It's Time to Thrive

It’s Time to Thrive

3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (KJV)

“My mission in life is to not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” Maya Angelou

The word “thrive” according to Oxford dictionary means to 'to prosper, to flourish, to be fortunate or successful' and 'to grow or develop vigorously.

According to Dr. Dharius Daniel you are either sinking, surviving or thriving. Thriving is about being in the will of God for your life, doing what you should be doing at that current time which means fulfilling your purpose and consistently growing and developing personally. To grow personally (mind, body and spirit) will lead to a life of numerous blessings. God’s desire for you is to grow and to mature spiritually, personally and professionally.

Personal growth and development are not just a journey; it's an essential component of a fulfilling and successful life. Embracing continuous self-improvement fosters resilience, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of one's capabilities and aspirations. In a rapidly changing world, the pursuit of personal growth allows individuals to navigate challenges with a proactive mindset, turning obstacles into opportunities for learning and advancement. Beyond enhancing skills and knowledge, personal growth cultivates emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and a sense of purpose. It empowers individuals to set and achieve meaningful goals, both personally and professionally, contributing to a more satisfying and purposeful life. The importance of personal growth extends beyond the individual, positively influencing relationships, communities, and the broader societal landscape. By investing in personal growth, individuals not only unlock their full potential but also become catalysts for positive change in the world around them.

What must you do to Personally Grow:

1. Possess Curiosity – be like a child by asking questions for the purpose of learning. Curiosity is having a strong desire to know and learn something. Thus, read an array of books or articles that will stretch your mind and shift your paradigm.

2. Network Up – develop relationships with people that are smarter than you in areas that you desire to enter. For example, if you desire to own a business find seasoned business owners that you can learn from. Take that person out to lunch and be curious by asking questions so that you can gain insight and wisdom (pay for lunch since you asked them out to lunch).

4. Possess Self- Discipline - Self-discipline is the cornerstone of personal success, requiring individuals to consistently make choices aligned with their long-term goals. It involves the ability to resist immediate temptations in favor of actions that contribute to overall well-being and achievement. Through the practice of self-discipline, individuals cultivate resilience, focus, and the determination needed to overcome obstacles on the path to personal and professional growth. Self-Discipline is a biblical principle according to 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Verse 25 states, everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training (self-discipline) they do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. When you are self-disciplined, you will grow exponentially.

In closing it’s time out for minimizing and reducing your life as if it doesn’t matter. It’s time to THRIVE, you have what it takes!

"A New Journey"

“Say goodbye to your past. Embrace the new year.” The Indian Express

Philippians 3:13-14 (13), “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

As you embark upon a new calendar year it’s a time when many spend time reflecting on the past, what they accomplished, and what they desire to achieve or change in the new year.  Reflecting on what they accomplished and what they desire to achieve or change in the new year. The new year is an opportunity to reset and start a new journey, a new start to setting your life’s priorities and goals. If you didn’t achieve all that you set out to achieve in the last year don’t spend too much time being discouraged or frustrated, yet, focus on what lies ahead. You are in the driver’s seat when it comes to your life despite your situation. It’s up to you to determine and make the necessary changes to move in the direction you desire. The above scripture teaches that you have not obtained or achieved all that you are capable of achieving. You must forget those missed opportunities or unfortunate situations and start today reaching forward to a new and brighter future. Your future awaits you so take control of your life and eliminate any excuses about why you have yet to accomplish your purpose. In order to go forward you must also change your mindset and possess a winning attitude. A transformed mindset comes from a paradigm shift. You must determine that you have what it takes, and you are capable of fulfilling your purpose. It’s viewing your current situation as an opportunity not an impossible situation. Most importantly, when you commence a new journey, a winning attitude is being full of faith and optimism. The Indeed Editorial Team states, “Attitude is important because it can influence your ability to move through the world. For instance, maintaining a positive attitude can help you achieve measurable success in your personal and professional life.” Therefore, start your new journey full of faith, optimism, a new mindset, and a winning attitude. 

A Gift of a lifetime

“Infinite and yet an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet nursing at a woman’s breast. Supporting a universe, and yet carried in a mother’s arms. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7

Isaiah spoke into a situation where Judah felt powerless, and they were afraid of the rulers to their North.  As their enemies only seemed to grow in strength and tighten their grasp, they didn’t know if God was for them or against them or if God had simply abandoned them. Among Isaiah’s prophecies about their future defeat, exile, and return, he included two prophetic visions of a child who would represent God’s presence. Today, the world is still in need of God’s presence! Every year we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior which represents three things: hope, reconciliation, and salvation. First you must continue to hope despite if you’ve experienced many difficulties during these past few years; situations such as financial destitute, food insecurity, career changes, family/relationship strains, and other burdensome situations. Situations of this magnitude can cause you to no longer believe as your hope may have been damper, obliterated, and even made you wonder why you should continue to hope at all. Isaiah 9:6 prophecy gave during those days is relevant today. Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called, wonderful, counselor, mighty god, everlasting father, prince of peace.” It can be concluded that the son represents hope. Jesus’ birth serves as a gift that brought us hope, the gift of hope because Jesus is the answer to one’s questions, the solution to one’s problems, and the remedy for the trials and tribulations you find yourself in. We must celebrate the gift of hope as we will celebrate the hope God gave us in the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ birth brought hope to a dark and fallen world and hope during times of uncertainty. Luke 2:7 is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6. He foretells that Jesus would be born. Jesus Christ represents hope regardless of what you will or may encounter. Always have hope that life will get better. Second, Jesus’ birth represents reconciliation. Mankind’s fall in the garden of Eden, put a chasm between God and mankind. Prior to the fall, God daily communed and fellowshipped with God. After the fall, this chasm prohibited such fellowship. However, Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection brought God and mankind back into a fellowship in which mankind could now go boldly to the throne of grace to speak to its creator directly. Thirdly, the birth of Jesus Christ represents salvation. Now that mankind is back into fellowship with God, the soul of mankind can now experience true salvation according to Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.”

“Thankfulness”

“Living in a state of gratitude is the gateway to grace.” Arianna Huffington  

“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”

Maya Angelou

(14) When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. (15) One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. (16) He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Luke 17:14-16

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem through the region between Samaria and Galilee, when he entered the village where ten lepers shouted out to him “Master, have mercy on us.” Jesus instructed them to go show themselves to the priest. It was customary that those that were healed of leprosy, had to get a clearance from the priest that they were healed. Of the ten men that were seeking healing, it is ironic that only one of the men ran back to Jesus falling on his face and thanking Jesus for his healing.

How many times have you sought God for healing, a breakthrough from life’s burdens or some difficult situation. Yet, when the situation was over or headed in the right direction you somehow failed to thank God for answering your prayers or simply bringing you through the horrific situation. As a believer, you have the opportunity, daily, to be grateful for something in your life.

 According to an article by Joshua Brown and Joel Wong “studies have found that people who consciously count their blessings tend to be happier and less depressed.” Being grateful is essential in the lives of believers. Possessing a grateful heart, you must be intentional. Gratitude is not contingent upon how you feel, what you are encountering or what you think you deserve.

As it states in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 it states give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ. You should intentionally direct your gratitude to God regardless of the situation you find yourself in. For example, you may receive a negative report regarding a loved one’s health. It is in this opportunity you set your heart on being intentionally grateful.

You may ask grateful for what? You can be grateful for the fact that God will be with you through the situation and that God will provide you with the strength, ableness and capability to withstand the situation. In addition, you have to change your perspective on how you view the situation. Maybe your son or daughter and their children have to move back home with you for a period of time. You can view this as a burden and an invasion of your space, or, you could view it from the perspective that you would be afforded the opportunity to be a part of raising your grandchildren and sharing some of the most precious moments of their lives. Maybe you have to live with a situation such as taking care of a spouse or loved one. Yes, being a caretaker is tiresome and taxing, but the greatest joy is that you have the ability to do so. Thus, being thankful that you are in a position to provide care to a loved one. Of course, there will be moments when you’ll need a break or someone to relieve you and that is expected, the key is being grateful for the opportunity and time of sacrificial care.

Gratitude focuses on being grateful for where you are and what God has blessed you with. Oprah Winfrey stated “Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.” Change your focus on being grateful for the job, the home you live in, your family, your friends, your spouse, your health, your education, and so forth. Your gratitude is the path to your success, inner peace and joy. I encourage you to refuse to allow any situation to dictate your gratitude to God for his goodness.

“The First Principle”

  “When I put God first, God takes care of me and

energizes me to do what really needs to be done.”
Dr. David Jeremiah

“You’ll never come second by putting God first.”
Brian Houston

And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

I Kings 17:13

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33 

1 Kings 17:8 God instructs Elijah to leave the Brook where he had been there for a period of time and head to Zarephath where God would command (direct) a woman to feed him. The first principle is exhibited in I Kings 17: 13 where the widow was asked by Elijah to give him a drink of water as well as make him a cake. This widow woman response indicated that she was gathering sticks so that she could prepare the last meal for she and her son because she only had a handful of flour and a small portion of oil left in her home. Elijah’s response to the woman was in I Kings 7:13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. When the widow applied the first principle I Kings 7: 16 states for the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. The first principle applied in your life is an insurance claim that when you put God first you can rest assured God will fulfill his promises to you. This woman was down to her last but when she exercises her faith and prepared the meal for Elijah first as instructed, then she was blessed.

The first principle in its practicality is to make God first priority in your life. God desires for us to make him first in every aspect of our lives; in our relationships, career, finances, health and ministry, family and our decisions. If you would exercise your faith and put God first in any situation you face God will pour you out a blessing. God will keep his covenant to you and supply all of your need. The key is to receive your instructions from God (through his word and prayer) then God will sustain you as he did this widow woman.

What hinders or causes of you from putting God first is temporal distractions such as making money, climbing the corporate ladder, and ambition to succeed to name a few. There is nothing wrong with either of these but when it becomes your first and greatest priority then you will set yourself up for disappointments. Why, because the first principle is about putting God first when it come to loving God with all your heart, mind, and soul. When you love God with all your heart mind, and soul God will become your first priority. Finally, to ensure God is first priority make sure daily you spend some time seeking him and his presence as this will keep you focus on the first principle.

“Undaunted Faith”

“Faith is building on what you know is here so you can reach what you know is there”

Cullen Hightower

“Faith is unseen but felt, faith is strength when we feel we have none,

faith is hope when all seems lost.”

Catherine Pulsifer

“Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Faith doesn’t make things it makes them possible

Luke 1:37

For we walk by faith, not by sight

2 Corinthians 5:7

Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.

HEBREWS 11:1

Faith is the believer’s greatest asset. The enemy’s number one strategy is to get you to cease from having faith in God. When you give up believing and trusting God in situations then you lose your hope. Life presents you many obstacles, challenges and setbacks. However, as a believer you must not allow what you are encountering or will encounter to deter your faith in God.

Undaunted faith is to ensure that God is the object of your faith. If God is not the object of your faith, then your faith is powerless, fruitless and meaningless. When you put your full trust in God then you will experience life’s situations with a sense of peace, inner joy, strength, and hope. On the contrary, when you put your faith in temporal and earthly things then it is certain that those temporal things will fail you at some point. For example, if you put your faith in your career, financial or economic status, education or outward appearance then it is guaranteed that temporal commodities at some point will be insufficient or not enough to combat what you may be facing.

God as the object of your faith positions you to overcome life’s challenges and strengthens you to grow in grace and favor of God. Therefore, you must possess undaunted faith -- a faith that is not moved by circumstances or causes you to buckle under the weight and pressure of life. Undaunted faith is when you face your personal Red Sea. It’s when you have no option but to move ahead and trust God’s provision for your life. It’s when you find yourself in a situation when you can’t turn back and go to what’s comfortable or familiar, but have to move forward toward what’s ahead while being fearful, frightened and afraid as you approach new territory and unfamiliar places. For instance, it is when you lose a spouse of 20 years and as a widow you find yourself learning how to live a new life full of fear and uncertainty about your future. It is in these moments your undaunted faith anchors you in God.

Keep Your Peace

“When we put our problems in God’s hands, He puts His peace in our hearts” Unknown

“Be at peace, God is in charge” Unknown

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-9

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

One of the greatest commodities you can have is peace of mind. Today you may currently be facing a multitude of challenges that rob you of your peace. When you lack peace it produces worry, anxiety, fretting, fear and, at times, physical ailments. Philippians 4:6-7 teaches that you must not be anxious (worried, concerned, restless, fretful) regarding what you are facing but know that God’s peace will guard your heart and mind. The word peace in verse 7 means a state of tranquility that lies deep within you. God desires for you to give your worries and concerns to him. God doesn’t want you to be burdened with the situations you face. Yes, you can obtain peace from God that will bring you to a state of inner calmness and serenity.

How do you obtain inner peace in your mind and spirit?

1.       Give your situation to God – 1 Peter 5:7 states: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Many times, you are trying to work out a situation on your own. Giving a situation over to God is to release it to God and trust God with it. This is an opportunity for you to admit you’re incapable of resolving situations on your own. The peace of God comes when you give a situation totally over to God and allow Him to move on your behave.

2.       Trust God’s ability – Trusting God’s ability is trusting God’s supernatural power to resolve or to work out a situation. It is God’s supernatural power you need to work in your situation for with God all things are possible. There will be a time that your money, education or social status will not give you peace. Only when you trust God’s ability can you then embrace God’s peace.

3.       Trust God’s sovereignty – Trusting God’s sovereignty is to trust God’s will for the situations you face. When you face a situation it’s imperative to seek the will of God and know that all things will work out after the counsel of God’s will. When you release your heart and soul to God’s sovereignty then God will give His peace. Peace comes when you rest in God’s will for a situation. Worry comes sometimes when you are trying to control the situation.

The key to peace of God is to release a situation to God, trusting God knows best and knowing you are incapable of working it out without God’s divine power intervening. There is no need for you to be anxious or worried about your situations for God wants you to keep your peace! Yes, you can experience peace in the midst of any situation. God desires for you to take comfort in his presence.

“Pray without Ceasing”

 “Prayer should always be our first response to every situation.”

Joyce Meyers

“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.”

Oswald Chambers

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV)

Prayer is the opportunity for people to spend time with God. It is a moment of solitude and gratitude. Prayer is an essential element of a believer’s life. Prayer draws people closer to God. God awaits those taking time to pray and seek Him. People may believe they don’t have the time to pray due to their busy schedule and vast responsibilities.

When believers consistently pray they are building a prayer life. As a believer, a prayer life is one of the most important commodities they must possess. A prayer life is consistently spending time praying for every situation and everything that pertains to a person’s life. Believers are not to pray only when you face the vicissitudes of life. Prayer is not an ATM (automated teller machine) in that you pray when you need God to do something – praying for God to release or remove the problem/situation so they can go back to life as they desire.

A prayer life has three benefits:

1.       Builds an intimate relationship with God. It is in prayer that believers learn to sit quietly before God to hear his voice; to know God’s thoughts and will for them in a situation.

2.       Builds a Transformative Life. It is the path to true transformation and regeneration. Through prayer people are changed by the power of God. As you consistently pray while facing a situation you obtain a new perspective and mindset regarding the situation.

3.       Builds Faith. When believers take the time to pray they are fortifying the opportunity to grow in Christ and strengthen their faith. Prayer feeds faith in that it keeps people believing and trusting God in all situations. Prayer builds endurance despite the desire to quit, give up or throw in the towel.

Finally, a prayer life is needed for believers in Christ to experience victory in every situation and faith to overcome the mountains they will face. No prayer, no power!