In light of the day’s reading, pause to reflect on the specific areas you long to see made new and how Jesus’s ministry calls us to join in that restoration. Let these shape your prayers today.
Jesus taught that abundant, resurrected life is life with Him. This life has broken into this world even as we wait for the day when death is no longer a present reality. So we pursue life and flourishing—in our bodies, our relationships with others, and this world—living as a resurrection people toward the promised end when all creation is made new.
After you’ve read, spend some time in prayer about what life and flourishing looks like in the ministry God has called you to. Comment/share with the community anything that stood out to you or encouraged you from the reading or your time in prayer.
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82 thoughts on "A Ministry of Flourishing"
First of all I would like to say fantastic blog!
I had a quick question in which I’d like to
ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself
and clear your thoughts prior to writing. I have had trouble clearing my mind in getting my ideas out.
I do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes
are usually lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any
recommendations or hints? Many thanks!
I asked myself what a life of flourishing would look like? After reading the verses from Romans, I was reminded of how there is limited time for us to live for Jesus here on earth, and do we have to clothe ourselves with Jesus NOW. This is true flourishing – life with Jesus!
If I am too busy trying to fit in with the world around me, then I will think a life of flourishing is found in physical prosperity. But when I spend time with Jesus and grow to be more like Him, I realise that He is the only source of true flourishing.
Flourishing! Yes, Jesus!
❤
Flourishing can look very different at certain periods in life! I had a baby 7 months ago and before that I had a growing leadership career. I felt God lead me to step back from my busy position and be at home more with our daughter.
Flourishing looks mundane on the outside right now… changing diapers, nursing, taking care of our home, etc. But I have so much more mental space to commune with God and plant godly seeds for our daughter!
This is so encouraging to me!! Sometimes life at home as a mom can feel mundane, but I need to remember it is a ministry. Thank you!
“Love does no wrong to a neighbor.” Romans 13:10 To me loving our neighbors is seeing them as a fearfully and wonderfully made child of God. If we love our neighbors in this way then we won’t be tempted to sin against them in the ways listed before that verse. Flourishing to me is growing in the ways that I show love to others- family, friends, and strangers alike. Am I quick to get angry? Quick to insult? Quick to think the worst?
a call to responsible Christian living. the importance of respect for authority, adherence to the law, and love for others. Above all, it is a call to action, a call to wake from spiritual slumber, to live in the light, and to cloth ourselves with Christ. It is a reminder that we are on the brink of salvation and that every moment matters in our pursuit of Christlikeness.
I really like John 5:24. Those who hear Jesus’s words and trust in God are not judged guilty. That means I am free to flourish because I am free from guilt, from shame, from measuring up and trying to be enough. I’m not enough, and never will be on my own. And I have a Savior whom I can trust to fill in the gaps for me. Free to truly LIVE! Thank you Jesus!
It always strikes me deeply how love is the foundation of our calling. Love brings us together in Christ and through Christ’s love for us and our Father we will be resurrected in to our new selves. We are created in love and we will wake up in the arms of our Father and Jesus. How is that not the greatest love we will ever know?
Jesus came so that we may have abundant life and this abundant life is a life in the pasture. Where He gives us rest and is our shepherd. He takes your burden and gives us a light yoke
And, CEE GEE, what a good idea for Facebook. It seems many of us struggle and don’t want to get sucked (back) in.
Thank you. SHARON JERSEY GIRL, for your comments about us not becoming angels and that our loved ones do not look down upon us. It bothers me that people think that. In times of grief, I guess that can help people cope, but…
This world needs encouragement moment by moment. What better than to know we will be WITH the Lord for eternity. Never alone, never again frustrated or angry. Always only LOVE for the Father and each other. What a wonderful world it will be.
I’m not feeling as though I’m flourishing this week. I don’t feel rested when I wake up. I’ve been eating healthier but still feeling drained. I’m 56, so it makes me sad to think it’s normal to be tired all the time. I pray for all of us that can’t sleep, don’t get enough quality sleep, or just battle anxiety on a daily basis and find relaxation and sleep elusive. May we find rest in Jesus during these difficult weeks.
life and flourishing, as God has called me to, involves a pursuit of spiritual, relational, social, and environmental well-being, guided by love, justice, mercy, and hope in Jesus Christ.
Let go and let God. Letting go of my fears, frustrations and anxiety so that I can live up to Gods words in tranquility and “flourish” to be the image God wants me to be. So that when it is my time, I can rejoice in eternity with my beautiful Lord and Savior.
I think flourishing with God means walking in his love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self control and faith. It’s becoming more and more of who God calls me to be and sharing my faith with those around me.
Flourishing to me looks like:
walking with Christ daily, moment by moment
loving others as Christ loves
moving toward being more like Christ
seeking His will for me and aligning my life to His will (aligning my actions to what He wants for me to do) and honoring God in my life
sharing Christ’s love and the gospel with others
My heart is uplifted by all of your comments. When I first thought of the word, “flourishing,,” I thought of a healthy plant, growing thick and lush and beautiful. I think that can apply to us as well, growing in our relationship with God and others, becoming what we are meant to be in Christ.
I’ve been absent for the past few weeks. I’ve let the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dictate my thoughts and fears. I’ve wanted so badly to just hide in bed with a quilt over my head. I’m thankful that there is nowhere I can hide from God, even under the quilt or in the fear trying to dictate my thoughts. I pray that God will continue to remind me that I am His child, and He is always with me – even when I no longer know who “me” is. Please pray that God will postpone the progression of the disease, and that He will banish the fear that is lurking, and instead fill me with His joy and Presence.
I guess I missed the post about the Facebook. Would somebody please share that with me? I have limited my Facebook and social media time to 30 minutes a day so I won’t be spending a lot of time there, but would love to “meet you folks”
We owe nothing except to love each other. What a great reminder I need today. Happy Thursday ladies. Praying for you.
For years I keep receiving from God to love others. Over & over in scripture it’s repeated. LOVE OTHERS. Prayers needed always for my c, which man says is incurable BUT GOD!
Yesterday my husband got a call to confirm he also has c, skin c so not life threatening but when will this all slow down? God please hold us close & give us miracles.
GAYLE CLARK – I pray for you to receive the miracles you ask God to provide. I know He is a God of miracles, and provides for us.
ONE more thing. Please pray as my siblings and I are having a meeting today regarding our elderly mom (I live in her home) and how we are going to care for her when she can no longer can. Even though in her early 80’s she can still manage by herself MOST things and I believe while she is still able, she should. Pray our meeting go well and we will be able to decide which role each of us will take other than the ones that have already been assigned to us by our parents.
Flourishing in the Kingdom is denying oneself and taking up our Cross daily to follow Jesus. It’s love and loving God and others as we have been loved. It’s walking and talking with Him through our day and becoming more like Jesus as we take each breath! ❤️❤️
As *we* …☺
LAURA DIANE – Such good words for MARI V! I am praying the same for the teacher and MARI. Who knows what is coming down on that teacher from admin. Go forth and flourish today, MARI V!
Also, LAURA DIANE and others who don’t desire to get tangled up on their FB page, I created a new account just for SRT posts and that protects my privacy and keeps me on track. Just thought I would throw that out there. It is a great page. As er say in the South, “RHONDA J ‘did good’!” ❤
TAYLOR – Awesome news about Logan, continued prayers for his recovery and for your dad. That is a long time to test positive! ❤
@Laura Dianne….THANK YOU!! Thank you SO much along with a tight hug!! I am SO encouraged by your kind words and prayer for me!! I’m “older” then the teacher and maybe closer to retirement age then I would like to think, but I will work till I can no longer work. AND as I already mentioned I love my job!! Love these precious little ones. Thank you as your words made my day today. I will walk into my job with confidence.
@VICTORIA FOWLKES – I was going to reply to your post, but @Sharon, Jersey Girl beat me to it. I read the words in 1 Thessalonians 4 are to comfort those who have lost loved ones to death. When my mother’s dad died, I believe the Lord led me to use this Scripture to comfort her. Paul says that it is “better to depart and be with Christ” – and like Sharon stated, on the cross Jesus promises the thief will be with Him in Paradise. It is a hard passage to understand, but I do take this to mean that we all rise together, we will be united as one body (those who are dead and those who are alive). There will be no more separation. So no, I don’t really believe that we are just lying in the spirit somewhere after we depart. I believe when we die we are immediately met by Christ. Sharon posted some good references to continue to ponder these things. :)
@thebestisyettocome praying for you as you drive to Miami and that all will go in favor regarding your passport
@Taylor great news about Logan and praying for your dads health. Glad you’re feeling better. I had the same thing two weeks ago and sleep was the best medicine
Encourage. Love one another. Look forward to. These our my thoughts as I read through today’s WORD. As believers we are called to encourage one another, especially as children of Christ and set the example for the unbelievers. LOVE, let us set the example of how we the believer love one another and “others” especially the unbeliever so they “see” how we love. AND as believers we look forward to the day….sigh….the day that we will meet OUR JESUS face-to-face. Some of us may get the privilege to meet HIM sooner and some of us later. Either way we look forward for that day! Perhaps today. Last night while at youth group I ran into a couple of long time pastors and informed them (even thought they probably already knew) about our dear friend John who is making his way out from this life. John’s daughter Michelle was my former boss here in California and have moved to Texas. Two days ago Michelle texted me to let me know they made the hard decision to call hospice. My heart ached. While talking to these pastors last night and one of them having had the privilege to visit John during late summer said, John is ready to meet his Creator and though he is tired and weak he still sharing the gospel with whomever he comes in contact. What an encouragement for us and especially his dear family.
Life and flourishing in the ministry God has called me to, what does it look like? To me it means living, walking and growing in Christ. Striving each day to remember His presence and fixing my eyes on Him. Does it happen every day? Unfortunately no, but it is what I aim for and with the help of the Holy Spirit I will get more and more faithful at it.
John 5:24 reminds me of the “Bridge Illustration” that is often used in witnessing – the moment we receive Christ, we cross – from death to life. Praise be to God! And 1 John 5:11-12 – the gospel plain and simple. Amen & Amen!
@ Victoria Fowlkes & @Phobie DicksonPrivett, if I can just share some things on 1 Thessalonians 4:13… in vs 13 the word “asleep” is used but means dead. When we die our bodies go to the grave, our spirits go immediately to heaven. Paul tells us that in 2 Corinthians 5:8 – to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Also when the dying thief on the cross believed, Jesus said, “today you will be with me in paradise.” When Christ returns – we will meet Him in the air and at that same time, the bodies of dead believers will be joined with their spirits that have been in heaven, and together we will all go to be with the Lord. So, yes we do go to be with the Lord as soon as we die, but – we do not become angels, and we don’t watch over our loved ones. I hope this helps you to understand it a little better. You can research it further by doing a google search: for gotquestions.org “What does it mean that the dead in Christ shall rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:16)?” and “Do believers immediately go to heaven when they die? They explain it much better and in more depth than I did.
@Taylor – praise the Lord that your cousin Logan was able to go home from the hospital!
@thebestisyettocome – prayers that you will be able to get your passport, especially after making that long drive!
It has been wonderful to see so many faces of my dear SRT sisters on Facebook, such a blessing!
Have a wonderful, thankful Thursday!
Sharon, Jersey Girl…yes! Your explanation is spot on!
MUNCHKIN – You’re welcome! So glad that helped and I look forward to seeing you there! ❤
SEARCHING – Thank you for mentioning that song and encouragement. I don’t remember it, though I most likely have heard it. I will be looking for it! ❤
This may sound strange, but I struggle with the word “love.” I feel like that word has been so twisted by the world to mean something that God didn’t intend. I’m not sure that I can really put it into words, but phrases like “love is love” and “self-love” I think are off-track to what God intends for love. I constantly struggle with the question, “How do I love like Jesus loved?” and “How do you want me to love others?” I think in some cases, “love” has morphed into “accept.” Meaning in order to love me, you must accept everything I think, everything I want to do. The verse, “love your neighbor as yourself” – what does that look like for me? My salvation and relationship to God is so important to me, is that what it means? Making sure that I am telling my neighbor about Jesus? Whew, so many things to ponder today.
I was behind on comments but wanted to say to MARI V – I will remember you in prayer. As a retired teacher, I know exactly what you are saying about putting the scores in the wrong slot, and it’s so easy to do. So I will pray for you to persevere in your job and become more confident in it, but I will also pray for the teacher you work with, that she will have patience and grace towards you. I had many aides and student teachers in my long career, and I would take a person who loved their job and cared about the kids; who had a willing heart to learn and worked hard any day over someone who always got everything right but didn’t have those qualities. So take heart, you are a gift to those students and have the right motivation. Don’t give up – you will get it!
I have taken a break from Facebook because it caused me a lot of sadness and discouragement when I would see what my estranged daughter would post, and I just felt like God prompting me to remove it from my life. Maybe someday when I feel like I have the self-control to go on without checking up on my daughter, I will join in with the group.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. God just keeps speaking to me about dying to self. More of Jesus and less of me.
Yes!!
ERB ❤️ flourish is a fruit, wow and thank you.
I am a soon to be empty nester. My oldest son is applying to grad school and my youngest is going to college as a freshman. We have spent lots of time thinking about next steps for both of them. I pray that the Lord will guide them both to be where they will flourish…not just academically or professionally but spiritually as well. The older I get the more I realize that happiness and success in life does not come from achievement or material things but instead comes from peace and joy that only God can give.
Romans 13:12 … let us put on the the armor of light.
Yes, some days I’m persevering (KELLY (NEO)) and some days flourishing. These studies and this community of sisters are grounding and inspiring no matter my season. Thankful for all! ❤️
I thought of the song Midnight Cry, written by Chuck and Greg Day in the 80’s – originally sung by Gold City, and became more closely associated with Ivan Parker. Sung by many others since then, Jason Crabb, Michael English and more. There’s a line in the song that touches my heart every time I hear it … “I can almost hear my Father as He says Son, go get my children”. Jesus IS coming back, praying for the lost.
BESTISYETTOCOME – praying for safe travels and smooth passport process
TAYLOR – praying for your dad, thankful for Logan’s recovery
TRICIA – it breaks my heart that you’ve been treated this way. Praying you will find a community of believers that will welcome your family and be blessed by you and vice versa.
TRACI GENDRON ❤️ – you’re absolutely correct. Luke 1:37 For with God nothing will be impossible NKJV
CEE GEE ❤️ so good yesterday!!
HEIDI – praying for your requests ❤️
Missing you, MERCY❤️
Searching The Midnight Cry is one of my very favorites! Listen to Charles Billingsly sing it! You will be blessed!
JANE BUTLER …loved your comment!!
My notes from today.. I spent a lot of time 1 Thessalonians and read more than what was suggested/highlighted. SO good!!!
As far as flourishing.. it is not a feeling, it is a fruit! We flourish when we seek, honor and portray God!!
*also it’s important to note that the world’s definition and God’s definition are 2 totally different things!! One is self focused and one is Spirit focused!!
Romans 13:8-14
*Love, our primary duty!! Wow!! That says and covers a LOT right there!!
Our flesh has no place in love!! In fact it says “make NO provision for the flesh”!! Yikes!! That means no excuses, no temptations, no feeding of the flesh, but instead starving and exposing it and allowing it to die!!! Wow!! That’s convicting!!! So glad God looks beyond our weaknesses and failings and sees the heart!!! Let us let Him clothe us in His Light, and walk with Him in purity and love, letting humility and repentance lead the way!! Amen.
John 10:9-10
*such a good reminder!!! God is the gate!! Entering through Him means we place our complete trust in Him!! He protects and guides us and gives us life, ABUNDANT life!! Let recognize and follow Him wherever He may go!!
**The enemy only has the ground we give him!
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
*This. THIS, right here!!! May we lead quiet surrendered lives (dependent only on God) completely submitted to Him and His Way so that others may see and know Him without us having to say a word!!
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
*I love the focus on knowing God and His promises. Walking in and believing in them and not being surprised as we are always prepared!! May we choose this way!! And choose to trust God and walk in His light!! Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:8-24
*SO much encouragement and exhortation in these verses!!! Makes me so thankful!!! God please make these things living in me!! Amen.
Have an AMAZING day today ladies!!! Xoxo
I sometimes get in a panic over cremating Tanner. My entire family desires cremation. But is it Biblical? I was told that it is. I think our God is great enough to rise the cremated as well.
I was thinking this morning about if everyone was a believer and acted out of love. Can you imagine?! It would be wonderful. But as a christian our primary duty is love. I just need daily help to do it.
TRACI GENDRON – I’ve struggled with cremation vs burial, too. To me, I remember that we are made from dust, and to dust we will return. Whether the earthly body is cremated or buried, it will eventually return to dust. When God raises the dead, I think He will be pulling all the molecules and cells from all people together from wherever they are: in a grave, an urn, a tomb or mausoleum, scattered over the ocean or mountains, even those that are buried far beneath the sea. God will raise us to a new body like that of the resurrected Christ. I’ve decided on cremation for myself. God will know where my body is, and my soul will be with Him. I know these are just my own thoughts, but it is how I came to the decision.
“…and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.” The second part of Romans 13:14.
The first part of Romans 13:14 says, “But put on the LORD Jesus Christ…” I instantly thought of Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
I often think of life as an ebb and flow, valleys and mountains, and a lot of times that is the way of it here in this life. But today it seems impressed on me that despite what life in this broken world looks like in its actual events, that flourishing – in abundance – is what is found when I “put on the LORD Jesus Christ!” The need for that to be a daily thing is profound. Otherwise I am left to the waves of life with nothing consistent but striving. It is often the ones that we look at that are thriving and flourishing no matter what life is throwing at them that truly reflect that countenance of Christ.
My prayer today is that I be restored, rejuvenated, and redeemed in areas that I have made the wrong provisions in. That I would reflect Jesus Christ in my body, mind, and heart, and to be found by those around thriving in His abundance, and flourishing in His ministry no matter what I face in any given day.
DANIELLE B …Love your take away!! “To flourish I need to continually turn to God for what I need.” Amen!! May we continue to turn to God in/for ALL things!!! ❤️
I agree @kellyneo, flourishing is not how I am feeling right now. But I know God wants us to flourish!
Would appreciate prayers as I drive eight hours round-trip to Miami tomorrow for a passport. Would you all please pray that I have favor? I believe I have all the correct documents, but we might need a miracle! I will have lots of time to pray for you all and for the Lord to flourish thru us!
How can we as Christians read these passages and not understand that when we die we are asleep and when Jesus returns he will wake us up we will revive immortal spiritual bodies and be with him. But instead we teach when we die we immediately go to heaven or are angels watching over people
I was just thinking the same. I am having to rethink all that I’ve been raised to believe for the last fifty years.
This is a great question! I have lost loved ones recently and continue to mull over these discrepancies as well. You’re not alone.
I’ve pondered where we go when we die, until the Resurrection, a lot lately too. For most of my life, I was taught that we go to heaven right away. But when I began to read the Bible for myself, I found that’s not what it says. I believe that as Christians, the dead are with Christ. Paul says that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). And Jesus told the thief on the cross, “Today thou shall be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). So, my own conviction is that when I die, I will immediately be present with Jesus in Paradise. I did some research into “Paradise” a few years ago, and came to the conclusion that although Paradise is sometimes defined to be heaven, it is also defined as a Garden of Eden type of place. Whichever it is, it’s a wonderful place where we will be with Jesus until the Resurrection.
Oh, Father, let all my sweet sisters flourish Your way today (and every day!)
That’s all I have to say about that. (My words are very few this am.)
Welcome, EMMA, and you got it (prayer)!
We have crossed over from death to life! We can find pasture in Christ amidst the valleys and trials of our lives. He is our refuge. Despite the hard things we experience, we can have abundant life because it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives IN us!
I’m finally back after needing a lot of extra sleep from having a cold the past 3 days. I’m finally feeling almost 100% better again. Praise God my cousin Logan was discharged from the hospital after 24 days and was able to go to school yesterday! My dad is still positive for COVID and per my mom he has a nasty cough so prayer for him would be appreciated <3
Love seeing so many She's on the Facebook page :) Thanks @Rhonda for starting the group!
The world has a different definition of flourishing than God does. Flourishing in the world is self-serving and focused on wealth and possessions and power. Yet, God’s meaning of flourishing is loving others and living in the hope and joy that while things are corrupt and difficult, there is the promise of joy and an eternity with Him when we walk in faith and share that love with others.
Agreed!! I think we sometimes forget this. Thank you for sharing!
Jane Butler, yes, holding onto that promise – he is with me along the way!
For me to have life and be flourishing, it requires me to turn God and ask for his strength. So often I try and do, live in the ministry/field he has called me and forget to invite Him and forget to ask Him for His strength. Those times I much more weary, tired and depleted. To flourish I need to continually turn to God for what I need.
Praying for you, Emma!
I’m not sure what I think about the word flourishing. Some days I am flourishing, other days I’m barely keeping my head above the water. Keeping the long view of eternity in the forefront of my mind is sometimes hard on those busy days when the cares of this world keep me too busy to focus on the big picture. Today (when I know I have clients scheduled late into the day, clients with complicated medical problem that need to be addressed, and a lot of phone calls to doctors offices to follow up on), I will try to intentionally pause, pray, and keep things in perspective.
Karen Elizabeth- with you, friend!!
Jesus, it is only through you that we can truly flourish. You have given us life. The only way that we will have abundant life is when we are in submission to you, in obedience, keeping our eyes on you and loving you with everything we have. Please remove from us the sin of discontent. We want to be joyful in everything, knowing that you are right there with us.
Most of today’s reading seemed the opposite of flourishing. There is so much brokenness that we are unable to fix ourselves. This world is so far from what God desires for us. Revive our hearts. Renew us.
I have been feeling this so much in the past couple of years. That is the resounding message that God keeps putting on my heart; this is not the way things are supposed to be. I think too often we are encouraged to look away and not face the reality that we are living in. It has strengthened my faith so much to acknowledge the sheer brokenness and evil that we are currently living through and keep reminding myself that one day everything will be made right.
Love your neighbor. Love each other. How very different would our current reality be if Christians loved people well? Not just other Christians who think and look like them – but truly loved people. Lord help me love.
Amen Ada!!
“Flourishing” is not a word I would use to describe my life right now! “Persevering” would be more accurate. Just the season I’m in. I know it will pass.
Living a “resurrected” life to me means that as one who was once dead, the ties to this world and the flesh have been broken. Thanks be to God.
HEIDI and JAMIE – may you flourish didn what God is leading you to do.
Amen, Kelly! This is where I am right now! Like the church of Philadelphia in Revelation, we must hold fast to what we have.
Kelly (NEO), I am on the trenches! Our lives look like “what shoe will drop today?” And the shoe does drop. It’s day after day for the last decade! Preserving is where we live presently, but I think we flourish a bit too, because our hope is firmly set in Him!
@CeeGee Thank you! I was finally able to find the group once I added private group.
…Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. – Romans 13:11