.   But the movie get's even better.  Here's why God gets the Oscar;  He does our stunts as well!  "... He lifted them up and carried them..." .  Words do not describe the comfort I receive from knowing that the times of my life that are high drama, dangerous and suspenseful are not left for me to deal with on my own. Today, will you allow God to be the star of your reality show?

My Prayer for today: "Lord,  I sometimes forget how real and present you are.  I am notorious for spending large parts of my day, dealing with the drama on my own.  Forgive me for neglecting you and attempting to do my own stunts.  Today, I pray that by your Spirit, you would remind me that it is actually you carrying me through and not my own strength that is getting me through the day".

 amen


Pete Keirstead, Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Lead Pastor, Thrive Community Church

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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